An Advent Calendar and a Birthday Board. Julie had this great idea to turn a magnet board into two things! She did the front side an advent calendar and the back side a birthday countdown! She used the same frame and same metal. We are grateful to have Julie give us this tutorial on her magnet boards! Julie is a Boise local and is a wonderful mother of 4. Julie is so positive and happy even while balancing her twins and thinking how she can make someone’s life a little better. She has recently become a pro couponer:) and is an amazing friend! Julie, thank you for teaching us how to make these!
How to Create a Magnet Board with Two Different Purposes
1. Here is an easy way to cut your paper to the size of your metal – lay the paper down, put the metal on top, lift the paper and it will rip to the exact size and no need to find the scissors!
2. Apply Mod Podge. Make sure to go heavy on the corners.
3. Place your paper down.
4. Smooth the paper down with a credit card, pan scraper…whatever you have:)
5. Julie is doing a double layer. She already cut the size she wanted on the paper. She is mod podging the back.
6. She is smoothing out the bubbles. It’s okay if some of the mod podge gooes out the sides. Just make sure to wipe it off with a paper towel or your finger.
7. Take the vinyl off the backer paper.
8. Apply the vinyl…once again that credit card comes in handy!!!
9. Viola!
10. Here is a sneak peek at what she did with the back of the metal. She used the same metal and just decorated the back! A smart way to cut costs on decorating and store less stuff! Note on the frame…she ended up painting the frame black to make it look best with both countdowns! She also changed out the ribbons to make it more festive!
Helena says
This is so great! I love everything about it- especially using both sides!
Kelly O. says
totally loving this!!!
Carm Hernandez says
I love this idea to use both sides!! What type of frame did you use? Thanks!
Heather says
I love this idea. Where do you buy your vinyl? Thanks!
Alison says
Check this link and it will tell you all about it! Thanks for asking.
https://howdoesshe.com/2009/12/vinyl-post-finally-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-buy-vinyl/
Lea says
PLEASE HELP ME DO THIS PROJECT!!!!
I was actually planning on making a magnet board for my sons school teacher, but this is even a better idea, two sided and the countdowns…darling!
I am a little confused on a couple things: First, I bought a frame at Michael’s that looked similar to yours, it holds a 12×12 photo or sheet metal for this project, my question is how did you manage to use both sides of the frame without any backing, what is actually holding the sheet metal in the frame? Did you just glue it? If so , what kind of glue? And how did you cut your sheet metal to size without the edges being choppy/jagged?
I do not have a vinyl machine but I have a friend who will cut the vinyl for me, can you provide the sizes that you used for the font.
I just love this project and I can’t wait to do it, hopefully I will hear back from you soon so that I can get it done in time…THANKS, I love your blog
Alison says
I’ll just call you:)
Traci says
What about the rest of us with the same questions?!
Alison says
The frame that was used had little metal holders ‘tabbies’ that just held it in place.
The metal was from a metal shop that cut it so there were no jagged edges. Look up metal shops in your area and ask them if they cut metal.
The vinyl was sized to a 11×11 size. They were about a 1 inch font. The font was ‘black boys on mopeds’
Jessica Peters says
Do you SELL these??? Jessica
Alison says
No, sorry…we are too busy posting:) They really are easy to make, though!
Alison
Mod Podge Amy says
Fabulous! Love that both sides are done. Awesome!
Julie says
Alison,
You are so sweet to post such wonderful things about me 🙂 You are a such a talented, loving friend!
I thought I would chime in on a few of the questions:
I had my metal cut at Metal Supermarket their phone # is 327-3538 and they are located across from Eddy’s Bakery on Maple Grove.
I bought my frame in the unfinished wood section at Craft Warehouse. It was 9.99 (but I used a 40% off coupon). You can leave the glass in but you need to make sure you buy STRONG magnets that can penetrate the glass (craft warehouse sells those as well). They fit in the frame better if you take the backer board out. There are the little metal “tabbies” on the back of the frame and hold the metal in just fine.
I used matte finish Mod Podge. I learned the hard way that you need to use a lot of mod podge to make it stick well!
The Countdown in the picture was two layers of scrapbook paper. I also made a board with scrapbook paper that I distressed by sanding down all edges and surface area, after sanding I applied vinyl lettering then used a light stain and brushed right over the top of the vinyl lettering and paper… it turned out really cute!
If you don’t want to spend the money to put buy a frame you could also drill holes right in the sheet metal and hang it with a ribbon… It is cute as well!
Good luck with this project!
Stephanie says
Love it! I am featuring this!
Diana Hanson says
What kind of metal did you use and where did you buy it? Some metal will not hold magnets. Thanks…it is adorable!
Alison says
It is a Galvanized metal. We got it at Metal Warehouse in Boise, Idaho. 5mile and fairview. I have also seen it at Craft Warehouse(it’s pricey there, but it’s there:). Look up a metal shop in your area and see if they will cut you one. I don’t recommend cutting your own because it can result in very sharp edges and buying it from a metal shop is pretty cheap! Good luck. We’d love to see the final project!
royardsag says
Hi
I am a newbie here.
Glad to find this forum…as what I am looking for
Renee says
Just wanted to let you know that the phone number you provided is a good one, it’s just not for the location mentioned. I talked to a guy named Jeff who knew exactly what I was talking about and wanted, but they are at Gem State Metal.
Penny says
Where do you get the numbers from.
Rachel says
ALOHA! This looks so fun. Where do you get the magnet boards?