Saturday, April 30, 2011

Fragmented Collage

I recently received a few Fragments in a birthday swap package (thanks, Kavi!) and was inspired to make some quick and easy refrigerator magnets. Using papers and embellishments from Tim Holtz's Idea-ology line, and stamps from his Stampers Anonymous collection, these magnets go together in minutes and add an artsy touch to your fridge or metal bulletin board.

First, gather your supplies. Pull out papers with images that will fit your Fragments (mine are all from Tim's Lost and Found Paper Stash), stamps, embellishments, etc. - this is a great way to use up those scraps you can't stand to throw away! For my magnet backing, I recycled some freebies I'd received from drug stores. Glossy accents is the perfect glue for adhering the Fragment to your collage as well as holding the embellishments securely.

Choose a background paper, cut it to fit your Fragment, and then begin to layer pieces on top, gluing them down securely. I cut a clock out of another sheet of paper and then added a stamped image from the new Steampunk stamp set. When you're happy with your composition, cover the Fragment with Glossy Accents and adhere it to your collage, making sure the glue covers it completely. Wipe off the excess glue that seeps out, if necessary.

When your Glossy Accents has set, you can begin embellishing the outside of your Fragment. I wrapped my large Fragment with copper wire and then added a Sprocket Gear embellished with a Type Charm. I layered that over a gear that I cut using the new Mini Gears die, which was embossed using my Faux Tarnished Metal technique. To finish it off, I added an Idea-ology metal corner. When you're ready to glue your magnetic sheet to the Fragment, make sure you peel off the plastic coating to reveal the paper underneath. It will make a much better surface for the glue to 'grab'.

There you have it! A quick and easy way to add a little flair to your fridge!

I was worried that the magnets wouldn't be strong enough to hold the embellished Fragments, but they have a very strong grip! If you wanted even more strength, you could use the small disk magnets that you can buy at the craft store. I liked using the flat pieces because they were free - free is always good! :-)

Thanks so much for stopping by - have a wonderful, creative weekend!

25 comments:

  1. Great how-to, Shelly--your magnets are great fun! And you are so right; free can be very, VERY, good!!

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Super cool magnets. I have made a few myself but the magnets were really thick ones so didn't look quite right! Thanks for the idea of using a magnetic sheet instead!

    ReplyDelete
  3. WOW, what a creation, i love the cool magnets, they were a brilliant idea.

    ReplyDelete
  4. these are just stunning! thanks for the tips! xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow Shelly!!!! These are so cool and so esy to do, I'll have to drag out my stash! lol Thanks for the wonderful tute!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a Super FAB idea!
    As always, you have the best creative imagination, and make such excellent & inspiring art, Shelly.
    TFS

    ReplyDelete
  7. Fabulous Shelly. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful tutorial, Shelly! I actually have some Fragments, too....in fact, I ordered some after I used my last one in one of Linda Ledbetter's challenges! LOVE your steampunk magnet!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful magnets Shelly. Enjoy the weekend, Annette x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Shelly, love your magnets!!!! Very cool!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for sharing this "how too", I have a whole lot of fragments that I haven't know quite what to do with them as stand alone projects.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You do such terrific tutorials, Shelly. This is wonderful - honestly, I have never even thought of decorating the outside of my Fragments. Love the way yours came out! Thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your magnets are great, Shelly! Freebies are wonderful to use in artwork, aren't they?!? Bet your fridge is the best dressed in town;)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi
    This is quite brilliant.
    Sometimes in the past, after making the magnet I've found it doesn't want to stay in place which is a problem!!! Glad to read you didn't have the same problem as me.
    Wishes
    Lynne

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fab Shelly, totally love these, and as always, thanks for the mini tute! Love the steampunky one!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fabulous! Love all the layering on that large one.

    ReplyDelete
  17. These are wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing this technique. I love the steampunk one!

    ReplyDelete
  18. LOVE your frag mags Shelly! ;)

    You've inspired me to make some of my own!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Shelly, your magnets are great! TFS

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great magnets. These are so cool!

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a great way to use fragments. Wish I could think of things like this. Brilliant!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!