Friday 26 April 2013

Fridge Magnet Gift Frames

The frames are sized to fit souvenir fridge magnets!
Easel and frame.
Interlock the slots to assemble the easel.
Fix the frame to the easel support with sticky dots.
You can opt for presentation cards instead of easels.
The cards pack flat. The semi-circles on the base slot together.
Museum fridge magnets are great small gifts - but you can add the fun factor to the presentation by adding a papercrafted ornate frame and easel. I've given you free downloads for the frames and the easels.

You can, of course, use the frames to display photos or artwork on scrapbook pages or greeting cards. No fridgies necessary.

There are two styles of easels - artist's easel-type and card mounts.
(The card mounts are given only on the .studio files.)

Here are your downloads:

FridgeMagnetFrames.studio
MagnetFrames.pdf
Easel.pdf
MagnetFrames.svg
Easel.svg

To make the picture frames, just cut them out and score around the centre rectangle and then score diagonals in each corner. Use an embossing tool held against a metal ruler. Pinch the corners, crease the folds - a tray shape is formed. The frame is finished - you're good to go. 

The fridge magnets are heavy, so mount them on the frame with sturdy glue dots. Do the same, in turn, when you fix the frame to the centre support of the easel. Choose glue dots (such as Dodz by Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L) over sticky pads and you will be able to remove the magnet easily without tearing the paper. Ready for a new artwork to be displayed.

I am a pushover for art gallery magnets. Now I have a fun way to display my newest acquisition!


Big thanks to Leah for taking the pics!
  


Wednesday 10 April 2013

Paper Charm Pins

Turn a plain bag into a gift bag: add the "fringed scarf" flap and pin.
Customize your kilt pins with your choice of charms and chain links.
Shawl corner and a smaller pin.
I once bought a jacket from a craft-market trader. I liked the jacket (a really nice swing style in mattress ticking fabric) - but I loved the charm-bedecked kilt pin on its lapel. Kilt pin brooches are such a good idea - a basic pin that can be customized with your own charms. Soo... here they are in paper. A free download for you. (Strictly speaking these are safety pins - the kilt pin clasp was just too fiddly to papercraft. But you get the idea...)

Here are your files:
PaperPins.svg 
PaperPins.studio
PaperPins.pdf

I have supplied digital cutting files - and a .pdf because I don't want to neglect those of you crafting by hand. But - for this particular project digital cutting is the preferred option. You'll need a very steady hand as a paper cutter to hand-craft the paper pins.

Having said that, the pins are easy to make and assemble once you've cut them out. And you can really open and close the pins - just slide the point into the clasp.

You must used double-sided paper to make the pins because the clasp folds back on itself. I used 2-sided Supreme Pearlescent 125gsm. Just crease the folds, fold the clasp to the front, then to the back of the pin. Glue the tab down with tacky glue. You just wrap the clasp around the pin arms and glue down the folded tab.

The pic of the pin, below, is a simple pin without the charm loops. These come in very handy for new baby cards. I have included a variety of pin types and charms on the free downloads.
Fold the pin and glue the tab to assemble it.





The chain links are optional.
Fold charm through loop and glue to attach.
To make the scarf cards, cut a piece of patterned paper to fit. Fringe the bottom to a depth of 1.5cm (5/8in). I used Fringe Scissors from Martha Stewart Crafts to quickly do the job. Mark two pin insertion points with a pencil. Carefully pierce the holes using a bradawl or a pokey tool (a paper punch won't reach). Pass the free arm of the pin through the holes and insert the tip of the arm into the pin clasp. A dab of tacky glue will keep the pin permanently fastened. I like to additionally secure the pin on the wrong side of the paper with a piece of magic tape. It is advisable to add the charms to you pin before you attach it to the paper scarf. Stick the paper scarf flap onto your card or gift bag.

Happy pinning!