GET CRAFTY: TURN IKEA PLACEMAT INTO CORK BOARD FOR ABOUT $1

Happy Monday, Blogland!

I came across some cork board frames on pinterest, a DIY project pinned from Tea Rose Home, and I had planned on making one of my own using a frame I already owned, but originally got at Marshall's for about $7.99 in case you are wondering.

While out and about, I noticed that buying cork wasn't as inexpensive as I would have thought. Ones at Staples run $29.99 for a smaller 4 pack and the sheets from Michael's are $19.99. So, when I was at IKEA and noticed some tree printed placemats made out of cork, they caught my eye.

I thought, why couldn't I just use them as cork, instead of as a placemat, by turning each mat over and using the back?!? Plus, you get a set of 4 larger sheets for less than one anywhere else!

Turns out it works quite well, and allows you to create a 12"x16" frame for about $1 easily and in just a couple minutes! Here is how I did it, step by step...

IKEA placemat cork board Get Crafty DIY by Liesl Ehardt

♦ FrameThis can be one you already own, as mine was, or one you pick up at Goodwill or Marshall's for just a few bucks and even one without or cracked glass because you'll be removing it.
♦ IKEA TYST Cork PlacematYou get a pack of four placemats for $4.99, making each about $1, and leaving you plenty to make more than one cork board of different sizes.
♦ Scissors, Pen & RulerItems you probably already own that you'll use to mark the placemat and cut it to the right size to fit inside the frame.
♦ Remove the backing and glass from the frame.
♦ Place glass on the cork placemat and trace the outline of it. If your frame does not have glass, just use a ruler to measure the inside of it.
♦ Cut on the lines you made to create the cork board insert, my frame is about 12"x16".

♦ Leave the glass out and place the cork placemat into the frame, then, the frame's backing and secure it in place.
♦ Ta-da! Your new cork board is now complete and your frame is transformed.

Final look at my new cork board put to use and fitting in with my new decor.

♦ Use the placemat to fill a bigger frame by using more than one placed together, side by side, attached from the back, and then, cover it with a fabric of your choice to create a smooth surface and add a little style.

♦ Spray paint or paint the cork board to create a fun color or design to your cork.

♦ Use the placemat in a frame with a picture, cut smaller than the cork and frame size, centered to create a cork matte and border for your picture.

Hopefully, this sparks some more ideas for you, and allows you to get crafty for a super affordable price!

Feel free to share your ideas and creative tips in the comments below, and let me know if there is anything you need a little creating! Pinterest sure helps get the creativity flowing! :)

SIDE NOTE: I want to thank Patricia for the lovely things she said, I was happy to be her "blogging friend," and let her know that she will be truly missed in blogland! ♥