Always Write -- 2012: Instagram Magnet Craft

For over a year now, I have been obsessed with a photo app called Instagram. Most people have heard of it, but not everyone uses it. I originally liked it for the quick editing I could do on it because I am NOT a photographer, and I am NOT a graphic specialist AT ALL. I just like taking pictures of my daily life. Now, I like it for the versatility of the square shaped photographs. If you have not heard of Instagram, CHECK IT OUT.

Last fall, I found a website called Stickygram (CHECK THEM OUT) that creates magnets out of Instagram pictures. They look GREAT, but they are kind of pricey. You get a pack of nine magnets for $14.99. That price is okay if you're only planning on getting one set of magnets, but everyone who knows me knows that I do things excessively. When I realized I could have magnets made out of my pictures, I knew I wanted A LOT. I decided to pick out all of my favorite pictures of Dan and me and make magnets to display on my refrigerator. What happened was that I picked 127 pictures. Oops. They are complete and looking great in my kitchen! I did start with a smaller set, though, out of the two sets of professional photographs Dan and I have had taken (one set by Missy in 2010 and one set by Hannah in 2011). I gave a set to my mom and a set to my grandma, and I have a set for Dan's mom the next time I see her.

I ordered the pictures from Snapfish (again, CHECK THEM OUT), and they have never let me down. You can order collage prints from them, so I order 4x6 prints that have six small square photos. They are the perfect size for magnets. I bought the adhesive magnet strip at Hobby Lobby, and it works just fine. The magentic strength is not very high, but I am using these for decoration, not for practicality. If you want a stronger magnet, you'll spend more money for a better quality.

And now... pictures:

First Set -- Professional Photos

what the collage prints look like... that is nine separate 4x6 prints!

I begin by cutting them down...

... and cut them smaller

finally, they are (near) perfect squares

all laid out

the supplies! I bought an adhesive magnet strip and cut it into small pieces to suit this project...

after I put the magnets on the back of the first set!

These made a wonderful (and inexpensive!) gift :)

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Then, I decided to be ambitious, and I ordered pictures that display my entire relationship with Dan! You will notice at the end that there is still plenty of room left to add on to, and I fully plan on doing that.