mini calendar magnets

I know, I know, some of our recent tutorials are really cutting it a little too close to Christmas. The problem is that we are documenting our real life adventures in crafting, which means we don't often do things very far in advance! So we apologize if you love an idea you see here but don't have enough time to make it before Christmas. I guess you'll just have to bookmark it for next year! Or, if you're really behind, this is a last minute neighbor gift that you could give as a 'Happy New Year' gift and totally get away with it!

Mini Calendar Magnet Tutorial


Supplies you'll need:
*Mini calendars--look for these at office supply stores. We found ours online at SkyBluePink.com. Or make your own by printing mini calendars and making a pad using padding compound and our tutorial
*Chipboard cut to 4"x4" (you could use a cereal box for this, too)
*Patterned paper
*Paper trimmer
*Craft glue or Mod Podge
*Exacto knife & mat
*File or fine sandpaper
*Ribbon, buttons, etc. for embellishing
*Crop-A-Dile (optional)
*Corner Chomper (optional)
*Magnet

(Sorry for the weird pictures. I've been crafting at night and the light in my house just isn't right for photography! Also, I have weird spots on all my photos, and I've cleaned my lens. I think they're on the inside. Any suggestions out there?)

Okay, let's get started!

1. Cut your chipboard to 4"x4". Cut your coordinating paper to match. Gather your embellishments.


2. Glue your paper to the chipboard. I love Tombow's Mono Multi Liquid Glue. I usually apply my glue to the chipboard rather than to the paper.


3. Smooth your paper on the chipboard.


4. Turn over and use an Exacto knife to clean up any overhanging paper edges. If you want to, round your corners using the Corner Chomper. Or leave them as is.



5. Lightly sand your edges in a downward motion with a file to make the paper become one with the chipboard.


6. Adhere your calendar to chipboard.




7. Decide how you will embellish. If you want ribbon that goes through two holes like I did, measure and mark where your holes should go.


8. Use a Crop-A-Dile to punch holes through your chipboard and paper.


9. Thread ribbon through and either tie in a double know or thread down, cross in back, and come back through holes on front.


10. Adhere buttons or other embellishments. I like Tacky Tape or Glue Dots for a strong hold.


11. Glue a magnet to the back. Done! Wrape in a cello bag for gifting!



I have had so much fun using my different 6x6 paper pads for these magnets.




This is a great teacher gift, too!


If you know someone like I do that has a stainless steel fridge (which means no magnets), you can always add a little piece of chipboard to the back so it will stand up on a desk instead.