I'm one of those people who, when stumbling upon a cute craft idea, will say, "I'm going to do that this weekend!" -- only to get caught up in other things. When I hit up Michael's craft store with my mom a few months ago, I bought a pack of four 12'' x 12'' cork squares (about $8) with the intention of dressing them up as a bulletin board. I had a bunch of old clothes to give away, so in the spirit of reusing and recycling, I decided to save two to decorate with: a pink patterned blouse and a leopard print skirt. I use the pink board to hang necklaces in my room and the leopard board to pin up postcards and things by my front door.
It was by far the quickest craft I've done (under an hour for both) and it makes me happy to give these old favourites new life. Here's what you'll need:
• Cork squares with double-sided adhesive included
• Enough material to cover with a 1.5'' inside edge
• Scissors
• Craft glue
• A tape measure
I had some clear push pins on hand, but go with whatever works.
Left: Measure and cut the fabric, making sure there are no seams, darts or pleats in the way. Also check to see if there is any particular part of the fabric you want to display.
Right: Position the square in the centre and apply a line of craft glue along the cork.
Left: Fold the fabric over the glue, making sure it's smooth underneath and press firmly. Repeat around all four sides. I recommend doing the top and bottom first, to make sure the fabric is taut underneath. To fold the corners, think of wrapping a present. Make sure they are flat and not bulking out around the edge so that you see the fold from the front.
Right: Add the stickies to the four fabric-covered corners. I also used two extra stickies on the cork itself for added strength. Tip: Be sure you're ready to place your board when you apply it to the wall, the stickies are strong and will require rubbing alcohol to remove from painted surfaces. If you're worried about damage, look for tacky putty that does not ruin paint.
Et voila, a custom bulletin board that matches the cozy, boudoir feel of my apartment, and it cost less than $5.
Other uses: A friend of mine did the same thing with vintage tea towels to make an arty arrangement in her kitchen. It's also great for the home office or playroom.
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