How to make a DIY memo board
January 21, 2011
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I needed a new memo board for the light and bright office redo I’ve been working on. I made this one years ago:
It’s looking a little sad now. :) To make it, I just covered a piece of insulation foam with fabric. I wrapped the ribbon around it and hung it -- done!
I wanted something huge and it worked perfect! (See that squishy face in the picture on top? That’s my Bub’s birth announcements. Still LOVE.)
Well, about a year ago (yes, a YEAR) I found this huge frame for $10 at Goodwill:
I think it was even half off – it’s been so long I can’t remember! I knew it would work perfect for a new memo board. (I was planning ahead.)
I liked how chunky the frame was, but it wasn’t in the best shape:
It also had a band of linen-type fabric that I actually quite liked.
I had a plan in mind for this baby and I absolutely luuuurve how it turned out! Not just love – LURVE.
First step was to prime the heck out of the sucker. I laid it down on my “spray painting” sheet on the garage floor and did a couple quick coats.
I need to mention that it was NINE degrees outside when I did this. It was unreal, it was so cold.
I am nothing if not dedicated! :)
Once I got feeling back in my hands, I brought it inside to dry. (Spray paint takes forever to dry in extreme temps.)
After that it was ready for paint. Because I wanted to use only what I had, I painted it the blue ceiling paint I used in the office. While it was drying, I moved onto the “memo” part:
This stuff is that thick foam insulation you can get at the hardware store. I love it! I got a few sheets to cover our crawl space openings into the basement years ago. It works GREAT – keeps the cold and the spiders out! Eww!
Anyhoo, I wanted to reuse the foamy stuff for this memo board as well. I measured the size I needed, then used my Dremel to cut it out:
Awe-some!! (Said in a sing song voice.)
I wrapped it with my fabric, securing it to the back with hot glue:
I nail gunned it to the back of the frame and it worked like a charm!
For now it's hanging right behind the desk:
I think it will stay on that wall, but not sure where exactly. :) My plan for the board and batten includes a small ledge, so after that’s done I’ll have to play around with the memo board.
Of course I used the stripe fabric, which is a pain in the booty to get just right:
It has to be perfectly straight or it will drive. you. MAD. Or maybe it just drives me mad. :)
When I primed the frame, I sprayed right over the linen fabric (one word: L.A.Z.Y.) and the primer didn’t even cover it. So weird – it looks just like it did before!:
I just left the little gold strip inside the frame primed. Again…laaaaazy.
I got the fabric pretty straight:
Enough that it doesn’t give my hives to look at it. :) It’ll be covered with notes anyway. That’s what I keep telling myself.
Did you notice my little addition to the DIY drum shade fixture?:
A picture in a magazine inspired it – I saw a beautiful drum shade trimmed out with beautiful, large glass beads. It was GORG. I searched ev.er.y.where. online and couldn’t find anything that looked like it – and then one day I checked out Hobby Lobby and found this.
It is just a precious little beaded trim – I adore it:
Is it possible to be in love with cute beaded trim? Is it normal to be in love with cute beaded trim? I don’t care – I am. :)
I am loving how the room is coming along! The time has come though – I need to buck up buttercup and just get that board and batten DONE.
I still can’t believe the transformation so far. The office before:
And after:
WHOO! Love it! And my office will be extra insulated now. ;)
**I still don’t know what I’m doing with that chair – the cover I had was the wrong blue, (total clash with the memo board) so I took it off for now. I think I have something in mind. (Do you hear my mind crankin’?)
I love it! I have an old frame that I havent know what to do with. I am kind of a frame hoarder. I buy them whenever they are on sale at the thrift store...and keep them pile up in my closet outside! Ha!
ReplyDeleteI love your bulletin board. The fabric makes it he perfect addition to your room!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Love the fabrics, the drum shade, and all your easy instructions. I will be trying this very soon! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeletethat fabric is so wonderful and i love the blue color on the frame!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it! And I am SO OBSESSED with the fabrics and colors you're using in this room! These are the colors I want in my house, so I'm really looking forward to your big reveal! :)
ReplyDeletesuper cute! love the colors & the addition to the lamp!
ReplyDeleteThis room is so much more calm than the other room. I love those colors! Can't wait to see the end result.
ReplyDeleteLove how soothing and elegant the office is looking! Makes me want to paint something around here!
ReplyDeleteI am wanting to make a memo board and am new DIYer so I am so happy to see this post. Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to try my own!
ReplyDeleteLove that memo board-pretty makes it perfect-lol-Claire
ReplyDeleteI am always looking for decor with a purpose....what a great idea and easy to make.
ReplyDeletebeautiful!! I'm using this idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving your memo board! That frame was a great find! Looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteso beautiful! I've got a big frame in the basement I could do just this in my office!
ReplyDeleteYour office is looking amazing...love the memo board.
ReplyDeleteThe room will be great once it's done. Just out of curiosity though, is there a reason you chose to put the "desk" parallel to and right up against the wall? It seems to me that it would be more usable and versitle to set the desk on the diagonal out from the corner. If the window behind and to the left of the desk now is the only window in the room, turning the desk on the diagonal would give you more natural light on your work surface. (Well, at least during the daytime!!! LOL!)
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! I love that idea! I need a new memo board so bad! I am going to come up with something similar!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, your work area is so adorable. I keep telling myself I'll turn my room into something like that, but only time will tell...
ReplyDeleteSeriously drooling over your office - Lurve!
ReplyDeleteI want your office. Even without the board and batten.
ReplyDelete:)
Wow - I love it Sarah!! It looks awesome in your space!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to meet you at Blissdom!!
xoxoxo
Jen
Looks so good! The colors look great in there.
ReplyDeleteThat looks great! I Lurve that fabric too! So perfect! I can only imagine how AWESOME that room is going to look after the board and batton are up!!!! Great job!
ReplyDeleteLooks great!!!!!!! I may use the idea and now I need to go to Hobby Lobby to find a shade just as cute as yours.
ReplyDeleteI love that fabric! And the linen strip on the frame is a perfect accent.
ReplyDelete(the beaded trim rocks, too!)
Ooooo...I love it, Sarah! Your frame (before) reminds me of one I have...my grandparents gave it to me...along with an enormous photo of me as a kid. :s I do love the linen-y mat. I like how you redid everything, but kept the linen.
ReplyDeleteYour office is really shaping up!!!
So purty! Love the insulation idea!
ReplyDeleteThat.is.yummy! I love it!
ReplyDeleteWow, you really get the idea of the size of that frame in your finished picture, Sarah! Beautiful! I love the stripe and how it plays off the fabric in your shade. I have a frame that I broke the glass and have been wondering what to do with it. It's not as big as yours, but I think this might be a good route to go.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was really impressed with how straight you got your stripes to line up in the frame. You are a brave girl.
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend. ~Natalie
Gorgeous! I love it! It even looks pretty as art.
ReplyDeleteYou had me on the first photo of the lamp fabric. Love the color combination and the cottage feel to this space. Great job!
ReplyDeleteAMAZING!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe difference between the two room IS amazing. So neat to see what paint can do.
ReplyDeleteYour memo board is beautiful.
Elisabeth
Love it, LOVE it!! I'm trying to think if I have any unused frames hanging around here...
ReplyDeleteWe just finished putting up board and batten in our son's room. LOVE IT TOO! It's not finished just yet, but I can't wait! :)
Oh man...love love love those beads on the lamp...I made a similiar lampshade for my daughters room with pretty little pink beads around the bottom and black "dingleberrys" (what in the world is the real name for those things anyway?!?) around the top! Memo board is amazing...never thought of using the foam insulation board!!!! I have some in our attic left over from using it for its intended purpose ;)
ReplyDeleteso cute! i love a good memo board. we have always used "homasote" insulation board to make huge bulletin boards to hang on walls. it comes in 4'X8' sheets. gotta love it!
ReplyDeleteOk, I have two words for ya:
ReplyDeleteSTUN-NING!!
(Ok, it's really one word, but it's for emphasis!)
Nicely done! I am in the midst of an office redo myself, and memo board is on my to-do list! Love how everything is coming along - the board and batten will be the icing on the cake!
ReplyDeleteSuuhhhweeet easy project and I do so love that fabric.
ReplyDeleteDi
LOVE it!!
ReplyDeleteIt is too funny that your office walls look EXACTLY like the walls in my bedroom: http://jgvanillabean.blogspot.com/2011/01/master-bedroom-update-taking-my-sweet.html
ReplyDeleteWe are just putting up chair rail and some other extra touches. Looking forward to seeing when you are all done!
Jessi
Love the lamp Sarah, beautiful! We are possibly moving to a new house and I would love to make a memory board like that one!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thank you for the tutorial, I am in the process of redoing my home office and have been planning on making a memo board. I am really excited I already have the blue insulation, and the fabric!
ReplyDeleteOk I know I do not usually comment, in fact not sure if I ever have..lol. Been reading you blog a long time and I have to comment. I know you are planning on covering the wall with cahir rail along the seperation of paints in the office. BUT it is really growing on me the splotchy, seperation. It reminds me of the beach. Where the sand meets the water. Everytime I look at it I think of shells and the ocean. Calming, serene. I lessens the coolness of the room, brings a linen-y, softness to the overall look. Very different, very unique. I would almost keep it that way. Just a thought. :-))) Keep up the good work and I LURVE the bullitan board. I have a gorgeous frame in my garage and you have inspired me.
ReplyDeleteLOVE THIS memo board idea!!! I have been collecting frames too. Not sure what I was going to do with them. But now I know I need to do a memo board for my office and both my daughter's rooms. LOVE the fabric you selected!!!! I think I am headed to the fabric store now!! I also love to hear that you spray painted in your garage then brought it inside to dry. I want to paint in the winter but just thought it was too cold. Now I don't have any excuses!! Thanks for the tips!!
ReplyDeleteLove Love Love, did I say I love it!
ReplyDeleteThe memo board is great, it's the whole feel of where you are heading with the room, the color pallet and the fabrics are all PER-FEC-T0!!! I could see a hint of your ceiling color and I think this is going to be a wonderful inspirational room!
Jo
that looks really great -- your office is going to be perfect!!
ReplyDeleteI love that idea and I really love your blog. It gives alot of inspiration to me. Blessings, Joanne
ReplyDeleteMy first thought when I saw the picture was "forget the memo board, I want to know about the lamp shade." Now I need to decide which lamp in my house is going to get new stylin'.
ReplyDeleteAnd...I think like you when it comes to some projects. Lazy works good for me when fussy isn't needed. I think we have that ability to weed out the unnecessary steps. There are times one needs to be "anal" about stuff and there are times not to be.
I'm a new reader and I'm so enjoying your site! I just love the colors in your new office - especially the memo board and lamp fabrics together. =) So pretty! I think you are actually going to inspire me to get some projects finished at our house. My husband will be so excited that I found your site. Ha! ;)
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! I have bead love toooo!
ReplyDeleteI love your projects!
ReplyDeleteYou have an award:
http://www.childinharmony.com/2011/01/heartfelt-thanks.html
happy day!
I love that board! I recently posted a diy for a cork/magnetic board last week too haha!
ReplyDeleteBisous,
Rachel
lovealamode.wordpress.com
Very pretty memo board! I love that color blue!
ReplyDeleteI like that you are lightening things up in your new office. I have warm colors similar to yours throughout my house, but I "lightened up" one of our bathrooms and I love it!
SO CUTE! i love your blog!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it! I am going to have to set up a bigger home office and I love this idea. Its so pretty and functional. Love the lamp shade too!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the memo board. I had a frame quite similar to that and turned the whole thing into a bow holder for my little girl's hairbows. FYI...we did board and batten in my little girl's room (just one wall). It is totally doable, you can do it! I have faith in you!:)
ReplyDeleteMy two cents on your chair...I like the dark. It gives your very light and GORGEOUS office some contrast. I would probably just paint the legs of the chair and leave the pretty leather.
I'm so excited for your final reveal on this office, I absolutely love the colors!!!
Love the stripes! I'd love to make one for my home office.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the colors you have picked out and I love the frame bulletin board!!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Awesome job!
ReplyDeleteCute!
ReplyDeleteI love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great memo board. Love that GW frame. Also checked out the drum shade redo. Bookmarked both for future projects. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCAS
now I need to hunt for my frame, I love how yours turned out just lovely!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! What a great match to your drum shade.
ReplyDeleteSooo cute! I may try the same in my office.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I LOVE the memo board, the fabric is beautiful! So calming, well done!
ReplyDeleteI love the memo board and your office re-do too! Nice colors, I can't wait to see the rest!
ReplyDeleteThank you for always having something beautiful to share. Because of your blog, I have learned to see discarded items in a whole new way and it makes my brain think just a little bit harder about how to make something my own little treasure. You are such an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYour memo board turned out awesome. Love the fabric and frame. What is the name of this insulation? Do you use thumbtacks or pins in it to pin things up? I hadn't thought of that medium at all. I've been trying to decide what I could use for a memo board -- have a frame already!
ReplyDeleteIt's looking beautiful! I am super jealous of that table.
ReplyDeleteI do have one thing for you to be jealous of... beautiful 70 degree days in AZ right now :). I've only worn a light sweater for weeks. I saw a girl at the store with shorts and a tank top this afternoon. I know we have hell summer's, but I'd take them over cold any day! :)
That looks great! I can't wait to see the finished product. I am trying to figure out to do with my office, too. Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the memo board! I mean, LURVE IT! I love the colors, the stripes, everything! You have finally given me an idea for my son's artwork.. right now as I type this!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you - stripes that are wavy would drive me batty. But, yep - I'd say that once you fill it with cherished photos and mementos you won't notice one bit.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job!
I love that print! It looks great! www.thrifty101.blogspot.com DIY Thrifty Thursday! :)
ReplyDeleteWow! What a transformation! Love it! :) Sweet Tea with Cindy.
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome! You've inspired me to finally do one for my daughter! I love the lamp too. What's the story behind your desk? Did you make it?
ReplyDeleteIt is so funny because I really do think we are on the same wavelength! I was at Marshall's a few weeks ago looking for something like this only for my living room to put pictures on (kind of like a revolving photo frame) and the only one I found was 49.99! Well, then I found out that 49.99 is a GOOD price for something like that....soooo, I wanted to create my own. Thanks for this tutorial bc I had no idea how to approach this project.
ReplyDeleteOh and I looove your office, the colors are YUMMY!!!
GAH!! It's like you are literally pulling my dream for an office right out of my head!! When I told my husband what I pictured for an office was fresh, light, clean, blues and greens....AHHH. He said nope, he pictured, dark, cozy, books, browns......I don't like to argue, so he won. =p I even showed him this post hoping he'd see and agree how A-MAZING it is, and he said he preferred the "before" picture.....do you SEE what I'm dealing with???!!??
ReplyDeleteI am SO jealous of this perfect office that's coming together so beautifully. =) Can't wait to see more!
Very cute. I will post my question here, but will also e-mail you it: Do you think hot glue would adhere well to corkboard as well? I have four square coarkboards and I would like to cover them with red gingham fabric to put on my craft space/office wall. I would use small staples and a staple gun, but we do not have a staple gun at present and we do not have the funds at present to purchase one. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteRegarding the chair. I just saw a pattern yesterday at JAF to make a slipcover for a chair just like yours. They also had home dec fabric 50% off. If you don't have a sewing machine, maybe that fusible tape would work?? Love the framed memo board.
ReplyDeleteLove this project! The "after" picture with everything staged looks adorable!
ReplyDeleteI LURVE it tooooo! Simply Fabulous! I can't wait to see the finished office! :)
ReplyDeleteLove these colors. I too love the lampshade, it's perfect for the room. I think that the fabric would also be cool on the chair..or maybe just a linen slipcover with a little ruffle around the bottom? So much fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm seriously in love with your lamp! And how your whole office is progressing actually. Such wonderful inspiration. I feel like I could take a deep breath in that room.
ReplyDeleteI'm soooo in LOVE with that light! I keep coming back to it saying "I have to do that". But mine won't ever look as good as yours.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely love the memo board
ReplyDeleteI'm making one of these right now! You didn't say what thickness of insulation board you used, I ended up getting the 1/2" variety, i hope it will work!
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ReplyDeleteI just linked to this post on my blog!!
http://mygreenbraecottage.blogspot.com/2011/02/ribbon-and-more-memory-boards-linky.html