As promised, I wanted to share with you something I've affectionately dubbed my magnetic "Life Board." A few years ago I wanted to create an easy spot in my home to post photos and memorabilia. My plan was to have a giant magnetic board ~ a place I could throw pictures on ~ an ever evolving record of our lives. To accomplish this, I installed two sheets of galvanized metal in this little pass through hallway. It provides a convenient landing place to feature treasured keepsakes. In addition to holding photos, it also displays various notes, postcards and other miscellaneous objects.
To begin with, I contacted a local metal manufacturing facility. They offered sheets of metal similar to the ones pictured
above. I measured the area of the hallway wall and gave them the dimensions. They cut the metal to perfectly fit the size of my space.
For a small fee, I had the vendor wrap the edges* of the sheet metal (fold them over). Otherwise, the material is sharp and difficult to handle.
I attached the sheet metal to the wall with sheet metal screws ~ albeit they were longer than the ones above. Fortunately, I was able to hit the studs in the wall. If I hadn't, I would have used anchors for added security.
This space morphs from day to day. It is always being added to and changing ~ following is a little sampling of some of the keepsakes:
A vast majority of the board contains photos like these: 1. Gavin a.k.a. a "tiger" in Kindergarten ~ so cute. 2. Buster's dog tag. 3. Me, Nat and friends at Pike Place Market Gum Wall in Seattle ~ kind of gross but we had to do it. 4. Buster Dog ~ loved and missed. 5. A vintage Donald Duck key chain. 6. A treasured handwritten note from Reagan. ;)
It also holds some very meaningful remembrances: 1. A poem Papa wrote for Nana entitled, "The Rose." He had it printed up on a satin ribbon and gave them to all the family the last Christmas before he passed. He had lovingly written on the envelope: "When I first saw my 'wife to be,' at once I became a poet." It still brings on the tears every time I read it. 2. A photo from a family gathering. 3. A postcard from a hotel we stayed at in Venice.
Some more of the same: 1. A concert pass from a Sade concert I recently attended ~ a phenomenal concert. 2. Corbin and Reagan in younger years ~ I love those guys. 3. Nana, Reagan and Nate several years ago ~ it's still hard to believe she's gone.
And finally, one of my personal favorites: A bowling score sheet ~ as the only female in the family, I bowled the best game. I gloat a little here ~ only because that's probably the first and last time that will ever happen in my lifetime. :)
Although, there are a few special framed photos in and around the house ~ this giant magnetic board is the centralized focus for most of our pics. This project was simple to do and was cost effective (it set me back less than $50.00) ~ and would be an easy weekend project. Especially, when you have a long weekend coming up like Labor Day. I hope you have an enjoyable one!
Posts
