Simple Homemade

Summer Drink Station

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This backyard summer drink station is perfect for barbeques and parties! The easy Chalkboard Labels help to keep things organized!

Lemonade in drink dispensers and glasses set on an old metal step stool.

There’s nothing quite like a cold drink in the summer…lemonade, iced tea or even water!  But quite often when I am serving multiple drink choices to friends and family, one of the main questions is “What’s in here?”

I chose this dispenser because it is glass and I read online that others have had success using chalkboard paint on glass.  I also really like the spout on this one. Here are the supplies I planned to use for this project.  The only ones I did not end up using were stencils.  Also, I decided to use the Mod Podge, sort of last minute.

A stencil and a knife on a table.

I traced a label shape on a piece of waxed paper and cut it out to make a stencil.

a hand using sandpaper on a glass pitcher.

I traced around the stencil with a marker and then sanded the glass within the label area with a piece of gritty sandpaper.  After sanding, I cleaned the entire area with rubbing alcohol.

A glass with a stencil on it.

Then, I taped the stencil in place.  I took this picture to show the scuffed-up glass.  This should help the chalkboard paint adhere better.

A sponge paint applicator applying paint to a glass.

I started applying the Folk Art Chalkboard Paint with a Plaid Foam Applicator.  I think this applicator is the neatest thing!  It screws right onto the paint bottle!!  After a couple of layers with this tip (letting it dry in between), I switched to a paint brush for the final layers.

Glasses with stencils and chalkboard paint on them.

Then, I followed the same steps with all of the glasses, but this time I used a smaller-sized label stencil.  Unfortunately, when I removed the stencils, the paint had dried on the stencil, too, and it peeled off along the edges.  You can see what I mean in picture #3!

So, I switched to using a paintbrush to fix the mess I made and fill in the rest of the chalkboard paint.  I think I should’ve removed the stencils after applying the first coat of paint and then just did the additional layers by brush.

a paintbrush shown adding modpodge to fabric and applying it on a jar.

Next, I decided to add a fabric strip around the jar.  I prepared my fabric using Mod Podge Fabric (not pictured).  First, I covered my table with waxed paper.  Then,  I brushed the Mod Podge Fabric over both sides of the fabric strip and then hung it on my clothesline to dry.

While waiting, I mixed together some white, green, and blue paint to make a shade similar to the one on the fabric.  Using a small tipped paintbrush, I painted a thin border around each label.  You can see the label peaking out at the bottom of the middle picture.

Once the fabric was dry, I cut out the zig zag and used my Mod Podge Gloss to attach the strip to the glass dispenser.  After that dried, I had to apply 2 coats of Mod Podge Gloss to the top of the fabric, allowing it to dry between coats.

glasses on a step stool.

Here are the cups with the chalkboard labels and the thin border.  They are by no means perfect because I was doing it by hand, but they will get the job done!

Now, I need to add my disclaimer…I have no idea how these are going to hold up!  I just finished the project, so I am unsure how they will look over time.

I am not worried about it because I plan to handwash these items, and if anything gets damaged, I can just do some touch-ups!

lemonade and glasses on a vintage step stool.
lemonade in a drink dispenser.

Bring on the summer heat…we are ready!

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Comments

  9. Rhonda says

    I spotted this drink dispenser at Wal-mart also. What a cool idea. I just might have to go and get it. It would be perfect for summer get together’s

    Reply

  14. Christine says

    I’m in LOVE!!! First of all your photography is AMAZING!!! Look the blue and the glass with chalk… it’s GREAT!!

    I REALLY hope you are planning on sharing this over at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality!! 🙂

    Reply

  15. Anne @ Domesblissity says

    I did something similar this last summer gone Tonia but just with an el cheapo plastic water cooler from KMart for $8. It was great. Kept the kid’s thirsts quenched all day. I absolutely adore those glass water coolers and would love one for parties etc but I could just imagine it with my kids smashing into a million pieces. My Nanna also had a similar step stool to yours. It’s just gorgeous!

    Anne xx

    Reply

  26. Heidi @ Moms Crafty Space says

    Love it, Tonia! I almost bought this same dispenser for my project as well, but hubby talked me into something else since he didn’t know where we were going to store another big glass item. Now I wish I had gotten it because this is SO cute!

    Reply

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