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Make This Belt Strap Memo Board

Budget: $$, Crafts, D.I.Y. Project, One Day Project, Organization, Renter Friendly
By Mandi Johnson

Make a memo board out of old, worn-out belts.Hi, it's Mandi! I can't remember the last time I bought a new belt. They're so prevalent at the thrift stores, I just go there first when I need a new one. The problem is old belts don't exactly last forever. I had a few belts lying around that were beginning to crack and split apart, so I thought they would be the perfect candidates for project supplies! Inspired by the trompe l'oeil artwork of Evert Collier, this simple memo board puts to use old or thrifted belts to conveniently hold your notes, pictures, and reminders, or could even make a nice display for a seating chart at a wedding or party!

Make a memo board out of old, worn-out belts.Supplies:
-edge-glued board or 2 cut boards cut to the same length (I used a pine 1x12x48 board cut in half)
-wood glue (only if you aren't using an edge-glued board)
-long clamps (only if you aren't using an edge-glued board)
-upholstery nail heads
-fabric scissors
-belts
-picture hanger hardware
-hammer

Make a memo board out of old, worn-out belts.Step One: If you aren't using a prepared edge-glued plank of wood (which runs about $20 for a 24" x 36" piece), you will need to assemble your own board. To do this, you will need two planks of wood cut to the same length. I used one pine 1x12x48 plank cut into two 24" pieces for my board. Then I applied glue to the edge of each board and clamped the planks together tightly while the glue dried.

Make a memo board out of old, worn-out belts.Step Two: Before the wood glue dries (which happens somewhat quickly), wipe away the excess glue that seeps out during clamping. If the glue dries, it's difficult to sand away.

Step Three: When the glue has dried, remove the clamps and stain or paint the wood to the color of your choice. After the stain set up, I chose to sand down the surface with steel wool. This knocked off the rough wood hairs that stick up after staining, making the surface silky smooth.

Make a memo board out of old, worn-out belts.Step Four: Cut the belts to fit on the plank (with room for a border around the edge), and fix them to the board by hammering nail heads through the belt and into the board. If your wood is really soft (like my inexpensive pine plank), you could just push the nail heads into place without using a hammer.

Step Five: Attach picture-hanging hardware onto the back of the board, and you're ready to hang!

Make a memo board out of old, worn-out belts.Make a memo board out of old, worn-out belts.This is a really simply project that's a great way to use up leftover supplies and recycle old belts. I used the leftover lumber from my horse bookshelf project and nailheads from this old ottoman project, so this memo board was free for me to make! I like free, and cute is an added bonus. -Mandi

Credits // Author and Photography: Mandi Johnson. Photos edited with Spring and Valentine of the Signature Collection.

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