I’m a bit of a ditz, in a forgetful out-of-sight-out-of-mind kind of way. It makes staying on task with stuff, not to mention keeping up with stuff, a little hard for me. So whenever I can utilize something that will help trigger my memory I’m all over it.
If you watch HGTV you've probably seen a designer use a board covered with pictures, fabric, furniture cutouts, etc. It’s a great work tool but these boards can also simply be a collection of things that inspire you as well as a way to keep track of ideas and project notes.
And, it does not have to be an actual bulletin board. Hey, we are way more creative than that, right? Anything that lets you easily collect, see and interchange the things you gather will work.
If you watch HGTV you've probably seen a designer use a board covered with pictures, fabric, furniture cutouts, etc. It’s a great work tool but these boards can also simply be a collection of things that inspire you as well as a way to keep track of ideas and project notes.
And, it does not have to be an actual bulletin board. Hey, we are way more creative than that, right? Anything that lets you easily collect, see and interchange the things you gather will work.
I wanted something pretty that was also portable so I could prop it in whatever space I am working in at the time. This old frame found at a local thrift store for about $7.00 was just the jumping off point I was looking for.
The next step was to fit it with something sturdy and thick enough to support objects pinned to it. Foam core makes a great backboard for this type of project and can be purchased at most arts, craft and framing shops fairly inexpensively.
To make it pretty, cover it with whatever fabric you like. In this case I purchased a bird print burlap because of our whole nest thing we have going on, but you could even use whatever you have tucked away. You know, like those pretty curtains (or tablecloth, or throw, or…) that just don’t work anymore but you simply can’t bring yourself to give them away. We all have them, and feel guilty every time we see them buried away unused. So……
NOTE: I did just catch this potential problem in time - before attaching the fabric, wrap the fabric around the foam core and dry fit it in the frame to be sure it’s not too snug to fit.
To make it pretty, cover it with whatever fabric you like. In this case I purchased a bird print burlap because of our whole nest thing we have going on, but you could even use whatever you have tucked away. You know, like those pretty curtains (or tablecloth, or throw, or…) that just don’t work anymore but you simply can’t bring yourself to give them away. We all have them, and feel guilty every time we see them buried away unused. So……
NOTE: I did just catch this potential problem in time - before attaching the fabric, wrap the fabric around the foam core and dry fit it in the frame to be sure it’s not too snug to fit.
You can use whatever method appeals to you to attach the fabric to the backboard, but I really like spray adhesive. It dries in minutes, but stays tacky long enough to allow for easy tweaking in the first few moments after applying. After that it virtually disappears and doesn’t leave hard residue or puckering as it dries like other glues. The only drawback is that it’s best used outdoors due to the odor and overspray, but if you have a well-ventilated area and a drop cloth you should be good to go. Just as with any DIY product, be careful to follow that package directions.
And Ta-Da! Now I can pin project notes, fabrics, pictures, whatever inspires (and reminds!) me.
And while talking about creative idea boards, one idea that I’ve used for years is the inside of kitchen cabinet doors. In this case I’ve collected photos of kitchens that I love, plus rough sketches of the layout and cabinet ideas. It’s a little nudge every time I reach for the baking soda ;}
So set your imagination free, and now you have a way to keep up with it!
HUGS!
Cindy
HUGS!
Cindy
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