Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Magnets and a Magnet Board


Magnets

1-2 bags of jumbo clear vase gems: $1 per bag at the Dollar Store
1 sheet of letters and numbers: $1 for 2 sheets at the Dollar Store
Elmer's glue
Paint brush
Scrapbook paper: Michael's has sheets for really cheap
Magnets: $3 for a whole roll at Michael's
Hot glue gun
Glue sticks

Vase Gems


Sheet of letters and numbers


I used all different types of blue scrapbook paper for baby Zayden.


Begin by tracing circles from the glass gems.


Then cut out the circles.


Place the numbers and letters in the centers of the circles.


Place a drop of glue in the center of the scrapbook paper circle.
Use the paint brush to spread the glue all around the circle.
Place the glass gem on top of the circle so that the paper is touching the bottom of the gem.
Let these dry for 30-45 minutes.


Cut magnets from the magnet roll that are long enough to go straight across the gem. 
Hot glue (Elmer's glue works as well) the magnet to the back of the gem.


I placed all the magnets in this container. 
These containers can be found at the Dollar Store in a pack of 3!
With 2 bags of vase gems I was able to do the alphabet twice and the numbers 1-10.

Magnet Board

1 medium/large picture frame
Paint
Paint brush
Sheet Metal


Take the glass and the backing off of the picture frame.


Choose the paint color that you are going to use.
Make sure to lay down paper or newspaper so that you do not ruin the table you are working on.

Paint the frame.Let the frame dry for at least an hour.
Flip the frame over and paint the back as well. Let dry.
Once the frame is completely dry and you are happy with the color, then you can put the sheet metal in.

Sheet metal is sold at Lowe's or Home Depot...but they no longer cut it for you.
So, you can purchase the sheet metal for $4 and some sheet metal cutting scissors for $15.
But, I didn't want to spend that much so I went to a local air conditioning company.
They cut the exact size I needed and they didn't charge me.
I'm not sure if all places will do this, but I'm sure it will be a lot cheaper than spending $20!

Put the sheet metal in the frame the exact same way that you would put in a picture. 
You can put the cardboard backing on it if you want or you can just leave that off.


Then you can use the magnets to spell words!
 
 
 
*This idea came from Beth. Thank you so much!

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