Tutorial: Double Duty Dry Erase Board
Jun. 2 10
I am constantly writing notes and messages to myself to help me remember what I have going on for the day. But my office is also my bedroom, so an ugly dry erase board is just not an option. I’ve been thinking about solutions to this problem for a while, and at one point considered Idea Paint, but eventually changed my mind. I wanted something that could pull double-duty, and that’s when I came up with this…an idea for a pretty dry erase board that serves as wall art when not in use.
Materials: 1. Picture frame with glass or plexi insert (I recommend a Ribba frame from IKEA like the one I used) 2. Fabric scraps 3. Heavy duty tape 4. Dry erase markers
Step by Step How To: {click image above for larger step by step view} 1. Remove everything from the frame (paper, mat, backing) except for the glass. 2. Cut a piece of fabric slightly larger than your frame backing (about an extra 2 inches all the way around). Whether your backing is hardboard or cardboard, this tutorial will work, so don’t worry. 3. Place cut fabric over frame backing and then flip over. 4. Fold over excess fabric and then, using heavy duty tape, attach the fabric to your backing. 5. Place the now fabric-covered frame backing into the frame and you are all done! You are ready to write notes all over your pretty dry erase board.
For more ideas for quick and easy projects, click here to visit the tutorials page filled with more than 30 diy’s.
68 Responses to “Tutorial: Double Duty Dry Erase Board”
What a great idea!!! I’ll definitely make one (or more) myself!!!
Brenda Lavell commented on June 2nd, 2010 at 3:45 pm
What a clever idea! This would make a wonderful gift for someone else as well. Thanks so much for sharing!
Tania commented on June 2nd, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Thanks Brenda and Tania. I am definitely going to be making more of these myself. They’re so easy and fun.
-Brittni
papernstitch commented on June 2nd, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Great idea!, very practical and cute at the same time, love it!
Ana commented on June 2nd, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Such a great idea! Much better than my scrap paper taped all over the wall.
lauren commented on June 2nd, 2010 at 6:38 pm
WOW. Genius. I love love love this idea. Oh man. Need to drive out to IKEA right now!
Connie commented on June 2nd, 2010 at 8:59 pm
What a great idea!!! I would not have known you could write on the glass like that! awesome use for scraps of fabric I can’t bear to part with.
Thanks!
Jacqui Mee a Bee commented on June 3rd, 2010 at 12:29 am
I LOVE THIS! I can’t wait to make this one. .gotta plan a trip to ikea, now. hearts <3
jonahliza commented on June 3rd, 2010 at 1:35 am
oooo I can’t wait to try thiiiiis!
Meeks commented on June 3rd, 2010 at 6:19 am
thanks so much to all you lovelies. if you do complete this project, i would love to see pictures.
-Brittni
papernstitch commented on June 3rd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
[...] know I have been talking a lot about wall art (here and here), but I just can’t get enough of it lately. And I have one more idea to share with [...]
paper n stitch – More Wall Decor - A daily dose of handmade, design, and style inspiration commented on June 3rd, 2010 at 12:12 pm
this is a great idea Brittni and would save a ton of paper waste in my studio… !
emma x
emma lamb commented on June 3rd, 2010 at 1:58 pm
i LOVE this idea!!
can’t wait to try it out, i think i’m going to make one for every room!!
skye commented on June 3rd, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Clever gal! Good for you and I love that you share your idea too. I make great dry erase markers with erasers
(I invented the eraser cap for dry erase markers). Would love to send you one for your great idea- either shoot me and e-mail julia@kleenslate.com or visit my web site and send me an e-mail through there. i will throw in a paddle too- it comes with the marker/eraser right in the handle- take your dry erase with you! http://www.kleenslate.com.
Keep those ideas rolling!
Julia commented on June 3rd, 2010 at 6:17 pm
[...] DIY for a Double Duty Dry Erase Board. I could make a hundred of [...]
paper n stitch – Weekend Links - A daily dose of handmade, design, and style inspiration commented on June 4th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
[...] love this brilliant twist on a dry erase board from Brittni of Paper n Stitch. Sure, dry erase boards are incredibly handy, but they are also [...]
How-To: Fabric-Backed Dry Erase Board commented on June 4th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
[...] love this brilliant twist on a dry erase board from Brittni of Paper n Stitch. Sure, dry erase boards are incredibly handy, but they are also [...]
How-To: Fabric-Backed Dry Erase Board | Crafts Kids :: Free Crafts Network commented on June 4th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
This is brilliant! <3
Eva commented on June 4th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Absolutely brilliant idea! I love it! AND I already had plans to go to IKEA! yay!
shen commented on June 4th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Sometimes you come across an idea and find yourself instantly wondering why you did not think of that yourself. I love that your pretty dry erase boards can be customized to go on a wall or a desk and with absolutely any decor. This idea is a keeper for sure! So, do you just clean your messages off with a window cleaner?
Margo commented on June 4th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
I love how the most brilliant projects are always the simplest. Can’t wait to make one of these for my kitchen and another for my boys!
Wendy commented on June 4th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
[...] I came across an absolutely BRILLIANT idea from Paper n Stitch The Blog. It’s called the Double Duty Dry Erase Board. Seeing this Tutorial was one of those moments I could not help saying to myself “Shut the [...]
Brilliant Easy Dry Erase Option | Fashionably Organized commented on June 4th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
what a sweet project! thanks for sharing!
j.
jennifer young commented on June 5th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
This is so easy and brilliant! I am smitten. Thanks for sharing!
geek+nerd commented on June 6th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Muy buen sitio lo agrego a mis favoritos
rent apartment buenos aires commented on June 6th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
I love this idea… I actually made one of these myself a few years back but with pretty paper instead of fabric. And just to let everyone know, if you use plexiglass instead of glass it will get “cloudy” over time as each time you clean it off it will make tiny tiny scratches on the surface. (I used to work in a frame shop.)
Cameron commented on June 7th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Thanks for the tip Cameron. Good to know about glass vs. plexi. I’ll definitely be going with glass for my extra boards as well.
papernstitch commented on June 7th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
SO simple and cute! What a great idea!
Kristen commented on June 7th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
This is fabulous! I’m off to buy a cool frame…
Danielle Daws commented on June 7th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Wow, I really can’t believe I didn’t think of this. I tend to write the occasional note or reminder on my bathroom mirror and this is just a few steps (but much prettier) away from that. Thank you!
Kim commented on June 7th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Great idea… another twist on this is to use a mirror..I gotten into the habitof making my To Dolist for the day while I’m getting ready in the morning, bruhsing my teeth, etc…A dry Erase marker works great on the bathroom mirror; it should also work fine on a framed mirror in the office…
Tina commented on June 7th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
What a great idea!Thanks for sharing .)/s
sanna commented on June 8th, 2010 at 12:14 am
Great idea! I am in love with that thing in the first picture, which I am going to assume is either an alarm clock or radio, or both.
Olivia commented on June 8th, 2010 at 4:59 am
Super idea! I want one in every room!
patsy commented on June 8th, 2010 at 9:49 am
This is so cool! Can anyone tell me where that radio in the first picture is from?
Penny commented on June 8th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Thanks Penny. The clock is Tivoli Audio and you can find them here (they come in lots of colors): http://www.nest-living.com/search?q=Tivoli+Audio
papernstitch commented on June 8th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
[...] but I was just going to try it with white paper, for a plain white background… then I saw this tutorial via Craft: and thought of using images for the backgrounds! Now I have a great looking [...]
do stuff! » Dry Erase Magnets tutorial, plus other magnet ideas! commented on June 8th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Genius! Can’t wait to see what other goodness you’ve got here!
Brooke commented on June 9th, 2010 at 1:10 am
[...] to make a dry erase board that’s way cuter than your average whiteboard. I LOVE this so [...]
QuirkyKnitGirl » Blog Archiv » Wednesday Wanderings: Community Film Grasshopper commented on June 9th, 2010 at 7:58 am
[...] Fabric Backed Dry Erase Board — Another easy way to use some of my fabric stash. Cute and functional! [...]
Some Crafty Projects I Want to Try | Wendolonia commented on June 9th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
[...] It’s surprising how many companies have few or no whiteboards. Often, if there are any whiteboards, they’re reserved for the conference rooms. What a shame! Whiteboards are the perfect, risk free canvas for developing and sharing ideas with others. We have them all over the place. In our conference rooms, in open spaces, by our desks. (By the way, if you don’t have a good whiteboard in your working space, here’s a nifty idea for DIY whiteboard.) [...]
adaptive path » blog » Leah Buley » The Creative Office commented on June 9th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
You could use wrapping paper or other decorative paper instead of fabric as long as the pattern wouldn’t interfere with being able to read what’s being written.
Heather commented on June 10th, 2010 at 11:35 am
Absolutely Heather. Great idea. Yes, the real key is using light colors with minimal patterns, so that you can still read your messages.
-Brittni
papernstitch commented on June 10th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Love this simple, brilliant idea. I have kicked my self over from How About Orange to see your idea up close. Thanks for sharing.
K-Sue commented on June 10th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
[...] How to make a dry erase board. We love us some dry erase boards in this house. LOVE THEM. [...]
Things we love to do « jodimichelle commented on June 11th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Absolutely love this idea! I’ve always disliked the ugly eggshell white of normal dry erase boards, and this is perfect to decorate and be functional. Thanks so much for the tutorial!
PS. Found you through Oh Hello Friend, and I am so glad she directed me here!
Ashley commented on June 11th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Thank you this fabulous idea. I’m thinking Christmas gifts for everyone on my list.
Nicki commented on June 12th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Such a nice idea
Thanks Can’t wait to see what other goodness you’ve got here!
Feyza DEMIRTAS commented on June 15th, 2010 at 10:04 am
GENIUS! I love this idea. I’m constantly making project lists and to do lists on my bathroom mirror or grocery list pad, and neither of those things are in my sewing room. This is such a cute, practical, and cheap way to decorate my sewing room!
Thanks!!
Hannah commented on June 16th, 2010 at 10:36 am
I love this idea! I’d like to feature it on my site, fastercraft.com. Would it be okay with you if I used one of two of your photos (with full credit to you, of course)?
Shannon commented on June 16th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Thanks Shannon. I’d love for you to share my project on your site. Of course. Feel free to borrow any photos you would like.
Hannah, these will look great in your sewing room. I have a couple hanging up above my desk right now and I use them everyday. Jeff and I write little notes to each other on them too. Fun!
-Brittni
papernstitch commented on June 16th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
I finally made one of these and I love it! I used a vintage embroidered linen and a garage sale frame. The whole project cost me $2! I’m going to have photos of mine and a link to your post up on my blog later this week. thanks!
KatesShortandSweets.blogspot.com
Kate commented on June 20th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
that’s wonderful kate. i’d love to see a photo when you have it.
-brittni
papernstitch commented on June 21st, 2010 at 9:14 am
[...] see the directions here: http://papernstitchblog.com/2010/06/02/tutorial-double-duty-dry-erase-board/ var flattr_wp_ver = '0.9.11'; var flattr_uid = 'fastercraft'; var flattr_url = [...]
Boards: A lot more colors than a white board FasterCraft — FasterCraft commented on June 22nd, 2010 at 11:15 am
What a great idea! I love it! And I loooove those RIBBA frames, they are so stylish and cool!
Adventures in Dressmaking commented on June 24th, 2010 at 12:57 am
[...] [Tutorial: Double Duty Dry Erase Board] [...]
How To: Make a Double Duty Dry Erase Board « Inside, Out: Home + Garden commented on June 25th, 2010 at 9:10 am
[...] you Paper n Stitch for coming up with such a cute [...]
weekend projects - waysideviolet commented on June 26th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
i love it!!!!
simple and cute…
akijenggot commented on June 28th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Love this! Such a great and simple custom idea.
I put one together yesterday to use by my computer desk. You can see it right here: http://jackiesullivan.blogspot.com/2010/06/custom-dry-erase-board.html
Jackie commented on June 30th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Instead of framed “art,” we went whole hog and purchased tempered-glass desk protectors from IKEA for our office, then painted the backs with white exterior paint.
Definitely a different function than the brilliant idea in this post. I only mention it because the tempered glass is amazingly easy to write on and erase; we’ve had the boards up for six months and haven’t cleaned the glass yet! Worth checking into.
Rich commented on July 6th, 2010 at 9:10 am
[...] saw the idea here (made with fabric). And then found a meal planner here. And some free artwork here. Last night I [...]
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[...] such a simple idea, I love it! Saw this on paper n stitch (comes with a handy tutorial) and a great blog called elephantine: part dry erase board, part wall [...]
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[...] juli 19, 2010 Hoort bij: Uncategorized — Thea @ 22:09 Dit is wel heel erg simpel, de stof die je op de achtergrond plakt kan je eindeloos variëren. [...]
memobord « mooi bedacht commented on July 19th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
[...] Paper N Stitch just recently posted a tutorial for a DIY dry erase board stupid-easy project that would solve three problems: 1) get rid of the [...]
Fabric Scraps DIY | Emeline & Annabelle: Couture Cafe commented on July 26th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
[...] communities that way! Following Ghostly Ferns links to her blog I noticed she had posted about a Paper-n Stitch tutorial for making your own dry erase board out of an IKEA frame. Cute!! And handy! You may also [...]
Follow the leader · Indie Crafts @ CraftGossip commented on July 27th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Thank you so much for this idea! I wondered how to add a frame backing to a dry erase board. Need it for the bar menu at my wedding. This is perfect!
ruby commented on August 3rd, 2010 at 10:05 pm
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Indie Fixx / Back to School Guide: last day – diy school supplies commented on August 30th, 2010 at 11:33 am
[...] thrilled to see the results. My double duty dry erase board project, which you may remember seeing here a couple months back made the cut, alongside the likes of Design Sponge, How About Orange, and a [...]
paper n stitch – Top DIY Projects - A daily dose of handmade, design, and style inspiration commented on September 1st, 2010 at 3:51 pm