Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Tackle it Tuesday - Family Information Center

NOTE: I thought I'd also participate for the first time here...Do It Yourself Day

**Please excuse the blurry pictures.

What do you get when you take these:

+ pieces of this

+ a bottle of this

+ these?

Super cute magnets!

I wanted to make sort of an information center for the side of our fridge. I got the idea from here (I also want to try her folder system, but that's for another day). In her post she used magnets to organize the information and I thought it was a great idea. I decided to make my own magnets and I followed this tutorial (have you been to Jill Scott's site yet...it's a must).

I followed her tutorial for the most part, except I used Mod Podge to also glue the paper to the marbles. Here are my almost magnets drying after adding the Mod Podge to the back of the paper:

For my information center I have a calendar, a menu sheet and eventually I will make a sheet to write down things we are out of. For my calendar I thought it would be fun if the magnets said the month and here's how that turned out:

I just used cute fonts (found here) and I typed up the months and put the scrapbook paper through my printer. I did a couple of practice runs with blank paper first to make sure the font was the right size. I actually used 3 different fonts and had to use different sizing for each.

I tried to use themed paper for each month. I actually still have some months to do because I didn't find the paper I wanted. But for October I used and orange paper and for February I used a pink paper with hearts. See (sorry again for the blurriness):

I also printed off the word Menu for the magnets that are holding up my menu plan. See:

Here's my calendar for August. I made this in Word using a table. Again, I used one of the fonts that I downloaded from the site mentioned above. I added in the numbers for the month and then the magnets will tell us what month it is. You can't see it in this picture but I also have a space at the bottom that says Notes so we can write reminders.

Here's my menu plan. I also did this in Word using a table.

So, there you have it...my Family Information Center. I'm really happy with the way it turned out and I think it will be really helpful.
Go to 5 Minutes for Mom to see more tackles.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is so cute Kelli! You are inspiring me to get creative.

Jennifer said...

Your magnets are super cute! I've always wanted to make some...I think I'll give it a try. Thanks for sharing!

Miller Racing Family said...

What a totally cute idea. I do love the theme paper, it gives it the finish look.
It even looks like I could make these, so I will have to tackle this project next.
Have a great Tuesday!

Monica said...

Wow! Those turned out so cute!
I'm making some of those soon!

schwadette said...

KELLI!!!! So darn stinkin cute! Turned out totally cute! :)

Courtney said...

They look great! Love the idea! I'm def. going to have to tackle the magnets. I've seen them several places and they are so stinkin' cute! Great job!

BTW, I got my fonts for my sidebars and title posts here:
http://www.kevinandamanda.com/fonts/
She has a simple tutorial that shows you how to do it. I'd allot myself about 30 [uninterrupted] minutes or so to get it done though. It requires several steps, but it's totally worth it :) Good luck! Can't wait to see what you choose!

Kelli W said...

I love your magnets and I love that you used themed paper for each month! Such a great idea...I can't wait to see how your folders turn out!

Cindy said...

Super Cute. Thanks for the idea.

Joanna said...

Ok, first off this is a fabulous idea! And I what a great craft project as well! I want to make some of these magnets...I am gonna do it! *smiles*

Melissa Stover said...

That is so cute! I might even could handle that craft.

jennykate77 said...

Kelli! Those are so stinkin' cute! I was totally oooingh and ahhhing over some of these little magnets at a local store recently, but you've just shown me that I can probably make my very own! Sweet! You're just so crafty!

Hope you're having a fabulous day!!

Anonymous said...

Great Idea . . . super cute! You are so talented!

Amber Filkins said...

What a great idea!! I think I may have to do that too. The only downside is that there's not much space between my wall and the fridge. We have a cutout in our kitchen for the fridge. Bummer, b/c I LOVE the magnets! I'll have to think of something else. Maybe a thin metal sheet Mod Podged with cute scrapbook paper?? That could be cute. Or Pottery Barn always has galvanized stuff. That look is in right now too. You got my wheels turning girl! Thanks!

J.J. said...

Love it!!!!!!!!! That is a great site you linked to for the tutorial~ Thanks.

Angie said...

That is so cool! You did a great job. I'm going to have to try that myself...you inspired me :)

Amy said...

I'm impressed! An information center is definitely on my to-do list. I want one just inside our garage door, in our office/laundry room. I also want hooks under it for the kids' backpacks. I like the ideas of the site you referred to so I'm rolling that around in my brain, trying to figure out what to use and how to do it...

Carrie said...

Oh, Kelli, that is awesome! Man, I wished we were neighbors...how fun would it be to sit and craft like that over an iced coffee or coke or whatever drink you prefer :)

LOVE these! Thanks for the great inspiration!

Sugarplum Creations Blog said...

Adorable! I love this idea, and am always looking for ideas to get more organized!

Heidi Boos said...

I can't even tell you how long these gem magnets have been on my list of things I want to do! I love how these came out and the way you are using them for your message center. I might just have to put a little center together myself. ;) FUN tackle, for sure!

Kelli said...

Cute Kel!!

Fifi Flowers said...

CUTE magnets!

Anonymous said...

This is awesome! I am just in this stage right now. I wish I could be so crafty, but I am missing that gene. Great job

Crystal said...

Love the magnets, I'm a huge fan of Kevin and Amanda too!

I have a poll up on my blog about my BIGGEST decor dilemma. Come on over and vote, I need all the help I can get!

http://imnomartha.blogspot.com/2009/08/first-poll-ever-to-paint-or-not-to.html

Nadia said...

great job on these thanks so much for sharing

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

So cute! You know I'm a sucker for organization! (You make it cute on top of that? I will swoon!)

(That's right. Swoon.)

Xazmin said...

So cute! Thanks for linking up!

Small House said...

Great idea! Keeps everybody straight and where they need to be.
Sandra

Christie said...

OMG soo cute!!! I've always wanted to try these. Thanks for giving such detailed instrucitons, I think it will make it much easier for me. Thanks for the inspiration! =)

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

So cute! I've seen these done before, but never with the months on them...that is GENIUS! What a great idea.

~Amanda