Large Magnetic Board

 

 My kids have had spring break this week, so projects have been kept to a minimum.  It has been pouring and even snowing at times, a bad week for spring break!  We did manage to get out and have a little fun.

  On the really rainy days, the kids played on the Wii and I started sorting my scary piles of junk, which led me to organizing the desk area ~ and making an excuse ~ to make something for it. :)

This project is fairly easy, thanks to Home Depot!  I had all my major cuts done there

 and

 reused the metal from the old magnetic board. After that- it's painting and gluing only!

Believe me, this space NEVER looks this clean...only for pictures.  I showed Nicole and she was shocked.  I don't think she's ever seen it that clean!  The magnetic board is rarely visible with the usual tall towers of papers in front of it!

 

**BEFORE**

This is the old magnetic board.  A little outdated.  I wanted a larger, neutral board. 

 We made a similar magnetic board months ago

and I thought I could enlarge it to fit my space.  

I hung magnetic bulldog clips on nails, so I can use them on the side or on the actual magnetic board. I stuck extra magnets on the clips.  I think it kind of looks like a knob.

 

I painted the outside board with chalkboard paint.  Maybe now I will remember all of those appointments!   In the last month, we missed three dentist and one doctor appointment!  I write it down and forget where I put it! 

 Here's how I made it.  If you want to see how we made the smaller version, go here!

I used a thin sheet of MDF on the back, beadboard for the middle and topped it with the metal sheet.

I used E-6000 glue.  Do you have any recommendations of GLUE, for metal to wood?

After I finished the board, it looked so plain,  So, I made some magnets.

I made the Graphics Fairy's pretty butterflies. 

 I attatched a magnet on the back.  These were fun! Her site is full of so many great projects!

 

That's it!  I think it looks much better! 

Now, if I can only keep it looking like this! :)

Thrifty Decor Chick's Before & After Party

Remember Me???

How could I forget?

I've been trying to get up the courage to hang this baby up

and I finally did it.

It wasn't the task in itself that scared me....

it was the weight,

the crashing images that raced through my head and having to undo all the computer cords and figure out how to put them all back together as I rearranged my little office space.

I went and bought all the little hooks, super wire, and screws that would be the perfect recipe for success.

I marked some marks, found the studs and used my beloved level to get it straight.

I ended up using a 2 x 4 I trimmed down to fit in the back to hang it on which I screwed into the studs and also add more stability as I screwed in from both sides.

I predrilled the holes and still ended up with these.....nothing a little spackel can't handle!

I put a few things on it to display until I figure out what I want on there.

But for now.....it's perfect and I'm feeling a little proud.....

And yes....my Big Stud helped me!

If you've been wondering why we Crafty Sisters have been MIA this week....

read the funny bit about Candace's carpet cleaning experience.

Even funnier is how scared she was to deal with the carpet man coming back so her hubby recommended she call her tough big sister to deal with him.  Is that a compliment?  I'm still laughing about it.:)

One of her kids officially broke her first window.....

I got my Easter Letters all done that I'm teaching a class on for next month.  Phewww.

So this week get ready for Candace's big reveal, some more fun Easter Decor and who knows what else we'll get an itch to do!

Happy Sunday!

The WA LAH Magnetic Board!

For 2 years I've had a piece of sheet metal sitting in my garage.

I've had great plans for it but never had the time to do anything until now.

Not that I really had the time and I made the big mistake of trying to construct this baby

while my hubby had a few days off of work.

That was mistake number one. 

You'd think I'd learn my lesson every time I ask him to go into Walmart with me.  Within seconds of entering his feet hurt and I can't hurry fast enough to get out.

Same thing with asking for construction help...which always ends with me throwing my hands in the air and banishing him from the garage with threats of "I'll just get my sister to help me."

You see there's a reason we "crafty sisters" stick together....

and all of our projects are limited to Monday thru Friday 9am-5pm.

So here's my baby...I mean the finished project:

Ain't she cute????

Can you see Candace and I reflecting in the metal?

WA LAH is how I presented it for my sis's approval....(that's how my little girl says Voila and it just sticks in my head, I guess that's what happens to moms huh?:))

I've been wanting a magnetic board of sorts/catch all for a long time

and I've had this idea floating in my head.

I didn't want something everyone else had.

I wanted a little stash place for pencils/staplers and the other junk I can't live without.

And hey, I had to use that big piece of crown molding.  I quickly found out why it was in the trash...it was slightly bowed.  But I won't tell if you don't!

1.  I made my plan-drew it out on paper.

2. I gathered my supplies and laid them out to see if this really would jive.

3.  I started with a new product Elmer's Wood Glue Gel~~it was sweet, didn't run and was so easy to clean up!

4.  Nail away baby!

5.  I actually cut the crown molding myself after watching Tom Silva from This Old House's great instructional video HERE.

6.  I wood fillered it all in.

7.  Primed and Painted~~not all spray paints are created equal! I can honestly say Rustoleum is the bomb!

8.  Another great tip my Mom gave after she spied the fix it guy at her house, when using yicky particle board (which I did for the top shelf) smear a little bit of wall spackle over it to fill in the little pits and it results in a smoother finish and is easier to paint!  It worked!

9.  I nailed the sheet metal on with upholstery nails.  I didn't want it permanently stuck on just in case I change my mind or I drop the whole thing trying to hang it up....

10. WA LAH!  (Yup, Walah!) I love it!

The beauty of this project is that it cost me practically nothing.

I had the sheet metal cut (2 years ago) from a local metal fabricator $30 it is 2' x 4'

Crap wood from my garage stash I dumpster dived for $0

Spray paint & Primer $7

Smile on my face PRICELESS!

Now I just got to figure out how to hang it up.....Honey can you help me?????

 

Between Naps on the Porch, Metamorphosis Monday

Make Your Monday, Twice Remembered

Beadboard Magnetic Board

A few weeks ago,  Nicole came across some really cute magnet boards that were backed with beadboard.  She explained to me how simple it would be to make them.  So, we sliced up some extra MDF and beadboard we had laying around and topped it with some metal shingles from Home Depot.  We glued it all down using expoxy glue, painted the back black and the bead board cream. Simple and cute.  It will go great in my kitchen to hold recipes.