Put a pin in it

For some time now, I have been wanting to make myself  what I call an "inspiration board".  A place, of easy viewing, for my sewing room where I can put future project ideas and fabric swatches I have fallen in love with but haven't quite decided what to do with yet.  I had narrowed down what I wanted to do and technically got started on it a few weeks ago.  Jo-Ann fabrics has recently started carrying a new line of printed burlap and when I stumbled upon this one, I knew I had found the fabric I was looking for to make myself a fabric covered cork board!

The rest of the pieces came together for me earlier this week.  While out searching for some fabric for a custom diaper bag order for the shop, I saw that JoAnn had all of their frames on sale for buy one get one free! While trying to explain a few future blog projects to The Boyfriend, I mentioned that I still needed to come up with something to put in place of the Christmas card holder. (Yes, I am aware that it is almost the end of March and I still have Christmas cards hanging....what can I say, they are really cute!) After I told him about making the fabric covered bulletin board for my sewing room, he suggested I just make two and hang one where the Christmas card holder is now so I could still hang pictures and things. BRILLIANT! I grabbed my two frames, a roll of cork and some cotton that went with my living room scheme and I was good to go!

I started by removing the backing and the plastic from the frame so that all I was left with was the frame itself and set that aside.  Taking the cardboard backing piece, I laid that flat and covered the inside surface with tacky glue.  I carefully positioned my cork roll on top of the glue, making sure it lay flat over the entire surface. (For my second board, this step required some cutting and multiple pieces. Since the entire surface will eventually be covered in fabric, I was not concerned about the piecing.) I then used a "highly technical" process to make sure the cork dried flat....I set my toolbox, old yearbooks and an old EMT textbook on top of it to weigh it down.

Once dry, I layed my fabric out (right side facing down) and set my assembled cork board on top of it (cork side down)

I then cut the excess fabric from around the board, leaving a few inches on each side for folding and securing the fabric.  I used tape to secure the fabric to the back side, working one side at a time to make sure I got the fabric pulled nice and tight. (I was not highly concerned about the color of my tape and its visual appeal on the back since it would face the wall, but if this is a concern of yours, any color of tape should work or I am sure there are other ways to secure your fabric if you prefer.)

Next, I pressed my fabric covered backing into the frame so that the pretty side was facing out.

Once it was all pressed in, I pushed down all the brackets in the back to securely hold it in place.

 

 

This was a relatively light weight frame, so I chose to hang it with command adhesive strips and same me some hole patching time when I, eventually, move out.  I think it looks pretty nice in its new spot. What do you think?

 



 

I can't wait to start pinning up new ideas and inspirations! The board for the living room is also complete but I ran out of Command strips so it will have to wait a couple days....

 

 

I think it will look nice as well, and I already have some pictures to hang on it.  I have one more day of work this week and then its Vacation time for me until next Saturday! I am so looking forward to the time off to relax and celebrate my birthday with friends and family! Have a great week everyone!