Paper Heart Magnets

Last April at the NC Regional Lacers' 2014 Spring Lace Day, I got carried away and volunteered to contribute something tatting-related to the goody bags for the 2015 Spring Lace Day.

For last year's meeting a fellow Tri-Tatters member and I made paperclip bookmarks with tatting attached so I couldn't use that idea again. Since my friend wisely did not volunteer again, I was on my own this time. Back in April, a year seemed a long time away, but an email in August reminding everyone of what they'd agreed to do got me concerned. Yes, I still had months to come up with something, but whatever I decided to make, I would have to make 80-100 of them.

I also wanted to be true to my blog name "Shopping My Stash"...what could I make with materials I already had on hand? Fortunately, my tendency to stockpile stuff in the event of future need provided almost all I needed...only had to buy a new bottle of glue at Staples.

My requirements were an item that (1) had tatting, but nothing fiddly or that took a lot of time, (2) was small since the goody bags are not very big, (3) would be something people might use, (4) would only require materials on hand, and (5) was cute.

Here's what I came up with: paper heart magnets

The paper is Strathmore 300 Series Watercolor paper, a heavy stock with a slight pebbly surface. I used a Martha Stewart punch to make the hearts. I had a package of magnets that are used to make business card magnets. They have a peel-and-stick backing and can be cut into smaller shapes with scissors. 

The tatting thread is odds and ends of size 80 thread from my vintage thread stash. Each motif is made up of 3 rings, each with 5 picots separated by 3 double stitches. These work up very fast and are small enough to fit on the hearts. 

After gluing the motifs onto the paper hearts I kept thinking they needed something more. A few months ago I had bought a Mod Podge sampler pack which included the sparkle Mod Podge. After trying it on one of the hearts, I decided to put it on all the hearts, I think it adds a nice finishing touch. I've already finished about 50 of the magnets so I should have no trouble meeting my goody bag commitment. And this has given me an idea for the next time I send out Valentine cards!