Recycle, eh

Who doesn't love footstools? They make great seating for the little ones and give a nice decorative touch to any room. They're easy to make and very affordable if you do what I've done and simply use an old wood picture frame, an unused foam pillow insert, wood curtain finials, and a piece of fabric remnant.

As you can see from the above, it's very easy to do. For my how-to instructions, go here.

Here's a quick and easy way to get into your Valentine's good graces, just grab a couple of old books, preferably with red covers and make a nice frame or clock as Valentine's gifts. The frame idea is quick and easy while the clock may take some time as you need to gouge out the insides. A quicker way is to simply use the front cover for the clock! 

Here are the instructions for both. 

BESs

There, you're done.

If you've been following my other blog, you may have noticed my blackboard message centre. I have a secret. It's actually a sheet of foam-core art board that I picked up at Wallack's Art Supplies on Bank Street. It's lightweight and you can write on it with chalk - no paint required. The only drawback is that because it's paper-based, you have to be careful when you wipe it to use an almost dry rag. Otherwise, the board tends to warp. No, this is not the recycling part.

What I Did

I revamped my blackboard message centre by sticking it into a vintage frame. The frame is what's recycled and the small nails I used to attach to the back of the frame are also recycled. Hey - I keep anything and everything because you never know when it will come in handy.

For the holiday season, I stuck a Christmas message across the top, using press-on letters on office tags I bought years ago and never used. I used some copper wire pulled from a copper scouring pad to string the tags up.

Friends were so taken with my prettified blackboard that their response gave me the idea to use my hoard of picture frames could be used to make unique Christmas presents. The large one is mine (and I'm keeping it!) but the two smaller ones are what I've finished so far. I added the holiday message so I won't have to add a card!

How to Make It

Basically what you do is cut the foam-core board to fit inside the back of the frame and then nail into place or you can staple it on with a heavy-duty stapler. Nothing could be easier and it's very inexpensive to make. I used one 3' x 5' board and made 6 blackboards including the large one. And it only cost $9.00

Other Ways to Make a Blackboard Message Centre

If you want to know how to make a more traditional blackboard, go here. Or why not make a non-traditional blackboard message centre using whatever you have on hand?