Friday, June 29, 2007

Simple Craft: Totally Cheating French Photo Board Tutorial, Sort Of



So how's that for a long title? Elizabeth and I made this inspiration board for the craft room today. I've wanted one for a long time, but gosh, all that canvas, batting, fabric, and so on sounded like a lot of trouble, and I'm too cheap to buy one. So I came up with this.




I bought a little cork board for 5 or 6 dollars and a spool of 1/4" grosgrain ribbon for a couple bucks. I wanted to cover it in paper with shabby chic roses, but Wal-Mart (Corrected-I can't believe I actually said Wal-Mark!!! I will never live this down!) didn' t have anything of the kind. At first I thought I'd settle for just the ribbon on a plain cork board, but then I remembered to ask, "What do I have in my hand?"




My wrapping paper box yielded a scrap large enough to cover the inside of the board. I just trimmed it to fit. (Here you see the back of the paper.) I have to tell you, the wrapping paper was even used. I just ironed it. Yes, I'm cheap. But hey, I didn't have to buy any!!!




Then we attached the ribbon in a criss-cross design with flat push pins, putting one at each end and one at each place where the ribbon intersected. I meant to get better pics of this step, but we just started with a giant X, corner to corner and then added pieces to the grid.

Don't look too closely, it's not perfect! It would look a lot better if the frame was white or pink, but I'll settle for this for now. I'm really pleased with how it turned out for about $8. And it was such fun to make something with my girl.

11 comments:

Erica said...

It's beautiful! I want one now! Actually I have always wanted one, but they are expensive in the stores and I've never found one that was "just right" for my taste.

I wonder if fabric would work instead of the paper?

Making your own is neat cause with your way of doing it you could always re-do it, using the same cork board, for different seasons!

Charity Grace said...

You probably could use fabric. It might be a tiny bit harder to work with because fabric has more give, but I'm sure you could do it. I like the idea of being able to change the paper for a different look, too. This one took me about 45 minutes to make--and that was with a 6yo helping, and trying to figure it out as I went along. Very easy.

Mary L. Briggs said...

What a clever idea! I'll have to scrounge around for the makings of one of those. Yours turned out great~I like the paper.

Anonymous said...

Too cute! The girls and I will have to try this one for their rooms! Thanks!
~Christina

Charity Grace said...

Yeah, it was fun to make something so girly...

Hannah's Mom said...

Great Idea... My d-sis-in-law (Todd's bros wife), made me something like this a few years back. Unfortunately with moving three times, it didn't make it. I would love to put something like in my room....ooohhhh what about in the hall to hang pictures. HHHHmmm, endles ideas. :)
Thank you for sharing!!

Baleboosteh said...

That is so clever and it looks lovely!

Mo said...

I actually would like a whole wall like this.

Donetta said...

Nice tutorial. I love it. People sharing knowledge.

Erin Neiner said...

beatiful. about an hour...wow! good for you. I love the vintage-like bird pattern. I am adding you to my "favorite blogs" folder to check all your fun stuff out. I also love your very~biblical name!
Thanks for sharing!

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