Magnetic Memo Board

While working on StencilTalk blogger Carol Leonesio’s new Paint It! website, I fell in love with a picture of this Magnetic Memo Board, and asked if we could share it with our readers. She agreed, and provided step-by-step instructions for completing the project.

Step 1: Taping Out.
Use a low tack painters tape to mask out the area you want to become your Magnetic Memo Board. Use a level to get your lines straight.

Step 2: Magnetic Primer.
Apply 3 coats of magnetic primer. Carol used Rust-Oleum’s Magnetic Primer. The manufacturer suggests rolling on 3 thin coats. Allow 30 minutes dry time between coats.

Step 3: Base Coat
Wait 4 hrs or more, then apply 2 coats latex paint. Carol used Benjamin Moore’s HC-71 for her background color, rolled on with a small roller. Let the final coat dry for at least 4 hours before proceeding to next step.

Step 4: Position Stencil
An all over repeat or damask stencil is a perfect choice for this project. Carol used Royal Design Studio’s #501 Damask.

Step 5: Roller Stenciling
Carol used Modern Masters paint, Teal #249 for her stenciling. To get a uniform look, rather than shaded, use a small dense foam roller instead of a stencil brush.

Step 6: Repositioning Stencil
Use your stencils registration marks to realign for the next repeat.

Step 7: Remove Tape
Pull your tape away, very slowly, just to be sure no paint is coming off with the tape! Let this dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 8: Adding a border
Tape out for a 3/8″ border with the blue tape. You will be taping over your stenciling for the border, so be sure it is completely dry before you start this step.

Step 9: Paint border and remove tape
Use a small artist’s brush to paint the border with the same Teal metallic paint used for the stenciling.

Here’s a close up of the border:

Step 10: Tape out Frame
Next, we want to add a white frame, so tape out for the width of the frame, 1 3/4″.

Step 11: Paint Frame Background
Roll on 2 coats of white acrylic craft paint for frame base.

Step 12: Mitered Corners
To make the corners of the frame look mitered, tape off each corner at a diagonal before stenciling the frame detail.

Step 13: Stenciling the frame detail
Stencil the frame detail using Royal Design Studio’s #952 Trompe L’oeil Beaded Molding.

And here’s the finished memo board!