DIY Dry Erase Magnetic Calendar From Old Picture Frame

by My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies

I love being organized, and was in need of something to be able to keep track of all of my projects and ideas. To solve my problem, I upcycled an old picture frame into a fresh new magnetic dry erase calendar and memo board.

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My sister-in-law gave me a very large framed print that did not go with her new home. It wasn't my style, however, the frame and glass were in good shape so I tucked it away until I found something to do with it. I had a need for a large calendar that I could write on and so I finally had a use for this picture frame!

I removed the old print, and cleaned the glass well.

Taking a ruler and a dry erase marker, I drew a grid pattern directly onto the glass.

I turned the glass over, and used a roll of thin tape to cover the grid lines I had made. This tape is slightly stretchy, which made it difficult to get the lines perfectly straight, but it is nice and thin which makes it a good choice for the grid lines. I found the tape at Office Depot. It is tape that is typically used for presentation boards.

I took the glass outside and spray painted the taped side with a beautiful light blue color.

We purchased a piece of sheet metal at Home Depot and my husband cut it down to match the size of the picture glass.

I took that outside and spray painted one side with a glossy white paint.

Allow the paint to dry completely. I waited several hours and then pulled the tape off. It came off easily.

Next I assembled the pieces. I inserted the glass with the unpainted side being the front, painted side to the back. Next, we laid in the piece of sheet metal, painted side in first so that the white would show through the lines left from the tape being removed from the glass. Finally, I inserted the original cardboard that came with the original print.

Luckily I was able to use the original picture clips to hold everything tightly in place.

In the above picture, this is the front of the picture after assembly - you can still see the dry erase grid that I drew. This wiped off easily with a paper towel.

I have several sets of letter stickers. I figured this would work great for putting the days of the week across the top as well as putting a label on top of the area I wanted to use for ideas, and another label for things that would be coming up next month.

With the thickness of the glass, you need to use strong magnets. I attached a couple magnets I picked up from Hobby Lobby. These will eventually be decorated to match my board, but that is a project for another day.

Here is a picture of the finished calendar. The glass is perfect for writing on with dry erase markers or chalkboard markers and are easy to wipe off with a dry paper towel.

For more information and pictures on this project, stop by my blog. Thank you!

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3 questions

Michelle on Jul 12, 2016
Could you have used magnetic paint instead of the sheet metal?

1
Donna on Jul 12, 2016
Donna Natoma , KS Would plexi-glass work?

2
Thalia Kottke on Jul 12, 2016
What is the size of the frame?

2