Advertisements:
Bulletin Board Magic
SUPPLIES:
1 22" x 22" metal magnet board with a wood frame
patterned scrapbook paper (tip: use heavy weight, high quality paper because it
withstands the decoupage medium much better)
white or cream colored paint
paint brush
glue stick
foam core sanding block-fine to medium grit
matte finish decoupage medium
sponge brushes
paper trimmer
INSTRUCTIONS:
The magnetic board looks like it has a fancy ceramic tile frame (you're not obligated to tell admirers that it's really just patterned paper). Here's how to make it:
- Carefully remove the wooden frame from the metal magnet board. Set the metal piece aside, and paint the wooden frame with white or cream colored paint. Let it dry.
- Cut the patterned scrapbooking paper into enough squares and rectangles to cover the entire wooden part of the frame-(these shapes give the board its tiled look). Cut the pieces so they overhang the frame very slightly. Don't get carried away with making perfect or uniform shapes-if you see gaps between the squares and rectangles when they're lined up along the frame, simply cut out skinny rectangles of solid or patterned cardstock and use them to fill in the gaps.
- Lay the cut pieces onto a work surface and sand all four edges of each square or rectangle with a foam core sanding block. The sanded edge creates the look of grout between the "tiles."
- Using the glue stick, glue the sanded squares and rectangles to the painted wood frame in a pattern that you like (remember that the wood should not visible between the pieces) using glue stick. Also, make sure that the squares and rectangles are lined up evenly along the outside edge of the wooden frame (the slight overhang will be along the inside edge). Immediately after gluing, rub each piece firmly to ensure that it is well attached to the wood (especially along the edges), and that there are no air bubbles. Finally, sand the inside edge of the frame to create a worn look and to remove the overhanging paper.
- Using a sponge brush, apply two very thin coats of a matte decoupage medium (a glue-type product available at any craft store) over the top of the paper. Let the board dry completely between coats, and be careful; if you apply the decoupage medium too thickly, the paper will get too wet and can bubble up away from the frame.
- Let the paper dry completely and then carefully reassemble the frame.
The location you choose for your new magnet board (remember that it's unlikely to inspire action if it's not in plain sight), depends on how you'll use it.
Here are a few ideas:
- Art Gallery: turn it into an "Artwork of the Week" frame. Create one board per child, or have the kids take turns sharing the spotlight.
- Communication Hub: don't let phone messages and party invitations get buried--hang them up instead (and make sure family members know where notes and reminders belong).
- List Central: You have a million (or at least five) different lists (Grocery store, Target, To Do, To Call) but don't know where any of them are. Label each one and tack them all onto one board; when Junior eats the last granola bar, he'll know just how to remind you to buy another box.
- Chore Chart: Share household tasks by posting jobs where everyone can see them. Hang a card with each family member's name at the top of the board, and use the magnets to rotate the tasks daily or weekly.
- Menu Manager: Create a weekly meal plan, complete with dinnertime duties (set table, prep salad, wash dishes) and display it so your family can participate in planning, cooking and eating nutritious meals.
Your new magnet board will clear away paper clutter and be a showpiece at the same time. Consider it art made easy.
