I was so inspired by two pins on Pinterest creating magnet boards from an automotive oil drip pan or other sheet metal, and two craft leaflets using letters (or initials) to decorate as part of a craft project, that I combined my ideas into one blog post. I hope you enjoy my latest creative adventure!
I had the new Leisure Arts book Initial It! (item #7077), a papier-mache letter, and my clothespin magnets that I recently made for younger kids and older kids/adults. Now I needed to incorporate them all together. I wanted to display my letter and clothespin magnets, but what would be new and exciting to do?

I had seen smaller versions of creating a magnet board from metal pizza pans but this pin from Smart School House nudged me towards trying it as my next DIY. Since I wasn't going to use my oil drip pan like Smart School House (as a teaching tool in conjunction with learning the alphabet for a toddler), I thought I'd like to decorate it similarly to the edged cookie sheet magnet board seen in a pin from Sadie Seasongoods. Okay; I had my idea(s) collected -- off to the stores for my supplies!
I found an oil drip pan very easily in the automotive section of my general merchandise store. It seemed a bit narrower than the one shown in the pin mentioned-above, but I was thrilled to snag it.
I inadvertently threw away the empty spray paint can of Blue Ocean Breeze, the Krylon color used for my FIRST magnet board. Here are some of the other supplies I used.
![Supplies used for the oil drip pan magnet boards. Two colors of spray paint were used: Vintage Blush [satin] and Blue Ocean Breeze by Krylon [not shown].](https://www.leisurearts.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/MagnetBrds_3_VintageBlushProducts_2881__Squashed-300x256.jpg)

I adhered all my fabric swatches with Mod Podge® - the fabric acted like a sponge so make sure you have plenty on-hand! I discovered the difference in magnets and discussed in my two clothespin posts (linked above); see the photo below as a reminder.
If you are making your own magnets, because there are several layers of Primer, paint, fabric, etc., I encourage you to use the magnets without the adhesive backing and just glue them on yourself.
Here's a close-up showing more details of the final project...
For my second magnet board, I focused on using my papier-mache initial, the letter M. I decided to try using wrapping paper over the spray paint color, Vintage Blush by Rust-oleum. While the Vintage Blush was drying, I also spray painted the letter a deep turquoise.
I checked the oil drip pan and the second layer of spray paint was dry; I could start to adhere the wrapping paper. It was a little cumbersome to work with such a large piece of paper and Mod Podge®. You might want to try using smaller pieces to create a collage effect. I think I got lucky; the paper didn't rip while I was manipulating between paper and "glue". I used a brayer to assist removing most air pockets and wrinkles, but again, the task became more difficult because of the size of the project.
I thought of the projects in Initial It! and decided how to decorate my papier-mache letter without weighing it down. I used some of the wrapping paper at the bottom of the letter, and mimicked the polka dot pattern by painting some dots from the base upward. Here's a close-up of the finished letter on the magnet board.

I found the saying, 'happy' in a decorative metal script. It was a stroke of luck that I had purchased this weeks before I knew I was going to make magnet boards! Here's the final Floral Polka Dot magnet board; I am very pleased with the end-result!

In the opposite corner from my initial, is a coffee filter flower (a project from an earlier post), and other clothespin magnets.
Both magnets boards were hung in my office using Command™ strips; I used several not because of the weight of the oil drip pans, but because of their size. I wanted them to remain steady and secure to the wall on all sides.
I look to be ready to remind myself of upcoming events, showcase special memories, or assign myself tasks both electronically and now in-person. I hope you can be inspired by this and share with us your projects!
Have a great time exploring new ways to express yourself; enjoy!
Martha