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Lolly Jane

Birthday Board

DIY· Home Decor· Organization

1 Jan
With 9 children and over 30 grandchildren,our parents were going crazy trying to keep all those birthday organized to deliver birthday cards and gifts on time. We thought we’d help out, the good daughters that we are! πŸ˜‰ We created a way to have all the birthdays in one place while still being stylish & matching our parents home decor.  Introducing the birthday board:
 

We’ve been making these bad boys for years but are simply BURNED OUT! Consider this your warning: this isn’t a simple hour long project. It requires lots of baby steps and just as much patience (:

We’ve made over 100 birthday boards, here are a few that we loved most:

 

The great thing is these can be customized to your home decor style.  Here’s an up close shot of that popular M&M theme’d board made for our brother-in-law’s mom:

How to make your own Lolly Jane Birthday Board:

SUPPLIES

  • 24″x8″ wood
  • Acrylic or Spray Paint
  • Vinyl lettering or Stencil
  • Drill Bit (We INSIST on using the smallest bit Home Depot offers: 1/16″)
  • Eye hooks (We ONLY use the #216 1/2″ from Home Depot, 8 for $0.99)
  • Hanging Pieces (Wood stars, circles, etc. We ONLY use 1″ diameter x 3/16″ thick pieces)
  • Note, here is what we prefer: Circles + Stars

Instructions
1. Paint your board & hanging pieces.
2. Apply vinyl lettering on board & hanging pieces (alternative: chalkboard paint/write names on with chalk pen for hanging pieces).
3. Center eye hooks under each month and screw into wood
[Starting 1″ in from left to right, screw 2″ apart, 12 hooks total]
4. Screw eye hook into center of each star, top & bottom*
*We’ve found it’s easiest to a pack of eye hooks and open one side with pliers.
*You MUST pre-drill: We used the smallest drill bit from Home Depot, 1/16″. It will help prevent cracking!!!
5. Hang the specific hanging piece under each month.
6. Smile knowing you’re never going to forget another birthday again! πŸ˜‰

A sports lover in your house?

Updated thanks to all the inquires from Pinterest:

These 2 boards were recently made in bulk. Instead of the teeny-tiny vinyl lettering names on the hanging pieces, the names were simply printed on cute scrapbook paper then decoupaged in place.

Quick solution and no more headache for all those itty-bitty vinyl lettering names. I promise it’s not worth the time cutting + weeding all those names in vinyl, not when scrapbook paper is so cute these days (:

My newest sports themed birthday board used chalkboard stars!  No more printing or cutting!

Most asked question:
Do you sell your birthday boards?
NO, we no longer sell the kits but instead shared our tutorial with you. We’ve seen tons of copy-cats out there along with girls even selling them. More power to them, they’re so time-consuming! πŸ˜‰ However…

We have a great friend who has taken over: Marni who is an AZ local. FAST turnaround and inexpensive pricing! [email protected]  Also check out tons more tutorials like our embroidery hoop spheres,

Pretty DIY Embroidery Hoop Spheres (lollyjane.com)

mason jar bathroom storage ideas,

Awesome and easy bathroom storage solution!! How to make this mason jar bathroom storage, so easy! Space saving tip!

plus our mouse trap chalkboard calendar.

Very easy chalkboard calendar tutorial with FREE numbers to print!!

And we’re always on Facebook, Pinterest and Insta! XO

 

50 Comments

About Lolly Jane

Meet Kelli & Kristi, twin sisters and authors of Lolly Jane. We are two busy wives + mommas who are makers of all things pretty. From signs to home decor and holiday crafts or redoing furniture in between soccer practices, we do it all all while armed with an ice cold Diet Coke. Join us in our DIY adventures! XOXO

Next Post: Trick or Treat wreath sign »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda says

    02/15/2017 at 7:27 am

    I made a Family Birthday board too. But I took it a notch. I married into a German family and married #3 out of 7. And that was almost 42 years ago. So by now there are many. I used round wooden circles for birthdays and squares turned on the diamond and use them for Anniversaries . This family has grown so much over the years and just so I can keep up with all of them on the birthdays under their name I also put theis DOB. and with the Anniversaries I put both names and date married. There is a birthday for every month. I just looked at it and I believe I need to add a new birth and a marriage. And this is just my Hubby’s brothers and sisters. We just celebrated the family’s Matriarchs 91st birthday on the 5th of this month.

    Reply
  2. Denise DuFrene says

    08/14/2016 at 6:29 pm

    What font did you use for the M & M birthday board…
    Thanks for sharing this project…i love it
    Thanks
    Denise

    Reply
    • Lolly Jane says

      08/14/2016 at 10:18 pm

      Of course, thanks for popping by! πŸ™‚ The font is called Lima Bean, it’s a cute one!

      http://fontgarden.com/fonts/9620/lima_bean.html

      Reply
  3. Priya says

    10/08/2014 at 4:18 pm

    Just love all that I see here….love love love it!!!! My sister loves M&M’s and I simply love the font on the M&M birthday Board. Can you please give me some idea how to go about it!? Please do help, am new to the US and want to do this lovely board to pass my time………. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • lollyjane says

      10/08/2014 at 9:26 pm

      Sure thing! Email us at [email protected]!

      Reply
  4. Randi says

    03/31/2014 at 11:20 am

    Love these!!! What size are the wooden discs?

    Reply
    • lollyjane says

      03/31/2014 at 4:35 pm

      So glad you like them! They’re 1″ diameter and 3/16″ thick!

      Reply
      • Ashley says

        09/13/2014 at 1:23 pm

        How do you adhere the scrapbook paper onto the wood circles?

        Reply
        • lollyjane says

          09/13/2014 at 2:06 pm

          Decoupage or ModPodge πŸ˜‰

          Reply
  5. Cindy deRosier says

    03/17/2014 at 11:52 am

    I’m the Editorial Assistant for Fun Family Crafts and I wanted to let you know that we have featured your tutorial! You can see it here:

    http://funfamilycrafts.com/birthday-board/

    Thanks for sharing your fabulous idea!

    Reply
    • lollyjane says

      03/17/2014 at 7:51 pm

      Well thank you, Cindy! So sweet! πŸ™‚ XO

      Reply
  6. Ashley says

    01/21/2014 at 6:11 pm

    I am trying to figure out how you do the vinyl lettering? Is there a template you use or something?

    Reply
  7. Jill says

    01/03/2014 at 6:03 pm

    I am going to try and build one of these for myself (wish me luck) where do you find the stars and circles? I have also seen ones with hearts to represent anniversaries which I would like to do. I am assuming Michaels or Joann’s? Thank you

    Reply
    • lollyjane says

      01/03/2014 at 9:08 pm

      craftparts.com is cheaper in bulk (:

      Reply
  8. Raelyn says

    11/15/2013 at 3:18 pm

    Just curios did you use the 1 inch or 1 1/2 inch stars from craftparts.com?

    Reply
    • lollyjane says

      11/17/2013 at 9:35 am

      1 1/2″ (:

      Reply
      • melissa says

        11/29/2013 at 5:25 am

        I was going to try and make a board for a gift and was wondering where you found the lettering and the sizes you used. Thanks.

        Reply
  9. Donna says

    11/15/2013 at 9:46 am

    I really want to make birthday boards for Christmas. I can’t seem to find the vinyl lettering. Can you give me some idea of where I might look?

    Love this site!!!

    Reply
    • lollyjane says

      11/16/2013 at 12:06 am

      Check your email, Donna. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  10. Lisa says

    08/29/2013 at 8:51 pm

    Oh and the small letters for the months?

    Reply
  11. Lisa says

    08/29/2013 at 8:49 pm

    Where do you get the fancy lettering in vinyl? Or sport themes? Thanks!

    Reply
  12. Susan says

    07/01/2013 at 7:42 am

    Thanks, love this idea, and love the tutorial…I am trying to figure out how to put the names on…not handwriting…I don’t know how to do vinyl-can you share? Do you have to have a machine or is there somewhere to order the names in vinyl online? Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Samantha says

    05/30/2013 at 1:38 am

    Have you tried using metal for the name plates? And letter punches to do the names?
    The vinyl seems really tricky and my writing sucks (hahaha!!), so was just wondering if you had tried it and if it looked any good, or actually worked at all?

    Thanks, Sam

    Reply
    • lollyjane says

      05/30/2013 at 5:55 am

      Hey Samantha, that would be SOOOO cute! No we haven’t tried it but that’s a great idea. The vinyl would ahere to it just fine so we should definitely try that too but I LOOOOOVE that idea!!!! We may have to make a new one JUST to see what it looks like! (; Thanks for the suggestion! xoxo

      Reply
  14. Katie says

    01/12/2013 at 1:29 pm

    I was wondering where you bought the stars for the names? Also you mentioned how thick to get them but not how wide they are. I’m guessing 1inch? We only have a hobby lobby here and they didn’t have any :(. Thanks so much for sharing how you do these! I just love them.

    Reply
    • lollyjane says

      01/12/2013 at 9:21 pm

      Visit craftparts.com! Shipping is reasonable too!! (:

      Reply
      • Katie says

        01/13/2013 at 12:46 pm

        Thank you! I’ll go check then out right now.

        Reply
  15. Andrea Anderson says

    01/08/2013 at 12:30 pm

    I’m planning on using your tutorial to make a birthday board of my own as part of a new years resolution to give everyone a car BEFORE their birthday rather than a week or so late. I love all the different ones you’ve made. Thanks for teaching us how. I’m showing my work on my own blog, but I’ve linked back to you guys as my inspiration. You are great!

    Reply
  16. Morgan Younger says

    11/15/2012 at 2:20 pm

    My mom would LOVE the Utes board! Where did you get it?? I saw it on Pinterest btw..and I can’t find it ANYWHERE!! HELP ME!!??
    [email protected]

    Reply
    • lollyjane says

      11/15/2012 at 10:13 pm

      I made it! (: Glad you like it. We’ve since stopped offering vinyl so hit up Marni, she’s amazing: sassy.site[email protected]

      Reply
  17. Mallory says

    06/23/2012 at 7:20 am

    How do you make a birthday board like this? Are there plans or directions somewhere I can look up?

    Reply
    • Linda says

      02/15/2017 at 8:27 am

      Mallory, the the circles, stars, squares(diamonds are the square ones turned to make a diamond). I used them for all the Annivs. You can get them so many in a bag at any craft store. Look in their wood section. I used large jump rings to connect the circles and diamonds together for each of months and I used small eye-hooks to connect them to board. You will need to drill small holes in the tops and bottoms of wood pieces so they can be connected to each other. The board can be bought at the craft store or go to your hard wear(Lowes or Home Depot here) or lumber yard and sometimes where they cut the wood, they may have the scraps they cut off for other customers or have them cut you a piece for you, I think they still might do the cutting for free , I used a 22&1/2 piece long. I laid out my months to get my measurement. I just take the whole board and cut it my self and I will either use the board for another project, let my Hubby have it for one of his projects or shoot a pic to our son for one of his projects he has his own woodworking shop now. Or you can use a piece of from outside. Smaller than a log but bigger than a limb, your preference. I used a piece of base molding and added a piece of rope molding, painted and used the vinyl lettering from the tee shirt or paper aisle. I used the abbreviation for the months. And even thou they stick the the wood pretty good, when you have them exactly where you want them, make sure you glue or put a coat of poly over the months. Believe me when I say, they will come up if you don’t. Or you can just write everything. Add what you want to the back so you can hang it on the wall. Good Luck Hun!

      Reply
  18. Lolly Jane says

    02/13/2012 at 3:54 pm

    Hey Kristen! I hate when that happens. If you pre-drill it won't crack. But the smallest drill bit you can from Home Depot (it's a little gold one) and that will take care of cracking. Good luck (: Kelli

    Reply
  19. Kristen says

    02/12/2012 at 2:06 pm

    I am having trouble finding small enough screw eyes for my little hearts. I bought 3x12mm at Hobby Lobby but they are splitting the wood… HELP please?

    Reply
  20. Lolly Jane says

    12/25/2011 at 5:40 pm

    The plaque is simple pine wood from Home Depot, it's 8" wood. We cut it to 24" long. Easy enough! (:

    Reply
  21. Anonymous says

    12/25/2011 at 2:44 pm

    I was wondering where you got your wooden plaque from? I am having a hard time finding one that is that size.

    Reply
  22. Lolly Jane says

    12/02/2011 at 8:33 pm

    @Tiffany: We get our eye hooks at Home Depot. They're in a red package, 8 for $0.99. We manually open half of them so we can hang them from each other. (:

    Reply
  23. Tiffany Wright says

    11/20/2011 at 2:44 pm

    I was wondering, where did you find your eye hooks? I can't find them anywhere?

    Reply
  24. Connie Jorgensen says

    10/05/2011 at 1:37 pm

    My MIL would LOVE this (even though we are BYU fans I can get her something she actually wants) Where can I get the vinyl? Saw this on Pinterest btw. Please email me shjorgoataimdotcom

    Reply
  25. Karen Tapahe says

    08/18/2010 at 8:33 pm

    Really wonderful idea. You even made the Utes look good…lol

    Reply
  26. LeeAnn says

    07/24/2010 at 8:49 pm

    That is so cool! What a great idea!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am now following you back. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  27. The DIY Show Off says

    07/18/2010 at 9:41 am

    You have the cutest ideas! Love this! Thanks for sharing in the DIY Project Parade!

    Roeshel

    Reply
  28. Lolly Jane says

    07/14/2010 at 5:34 pm

    kim, it had to be done. it wasn't read-able! i gave the bday girl a choice, she liked white. i did too. πŸ™‚

    but thanks for your input!!

    Reply
  29. Jami says

    07/14/2010 at 3:50 pm

    That is the cutest, most original thing I've ever seen! Wow! Loving your blog! Am your newest follower!
    smiles!

    http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com

    Reply
  30. Coupon Clippin' Mommy says

    07/13/2010 at 6:07 am

    That is awesome!

    Reply
  31. Kimberly says

    07/12/2010 at 10:13 pm

    I cant believe you changed them all!! They looked cute red.. but do look great in white!! Good job!

    Reply
  32. Kaysi says

    07/12/2010 at 6:32 pm

    I love it, so cute!!

    Reply
  33. Andrea says

    07/12/2010 at 1:53 pm

    How cute! Love this. A friend (Kalee Whipple) played basketball for the Utes. Her family would have loved something like this!

    Reply
  34. [email protected] And Chic says

    07/12/2010 at 9:15 am

    I love this idea! My husband would hate it though. I'm a Utes fan, he's for BYU. Maybe I can make one just to get him mad πŸ™‚

    GO UTES!!!

    Reply
  35. Jacqueline says

    07/12/2010 at 6:21 am

    I have to admit that I am a BYU fan instead, but now with the changes, maybe we don't have to be rivals. I had to stop and comment when I saw this though as Utah gives us some connection!!! This is really an adorable idea. Go Utes!

    Reply

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WELCOME TO LOLLY JANE
We're Kelli and Kristi, identical twin sister DIYers to love to create and spruce up our spaces on a budget. Our eclectic blog is where we share it all... from home decor, crafts, furniture revamps, awesome project roundups, tasty recipes and more...all while armed with an ice cold Diet Coke!
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