Creative Vision Board for 2014!.. (Warning: This is not your mother’s vision board.)

Happy Friday, guys!  Finally, the end of another week of hard work and now you can unwind… may be.

Last week, we opened the year with two specific goals – (1) to get organized and (2) to set our goals for the year by creating a vision board.  I shared with you tips (found here) on how you can create a powerful vision board that would keep you inspired and maintain the optimism needed to follow-through with your goals.  Today I’ll show you how to think out of the box when it comes to creating a vision board for 2014.  One of the tips that I mentioned was to NEVER settle when it comes to creating your vision board.  The time of vision boards made of poster board has passed.  Not to say that there is anything wrong with doing them but I decided to put a different spin on it.

Late last year, I was thinking of a variety of different ways to create vision boards.  The one thing that hit me was how can I create a vision board that was exciting to look at and that would allow you to conveniently add or remove images as your goals change.  So I came up with the idea of a magnetic vision board, which consists of repurposing a used mirror and adding sheet metal.  You could then add the elements that represent your goals using contact paper, Velcro, and magnets.  This was a very inexpensive project and only took me a couple of hours to complete.  All you need is a little creativity, a trip to your local thrift store and craft store, and you’ve got a very impressive yet motivational piece.

Supplies:

• Wall mirror, with the included template
• Sheet metal, as close to size of mirror frame
• Metal snips (hand shears)
• A fine metal file
• Fabric of your choice
• Magnets, in a couple of different sizes depending on the size of the cut-outs for your board
• Velcro (type and size, optional)
• Contact paper
• Hot glue
• Mounting adhesive, to hang the completed board without damaging the wall surface

Optional:

• Acrylic paint (to refresh the mirror frame)

Step 1:  Remove the template from the back of the mirror frame and properly discard the glass.  Using a marker, trace the template directly on to the sheet metal and cut it out with the metal snips, being very careful of sharp, rigid edges (tip: when using the snips to cut the metal, be sure to use thick gloves, goggles, and an apron to protect from injuries.).  While cutting, lift one end of the metal up from the work surface to reduce friction while cutting.  Using a fine metal file, smooth down the rigid edges.  Attention: Be sure to carefully discard of any scraps of glass or metal left over so that no one becomes injured by the sharp edges in your waste/recycling receptacle.

Step 2:  (Optional)  I wanted the frame to pop but I didn’t want to interfere with the gorgeous detailing; so I applied a couple of light coats of metallic acrylic paint to it (Folk Art’s Pure Gold #660) with a sponge brush. 

Step 3:  With a hot glue gun, wrap your fabric of choice over the sheet metal, smoothing out any creasing.

Step 4:  Place the covered sheet metal and the template back into the frame, securing them with the metal tabs.

Step 5:  Gather your cut-out images, contact paper, the magnets, and Velcro tabs.  Cover your cut-outs, to size, with contact paper to preserve the images.  Then place your Velcro tabs on the back of each cut-out and a magnet.  Press the magnet firmly on the back of the adjoining cut-out.  You will now be able to remove and replace your images at any point… just choose a different cut-out with another Velcro tab to go with your magnet.

Apply each cut-out to your newly, created vision board and there you have it!  A new spin on an old tradition.

Show us your vision for 2014 or comment below.  If you enjoy the information here on TheElephantInMyRoom.net, share these posts with the people within your network and help them to get organized and stay organized.

Cheers, to being that much closer to reaching our goals and to another successful year!  Enjoy the weekend!

– Sy