Making Boards - My Top Five Secrets

Being a design student, the one thing I love most is making boards and I can confidently say I'm good at them. You have to have a little bit of obsessive compulsive disorder when making boards or else they will look like crap. I've probably made 15-20 boards of all sorts since I became a design student and two things I've learned you want when making boards are (1) for everything to stay on and (2) for everything to be evenly spaced with a good balance of negative and positive space.

My very first board.

I have pulled together some of my favorite techniques such as adhesives, cutting skills, and more. We're all on a budget, especially since most colleges will not reimburse you for your supplies. Some of these items are a little pricey, but I promise it's worth it. Nothing is worse than getting up to present and something falls off your board!

First things first, most people double mount their boards because it just looks better. I've used a lot of things to glue my boards together but the best thing is Gorilla Glue. I'll explain how to use it later.

You want either a half-inch or an inch border all the way around. If you decide to cut a window in your board, do it before you glue your boards together. Windows take talent, one I do not have. I've cut a couple of windows in my time and I wish I would cut more. It looks so great.
 
Here are a few of my favorite tips when making boards. If you use these adhesives, your board will look great!

1. When using wood, stone, or anything over 2 pounds use Gorilla Glue. $4.99 Hobby Lobby

This stuff works wonders with heavy pieces. I like to use the white glue because the yellowish-brown glue actually dries that color and that's not pretty, now is it?

 

A tip when using this glue - it expands as it dries. So that means to place the glue a couple of inches towards the middle of the object therefore when it dries it doesn't look like this.

 

Once this stuff is dry, it's NEVER coming up so make sure wherever it lands, that you love it! Also, it takes a good 5 hours to completely dry, so last minute board makers - this will not work for you.

2. When using thin paper-like pieces such as paint samples, labels, title blocks, etc. use Rubber Cement. $2.99 Hobby Lobby

 

Rubber cement is something I always have on hand. What I love most about rubber cement, is that you can brush it on and then slide it around on your board to where you like it - unlike hot glue. Rubber cement dries completely clear and what's amazing about it is that you can use a rubber cement eraser and erase your mistakes. The eraser last forever, so it's definitely a good little thing to have.

 

 

***DO NOT EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER USE ELMER'S GLUE. You're not in kindergarten so just don't use it.***

 

 

3. When using fabrics, use Aleen's Fabric Fusion glue. $3.50 Hancock Fabrics

 

 

There are a lot of products by Aleen's that are great for a lot of different things. Fabric fusion is perfect when gluing fabrics to your boards. Draw a small rectangle around your fabric close to the edge and you'll be good to go. Don't GLOB on the glue, because you will see it when it dries. Fabric fusion is also great when gluing trim pieces to fabric such as for showing window treatment details.

 

4. When you have pictures and/or labels that go on top of pieces use Foam Mounting Squares. $3.69 Hobby Lobby

 

 

 

These are great for anything, really. When all else fails, just use these. Foam squares give your board dimension by making things pop! If you have a piece of plastic or something that is clear such as a resin panel, it's great to mount those instead gluing them. Hobby Lobby or Michael's also has their brand of foam mounting squares that are itty-bitty instead of these 1" ones (I just couldn't find a picture.)

 

5. When you have something and you just don't know what to use, try Zots Glue Dots. $3.77 Hobby Lobby

Zots are great for things like ribbon, thick card stock, thin/sheer fabric, etc. I have a design friend that swears these things are the bomb. I use them more for scrapbooking but it never occurred to me to use these for other things. I would stray using these for heavy things like tile and wood for the fact that it might not hold.

 

 

I hope you found some of these tips helpful to you and even though you might not be a design student, you might have to do a presentation board for some class in the future. If you use these tips, you won't go wrong!

 

And just because I'm awesome, here's a 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby!

 

Click HERE to get this coupon.

 

If you have an iPhone, you can download the free app and get these coupons ALL THE TIME.

 

Happy presenting!

 

 

 











Fall Prints

Fall is almost here and with that comes all the new prints from my favorite stores! How beautiful is this new print from Vera Bradley?

 "Sun-filled Provence, France – with its vivid, folkloric beauty – inspires this gypsy-charmed floral delight. Spiced orange, golden saffron and brick red swirl to their own rhythms across an earthy mustard background and over the detailed foulard design inside. Olive green and teal lend their romantic touches."

Can't decide which accessory I need worse - an agenda, a zip ID case, or an umbrella... :/

  

 

I have so many things to keep up with - family events, birthdays, anniversaries, work shifts, and homework so the planner is a must. But since I got my new clutch my wallet doesn't fit in it anymore. The ID case would help with that. BUT since it loves to rain EVERY DAY and I can't seem to find one umbrella, this cute one would never get lost!

 

How do I decide??

 

 

Headbored?

As you all know, I'm redesigning my current, teeny tiny bedroom. This project has become tedious but I'm looking forward to the finished result. My bedding is still out of stock online and that is beginning to make me worry. I've fallen in love with this bedspread and nothing I've found, so far, has compared. I'm chosen a calm, neutral color scheme with ice blue, light browns and creams, and a splash of tangerine and fuchsia. I think this palette is less teenagery and more mature for me.

My bed is placed on the back wall, so you see that wall first. Currently, I have two angel paintings my sister created hung there but for my new design I want a bigger, better piece above my bed. That led me to title this post "Headbored?" My room is boring, simple as that. I need a big "WOW" factor and I know that can only be accomplished through an awesome headboard.

I've found some interesting and creative solutions to headboarding and I wanted to share them with you today. I think all of these headboards are so simple and so inexpensive (which are my favorite two words) that they make each of these beds look fantastic.



Old wooden doors

Laminate samples



Painted mural



Scarf rack
 

Chalkboard paint over an existing headboard

 



Decal



Suspended seat cushion with shelf



Wood pallets or planks



Salvaged drawers uses as bookcases

Some really awesome ideas, eh? My favorite would have to be the laminate samples one. Being a designer, I have SO MANY SAMPLES that I have nothing to do with. I just got a little inspiration to do something fun with them.

Is your headboard a little boring? Spice it up with one of these ideas or if you have an idea of your own! Express your creativity! Who would have thought using drawers could looks so pretty?

Who's Ready For Some Football???

Yesterday, in between my two work shifts, I made a pretty awesome yarn wreath. If any of you are a fan of football season like me, then you need one of these wreaths!

This wreath was very fun to make because football season is just around the corner. UAB plays their first home game this Saturday with their new football coach, Garrick McGee. Everyone is pumped up about starting the season off right. This wreath is a great way to show your school spirit. (Of course I could make any team's colors, too!) The price is $30 so if you're interested shoot me an email - nosborn0530@gmail.com. I can't wait to make a wreath for you!

Get ready for some football! Stay tuned for great football decor ideas!

Time For A Change

My room is currently black and white with a splash of teal. I've loved this combination for about two years now, but the time has come for a new project - a REAL project. I am slowly but surely going to redo my room. One piece at a time. I can't wait to go thrifting and find some junk that I can recreate into priceless treasures.

My sense of style is a little different. I like taking traditional furniture such as Wing chair and slapping an bright, fun pattern on it. I guess you could call this more of an eclectic style. I also like texture such as burlap and linens. I love the simplicity of candles and mason jars used as a make-up brush holder. I'd much rather have an old, antique chest of drawers than a brand new one from Ethan Allen. But that's just me. New things can be nice as well.

I have thrown together quite a concept board with a bunch of random things to just gather my thoughts into the right direction. There's so many places I could go with this.

I love the bohemian side of things but not going too hipsterish. I like having pieces like a rustic dresser with crystal knobs and apothecary jars with my pearl collection in it. I'm planning on making ALL of my accessories: curtains, pillows, lamps and on top of that re-purposing a dresser and a mirror. I'm going to be a busy lady for the next couple of months but I can't wait! I love doing this kind of stuff and the fun thing about this project is that I get to LIVE in it!

Send your donations to my front door - this girl is gonna need some extra cash!

Design Seeds - Stormy Tones

I've always loved seeing what color combo Design Seeds has come up with. Today's is Stormy Tones.

Here's some beautiful rooms using this great color scheme. The dark blue is very masculine but somehow I find it amazing in these spaces. The rustic furniture gives the "beachy boardwalk" feel that's in the seeds photo. I love using monochromatic colors together - they really make a bold statement.

Secretary Desks

Friday Fact: I love secretary desks!

My mom has a secretary and I've always loved it. She doesn't use it as a desk, which is disappointing, but the it's so beautiful in her sitting room. Secretary desks are so great for adding some function to a little corner. They provide plenty of concealed storage and the hinged desktop surface can be folded up when not in use. It's no ideal for a large work space but it's perfect for writing a thank you note or paying bills - plus a laptop can fit perfectly inside!