Gifts for Writers | Easy Die-Cut Typewriter Magnets

If you’re a writer, or you know someone who is, then you’re probably always on the lookout for great gifts for writers!  November is National Novel Writing Month, and I help organize local events for Grand Rapids area writers.  Now that it’s October, we’re in full-on plotting mode to make sure this year’s event is a great one.  So I whipped up a set of quick and easy typewriter magnets to donate to our supply of prizes using my Sizzix Big Shot!

A lot of you already know my passion for writing (and if you’re reading here for the first time, then I invite you to check out my first book, DIY T-shirt Crafts, on Amazon and in your local bookstores)! But not only do I enjoy it, but each November I get together with a great group of local writers in the pursuit of writing a first draft of a novel in just 30 days.  It’s really a lot of fun! So these magnets will be heading home with some of my favorite local writers next month.  If you love this idea, I’ll show you how to make your own!

I’m part of the Sizzix design team, which means I’m always looking out for new and creative ways to use my Sizzix Big Shot and share those projects with you!  I’ll also leave affiliate links in case you need to shop for any of the supplies you will need for this project.  If you shop Sizzix for a new machine or dies, be sure to use code SZB2015 to save 15% off your purchase, just for being a reader here at Happy Hour Projects.

You will need:

• Sizzix Big Shot & Acrylic Cutting Pads
• Sizzix Bigz Die: Vintage Typewriter
• Sizzix Die Brush & Foam Pad Set
• Xyron Creative Station 
• Xyron Magnet Cartridge (5″ or 9″ width will work well for this project!)
• Scrapbook Paper (I’m using Core’dinations Gemstones A2 size)
• Optional: A2 Envelope(s)

First, run your 4.25 x 5.5 inch card stock through your Creative Station to back them with magnetic backing and laminate them at the same time.  My cartridge is a 5″ width (the new Creative Station will accommodate either size) but if you’re using the 9″ width, you can fit 2 papers side-by-side.

Next, create your “Sizzix sandwich” by positioning the newly-magnetized paper sheets over the typewriter shape in the Sizzix Bigz die.  Place the die between a pair of acrylic cutting pads, and roll it through your Sizzix Big Shot.  For detailed die-cutting like this, I recommend rolling it through not just once, but twice, to make certain each of the little typewriter keys are fully die-cut.

Next, the Sizzix die brush and foam pad make the task of removing all those tiny cutouts go much more quickly.  You can poke each one out individually, but placing the die cut on the pad and rolling it with the brush will remove most of the tiny pieces in just a couple of passes.

You can easily make one or many magnets in minutes with the combination of the Creative Station and the Sizzix Big Shot!  Each magnet has a laminated surface to protect it, and it will cling to your frig, desk, white board, or any area you like to keep a motivational magnet.

This size fits nicely into an A2 size envelope, so you can either include the magnet with a card, or just pop it in all by itself.  It’s such a fun idea to have in your gifts for writers arsenal!

There’s even a little slot where you can add a “page” to the typewriter anytime, to remind yourself or your friends that they can do it!

As a 2015 Sizzix Design team member, I receive certain Sizzix products free of charge in order to share inspiration projects and tutorials.  Select dies were provided by Sizzix in order to create this post.  My designs and opinions are, of course, all my own.