DIY Magnetic Memo Board: A Charming Mixed Media Craft Project

Welcome, fellow creatives! Today, we are thrilled to bring you an inspiring journey into the world of mixed media with a unique and functional project: a Magnetic Memo Board. Crafted by the wonderfully talented Cheryl Carpenter from A Penchant for the Past, one of our esteemed Mixed Media Design Team Members, this project beautifully blends vintage aesthetics with practical utility. Our weekly mixed media features aim to ignite your imagination and provide endless creative possibilities. Get ready to be inspired as Cheryl guides us through her artistic process for this delightful magnetic memo board.

Hello everyone! Cheryl here again, from A Penchant for the Past, eager to share another captivating mixed-media design team project. For this installment, I envisioned something both charming and practical for those cozy, smaller spaces that often need a touch of organized beauty. The result is this delightful Mixed Media Magnetic Memo Board – a perfect spot for jotting down little reminders, daily affirmations, or cherished photos. It’s more than just a functional item; it’s a piece of art that tells a story and adds character to your home.

The Genesis of a Vintage Magnetic Memo Board

The spark for this particular Magnetic Memo Board mixed media project ignited during a brainstorming session with Emily. She had a brilliant idea: adorning The Graphics Fairy’s exquisite collection of vintage people photos with wings, transforming them into decorative ornaments. I loved the concept but pondered how to infuse them with a practical purpose beyond their undeniable charm. What if these adorable winged figures could serve as magnets? While the idea of magnets was appealing, I confess I’m not one for cluttering my refrigerator. This personal preference led me down a creative path: constructing an antique-style magnetic board that would serve as a beautiful backdrop for these unique magnet creations.

My artistic heart truly gravitates towards anything that exudes an antique feel. Incorporating vintage Victorian cabinet card photos into my mixed media creations is an absolute joy. The prospect of delving into The Graphics Fairy’s vast archives to find the perfect subjects to transform into “photo angels” was incredibly thrilling. But the angels needed a heavenly stage, and thus began the quest for the ideal background for our Mixed Media Magnetic Memo Board. The Graphics Fairy offers a treasure trove of backgrounds, making the selection delightfully challenging. I considered several captivating options: an 8×10 printable resembling weathered wallpaper, a delicate antique music sheet, and a whimsical ABCs book page. Ultimately, the charm and innocence of the ABCs book page won me over. I discovered this gem within the incredible Ephemera Collection bundle – a must-have for any vintage enthusiast.

The Premium Membership site at The Graphics Fairy is an unparalleled resource, boasting an extensive selection of Victorian cabinet card photos. Given the child-like theme of the ABCs background, it felt natural to seek out images of children. My vision was clear: I needed standing figures. Many beautiful photos feature groups, so I had to meticulously select and often adjust the images to isolate the subjects I wanted. The three enchanting young girls I chose for this vintage mixed media project were found in the heartwarming Mother’s Day Ephemera bundle. Their innocent poses and expressions were absolutely perfect for transforming into our delicate photo angels, destined to grace the magnetic memo board.

Transforming Figures: The Art of Adding Wings

With our adorable child figures selected, the next enchanting step was to bestow upon them their ethereal wings. This stage required careful consideration to ensure the wings complemented each child’s unique stance and personality. One of the young girls stood slightly askew, necessitating a precise placement of wings that would feel natural and harmonious with her pose. The other two girls, thankfully, presented a more straightforward fit for their angelic adornments. The thrill of finding the perfect wings was immense, and I located all of them within the captivating Hand Colored Butterflies and Moths bundle. This collection offers a breathtaking array of delicate illustrations, providing endless possibilities for adding a touch of whimsy and magic to any DIY mixed media project. The chosen wings not only enhanced the aesthetic but also added a layer of storytelling, inviting viewers to imagine the narratives these little winged figures might represent.

The act of adding wings is more than just an assembly step; it’s a creative transformation. It elevates a simple vintage photograph into something truly magical and unique. For this particular Magnetic Memo Board mixed media craft, the butterfly wings were ideal, lending an air of lightness and fantasy that perfectly matched the innocence of the children and the nostalgic feel of the overall design. Each wing was carefully positioned and adhered, ensuring a seamless integration with the figures, making them appear as if they were always meant to be winged beings. This attention to detail is crucial in mixed media, where disparate elements are brought together to form a cohesive and visually appealing whole.

Precision and Polish: Fussy Cutting and Hand Coloring

Once the wings were meticulously added, the next crucial step in refining our winged figures for the Magnetic Memo Board was “fussy cutting.” For those unfamiliar, fussy cutting involves carefully cutting around the intricate outlines of an image with precision, removing any excess background. This technique is vital for giving the figures a clean, professional finish, allowing them to truly stand out against their chosen backdrop. It’s a meditative process that requires patience and a steady hand, but the results are undeniably worth the effort, creating crisp edges that make the figures pop.

Following the fussy cutting, I introduced a touch of hand coloring. While the vintage images possess an inherent charm, adding subtle pops of color can truly bring them to life and enhance their antique allure. I strategically applied color to areas I felt needed a gentle vibrancy, ensuring it complemented the existing tones without overpowering the nostalgic aesthetic. This delicate enhancement gives the figures a refreshed, yet still deeply vintage, character. Different mediums can be used for hand coloring, such as colored pencils, watercolors, or even diluted acrylics, depending on the desired effect. For this project, the goal was to achieve a soft, aged look, adding depth and visual interest to each child’s portrait.

To culminate this mixed media creation and imbue it with an undeniable antique charm, I turned my attention to the display. A rustic picture frame, thoughtfully acquired from Hobby Lobby, served as the perfect vessel. The frame itself required minimal intervention; a light application of chalk paint here and there was all that was needed to enhance its weathered appearance, making it seamlessly integrate with the vintage theme of the magnetic memo board. This simple distressing technique further amplifies the aged beauty of the overall piece, ensuring that the frame doesn’t just hold the art, but becomes an integral part of its story. Preparing the actual magnetic surface is another key step. This can be achieved by adhering a sheet of galvanized steel or a specialized magnetic primer-painted board within the frame, providing the perfect base for your newly crafted winged magnets.

Unleashing Creativity: Your Own Mixed Media Magnetic Memo Board

I genuinely hope this walkthrough of my Mixed Media Magnetic Memo Board project inspires you to embark on your own creative journey. The beauty of mixed media lies in its boundless possibilities, and the resources available at The Graphics Fairy empower you to design a truly unique piece that reflects your personal style. You are absolutely not limited to the specific design I’ve showcased here; the Premium Membership site is a goldmine of images and inspiration, offering countless ways to customize your own board.

Imagine different themes: perhaps a botanical garden featuring vintage flowers and butterflies, a nautical theme with old maps and maritime illustrations, or even a whimsical fairy-tale scene with enchanted creatures. The process remains similar: select your figures, choose a complementary background, add embellishments, and finish with a frame that enhances your chosen aesthetic. This DIY project is not only a fantastic way to express your creativity but also provides a charming and functional addition to any room – be it your kitchen, home office, or craft space. It makes a thoughtful, personalized gift too!

For those eager to dive deeper into the construction process, a comprehensive video tutorial detailing every step of this Magnetic Memo Board craft will be posted very soon on The Graphics Fairy’s Premium Membership site. Trust me, there are nuances and tips in the tutorial that will undoubtedly elevate your crafting experience, so I highly recommend taking a closer look. Understanding the precise techniques for adhering different layers, creating custom magnets from your winged figures, and securing everything within the frame will ensure a professional and lasting finish for your masterpiece.

Watch the Magnetic Memo Board Flip-Through Video

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my latest venture into the world of Mixed Media crafts. Crafting is a journey, and sharing these experiences is truly rewarding. To get an even closer look at the finished project and its intricate details, I encourage you to check out the “show and share” video on The Graphics Fairy’s YouTube channel. It provides a wonderful visual tour, highlighting all the elements that make this magnetic memo board so special.

For a detailed, step-by-step guide on the complete construction process of this beautiful Magnetic Memo Board, be sure to visit the Premium Membership site for the exclusive video tutorial. It covers all the essential techniques and provides invaluable insights to help you recreate this project with confidence. We believe that empowering you with these resources is key to unlocking your full creative potential.

Thanks again for your time and enthusiasm! May your month be filled with abundant creativity and joyful crafting. Happy making!

Cheryl Carpenter

You can connect with me and discover more of my creative endeavors here: A Penchant for the Past