United States Mod Podge Bulletin Board

I’ve teamed up today with Plaid and the Plaid Creators team to bring this fun idea to you. All opinions are entirely my own.

Bulletin boards are such a handy item for just about any space, and especially classrooms. My fellow Plaid Creators are I were recently given a challenge to spruce up a classroom item for a special teacher with Mod Podge in honor of the Mod Podge 50th anniversary. The moment we received this assignment, I immediately went out to my garage to find an old cork board in dire need of a facelift. Armed with Mod Podge, paint, and some decorative paper, this outdated bulletin board turned into a United States map Mod Podge bulletin board. I can’t wait to surprise a very special teacher with this beauty! Read on to see how this DIY transformation took place.

United States Map Mod Podge Bulletin Board Supplies:

---

• Framed Cork Board
• Lint-Free Cloth
• FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint – White Adirondack
• FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint Brush
• Decorative Scrapbooking Paper
• United States Map Template (I used this fantastic design from my friend Bev at Flamingo Toes)
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Mod Podge Furniture Matte
• Mod Podge Brushes
• Mod Podge Brayer Tool
• Die Cutting Tool (Optional, in case you want to add lettering)

To start, wipe the cork board clean with a lint-free cloth. As you can see, the board I used here is quite a relic: I love the little plaque at the bottom from Sears, Roebuck and Co.! 

Paint the entire surface of the board with 2-3 even coats of the chalk paint using the chalk paint brush. This product is great, because it was suitable for covering not just for the cork portion of the board, but also the metal frame. Allow the paint to dry completely, preferably overnight.

While the paint dries, print and cut out the United States map templates. (The one I used is linked above. I reduced the size of the pattern to 70% so it would fit on my cork board.)

Use a pencil to trace each state template onto the decorative paper, and cut out each state. 

After the cork board is completely dry, lay each of the state pieces onto the board in the proper configuration. This is actually a great geography lesson, and my daughter and I had a great time working together on this step! When the pieces are positioned how you like, grab your jar of Furniture Matte Mod Podge and your brushes.

Mod Podge is one of my favorite craft products to work with! I love the versatility, and the possibilities for the number of projects you can make is truly endless. And Mod Podge loves working with teachers! The Mod Podge site is armed with tons of great resources for teachers, including lesson plans, free monthly downloads, project inspiration, instructional videos, and a printable project calendar. And did you know that Mod Podge Gloss and Matte formulas are available in gallon-sized bottles. That equals a LOT of great classroom projects!

For this project, apply an even coat of the Mod Podge to the back of each state piece, as well as a coat of the medium onto the cork board itself where each respective state will be adhered. 

Place each state piece in its respective position, and then gently smooth the surface with your fingers. Use the brayer tool to smooth out any additional bubbles. This is a very important step to ensure the finished surface of the project is nice and smooth, so don’t skip it!

When each map piece is adhered to the board, apply 2 even coats of the Mod Podge over the entire surface of the board, including the portion of the board that aren’t covered with the map pieces. This will give the project plenty of durability when it is put to use later on. When applying the coats, first apply one coat using side-to-side strokes and allow that layer to dry for 20-30 minutes. Apply the next coat using up-and-down strokes. 

If you would like to add any lettering to your project like I’ve done with mine, cut out letters using a die cutting machine, or use pre-made letters from the craft store. Mod Podge them onto the project as you did with the map pieces before.

Apply a coat of Mod Podge to the bulletin board frame to make it extra durable, too. Set the project aside and allow it to dry completely.

Your United States Mod Podge bulletin board is complete!

What an amazing transformation!

From this…

…to this!

Be sure to check out the fun video below for how this project comes together!

 

It really is easy to create a Mod Podge bulletin board of any style or design using this same basic process. There are so many possibilities: monograms, favorite photos, book pages, and more!

The patchwork of different designs and patterns gives this project such a fun Americana feel.

For even more fantastic classroom Mod Podge inspiration, be sure to check out these other fun ideas from my fellow Plaid Creators.

[inlinkz_linkup id=711275 mode=1]

AND FOR EVEN MORE CREATIVE INSPIRATION, CHECK OUT PLAID ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND PINTEREST!