Magnetic Brag Board Tutorial

A couple of years ago, we got a little white table and chairs for Lily's room. It was/is a place where she can color and work on puzzles in her room and eventually work on school work.  I had asked for suggestions about what to do for the space above her desk. And two years later, (yes, ugh, two years) it has been completed. Ha!

I decided to go with a magnetic brag board. With this option, she can display all her artwork in her room and change it out when she wants. Here is a step by step tutorial if you are ever interested in making your own magnetic brag board.

I gathered all my supplies: open back frame (22x28), sheet metal (24x36--found in the plumbing section of the store for about $9), fabric (1 yd), paint (and supplies), sandpaper, foam board, hanging supplies, and a spray adhesive.

First, I started to sand the frame. Then the timer went off. JD wasn't sure if the cookies were done and I wasn't all that good at the sanding, so we switched jobs. Don't worry, we did take a break and eat some cookies.

After wiping off the frame, paint coat one went on. I decided to use some leftover paint from the baby's room. The dark teal color is also in Lily's bedding, so it is a perfect choice.

I ended up putting 3 coats on since I started with a black frame and chose a lighter paint color. Paint or spray until you are happy with the results.

Next, I had JD cut the metal with tin snips to fit the frame while I ironed the fabric. He also roughed up the metal with steel wool to help with the adhesion.

I layed the cut metal on top of the fabric and rough cut the fabric a couple inches larger than the metal.

The metal and fabric were then sprayed with Krylon Easy-Tack which is a repositional adhesive. There is also a permanent adhesive, but I am not confident enough in my skillz to get it perfect the first time.

Note: The can says "WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm."  Therefore, since I am 39 weeks pregnant, I let JD handle the gluing.

We then placed the two together and smoothed out all the wrinkles in the fabric.

The metal was then flipped over and we wrapped the raw edges of the fabric around to the backside of the metal.

We added a little extra glue for the corner to remove the overhang. That way it will fit in the frame without having to mess the the excess fabric.

We then popped the fabric covered metal into the painted frame,

followed by a piece of foam (from Dollar Tree) to help hold it inside the frame. JD also added the gizmo's that hold the picture inside the frame (as the open back frame did not come with any). He also added a heavy duty wall mount since a five year old will be handling it, probably on a daily basis.

For the magnets, I used the same tutorial I used to make stocking stuffers a couple of years ago. The tute is all about Christmas. Obviously, mine was not. And she says hers are jumbo. Not sure what size "jumbo" is, but mine are 3/4" with the super duper strong magnets. I also made some for my fridge while I had all the supplies out. You can never have too many strong and cute magnets.

Here is the finished product close up.

And doesn't it look just super cute in her room?