Easy Framed Cork Board {+ Quick Push Pins!!}

Over the past year, I've SLOWLY been working on my craft room/guest room. And, today's tutorial, an easy framed cork board, is my newest craft room addition. Every little bit, I make small changes to the space, so I haven't been ready for a big "reveal". BUT...the reveal is FINALLY coming in the next couple of weeks. One project left, and I'm calling it done! Stay tuned for that :). 

This project started when I received a fun package in the mail from Elmer's and X-ACTO, with products to try out. This gripster X-ACTO knife and self-healing mat plus cork foam board, to be exact. I've never used the cork foam board, but it is SO COOL. The cork isn't flimsy like other cork products and it cuts easily with an x-acto knife. Plus, the sheets are really big (20x30"). I decided to cut a 11x14 piece to fit into a frame I had in my stash.

Seriously, the longest part of this tutorial is the painting steps. If you have a frame that doesn't need painting, and, if you don't paint the cork, you can have a framed cork board in about 10 minutes!! 

I decided to paint my frame and the cork itself (it paints beautifully!), so here's my tutorial: 

Framed Cork Board 

Supplies: 

cork foam board

open-back frame

yard stick

measuring tape

pen

X-ACTO knife

self-healing mat

*paint for frame (I used Sonora Rose by Valspar)

*paintbrushes

*painters tape

*paint for cork

*optional supplies if you're painting the frame and/or cork

To cut your cork board: 1) measure the inside of the frame to verify the opening size 2) mark the backside of the cork with the measurements 3) cut a straight line with the X-ACTO knife, using the yardstick to stabilize (do this step on top of the self-healing mat) 4) remove the cork piece

If you're using a frame that doesn't require a paint job, simply slip the cork into the frame and you're done!!

To continue with the painting....

1) Paint your frame (Mine was primed white several months ago. And, that's as far as I'd gotten! I painted two coats of my coral paint) 2) Place painter's tape in random stripes on the cork 3) Lightly paint over the stripes with a foam roller brush (I kept the paint light and uneven, but you could do a solid coat, if desired) 4) Peel the tape off when the paint is still wet

When everything is dry, slip the cork board into the frame! Mine fit perfectly and is held in place with the metal clips on the back of the frame. This cork board is the exact depth of my frame. Perfect!

I hung mine in my craft room, and then realized I didn't have any cute pushpins. SO, I have another short tutorial for you:

Easy Decorative Pushpins
Supplies:
plain pushpins
decorative brads (in the scrapbook section of your local craft store)
hot glue and hot glue gun
scissors

1) gather your supplies 2) remove the brad "arms" with scissors 3) place a dollop of hot glue on the backside of each brad and place your pushpin into it  4) repeat until you have a nice collection!

That's that! I hung mine on the side of my sewing cabinet with Scotch heavy duty fasteners. Because the foam is so lightweight and the frame is sans glass/backing/etc, this cork board is really light.

This project would be great in an office or dorm room...or even, in a smaller frame, inside of a locker. You know, Summer is winding down, we have to start thinking about these back-to-school things :).

Let me know if you try out this cork foam board. I'd love to see what you do with it!

**I received product to review from Elmer's and X-ACTO, but all opinions in this post are 100% mine.

Happy Friday!

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