Personalized Family Message Board

Create these message boards and hang them up in a central location. Keep a notepad and pushpins nearby so you can leave a message for anyone on his or her message board. This system allows you to keep bills, invitations and other papers in a handy spot.


Step 1: Supplies
Start with the basics. Everyone in the family will need a frame, plus corkboard cut to fit that frame. The frames can vary in size, with mom and dad (who’ll probably have more messages) getting the bigger ones.

Purchase wooden frames at a home store. The frames should be no smaller than 8”x10”. You can find corkboard available in rolls at many home improvement and office supply stores, as well as on the internet. Cut your corkboard so that it fits inside your frame.

Step 2: Pick A Frame
Let everyone pick their own frame. If you want, you can even choose to decorate the frames. Use the hot glue gun to put on seashells, buttons, even small dolls and action figures. Also, you can use the tips from our Definitely Decoupage article to add pictures to the frame.

At the top of each frame, attach the name of the owner of that message board.

Step 3: Spice Up The Corkboard
Have everyone choose a fabric pattern, then cut a piece of it a couple of inches wider and longer than their corkboard. Lay the fabric down flat, then lay the corkboard on top of it. Tightly wrap the edge of the fabric around the corkboard and staple it into place.


Step 4: Framing the Board
Insert the fabric-covered corkboard into the frame, then replace the frame’s backing to hold the corkboard in place and to give it some extra stability.


Step 5: Attach The Ribbon
Attaching a ribbon onto the frames helps bring the message center together and gives it a feeling of connectedness. On the floor, put your frames face down, arranged how you want them to go on the wall.

Start with the frames on top, and run your ribbon down the middle of the frames in a straight line. Staple the ribbon onto the top and bottom of the frame backs. If the ribbon covers the hook supports on the back of the frames, cut a slit in the ribbon so that they can still hang on the wall.

Step 6: Hang the Message Center
Choose a central wall in your home, a place everyone passes by at least once a day, to hang your message board. Nail hooks into the walls where you want each frame to go, then hang your message center on the wall.

Keep a notepad and pushpins handy, and now everyone will easily be able to stay in touch.

Quick Clean-Up
Clean any scuff marks from the wall you hang your message boards from with Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser. And pick up any debris that may fall onto a hard surface with the Swiffer® SweeperVac®.