Pass the nail gun, please

Today's project is really a project for two.  Like you and someone with a nail gun.  Or maybe you have a nail gun, you might still need a friend to help since some things are just easier with two sets of hands.

I had the idea of creating a message board for the wall by our front door. This was caused by the removal of a wire basket that was taken down to paint.  The anchor came out of the wall and left a large hole which my husband did patch but I still didn't like it.  Every time I looked at the wall my eye went right to it.

I'm a problem solver.  Enter the idea of the message board that was just wide enough to cover the offending spot.  I, of course, need a nail gun to complete the project.  My husband has a nail gun so he is quickly enlisted to help bring yet another of my crazy ideas/drawings to fruition.  And off to the orange store we go (he, of course, is still wishing he didn't take the basket down to paint).

At Home Depot there is a bin called Hobby Boards, it is in the lumber section by the moldings.  The boards come in various lengths and widths and most are 1/4 inch thick.  You can also see on the display that they come in red oak, poplar and alder woods as well.  We chose poplar because it has a fine grain and paints nicely.

 

one - 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 21" for the bottom of the frame (buy one 2 foot piece)
two - 1/4" x 1 1/2" x 28" for each side of the frame (buy two 3 foot pieces)
two - 1/4" x 1 1/2" x 21" for the top of the frame and middle divider (buy one 4 foot piece)
one - foundation piece - 1/4 sheet of plywood, 3/8" thick.  The 1/4 sheet of plywood started as 24" x 48", we cut the piece 24" x 28", leaving a 24" x 20" piece for another project on another day.

After this photo was taken, my husband went to the garage and painted the top portion of the large foundation with two coats of Chalkboard paint.  Make sure you really stir the chalkboard paint before use.  I mean stir for 5 minutes not just 4 or 5 quick stirs like I usually do.  This will make all the difference in using this kind of paint.
I painted the hobby boards with regular black house paint.  Once dry, he secured the hobby boards to the foundation with the nail gun. I had him leave about 6" of space in the chalkboard area at the top.

Here you can see the "sandwich" of the boards.  The foundation on the bottom and the hobby boards on top.  Don't worry about the sides, they will be covered up in the end.

Now go back and use wood putty to fill in the nail holes and any uneven ares.  Wait at least a couple hours for the wood putty to dry, then sand until smooth.

Next were going to Edgemate or "magic tape" as I like to call it. 

Edgemate is a thin strip of wood veneer to cover the unsightly edges.  It's about $6 dollars at Home Depot (sold in the molding dept - look down low!).  Super easy to use and you just need a craft iron (which at my house is just an old iron that was too dirty to use on clothes any longer)

(This is the part that is easier with a friend)

With a hot iron (no steam), lay the wood tape on the edge of the board and just iron on.  It really is that easy.  Why do you need a friend?  It is much easier if someone holds the wood strip in place while you move the iron along the top.  You can see my fingers in the bottom left corner as my husband moves the iron along the top.  Once you get to the end of the board just cut the wood strip off with a box cutter.  Turn the board and start on another side.  It took us all of 20 minutes to do the entire board and that included me stopping to take a few pictures.

Back to the craft table to cut off the excess wood veneer.  I just ran my X-Acto Knife along the edge.  Super easy.

 Then sanded it.  Hard to tell the foundation from the wood strip isn't it?

 Okay, so open the paint can again to paint the raw sides and cover the wood putty spots.  Let dry.

I can't really make something without distressing it, so out comes the sanding grip to "take the edge off it" so to speak.  I went around all the edges of the board.

Once I had some raw edges again I used a baby wipe and some Distress Paint in Walnut Stain to color the raw parts...

 ...until it looked like this.

Next - cover up the center.
I bought a roll of cork at Joann's (about $15 without a coupon)

 

I rolled it out on the table and cut the size of the center with an X-Acto knife and my clear quilting ruler.  That roll was big and curly so this is a place you might need a friend too.  One to cut and one to wrangle the cork roll.

 

I used 1/2" Wonder Tape along all the inside edges of the empty space.  You will need more adhesive in the center too.

Now just ease the cork into the space.

 I cut mine just a bit (and I mean a small bit) over the size off the square so that it would be tight. 

 It took a bit of finagling but I got it to fit perfectly.

Just like this.

So, being quite realistic in the fact that if I wrote at the top of the chalkboard I would - A. hate my writing or B. never take the time to change it once it was written, I bought a vinyl transfer from Shanna Murry.  I am a long time fan and user of her unique products.  Yes, I know they are a bit pricy but the style and quality is great, just what I needed for this piece.
I used some washi tape to mark center.

 Then a bone folder to rub it to the chalkboard.

So I know you are scratching your head right now thinking, "why did she paint it with chalkboard paint when she isn't going to use it as a chalkboard?".
Here's the answer.
I wanted the look of a chalkboard (in person it does look different than house paint) but not the mess.  I also still have the option to write something next to the vinyl transfer if I so choose.

We needed a place to hang keys on this board; so, out to the garage I went.  I knew if I dug hard enough I could find these hooks I bought back in 2010.  Seriously, the receipt from Pottery Barn was still in the box.  I am quite sure you can find something similar at Anthro or Target now.  At one time they were suppose to go in the bathroom for towels, never happened.  So, now they will have another life.

My husband used a wood screw to secure the hooks to the 5 1/2" strip at the bottom of the board.

Just plain lovely.

And now it's hung and ready for use.  A great message to see as you pick up your keys to leave for the day. 

 Or in my case... I pass it as I go down the hall to "work" in my craft room or office.

Cheers for a great weekend everyone! 

paula