A while back, I did a magnetic chalkboard calendar project. I have since updated that project, which I will share with you later. The idea behind the calendar remains the same. I like magnets better than thumb tacks because I don’t like poking holes in my papers. I use the magnetic properties of this calendar to tack party invitations and reminder notices according to the day. There are recurring activities, such as my husband’s weekly volleyball practices, that don’t need to be written in each time and can easily be reminded with a magnet. Today, I share with you a few ideas to customize your own calendar magnets for the events in your life.
#1. THE COUPONS & RETURNS MAGNETS
I like corralling my return receipts and coupons in one place. And I like being able to grab them when I’m running out the door. I also like to be able to see them in front of me at all times so I don’t forget I have to make a return or use a coupon before it expires. I’ve carved a space in my chalkboard calendar and made magnets to hold my receipts and coupons.
I made these with wood tags (found at any crafts store) and labeled them with a woodburner. Then I used E6000 glue to stick a round magnet on the back. Let the glue set for 24 hours and done!
#2. THE GARBAGE DAY MAGNETS
Garbage day comes every week. In our house, we often forget when it is! Is your city like us? Our garbage day gets pushed back every time there is a major holiday because the city doesn’t pick up on holidays. This means we can easily lose track of our garbage days.
Furthermore, we have two types of pick-ups. One is for all organic waste that is compostable. That bin gets picked up every week. The bin for true garbage that goes to the landfill (plastics and non-compostable items) get picked up every OTHER week. Recycles are picked up every week. So you see, it’s a lot to remember! Why put yourself through that stress when you can just make a magnet that tells you when garbage day is? Right??
These magnets were made with wood blocks that I picked up from Dollarama. They were a package of 42 for $1.25, so you can make a ton of magnets for pennies! I found a clipart image of a garbage can that I shrunk done to fit the size of the block (5/8″ x 5/8″) and printed it onto adhesive backed paper. Since I don’t have a color printer at home (and if you would like to send me one, I would be more than appreciative!), I printed the image in black & white and then colored them in with markers (green for organics and yellow for garbage). I cut the labels to size and affixed them to the blocks. Then I tried the label as needed, since the blocks are not all perfectly 5/8″ x 5/8″. Using the E6000 glue again, I stuck a round magnet to the bottom of the cube. Let dry 24 hours and DONE.
I also made labels for Mr. M’s volleyball teams he coaches for using these blocks. As I’m writing this post, I can think of a few other calendar magnets we could make with these blocks: doctor’s appointments, no-need-to-make-dinner-tonight, and family dinner nights to name a few.
#3. THE I-NEED-THE-CAR-ON-THIS-DAY MAGNETS
Mr. M and I share one car. Most of the days he uses it to get to and from work. I carpool to work so I don’t use it as often. Mr. M also has a thriving social life and extra-curricular activities being a volleyball coach for two organizations and all. During the school year he uses the car all the time. If I want or need to use the car, he and I have to coordinate our schedules so neither of us is stuck without. That’s where this magnet comes in! I just stick one on the calendar as a reminder for us both that I’ve got dibs on the car that day.
I created a photo tutorial for you! It’s a simple project with supplies found from your dollar store and the hardware store. Here’s a before shot of the cars I used before they became magnets:
Supply List
• Plastic toy cars (I got mine from Dollar Tree, but they’re hard to find)
• Spray paint
• 3M double-sided foam tape
• Magnets (I got all my magnets for this project from The Home Depot)
• Scissors
Step-by-Step
Step 1
Spray your plastic toy cars. Allow to dry overnight. If you like them colorful, then skip this step.
Step 2
Cut tiny strips of double-sided foam tape to fit within the bars holding the wheels. (Is there a more official term for this part??) Fix tape to the underside of the car.
Step 3
Remove the top part of the tape and affix the magnet to it. Make sure you have a magnet that’s thick enough to clear the wheels. My magnet was 3/8″ thick and still not deep enough. This is why I used foam tape - to give it extra thickness.
So there you have 3 creative and easy DIYs to make calendar magnets to fit your lifestyle. What kinds of magnets would you make for your magnetic calendar?
I’ve linked up this project at these parties here.
NO COMMENTS