My Junk Creation: Kitchen Message Center from Cutting Board
May 28, 2008 by Peggy Rowland
Filed under Home & Living
Forgive me. I like the lighting on my balcony, and I wanted you to see my petunias!
Things I learned: It’s better to be patient and get thicker cork board instead of settling with what’s available on your first trip to the craft store. And Elmer’s Stix All Gel Cement doesn’t come out of the tube quite as easily as it should. Finally, be very careful when cutting cork as it can be delicate.
Keep reading after the jump for a list of items used and directions. Plus, why did I make this anyway?
Why I made this junk creation:
I work (at home) late at night and I sometimes leave post-it note messages for Michael on the kitchen cabinet because I know he’ll look there, next to the coffee pot. I’m almost out of the giant pack of post-it notes I bought years ago. And since they aren’t exactly eco-friendly, I decided to use scrap paper and upcycle an old wooden cutting board for use as a message center. The board had seen better days, and I just got a new one as a gift anyway.
Things I used:
•Old wooden cutting board
•Hobby cork roll
•Drill
•Pencil & ruler
•Exacto knife or razor blade
•Glue (I used non-flammable Elmer’s Stix All Gel Cement.)
How I made:
With a ruler and pencil, I drew off the area I wanted covered with the cork.
I cut the cork to size and applied the gel cement to the board, making sure to cover all corners. Then I laid the cut cork onto the drawn-off area with glue. I chose non-flammable glue since I was going to use this board in the kitchen, but that’s me being extra safe. The glue I used does seem to work well with cork.
Since I was impatient and got the first cork roll I came by, I had to double my layers to make it thick enough to hold thumb tacks. I’m sure it’s possible to find thicker cork board, but I didn’t see it at my store.
I covered the board with magazine pages to protect the books I’m about to mention. Then I laid several heavy books on top and let cure for 24 hours.
After that, I drilled a hole in the handle for hanging and located my tacks. I had some fishy thumb tacks that were just dying to be used.
I wanted a simple message center, but you may wish to paint or otherwise adorn your cutting board before applying cork.
Would you consider this project with an old cutting board you were going to get rid of anyway?
I would, minus the drill bit. Me + power tools = accident waiting to happen.
It looks really nice with the petunias, though!
Nice, I need a messageboard, too.
I’ve fallen in love with Gorilla Glue lately. It’s around 4-5$ a small container, but it works so well you only need a teeny bit. Bonds darn near anything to anything else.
Sam, I’m shy with power tools too. The only reason I have them is because of all the home repairs we did. Glad you like the petunias. I’m hoping to attract some hummingbirds again this year.
Julie, I actually set out to buy Gorilla Glue, but got kind of too wrapped up in getting a nonflammable glue. I’m not sure why since this board will be beside the microwave, not the oven! : )
Peggy, it’s really good. I haven’t used it on anything that would go near the stove, though. I’ve had mine a few months, used it on a lot of things, even resoled a shoe, and it doesn’t look like a dent in the bottle yet. I can live with the cost. (something i never say!)
Another thing, it can’t be used for repairing anything you may eat or drink from.
I love this idea and my DH just bought me a Dremel tool. Sweet!
I’ve had something similar in mind for a long long time.
Peggy, maybe you’ll get to it before I do!
I have a small plastic clipboard I no longer use. I want to decoupage fruits and veggies onto it and use it for my weekly shopping list. Whadda ya think?
Eileen, thanks. Dremels are cool, but sometimes the bit breaks too easily, so keep some extras around. : )
I like your shopping list idea. If you have any empty seed packets, they might be cute to use!
Eileen- Be very careful with the thin sanding disks. One broke and flew into my husband’s face. Luckily he was wearing safety glasses. You can pick those up for $1 in some stores and whether you think you need them or not, they can save your sight.
Peggy and Julie,
Thanks for the Dremel tool warnings. I was so excited to receive it, I could easily have jumped in without taking precautions. Forewarned is forearmed!
Hi there!
I’m new to the forum so I just wanted to say hi to everyone!