DIY Day! Get the Message!

I had a super-fantabulous project planned to share today...but as with most of my projects, I was finishing it up late at night...and something was missing...yes, not quite right. So, I had to walk away, and plan to visit the hardware store tomorrow for that missing element. In the meantime, I give you this...

Get the Message

I like my stuff...it is a problem...not a problem like "Hoarders" will be knocking on my door next week problem, but a problem, nonetheless. I am working on it...I am trying very hard to clear the clutter...other than the toys in the house and the fact that managing my paper work is beyond me, most of the clutter is in the garage and most of it is crafty supplies and treasures I have found thrifting and such.

 {Circular labels and Spring card graphics from The Graphics Fairy} 

Anyway, I have had this message board sitting in there...looking at me...haunting me, and I cannot give it away...I just can't {yeah, that is part of the problem for most of my stuff...we will not even talk about the designer skirt I have from my freshman year of high school}! It's style doesn't necessarily fit my decor anymore, but it was given to me by some very dear friends on my birthday. I am attached to this cute little board because this was a special birthday. On this particular birthday, my hubby had just moved away up to Central California {that day!}...I would soon be joining him, but my friends knew that I - born and bred L.A. girl - was devastated, so they gave me an extra special birthday that year.

Well, it hit me! Take it out of "that" pile and put it in the "DIY" pile...and that is what I did this weekend {last night}...I DIY'ed me a new message board. There is nothing wrong with the current one at all...it just doesn't fit in with this house's decor. This is what the board looked like pre-DIY makeover.

DIY! Instructions

I used something I already had, this would be a super easy project for anyone with a few easy steps. {sorry, no photos...it has been a long weekend!}

Supplies

-Wooden plaque {or frame with wood insert} - hey are pretty inexpensive...I actually picked up some wooden plaques at the craft store - they already had messages painted on them...but they were on clearance for 99cents!

-Scrapbook paper {or other favorite paper...like book pages}

-Paint

-Mod Podge

-Glue

-Paint brush and/or foam brush

-Ink pad

-Clothespins

-Hooks

Instructions

1. Paint plaque, let dry {optional - I chose to paint the board and frame just in case any of the wood showed through...you do not really have to paint}

2. Tear or cut paper strips 

3. Layout your paper strips in your desired design

4. Apply layer of Mod Podge to plaque, let dry slightly

5. Apply second layer of Mod Podge 

6. Begin applying strips of paper covering the plaque, smoothing out wrinkles until plaque is covered. *

7. Apply 1 coat of Mod Podge over plaque, let dry

OR

If you are not doing the ink pad step {see right below} apply 1-3 coats of Mod Podge and let dry.

8. Use ink pad to distress/age plaque, paying attention to the corners and creases. Optional.

9. Apply final coat of Mod Podge to seal ink.

10. Layout clothespins and mark placement.

11. Glue clothespins down - I used Mod Podge...but wood glue or hot glue would work.

12. If your plaque has room for this, screw in some hooks at the bottom edge for hanging keys etc. - I will be adding some hooks asap.

*NOTE: I added some beautiful vintage graphics from The Graphics Fairy to add a little something-something to my design. Add them just before Step 7 if you do that too.

Happy Messaging!

Holly

Joining the party at... 
Blue Cricket Design