A Fresh Start: DIY Memo Board

Well, it is a brand new year and for many that means a time to make a fresh start.  I typically don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but I know for many one goal is to get organized.  This was the case for a good friend of mine who wanted to de-clutter the front of her refrigerator.  So I knew the perfect Christmas gift for her would be a “new” memo board where she could display photos, her daughter’s artwork, and other important information. 

I had just the thrift store frame in my stash to transform:

Sorry little angels, but you’ve got to go bye-bye!

The first thing I did was remove the artwork from the frame and give the frame a couple coats of brown spray paint.  Then I distressed the frame a bit with some sandpaper.  No photos of those steps, but I’m sure you get the idea.

Then I purchased a piece of sheet metal from Lowe’s.  Make sure you don’t get aluminum because it’s not magnetic.  They sell pre-cut sheets, but I had to trim one with tin snips to fit my frame’s measurements.

I found some cute fabric at Hobby Lobby and just hot glued it to cover the sheet metal.

Then I popped the whole thing back in the frame and used some small nails to hold it in.

The finishing touch were these coordinating magnets:

You can find the glass marbles at any craft or dollar store, and then modge podge scrapbook paper to the back and hot glue on a magnet.

Voila! Instant organization!

Here’s another look at the

BEFORE:

and AFTER:

What are some of your goals for the new year?  I’ll be linking this post to the following parties: