Personalized Magnetic Artwork Display

 

The Michaels’ Makers’ February challenge has an “express yourself” theme with a campaign called Made by Me, A to Z and it’s all about personalization, showcasing projects that take raw materials and transform them into something that’s completely personalized. The new Make Market line includes materials  from galvanized metal to distressed wood, acrylic, fabric and chalkboard! Something for everyone … or even everything for someone. There’s so crafting goodness to choose from, it’s hard to decide!

personalization challenge #michaelsmakers 

 

I treasure little one’s creations, artwork and photos so I decided to personalize a space in the nursery for displaying his art work and photos. 

magnetic art display #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff

Here’s what I snagged from the Alphabet Soup collection in the Make Market aisle at Michaels:

I personalized a galvanized magnetic memo board with vibrant paint colors to match the nursery decor…

magnetic art display #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff

the magnets are so cute!

magnetic art display #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff

And added magnets to the back of F-U-N chalkboard letters for displaying on galvanized chargers/plates. These will work for magnetic play time in the future too. 

magnetic art display #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff

Cute, colorful, personal and custom to our nursery (future playroom)…

magnetic art display #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff

  • My favorite part about crafting is putting a personalized spin on a project. Whether it’s decorating with marquee lights or crafting an initial that represents your family name, Michaels has made it easy with their new Alphabet Soup by Make Market™ line of products. SO MANY DIFFERENT LETTERS! 
  • This collection of surfaces, letters, frames and more come in modern, eclectic or rustic styles. From natural and finished woods, to a variety of metals, resin and patterned styles, the possibilities are endless.
  • If you don’t know where to begin, you can always take a look at some of the fun projects on Michaels.com or the other 49 Makers’ ideas on The Glue String for to see how they personalized their crafts! Visit these fun projects for more inspiration (starting today at 11 a.m. EST): 
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DIY Book Ends

Back to school time! Time to restock the desk area for homework assignments and school projects. Add cute set of DIY book ends to perk things up. 

A to Z book ends tutorial @diyshowoff

As a part of the Michael’s Makers team, I have the opportunity to create a monthly themed project. This month’s challenge is “Back to School”. A bit of a ‘challenge’ when your nest is empty but these will work in grand-baby boy’s nursery too. 😉

What I used: 

  • 4  wood blocks 
  • wood glue and clamps
  • scrapbook paper and scrapbook cards
  • multi-surface acrylic craft paint and foam brush
  • gloss finish decoupage and foam brush
  • {thin} washi tape
  • letter A
  • letter Z
  • hot glue gun & glue

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial

What I did:

Start with applying a bead of wood glue to each block to create an “L” shape. Clamp, wipe away any excess glue and let dry. 

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Once glue was dry, I removed the clamps and applied a ‘white wash’ look using a foam brush and multi-surface acrylic craft paint. I only applied one coat so that the wood grain still showed through. Let dry. 

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Cut scrapbook paper to size for inside of the “L” shape and the outside of the vertical wood piece. I used scrapbook paper and cute patterned scrapbook cards. 

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Apply a coat of decoupage to one side at a time as a glue. Place scrapbook paper onto decoupaged surface. Smooth out air bubbles. Apply another coat of decoupage over the scrapbook paper, sealing it. I brushed on the decoupage in the same direction as the wood grain. Repeat decoupage + scrapbook paper to all sides. Decoupage will go on with a ‘milky’ look but dry transparent. 

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Add washi tape to sides, smooth out bubbles/make sure it’s adhered. Apply a coat of decoupage to seal. *There’s also the option to apply the decoupage before the washi tape to act as a ‘glue’. 

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Apply a second coat of decoupage to all surfaces. I let mine dry overnight. 

Attach wood “A” and “Z” using hot glue gun. Wouldn’t they be cute with succulent planters, plastic animals, vases, figurines instead too? 

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Once hot glue sets, you’re good to go!

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Ready for keeping school books within easy reach and an organized desk top. Useful, functional book ends that coordinate with your home office, library, reading room, craft room, nursery or homework station…love it!

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakersDIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakersDIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

See MORE ‘back to school’ crafts from these blog friends:

Teachers – It’s time to start planning for the new school year and Michaels has all of the ideas and supplies you need to create a one-of-a-kind classroom, plus you get a 15 percent discount on all classroom purchases!

In addition to the products available for teachers, parents and students can find organizational tools to keep on track throughout the year as well as project ideas to personalize school supplies

Check out Michaels’ Back to School Pinterest Board to find fun and creative project ideas to kick the year off right! 

As a member of the Michael’s Makers team, I receive a gift card to complete and share fun craft challenges.

Michaels.com: Your 24-hour Arts & Crafts Store

 

 

 

DIY Play Kitchen before and after

I’ve introduced you to Tanya from

Dans le Towhouse blog

in the past. She has some awesome DIY skills and talent. She recently made a play kitchen for her little cousin. This is one of the sweetest hand made gifts ever!

Before:

microwave cart

 

See full tutorial at DIY Play Kitchen Reveal.

Awesome after photos:

kids pot holders
DIY play kitchen 
DIY play kitchen from microwave cart
DIY kids kitchen
One more before and after:
old microwave cart, cheap furniture
Before
diy cute play kitchen
After
Super sweet! I want to play! Look how real, even down to the dish soap…
DIY play sink

I am so smitten with this kitchen and all of that fun food and accessories!

diy play kitchen
play kitchen, DIY
do-it-yourself play kitchen
I want the accessories for my real grown up kitchen. Adorable!
play kitchen
diy play kitchen
diy play kitchen
play kitchen
Cost breakdown (not including applicable taxes):
  • Microwave stand: $6.99 (included cute, wooden handles that I painted)
  • Faucet: $15.00 (with a bit of negotiating, bought from kijiji.ca)
  • “Sink”: $3.99 (it’s actually a stainless mixing bowl from the thrift store)
  • “Element”: $1.25 (a cork trivet from dollarama)
  • Wood for shelf brackets + dowel: $5.00
  • Primer & paint: leftovers
  • Legs: Free! (Mom had them lying around)

Total kitchen cost, having paid the tax man (but minus accessories):  $34.65 

LInks to the DIY accessories:

Tanya! You’re the best cousin ever! This is just so sweet, so amazing. I love it!  Thank you so much for sharing. I definitely need to add this to my DIY list for my nephew’s 3rd birthday. I love that you kept things neutral and included a set of ‘boyish’ accessories too…

diy play kitchen

I love ALL of Tanya’s DIY. She is super talented. Please visit her at

Dans le Towhouse blog

to pin from the original source and see MORE great DIY ideas!