Got a piece of cardboard lying around the house? Then you’ve got the beginnings of a beautiful and unique memo board any kid would love to have in his or her room. It’s really easy to make the memo boards with a theme that would fit a boy or a girl. Kids can hang the finished boards in their rooms to hold photos, notes and more.
The cardboard piece you use should be fairly thick. If you prefer you can use a slab of Styrofoam instead of cardboard. Either way, the next step in the project is to magnetize the board. Purchase magnetic sheeting to affix to the cardboard. The sheeting is available by the sheet, or by the roll, at most craft stores. Since you’ll decide how large or small the memo board will be you’ll decide whether a sheet, or the whole roll, is best for your project.
Peel away the backing of the magnetic sheeting and press the adhesive side to the cardboard or Styrofoam. Now the whole board is magnetized but needs to be more decorative. Cover the entire board – magnet and all – with a piece of thin cloth. Wrap the cardboard as if it were a gift. Wrap the ends of the cloth around the back of the cardboard and tape in place. Cut a piece of felt or fabric, the size of the board, to glue to the backside. This will cover the tape and give the back a finished look.
Cut a length of flat ribbon and glue it to the board to use as a hanger. Glue the ribbon down each side of the cardboard but leave enough at the top to form a large strap that will hold the memo board. Instead of ribbon you can use roping or even rolled fabric. If you’re using Styrofoam instead of cardboard you can use decorative pins to hold the ribbon or roping to the sides of the board.
Create a theme for the memo board by browsing some of the many miniatures you’ll find at a craft store. Items that have a flat side are perfect for the memo board theme. Whether it’s painted wooden heart shapes or small ladybugs you’ll magnetize the small novelties to use for holding things to the memo board.
Attach small pieces of magnetic sheeting to the flat side of the theme objects you’ve chosen. These magnetic novelties will hold the photos, notes and other items. Create an embellishment for one of the corners to add charm. For instance, if you were using the ladybug theme glue some tan raffia to the corner, then glue on some small non-magnetic ladybugs. Or, if you are doing a sea theme, glue on a piece of sandpaper and some small shells. There are so many different themes you can create.
When considering the objects you’ll use as the magnets choose lightweight objects. Heavy items won’t hold well to the thin magnetic sheeting. For this reason, flat wooden shapes work very well. After you’ve affixed the magnetic sheeting pieces to the theme objects you’ll use them to hold pictures, memos, notes and other items to the board. The magnetic sheet under the cloth will grab the magnetic objects and hold them.
Make a similar board for a baby’s room. Use tiny toys and other baby items to make the magnetic objects that can hold the baby’s latest pictures or assorted mementos. You’ll find a large assortment of suitable baby-theme cloth at a sewing supply store.
Create the memo boards for the kitchen, a child’s room or even an adult’s room. The memo board can have a sports theme, a cartoon character theme or any number of other themes. Just choose cloth and embellishments that will help you create the look you want.
It’s fun to make the memo boards that can feature a showing of pictures from your latest vacation or can be the central message center for your busy household. Let the kids work on their own memo board. They’ll have a blast and create just the perfect memo board for their own room.
Reference:
- Purchase small trinkets here: www.michaels.com
