Magnetic Memo Boards-personal Size!

Ann M
by Ann M
$2-3.00
30 Minutes
I have made several of the larger framed magnet boards using furnace metal and though I love those I wanted something smaller that I could use on a desk or kitchen counter and one that I didn't need to cut or frame. And then the idea of those metal bookends came to mind! The only ones I could find at thrift stores had an opening so those wouldn't work.
Amazon bookends. $2 and some change for 2.
I ordered these in white so I had a good base color. They came in black also. I ordered 4 sets so I could make 8 boards, enough for gifts. These have rubber bottoms too! The size is roughly 4 inches by 7 inches. Perfect for what I was trying to create.
Slightly bending the bookend.
The first thing I noticed was that they all needed to be more at a natural reading angle so I put a little pressure on the flat surface to give them a slight bend.
Scrapbook paper
I purchased scrapbook paper from Michael's. Grand opening special at 14 cents each. These 12 x 12 sheets are large enough to cover 2. You could probably use wrapping paper also. I wouldn't use card stock because on these specific bookends there are 2 front ridges running vertically and you need more of a pliable paper to work with the ridges.
Glue stick
Next I used a glue stick all over the flat surface and just above the rubber pad on the bottom.
Starting just above the bottom rubber pad
Starting just above the rubber pad on the bottom fasten your paper bringing it up and over the flat surface.
Smoothing the paper on another one
Make sure you press the paper down removing any air bubbles. I let them dry overnight but you don't need to
Waiting to be trimmed
After they were dry I trimmed them all. And decided I didn't like them! They didn't have a finished look. And they didn't look wide enough. So I had some frame mats and found that the inside cut for a 5 X 7 mat fit perfect. I needed more so another trip to Michaels I found the mats 50% off so I got each one for $1.00.
Hot glued mat
I hot glued the mat at the top and bottom and on the back. While I had the hot glue gun on I made some magnets using embellishments and buttons I had.
Finished
These are my finished boards I'm planning on giving as gifts. I made 8 but couldn't get them all in the picture!


Oh this is important. I don't have a picture but before adding magnets I sprayed 2 coats of Poly on the entire surface. My thought on this was it would help prevent smudges whether in a kitchen or office setting.
Added magnets after spraying. Can't wait to gift them😀
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3 of 9 comments
  • Darlene Darlene on Sep 04, 2019

    Yes..but I want one for the wall! I'll find the metal and make my own frame. I think that would be easier than cutting down the metal! And I can make it look like farm home! 😊

    • Judy Mccombs Judy Mccombs on Dec 27, 2019

      If you have a heating company in your town,check with them. Often times they have scrap metal from creating furnace ducts. I got a bunch for free. And,they were different sizes.

  • Becky Becky on Dec 28, 2019

    This is a very cute idea! I would love being given one of these, your friends will feel so appreciated that you took the time to make them something pretty and prettty and functional. I wonder if the bookends come with no ridges, they would bug my OCD. :)

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