Thursday, November 12, 2009

Focusing on fruits & vegetables...

I'm a little late getting on the flat-glass-marble-refrigerator-magnet bandwagon, but here I am with a project for them.

I'm really not that big on refrigerator magnets. But once I have a specific need, I'm all about finding a solution, and they fit the bill.

I wanted fruit and vegetable images for the magnets, so at a friend's suggestion, I went through old magazines and had no trouble finding appropriate sized images for the marbles in advertisements and articles.

So here are the raw materials:

large flat clear glass marbles (the ones that are about the size of a quarter)...old magazines...a scrap of tissue paper... Mod Podge...scissors...Exacto knife...paint brush...E6000 glue...strong disk magnets (I forgot to take the picture before I used all the magnets, so you might note that the package is empty).

And here are the steps in order. (Sorry no photos of the process.)
  • Cut out pictures that you like
  • Brush Mod Podge on the flat side of the marbles.

  • Place picture side down into the Mod Podged side of the marble (so picture is visible through the curved part of the glass) and brush more Mod Podge over the back of the picture securing edges. (If the pictures are a little too big, just let them dry, and then use scissors to trim around edges as needed.)

  • Let dry

  • Cut out circles of tissue paper to put over the back of the pictures (not really necessary if your picture is large enough to cover the whole marble back, unless you want them to all look uniform even on the back like little old perfectionistic me)

  • Apply Mod Podge to back of picture on magnet...stick on tissue paper...Mod Podge over tissue

  • Let dry

  • (I've read, though I didn't do it, that you can use an emory board to sand off any rough edges of paper once dried.)

  • Put a small amount of E6000 on marble back (enough so that the glue just barely squeezes out from under the edges of the magnet when you push the magnet secure against the marble) It is important to add here that you should keep something metallic close by so that you know which side of the magnet is the 'attractive' side rather than the 'repellent' side...please don't ask me why I stress this. The 'repellent' side goes in the glue on the back of the marble.

  • Lay the marbles picture side down overnight, so the E6000 can dry thoroughly before placing on the fridge

Here are the finished magnets on the fridge:

And here is how I plan to use them. Start the day with all magnets on one side of the fridge. Then, through the day as servings of fruits or vegetables are consumed, move a magnet to the other side of the fridge.



Voila! A visual reminder every time you go to the fridge to eat your fruits and veg, and a simple way to track your recommended daily intake. (I always thought it was recommended to have 5, but now I'm reading 9 half-cup servings each day...4 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables!)

Today I am thankful for the enjoyment my crafty hobbies bring me.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Veteran's Day...



Carey just e-mailed me this picture of the flag, a recently completed project they have been working on in their spare time at work. All I can say is WOW, they did an awesome job...the measuring alone! It's a little hard to determine the scale in the photo, but he tells me it is 32 feet by 24 feet! I believe that's their helipad above it. This is a commercial industry, and the guys undertook the project on their own.

I have to say I am very proud and impressed. My guy, who always denies any artistic talent, seems to be showing great promise in the artsy/crafty arena!

I thought is was a perfect photo to share on Veteran's Day, because today we honor the men and women who serve; past and present. We are so thankful for you. Godspeed.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Nice surprise...



I managed to get up without hitting the snooze button too many times this morning. I got ready for work, and drove into town. I got to the office right on time...and found that my boss had a meeting out of town today.

I don't usually work when he's out of the office, so I usually keep an eye on the calendar...not sure how I missed it. And I didn't really have a lot to do.

So I took the day off.

I went to the grocery store, which was on the list to do after work. I came home and put everything away, and put dinner on to slow cook, and was done by ten thirty.

What a cool surprise to have the majority of the day in front of me...free and clear!

So I did a little crafty project that I will photograph tomorrow.

Today I am thankful for unexpected fun!

And for a job that I like and that is really flexible.

And for the best boss that I've ever, ever had.

(Yep, you guessed it, he follows my blog. LOL)

((But seriously, he IS the best boss I've ever had.))

Monday, November 9, 2009

Monday, Monday...



Busy day. Got lots of items scratched off the list.

Now I'm too pooped to pop...showered and shampooed and ready to hop between the clean linens on my bed with a novel (currently Daphne du Maurier's The House on the Strand).

Today I am thankful for having a comfortable bed to crawl into.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Rainy day...


Another lovely rainy day. Kind of messy to drive in, but the shopping trip with Kasey and the little girls was worth it.

On the way to meet them, I was listening to Car Talk on NPR, and I heard this song which amused me...then makes you think about what your actions say to strangers.

Today I am thankful for the rain.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Seven random thoughts on the 7th...



1. There are so many chores to catch up on around here, that I may be busy till Memorial Day. Shall I list seven? Laundry, vacuuming, mopping, decluttering kitchen cabinet, filing, clean out closet, painting...

2. The knitting is progressing. I have one doll body knit and ready to sew the seams and stuff. I have a good start on the second one. I'm feeling optimistic.

3. Why is it we have hundreds of channels available on satellite and still there is nothing worthwhile to watch? Are those made-for-tv movies on Lifetime not the sappiest things ever?

4. I'm tired of the same old things sitting out around the house...knick knacks (paddy wacks). I want to pack everything away.

5. Is it too early to put up the Christmas tree?

6. I think a facial might help...maybe a pedicure...

7. I love weekends! Especially long ones when the house is quiet...they are filled with the promise of scratching lots of things off of the to-do list. Today I am thankful for weekends!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Today I am thankful for...



Enough said?