Adventures in Creating a Magnet Board

I can't seem to move in my kitchen without tripping on a child, or stepping on a magnet. Is your kitchen like this? 

Since I can't relocate the children, I've decided to move the magnets.  In our little cape, the children's things ooze out of every drawer, cabinet and closet... they seemingly multiply with each passing day.  I decided enough is enough! I'm taking back the three feet in front of the refrigerator and dishwasher!

And since I'm a nice Mumma, I made the children something new to play with, of course.  

Enter the oil pan.

Do you know what kind of a look I got from Mr. Juggling Act when I came home with an oil pan?  It was the 'are-you-out-of-your-mind' look, with a side of 'now-what?'

Humph!  Like guys are the only ones that can change oil... ahem, well, in my house that is true, but that's not the point... oh dear, I digress...

The oil pan sat propped against the desk in the office for nearly a month - mocking me! Snickering at my lack of free time to do anything except laundry! And then when I could stand it no more and the children were tucked safely in bed, I brandished a pair of scissors, cut up a cheap sheet purchased for the occasion, and used my trusty E6000 glue and enrobed the oil pan in a lovely teal covering.

I must admit that a hot glue gun would have been easier, and that there would have been far less fumes... perhaps this post would be a little more coherent... nonetheless, I soldiered on, using magnets to hold the fabric in place while the glue cured (it takes forever, did you know that? Forever.  I have since bought myself a little glue gun, thank goodness!)

Guess what, it looks pretty good.  The kids can play side by side without elbowing one another in the eyeball (by accident I mean, they still do it on purpose, you know, for the fun of it).

The kids have a new-found love of playing with the same old magnets that we've had forever. 

The project cost me about $15 total - ah, but to not have magnets (and the kids) aren't under my feet every second of the evening while I'm attempting to make dinner?  Now that's priceless!

PS - Today I'm linking up over at Raising Bean for Momma Mar's Activity Corner and No Time for Flash Cards for Link & Learn and Create & Inspire over at Toasties Blog.

PPS - Time is running out for the 50% off deal for my new "Mama's Spot" ad space! Get yours here with code thankyou - hurry, offer ends tomorrow!!