DIY Command center Part 3: Bulletin board

Do you remember ever having a bulletin board? I do! My Mom made me a special bulletin board with my picture on it, when I was a child. It seemed so magic to me. I loved that I could just poke a pin in it and hang up my art projects, notes, and photos of my friends. Now, that I am older, I still love it! I like to use it for special notes and reminders. I also use it for important papers that I will need throughout the week. Instead of searching for my important papers, I know right where they are. You know what else is great about them, you can use it over and over and over again. Keep reading to learn how to make this bulletin board for yourself.

Today, I will show you how to make park 3 of the command center. The bulletin board.

Let’s get started. Here’s what you’re gonna need.

Supplies:

2 pieces of 1×2’s each measuring 12″
2 pieces of 1×2’s measuring 16.5″
backing measuring 11.75×17.75″
wood glue
brad nailer or staple gun (with correct size nails or staples)
wood stain & gloves
palm sander
sand paper or sanding sponge (I used 120 grit but any will work)
tape measure
1/4″ cork floor underlayment
pencil
box cutter or X-acto knife
hanging hardware
super cute pushpins!

Step 1: Building your bulletin board frame

Take one 16.5″ piece and stand it on end. Place a little amount of wood glue on the end that is up. Line up the edge of the 12″ piece on top of the edge of the 6″ piece. Use your finger to feel that the edge of the pieces are smooth and flush with each other. Now shoot 2 nails or staples through the top 12″ piece securing it to the 16.5″ piece. Wipe off any glue that might have seeped out.

Here is a link with photos to show how to do this step. (it just has different dimensions than this project)

DIY farmhouse style frame

**Note-I do hold the the frame pieces together when I shoot the nails in. It’s just super hard to take a photo and do that at the same time.

Repeat with the other end of the 12″ piece and the other 16.5″ piece. You should now have the 2 16.5″ pieces secured to the ends of 1 of the 12″ pieces.

Flip it over and glue, nail/staple the other 12″ piece to the ends of the 16.5″ pieces. You may need to pull and tug a little to get everything to line up correctly. Now you have your frame built.

Step 2: Staining your bulletin board frame

After you have built your frame, you are going to stain the entire piece. I used the color Provincial, but you can use whatever color best matches your home. Read this tutorial on how I stain my projects.

How to stain using an old towel

Let your frame dry for about 24 hours before moving forward. If your frame is not dry enough then you are going to gum up your sand paper and it’s not going to give you the finish you are going for.

Step 3: Antiquing your bulletin board frame

Your stain should be completely dry by this step, otherwise you will go through an insane amount of sand paper and you won’t even get the look you want. So make sure it’s dry.

You want to sand the front, sides, and edges of your frame. Hold the sander flat on the surface. Sand with the grain of the wood, back and forth. The more you sand, the more the stain will be removed and the natural wood will show through.

Tips on sanding:

Using a palm or hand sander is going to make this step much easier and faster, but it is not required. This can also be done by hand.
If you use a finer grit, you’ll get a softer look. You can use a coarse grit, it just is not as smooth and delicate of a finish. I prefer to use 120 grit.
Practicing on the back is a great idea until you get the hang of it.

Sand the entire frame until you have the look and finish that you like and then brush off all the sawdust.

Step 4: cutting your cork board to fit in your frame

Take your finished frame and place it on top of your cork board. Using a pencil or box cutter, trace or cut the inside of the frame onto the cork. This way you know your cork will fit perfectly into your frame. (if you traced the inside of the frame, now cut it out)

Step 5: attaching your bulletin board frame to the backing

When you have the cork cut to fit your frame, place the frame on the backing. Make sure there are no edges poking out. Carefully flip over and nail or staple into place.

Step 6: Putting your cork in your bulletin board frame

Flip your frame over. Decide which way the cork needs to go in to fit best. Put wood glue or E6000 glue all over the front of the backing, on the inside the frame. Once you have a lot of glue on the wood, press the cork down firmly into place. Let the glue dry completely before hanging or moving your bulletin board.

Once your cork is in place and the glue has dried, flip it over and insert the hanging hardware so you can hang and begin using your bulletin board.