How to Make a Little Blackboard Table with Giant Pencil Legs
Have you ever met someone and just “clicked”? I love it when that happens. A few weeks ago, we met a couple and their gorgeous, little curly-haired daughter, Aurora. It honestly felt like we’d known them forever. The mom is an extremely talented photographer and an old soul with a naughty twinkle in her eye. I had originally contacted her to take some photos of our little house down by the sea. I’ll share some of those photos soon, but this post is about their little cherub of a daughter and how we made her this blackboard table with giant pencil legs.
When they popped around to discuss the photoshoot, little Aurora just stole my heart. Rory is curious about everything and has the most beautiful manners. When she laughs, it gurgles up from the bottom of her tummy and she loves drawing. A girl after my own heart 😉 She’s just moved into her own bedroom so I really wanted to make her something special.
And I’m hoping her new easy-to-make, upcycled craft table qualifies.
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How to make a table with giant pencil legs
We have some old PVC pipes leftover from when we built our metallic bathroom and they were just the right size to turn into a giant pencil. Using a little bit of masking tape as a guide the PVC pipe was cut into four equal bits.
After giving the pipes a good clean, and prepping them for painting we sprayed them a bright, happy blue.
Once the blue coat was completely dry, we masked off the bottom bit with newspaper and masking tape and the eraser portion got a coat of dusky pink.
Crazy how a little paint can instantly change the look of something The PVC pipe is starting to look like giant pencils already.
Finishing off the giant pencil legs
I originally wanted to use a tin can for the metal bit that joins the eraser to the pencil. But I was worried that I might leave a sharp edge somewhere and little Rory would cut herself. So we used aluminum tape instead. Man, I love this stuff. It sticks like crazy and we’ve used it to make our chain of hearts garden mobile so I know it will survive anything a little girl might throw at it 😉 To make the grooves in the metal I carefully placed bits of string on the sticky side of the tape.
The aluminum tape was taped around the PVC pipe to create a faux metal strip.
So now I had four giant pencils and no idea how to attach them to the blackboard table.
Fortunately, I have a secret weapon………… the hubby 😀
The Hubby’s Brilliant Idea to Attach the Giant Pencils
He suggested we use a hole saw to drill some holes into thick pieces of wood to hold the pencils. Ahhh I love a clever man.
It worked beautifully. We painted the top of the table in blackboard paint and the bottom with the same happy blue that we used on the legs. Finally, when everything was dry, the legs were glued and screwed in place and Rory’s blackboard table with giant pencil legs was ready.
A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere. Joyce Meyer
Not bad for a few hours’ work.
I painted a small metal bucket in the same eraser pink to hold her chalk.
And those PVC pipes sure do look like pencils now.
Oh, and just for fun, we made Rory this “No Drama Llama” chair too. I hope she enjoys her new bedroom and always dreams happy dreams.
I’d love to know what you think? Is it something you’d make for that special little one in your life?
If you like the ifdea of giving a table giant pencil legs don’t forget to pin it for later.
Sharing is caring 😉
BTW, if you don’t want to go to the trouble of finding some of the materials we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more crafty ideas to share with you 😉
Or if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then maybe these will appeal.
And as always, here’s wishing you a beautiful week filled with many happy surprises and new friends.
Love it! I want to do a big one to cover a pole at the elementary school I work. Do you have a suggestion for the sharp edge of the pencil? I love your metal replacement idea with the string on the sticky side, brillant!
Mmmmm, that’s an interesting question Jodi. The first thing that comes to mind is using those plastic funnels and painting them a tan, browny color perhaps and the tip a black or grey. Hope that helps and I’d love to see how your big pencil pole turns out. It’s such a neat idea for an elementary school. As long as the sharp pencil tip can’t hurt any of the little ones.
Now this is something my great grandkids would love …I definately need to make a few of these …Thanks for Sharing …I love it !!!
Thanks so much Maude. Let me know how yours turns out I’d love to see it
Oh my word, as a mom of three I just ADORE this, so clever and cute!
MWAH Andrea, you just made my day
Love it, Michelle! What a beautiful and original idea! Kisses, my friend.
Thanks so much Mia, happy name day for yesterday BTW 😉
Awwh loved this idea! I need to make these for my girls!
I’m sure they’ll love it Emily.
This is so great, Michelle! I really thought these were huge pencils you used 😉 Very clever!
😉 Thank you Angie
Such an creative pencil leg table. That blows my mind. My twins would definitely love it. I’m sure they enjoy it. Such a great project. Pinning!!
Oh you have twins Elizabeth, that’s so cool and I’m glad you like the little table:D Thanks for pinning too
Just the most perfect table!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks so much Jodie 😀
Michelle, This is so adorable! It would look great in any child’s room or play area. How fun are those legs? You are so bloomin’ creative, each project blows my mind. You always figure out how to make it cool and then take it several steps further! Love it!
Awwww Nikki, thank you. I love doing things like this and having hubby as a side kick makes it so much easier
Michelle, the couple and Aurora sound so lovely!! Rory is going to love her new table! You and your husband make a great team; This table turned our wonderfully!!
Thanks so much Keri. I do hope she likes it when she see’s it for real.
Oh my gosh. My daughter would LOVE this. (And the little blue animal that is pictured with it. 🙂 ) Do you ship to the USA? 😉 Love it, and I never ceased to be amazed by your creativity.
Thanks so much Amy. Perhaps when your newest addition arrives in the Fall, you guys can make one for your daughter. I’m loving how her bedroom looks. The perfect little space
This is such an adorable DIY project! The pencils remind me of a show I watched as a kid called Art Attack. I have never heard of metallic tape but it is very cool!
Oh wow, I remember watching some of the shows with my son when he was tiny. Such good memories 😉
You really are crafty! I would have never have thought of making a table with pencil legs. But it sure gets everyone into the back to school spirit
I never thought of that, I suppose it does Victoria. Thanks so much
I love this table, really cute and the pencil legs are so nice. Michelle, you are really creative.
Thank you so much Sadhna. You always say the nicest things
This is SO cute! What a great idea for children.
Thank you K 😉
This is so cute and very creative.. I’m sure she enjoyed it!
Thanks so much Nicole, I hope so 😀
This is quite a useful and cute little project! I would love to make one of these for my son’s room….nice way to promote kids’ creativity AND keeping the space clean at the same time 🙂 .
Oh I hope you get to make on for your son Nandita. It’s a really easy one to do 😀
Genius idea to create the pencil legs – your attention to detail (the string to create the lines on the metal strip) is so clever. I bet little Aurora was thrilled with her special pencil table! Pinning and sharing
Thanks so much Marie. She’s only seen the pics so far, but her mom says she loves it 😉
OMG this is too cute and so simple to make. This would look awesome in our Early Childhood classrooms.
What a great idea Lisa. I need to see if there’s a school in our area that we could perhaps sponsor and make some for them
What a cute table! Also, loved the quote that pencil and dream can take you anywhere!
I loved that quote to. It’s so appropriate. Thanks Ana
This was such a sweet cute gesture for this little girl. I’m sure she’ll have lots of fun using it!!
Thanks so much Doris, I hope she enjoys it
My goodness you are so very talented! I wish I were a DIYer like this. I would make this for the toddler in my life!
Awww Candy, thank you so much. This one is really easy to do and doesn’t require a lot of tools. I think the hardest thing to do was aligning the tape on the erasers 😉
This is so creative and fun! The kids would love this in their rooms! Thank you so much for your great ideas!
My pleasure Yeu, I’m glad you like it 😀
This table is absolutely adorable! My sister is having her first child in December. I am going to have to show her this because I know she will love it!
Oh I’m glad to hear that Alexa. All of the very best wishes to your sister, becoming a first time mom is always so special
This is the cleverest table for a kid! Honestly those table legs look so realistic! You nailed those pencil details, and I’m sure the little one will have fun with the blackboard top. Such a sweet and thoughtful gift.
Thank you very much Florence, it was fun trying to come up with something a little different for some so special
This is such a creative idea and so cute! I don’t do much DIY coz I don’t have my own flat and I don’t have kids either but I shall remember this post for my little cousin coz I just love the idea
I’m so glad to hear that, thanks so much
Oh Michelle that is super cute, and of course I would use that in a child’s room it’s adorable. Any child would have hours of fun with this. Love the legs!
Thank you my friend. I must admit we had hours of fun making it too 😉
This is way too cute – and I’m sure she loves it! What a great idea to use the PVC pipes for the pencil legs. Will definitely be saving this one.
Thanks so much Dee 😉
Wow, I love this table. It is awesome for a kids room! Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much Sue, I’m glad you like it
Don’t you love when that happens? I really think we are connected through other lives with people we meet in this one and that kind of click must be we were really close one time.
That table is any kid’s dream, I am amazed how you added the wire inside to make it looks as a real pencil. At first I thought it was a pool noodle but it would have been wobbly, your version must be really sturdy. Great work as always
I believe the same thing Pili, it’s like our souls recognize someone on a deeper level. I’m real glad you like the table, if little Aurora doesn’t want to draw then I needed to make sure she could dance on the table too 😉
Oh my this is the cutest table I have ever seen. I know my granddaughter would love it and it doesn’t look too hard to make. I’ll show this to my son-in-law. Thanks for sharing this.
I’m so glad you like it Benita, thank you. I’m sure your son in law will be able to make it really quickly
You are so creative! This table is the perfect addition to any children’s room. I know my son would love it!
I’m so glad to hear that Sylvia, thank you so much
Wow, this table is awesome for a kids room! I love the creative idea of mimicking pencils 🙂
xo
Thank you so much. We had lots of fun figuring this one out 😀
Aww you are so incredible. To make this for a very special little girl. I can just picture her jumping up and down with joy! Her little curls bouncing. Michelle your attention to detail is amazing. I never would have thought to add those strings inside the metal looking tape to make it look so authentic. That is a perfectionist at her best.
She’s the sweetest little person Mary. One day I’m going to convince her mom to let me paint her 😉
Ohh we will have to share with us!! I can already see her from your detailed description.
I’ll ask her mom’s permission 😉 She too adorable not to share
Michelle, love it, love it, love it!!! Jeez nice to team up and do these things together as hubby and wife. Aurora is blessed with her new aunty friend ❤️
Awwwww Dalene, I’m so happy to hear that. Your little granddaughter is one of a kind, just like her mom and Ouma 😉
I think you are the most creative person I have ever met! I love this, it is so adorable.
Awwww Debra, thank you so much and likewise to you. I wish I could flip furniture the way you do
Oh my gosh Michelle! The table is a total masterpiece! And thank you for the kind and loving words! You and hubs have crawled deep into our hearts too, and like you said; it feels like we’ve known you forever. I guess that means you’re family now ?
I showed Aurora the pics and she is totally beside herself with excitement! Safe to say, she LOVES it!
We can’t thank you enough!
xx
Yup we’re family now 😉 and I am sooooooooo happy to hear that Celeste. She’s a very special little person
This is a fabulous DIY to create for a child. The legs and the chalkboard top really bring this table to life. How you created the legs was the best part of this project for me. I hope this little girl really loves her new table.
Thanks so much Lian. She hasn’t seen it yet, but I’m hoping she likes it 😀
We have those kind of friends, the ones that are currently taking care of our house… I love them and we click just like that! You are so sweet to make such a cute and fun little table for little Aurora, she must be a sweetheart and I´m sure she´ll love it so much! Again and as always being soooo creative by using pipes as pencil legs!
We’re so lucky when we find someone like that and it’s kinda how I felt when I met you guys on line. Thanks for always being there Katrin, hope you’re enjoying your summer holiday
omg girl spread some of that creativity over my way, lol! I am about to be “attempting” to decorate and remodel my 5 year olds room and 1 1/2 year olds room and that table is so adorable! Thanks for the article!
LOL Jessica, I’ll blow some over to you 😉
Oh my gosh, this table is just too cute! I love the pencil legs. She must be so thrilled with it. What a wonderful gift and perfect for a little girl! Pinning!
Thanks so much Carolann. I’m real happy with how the pencils turned out and the table is so light too. I suppose it’s because the legs are hollow