Burlap Message Board (Ballard Designs Knock-Off)

The kids are back in school and the paperwork is flooding in.  I have four in school this year and I'm afraid I might be buried alive in paper!  I found a cute wire basket at TJ Maxx to help cut the paper clutter,  it is somewhat similar to wire baskets that I spotted in the Ballard Designs Catalog.  I only wish it had one more basket!

While I was peeking through the catalog, I thought a Burlap Message Board would be great to go along with the new baskets.  (A knock-off, of course.)  I love a good knock-off challenge, it makes me happy to make something nice for less.

Ballard Designs-Burlap Message Board

I was lucky enough to spot some great burlap in Home Fabrics last week that is almost identical to what is on Ballard's boards.  The burlap is thick and sturdy with a nice weave.  Perfect for a cork board.  I didn't know there were so many varieties of burlap beyond a potato sack!

I put the Message board in my kitchen area, where the clutter tends to pile up.  I wanted the entire under cabinet area filled with cork board, so I started by building a custom size wood frame.

Here are the supplies I used:

pine 1x2's
Foam Board (Hobby Lobby)
Cork Roll (Hobby Lobby w/coupon)
Burlap
Glue
wood screws
upholstery nails

tools:

staple gun
screw driver
drill
saw to cut 1x2's
rubber mallet

One of the reasons I like the wood frame so much is that I could "frame" around my phone jack and electrical outlets.  I built the frame deep enough to allow the cords to fit behind.  

After measuring my space, I started with the wood frame.  I made a rectangle with 1x2's and braced the center with two more 1x2's.  The braces are important to support the foam board and cork.  I used long screws and wood glue to attach everything, making sure to pre-drill to avoid split wood.

Next, I glued the foam board (cut to size with a box knife) to the wood frame with wood glue.  For extra hold I attached the foam board with staples.  Then I cut the cork roll to fit the frame and used spray adhesive to attach the cork to the foam board.  I then cut the burlap fabric to fit and stapled it to the back.  The corners are tricky, I folded mine on the top and bottom where I knew they would not be seen.

There's nothing worse to me than crooked nail head, it can ruin all of your hard work.  I made an "easy to follow" template to help me get the nail head on nice and straight.  First, I marked how far in I wanted the nail head. (About 1 inch.) I drew lines on each side of the paper one inch in. My nail head is about 4 inches apart (this depends on the measurement of your board) and marked dots on the line where the nail will go. 

Next, I cut a line on the paper with scissors on each nail mark.  Then I lined my template up on the corner of the board, pushed the nails in part way on the dots, then pulled the paper away.  It's super easy, then I moved on down the board with the template.  Before permanently hammering the nails in, I used my straight edge to double check that the nails were straight.  I finished hammering the nails in with a rubber mallet to avoid damaging the nails.

I used sawtooth picture hangers to hang the board on the wall. The open frame and foam board keep the board light!

Now I have a burlap message board that rivals a high ticket board from Ballard Designs for a fraction of the cost!  I am one happy and "semi-organized" gal!  

A Cork Map

I have to admit I was really nervous about this project....

I have a pretty fabulous SIL with really incredible taste!

I was really hesitant to even take this on

because I didn't want to destroy the great idea she had for this project.

Autumn probably thought I would never get it done.

There were moments I felt like I was the dad from A Christmas Story

chatting with his furnace.....

(Yup, I'm not perfect, lots of dagnabbits and darnits used.)

But it looks so pretty in her den she is remodeling.

Go over and check it out at

 Design Dump.

I blew up the pattern of the USA map that

Julie from Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss

was so kind to share on her blog.

Candace has used this great pattern for another project

so I knew it would be perfect.
I first cut the map out of MDF and
then using a topographical map to see the different

elevations, I cut each elevation out of cork,

layering them for a cool 3-D look.

Cork is not the easiest medium to work with for sure.

Phew, glad it's done!

Thanks Autumn for entrusting this with me,

I can't wait to see what you think up next!

Also on another note we've had lots of emails

from you wondering why Candace does all the posting.:)

We got a good chuckle out of this because seriously we do

just about everything together.

We talk on the phone at least 2-3 times a day.

We write each post together, giggling over the phone

on the correct way to say it....

Candace saved up all her boutique money, Christmas money, birthday money

to get her new camera which is pretty fantastic and makes me

want to toss mine in the garbage.

So of course she starts every post because
she does take all the great pictures.

I am totally flattered that anyone would even notice

and thanks, it makes me feel special! (insert blush, insert wink!)