5, 4, 3, 2, 1.....Blast Off - Again!!

Hi Everyone,

Mel here again for my second post for July...aren't the months just flying by??

Well, I have been busy playing with my kit from Scrapbookit this month and I must say I have had HEAPS of fun with this paper collection.....Blast Off! from Kaisercraft.

Today, I have a few things to share with you. So grab a cuppa it might take a while!!!

The first is another layout following the recipe that Ruby has set for this months challenge. Have you emailed your entry in to Joanne? You only have till the end of the month!

The recipe is...

5 - Buttons

4 - Circles

3 - Ribbons

2 - Paint colours

1 - Photo

Here is my layout using the Blast Off! Paper Collection...

Now for my second project...

I tried to think outside the square a little and create something that is useful.

So I came with a canvas calendar...here is a shot of the completed project...

Thought I would step you through the process of making this cute little canvas calendar so that you might feel a little inspired to make one for those little monsters in your life.

Step One:

Create your canvas background.
I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink to swipe over the canvas. I was a little impatient with the drying process so I used a heat gun to move it along....just make sure you don't hold your heat gun too close and burn holes in your canvas...I came very close several times!!

Step Two:

Choose your background patterned paper and adhere.

I used Mod Podge to adhere my paper to the canvas. I also then use this as a sealer...great if your project is going to be on display and collect dust particles...easy to wipe over with a damp cloth.
Hint #1: Distress Ink and Mod Podge don't go well together. The Mod Podge appears to move the ink around. It will change the colour of your brush. Be careful when you are applying Mod Podge over your paper. However, this could be a great effect too!

Hint #2: In the photo below, the paper may look a little bubbled or wrinkled. Don't be too put off by this...be sure to adhere and then let it settle. You will notice that it will all calm down and flatten out over about 24 hours.

Step Three:

The next background layer...Texture Paste.
To create another layer I have used the Kaisercraft 'Bubbles' 12x12 mask and some texture paste.

Once these were dry I painted them using three different paint colours.

Step Four:

Create your layout.

Essentially the base is like creating your own layout...just minus the photos (although photos would be good too!)

You will need to decide what elements you would like to include.

I included...some die cut stickers, some collectables and a cute little chipboard word from WOW.

You will also need to decide how to incorporate the calendar.
I have decided to make it so that the day, date and month were interchangeable.

I created a space for these elements to be attached...see below.

Step Five:

Create your the day, date and month labels.

I used my Silhouette Cameo to create the letters for the day, date and month and adhered them to strips of paper. You could use any sort of die cutting machine, adhesive alpha letters or even print them on your computer.

Step Six:

Protect your project!

Projects like this usually get handled regularly. We would be disappointed if they weren't used for what they were made for however, we would like them to last as long as possible...especially with those little monsters fingers!
I protected the canvas, paper and all of the die cut stickers in the background with Mod Podge. All of the strips for displaying the calendar, the calendar pieces and the collectables have been laminated for further protection.

And there you go a cute little calendar for all of those cute little monsters in your life!

Well, I hope you have enjoyed today's post and I have inspired you with something a little different.

A few reminders:

* Pop on over to Scrapbookit (instore or online) to grab all the bits and pieces to create these projects.
* Be sure to get your entries for the challenge in by the end of the month...and the kids challenge too!
* Have you registered for our October Retreat? It is sure to be a super weekend!

Enjoy your week and happy scrapping...

Mel xx

Kaisercraft Hanging Heart Frame Tutorial

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the late afternoon post....

Whilst I was very organised prior to today with my post....I totally forgot to come back and complete it and then actually publish the post. So sorry.....

Today I have a step by step tutorial to share with you....all of the products used can be purchased from Scrapbookit. If you can't find them in the online store make sure you send an email to Jo....joanne@scrapbookit.com.au

Last week we had our Retreat in Bright. A sensational weekend filled with plenty of scrapbooking and crafting, heaps of food, lots of inspiring people and their gorgeous work and PLENTY of laughs.

Thanks to Jo for another great one! Already counting down for the next one.........not that we have even thought about that.

At the Retreat I ran a class. Whilst my class was primarily focussed on the techniques of making paper flowers......we used this gorgeous hanging heart frame from Kaiser to display our cute little flowers.

Today, I will focus more on the decorating and putting together of the frame.

Step 1: Preparing Your Frame...

First step is to sand the wooden pieces.

I have created a little document that shows you where to paint etc. When creating mine I used 'Gesso' as an undercoat. I usually water Gesso down so it is a wash consistency and I apply it rather roughly. It is basically to save your paint. Quite often when working with wooden products you find they will soak up your paint initially. By applying Gesso the wood soaks the Gesso ~ better than wasting heaps of paint. It is really good if you are using a lighter colour too!

Now you need to paint.....I also sanded the edges to attempt a vintage look.

PREPARING YOUR HANGING HEART FRAME

Here are some photos of my preparations.....

Step 2: Cutting shapes from your papers.....

There are several ways to do this next step and it all comes down to individual preference.

In the document above it mentions the surfaces where you will cover the wood with paper. Some people prefer to trace around the shapes prior to painting and cut them out whilst the paint is drying. Some trace around after the paint has dried. Others choose to stick the wooden shapes onto the paper and then use a knife to trim around......just be careful not to cut into the wood or scratch it with this approach.

I don't really have a preference....usually it depends on time.

Step 3: Adhering papers to wooden product...

I am the biggest fan of Mod Podge. I love it! I don't think I have made an Off The Page project without it.

What I love about it is that you can use it as an adhesive and also as a sealant to protect your projects. It also means that you can wipe over your projects whilst they are displayed causing no effect to the papers.

It is best to use a good amount of Mod Podge when adhering papers to get a good coverage. It is also important to concentrate on the corners.

When you have placed your paper onto the wooden pieces make sure you carefully rub in a circle motion to help smooth out any bubbles.

Once you have adhered all paper pieces to the wooden pieces you can then go over the top of all the wooden surfaces including the painted edges with Mod Podge to protect your project.

Note: Don't seal papers if they have been adhered with double sided tape....you will end up with a mess!

Step 4: Join the frame together....

Kaiser products usually fit quite nicely together. If you find that the square is difficult to get into the base you may need to sand carefully the lugg on the square. Sometimes when we add layers of paint and paper we increase the thickness of the wooden piece.

I like to add a little wood glue when joining the pieces together for extra support.

Step 5: Adhere the heart together....

Again, I have added some wood glue to the heart shape and adhered it to the thin back panel.

Step 6: Decorate your heart....

I just love these Echo Park ~ Sweet Girl papers. I used them to make some flowers. I added an element sticker and some bling.

You may like to use a photo in here!

Step 7: Decorate your frame...

I used lots of flowers again on the frame. There are heaps of sites online that have simple, easy to follow instructions for making flowers.

A little banner and some ribbon.

The hooks are really easy to screw into the wood ~ I used no other tools other than my hands.....just be sure to put them in the centre.

Here is a close up of the flowers....

And another....

And the final product....

(Sorry about the pathetic photo.....and yes I did trim the ribbon)

Well, I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial today.

Don't forget to get your entries in for this month's challenge....you only have a few days left.

Pop back in a few days time to see what else I created with this kit...

A Sneak Peek.....

Hi

Mel here!

Just a really quick post to share a sneak peek of the project that I will teaching at the Retreat this weekend.

If you can't be with us, never fear.....this is also a sneak peek to my next post here at Scrapbookit. Check back on the 26th May to see my Step by Step Tutorial.

But for now here is the sneak peek....

Have a great weekend!