DIY Scrabble Magnets

I love interactive decor - it automatically has two purposes.

1. It looks nice/fun
2. It is entertaining

About a year ago, I made some easy Scrabble magnets - I picked up another game of Scrabble at the thrift store yesterday for $1.50 and decided to add to my magnets. And then, I realized I had never blogged about this fun project in the first place. 

I noticed last year that I had two and a half Scrabble games - and since you really only need one set to play the game, I decided that it might be fun to use the extra tiles in a different way. This is a great use for an incomplete Scrabble game, as well. 

First, I gathered the needed supplies: Scrabble tiles, magnets (I used the roll of magnets that has the adhesive backing), and scissors. 

Then, I cut my magnet strips to fit the back of the tiles. At this point, I realized that my magnets were a little older than I had hoped. Some parts were no longer "sticky." So, I just pulled out some regular craft glue. 

I then attached the magnets to the tiles. 

And waited for them to dry properly. If you don't wait long enough, you will hear little tiles pitter-pattering all evening as they fall off your refrigerator onto the kitchen floor. And then...you have to sweep them out from under your fridge. Just saying...

Then, I played with my new magnets. 

It's fun to having a running game - just add a word every now and then.

Or, often our guests will stand at the refrigerator working away until they use all the letters. Kids especially love to play with them. A little girl Sunday night worked very hard to get most of them into a straight line formation.

I've left messages with them before, displayed the evening menu, etc. You may also remember seeing the magnets used in our gender reveal video here. 

I'm now thinking of other game pieces that would make fun magnets....dominoes, Sorry pieces, etc. Keep your eye out for cheap Scrabble games at the thrift store - It will make a fun addition to your kitchen! 

Pinterest Challenge: DIY Glass Magnets

A good refrigerator magnet is hard to find...or at least I think so. They seem to usually be ugly or not strong enough to hold up paper.

This seemed like the perfect opportunity to link this little craft project with the Bower Power Pinterest Challenge (Spring Edition).

Katie dreamed up this little quarterly event to encourage pinners everywhere to stop pinning and start doing! I like to refer to my completed pins as "Pin-Did." It's all about the follow through!

You can check out the featured blogger's projects as well. 

• Emily from Sparkle meets Pop
• Katie from Bower Power
• Renee from Red Bird Blue
• Sherry from Young House Love

After seeing this project from here a while back, it has become my "go-to" craft. Whether it's a girl's retreat, a crafternoon among friends or a coffee party, everyone loves making a few awesome magnets. And even people with no creativity or sense of craftiness can participate.

And it's super cheap! If you already have the circle punch on hand, you can make each magnet for less than 20 cents each! And if you don't have the circle punch, use a coupon at your favorite craft store or wait for a 50% off sale. You'll definitely find more ways to use the punch. I even love to make larger confetti with it! 

I gathered my supplies...

1.  Magazines (or any paper you want to use as the picture in your magnet. Guess you could use an actual photograph, as well)
2.  Magnets. I bought this pack of 52 at Walmart for around $5. They are strong magnets. 
3.  Glass pebbles. I purchase mine at the Dollar Tree - approximately one inch in diameter.
4.  Glue. I purchased this glue at Walmart as well for around $2. Just find something with industrial strength that is suitable for glass.
5.  Circle paper punch. Mine is Martha Stewart's one inch circle punch. 

Then, using a glass pebble as a size guide, search through the magazines for anything that catches your eye, making sure that the image will fit beneath the stone. 

You can use numbers, letters, patterns or pictures. The possibilities are endless. 

This time around, I was loving this salad dressing advertisement  I ended up making an entire collection of green and yellow spotted magnets. 

Simply punch out your picture (sometimes, if the magazine pages seem a little thin, I stack a few pages together before punching...it seems to work better this way). 

A tiny dab of glue on the flat side of the magnet will allow you to attach your punched circle (desired image up against the flat side of the stone). 

One more dab of glue will allow you to attach the magnet to the back. 

Keep in mind that the magnets are pretty strong. Therefore, I always try to keep them a good distant apart for at least 12 hours. I also leave them drying - not hanging them on the refrigerator or magnetic surface for 24 hours. 

Then...enjoy! 

Getting the Most from your Craft Store Coupons

Yesterday, a friend of mine and I decided to tackle some baby sewing projects. I stopped by Joann's Fabric to pick up some supplies...Since they are having this fantastic sale on costume material, the line at the fabric counter was a mile long.

But...while I was waiting, I learned a few things. And those few things that I learned ended up saving me lots of dollars. So, I guess my waiting time was worthwhile. And since I know that other people like to save money as well, I thought I would pass my new knowledge on to you.

Image found here. 

I had learned a few weeks ago that Hobby Lobby does not require you to surrender a printed version of their coupon. I was excited about this, knowing that I no longer needed to waste paper and ink to redeem my 40% off one item coupon. I do not have a smart phone, but I do have an ipad. I simply save a copy of the coupon in my pictures right before I go to the store.  You can pull it up in the store if you have wireless internet access, but I have found that just saving a new screen shot each time seems to be the quickest way to pull up the coupon in the check-out line. I love that their is always a 40% off coupon available for this store. I don't leave home without it!

And, you can use your Hobby Lobby coupon on one cut of fabric. If the fabric is on sale for 30% off, you can ask the lady cutting your piece to write it up at full price. Then, you will be able to use your 40% off coupon on the one cut of fabric. (giving you an extra 10% off)

I also learned a few weeks ago that Michael's will accept Hobby Lobby and Joann's coupons. Though, it seems they will only accept the certain percentage off one regular priced item - not the 20% off entire purchase.  But you do not have to print off these coupons. Just show them the current coupon on your device.

But....Joann's seems to be the coupon jackpot. And I had no idea until yesterday how accommodating they are. They basically will take any coupon you have. ha. I would suggest signing up for their emails, mailers and texts. I received multiple coupons good for this week through each of the above methods. I had them all with me, not knowing what I was going to purchase or what would be on sale. Most of their coupons are for "regular priced items." They will not write up your fabric as full price as Hobby Lobby will. However, you can use as many of the coupons on regular priced items as you have. And they will accept Michaels and Hobby Lobby coupons as well. AND...I had a text for 20% off my entire purchase and they took that too! You do not have to print out your coupons for Joann's either - they will simply look at your smart phone/ipad/etc.

I literally paid 1/3 of what I thought I would be spending yesterday. And I'll be back, with my coupons in hand to see what types of deals I can score.

You may have already known these bits of money saving tips...but if not, it's time to start looking for coupons for craft stores!

Now, before embarking on a craft store hunt for any supply, I will make sure my ipad is loaded with the images of the latest coupons for all the stores. This also means you could technically use the same image of the Hobby Lobby coupon at 3 different stores. I simply downloaded the free apps for the above mentioned stores. It will give you easy access to the coupons available. And if you have other craft stores in your area, check to see what store coupons are accepted where. Many stores are now taking competitor's coupons to keep your business.

Oh the possibilities!!!