cork board + 8-pocket wooden door = "tiled" bulletin door

this "project" (so easy it probably doesn't merit that term) went from idea to finished product in a couple of hours. i was quite pleased with the results (see below).

things i used (many optional):

23" x 35" cork board whose frame was falling apart

my 8-pocket wooden front door (also in kind poor shape, or i woulda felt guilty about marring its surface with nails)

tape measure

fine-tip sharpie

straight edge

flat head screwdriver

hammer

nail gun with 5/8" brads

table saw

steps i took:

1) break apart the cork board's frame using the screwdriver and hammer, like this (except yours will still have the cork in it -- this photo was an afterthought)

2) measure the cork itself and cut into peices that will basically cover the flat part of the door pockets (the decorative inset rectangles in older wooden doors). my 22" x 34" piece of bare cork turned out to be almost the perfect dimensions to fit eight 8.75" x 10.75" rectangles.

3) draw lines on the back side of the cork, which is probably paper. in my case this meant bisecting lengthwise, then quadrisecting (?) crosswise.

4) saw, lengthwise first, then crosswise. the tablesaw was nice because the guide ensured a straight line at the specified width and the speed of the blade made the cut very smooth, but i'm sure this could be done carefully with a handsaw.

5) position one of the cork tiles that you have cut inside one of the pockets of the door, and pop it with the nail gun in all four corners. the brads will probably be sticking out a bit, but not after you hammer them in by hand.

6) repeat with remaining tiles/pockets.

7) tack some stuff up there. (i was actually feeling "martha" enough to pick out only the white push pins from the jar for this purpose.)

here are my "before" and "after" pictures: