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Thursday 23 September 2010

Tutorial: Vintage Scrabble magnets...



Welcome to the first official Modern Country Style tutorial!

I love the fashion for all things Scrabulous and thought I'd do my bit for the Scrabble revival cause. Plus, could there be a better opportunity to try out my new glue gun!



Oh yeah, baby. I got myself a new craft toy.
I know I'm about a gazillion years behind everyone else who seem to have had glue guns from birth (and what a great baby shower present that glue gun would be...) but better late than never, right?

This is what to do to make yourself brilliant (and useful...a good combination in my book) Scrabble magnets.


Step 1

Find yourself a Scrabble set.

It's definitely worth sniffing out older versions, because the tiles seem to have so much more character. You could try hunting out older sets in charity shops, car boot sales, yard sales or your parents' games cupboard....



Step 2

Pick out the letters you need.
You could choose random ones for pinning up notes or you could pick out tiles that spell out a message, as I've done. Can you see what it is yet?! (I always knew I was destined to have a Rolf Harris moment.)




Step 3

Get your little button magnets ready- one per Scrabble tile.
(I got mine from ebay.....is there *anything* you can't buy on there?!).
Do check to make sure they're all thoroughly magnetised because occasionally you get a dud that's been knocked about and has lost its magnetism. It is possible to get it back (by stroking it in one direction with another magnet until it's remagnetised) but a whole lot easier to start with good ones....unless magnet-stroking floats your boat, in which case, by all means, be my guest...



Step 4

Attach the magnet to the back of the tile with a glue gun. Check me out with my new craft toy! Meet my new glue gun on its maiden voyage.
Why didn't I get one of these years ago?




Step 5

Press the magnet down onto the Scrabble tiles. Is this necessary with a glue gun? I'm not sure but I did it anyway. Spot the glue gun virgin. *blush*



Step 6


Wait for the glue to set and then put them on the fridge (as I've done)....or radiator.....or anywhere you want that's magnetic.



I'm linking to the weekend parties on my side bar!
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73 comments:

  1. Unknown23 September 2010 at 13:23

    Darling! Fab idea, we love Scrabble, this would be a cute gift for Mr. Deer! Just checked out the kitchen, love it! XX!

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  2. liz23 September 2010 at 13:52

    I love it! So cute and practicle too!

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  3. michelle23 September 2010 at 13:53

    Very cute!!! Aren't glue guns amazing!!! I love them, so many fun things you can do. However, I usually tend to burn myself. I have an older one with the metal end and yeah, it is hot when touched! :)

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  4. Holly23 September 2010 at 15:05

    I have tons of Scrabble tiles just waiting for me to do something like this! Great idea!

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  5. paola23 September 2010 at 15:43

    A very nice end easy-to-do idea!

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  6. Laurel @ Ducks in a Row23 September 2010 at 18:10

    Very cute - we certainly have plenty of scrabble tiles around!

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  7. It's me23 September 2010 at 19:10

    A very nice...and easy to do idea darling .....i love it.......happy evening...hugs from me....

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  8. Paula23 September 2010 at 19:56

    Brilliant idea - my children (and me) are going to LOVE this! xx

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  9. Stephanie Suzanne Designs23 September 2010 at 19:58

    I love this! I never seem to run across scrabble pieces. {sigh} I will have to look better! :0) Thanks for the tut.

    Thanks so much for visiting with me and do come back again!

    Have a wonderful day,
    Stephanie ♥

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  10. Helen23 September 2010 at 20:39

    Excellent idea, well done you love Helen xx

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  11. Megan Gunyan23 September 2010 at 21:09

    This is a great idea, I should use it for my preschooler to help spell her words out!
    I'd love to have you link up to my Friday link party and join my giveaway for a FREE blog banner! http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/2010/09/its-giveaway-time.html

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  12. STYLIZIMO24 September 2010 at 01:51

    This is a brilliant idea! I just made a picture with scrabble tiles myself, and it's fun do see what other things I can do with my tiles:)
    I would love to see these pictures in my new inspiration community Stylizimo.com. I have a new category called DIY there now :)
    This idea is worth sharing with the rest of the world, don't you think? ;)

    Wish you a lovely weekend!
    Nina

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  13. Tricia24 September 2010 at 02:15

    Super cute! My little girl would love this :)

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  14. Lori@Paisley Passions24 September 2010 at 05:14

    What a FUN idea!!! My kiddos would love it! Thanks for sharing your “creative mojo” with me on Thrilling Thursday. I hope you will be back again soon :)
    ~Lori S.
    Thrilling Thursdays @Paisley Passions

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  15. Yvonne - Frl. Klein24 September 2010 at 09:54

    What a fabulous idea!!!!!!
    Have a great weekend,
    Yvonne

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  16. Unknown24 September 2010 at 11:54

    That's a lovely and easy idea! I love it!
    Have a great week end!
    Hugs!
    Mara

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  17. Claire Potter24 September 2010 at 14:06

    Vintage scrabble letters are good for mixed media art too!

    I discovered hot glue guns a year ago and it has opened up a whole new world! First thing I'd rescue in a fire!

    Liked the science bit!!! xxx

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  18. Janell @ House of Fifty24 September 2010 at 15:15

    What an adorable idea, we would love this in our house! Janell

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  19. Christie24 September 2010 at 16:21

    I love this!! It is wonderful! I think I will make some, too! Thanks for coming to Three Pixie Lane! I am coming over from Weekend Wrap-Up! I am a new follower! Christie

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  20. Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms24 September 2010 at 18:17

    These are fabulous - and so easy to do that even I could them! I need a glue gun immediately! Glad I found your blog (can't remember how now). I'll be back coz I'm your newest follower!

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  21. Donna Lynn24 September 2010 at 19:46

    Darling idea, I have one of those fridges that magnets do not stick too, maybe I can put them on my toaster oven???

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  22. Melissa24 September 2010 at 19:46

    Very cute~I love scrabble tiles and my kids would die if I made a whole set of magnets to play with. Thanks for joining the party~happy weekend!

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  23. Lindy25 September 2010 at 00:11

    I love this idea. My grands would love it and it they would look really cool on the frig!

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  24. Katie @ This Chick Cooks26 September 2010 at 20:01

    What a very cute idea! I love these! Oh, and I'm visiting from its so very cheri.

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  25. SWEDISH HOUSE26 September 2010 at 21:43

    I LOVE scrabble
    I LOVE this post...
    Clever You!
    Enjoy your glue gun...I'm a bit ruthless with a staple gun lol!
    I want to recover everything in polka dot oilcloth.
    LOVE PEACE enJOY
    Julie
    x

    BTW Thank you for your lovely comments always. x

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  26. SWEDISH HOUSE26 September 2010 at 21:43

    I LOVE scrabble
    I LOVE this post...
    Clever You!
    Enjoy your glue gun...I'm a bit ruthless with a staple gun lol!
    I want to recover everything in polka dot oilcloth.
    LOVE PEACE enJOY
    Julie
    x

    BTW Thank you for your lovely comments always. x

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  27. Lila26 September 2010 at 23:04

    We have actually done this in my daughters room. She posted pictures all over her wall and then we went back and wrote little sayings in scrabble tiles. So fun but a pain to take down. haha

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  28. Something Nice and Pretty27 September 2010 at 05:21

    Thanks for stopping by...love the srape board magnets, great idea! I almost bought some at a yardsale this summer but she wanted $5.00 and I felt it was to much.

    The picture you liked on my mantel I found at GW for $5.00 on the back there was the original price of $90.00 score!!!

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  29. Little Leslie27 September 2010 at 09:14

    If you would magnetize the whole Scrabble set, you could write a novel on your fridge! My husband and I love Scrabble. I sit in the front room with my laptop, and he sits in his office with his computer. When we run out of time, you can hear "Thank You" from behind closed doors.

    And.... I love my glue gun too.

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  30. Brandi28 September 2010 at 11:49

    love this idea!

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  31. Rachel Noelle Pallas28 September 2010 at 18:54

    ~Finally a project I think I can do!!lol..now I just need a glue gun..;)Rachel~

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  32. Leigha28 September 2010 at 22:38

    OMG. So cute! Love anything with Scrabble tiles (especially jewelry, and now magnets).
    Leigha

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  33. lovely*retro*house29 September 2010 at 06:48

    wow!!! I will have to lurk the Goodwills for incomplete scrabble sets so I can try this project. Moving into a new house soon, so I am super-excited to put this on my project list!!! What a great learning tool for the little ones, too! (great way to keep an eye on a toddler while one cooks)

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  34. lovely*retro*house29 September 2010 at 06:51

    hmmm...by the way, is that a retro kitchen timer I see in the "I love you" scrabble photo? Do those actually work? I've tried them in the stores, but they never really ring properly when the timer hits 0...I suppose it is because everybody and their kid messes with the store display pieces ;-)

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  35. Jane29 September 2010 at 13:23

    I love the versatility of scrabble tiles and making magnets out of them is another great idea. I've had some luck lately with finding Scrabble games at the thrift store...just never know when it's going to be hit or miss there. I have four Scrabble games sitting in my studio so I'll put some of them to use as magnets. Thanks.
    Jane

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  36. Rebecca29 September 2010 at 13:54

    Love this idea-so many great things you could do with it -make a nice christmas gift for boy or girl!

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  37. Michelle @ Ten June29 September 2010 at 20:15

    Oh my goodness these are PRECIOUS!! Seriously, I love them- I am bookmarking this tutorial for my inspiration file. Thanks for sharing!

    And thanks for stopping by over at Ten June. Your comments are so sweet!

    xo- M

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  38. Sarah @ Modern Country Style29 September 2010 at 20:26

    What a plethora of comments! Thank you. You should all definitely have a go at this. So easy but so cool!

    I love the idea of the Scrabble magnets as a Christmas present for a child. I might well be doing that.

    I always like a new idea to let me play again with my glue gun!!

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  39. Anonymous29 September 2010 at 21:13

    Wow, I love these magnets, I'm loving everything scrabble tile related too! I love tutorials so keep them coming!! Lizzie x

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  40. Beansieleigh18 October 2010 at 14:27

    I "L-O-V-E" it!! What a CUTE idea!!.. Have a great week! ~tina

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  41. Cranberry Morning18 October 2010 at 15:17

    That is SUCH a cute idea. I also bought a ton of Scrabble tiles so that a large group can play 'speed scrabble.' I think I'm going to steal a few from the bag! :-)

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  42. Nike@ChooseToThrive18 October 2010 at 16:30

    I love this idea. My just have to cannibalize that old Scrabble game in the closet!

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  43. malia18 October 2010 at 18:03

    great job... i love making things with scrabble tiles! i'm your newest follower... hope you consider checking my blog out too (-:
    malia
    www.yesterdayontuesday.com

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  44. Krysten18 October 2010 at 18:09

    This is so cute! My sister's best friend is a scrabble pro and getting married soon, great idea!

    Following you from Making Monday Marvelous!

    Best,
    Krysten

    http://www.clickableparty.blogspot.com

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  45. Christie // lemon squeezy home19 October 2010 at 04:10

    What a great idea! Thanks for linking!

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  46. Unknown19 October 2010 at 10:26

    I used to play Scrabble with my Gram. This is super simple but so cute. I always loved the idea of creative magnet writing and this is a great idea for using leftover pieces when too many have gone missing to play the game.

    http://boyohboyohboycrafts.blogspot.com

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  47. Anonymous20 October 2010 at 05:47

    Love this! Now I want to go find an older scrabble game!! I started a new linky on Tuesdays where I feature a tutorial (let me know if you ever want to be featured :) and then a linky for people to link up. Come by and add any projects you want!

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  48. Patty20 October 2010 at 15:47

    What a cute idea! Love this!

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  49. Robin Ange20 October 2010 at 16:10

    Great Job! I host a linky party here:

    http://tinyurl.com/upcycled18

    and would be honored if you wild like this tutorial up! What a great use for scrabble tiles!

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  50. Denise21 October 2010 at 02:16

    I love craft projects that even I can do! I once tried to scrapbook with scrabble tiles....DISASTER! They kept falling off the pages. Magnets seem like a better route. :)

    I don't own a glue gun, but now I'm VERY inspired to get one! Thanks for sharing the project!

    http://simplyweekends.blogspot.com

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  51. AllieMakes!22 October 2010 at 02:21

    What a great idea! Super easy too!
    You should come link this up to my Making It With Allie Party!
    AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

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  52. Jen @ EmbellishingLifeEveryday24 October 2010 at 01:18

    Scrabble tiles are so fun to craft with!
    And congratulations on the glue gun purchase...it sure is a fun crafting tool!

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  53. Rita's Recipes26 October 2010 at 00:53

    I've been keeping an eye out for scrabble tiles. Now I have more reasons to keep searching.
    Cheers!
    Rita (May Days)

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  54. Renegades1 November 2010 at 18:21

    Cute idea!

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  55. Lauren @ 31diy2 November 2010 at 07:26

    Great idea! How cute!

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  56. Unknown2 November 2010 at 20:05

    Great idea, have to get my hands on some old scrabble pieces!

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  57. Blessed Serendipity2 November 2010 at 23:33

    You will be constantly searching for more scrabble games at the thrift. I did a similar project but made a magnetic board to go with it.

    -Danielle

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  58. Rebecca3 November 2010 at 00:45

    How fun and neat-love to make some of those-thanks for the tutorial!

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  59. Rebecca3 November 2010 at 00:45

    How fun and neat-love to make some of those-thanks for the tutorial!

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  60. Nice and Easy Antiques3 November 2010 at 01:02

    Your life will be divided now in:
    Before the glue gun and After the glue gun...promise!! Cute idea!!!!

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  61. Jeannie B.3 November 2010 at 12:01

    What a cute, cute idea!!

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  62. Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd3 November 2010 at 15:30

    Sweet ~ Great Post, Great Idea....

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  63. cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com3 November 2010 at 16:26

    Love it, love it, love it. Thanks so much for sharing. That is my very favorite message. I'm going to put it on the wall of my studio.

    Great!

    come visit
    cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com

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  64. Self Sagacity3 November 2010 at 17:32

    What a wonderful way to create a reminder. I think they are very nice!

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  65. TELMA GUEDES12 January 2011 at 16:15

    Sarah! very easy! I love it!!!!!kisses!

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  66. Esther14 January 2011 at 03:54

    I already have scrabble words propped up around the house but they fall over so easily. I love your idea and it's also a much cuter alternative to the plastic kids letter magnets.

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  67. Anonymous23 January 2011 at 19:14

    Hi Lovely!

    I made some of these today! I thought you should know. They are so fun!

    The alphabet letters reminded me of our laugh with A-Z @ Christmas. Now I'm thinking of Spring and your garden. How about names of flowers from A-Z. Azalias, Begonias and Chrysanthemums...

    Happy Sunday!
    xo

    ~Michelle

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  68. Lauren @ The Semi Rural Mum6 March 2011 at 21:47

    Oh My GOSH! What a gorgeous idea!

    Im going to be raiding my parent's old game cupboard this week ;)

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  69. Ashley24 June 2011 at 18:06

    perfect

    love it

    http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com

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  70. Brooke @ Inside-Out Design20 June 2012 at 17:14

    Such a cute idea! I love these!

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  71. Mike9 November 2012 at 20:32

    My mom actually won a tournament in scramble. You would think her scramble skills were wear off on me but that didn't seem to be the case.

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  72. Village Wife10 August 2013 at 04:57

    Aha I thought of these the other day when I was in a garden centre and found some Scrabble table mats. What a brilliant idea sadly they were £8.00 each but how fun to have your own initial as a placemat! xx

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