Polaroid Magnet Board Tutorial

I've been thinking about working on this project for months, and it's finally done! (It's part of the whole nesting thing. I'm trying to finish every half-finished project I can before my free time disappears in the very near future.)

You'll see this photo-display featured on the Write.Click.Scrapbook. blog tomorrow (Tuesday). But what you won't see there are my two adorable models.

Everything looks cuter when there's a smiling baby nearby. (Hi baby Townes!)

Or perhaps a shy 3-year-old. (Hi Gillian!)

Supplies:
one piece of pre-cut sheet metal from Lowe's (approximately 25 inches by 25 inches)
two sheets of fabric paper from American Crafts' Dear Lizzy line
one package Tim Holtz Tissue Tape
drill
Multi-Purpose Felt Pads
Crop-a-Dile
wide grosgrain ribbon
two wire baskets (original purpose: holding soap or sponges in the shower)
magnets
glue gun
Polaroids or other photographs

Steps:

1. Measure the number of fabric-paper strips you'll need to cut in order to cover all edges of the sheet metal. Cut them. (My strips are about 3 inches wide, making a 1 1/2-inch border on the front and on the back.)
2. If desired, cut around the polka dots freehand for a scalloped look.
3. Fold each strip of fabric paper around the edge of the sheet metal, covering all exposed metal edges. (This helps protect your walls from being damaged by the sharp metal.) I recommend fabric paper here because it's self-adhesive and sticks easily and securely.
   
4. Run Tissue Tape around the edges as well for extra padding and a fun decorative touch.
5. Drill two holes in the sheet metal for your ribbon to go through. (I backed the holes with felt pads which had been punched through the center with a Crop-a-Dile—this keeps the sharp holes from cutting through the ribbon.) Thread ribbon through the holes and knot. Tie the ribbon in a bow and trim the ends.
   
6.  Add additional felt pads to pop the magnet board out from the wall just a bit.
7. Decorate the wire baskets if desired and use hot glue to attach magnets to the backs.
    
8. Tie the ribbon in a big, loopy bow. Hang your creation on a nail or a hook on the wall.
   
9. Select eight favorite Polaroid shots and put them on display. Fill the baskets with extra Polaroid shots (or regular prints if you wish), so family members can regularly switch out the featured photos. 
10. Enjoy!