Pretty Little Magnets

A while back, Betz White pondered what to do with all of the caps she'd been collecting when she recycled her plastic.  It got me to wondering about it too.  Since the caps can't be recycled (at least where we live), I knew there had to be something I could do with them.  When working on a recent recycling project for Country Living, it occurred to me.  Why not make pretty little magnets?  They are incredibly simple to make and really useful.  Here are the easy steps:

Select your fabric and caps that you'll be using


Draw a circle around cap (allowing enough fabric to cover up and over sides of the cap).  Cut out circle.


Apply hot glue to the top of the cap, all around


Flip cap over and press onto wrong side of fabric circle


Cut lines in the fabric to the cap edge, all around

Apply hot glue to the tips of each little fabric section.  Pull each section tightly up and over the side of the cap, and press into place.

Continue gluing each fabric section into place, until every piece is set and cap is completely covered.  Glue magnet onto the bottom of the cap, and you're done!

Update:  If the magnets you use are thin and get swallowed up by the cap, simply glue a smaller cap, turned right-side-up to the interior of the cap.  (See below).  Then glue magnet on top of the smaller cap.

Sources:

The darling green dotty fabric is from Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller Fabrics
The red daisy fabric is from JoAnn Fabrics
The tiny red/white flowery fabric is from Hancock Fabrics
The pink notepad paper is from McMaster & Storm
The shopping paper is from our website

Comments

[Beth]

How cool...I could easily do this and they would make cute gifts. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

[Kjersten]

These are adorable! We will have to make these at our MOPS group. Thanks for the idea!

[Katie Trott]

This is brilliant! I have not heard of not being able to recycle your water bottle caps. How funny!

But I just love the idea. I think my kids (especially my boys) can make some of these up for teacher gifts or Christmas gifts for their friends. Maybe use some Pokemon fabric!

[Heidi]

Great project! Very cute! (Except now, I'm saving my jugs and lids for a apple cider press time at our Harvest Party! We come home with jugs full of apple cider!)

I'll save them *after* the party!!!! Then I'll made a cute set!
*Heidi*

[Karen]

Great idea! I'm laughing, though, thinking that crafters and recyclers are in danger of becoming like our grandmothers who have drawers full of cottage cheese cartons and twist ties. One day I was buying Viva paper towels, the best you know?? An elderly lady was there buying some and she tells me she rewashes her Viva towels and reuses them! I'd bet you could find lots of good junk at her house LOL.

[happy zombie]

How cute and clever! Great tutorial too.

[The Chatty Housewife]

Thanks serena!

[Sanja]

i love the idea of re-using things! thanks for sharing!

[Amy]

Great idea!! Thanks!

[Cynthia]

Im so glad you girls are here, I had your site bookmarked for so long and now its great to come by and see you here! I've loved all your shows too. That post is adorable, what a simple, cute idea! Ive enjoyed seeing the videos you've done for myspace too! such talent.. any who, Welcome to blogging! Id love to be added to your list and stop by when you get a chance, Thanks! ~ cynthia's cottage ~

[Serena]

Chatty Housewife,
I've added a tip on what to do if you are using a thin magnet for the project. Thanks for your question!
:) Serena

[Gabreial]

Great Project, thank you for sharing!

[phyllis]

Welcome to the neighborhood! Beautiful blog and cute magnet idea :)

[Julie Crumpacker]

What a cute idea. Looking forward to more creative inventions and the next Farm Chicks Show!

[Tranquility]

What a fantastic idea! I can't wait to try it out (oddly enough, I've had two of those silly caps sitting here by the computer for the past week). Thanks!

[Kim G.]

These are really fun and a set of them cleverly packaged would make a nice stocking stuffer! I try to make my Christmas gifts and am always on the lookout for a new idea. Thanks!

[Christa from Kindred Roses]

Those are very cute magnets. We drink a lot of milk in our house, so this would be a great way to use our milk tops. They don't recycle them here yet either. Great Idea!

[Kambria]

I love your new blog....i'm giving you a shout out on my blog today. welcome to the neighborhood.

[Lori]

How cute of an idea is that !! I always need cute magnets for the zillion things that I have on my fridge ~
xoox,
Lori

[Lori]

How cute of an idea is that !! I always need cute magnets for the zillion things that I have on my fridge ~
xoox,
Lori

[The Chatty Housewife]

Doesn't the magnet get swallowed up inside the cap? I am wondering how it sticks to the fridge?

Great blog by the way!

[Sweet Cottage Dreams]

Great idea!! I have made these before using covered buttons - but I like the idea of repurposing the bottle caps. Way cool!

hugs,
Becky

[Teresa Sheeley]

Very cute, we are having a family craft day during Thanksgiving break, so that would be a great project to do! Thanks!!

Smiles,
Teresa

[clarice]

Such a great reuse project. Clarice

[Tiff@Three Peas]

I love this idea! I was just today wondering what to do with all the caps! My daughter will have fun making these Thank you for sharing!

Come Celebrate Fall with me!http://www.three-peas.com/2008/10/celebrate-fall-extravaganza-is-here.html

[Stephanie]

Thanks for the awesome idea! I too have those caps and have wondered what to do with them. Im a teacher and now Im wondering if I would write a letter on each cap too and have the kids spell words with them!!
Again, thanks so much :)