make a memory (board)

So you made a couple dozen of our fabric-covered thumbtacks, but you have pictures and other lovelies you don't want full of holes. No problem. We have you covered (in fabric once again). Here is a simple tutorial to make your own memory board, a beautiful way to save and display pictures, cards, and other memorabilia--just tuck items behind the ribbon. We love this project because you can make it to fit any decor!

Memory Board Tutorial

What you'll need:

*Artist canvas (whatever size suits your space--we used 14x18")
*Staple gun
*Scissors
*Fabric of your choice (enough to cover your canvas and wrap around the back a little--we used a fat quarter from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern line)
*Ribbon (enough to make six diagonal crossing lines across your canvas)
*Brads
*Buttons (optional)
*Strong craft glue, such as E6000 (if using buttons)

Okay, let's get started.

1. Iron fabric if necessary, lay right-side down on the floor or a table. Center canvas on fabric.
2. Wrap fabric around one edge and staple to the wood part of the frame. Pull fabric taut and repeat on opposite side. Repeat on the other two sides, folding corners nicely as you go.

3. Turn canvas back over and lay ribbon diagonally across center of canvas and cut, allowing enough to wrap around to the back. Staple to wood. Repeat with two more lengths of ribbon on each side of center ribbon, spacing evenly.

4. Repeat ribbon from opposite diagonal, crossing the first three ribbons.

5. Where each ribbon intersects, push a brad through to hold ribbon in place. Fasten brad on back of canvas.


6. You may be done at this point, but if you have some coordinating buttons, glue them on top of each brad. Allow to dry according to glue's package directions.


7. That's it! Hang your board and enjoy your memories--sans holes.


Oh, and we'd like to give a shout out to our lovely hand model, Lori! :)