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Weddingbee boards
The chalkboard artist I had do our seating arrangement and menu didn't do quite the job that I wanted. The handwriting is not very legible and the boards look like a 10 year old did them. Maybe it's a case of you get what you pay for... but I'm trying to brainstorm ways to get them to look better.
My handwriting is oodles better than what this woman did. Dare I erase her work and start over with just a simple handwritten blank board? Or do I leave it? Or do I somehow try to work with what she did.
Lest you think I'm kidding, here are a few pictures...
OK, at some point I'm going to laugh at this. I know it's a small detail, but right now... well... grrr....
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photo(7).jpg (120.7 KB, 166 downloads) 2 years old
Trying to get the other photo to post
oleg_cassini_crl277_wedding_dresses_21.jpg (98.6 KB, 69 downloads) 1 year old oleg_cassini_crl277_wedding_dresses_30.jpg (88.7 KB, 55 downloads) 1 year old photo(6)-1.jpg (18.2 KB, 141 downloads) 2 years old 
Wow! That is some awful handwriting. But then again, my handwriting isn't so great on a chalkboard either. I would definitely test your chalkboard writing abilities before erasing hers, but if you can do a better job - go for it!
Eek...this woman charges for this? I agree that a 10 year old might have been able to print better. In looking at the chalkboard, I'm guessing that the art part of it is chalk too? So if you erase it, then you're erasing the art as well? This is tough...what are you more willing to live with? A blank board or handwriting by a 10 year old? I would go with the blank board and DIY if you have time. When are you leaving for your wedding??? It's so exciting that it's this weekend!!!
So chalkboards are leaving for Tahoe right now. A few stupid tears were shed... (mostly because fiance is leaving right now).
What do you think about erasing the written patches and then blending the background art and re-writing the words? I wonder if I can pull that off?
To make matters worse... she wrote the seating chart in SHARPIE. Sharpie!!!! Oh my god... I have a can of krylon chalkboard paint. Maybe I can paint over it and start again? Dear god!
Sharpie??? What in the world was she thinking??? I guess she thought you would just love love love them! Do you have time to run out and get other chalboards just in case? Ugh...this is getting worse and worse Doctorgirl!
She obviously didn't share your vision. I say if you have the time, go for it girl. At least a little time in love will go into them this time.
oh lord - start OVER - if you do it (or your mom, sisters? bridemaids? find the one with the best handwriting and cry, haha) you will feel much better about it and it will be more what you want. Also there are things that are like chalkboard markers, they are MUCH easier to write with, and what I plan to use for sure.
Beg someone else do to this for you so that you can forget about it. !!
I can use chalkboard in a can...
Just when fiance was starting to convince me that I was crafty enough to work with this, I found out that the names were in sharpie. Holy he**!!!
If I pull an all nighter on Wednesday because of these crappy chalkboards, I'm going to end up at this woman's house asking for every. single. dollar. back. In fact, maybe she should pay me for doing them!
Oh no! I've had several projects DEFINITELY not go as planned, so I know how frustrating it can be. I'm sure you can fix this!
I bet if you go to a Michael's or something similar you can find them: http://www.chalkink.com/ChalkInk/main.html
I would reccomend erasing the whole thing. Spraypaint the board with chalkboard paint. I don't know what you color/theme is, but I am sure you could find a cheap stencil and paint on some sort of lovely border artwork. Then re-write it in chalk using your fabulous handwriting and you are good to go.
xprd69715_m.jpg (71.6 KB, 41 downloads) 1 year old
I'm going to go buy some this morning, HB... Thanks for the link!
OK, maybe it's just because I woke up at 6:30 to pick this crap up, but I'm starting to get a little loopy... so I'm thinking that this whole situation is pretty hilarious right about now!
I'm so sorry it turned out this way! I can't believe she used Sharpie. Darn woman. I would try the chalkboard paint - but I know it's never as good as the real thing. Grr. I am so frustrated FOR you!
You know what I wish??? I wish all of us Bees could be in one place right now. We could fix this whole debacle in 2 hours!
You all are the best!
Did you see samples of this woman's work before you paid her to do yours? The Chalkboard art looks decent, but the handwriting DOES NOT. I would call her and tell her you are unhappy and want a refund! Does it NEED to be on a chalkboard? At this point if I were you I would type up the seating chart & menu in MS Word and just get kinkos to print out a large size print for you.
@doctorgirl - I completely agree! I wish we could be there to help you out!
I looked at her portfolio before I booked her. There wasn't a ton of lettering in her work, and when I think back on it, I think most of her writing was actually stenciled...
I had no idea though that an artist could possibly have handwriting this bad! It's worse than finace's and his is chicken scratch! (and I'm a doctor, I definitely know bad writing!)
Who the heck would use a Sharpie on a chalk board??? I agree with the other suggestions to repaint and redo it. Good luck! Take a few deep breaths and use some visualization techniques and imagine drawing on this lady's face with a Sharpie. 
On the menu, I think you should keep the mountain range if possible and just erase (or paint over if necessary) the words. On the seating chart, you'll need to paint over the sharpie because chalk won't cover it. Maybe you can paint over everything except a boarder of background swirly colors. I higly recommend the chalk pens for writing. They work well, but can smear before they dry, so be careful while you are writing. Wish I was there to help. You can do it though! Maybe the fiance can paint them for you that way they will be dry when you get there to chalk them. Good luck
Oh my! I wish we were all there to take care of this. The menu art looks good but yeah, I definitely see the problem with her handwriting. Let us know if you are able to fix it and post new pics when you do :)
I'm sorry! But I totally agree with you, it's pretty unacceptable. Let us know how it turns out, it sounds like you have some good ideas going on this thread!
Yes, please keep the fabulous ideas coming!
I'm going to Michael's today to pick up supplies. I'm driving to Tahoe tomorrow and then I'll start working on the boards late tomorrow night.
As of right now, the thought is to color in the areas that are acceptable with chalkboard ink, erase everything else, krylon over the sharpie and re-write the names and the menu.
Any, any, any other ideas and I'm all ears!
Any bees in Truckee who also happen to be a whiz with a chalkboard! ;)
Bad handwriting + bad art = bad artist
using sharpie on chalkboard = person with questionable IQ
If I were you, I would be so angry I would fantasize my revenge on her. I don't know how much time you have but painting over it and rewriting seem necessary. Neatness and legibility should be the first priority 'cuz functionality is a must. Background pics like mountain ranges or color hues are probably secondary priority.
Oh goodness! what a situation doctorgirl!
You can do it! I believe in you!
I don't like the art or the writing! I definitely wouldn't display this and fight for my money back. I'm sorry this happened to you - but it'll work out, you can do this!!
I would buy a brand new chalkboard (or completely paint over this one if that works, but it might leave bumps) and buy a white marker, the kind that writes on chalkboard and it looks pretty - the way they do at restaurants etc. It might be easier and look neater with the "chalk marker" than if you do it with chalk - I think with chalk you need to have a lot of room (see pics below). She probably did it in sharpie cause it's impossible to write names so small in chalk, esp. on top of that "art"... I would maybe even go for 2 boards if I were you in order to have more room, especially if you are writing in chalk and not in chalk marker.
Here is some inspiration, you can make it pretty and rustic looking and modern at the same time - don't get discouraged:
http://www.wileyvalentine.com/blog/2009/06/12/wedding-trends-chalkboard/
Don't forget to buy/bring a ruler -- it doesnt look like she knew what a straight line was if it hit her in the face!
UGH -- I'm still going with try to see if someone can help you once you get there, you should be focusing on YOU, not silly chalk boards
This will heretofore be known as the "Chalkboard Fart" short for the Chalkboard Art FAIL!
Oooh, I'm laughing so hard right now...
Packing ruler and other assorted tools this second...
DSC_0219.JPG (36.1 KB, 28 downloads) 1 year old
Those chalk pens are the best! We use them at work and it's just like writing with a felt tipped pen. You could write it in pencil first then trace over them, the pencil wont show through the chalk ink. Good luck!
Okay, so I'm going against the flow here, but even though I agree that it kind of looks childish, I also think it's probably okay. I agree that I'd be super-annoyed too, but I think that 4 days out, maybe your time is better spent enjoying Tahoe and relaxing. I guess if you absolutely can't live with it. But otherwise, NO ONE else will care as much as you do. (I keep telling this to myself also for things that go wrong). The chalkboard is legible enough to get people the seating info they need...the rest is a nice touch but not necessary. Just my two cents. Everyone keeps asking me why I'm not a crazy woman right now. I'm like,"well first there's too much on my plate to have time to go crazy. Second, I've got the guy, the place, and the officiant. So I'm getting married one way or another. The rest is just icing on the cake."
A faster alternative might be to put something together on the computer and take it to kinko's. I always get those guys to print my posters with like 2 hours to spare even though they technically require 2 days. Heck, if you're flying into the Bay Area and can stop in Fremont on your way to Tahoe, I'll go over there with you myself :)
I'm glad you're being able to have a light hearted attitude about this. I'm sure it's making you crazy. But in the end, don't let it ruin your week...that's my main point.
@flaming- fart jokes are great at any age :)
Thanks for the reality check fizics. I agree with you... It's just that I had this vision... Well, you know the drill. It won't be what I thought, but I at least want it to be somewhat presentable :)
We'll see what happens... but hey, if this is the worst thing that goes wrong, I can totally live with that!
DG--way to deal with this stressful annoyance so close to your wedding. I hope the final product turns out better, if not exactly what you were hoping for. YIKES!
You're getting married in 4 days! WOOHOO!
I agree, they're pretty bad -- but salvageable! :) It sounds like everyone else has given you great ideas, and you're set to get it up to snuff. Best of luck!
Also, and I hate to be a "Picky Patty," but does it appear to anyone else that she has misspelled "Caesar" in the last line of the menu? It looks like it says "caeser." When I saw that, any forgiveness/symapthy I had for this chalkboard artist flew right out the window!
Ohh!! I am so sorry you have to go through this only a few days away from your wedding!! I wish we could help you in some other way not just by words ;)
Wow. I can't believe that anyone would even give you thier work looking like that. I'm not an artist, but I would be incredibly embarassed to give that to any customer. I think you need to fight for your money back. If she doesn't want to return your hard earned cash, you should beat her with her own Sharpie.
truffle_dress.jpg (6.2 KB, 29 downloads) 1 year old 
Oh dear. I think Cookie is right--it looks like Caesar is misspelled. I'd check for any other misspellings while you're forming your plan of attack. :(
It's too bad she did such a poor job! Take lots of before pictures so you have a strong case for getting your money back if you decide to go that route. Take after pictures so we can see what a great job you did patching up her mess. ^_^ I'm sure it will turn out great, however you decide to approach the fix. If nothing else, at least you have one nutty story to tell, right? ^_^
Happy upcoming wedding! ^_^
san_patrick_estrella_closeup.JPG (46.6 KB, 43 downloads) 1 year old san_patrick_estrella.JPG (47.1 KB, 47 downloads) 1 year old 
I mean...why? Why? Why? Why? WHY? Why would she think those were ok. I would go kick her chalky a$$ and get your money back. You have tons of good advice for the actual project, but if you're down for revenge...I'm your girl!
BTW, have a great weekend!!! Yay!
I wonder the same thing as <font size="2" color="#81a026">fizicsGirl</font> mentioned would it be possible to put together two posters with black backgrounds that you could have printed and then just have them cut to the size of your frames? Then you could just double sided tape them over the "art"? that would mean no painting, or worrying about the sharpie, etc?
Main thing is have a great wedding weekend!!
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