Hey everyone. I’m going to be unexpectedly out this week for the funerals of my grandmother and uncle. I’ve asked some of my bloggy friends to fill in for me with some fabulous projects while I’m out. Please give them some LOVE and I’ll be back next Monday!
Why hello there lovely How to Nest for Less friends! My name is Cheryl and I live over at That’s What {Che} Said… That’s right! I said it! *wink* I am so happy to be spending some time today here on Erin’s fabulous blog and even more happy to share with you all my tutorial for how to make your own Bulletin/Memo board 🙂 It includes a number of steps, but they really are super easy, I promise! Let’s get started!
Hands down, this has to be on of my favorite projects so far! It came to life from my mind to reality so nicely and better than I expected! I love when things like that work out! This board can be used as a bulletin board with pins, or as a photo display board using the ribbons…or both! I love the versatility!
Items Needed:
- Old Frame
- Spray paint
- Foam boards (2)
- Spray adhesive
- Fabric
- Ribbon
- Hot glue gun/glue sticks
- Fabric buttons forms kit
- Tapestry needle
- Embroidery floss
- Stapler/staples
- Scissors
Start off by giving your frame a good couple coats of spray paint! Paint it pretty! I chose to use Krylon’s Dual Action Paint and Primer in Watermelon! Next cut your two sheets of foam board down to size, using an Xacto knife and a straight edge. I used a 2-pack of Elmer’s foam Boards and they worked great! (If you are doing a smaller frame, you might be able to use utilize one foam board and cut it into two.) Be sure to measure the inside of your frame. Mine was slightly larger than 16 x 20 so I cut my foam inserts exactly to 16 x 20. You need to allow for fabric and ribbon to wrap around the foam board. Using your spray adhesive, spray one side of the foam board and stack the second on top. this will prevent them from slipping and/or separating once in your frame! It’s important to use two layers because one layer is not thick enough for a thumbtack. Next cut your fabric to size. Add 4 inches to your frame measurements to leave 2 inches overhang on each edge. Since my frame is 16 x 20, I cut my fabric 20 x 24. Be sure to press out any wrinkles or folds in your fabric. The wrinkles don’t stretch out later and they will yell at you every time you see your finished board “Wish you would have taken the time to iron me out…don’t cha?” Lay your fabric wrong side up on your work surface. Spray your foam board stack with spray adhesive again and center on the wrong side of your fabric. Cut the corners out of your fabric to make it easier to wrap the fabric. Working with one edge at a time, spray a line of spray adhesive on the side of your foam board facing up, and then wrap the fabric up over the back of the foam board pressing firmly against the adhesive you just sprayed. Use staples as extra security. Repeat for all remaining sides. Turn your fabric wrapped foam board right side up and then cut strips of ribbon and lay out on your board. You can play around with your placement here. Using hot glue, tack the ribbons in place being sure to pull tight, secure with more hot glue and I also added staples as back up! Where the ribbons cross each other in the center of the board, we are going to add a few fabric covered buttons! These will not only add some strength to the ribbons but also add some decorative appeal!
(Be sure to check out how to make fabric covered buttons if you have never made them before! They are super easy!) Now we are going to take our pretty buttons and put them on the board! I used embroidery floss and a tapestry needle to do this. String your floss through the button and then thread on to the needle, threading BOTH ends of the floss.
Center your needle where the ribbons cross and push the pin through the foam boards.
I pulled it tight and secured the threads using a dab of hot glue and scotch tape. You are left with a cute button on the front!
Repeat for the (4) center ribbon intersections. Then using hot glue, I secured the completed bulletin board into the frame!
Pin important papers or notes anywhere on the board and display photographs by slipping them under the ribbons! The ribbons keep your precious photos safe from pin holes! The super light weight of this board lends itself well to apartment and dorm room walls! Add some command photo frame Velcro tabs or small hooks and you are good to go!
If you want to add a bit more pizazz to the board you can make your own days of the week scrabble tile tacks to be super organized!
There are many steps to this board however they go by really fast! I did this entire project and photographed the steps in less than an hour of naptime.
Are you going to make your own board??? Snap a picture of it and share on my Facebook Wall! I’d LOVE to see it! Thanks to Erin for having me today! I’d love it if you stopped over and visited! I love making new friends! I have a terrific summer picnic friendly Corn and Black Bean Salsa
and also a Free Printable Activity for keeping your kids entertained on long vacation car rides!
Kelli Frueh says
I enjoy your blog so much. I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. You can get all of the information on my site. Congrats. http://bellascraftymom.blogspot.com/2012/07/versatile-blogger-award.html