Magnet Craft — With a Twist

Raise your hand if you’ve made fridge magnets using scrapbook paper. Raise your hand if you’ve made them using wrapping paper. Those are the general go-to items to use.

However!

How many of you have made them using fabric? Anyone?

That’s the ‘twist’ with making these magnets.

I also had an ulterior motive. A motive where I didn’t really care about the magnets so much as I wanted to have an opportunity to talk with my grandkids.

Incivility. Hatred. Violence. Traits that I do not like. Traits that people should not have nor encourage.

Children don’t like to be preached to. (I dare say that NOBODY likes to be preached to . . . )

But a gentle conversation. While crafting. With grandma. That’s MUCH better than preaching, don’t you think? What a perfect time to reinforce just how important it is to be kind to others.

First, let’s talk about making magnets using fabric. Here are the supplies that you’ll need:

• Scraps of fabric
• Scissors
• Mod Podge
• Small paint brush
• Clear crafting glass ‘gems’ (I got mine at Joann’s in the floral department)
• Magnets
• E6000 glue

Place a glass gem on the fabric with the right side of the fabric facing up. Use a pencil to trace around it.

Let’s talk about fabric, okay? Fabric with a pattern works better than plain colored fabric.

Why? you ask.

If you use plain colored fabric, the dark magnet will show through. If that’s the look you’re going for, well, fine then.

If you think that you just HAVE to have plain colored fabric or-the-world-as-you-know-it-will-come-to-an-end, then use 2 layers of fabric. Or more layers if you can still see the magnet through the material.

So. Now cut out of your fabric.

Spread Mod Podge on the back side of your gem. (We were so involved with crafting that I didn’t get pictures of the next few steps but I think you’ll still be able to follow what we did.)

Place the RIGHT side of the fabric on the Mod Podge. (So the right side of the fabric will show through the gem when your magnet is finished.) Let the Mod Podge dry.

Put a coat of Mod Podge over the fabric. This keeps the fabric from fraying when handling the magnet. Let the Mod Podge dry.

Squeeze some E6000 glue on the back of your gem. (You could also use hot glue if you want.)

Press a round magnet into the glue and let dry.

And you’re done!

Three of my grandkids each made a magnet.

But, if 1 magnet per grandchild is good then 4 is even better, right?

Let’s circle back for a minute about having a gentle conversation with grandkids about kindness and civility.

I made 10 sayings that you can print out so your grandkids can use their magnets to hold the sayings to a fridge or in their locker at school. Some sayings are about being kind. Some are motivational.

Each saying is 4″ x 6″ with a 300 DPI for printing.

Click on the name ABOVE the picture to download the printable version. (Don’t download the picture because it won’t print up nicely.)

You can be anything in the world. Be kind.

To err on the side of kindness is seldom an error.

Be kind whenever possible. It’s always possible.

Kindness is a gift everyone can afford to give.

Do things for people. Not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.

Kindness begins with me.

I’m not here to be average. I’m here to be awesome.

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.

Choose happiness.

Your greatness isn’t what you have, it’s what you give.

As you show your grandkids these sayings, discuss them. Ask what they think about the quote. Ask how the quote makes them feel. Remember. Have a gentle conversation.

You could suggest your grandchild make extra magnets to give (along with a saying) to a friend. It could be a Valentine’s Day gift, birthday or Christmas gift, or just-because-we’re-friends gift. This helps spread kindness a little bit more.

Have fun with this craft!