DIY: Framed Memo Board

In an effort to get more organized and to clear out some closet space, I wanted to use this frame to make a memo board for my office (a ridiculous work in progress). I used to work at a frame shop so there were tons of deals that I couldn't pass up, so I have a closet full of unused frames. Having these frames around has worked out so far because I change out our wall decor seasonally, but I am in desperate need of more storage space, so it's use-it or lose-it time!

I have always loved this particular frame so I had to snag it when it went unused for a custom frame order and went on clearance. The old world style just doesn't jive with the decor in our house, though, so I had to bust out the spray paint and switch up the look a bit (don't hate me, Mom!).

I sprayed a quick layer of primer, followed by a couple of coats of the white gloss paint. 

I bought an unframed cork-board at a local craft store for about $15. I wanted it to have more of a fabric, memo board look, than the look of actual cork. I had some coarse linen fabric leftover from a previous project that I wanted to glue on the surface of the cork to get that fabric texture. 

I worked in 8" sections applying craft glue with a clay roller and applying the fabric, one section at a time, to avoid air pockets and to allow the time I needed to work without the glue drying. I could have used spray adhesive, but I forwent it for a couple of reasons: (a) spray adhesive dries much faster (b) spray adhesive is SMELLY (c) spray adhesive goes on transparent so you can't tell if you have complete coverage. 

After the glue was dry, I slapped a quick coat of paint on the fabric to match the room and let that dry. 

Then I stapled the cork board into the frame. 

 Finish it like a framer

What you will need:

1. ATG or Double-Sided Tape
2. Craft Paper
3. Safety Blade
4. (2) 40 lb D-Rings with screws
5. Felt or Rubber Furniture Protector Pads
6. 40 lb Framing Wire
7. Wood Putty 

• Apply tape around the outside edge of the back of the frame, then adhere the craft paper to the tape.
• Crease the craft paper along the outside edges of the frame. Cut along the crease using the safety blade. I like to run the edge of the blade at an angle on the outside edge and slice through the paper.
• About 1/3 from the top of the frame attach the D-rings using a drill.  

• Push about 5" of wire up through the bottom of the d-ring and then pull tight behind the remainder of the wire
• Feed the short end of the wire through the top of the d-ring and pull tight
• Wrap the short end of the wire around the long end about 6-8 times and trim the end
• Do the same on the other side of the frame, remembering to leave a couple inches of slack in the wire so that it doesn't snap or lean forward off the wall. 

• Adhere 1 small furniture pad to each bottom corner and use the wood putty to fill in any gaps in the join of the frame. The more ornate frames tend to need a little more putty love. 
• HANG IT UP!