Thrifty Upcycle - Framed DIY Whiteboards

Dorm White Boards

These cool whiteboards are gifts for my daughter and her two BFFs to go in their College Bags they will each receive upon graduation in the spring that I'm filling up.  You can see other posts about those bags and what's inside HERE and HERE!

I love chalkboards, whiteboards, message boards...anything you can personalize and leave messages on basically.  Back in July we got a dorm-decor magazine in the mail since (save my life I cannot find it ugh) and we now get all kinds of college stuff in the mail since Alexa registered for schools LOL...enough to paper a village.  And they had the cutest dorm whiteboards in funky frames that I knew the girls would love!  Heck I love them for myself and plan on making one for me too :) 

PROBLEM was...they were $65-75 each...OMGeee..way too much!

But as I looked at them I realized how easy & cheap they'd be to make myself...or as Alexa says "You say that about everything"...well its true.  If its doable, not too hard and cheaper WHY NOT I say!

So I set out to do it the cheapest and best way I could!

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My spray paint friend handle grip...this one was $2 at Lowes and is made by Rustoleum.

It slips right over your spray can and makes it so much easier...less stress on your hand muscles which for me is a HUGE blessing.  And it gives a nice even spray as well.

I got this frame for $3 at the local Thrift Shop..it had the glass and back on it still and in perfect shape.

Thrift stores have the BEST deals on large, beautiful frames and I loved the oval shape.

I really love Rustoleum's 2x Ultracover---its good on metal, wood, plastic, wicker, etc.

And it covers great with only a few coats and you can put the can upside down and it STILL sprays..awesome.  

TIP: Hobby Lobby and other craft stores NOW sell spray paint and its around $4-5 retail..but use those 40-50% off store coupons from the paper, apps or online to get them cheaper.

Three coats was all this gold frame needed and its perfectly covered & shiny!

Love it!

For my boards you actually write right on the glass in the frames...yup dry erase markers work GREAT on glass too and wipe clean easily.

So I traced the oval onto white cardstock, cut out and added it behind the frame. And did the same for the other frame too.

You could use a fun print paper or different color if you choose too...its always up to you!

Remember this post?  See the framed picture in the lower left corner?

I got it for $3 because the back of the frame had a lot of damage...but I had OTHER ideas for it so I didn't care!

So I took it all apart and got rid of that nasty backing and cleaned the glass really good.

I traced the old backing onto thick black cardstock so the back is now streamlined and nice.

Tape your glass off really good or take it out if you can.

Then it got 3 coats of purty hot pink Rustoleum 2x spray paint.

Let it dry and peel off tape and clean glass if needed.

READ your spray paint can directions because each brand is different.

Some you need to add your extra coats within a minute or two.  Some require you wait.

If you don't follow directions you could get tacky or bubbly paint...I warned ya!

From a $3 Frame to a fun & funky whiteboard!!  And its EASY!

I used ribbon I had on hand (cost $0) and hot glued it to the inside of each frame before putting the back of the frame on...so between the hot glue and the frame backing it clinches the ribbon tightly.  Then I tied the ribbon around each marker (under the clip) and used hot glue to add a dot to the underside to keep them more secure.  Easily peeled off when ready to switch them out though.

I picked up these mini whiteboard markers by "The Board Dudes" at Staples...with a coupon I got the pack for just under $3...great deal!  The are the perfect size for these whiteboards.  They are magnetic as well but I wanted the markers to hang from the whiteboard since they will be hanging on dorm room doors.  Too easy for kids to snatch the markers if they are only stuck on with magnets KWIM?

The gold frame has an easel back so it can be set up on a flat surface.  However these were meant to be hung up on walls or doors so I had to retrofit them a bit.  I bought picture hooks and added those to the back of both frames.  The one square frame had a different picture hanger on back that would not work with a Command Hook so that got taken off and a new hook added. Then I bought some 3M Command Hooks that are clear and medium sized so that the girls can put the boards on their doors or walls...they will easily come off with no damage when they need to be.  Make sure to buy hooks that can hold some weight...these will hold up to 2 lbs so they are perfect!

These would be cute on a desk, wall, door...you name it!

Go for smaller frames and make mini versions.

Oh yeah I have ALL kinds of ideas for some frames I have :)

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I'm entering this into the following Linky Parties:

Life Inspired

Give Me the Goods Monday

The Hankful House - Get Your DIY On

Home Stories A-Z

DIY Dreamer 

Savvy Southern Style

That's What Che Said - Monday Funday

Stone Gable - Tutorials & Tips

Domestic SuperHero

Blissful & Domestic

The Fun in Functional

Making Homebase

Life on Lakeshore Drive -Bouquet of Talent

A Bowl Full of Lemons - One Project at a Time

Treasure Hunting!

Treasure Hunting Time 

 Do you thrift?  Meaning go to thrift shops to search for fun treasures?  I do, in fact the ladies that run the local church thrift shop know me by name, know what I usually look for and will set things aside for me and email me.  Gotta love that!

I like to take Alexa with me sometimes...when I'm in the mood lol...and she helps me hunt for things.  We bring her friends in too and show them what they can find...the other day each of the girls found new Abercrombie sweaters with tags on, never worn for $5 each...those are $50 items usually.  The girls were thrilled...apparently its quite "hipster" and "trendy" amongst teens to get unique items at Thrift Shops that no one else may have as they picked up some cool totes for $3 each too. 

 Guess I'm in style now hahahaha!

I know some people have an issue with things that have been handled before, used or touched.  I don't have that issue and I would never buy anything like undergarments or shoes and I wash everything I bring home really well.  There is so much STUFF in this world...lord knows my family contributes to it and it just doesn't make sense to always buy NEW before at least considering some thrifty finds to mix in. And I also am an antique junkie...so many cool things out there just waiting for another new home and life!

Now some of you may NOT agree with me and that's ok---

I have a friend that will not go to the library because she refuses to touch books others have touched.

I have another friend who thinks I'm NUTS for thrifting..but same friend came to my house and admired a thrifty find that I redid and had on display...HA!! ;)

I have heard that Nicholas Cage has a phobia to antique furniture because he believes its haunted.

I nicely respond with "it takes ALL kinds to make this world go round eh?" because I'm PC like that! Whatever floats your boat I guess! <wink>

But if you are OPEN to the idea, you can really find some great things.  Another place to stop is Habitat Humanity's REstore shop...we have one in Purcellville.  You can find great things for you home on the cheap...shutters, sinks, faucets, tile, granite, etc.  People that gut or redo their houses donate the old materials and the REstore shops sell it...some amazing deals and some things are almost brand new.

These are my treasures I got the other day for $34.  I'm working on a project I will share soon with old frames..stay tuned.  

NOTHING here will look like it does currently...it will be transformed!!

And you dig that bread box? ME TOO...I LOVE IT..$8 was a steal!  Its in my kitchen now but it will be getting a bit of a redo as well...yes I like the wood but I have other ideas for it!

{my photos came from my phone so please forgive me}

The bread box is HUGE...it will hold all our desserts, donuts, rolls, etc.

I have a huge bread drawer in my kitchen so this will be used for other pastries :)

These beautiful mirrors were $6 each...yes the frames are pretty if you are looking for that style.

I however have other ideas for them...stay tuned.  But for $18 it was pretty good deal!

So I have some fun projects to work on next week and get photographed and I will

be sharing them with you all next week!

Do you Thrift Shop?

What has been your favorite find so far?