Recycled Cutting Board

Old cutting board up-cycled.

 Recycle old cutting boards for wall decorations or turn them into game boards. Sit them on your counter to use as a hot pad or glue wood ball knobs on the bottom to make a wooden trivet. You can pick up used cutting boards for under a dollar in yard sales or check out the local $1 Shop.
 

Instructions

1. Sand the board smooth to take off any old paint, smudges or knife marks. Wipe away sawdust with a soft, dry cloth.
2. Paint the board with acrylic paint in any color of your choice.  
3. Draw the lines and squares using a straight edge ruler and pencil. Instead of drawing the squares you can check with a craft supply store for checkerboard stencils.
4. Find a checkerboard or photo of one, and use it as a guide for your checkerboard rows. This board should have one more row.
5. Choose alternate colors for the squares. For example, alternate squares in red and white. 
6. Allow the paint to dry each time you finish painting the divisions of the board.
7. Sand the edges and random places on the board, back to the wood, giving it a used worn look. Sanding is a preference. You do not have to sand the wood.