chick magnets: the sequel

 I LOOOVE MAKING CHICK MAGNETS!

It's been a while since my original Chick Magnets post, so you may or may not remember these.....

click ----------> HERE <---------- to refresh your memory or just to check 'em out :)

These are also very similar to the Hope pins I made for all the church girls ----------> HERE

So now my Chick Magnets are BACK, and just as cute as can be! HAH! 

I put together a quick little tutorial to show how I made them, so keep-a-reading.....

 First off, I take out all my scrap book paper, and start punching shapes.

Then I figure out what looks good with what, and place all the matches together.

Then I use a glue dot applicator to lightly adhere the small shapes to the large shapes.

Easy enough, right? And fun too :)

 I only have a few paper punches, and these are what they look like, above.

The red case contains the long strip of adhesive I use to stick everything together.

(it's the same adhesive I use to attach my photos to my notecards) 

 I use this Diamond Glaze because it dries absolutely clear (you could also use Mod Podge)

The glass discs I used this time are DIFFERENT than the ones I used w/ my first Chick Magnets!

The same size - 1 3/4 inch..... well a little over that..... perfect for my 1 3/4 inch punch -

but thinner, and perfectly clear glass. I found this was both an advantage and a disadvantage!

I'll tell you my reasons as we move along.....

 First you use the Diamond Glaze right smack on the front of the paper set you've created.

Use enough to cover it well, but not so much that you lose more than you use.

I had to experiment a bit..... less is more, as long as everything is covered.

And keep some damp paper towels near, cuz you'll want to wipe the disc and your fingers!

 Flip the pretty side over and smear it on the flat side of your glass disc.

Don't lift the paper on and off - just slide it around until glue has covered everything.

Then begin applying pressure - from the inside out - to get as many air bubbles out as possible.

This step is CRUCIAL! Air bubbles are the bane of any project like this!

I discovered that, because I was working with paper on top of paper, there WILL be air bubbles!

After narrowly escaping a nervous breakdown, I finally had to just ACCEPT the inevitable :/

And the thinner, clearer glass discs are beautiful, but they WILL make the bubbles more obvious.

Just squeeze as many out as possible and GET OVER IT, cuz they will still look adorable!

 SEE? SEE? SEE? ARE THEY TOO CUTE OR WHAT!!!

Yes they are - bubbles and all :)

CUTE!!! I LURVE THEM!!!

You'll want to finish them by attaching a small, strong magnet on the back - like the ones below:

If you're an anal type, you'll punch out card stock and glue it to the back first..... then the magnet.

If you're really anal, you'll trace and cut felt circles and glue those to the back before the magnet.

And if you're so anal that everything must be perfect, you'll throw them all away cuz of the bubbles :/

I may or may not be one or more of the above  :D  but most of the time I can enjoy what I've made!

I HOPE YOU LIKE THEM TOO!

It's a really fun, easy project - and something useful you can have for yourself or give as gifts!

I hope this inspired you to give it a try yourself!

My 2 best sources are on Etsy - great prices and service - I highly recommended them:

*Sun and Moon Craft Kits*

 *Willow Run Crafts*

fun with scraps

I felt like making something cute and useful with the scraps of paper left over from a few projects I've done.

I loved the shape and size of this Christmas container. It is sturdy too, made from thick pressed cardboard.

I cut the paper into strips, some of them thinner, and used Mod Podge VERY liberally - I used 2 top coats also.

I covered the bottom with a single piece of paper, and spray painted the container top several coats of white. 

And that's how this cute container was born :)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend - we had a lovely time indeed!

I also wanted to express my sincere appreciation for all the well wishes regarding my photo venture with Zagg!

Your supportive and encouraging comments could not have been more thoughtful - thank you SO MUCH!

xoxoxo 

tray chic

It's been a while since I've posted a fun craft/tutorial on my blog, so today is the day! I recently decorated the slick plain surfaces of these 2 red trays as a gift for a friend. This project has a sweet bit of recycled sentiment attached. It was not only fun to do but hopefully my friend will enjoy the spirit in which it was made just for her.   

I began by sanding only the bottom of the trays. You can see the difference of before and after. Without sanding to rough up the plastic, the paper and Mod Podge would not be able to adhere to the tray. Then make sure you clean off all plastic particles (it gets surprisingly messy!) before you begin the rest of the project.

Lay out your main design in several configurations until you are pleased with how everything looks. This is where my little bit of sentiment comes in. A year ago for Christmas, my friend gave me an adorable wall calendar about friendship. It was all done in black & white, and along with sweet statements about friendship, it had darling hand drawn, doll-like figures representing friends. I really loved it and could not bear to throw it away when the year was over. So I decided to repurpose and give back to her what had meant so much to me. 

Lay out your background paper, especially since you are working with rounded edges which can be tricky. Don't worry if things look a little wonky! Mine did! Just make sure you get the bottom of the tray covered and the edges look nice and clean. For those of you that recognize this paper, you get a star on your foreheads! It's from THIS!

Ah, Mod Podge, how I love you. I even love the smell of you. But not as much as the smell of spray paint. Or permanent marker. Or spray acrylic. But I digress. If duct tape holds the world together, then Mod Podge holds the craft world together. You can quote me on that, Amy :) Amy is the Queen of all things Mod Podge and I hold her responsible for my love of it. She is the Pied Piper that has led countless unsuspecting bloggers down this road via her blog Mod Podge Rocks. But I digress yet again.

Make sure you use a generous amount of Mod Podge on the entire surface of the tray bottom as you are laying down your background paper. Add another nice, even coat on top of your paper. Place your main decorations on top of your paper, making sure they adhere well and coat them with Mod Podge blending it into the coat on your paper layer. When that coat is dry, put one final coat over the entire surface of the tray, making sure everything is covered evenly. Carefully wipe away any Mod Podge that gets on the sides of your tray with a damp cloth.

I waited a few days and then sprayed 3 coats of acrylic glaze as a top coat. If this were a project that was not going to be around liquid, there would not be a need for an acrylic top coat. But since trays frequently come into contact with liquid, a few coats of an acrylic glaze is a good idea. I learned this from Amy when I did THIS! The acrylic dries to a hard shell and is wipeable when spilled liquid gets on your tray. Whatever kind you get just be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. I shielded the sides of the tray with paper as I was spraying. No, I did not suggest you smell acrylic. I only admitted I like to smell it in an unventilated area the smell of it. A lot. 

So this is what it will look like when those first few coats of Mod Podge are done - pretty cute :)

Below are close-ups and a few more pics of the finished version.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR FRIENDS!!!