19 March 2012 DIY Magnetic Frame Gallery Wall to Display Children’s Art Work

DIY Magnetic Frame Gallery Wall to Display Children’s Art Work

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I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. I am at a loss of words for all the kind, heartfelt comments that have been left on The Home Depot Table post. Reading through them, and this whole experience in general, just makes us realize how good life really is and how blessed we really are. These simple acts of kindness have given us a new light and renewed our spirits as the past couple of months we have felt a little bit at a loss. {and if you have been reading along I am sure it has shown} So thank you all for that – it truly means a lot.So with my renewed spirit I am excited to make some progress on the room for my little guy and share a project with you all. There are so many great ideas for displaying children’s art work and I thought with all the projects in our future, I would dedicate a whole wall
to my little guys masterpieces.


I was looking for something that would allow for quickly and easily changing out the art work – though still had a bit of a finished look. Using some inexpensive frames, some fabric and a sheet of galvanized steel I was able to create a magnetic gallery wall ready for my little guys works of art.

Materials Needed:
Picture Frame
Flat Sheet of Galvanized Steel
Fabric
Duct Tape {optional}additional tools needed: Tin Snips, Scissors


Begin by opening up the frames and removing the generic insert {that will be used to create the template}. You can also measure as well or just use a piece of scrap paper.

Just wanted to share a quick note on the frames I used for this project. The nicely sized 11″x14″ frames were just $5 a piece from Walmart and they came with the mats. They work perfect for this project, especially if you need large amount of them. They can be found {here}.


Use the generic insert as a template to cut the sheet of galvanized steel. If you notice in the picture above I trimmed the top just a bit and left the bottom alone – Because the metal sheet has a little bit of weight to it – it should sit flush on the bottom of the frame {as shown below}. This will prevent it from moving around once the frame is hung.

The galvanized sheet was found in the plumbing section of our local Home Depot – and can be found here. It comes in 24″X36″ sheets and I was able to cut 8 from one sheet – so I ended up purchasing two. It is made from a company called Master Flow and runs just under $10 a sheet.


Once the templates are traced the galvanized sheet can be easily cut by hand using tin snips. It does leave some pretty rough edges – though they will be sealed off once the frame is hung.


To assemble the frames, cut a piece of fabric large enough to cover the mat opening and lay it flat.


Place the galvanized sheet on top the fabric – making sure to line the bottom of the sheet flush with the bottom of the frame.


Replace the frame backing and your done. I sealed each frame with a couple piece of duct tape to secure the backing.


Simple magnets work directly on the outside of the glass to hold the art in place. The silver push pin magnets shown above were found at Walmart in the office section.


I like that my little guy can help change the art work and it can be done without removing the frames from the wall.


Until we build up a gallery of my little guys own masterpieces, I added some wall cards from Children Inspire Designs. The whimsical inspired art work shown in all of the collections is nature inspired and designed to help children learn compassion for our earth.


I am thrilled with how it turned out and happy with the large space the frames fill between the two windows.


Hope your week is off to a fantastic start ~ enjoy.

                  
Filed Under: Crafty Crafts, For the Kiddies, Homeschool, Playroom, Wall Art

Comments

  1. ourlifeinaclick.blogspot.com :
    March 19, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    These look awesome! Love the fabric you used. What a great idea!

    Reply
  2. Haydee :
    March 19, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    Wonderful idea!!! I’d love to do my kids school pics this way…

    Reply
  3. Janet :
    March 19, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    You have some of the best ideas! I had no idea that a magnet would work through glass, I never even thought to try it. Thanks for the tutorial! It looks so good!!!

    Reply
  4. [email protected] :
    March 19, 2012 at 6:36 pm

    Love this idea….and loved it so much, I “pinned” it on Pinterest to show my sister. Within minutes (seconds maybe) I get notification that all kinds of people are loving this pin and repinning.

    I sure hope this is okay. I maybe should have asked first, don’t know how it all really works – although I should have. I did check my pin and it comes through to your blog, so credit is given where it is due.

    But great idea – hope you get lots of traffic if you wanted it.

    Reply
  5. Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos :
    March 19, 2012 at 9:42 pm

    awesome idea! and i love the plaid fabric you chose too!

    Jennifer

    Reply
  6. Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos :
    March 19, 2012 at 9:43 pm

    awesome idea! and i love the plaid fabric you chose too!

    Jennifer

    Reply
  7. Anonymous :
    March 19, 2012 at 10:39 pm

    This is a wonderful idea. Think it will work with photographs, too. Thank you and best wishes to you and your family

    Reply
  8. Shaunna :
    March 19, 2012 at 11:37 pm

    Love, LOVE this!! Such a simple, but wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing!
    :-)
    shaunna

    Reply
  9. Amanda @ Burlap and Denim :
    March 20, 2012 at 12:58 am

    So cute, the idea is awesome and the plaid is adorable! I’d love you to link it up at my party:
    http://burlapanddenim.com/2012/03/party-on-mondays-3-reclaimed-wood/

    Reply
  10. Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife :
    March 20, 2012 at 2:22 am

    Ahh! I love it! What a clever idea!

    Reply
  11. Sharon @ mrshinesclass :
    March 20, 2012 at 6:25 am

    I love the way this turned out!

    Sharon @ mrs. hines class

    Reply
  12. wherelovemeetslife :
    March 20, 2012 at 9:28 am

    What a great idea!! I am pinning this so I can remember to do it!

    Reply
  13. Pat :
    March 20, 2012 at 11:05 am

    This is a wonderful idea Stephanie ~ I am thinking of adapting it to use for family pics etc as well.

    Reply
  14. Shirley@Housepitality Designs :
    March 20, 2012 at 11:47 am

    Fantastic idea..My hubby has a bulletin board in his office full of my granddaughter’s art she brings to him. I will definitely have to try my hand at that most wonderful project…

    Reply
  15. Dottie :
    March 20, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    Great idea!!

    Reply
  16. Lori Z :
    March 20, 2012 at 9:42 pm

    very cool–such a great idea!

    Reply
  17. Tristyn :
    March 20, 2012 at 10:57 pm

    You are the MOST AMAZING WOMAN EVER!!!! I can’t believe I didn’t think to do something GENIOUS like this. I change out my pics EVERY MONTH! No more. THANK U FOR BEING SOOO BLESSED WITH TALENTS TO SHARE WITH ALL OF US WHO JUST CAN’T FIGURE IT OUT! I look forward to ur email every day so I can see what my next project will be. God bless and keep up the CREATIVE JUICES. Luv it!!!

    Reply
  18. Sarah Cutler :
    March 22, 2012 at 3:42 am

    Love this!!!!!! Thank you!
    Sarah
    http://www.born-to-party.com

    Reply
  19. brincando com linhas e tintas :
    April 7, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    Muito legal!!! bem divertido

    Reply
  20. Renee Greenleaf :
    November 29, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    I love the idea! My house is modern, so I would have left the metal and skipped the fabric, but it’s a sweet idea!

    Reply
        

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