Valentine Magnets

I get a spurt of energy every year after Christmas that usually lasts a month or two. I think it is spring fever because I get the urge to clean and organise my home. Unfortunately the spurt never seems to last long enough to get everything organized just the way I want it.

I took a break from cleaning because my creative energy is also at a high and I had to make these cute Valentine magnets to replace the Christmas ones on my magnet board.

The supplies I used:

122352 Designer Series Paper - Timeless Portrait
120805 Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets
118762 Distressing Essentials -
  Sanding Block
  Precision Files
101610 Stampin' Sponge
121030 Classic Ink Pad - Crumb Cake
119718 Craft Ink Pad - Real Red (Assortment)
Assorted Chipboard hearts and squares
Hobby blade
Clothes Pin
Rubber Gloves
Magnets
Cutting Pad
Scissors

Numbered items can be purchased on my Stampin' Up! website: http://www.hollys_hobbies.stampinup.net

First I pulled out all the heart shaped chipboard I have had packed away for just such a project (If you have a Big Shot or similar die-cutting machine and a heart shaped Bigz die you can use that to cut your own chipboard hearts.

Next I attached the adhesive sheet to the back of the designer paper and peeled of the backing sheet to reveal the adhesive. This is cool stuff! - cleaner than using glue. If you are die-cutting your own hearts you can adhere the paper at this point to the chipboard before running through the die machine.

I then place the chipboard pieces face down on the adhesive. Large pieces first and then filled in with the smaller ones to eliminate waste.

Using the hobby blade and cutting pad I cut closely around the chipboard pieces.

Then using the sanding block and sanding spindles I sanded the edges of the pieces smooth.

Using the sponge which I cut into quarters and the clothes pin I sponged around the edges of the pieces to give them some depth.

 I then sanded the edges of remaining pieces (the ones without the designer paper).

This is where I recommend rubber gloves. Using the Craft Real Red Stamping Pad rub the chipboard over the surface of the stamp pad until covered, don't forget the edges. To get in the inside corner of the hearts press into the corner of the stamp pad.

Set them aside to dry.

I then layered and glued them together. I used Crystal Effects which is a product meant to add a gloss finish to your projects. It also works well as a permanent glue and takes under a minute to set.

I used the Crystal effects to glue the magnets to the back. Using larger magnets for the bigger pieces and 2 or 3 to the extra large pieces.

Viola! ready to adorn my magnet board.

Happy Valentines!

Holly