Repurposed Calendar Frame!!!
If you happened to see my thrifty burlap curtain project, you might remember that I had leftover fabric that I was going to save for another project. With it, I decided to repurpose an old wooden calendar frame that I've had for years. I found that those holders really only work with one size calendar, and calendars come in so many sizes nowadays that the ones I want always seem to be the wrong size.
First I sanded, primed, and spray painted the frame part.
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Supplies: Frame, primer, paint, chalkboard paint, cork, burlap[/caption]
For the bottom half, I kinda wanted to try out magnetic chalkboard paint, but did not read many good reviews on it. So I decided to just use regular chalkboard paint. Did you know that you can ask to have it tinted? And that there are 12 different shades to pick from? The hubs was on his way to Home Depot and I had asked him to pick up a can for me. Having no idea I could pick different colors, he sent me a picture via cell phone of the options on top of the box so I could choose a color. I chose garnet red.
I was a little surprised when I first opened the can of garnet red paint...umm it was very PURPLE!! I double checked the label and it was correct. I don't paint with dark colors very often, so I just kept in mind that paint always dries darker than it first appears, and crossed my fingers that it would turn out ok. I used a total of...several coats...{kinda lost track}. Even though I sanded/primed the wood real good, the paint did not go on as smooth as I hoped. But it still works and I think the texture of the wood just adds a little rustic charm!
For the top half, I wanted to use my burlap and I also wanted something that I could pin reminders and pictures to. So I decided I would cover some cork with the burlap so it would serve its function yet not resemble a typical cork board. I found a 4 pack of cork sheets for $5.94 at Walmart. I only needed 1 sheet but couldn't find just a single sheet, so technically I only used $1.50 worth.
So I have 3 extra sheets to find uses for...hmm coasters? Teachers gift? We shall see.
Sometimes a DIY project takes a little extra work depending on what materials you may or may not have on hand. The cork came in 12x12 sheets but my frame's window measured 11x13. This was an easy fix...we used an exacto knife to trim 1 inch off the side and glued it to the top to make it 11x13. Then I wrapped my burlap around the cork and secured it in back with hot glue.
I jazzed up the mini clothespins with some ribbon!
There you have it...a calendar holder turned message board! If you're not much of a DIYer, even if you have never repurposed anything before, it's worth it to give it a try. Not only will you get the satisfaction of a DIY project, but you save $$ that you can invest in other projects around your home. Or in my case, more supplies! :) I found something similar on etsy for nearly $60 after shipping! That's my satisfaction, right there!
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Before[/caption]
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After[/caption]
Cost Breakdown:
Already on hand: The main frame and the almond spray paint that I used on it, primer, and burlap I had on hand. You could use any fabric you have on hand instead of burlap! Depending on which room you hang it in, you could use any coordinating fabric that goes with your decor in that room.
Tinted Chalkboard paint...$15
Cork...$6 but 3 sheets leftover for future projects
My cost...$21 but with this project, the supplies I did buy will cover the cost of future projects because I have some leftover chalkboard paint and cork. And this baby is 16" x 30"!...NICE size for a message board!
If you love this look of a chalkboard, and have a very small area to cover, and don't feel like dealing with the messiness of paint, you could try chalkboard vinyl. I have not tried it yet, but I probably will soon. You can pick up a roll of it at craft stores for around $8 (or less if you have a coupon!). I love the look of the chalkboard frig on "Good Luck Charlie" but not sure if I want it in my own kitchen, but this is what you'd use for something like that.
So where do you hang your calendar when you don't use a calendar holder? I tear out each month and hang it on the frig. I like it right where I can glance at it several times a day. Here is our May calendar...full of stuff.
At the beginning of the month, I fill it in with meetings, appointments, trips, school events, church events, birthdays, etc. Not too exciting, and probably not much different than anyone else's. But it allows my husband and kids to see what we have plans for and keeps me from missing things, or more importantly, overcommitting myself. Do you hear me moms?? That's hard to do. Even if we have the same thing every Tues at 6pm, I write it down on every Tuesday for that month. You know how easy it is to think all week "ok, practice on Tues at 6pm, practice on Tues at 6pm", and then all of a sudden you're reaching into the frig at 5:00 to start dinner, and suddenly realize that 6pm is less than an hour away? Am I the only one who has done this? So every reminder is a good thing, and having it right there on the frig is easy for everyone to see.
Whichever sort of message center you choose,
whether a calendar, chalkboard, memo board, or all 3!,
make sure to make it work for you and your family!
Linking up at...
Nifty Thrifty Things
Positively Splendid
I Heart Naptime
Fingerprints on the Fridge
The Frugal Girls
Naptime Crafters
Stingray exhibit[/caption]
Carousel ride[/caption]
My little animals[/caption]
Lunchtime![/caption]
My 'do![/caption]
World's largest cross...Effingham, IL[/caption]
