I saw this post over at Frugal Family Fun Blog, and thought I”d go ahead and show my magnetic paper doll. I was so tickled to see someone else had almost the same idea.
Supplies: mint tin, acrylic paint, paint brush, paper dolls (this site has a lot of different ones you can use), mod podge, magnets or a magnet maker
1. Choose your paper doll of choice and copy into a word document. I would copy it into word and then shrink it by 50%. While viewing the document in print mode and 100% I would compare it to my tin to make sure it would fit.
2. Paint several light layers of paint onto the lid of the can. For my lighter pink it took 3 or 4 layers.
Of course one of those layers got messed up by little fingers…….
3. Repeat with the back. When you’re done your tin should look like this.
4. Carefully cut out your dolls and spread a thin layer of mod podge on the bottom and lid of your tin. Place the doll down, and then put a second layer of mod podge over the dolls.
(I figured out that it is best to have several dolls for your kid to dress, so I put dolls inside and outside the tin).
5. Once the inside dolls are dry glue on the outside dolls.
6. Cut out the clothes.
7a. If you have a magnet maker, here’s where you run the clothes through the magnet maker and then cut it out again. Or use the adhesive magnets.
7b. Otherwise you can use all of those magnets you get from restaurants and use mod podge to glue it on, and then cover with a second layer of mod podge to seal it. Much like you glued the doll on. And then cut it out. Either way you’re cutting it out twice.
Of course since I first originally posted this I’ve discovered magnetic paper you can print on and magnetic paper dolls became much easier. That eliminates steps 7a or b. Instead create your document and print the clothes onto the magnetic paper.
Finished magnetic paper dolls:
And of course the final step is to have fun playing with your dolls!
Sigh, so I just managed to break my glasses. It’s been a little challenging writing this post, and I’ve got quite a headache developing. Things are a little blurry and I fear some of the pictures are as well.
UPDATE: glasses are fixed.
Those are marvelous! They would be great to take when traveling or out for dinner. Very clever.
I like this version of the paper dolls, too. It would work very well in the car.
Sorry to hear about your glasses (and your headache) but your dolls are super cute and inspiring!
https://organicparenthood.blogspot.com
What a great idea to place them in the tin! I want to make these with the international paper dolls I got. It would also made them last longer.
Sorry to hear about the glasses…is that why the pictures are blurry?
It's partially why and some of the closeups of the process were blurry because I tried to zoom in too close.
Very cute!
Great idea. Reagan loves the Melissa and Doug magnetic dolls that you can dress up, so she will love this too.
wow – I love this – my boys would love this too. Where did you print the dolls & the clothes off from? I am making activitity bags from my 2 year old for when my 5 year old begins out homeschool co-ops to keep him busy – I would love to make this.
Thanks!
Nicole
duh – never mind I see the link you posted now!
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Hope you find your glasses – I would be in trouble if I lost mine!
is the batman doll on the same site you posted – didn't see it & my boys are comic book hero fanatics!
Thanks!
These are fabulous! What an awesome mom your kids have =)
Fantastic – and I love boy/girl version too. It's neat that you have a magnet maker, my husband always fights me and says that adhesive magnets he owns are too expensive for trivial projects. Grrr….
Great idea! This would be a fun gift to make for my two little boys especially. Now I need to start collecting altoid tins. Sorry about your glasses.
I love this. I will have to remember it when I am feeling crafty. I bet Selena would enjoy this.
Ticia, these look great!! I love how they turned out, and it's funny we had such similar ideas. You know what they say about great minds… 😉
Wow! And a lot cheaper than premade stuff like this plus easier to take with you. I love this idea. I'm going to have to save it up for a great take on vacation present.
Ooh, I am going to have to make some of these for my cherubs – I think they would have a ball with these. I really like the fact that they are contained in a tin – they would make sweet pressies too.
Hi Ticia…I'm finishing up passing along my Versatile Blogger Award (it won't post until later today) and I just have to pass it along to you too! I love your blog and your funny kids.
Those are so much fun! I love the batman one.
-Crystal
I love these! And it has been fun reading about your trip!