Ballard Designs inspired bulletin board … from a diaper box and an old movie
6 Mins Read
I have a problem. A big, big problem.
I’m an obsessive crafter and DIYer with a very short attention span. That means I have several large bins full of half-finished and non-even-started projects that keep piling up.
Toss a layoff and a lousy economy into the mix and I decided that now was a great time to stop spending money on anything and everything crafty-DIY-projecty until I used up what I already had on hand.
No money. No shopping. No problem.
But, I also realized that as long as these projects were tucked away, I’d keep forgetting about them and never finish.
So what to do?
I saw these in the Ballard Designs catalogue and knew this would be a perfect way to keep visual track of everything.
The only problem was that I didn’t have an extra magnet or bulletin board on hand that I could recover with fabric.
Then an idea hit when I pulled out my lovely little .88 cent thumb tacks from Walmart:
They were package in two layers of cardboard. Hmmmm.
I didn’t have any large, random sheets of cardboard lying around the house, but I did have plenty of these …
… and as soon as I opened up the box …
… and folded it in half—voila!
Double thick cardboard in just the right size for a bulletin board.
This is gonna work … so here we go!
Trim off the extra tab on the end of the diaper box and set it aside.
You should have a nice rectangle for your base. The only thing you need to do for prep work is fill in the narrow gaps on the top and bottom so that the fabric will lay nicely across the board.
Measure the width of your gaps …
… and cut filler strips from the left over box tab.
Lay the filler strips into your gaps, trim the ends flush with the sides of the box and tape in place. Do this to the front and back sides of the box.
Spray the inside of your box with spray adhesive and weight the layers down for a few minutes to set.
Tape the full length of the narrows ends together and add a few strips on the long sides as needed. I used 2” clear packing tape and it worked great.
I also taped the punch out for the handle as well.
There, all nice and smooth.
At this point I noticed that the front and back were not the same length: one side was about 3/8” inch shorter than the other.
(Sorry … forgot to take a picture of that.)
It’s no big deal. Just make sure you use the longer of the two sides for the front.
Spray the front with a good coat of spray adhesive and lay your fabric over top, smoothing out any wrinkles and bubbles.
Patterned and plain fabrics are the most forgiving for this project as I learned the hard way. If you’re using a stripe like I did, make sure you line up your lines along your straight edges or it will be really, really obvious.
See?
The OCD part of me started to twitch when I first applied my fabric. It took several minutes to gently pull and tweak my fabric before it looked nice.
Flip your board over and trim the excess fabric to an inch or two around the edges. Cut the corners at an angle to get rid of extra bulk when you glue them down.
Fold fabric over the board, starting in the middle of each edge and working towards the corners. Glue in place with hot glue.
Your board should look like this on the back …
… and this on the front.
All you need to do is attach a ribbon to hang your board and you’re done.
There are two options for attaching your ribbon. The easiest option is to hot glue or tape your ribbon on the back side at the fold lines.
Add a decorative bow to the front and DONE.
Easy peasy.
The other option (which I used just because my kids are very active and I wanted extra stability) is to carefully poke holes through the board about 1.5” down from the top and thread the ribbon from behind …
… tying it in the front, trimming away the excess ribbon …
… and hot gluing the finishing bow over top.
Simple. Cute. Done.
Start to finish was less than ten minutes. Tops.
But, I have a confession to make.
I didn’t have enough black satin ribbon to finish my boards (I made two). And since I’m not spending money for finish up anything, I had to get creative about what to use.
I really had my heart set on the black satin ribbon, especially with my fabric. So I looked around my house and found this:
A well-worn, beloved VHS tape from my kids’ playroom. The top had been broken off and it was ready for the garbage. But … I noticed that the tape inside was exactly the width and color of material that I was looking for.
It was worth a shot ….
I removed the little screws on the back …
… and opened up the inside to expose the spools.
And I laughed when I flipped the spools over because it looked just like two spools of satin ribbon.
So that’s what I used.
All of the “ribbon” for this project came from our dearly-departed Thomas the Tank Engine movie. VHS ribbon can wrinkle easily so I was gentle when I was threading it through the hanging wholes and when gluing the bow. And this is probably stating the obvious, but a low temp glue is the way to go here.
VHS “ribbon” worked great.
I’m so excited to have found a new medium to work with and have several fun projects for this stuff lined up for the coming weeks.
I’m loving my new bulletin board and am feeling more organized already.
And for thumb tacks?
I only had those white Walmart beauties that just wouldn’t work with black and cream fabric. No problem. The tacks got a quick coat of black craft paint from a sponge brush and done.
This project showed me that the ability to fuel my passion to create has nothing to with dollars and everything to do with attitude.
I choose to THRIVE.
So thanks for stopping by!
{Now all I need is a brilliant idea for some cute bulletin board hangers.}
How very creative to use that VCR tape! That is totally something I would do, LOL! Very pretty!
Lorie
Look at you being so crafty! It looks great!
Thanks for linking up to Show and Tell Saturday!
SalicosFamilyBlog
Very creative! I look at my diaper boxes in the garage and think "trash" 🙂 oh well – thanks for the inspiration!!
SueL
Great idea! Who needs new when you can Choose to Thrive?
Lisa
These look great! I know what you mean about all the half-finished projects. I have boxes full of them! Last winter I had an urge to finish some of them so I finally did. It felt so good!
Sarah @ Modern Country Style
These look brilliant. And I mean REALLY brillinat.
I can't believe you used the video tape! That's the sign of a creative genius,you know!
I think you should definitely cannibalise some of those Scrabble tiles! Who'd notice???!
By the way, we went through a similar experience to what you talk about on your profile about four years ago. It's hard, isn't it, but I think you look as though you really ARE thriving.
I love you blog….and your attitude.
Sarahx
Janet
That is so creative. I have way too many unfinished projects also.
What a great use for old VHS tapes.
Janet
Shannon
AWESOME! I love everything about it! Thanks for stopping by my blog… I may be addicted to your blog now…
Michelle @ Sweet Something
Very creative!
Your Frugal Friend, Niki
Okay…wow. I am impressed with your creativity! And resourcefulness!
I am enjoying my visit to your blog (it's my first time). I hope you can stop over to Free 2 Be Frugal sometime soon.
Kristen @ ladybug-blessings.com
Okay that has got to be one of the most creative uses of a VHS tape EVER!! Thanks so much for linking up to Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings! This is a terrific idea and not expensive!
Phillip/Mackenzie
Neek! So Awesome! I am so doing that with our diaper boxes. How cool!
Em and Lib
Amazing! cute, creative and USEFUL!
Hello!
another great idea!
Amy Meyer
Great job at making something amazing out of things just around the house!
Jamie Kaufmann
omgosh, you are the most thrifty creative person i've encountered yet! way to go. this is fantastic, all the way down to the VHS tape, love it!
Leanne
I'm amazed with your creativity and it looks great. Thanks for joining We're Organized Wednesday. I'm featuring this today. Grab a button if you'd like. Have a great weekend!
GreenDigitalist
Super cute…and the VHS gives it kind of a cybr-punk-prep look with the plaid.
I'm a new reader and loved how you incorporated a lot of photos…nice blog. Any tips/tools you use to make this go faster?
Nike@ChooseToThrivePost Author
GreenDigitalis – thanks! I'm not sure if your question is about the pictures loading faster on the blog or about making a board. Email me at choosetothriveblog (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll shot you off an answer ASAP.
GreenDigitalist
Sorry 🙂 meant on process of blog creation…sent you email. 😀
Natasha
I need some color in one of my rooms. I have some AMAZING brown fabric that I am going to make these "Boards" out of, but not use them as bulletin boards, but as wall decor! Thanks for the amazing idea! Thrive on!
Jillian
LOL!! You are awesome! I giggled through your whole post. You are so creative!
Becky
Well done thrifty crafter!! I love the fabric. I have a couple of boxes full of half finished projects too. I think I will get those out and see what I can do. You have inspired me 🙂
* Taci *
I am so happy to have found your blog! You take lemons—>lemonade to a whole new level! *WONDERFUL*
Me N My Thrifty Ideas
this is my new fav blog…ur awesome!
Anonymous
OK so the VHS tape as ribbon is so genius! It made me laugh but what a mind! 🙂
Anonymous
I have never seen anything so creative in all my life! This is a fabulous idea…one that can use any kind of boxes for those of us who don't have babies anymore. I also like the idea of using them for wall decor instead of a bulletin board. I would "rock what I got" and join the cardboard with duct tape and use some old clothes for some of the fabric. I save old clothes just for being able to use it in projects. Hey, it's free fabric that way!
Kristyn @ Good Gravy Crafts
What a GREAT way to recycle all your stuff! Poor Thomas! haha!
This is just fabulous, great way to think out of the box!
xx-Kristyn
Amelia
You are certainly creative..loved it!
Ann
I love your out of the box thinking, literally 🙂 I am obsessed with making bulletin boards and this has opened up a whole new and thrifty world for making them. Great Job!
Sharlotte
Oh my gosh, this is just plain cute! I love your ingenuity! Great job and good for you for sticking with original plan in not spending any thing! Sharlotte
Haleyuns
Your my crafting hero! For reals.
BarbaraS
You make me laugh. Hugs.
Heather
LOVE that you used VHS tape…absolutely fantastic! LOL!
allison @ itstoilegood.blogspot.com
you are inspiring beyond measure!
Sam
I just found your site and I am amazed and inspired…thank you so much for your sharing your talent!
Creative Escapes
GREAT IDEA! I Love it!
Life in Rehab
Bwahahahahaha! I love that you used a VHS tape! That's fabulous!
Aside from that stroke of genius, the whole project is cool, and it's on my list of genius to steal.
Jill
Gotta love those diaper boxes! I've used mine for many projects. Your bulletin boards look great!
Olga @ Suddenly OG
Wow your blog is an inspiration. Great Ideas!
queen bee tracy
Hey from a new follower (thanks Sarah/TDC!) and I have loved reading throughout your blog! I too get the blahs sometimes from my little old house not being "THE" house but I love your attitude and plan on shamelessly mimicing it. And I have to say that I think your burlap roses on a small piece of a dowel rod (or any small round stick thingy) would make the perfect hangers. Looking forward to learning more. Have a fabulous evening.
Roni
Great idea! I just read this and realized I found my way to display sight words in my daughter's room. Just completed one out of princess fabric, didn't cost me a cent. Thanks!
Laurie at Turner Farm
You are too clever ~ they came out great. Love the theme of your blog. Stopping by from FJI-SNS http://welcometotheturnerfarm.blogspot.com
Throw Open the Windows
So cute and so creative! What a great idea for our diaper boxes!! Thanks for sharing. Found you at Funky Junk's party. Rebecca
ms Joyce
WOW no diaper boxes .. way to old for them .. but have plenty of "boxes" to get rid of .. thanks. About the "ribbon" .. I'll need to think out of the box for that. May just attach to the wall. Thanks a ton.
Laura
Thanks for the inspiration. I just started my own blog. Check it out to see my version of your bulletin board!
Next time you want to make one, make designer tacks. Same tacks you are using, except glue old buttons with awesome tops or unusual shapes, use bottle caps and printable images (along with beads, solder, anything you want to decorate them with) and glue the tack to the top of the bottle cap. Put the image inside the cap with elmers glue, add your beads, etc (with more glue) and instead of resin (unless you have some) use clear nail polish to seal them. For a magnet board, use an old cookie sheet, cover with fabric scraps, cover a can with matching scraps (for pens/pencils) and make magnets the same way as the tacks. We made pencil toppers out of old pipe cleaners in cool shapes (star, kitty, bunny, heart, and piggy tail)…thought you might like some ideas
Sunni @Love Affair with my Brother
Pretty much the best thing ever!! I want to have a "kid art" space in a hallway next to our kitchen. Art is taped up there now with a few in frames. I have wanted and wanted a big giant bulletin board forever. I was thinking of buying ceiling tiles and putting fabric over them, but this is even better!! Thank you!
Anonymous
Gee….you have made my heart SOAR!!!!!!! I LOVE finding decorating ideas on a "thread bear shoe string budget"!
I especially love this bulletin board. I had an idea for one for my daughter's room & this is just the "boost" that I needed to get me going!!!!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! The only thing that could possibly be better is "if you were my neighbor"! :0)
Huggles! ViKi
sandy
Love the way you make due with what you have, awesome, your house updates look terrific!
Gail
Skipped over here from a Pink Chalk Fabrics link and I am SO IMPRESSED not only with your attitude but your creativity. You are awesome!!! I'll be a regular visitor from now on!
Margo
THIS IS SO CLEVER!!! I have been needing a bulletin board so much, but not willing to go out and buy any supplies! I love the VHS tape hack 🙂 Thank you thank you thank you for showing exactly what you did. I will link back to you because I'm sure I'm going to make one of these and blog about it!
Margo
okay, here it is! MADE and BLOGGED: http://thriftathome.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-simple-bulletin-board.html
53 Comments
How very creative to use that VCR tape! That is totally something I would do, LOL! Very pretty!
Look at you being so crafty! It looks great!
Thanks for linking up to Show and Tell Saturday!
Very creative! I look at my diaper boxes in the garage and think "trash" 🙂 oh well – thanks for the inspiration!!
Great idea! Who needs new when you can Choose to Thrive?
These look great! I know what you mean about all the half-finished projects. I have boxes full of them! Last winter I had an urge to finish some of them so I finally did. It felt so good!
These look brilliant. And I mean REALLY brillinat.
I can't believe you used the video tape! That's the sign of a creative genius,you know!
I think you should definitely cannibalise some of those Scrabble tiles! Who'd notice???!
By the way, we went through a similar experience to what you talk about on your profile about four years ago. It's hard, isn't it, but I think you look as though you really ARE thriving.
I love you blog….and your attitude.
Sarahx
That is so creative. I have way too many unfinished projects also.
What a great use for old VHS tapes.
Janet
AWESOME! I love everything about it! Thanks for stopping by my blog… I may be addicted to your blog now…
Very creative!
Okay…wow. I am impressed with your creativity! And resourcefulness!
I am enjoying my visit to your blog (it's my first time). I hope you can stop over to Free 2 Be Frugal sometime soon.
Okay that has got to be one of the most creative uses of a VHS tape EVER!! Thanks so much for linking up to Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings! This is a terrific idea and not expensive!
Neek! So Awesome! I am so doing that with our diaper boxes. How cool!
Amazing! cute, creative and USEFUL!
another great idea!
Great job at making something amazing out of things just around the house!
omgosh, you are the most thrifty creative person i've encountered yet! way to go. this is fantastic, all the way down to the VHS tape, love it!
I'm amazed with your creativity and it looks great. Thanks for joining We're Organized Wednesday. I'm featuring this today. Grab a button if you'd like. Have a great weekend!
Super cute…and the VHS gives it kind of a cybr-punk-prep look with the plaid.
I'm a new reader and loved how you incorporated a lot of photos…nice blog. Any tips/tools you use to make this go faster?
GreenDigitalis – thanks! I'm not sure if your question is about the pictures loading faster on the blog or about making a board. Email me at choosetothriveblog (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll shot you off an answer ASAP.
Sorry 🙂 meant on process of blog creation…sent you email. 😀
I need some color in one of my rooms. I have some AMAZING brown fabric that I am going to make these "Boards" out of, but not use them as bulletin boards, but as wall decor! Thanks for the amazing idea! Thrive on!
LOL!! You are awesome! I giggled through your whole post. You are so creative!
Well done thrifty crafter!! I love the fabric. I have a couple of boxes full of half finished projects too. I think I will get those out and see what I can do. You have inspired me 🙂
I am so happy to have found your blog! You take lemons—>lemonade to a whole new level!
*WONDERFUL*
this is my new fav blog…ur awesome!
OK so the VHS tape as ribbon is so genius! It made me laugh but what a mind! 🙂
I have never seen anything so creative in all my life! This is a fabulous idea…one that can use any kind of boxes for those of us who don't have babies anymore. I also like the idea of using them for wall decor instead of a bulletin board. I would "rock what I got" and join the cardboard with duct tape and use some old clothes for some of the fabric. I save old clothes just for being able to use it in projects. Hey, it's free fabric that way!
What a GREAT way to recycle all your stuff! Poor Thomas! haha!
This is just fabulous, great way to think out of the box!
xx-Kristyn
You are certainly creative..loved it!
I love your out of the box thinking, literally 🙂 I am obsessed with making bulletin boards and this has opened up a whole new and thrifty world for making them.
Great Job!
Oh my gosh, this is just plain cute! I love your ingenuity! Great job and good for you for sticking with original plan in not spending any thing!
Sharlotte
Your my crafting hero! For reals.
You make me laugh. Hugs.
LOVE that you used VHS tape…absolutely fantastic! LOL!
you are inspiring beyond measure!
I just found your site and I am amazed and inspired…thank you so much for your sharing your talent!
GREAT IDEA! I Love it!
Bwahahahahaha! I love that you used a VHS tape! That's fabulous!
Aside from that stroke of genius, the whole project is cool, and it's on my list of genius to steal.
Gotta love those diaper boxes! I've used mine for many projects. Your bulletin boards look great!
Wow your blog is an inspiration. Great Ideas!
Hey from a new follower (thanks Sarah/TDC!) and I have loved reading throughout your blog! I too get the blahs sometimes from my little old house not being "THE" house but I love your attitude and plan on shamelessly mimicing it. And I have to say that I think your burlap roses on a small piece of a dowel rod (or any small round stick thingy) would make the perfect hangers. Looking forward to learning more. Have a fabulous evening.
Great idea! I just read this and realized I found my way to display sight words in my daughter's room. Just completed one out of princess fabric, didn't cost me a cent. Thanks!
You are too clever ~ they came out great. Love the theme of your blog. Stopping by from FJI-SNS
http://welcometotheturnerfarm.blogspot.com
So cute and so creative! What a great idea for our diaper boxes!! Thanks for sharing. Found you at Funky Junk's party. Rebecca
WOW no diaper boxes .. way to old for them .. but have plenty of "boxes" to get rid of .. thanks. About the "ribbon" .. I'll need to think out of the box for that. May just attach to the wall. Thanks a ton.
Thanks for the inspiration. I just started my own blog. Check it out to see my version of your bulletin board!
http://somersetstyle.blogspot.com/2011/06/why-jadore-burlap.html
Next time you want to make one, make designer tacks. Same tacks you are using, except glue old buttons with awesome tops or unusual shapes, use bottle caps and printable images (along with beads, solder, anything you want to decorate them with) and glue the tack to the top of the bottle cap. Put the image inside the cap with elmers glue, add your beads, etc (with more glue) and instead of resin (unless you have some) use clear nail polish to seal them. For a magnet board, use an old cookie sheet, cover with fabric scraps, cover a can with matching scraps (for pens/pencils) and make magnets the same way as the tacks. We made pencil toppers out of old pipe cleaners in cool shapes (star, kitty, bunny, heart, and piggy tail)…thought you might like some ideas
Pretty much the best thing ever!! I want to have a "kid art" space in a hallway next to our kitchen. Art is taped up there now with a few in frames. I have wanted and wanted a big giant bulletin board forever. I was thinking of buying ceiling tiles and putting fabric over them, but this is even better!! Thank you!
Gee….you have made my heart SOAR!!!!!!! I LOVE finding decorating ideas on a "thread bear shoe string budget"!
I especially love this bulletin board. I had an idea for one for my daughter's room & this is just the "boost" that I needed to get me going!!!!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! The only thing that could possibly be better is "if you were my neighbor"! :0)
Huggles!
ViKi
Love the way you make due with what you have, awesome, your house updates look terrific!
Skipped over here from a Pink Chalk Fabrics link and I am SO IMPRESSED not only with your attitude but your creativity. You are awesome!!! I'll be a regular visitor from now on!
THIS IS SO CLEVER!!! I have been needing a bulletin board so much, but not willing to go out and buy any supplies! I love the VHS tape hack 🙂 Thank you thank you thank you for showing exactly what you did. I will link back to you because I'm sure I'm going to make one of these and blog about it!
okay, here it is! MADE and BLOGGED: http://thriftathome.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-simple-bulletin-board.html