How to Use Cardboard to Make a Cool Refrigerator Magnet

Earth Day is April 22 and to celebrate, I’m showing you how easy it is to recycle cardboard into an adorable refrigerator magnet using ribbon.

Materials Needed

Cardboard
Scissors/Ruler/Flower Pot Graphic
Assorted Ribbon – 1.5″, 2.5″, 3/8″
Proxxon Hot Wire Tool
Tweezers
Tacky Glue/Hot Glue
Seed Beads
Magnet
Mini Bowdabra, Bow Wire, Measuring Tool and Wand

I save lots of household trash like this cardboard box for my craft projects. It’s a great way to save money and recycle at the same time. Cardboard can be cut into almost any type of shape, like the potted flower I selected for the refrigerator magnet.

Recycled Cardboard Refrigerator Magnet

Once the design is cut out begin by covering the pot and trunk with ribbon by gluing on and wrapping around.

Next, for the flower petals, cut and seal 2.5 inch long strips using your Proxxon hot wire cutter or just cut and seal with heat. You will need 37 pieces for a 3 1/2 inch circle.

Fold each strip together and using tweezers to hold, cut off at the diagonal from fold . . .

and seal edges.

   
Fold bottom corners together, overlapping and seal with heat.

       
Glue petals onto circle in a clockwise pattern . . .

overlapping rows until reaching the center.
Place hot glue in center and add seed beads, and press them down to seal.

To Make the Bowdabra Bow:

Fold a piece of Bowdabra bow wire in half and place it in the Mini Bowdabra, tucking ends under. Then place the ribbon into the center making a 2 inch loop and leaving a tail.

Fold the other side ribbon, making another 2 inch loop leaving a tail and cutting off excess ribbon.

Finally, scrunch down the ribbon with the Mini Bowdabra wand.

Push the end bow wire through the loop while it’s still in the Mini Bowdabra, tightening and gently pulling out. Take the wire around to the back and knot. Cut off excess wire.
Dovetail the ends by cutting on the diagonal at the fold.

Finally, fluff the Bowdabra bow . . .

and glue onto the flower pot and also glue on magnets to the back.

Lastly, enjoy your recycled magnet!

Once you make your recycled cardboard magnet you will want to visit Bowdabra designer Gail to see even more of her awesome craft tutorials on her blog and social media!

Visit Gail at her blog, Facebook, G+, Pinterest and twitter.