Sunday, May 26, 2013

Picture Magnets—Sentimental Homemade Gifts


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As much as I claim that I am totally NOT a crafty person, I really enjoy, and love, to receive hand made gifts from others, especially from my Kids.  Quite often, I get drawings from my Kids when I pick them up from school.  They would tell me they missed me at school so they drew me a picture as a gift.  Aw….isn't that sweet?  That alone would be their tickets to get out of the time-out chair.  hahaha….

So, what are Picture Magnets?  As you can see from the picture above, they are magnets that you can put on your fridge, your offices, or anywhere with a metal surface, with the precious pictures of your family, your pets, or your loved ones.  Isn't that lovely?  That is probably so, if you haven’t seen them enough in person.

With that said, these are especially great homemade gifts for the Grandparents!  My Kids and I made these for the Grandmothers as part of the Mother’s day gifts.  I didn't post this sooner as I didn't want to ruin the surprise.  But hey, Father’s day is just around the corner, you can totally make these for the special Daddies or Grandpas in your lives. 

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With the technology these days, everything is digital.  I found myself don't print out photos as often as I used to be.  Isn't it the case for you too?  So, these Picture Magnets are wonderful crafts that give you the perfect excuse/reason to print out those gorgeous photos that you took.   So, the picture files don't have to store deep inside the "D:" or "H:" drive of your computer.  hahaha....

Plus, I made these gorgeous Picture Magnets out of the advertising magnets (see picture above) that came inside the the pile of "junk mails" from time to time.  They used to be “junk”, now, I look forward to receiving these magnets in the mail!  These Picture Magnets are super easy to make and you only need a few things as listed below. 

1) Advertising Magnets
2) Pictures of your choice, preferably something that you (or the recipient) want to look at all the time
3) Glue stick
4) A pair of Scissors
5) Ribbons (optional)
6) Double-sided tape (optional, only needed if you want to add ribbons)

Tools Needed

Check out how we made these Picture Magnets. First, pick out a picture and a magnet.  Match the magnet on top of the picture to make sure the magnet is big enough to cover the portion of the picture that you want to keep.

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At this point, you can use a pencil to trace around the edges of the magnet so it’s easier for you to see where to cut.  I’m a bit lazy and just hold the picture and magnet together and cut around the edges of the magnet. 

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I do this quite often so I usually don’t use a pencil. 

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If you want to add a ribbon, this is the time to do so.  Simply cut a small amount of double-sided tape and place it on the back side of the ribbon.  Remove the protective paper to reveal the adhesive tape. 

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Place the ribbon on the picture where you want it to be.  I love putting the ribbon on one corner at an angle as shown in the picture below.  Then fold the “extra” ribbon to the back of the picture.

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Next, have your child laborer (if you have one) apply some glue on the front side of the advertising magnet.

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Oh, how lucky am I?  I have 2 child laborers.

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Last step, stick the picture on top of the advertising magnet and that’s it.

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Not long ago, we went to Palm Spring for a short trip and this is one of the family picture that I love a lot (see picture below).  The background was so nice I didn't want to cut out the picture.  But none of the advertising magnet was big enough to cover the entire picture.

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So, this is what I did.  Instead of one magnet, attach two on the back, and spread them apart towards the edge of the photo (see picture below).  This will provide sufficient supports to hold the picture on the metal surface without falling.  I realized different magnets might have different strength of adhesiveness.  So, using two small ones for a 4 by 6 photo works out great in preventing the picture from sliding down from the door of your fridge! 

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I hope you like today’s tutorial and gift idea.  Would it be something that you prefer to receive as a gift?  Or can you think of someone special to give these Picture Magnets to?  I would love to hear from you. 

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Note: If you don’t receive any advertising magnet in the mail like I do (Congratulations! You probably receive way less junk mails than I do), you can always purchase the magnetic sheets online.  It’ll probably be easier because one side of the sheet is already adhesive.  Click here for the link to see the product.

It's the Memorial Weekend here in the States.  Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  I just want to take this opportunity to say "Thank You" to everyone in the U.S. Armed Forces (Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard).  Anyone whose served in the past, currently serving the country, or planning do so in the future, I salute to you all for your scarifies and services.  Wish you a wonderful and safe Memorial Weekend.

94 comments:

  1. Wow, we've more in common! It's nice to meet people of same interest indeed, Amy! Love it!

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    1. Thank you, Shirley. Glad you like my little crafts with the kids. :)

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  2. Love this homemade gift! So lovely!

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  3. this is such a creative use of some of those unwanted advertizing spam we generally throw away. also environmentally smart... too bad in Sweden we don't get much of those advertizing magnets. have a nice day! Barbara

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. It's lucky that you don't get "junks" in the mail in Sweden. It's a good thing that you can still get the magnet sheets in craft stores or online these day. :) Take care and have a wonderful rest of the week.

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  4. These are beautiful ideas :D
    Nothing beats the effort!

    Cheers
    CCU

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    1. Thank you, CCU. Glad you like this idea. Have a wonderful rest of the week.

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  5. What a great idea! and what ADORABLE kids!!!

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    1. Thank you, Dear. Glad you like my creation. :)

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  6. Wonderful Idea and thank you for sharing Amy. I must say you have to beautiful child laborers :-)

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    1. Thank you so much, Rekha. Glad you like my creativity and child laborers! hahaah...

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  7. So creative and beautiful Amy.. Loved it :-)

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    1. Thank you, Nilu. Glad you like the craft. :)

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  8. Your children are just beautiful..Your post made me smile because my fridge was covered in photos of my family..We just bought a new fridge and I am liking it clean w/ nothing on it..No one else does:) They miss the pics:)

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    1. Thank you... :) I know, my kids love their photos and drawings on the fridge too! It's gets pretty crowded quickly. So, I try to put away their older drawings whenever they put on new ones just to keep thing in control. LOL...otherwise I don't think I can find the fridge's door handle! ;)

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  9. What a good idea! It is nice to put photos of family on the fridge especially photos of children as they grow up so quickly.

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    1. I know, Mun. Kids grow up too fast. :) Taking more pictures is a nice way to capture the memories.

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  10. I think i'm in love for this kind of emational craft!

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    1. Thank you, Dear. :) My whole family love these picture magnets, including my kids. They get really excited whenever we make these for other family members or for our own fridge.

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  11. I so love this kind of tutorial, good one Amy! I am not crafty at all, so i hope i can still get these done. lOve the nickname child labourers, haha!

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    1. Thank you, Jehanne. Oh...I'm not a crafty person, so if I can make these, you can too. ;) Hehe...if you ever see any crafts, on my blog, they are either food related, or super simple, like this one! hahaha....

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  12. Thanks for sharing for making this great gift :)Lovely, your kids too!

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    1. Thank you, Ann. I love these gift too. It's always nice when I see the kids' happy faces whenever I open the fridge (which happen quite often throughout the day). :D

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  13. Hi Amy,
    ThAnks for stopping by my blog.
    Love your simple yet meaningful hand craft.
    You have a wonderful blog, thanks for leading me here:)
    Cheers!
    mui

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    1. Thank you, Mui Mui. Glad you like my little blog and little crafts. :) I'm very impress with your recipes and can't wait to try them out. Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend ahead.

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  14. Photos on the fridge are the best! It becomes a history. Thanks for visiting my blog.
    ~Judy

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    1. I agree, Judy. I love seeing those lovely faces whenever I open the fridge (and you bet that happens quite often at my house). :P

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  15. Great idea! And one I'll borrow. ;-) I rarely print pictures too - I actually prefer seeing them on the computer screen (where the lighting is perfect). But it's nice to have pictures, too. Good post - thanks.

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    1. Thank you, my friend. Haha...come to think of it, I only have food related picture on my computer (work related). But you're so right, the lighting is perfect on the screen. :D

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  16. Excellent post, thanks for sharing.
    Very creative ideas!!
    Have a nice week.

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    1. Thank you, Laurel. Glad you like my little creation. :) Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend ahead.

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  17. I just made something similar! Granted, mine was ordered but it's still a really sweet personalized gift for friend and family. :-)

    ~Jayne

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    1. Great minds think alike, I guess. :) Yes these makes really great gifts for friends and family. Wish you a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead.

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    1. Thank you so much, Amber. Glad you love them. :) Wish you a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead.

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  19. Amy, this are such meaningful creations. I can feel the lovely family connection through the art work. Something that I admire since young.

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    1. Thank you so much. Glad you like my little creation. hehe...I'm not even crafty or artistic at all. But I think this is fun activity with the kids to create homemade gifts together. :) Wish you a wonderful weekend.

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  20. Amy, you have the most adorable kids - I love their pictures!!! Having said that, your craft project is perfect, what a wonderful gift idea! I am sure hat quite a few of the lovely peolple in your lives adored receiving them!
    Great post, Amy!

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    1. Thank you, Andrea. :) Glad to hear you like my kiddos' pictures. :) Yes, these were popular gifts that the Grandparents always love to receive. Wish you a wonderful weekend!

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  21. Your kids are so gorgeous! Love the photos as fridge magnets idea.

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    1. Thank you, Trishie. Glad you like this idea. Have a wonderful weekend. :)

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  22. Awesome idea! I get a ton of those in the mail, and now I know what to do with them. Your children are super cute!

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    1. Thank you. :) Oh...I wish I get more of these magnets in the mail. hehehe...almost running out. Guess I might have to purchase the sheets online pretty soon.

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  23. Hi There,
    This craft is looking so nice and I can't wait to try this with my son. Your kids are so adorable and loved your work. Lovely post as always.
    Have a wonderful day.
    Regards, Sonia

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    1. Thank you, Sonia. Glad you like my little craft idea. Let me know if your Son enjoys this craft too. :) Have fun with the project. Wish you a wonderful weekend.

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  24. I need to start saving magnets now...these are perfect gifts for the kids in my class to give to their parents! :)

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    1. Oh yeah...they would make great gifts for the parents for sure. :) I don't receive them as often now. Guess I might have to order the magnetic sheets online soon.

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  25. What a neat idea! and to think, I was throwing those out..silly me =)

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    1. Thank you. Glad you like my little crafts. :) I receive less and less of these in the mail these days. I might have to buy the magnetic sheet pretty soon.

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  26. Amy, I love your idea of making picture magnet!! I must try this!!! Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Thank you, Esther. Glad you like my idea. Have fun and enjoy the crafts.. :)

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  27. :-) Great minds think alike. I especially like those distributed by real estate agents for such projects cos they come in bigger sheets!

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    1. LOL...really? My real estate ones were quite small, more like a business card size. Good that you're receiving them too. Have fun creating! :)

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  28. Oh what a nifty idea turning your junk magnets into these super family magnets. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you, Linda. Yes, turning junks into something precious is priceless. :) Wish you a wonderful weekend.

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  29. Aww I LOVE this idea! Such a great way to actually hand out those pictures you took but didn't want to print!

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    1. Thank you, Joanne. Glad you like my idea. Yes, this project really encourage me to make more prints for the family. :) Wish you a wonderful weeekend.

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  30. I'm not crafty either but I also love homemade things. This is such a cute idea and your kids are so sweet. : )

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    1. Thank you, Monica. Glad you like my homemade gift idea. :) Hope you're enjoying the weekend so far.

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  31. Great idea, Amy. And your kids make beautiful models.

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    1. Thank you, Abbe. Glad you like my homemade gift idea and my models. :D

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  32. excellente idée très créative bravo
    bonne soirée

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    1. Merci beaucoup. Heureux que vous aimez mes petites créations. Avoir un merveilleux week-end.

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  33. Hui Amy, it's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. One day at a time. Your picture magnets are great fun and easy. The sweetest little faces around.

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    1. Thank you so much, Linda. It was nice to discover your blog and learn valuable information from you. :) Glad you like my little homemade gifts. :)

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  34. What a cute idea and I love your 'child labor' - LOL.

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    1. Thank you. Glad you love this gift idea and my Child Labor! :D Have a wonderful weekend.

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  35. This is such a fun and easy project that anyone could enjoy. The end results make great gifts, too! Much better to turn photos into something useful than just stuff them into picture frames that will collect dust.

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    1. Thank you. Glad you like my little gift idea. Yes, they make great gifts for friends and family. I can't wait to make more with summer time pictures. :)

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  36. Such a cute idea! Even non-crafty me could pull it off. Perfect idea for the grandparent's fridge :)

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    1. Thank you, Liz. Yes, I'm a non-crafty person too. So, all the crafty things you can find on my blog are either food related or super simple, like this one. :) Hope you're enjoying your weekend so far and thanks for stopping by.

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  37. Its nice to be reminded of our loves ones and the pictures stuck on the fridge is a great way. I normally stick my other half's love notes. I normally buy the magnets but now with the step by step tutorial, I can make them at home.

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    1. Thank you so much, Navaneetham. Glad you like this idea. :) Yes, it's nice to get those advertising magnets in the mail and it's much cheaper to make your own. :)

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  38. What a great idea! The fridge magnets turned out really well.

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  39. Oh I just love this idea! What a great activity for the kids to help with...and what a lovely gift to receive! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

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  40. Great idea and gorgeous photos Amy!

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  41. Fantastic idea, especially for grandparents and family that live so far away. Your kids are adorable. Tak eLots of pictures while they are young as before you know it they will be off to college.

    Please take a moment to check your contact me e-mail today as I have sent you a little message. I am sure you will be delighted. Wishing you a super week.
    Take care, BAM

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    1. Thank you so much, BAM! I know....the kids are growing up so fast! :) I want them to go to college but I don't want to send them away...ar...maybe I'll move into the dorm with them! hahaha....

      I just checked my email and what a pleasant surprise! Thank you so much again! I just send you an email regarding your message. Wish you a wonderful week as well.

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  42. Hi Amy so glad to receive your comment in my blog. I have the same experienced like you...I used to hate Jack fruit. But when I tasted it with prawns I really fallen in love with the dish.....But If you plan to cook the dish always use the fresh prawns .....Then the tastes gets more flavourful...

    BTW I loved your creative idea...Love to your kids....

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    1. Thank you so much, Kamalika. Glad you like my gift idea.

      Yes, I'll give definitely use fresh prawns on your dish. Just not sure if I can find the fresh jack fruit here in the States. :P

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  43. Amy, I am not a crafty person, but these magnets look so easy and clever! I can imagine how they would make many people happy. Every time you look at the fridge, you see beloved ones... (And who doesn't look often at the fridge? ;-) ). Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you, Sissi. Glad you like this gift idea. Yes, I open the fridge so often (more than anyone can count) that I really get to enjoy the pictures of my love one so much. :) Hope you're having a great weekend so far and thanks for stopping by.

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  44. I absolutely LOVE this idea! I am going to make some for myself:) Perhaps it will help motivate me to get rid of all the other "stuff" on my refrigerator door. Your "child laborers" are very cute, Amy:)

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    1. Thank you so much, Sue. LOL...yeah, you'll definitely get rid of the other "stuff" on your fridge to make spaces for these lovely magnets. I just did! :) Hope you're having a wonderful weekend so far.

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  45. Very clever idea, Amy! I don't think I've ever gotten an advertising magnet in the mail though. I'll ask my friends.

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    1. Thank you so much, Barbara. Glad you like this idea. I've been getting less of these magnet in the mail too. Guess I'll need to purchase them online soon. :) Good at least they are available online.

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  46. Excelente idea muy ingeniosa especial para los niños como recordatorio,hugs.

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    1. muchas gracias. alegra que te guste mi idea crafying. tenga cuidado.

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  47. What a great idea! Thanks, Amy. I got tons of those advertisement magnet at home!

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    1. You're so welcome. :) I don't get many magnets in the mail anymore. Good for you. I'm sure you'll make some beautiful magnets.

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  48. Hi Amy, excellent idea to used family pictures as fridge magnets. Yours look lovely and your child labour are so cute and adorable.

    We can't get this kind of free advertisement magnet, I use to buy and cut to my require size then made little cross stitch design and glue on the magnet.

    Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Thank you so much, Amelia. Glad you like my idea. Cross stitch design sounds just as wonderful. I don't get too many of these magnets in the mail lately either. Guess I'll have to buy them online soon. :)

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  49. Great homemade gift idea. So personal and it shows so much love that goes into making it :)

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