31 Days: Day 22 DIY Cork Board

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Day 22 already!!  It's been a really busy month, but this has been really fun!

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Today's project is a DIY cork board.  I'm SUPER excited to show you what I made!  I've been drooling over photos and tutorials for at least two months and now I've finally gotten everything together to show you!  I tend to have piles of paper, receipts, and notes to myself strewn all over my desk.  My "desk" is actually a space-saving kitchen table from Ikea.  I adore it!  But it's a space saver, so it's really small.  It's also in the dining room, so having a mess of papers isn't exactly appropriate.  I wanted some place to stick them where I could still see my notes and reminders, but where they would look cute and not messy.

I know that all of my other projects have been really inexpensive, but this one wasn't.  (At least it wasn't here in Germany!)  I bought the frame at the PX and it cost $20.  I was disappointed because I really wanted a thrift shop/cheap old frame but I wasn't able to find one large enough.  The fabric also cost me $11 for a yard.  It's highway robbery, but it's all I've got!  If you're in the States, go to JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby and I'm sure you'll do much better!  Bring your coupons!

Here are most of the items I needed for the project, including a frame, cork tiles, fabric, and glue.  I ended up not using the gorilla glue - I used super glue instead.  I couldn't find my Tacky Glue and (gasp!) I don't own a hot glue gun.  I wouldn't recommend the super glue.  It worked better at sticking my fingers together than it did sticking fabric to cork!

First I spray painted the frame with two coats of black and then two coats of glossy sealant.  I've honestly never spray painted before and I was having a TON of fun!  Unfortunately it was raining and I was working in the basement - which I don't recommend!

While the frame was drying, I put all four cork squares together and cut out the exact size I needed.  I used the back of the frame as a guide and used an Exacto knife with my self-healing rotary mat underneath.  

Once I had it cut out, I used the little adhesive squares that came with the cork tiles to stick a piece of cardstock on top.  I would have preferred cardboard, but I didn't have any large enough.  You just need something that will keep all of the pieces together so you can cover it in fabric.  

Now, I put the fabric upside down on the table with the cork board on top of it.  

I cut the corners out so it would be easier to fold over and glue.  It has to fit in the frame so you don't want any bulkiness!

Once I glued the flaps over (and my fingers together!) I flipped it over so you could see what it looks like!

Then I put it into the frame and hung it over my desk.  I bought push pins that are red, black, and white to use.  You can't really see them in the photo, but they're in the center of some of the flowers.  They look fantastic!

I absolutely love how it looks!  I'm so excited for my husband to see it when he comes home next week! I was disappointed at how much it cost, but I am so pleased with it.  I honestly feel it was worth the price  and I would love to make another one for the kitchen to use as a calendar!

What do you think?  Do you need a solution for the random papers floating around your office?  Do you have an old frame that's collecting dust in the basement or garage?  Maybe you just want an excuse to spray paint? :)

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