When I first this white metal board at IKEA I thought it would make a great inspiration board for my craft space (AKA closet in the spare bedroom). It sat around for a bit, but was finally hung over the weekend. As excited as I was to have it up, I was also a little disappointed at its blankness. True, I’m supposed to fill it with inspiring images and swatches and what-not, but in the meantime I couldn’t have an empty white rectangle hanging over my sewing machine. I needed inspiration for my inspiration board. Then yesterday,  as I was getting caught up on some of my internet reading, I saw this week’s challenge at Iron Craft:  Buntings and Garlands. 

So, that is how the magnetic bunting came to be. And, I have to say, I think it’s the perfect bit of happiness for my big white metal board.

Here’s how I made mine, but you could easily make your own using larger/smaller triangles or scallops or anything else that floats your boat!

1. Gather supplies (magnetic sheets with adhesive backing*, ruler, decorative paper, scissors and/or rotary cutter, cutting mat). My magnetic sheets came in packs of 2 5X8 sheets. I cut them in half lengthwise before attaching my paper.

2. Cut paper to the size of the magnetic strips. Attach using the adhesive backing on the magnets.

3. Cut into smaller units as shown.

4. Snip the corners to make nifty little triangles. :)

Now hang them on your chosen surface and arrange to your liking.

It really does cheer up the space. Compare the before and after:

I tried using the leftover bits to hold papers onto the board, but they’re a smidge too small to be much use.

If you don’t have an inspiration board, go ahead and put them on your refrigerator for a festive look.

Be sure to check out the other Iron Crafters!

I’ve only scratched the tip of the iceberg with Illustrator, so it’s a pretty simple design, but if it’ll save somebody a little bit of time making up their own, I’ll go ahead and put up a pdf for a printable version in the near future. I’ve got some other things in the works right now that I can’t mention just yet, but I can’t wait to post about them next week…assuming all goes well and I complete them.

See you soon!

In another effort to try to perk-up the place with some festive Easter decor, the girls and I did some simple paper-cuttings. Charlotte (2) cut out the cross, Annabelle (3 did the flower, with a bit of help) and I took on the bunnies.  I just used some green cardstock that I had on hand and placed them in the frames that were previously housing some of the girls’ other artwork.

Templates for the flower and bunnies came from this Japanese kirigami book. I really love this book. It is organized by season and has some very simple and much more intricate paper-cutting templates. So many possibilities!

Finished with all but the blocking of the scarf…major rolling going on. Then it’ll be sent off to a neck in need. :)  Next up on the agenda is a pair of ankle socks for my niece’s 12th birthday. I seriously can’t believe she’s already 12, but I am totally thrilled that she requested a knitted gift from her aunt! Before casting on, however, I needed a bit of a break and these little 3-D origami hearts are quick, fun, and cute! They are definitely satisfying me while I take a break from my needles.  How-to here.  And, if you couldn’t tell, I’m still on my pink and yellow kick. I hope you like it too, because I think you’ll be seeing even more of it in the coming weeks.