This DIY message center is a super fun project that costs less than $10 with dollar store items and on hand craft supplies !
This weekend I decided to clear the clutter off my fridge and create something that looks pretty for all those little notes, coupons and so forth. This project is perfect for the fridge, but it can be used for almost any purpose.
Are you a collector of craft supplies? I have a whole dresser full of them. It seems I buy an item to use and then have leftovers that I stash away for another day. Ribbons, flowers, stickers, glue and markers are just some of the things I have. Well today they came in handy!
The Method of a DIY Message Center
The beauty of this project is you can tailor it to your own likes. The two main items needed are a baking sheet (any size) and contact paper. You can buy a new cookie sheet in the dollar store or use an old cookie sheet you may have lying around. Just be sure to wash the edges real clean or even paint them with paint made for metal surfaces. Contact paper comes in a wide variety of colors and designs.
First choose your colors and theme then pick out a ribbon to add a finishing touch. This will cover up any uneven edges after cutting the paper. Going traditional? Try a Ric Rac ribbon in a color that visually enhances your contact paper. More of a modernists? Try a cording of a complimentary (color that is on the opposite side of the color wheel) that is bold. A little country? Raffia would be a great choice giving the illusion of hay. And how about nautical? Try some nautical rope.
Step 1: Supplies for Message Center
Gather all supplies you think you may want even if you don’t use them. Better to have them handy once the glue gun gets heated. When cutting the contact paper, line up one long and one short edge into a corner of the baking sheet. Using an exacto knife carefully cut the other 2 edges by pressing the knife against the edge of the lip. That is the hardest part of the project. Then peel and stick the paper onto the sheet pan.
Step 2: Embellishing DIY Message Center
Heat up the glue gun! Time to glue your ribbon down around the edges and be very careful as it is so easy to burn your fingers! Flip the baking sheet over and glue on 4 magnets, one in each corner.
Now it is time to get creative! I cut small silk flowers off their stems and placed them on peel and stick magnets. If you can’t find those magnets, use the glue gun to adhere your items to the magnets.
DIY Message Center Project Notes:
Use personal embellishments. I love these little chalk board tags. I used them in my Halloween Tablescape as place card holders!
Shells, little colored glass stones, beads and even small photo’s would make great magnets.
Using a half sheet pan (larger baking sheet), divide it into sections by using washi tape. Each section could be for a different day of the week, or for each family member.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What else can I use this for? Many things:
Hang it on the wall in your kitchen and use magnet hooks for your measuring spoons and cups!
Place it in your bedroom on your dressing table in a plate holder. Again using magnet hooks, hang your necklaces and bracelets.
Using a solid color contact paper, draw a grid with a permanent marker for car games. Think tic tac toe or checkers. Your kids can make their own personal gaming magnets!
Let your kids help make their own and they can practice spelling with magnetized letters or adding/subtraction with magnetized numbers.
How about magnetized paper dolls? I spent a fortune when my kids were little buying magnetized doll kits. Your kids can color their own scenes and you can print off images of people or animals. Either paste onto cardboard for stability (use an old shirt box) and attach to a magnet or print off your image and glue onto magnetic sheets. These can be purchased online. Then trim around the edges.
Leave a Reply