Recycle a frame into a reminder board

Recently, I was given two very special paintings. They were painted by my Nana, and amazingly, fit in perfectly with my colours and décor. The big one, an oil of bright yellow sunflowers, would go in my living room and the other, a small painting of fruit, had a spot calling for it in the dining room.

But I just couldn't hang them up. The paintings were all right; the frames, all wrong.

At the frame shop I was asked if I wanted to keep the old frames. The anti-clutter side of me said no, but my crafty recycling side kicked in and I carted them home. Good call.

September is always the start of what I call my busy season. With school back in, activities starting up, meetings and more, I rely on my calendar to keep me on track.

Sometimes I need a little more help. There are days when I go out the front door five times before actually leaving. With 20 things whirling through my mind, I sometimes forget the basics like house keys or my purse. I've been locked out more times than I'd like to admit and it really stinks getting to the grocery checkout without a purse.

Sound familiar? Then root through your junk for an old frame and join me. I think I may have found a crafty solution.

This might look like a regular cork board, but strategically placed by the door, it will become so much more.

What you'll need

• Frame
• Newspaper
• Spray paint
• Measuring tape
• Cardboard
• Cork
• Craft knife
• Spray adhesive
• White glue suitable for cork, such as Weldbond
• Mounting hardware
• Rubber surface savers

Step 1: Find an old frame. Remove art and glass. Set the frame on sheets of newspaper. In a well-ventilated space (outside if you can), spray with paint in a colour of your choice — black, gold, silver, hot pink. Repeat as needed. Let the paint dry between coats and follow instructions given on the can.

Step 2: Flip and paint the back when the front is dry.

Step 3: Measure the opening at the back of the frame. Cut cardboard and cork to size with a utility knife. Use heavy cardboard and thin cork, or vice versa. Set the cardboard and cork in the frame to make sure it's a fit. Trim as needed.

Step 4: Glue the cork to the cardboard with spray adhesive or any glue suitable for cork. Set something heavy on top while it dries.

Step 5: Squeeze a stream of glue where the cork/cardboard will go on the back of the frame. Don't spread too much or it will ooze out.  Set the cork/cardboard in place, cork side down. Set that heavy object on top and allow to dry.

Step 6: Attach mounting hardware and stick on rubber surface savers so it won't mark the wall. Hang your cork board by the door you use most, and don't forget to post your reminders!

Step 7: For fun, make pretty pushpins from funky buttons, old brooches, glass gems and other treasures. Use wire cutters to remove button loops, pins, etc. Squeeze hot-melt glue onto the now-flat surface and press a regular thumbtack in the glue.

Heads up! Collect oak and maple leaves for an upcoming autumn project. Start pressing them now. Place them between the pages of an old phone book.