diy cork peg chalkboard

I've been looking around my house with fresh eyes this month. This little farmhouse is now mine. My nesting urges feel bigger than ever, so does the need for streamlining and organizing for my family. This new cork peg chalkboard is such a satisfying first DIY of 2013. It's also a great way to reuse all of those corks from holiday gatherings. REINVENTION!

 It happened by chance one day. A wine cork and a random screw were sitting on the counter (sounds like the beginning of a bad joke!), along with various other stray items. They called out to one another, and in the blink of an eye,  I had a new landing spot for my bag.

This was mid holiday season, and lots of folks coming in and out admired its clever reuse and function. I sent them home with these easy instructions:

- Insert the screw into the hole made by the corkscrew. You can do most of it by hand, but  a screwdriver will make the job easier.
- Make sure your screws are a bit longer than your cork. Every cork is slightly different. These screws were 2 1/2".

 An older cork may be too dried out. If it cracks, remove the screw and find a fresher one.

Now you're ready to secure it to something. How about an old piece of barn wood? That's what I had done for my bag and it looked great. Anything else will need careful anchoring.  I was determined to make some more cork pegs for my mudroom and since it already had a chalkboard on the wall... I had an idea.

Attaching them to a chalkboard invites monogramming, which makes everything more fun!

What about for a bathroom? When guests come, wouldn't it be nice to to label whose towel is whose? I love this idea!

Since this one is actually at our front door, it's currently our new hat rack. Hats are necessity this time of year... and are known to disappear. Having such a specific home is super effective.

This particular chalkboard was made by mom by painting a piece of masonite with chalkboard paint. I nailed it to the wall, but please use your own favorite method for installing if you don't want to go for my "get 'er done" method. The pegs went directly through the masonite and into the wall. They could hold a bag or heavy coat if need be. They're that tough! And slip-proof too! The cork grips whatever is hanging on like a good friend!

TIPS:
- I have a new chalkboard marker that writes like a dream. I got it at Michaels with one of their 40% off coupons that you can send directly to your phone.
 -I use this eraser.

NOTES: That light switch below the board is non-functioning so hanging stuff above it isn't a problem.  Obviously, don't install one above a functioning light switch... that would be a nuisance!

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