Elmer’s #Looks4Less Challenge: Ballard Designs Burlap Message Board Knock Off

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There are SO many things I love from places like Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, and Ballard Designs! However, I usually don’t love the price tag! So, when Elmer’s contacted me about participating in their Looks for Less challenge, I was definitely game! The trick was just deciding which project to try. I even started a whole pinterest board dedicated to just knock-off possibilities! Then, I saw this Burlap Message Board at Ballard Designs

Looks nice, right? But, for the size I’d like, the price tag is $89!!!! Seriously, for a simple bulletin board?!?! NO WAY! I knew I could make something very similar with my Elmer’s supplies & a few other things! So, I did! 🙂

Supplies:

Directions:

Start by laying your board on the fabric. Cut if necessary. Use the glue stick to glue the fabric on the back of the board. Then comes the only remotely difficult part–placing all the furniture nails in so that they line up fairly well and are at least somewhat evenly spaced! 🙂 The only problem with the nails though is that they stick out the back quite a bit. So I had to figure out a solution. I ended up using an X-ACTO knife to just some thin strip of foam core (from old project scraps). I put a large bead of hot glue on the tip of each nail. Then, stuck the foam core strips on. This solved the problem of sharp nails sticking out the back. In hindsight (that I sadly didn’t think of until typing this out), it might have been best to just glue to 20 X 30 sheets of foam core together and wrap the burlap around them together. This would have almost entirely solved the issue (and only upped the project cost by a couple of dollars). Either way, the result is great! Functional, similar in appearance and WAY cheaper than the Ballard version! Approximate Cost Breakdown

  • Foam Board: $2.50 each
  • Fabric/Burlap: $3.00/yard–you only need about 1/2 a yard!
  • X-Acto Knife: $5
  • Glue Stick: $2 each
  • Bronze Furniture nails: $2
  • Hot glue & other craft supplies: Had on hand (FREE!)
  • Total cost:  Approximately $15 (or less depending on what you have on hand!)
  • That’s a savings of $74 (or about 83% off)!!!!!

Would YOU like to try some Elmer’s supplies to make your own knock-off “look for less”? Stay tuned for a great giveaway from Elmer’s for two lucky Mom Endeavors’ readers!

Linked to: *Lil’ Luna

Disclosure: I received a package of supplies from Elmer’s to help me complete the challenge. All opinions and experiences are my own.

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I’m Sara, a mom to three adorable boys living in the Arizona desert. As a former teacher, I love sharing my passions with others. So, have a look around for creative inspiration about cooking, creating, celebrating, traveling with kids, and more everyday mom endeavors!

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