We constantly get little advertisement magnets in the mail or with something that we buy and the kids HAVE to keep them... like a little prize or something. After a short time I am ready to chuck them, but just cant. It seems like a waste. So I set them aside for something... anything useful. It hit me the other day, when our new refrigerator arrived, just how fantastic the Papertrey Ink Dies would work with them and LET ME JUST TELL YOU... my brain got to spinning!
(Just pretend this photo is a thought bubble!)
So I pulled out some of my favorite Dies and went to work! I thought it would be fun to have everything coordinate for a small group of things.
I started with this flower die from the Beautiful Blooms II #2 collection and cut some Hawaiian Shores felt.
Next I trimmed off a portion of the HUGE advertisement magnetic sheet I had stashed away. I then pulled off some of the Ad paper... you can sand this as well. The idea is to lessen the bulk a little as well as creating a more porous surface to adhere the felt to.
After die cutting the magnetic sheet I popped in the die cut felt flower to align it.
Here's a little trick... I like to use Papertrey's Button Twine but sometimes the needles that have the large enough eye for it are too fat for the button holes. If you can, plan on using a two hole button then just thread the twin through and snip the ends so that there are two bare ends up.
It's a real snap to just pop a Pure Poppy button on now!
I typically use Fabri-Tac for adhering felt. It has a serious grab and sinks into the felt a little.
Here is the little cluster I made with some of the flower dies... as well as the Butterfly Die!
Tell me... which one do you want to have on your fridge??? The ad magnets or personalized sweetness! Did you notice the little butterfly one that I stamped with paint using fancy flourishes ?
And... here are a few more examples of what you can make with other dies and paper too!
I made this one for Ella using fillable frames #3 die, Fillable Fames #3 stamp set and Outlines Alphabet... and yes... all my girls want and will have their own. They can just pop their important even reminder right onto the fridge and I wont get mixed up with who's event it is!
How could I resist breaking out the On My Couch Die collection to make a chair magnet. No need for any reason why! TOO CUTE! The Chair outline image is from On My Couch and the polka dot inside is from On My couch Additions
I HAD to try a felt couch... I mean really... Had to! Imagine giving some of these as a welcome to the neighborhood gift!
Now... these aren't as strong as some of the magnets you would buy in the store but SO much less expensive and you also get a chance to recycle!I have several more ideas to share... hopefully in the next month or so I will be able to do that.
Tell me which of these magnets are your favorite! Your input is so important and greatly appreciated! Let me know if you have any questions and I will answer them in the comment section of this post. :)
Thanks for poppying by friends!
What a great idea--why didn't I think of it? Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: willireb | April 22, 2010 at 10:04 PM
fabulous stuff...i can't seem to get my felt to cut out that smoothly,...so whats the secret...i bought the black one....hugs
regina
[email protected]
Posted by: regina easter | April 22, 2010 at 10:08 PM
Great looking magnets! My favorites are the flowers and butterfly. But I have to say the couch and chair are adorable!
Posted by: Maria | April 22, 2010 at 10:13 PM
Genius, Lisa, genius. I know what my F&F are getting in their stockings this year! Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Posted by: Jill | April 22, 2010 at 10:19 PM
That is so clever! I love the couch!
Hugs, Pat Smith
Posted by: pat smith | April 22, 2010 at 10:21 PM
Great idea to recycle, and soooo CUTE! I love the butterfly but the felt couch with the black pillow is an awesome idea for a housewarming gift. Thanks!
~Rachel in Sacramento
Posted by: Rachel L. | April 22, 2010 at 10:45 PM
Oh I just LOVE what you've done! So creative - and appropriate on Earth Day. Now it's my turn to be creative!! Thanks!
Posted by: Pamela~ | April 22, 2010 at 10:48 PM
These are FABULOUS!!! I am making some tonight for sure!
Posted by: Kristina Flynn | April 22, 2010 at 10:49 PM
What an amazing idea! I hate how those ads look all over the fridge. I think the butterfly id my fav, but really didn't see one I didn't like.
Posted by: Heather | April 22, 2010 at 10:55 PM
Love this! I have some of those freebies waiting for an idea too! Great to know the PTI dies will cut them. The flowers are fabulous! Actually they all are. But, if I have to pick a fav, flowers it is.
Posted by: LindaR | April 22, 2010 at 10:57 PM
These are just fabulous Lisa! I will definitely be using this idea!!
Posted by: Geny | April 22, 2010 at 10:59 PM
Genius Lisa, I just love the way you think!!!
Posted by: Maile Belles | April 22, 2010 at 11:11 PM
love the butterfly! What a great way to repurpose things instead of buying new!! love it!
Posted by: kate c | April 22, 2010 at 11:39 PM
I thought the five-petal flower would be my favourite, but then I took a better loot at the couch. I mean, COME ON! The cushion? It is absolutely adorable!
Great idea - thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Natasa | April 22, 2010 at 11:52 PM
The couch of course!! After all, refrigerator raiding and couch potato-ing go hand in hand!
Posted by: Lynne Phelps | April 23, 2010 at 12:02 AM
What a fantastic idea.....they look fantastic too!!
Posted by: jane smith | April 23, 2010 at 12:03 AM
I love the couch and chair, especially the felt one :). Thanks so much for the idea and I'm definately going to make some of my own.
Posted by: Wendy H | April 23, 2010 at 12:30 AM
I love the couch and chair - bet nobody else will have a magnet like that and wouldn't a set be a great gift! We don't have these advertisments here in the UK but I have seen magnetic paper for sale quite cheaply.
Posted by: Ann | April 23, 2010 at 01:06 AM
so cool! I was surprised that the dies can cut through the magnet! do you mind telling me/us what Cuttlebug plate combination did you use? i sooo want to try this! my favorite is the felt couch! too cute! thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Alice W. | April 23, 2010 at 02:25 AM
Love your little fridge magnets and the recycling part is great! I love to be green :-)
Sadly (?) we in the UK hardly ever get fridge magnets in the mail but hey-ho, I have some magnet paper, that might do!
My fav is the felt couch with that adorable little cushion with pearl! To die for!
Love, Alex
Posted by: Alexandra | April 23, 2010 at 03:09 AM
You are GENIUS!! What a wonderful idea, and I love that you can recycle while creating beautiful work! Thanks SO much for the great idea!!
Posted by: Erin | April 23, 2010 at 03:27 AM
What a Fantastic idea!! I love those! My refrigerator definitely needs some! :) Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Angela C. | April 23, 2010 at 03:38 AM
OK, so the ideas are terrific (as usual) but the throw pillow on the sofa, well that's just toooo creative and adorable. Thanks for the Friday morning smile, Lisa!
Posted by: bonnie weiss | April 23, 2010 at 03:45 AM
How does it feel to be the SMARTEST WOMAN in AMERICA?? I am so making these with Enjoy the Ride ........
Posted by: Sue Ann | April 23, 2010 at 03:56 AM
what a great idea, i wouldn't have thought the dies would cut through the magnets either. thanks for trying this & passing it on. i love them all but if i had to pick a favorite it would be the polka dot chair.
pink is my favorite color & love polka dots.
Posted by: Jeannine | April 23, 2010 at 04:21 AM
What a great idea, girl. I love them all but I think the flowers are my favorites. Or....the couch....or the butterfly....no the flowers.... I told you I love them all!
Posted by: Ingrid Danvers | April 23, 2010 at 04:26 AM
This is beyond smart!! And how fun would a little group of these be in a tin?!? Now, how can I request some more of these magnets in the mail? I don't think I have enough...
Posted by: snarflemarfle | April 23, 2010 at 04:29 AM
What an awesome idea ...and beautiful to boot !!!!
Posted by: Bernadine | April 23, 2010 at 04:33 AM
Genius idea... unfortunately now though I want ALL THE DIE CUTS !!!! LOL!... fab idea, we don't get magnets here in Ireland but I have some business card ones I purchased whilst living in the states... they will get dusted off!!!! TFS a wonderful idea.
Posted by: Deirdre | April 23, 2010 at 04:33 AM
Well, how ingenious! Too cute/too clever -- I too favor the couch/chair, but they're all beyond ADORABLE and useful! ;-) TFS!!!
Posted by: Marge R. | April 23, 2010 at 04:35 AM
Wonderful idea! I love all of the flowers. I knew there was a reason I would keep all of those magnets!
Posted by: Terri M | April 23, 2010 at 04:35 AM
Gorgeous idea!!!- off to look for those magnets, that I, just like you, stored somewhere, because I can't deceide to throw them away. Will give it a try...
Posted by: antje | April 23, 2010 at 04:36 AM
Great ideas Lisa! I do this all the time with ad magnets. I have a file cabinet in my office at home where we stick all the magnets until we want to use them. Before PTI dies I just used circle punches. I've mostly mounted my kids' school pictures to the circles to create custom magnets for them. I love the idea of little Papertrey treasures too.
Posted by: Sara Mac | April 23, 2010 at 04:37 AM
I am for sure going to make those! Great idea thanks so much.
Posted by: Beth | April 23, 2010 at 04:37 AM
i like the idea of the name ones...that way each child can display a piece of art or a grade that they are proud of on the fridge!
Posted by: shannon | April 23, 2010 at 04:37 AM
Awsomeness!!!! I totally love the couch the best and the chair!!!
Posted by: tera | April 23, 2010 at 04:38 AM
Hard to say which I like the best!! I love them all. Thanks for sharing your great instructions, too.
Posted by: Robbie | April 23, 2010 at 04:46 AM
Your magnets are very cute! I've saved up a bunch of those free advertisement magnets for just this reason but I've never done anything with them. You have given me the "push" to make my own set of magnets. I love the couch and chair!!
Posted by: Sandra J. Lewis | April 23, 2010 at 04:48 AM
That couch with the black pillow is my fav. Now I have another idea for my felt and magnet pieces I have been saving. Thank you for the clever idea.
Posted by: Janet S | April 23, 2010 at 04:50 AM
How creative of you..."Mother Earth" is proud of you for recycling!!
Posted by: Sara Cross | April 23, 2010 at 04:51 AM
What a great idea!!!! Thank you for sharing. Really like all of them, but the couch is just so cute and unusual!
Posted by: Patricia Gessner | April 23, 2010 at 04:53 AM
What a clever idea!
Posted by: Jennifer K | April 23, 2010 at 04:54 AM
Totally cute and fun! Thanks for the great recycling tip. Think my favorites are the couch and chair.
Posted by: Vicki Nelson | April 23, 2010 at 04:58 AM
VERY smart!
Posted by: Erin | April 23, 2010 at 04:59 AM
What a really FUN idea and a wonderful way to personalize the fridge!!!
Posted by: Karen Motz | April 23, 2010 at 05:02 AM
When I grow up, I want to be you, lol!! You are brilliant!! What a fantastic idea!! Love them all, but I am really partial to butterflies, so I would have to say the butterfly is my fave!
Posted by: Dawn S | April 23, 2010 at 05:03 AM
The butterfly is gorgeous. Love the name magnet too. Can't wait to give this a try. If possible please post the stack recipe for the Cuttlebug for cutting through magnets. Many thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: see mary stamp | April 23, 2010 at 05:05 AM
Well that's a happy little way to brighten up the fridge...you can NEVER have enough magnets (but you can have a few too many advertisements) on it!!. Great way to go green, too!
Posted by: Kelly Schirmer | April 23, 2010 at 05:05 AM
I knew I was saving those free magnets for a reason and now I just need to get busy creating with them. Thanks for sharing a great idea!
Posted by: Pat | April 23, 2010 at 05:05 AM
What an awesome idea!! I LOVE recycling!! I like the chair and couch also!!
Posted by: marla H. | April 23, 2010 at 05:07 AM
Wow, I didn't know that little die could cut a magnet! I am so happy that you shared this. I love your happy little flowers. My residents in the nursing home could stick these on their towel holders, tv stands, lamps. How fun~
Posted by: Tammy Murphy | April 23, 2010 at 05:07 AM
They are all darling but the flowers are my favorite! Great idea!
Posted by: Eleanor | April 23, 2010 at 05:09 AM
What a fantastic idea! I love the chair and couch. Maybe b/c it's the element of the unexpected. I love the felt one with the pillow! Now I'm going to go scrounge up all my old magnets and give it a try!!
Posted by: Janet | April 23, 2010 at 05:10 AM
Lisa, what a very clever idea! :) Love the colors you chose! :)
Posted by: Ted | April 23, 2010 at 05:14 AM
What a great idea! Wish my brain thought like yours :-)
I really LOVE the On My Couch set and now that we have a die......well I'll use it twice as much. I think that's my favorite one. Thanks for sharing with us.
Posted by: Shelly Guthrie | April 23, 2010 at 05:15 AM
How funny! I just did the same thing yesterday. But I only had one magnet. It was rather large on the front of our new phone book. After I peeled off the printed front, I soaked the rest with water. That made it easier to rub off the rest of the paper. My plan was to use it for storing my Nestabilities. I don't have very many. I need more magnet sheets though for the future ones I'll buy.
You're the best! Love your blog and cards.
have a great day!
Debbie Reaves
Posted by: Debbie Reaves | April 23, 2010 at 05:16 AM
Such a fantastic idea...no more ugly ads on the frig. Thanks!
Posted by: Barbara B. | April 23, 2010 at 05:18 AM
LOVE this idea, so cute!
Posted by: Darla | April 23, 2010 at 05:21 AM
OMG!!! You just blew my mind! I now need all sets that have matching dies to do this myself!!! Fabulous idea!!
Posted by: Colleen Wold | April 23, 2010 at 05:24 AM
These are wonderful! You really know how to think outside the box.
Posted by: Renee S. | April 23, 2010 at 05:29 AM
Leese, these are fabulous--you mailed a great idea! I especially love the felt couch and the flowers--way cools!
Posted by: Debbie (aka debbiedesigns) | April 23, 2010 at 05:40 AM
Felt couch in my favorite! And your idea to give as a welcome to the neighborhood is nice!
Posted by: jan metcalf | April 23, 2010 at 05:41 AM
How awesome are these little guys? I love it. My favorite is the one you made using fillable frames 3 because it is so personalized and cute. I don't typically like to have anything on the fridge, but these would be so neat. Just imagine having them match the rest of the decor in your kitchen! Great idea, Lisa!
Posted by: keva brown | April 23, 2010 at 05:42 AM
Lovely! I've used these ad magnets for the magnet, but I haven't die cut them...great idea!
Posted by: Lisa Kind | April 23, 2010 at 05:42 AM
I love them all, of course, but my ultimate favorite is the butterfly. The detail of the turquoise swirls on the black felt and then the 3 "diamond" gems is so very, very, very lovely!!
Posted by: Betsy | April 23, 2010 at 05:43 AM
Oh how lovely, the couch is great.We dont get adds like this in the UK,So you are so lucky.
Sue
Posted by: Sue crawford | April 23, 2010 at 05:44 AM
pure genius {and cuteness too!}
Posted by: ~amy~ | April 23, 2010 at 05:48 AM
You have such great ideas!!!! I guess that is why you are on the design team!!! I can't wait to get home and start using my old magnets. These are so much prettier. I absolutely love the Ella one. Now I will have to get that die!!!
Thanks for sharing a great idea!!!
Posted by: Danisha Nutter | April 23, 2010 at 05:48 AM
This is such a great idea Lisa! Those magnets are so cute :)
Posted by: Diane Jaquay | April 23, 2010 at 05:50 AM
Very, very, very, very magnetic idea!!!!!! Thanks for sharing this one. Love it.
Posted by: Carolyn Servais | April 23, 2010 at 05:50 AM
Wonderful! I keep all those magnets, also. This is a great use of them. I can make a bunch for my daughter to use in her locker. The kids love to decorate their lockers with magnets.
Posted by: Martha | April 23, 2010 at 05:55 AM
Love the couch and name magnets. Great idea, and one I shall be doing myself (not that you can see the fridge for bits of paper)
Posted by: Sharon B | April 23, 2010 at 05:57 AM
I love them all. What a great idea! Can't wait to try some and give them as gifts. You could do the car in masculine colors for the guys in your life. What fun. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Detra Parks | April 23, 2010 at 06:02 AM
Love the name magnet! I will be making one for each of my grandchildren, when they bring me pictures they've colored, I now can put their name on it and change the pics on my refrig regularly! Fantastic idea!!
Posted by: joy | April 23, 2010 at 06:02 AM
These turned out beautifully! I can't wait to try some of my own. The felt couch with the pillow is too cute!
Posted by: Lorie Straley | April 23, 2010 at 06:04 AM
This is a fantastic idea! I already try to recycle these magnets using their original forms and some fancy schmancy paper and stamps, but using the dies is SO much more fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Lisa | April 23, 2010 at 06:07 AM
How can I choose just one of the magnets...I LOVE THEM ALL!
Posted by: Cecilia Stephens | April 23, 2010 at 06:07 AM
Fabulous idea. Can't wait for someone to send me some more magnets. God bless!
Posted by: Peggy Allen | April 23, 2010 at 06:09 AM
Hello,
I LOVE the flowers and the couch :-)
Posted by: kmorakefet | April 23, 2010 at 06:12 AM
These are all adorable!! Such a creative idea and SO many options to do with this! I can't wait to try out this idea!
Julie L.
Posted by: Julie Learned | April 23, 2010 at 06:14 AM
Your magnets are brilliant, upon brilliant!!!! My favorite would have to be the personalized fillable frame #3 magnet--my daughter would love to have one. My second favorite is the felt couch with the pillow. I have a ton of these magnets in the back of my junk drawer, and I'm glad I saved them, as I can now do something incredible with them. Thanks for sharing this great idea!
Posted by: Cyndi | April 23, 2010 at 06:17 AM
fabulous post and completely appropriate for earth day! i get these all the time -- now i can give some great gifts and be green at the same time!
Posted by: caroline | April 23, 2010 at 06:26 AM
OMG'osh....I'm loving this! You are simply amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Cheryl | April 23, 2010 at 06:26 AM
So cute; what a marvelous idea! LOVE the chair and flowers, adorable!!
Posted by: Michele | April 23, 2010 at 06:27 AM
Super cool and GORGEOUS idea! Plus you are saving the planet!!! Thx for sharing!!!
Posted by: Sue Lelli | April 23, 2010 at 06:29 AM
Hi lisa
Just love your idea.
I love the chair and the couch.
They are so adorable!
Holly.
Posted by: Holly Saveur | April 23, 2010 at 06:29 AM
These all are fantastic, but my favorite is the personalized name fillable frame. It's a brilliant idea for each girl to use for her events.
Posted by: Francie | April 23, 2010 at 06:30 AM
So fabulous! Love your idea for 'recycling' those ad magnets.
Posted by: Carol R | April 23, 2010 at 06:40 AM
How cool! I love that you are recycling at the same time! :-D Here we don't get much free magnets, but you can always buy the magnetic sheets. All of those are fab, my favorite must be the fancy butterfly! <3
Posted by: Bee | April 23, 2010 at 06:44 AM
What a neat idea! I love them all, but I really fell in love with the peach polka dot chair...
Posted by: anne-marie | April 23, 2010 at 06:44 AM
Great idea! My favorite is the felt couch... love the pillow.
Posted by: Carmen | April 23, 2010 at 06:47 AM
Love your magnets! Keep up the good work! Your blog makes my day!
:0) Terri from Texas
Posted by: Terri Michalenko | April 23, 2010 at 06:48 AM
Wow! I had no idea that the dies would cut through something as tough and thick as those magnets! Great idea. For myself, I LOVE the felt couch (so cozy), but I have to say, using the fillable frames to make name magnets for my kids would be a total hit in this household. I always have their sports/music schedules on the fridge... it would be so awesome to have them stuck up there with their own name magnets! TFS
Posted by: JeanFB | April 23, 2010 at 07:00 AM
What a great idea! I love the felt couch and I never would have thought the dies would cut through the magnet material. How creative!
Posted by: Ally V. | April 23, 2010 at 07:03 AM
Such a good idea and a great way to recycle those magnetic ads. Thanks.
Posted by: Barb Smith | April 23, 2010 at 07:06 AM
GREAT ideas for going green and what a fabulous use for the felt. My fav has got to be that couch with its darling cushion & bling.
Posted by: KellyRae | April 23, 2010 at 07:07 AM
waht a terrific idea! bonk- why didn't I think of that?? Lisa I LOVE these magnets, the color combo is my favorite and I love that you took the extra step to stamp the flourish on the butterfly. oooh your making me want these dies sooooo bad!
Posted by: Lorena | April 23, 2010 at 07:11 AM
This is just too clever! Such a beautiful application of the PTI felt! And seeing that paint keeps getting me all excited for its release! This has terrific gift potential, as you said! Now my wheels are turning!
Posted by: Dana | April 23, 2010 at 07:16 AM
LOVE the couch! what a clever idea!
Posted by: judy | April 23, 2010 at 07:18 AM
Great use of the freebie magnets. I hadn't thought of running them through my die cutting machine. Love the polka dot chair! I have recycled the freebie magnets by printing labels and attaching them to the magnets for labeling drawer contents on my file cabinets at work. Love the free magnets!
Posted by: Beth M | April 23, 2010 at 07:24 AM