Photo Boards

When I was packing up the boys' room for the move, I wanted them each to have their own photo board. The stores disappointed me though: all the boards were either too girly or too small. The colors also didn't work well with the wall colors the boys wanted for their new rooms. I decided to make my own, which turned out to be pretty easy.

You will need:

• Framed cork boards in the size you want
• Fabric
• Ribbon (cloth or fabric ribbon, not curling ribbon)
• Batting
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Staple gun and staples
• Upholstery tacks
• Hammer
• Scissors

Directions:

1. Before buying your fabric, measure your cork board and add on an extra 1.5-2 inches on each side. You want the batting and fabric to fold over to the back of the board. 

2. Purchase your fabric and batting (and any other supplies you need too).

3. Lay your fabric down on the floor or table and place the batting on top. Smooth out. Make sure if you have a printed or embroidered fabric that the good side is placed facing down, not looking up at the batting.

4. Place the cork board on top and cut the fabric and batting so that it overlaps the back of the board.

5. Pull fabric/batting taut and staple to the back of the frame of the cork board. It is easier if you do one side and then the opposite side to help keep the fabric tight. (Right then left, top then bottom)

6. Trim off excess fabric/batting.

7. Next, lay out the first piece of ribbon. I started out at the top left corner. Glue the end of the ribbon on the back of the cork board and let it cool. 

8. Bring the ribbon down to the bottom right corner, cut and glue to the back of the cork board.

9. Keep crisscrossing and gluing the ribbon to the back of the cork board. (See below if you need help picturing the layout. I had a hard time and had to restart a few times, so hopefully the drawing below helps you.)

10. Flip over so you can see the top of the photo board.

11. Hammer in an upholstery tack where the ribbon crisscrosses.

12. If the tacks stick out the back, you can trim with a wire cutter or cover with a dot of hot glue.

DM Tips:

• I found the upholstery tacks at Hobby Lobby, although other fabric stores will carry them too. If you are buying a lot of fabric or supplies, be sure to look for store coupons. Michael's and Hobby Lobby usually have weekly 40% off one item coupons.
• Bring a paint chip (or paint a spot on a white index card) with you when you shop for fabric. It will make finding matching or coordinating colors a lot easier.