Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Create: Framed Cork Boards

9:02 AM | | Edit Post
Ok, while not technically cork boards, these bulletin boards serve the same purpose and far surpass cork board with their cute-ness factor.


I started with an old shabby-chic frame that has been painted white, and aged to perfection. This frame is about 16 x 20 inches, and has a decorative inside edge. 


The next step is to cut a piece of foam core to the exact size of the inside dimensions of the frame you're fitting. The foam core can be slightly used, as you can see my piece was, since you'll be covering it with fabric.  Be sure to test the fit once you've cut your foam core. Now is the time you want to adjust the size, not after you've gotten too far into this project.


Once you've cut the foam core you can decide on the fabric you'd like to have displayed inside the frame (the fabric you will be tacking things too). I chose an old grain sac, but vintage french fabric, burlap (with a tight weave), calico, or velvet would be lovely too. If you do happen to choose a print, you'll want to use your piece of pre-fit foam core to see if the pattern can be stretched attractively over the piece. 
The next step is probably the most tricky. You will be using straight pins to secure the fabric tightly over the foam core board.  
Starting with the the fabric generally centered you will begin by slightly stretching the fabric horizontally or vertically and placing one pin in the center of the opposite sides (either 12 and 6 o'clock, or 3 and 9 o'clock) of the board securing the fabric as toughly as you prefer.
Next, do the same with the opposite sides of your board. Now is the time to make sure that if you have an image printed on your fabric that the placement is what you had in mind.  


You will continue to stretch the fabric around the board alternating top and side pinning, and always balancing out the pins on one side with a pin on the opposite side.  I place my pins about 3 inches apart, but generally you can't have too many pins. 
Here is what my board looks like after the fabric has been stretched around it. 
And now for the most technical part of this project... In order to secure the loose edges of my fabric to the foam core, I fold my fabric over in the same fashion that I would wrap the edges of a present (diagonal crease and fold over), and use clear packing tape to secure the sides to my foam core. Im sure duct tape would work equally well. Like I said, very technical. 
Next, slip your board back into the frame and secure  it in place using glazing point. Using a putty knife, you can push the sharp edges into the wood fame, which locks the core board in place. Be careful, and be sure to brace the frame agains a wall when pushing the glazing points into the frame away from you- never towards yourself. 
If you'd like you can cover the back in brown craft paper from a roll or paper bag (if it fits), using glue to secure it in place around the edge of the back of the frame.  (I didn't do this step because im too impatient, and figure no one will ever see the back of the frame).
Ta Da!! Ready to be hung on the wall!
As you can see, I've also made one frame using the fabric from the reverse side of the grain sac. 



I use straight pins to attach pieces of ephemera, photos, and notes to the board. I find that the thin gauge of the pins work better than regular tacks, as well as being more aesthetically  pleasing.
Handwritten french music sheets, a pansy advert, and an antique penny journal I brought back form Ireland. 
Dried chinese lanterns from Galway, Ireland. 

4 comments:

Joy said...

You're so creative! I love this idea.

July 5, 2011 at 2:15 PM
Anonymous said...

Thanks for the instructions. They came out really nice!

July 5, 2011 at 3:45 PM
Debbie said...

I love this idea!! Thanks for sharing!

July 5, 2011 at 4:08 PM
Kathy Barrick said...

LOVE this project!!!! And, LOVE how your's turned out!!

July 6, 2011 at 4:10 AM

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