Refrigerator art - it's not just for kids!

A number of years ago I purchased a cartridge of laminate/magnetic material that would fit in a Xyron 1200.  I didn't own that size but felt the price of $5, originally retailed at >$80, was too good to pass up.  One way or another I was going to be able to use the cartridge.  The magnetic material is quite thin so it's not that great for holding things up.

I often make holiday magnets to use as decor.  How about using Tim Holtz (by Sizzix) Bigz & mini movers & shapers dies to create a scene...or 2?  Hmmmmm...so I adhered black cardstock to the sticky side of the magnetic sheet (pulled some off the cartridge) so I could color the images if I chose.  Most I left as black...looks sharp on my white refrigerator. 

I took a small piece of cellophane and colored it with Sunshine Yellow alcohol ink and adhered it to the back of the lamp post.  The holly leaves and berries were colored with distress paints.

'Joy', 'Wish', and 'Noel' were painted with Tarnished Brass, Distressed Pewter and Antiqued Bronze distress paints.  I wasn't too careful about painting them as I wanted some of the black to show through.  I also left the texture for more dimension.  A bit of brown and black archival inks around the edges and smeared across the ornaments and word help created more patina and age.  In person you'd be hard pressed to know they weren't actually old metal pieces.  The smaller bells got the same treatment but I added Pumice Stone and Antique Linen distress glitters over the top of the paint (acts just like a liquid adhesive!).

On our side-by-side refrigerator...the lamppost, victorian carolers, snowflake, cardinal, branch, 'wish' and 'joy' are on the left side.  The deer, trees, snowflake, 'Noel' on the right.  The smaller bells are below the handle on the freezer (bottom of the refrigerator) as if they were dangling.  It's difficult taking a photo of all the magnets in place because of the glare but I did my best.

You still have time to create your own display...or maybe make some for gifts...they work up so quick and easy.