3-D Glass Art

March 30, 2011

Layered Photo & Shadow Box

by Wendy Switzer

Supply List:

·         2 Picture frames – with sections built into the frame (or with sectioned matting)

·         6-8 copies of a favorite photo

·         Foam mounting squares/dots

·         E-6000 glue

·         Adhesive Runner

·         Misc memorabilia

·         Scissors

Instructions:

1.     Remove glass from all frames and clean well.

2.     Set one photo aside, this will be your back/foreground photo.

3.     Next, begin to cut out elements of your photo starting with the furthest items in the photo

4.     Continue to cut elements out of the photos until you have cut out the “closest” items.

5.     Begin to layer them in order…furthest to closest.

6.     Use foam dots to secure them to the project and to give them the 3-D effect.

7.     Secure both pieces of the glass into each frame.

8.     You will be gluing the frames back-to-back, so place the frames onto your work surface with the glass facing UP.  One will be your bottom piece and the other the top. 

9.     On the BOTTOM piece begin to place all of your elements (photo and memorabilia) facing up and secure them into place once you have them laid out as desired. NOTE: you can add a special message, saying, newspaper clipping, vinyl lettering, etc.

10.  Place second frame on top and make sure everything shows through as desired.

11.  Glue frames together and your project is ready to hang.  

3-D Glass Art

March 30, 2011

Layered Glass Art

by Wendy Switzer

Supply List:

·         5 Pictures frames (any size)

·         Foam mounting squares/dots

·         E-6000 glue

·         Adhesive Runner

·         Layering elements - Stickers, Photos, Die-cuts, etc.

·         Dry erase marker

Instructions:

1.     Remove glass from all frames and clean well.

2.     Number the glass pieces, 1-5.

3.     Stack them in numerical order…1 being on top.

4.     Select an element to use as your art.

5.     The bottom piece of glass with be where you will begin placing your art elements.

6.     Place all of your foreground pieces on the bottom piece of glass (#5)

7.     Place #4 on top and begin to add next layer of art pieces.

8.     Continue with each layer until all glass pieces and layers have been created

9.     Make sure all layers of glass and art pieces are in the places you desire and line up, when you place all of the glass on top of each other. 

10.  Next, separate all the glass pieces and on the TOPS of each glass piece, place foam dots in each corner of the glass.  Remove the top adhesive protectors and adhere each glass piece to the one below.

11.  Add adhesive to the inside edge of the frame so you are able to securely keep your glass art in place.

12.  Place your glass into the frame and press into place.  Let dry.

13.  Place another frame (same style as top frame) onto the back and glue into place as you did with the top frame. 

Guest Crafter - Lisa Schmidt

Today I welcomed Lisa Schmidt to the show and what an amazing talent she has.  She is the creator, designer and artist behind the beautiful work called Precious Piecings.

She surprised us all by doing custom pieces to resemble four of KUTV's anchors.  Mary and Ron were at the news desk, while Debbie was placed by the weather board and Casey...well, he was again found shirt-less! LOL  They were simply darling!  Lisa even presented each of them with their own completed layout! Needless to say they loved them!  AND she even took the time to create a "Utah's Crafty Chick" image...scissors, adhesive, markers and all!  Simply adorable!

Here is just a sample of some of her newest designs...

If you did not see the show or have never had the opportunity to see her wonderful paper piecings, then you are missing out! You can find all of her patterns on her website www.preciouspiecings.com.  I encourage you to take a look at the amazing gift Lisa has for designs which are simply "Precious"

THANKS Lisa for sharing your wonderful talent with us!

Well, I am going on my 15th day of being sick.  I have missed 2 weeks of doing my show now and it really is the pits! I am soooo looking forward to getting back to creating!  Hopefully SOOOOOOOON!!!!

Chipboards from Scratch

 February 23, 2011

Recycled Crafts

by Wendy Switzer

Supplies:

·         Chipboard

·         Cereal Box or thinner chipboard

·         Paper cutter & paper edge punches

·         Bone folder

·         Ruler

·         Mod Podge

·         Binding clips or another strong clamp

·         Paint brushes

·         Decorative paper/cardstock

·         Embellishments - ribbon, brads, etc. 

·         Emery board

·         Sand paper

·          

Instructions:

 

1.    Cut 10 pieces of chipboard to the size of chipboard pages you desire.

2.    Cut a piece of thinner paper (copy paper) to the height of your book X ½”.

3.    Next gather the chipboard pages together and tap them lightly onto a hard surface to insure that they are all even on the edge you would like to bind together.

4.    Next attach 2 binder clips to secure that pages in place while you work on the next few steps. 

5.    Use a paintbrush to apply a generous amount of ModPodge to the edge that will be your binding.  Be sure to keep the ModPodge on the binding edge ONLY and wipe any excess off of the sides and ends of the book.  Apply another binder clip to the center, but leave plenty of room between the clip top and the binding edge.  Let dry completely and remove the middle clip.

6.    Next, apply another light coat of ModPodge and place add the copy paper piece that you cut in step 2 on the binding edge while the ModPodge is still wet.  Smooth down with a bone folder or by rubbing against the table/counter top. Replace the middle clip and again, let dry completely.

7.    Cut your cereal box into the size you will need to completely cover the book.  Ideally this should be all one piece, but can be broken into two pieces for larger sized books.  Remember to account for the front of the book, the back AND the spine (1/2”)

8.    Once you have your cereal box cut, sand down the “picture” side of the box so that it no longer has a shine to it.  This will help the ModPodge adhere properly.

9.    Take the cereal box piece and measure in the width of your book and score.  Flip the piece around and do the same from the other side.  Crease both score lines to create two folds. 

10. Next from ONE of the fold lines, score another line ½” away from the fold.

11. Next apply ModPodge to the cereal box piece and secure it to your chipboard pages. NOTE…DO NOT add ModPodge to either of the “gutters” of the cereal box piece.  These two areas need to move freely and your book will not open properly if these are glued down to your book. Let dry completely.

12. Add decorative paper to your book cover, back and spine using ModPodge.  Let dry. If the paper pieces are hanging over a bit, you can use an emery board to “sand” off the excess edge or use an sharp craft blade if you do not want the “shabby” look than the sanding will provide.

13. Decorate book with embellishments and you have a chipboard book that you are ready to fill with memories.

 

NOTE:  If you do not have chipboard, you can use layers of cereal boxes to create chipboard to use for your books.  Simply sand pictured sides of cereal box.  Cut to desired size and then glue pictured sides together.  This creates a piece that is thick enough for each page. 

PENCUT Compact Scissors now available!

THEY ARE FINALLY HERE!!! YEAH!!!

* * * PENCUT * * *

NEW compact scissors

Wonderful compact way to carry scissors with you where ever you go!

Perfect for crafters, students, seamstresses, businessmen, etc.

Where ever you might need a pair of scissors...you now have a compact way to keep a pair...

*  in the glove compartment of your car

*  in your briefcase

*   in your backpack

*   in your pocket (looks just like a pen when cap is on)

*  in your craft bag

ETC ETC ETC

Special Features:

1.  Cap with clip: Ensures safety and protects blades while storing/traveling

2.  Sliding Knobs: Softie® Handles will appear/disappear by sliding the knobs up/down

3.  Handle Stoppers:  Adjustable for right OR left handed with a simple switch of the stoppers

4.  Softie® Handles: Conveniently store away into the scissor body

5.04" total length.  2" blades

AND JUST LOOK HOW EASY THEY ARE TO USE...

* Move sliding knobs down to the bottom of the handle(s)

*  Softie® Handles will appear as you slide the knobs down

* Insert thumb and finger into the  Softie® Handles and cut!

THAT SIMPLE AND FAST!

Designed for Right OR Left handed individuals

Scissors come packaged as a RIGHT handed pair...but it is so simple to transform them into a "lefty" pair...

* Remove stoppers and click them into place on the opposite sides of the scissor handles.

TA DA...Left handed scissors in less than 15 second!

PENCUT scissors come in 3 different colors:

BLACK   PINK   GREEN

  

PAYMENT:  $10.00/pair + $2.00 shipping.  

Instructions for ordering:  If you would like a pair of the PenCut scissors, please email me at utahscraftychick@yahoo.com with your request & color preference.  I will then send you an invoice through Paypal.  I will ship them as soon as payment is received.  If you live local, you are welcome to pick them up in person. 

Please ask any questions BEFORE buying.  First come, first serve! :)

If you have ever had the opportunity to visit a CHA show, you will know how overwhelming it can be.  Never have you encountered so many craft vendors in one place!  It is simply a moment to take it, when you first walk into the conference hall.  I believe it to be the "Super Bowl" of crafting shows and in one instant I find myself transformed from a mature woman into a "kid in a candy shop"! Hurrying from one booth to another with such great anticipation as to what the next great toy will be....and, that OF COURSE I will just have to put on my "MUST HAVE" list.  LOL 

One of the very first booths I chose to visit was the KUM booth.  And to think I almost passed right by without stopping, but luckily a large ad caught my eye...an ad for some unique scissors.  Although I own about 100 pair already, I found myself intrigued and just had to find out more. 

After speaking with one of the owners, I just knew I had to share this with everyone.  Although they deal primarily in pencil sharpeners of 1000 kinds (did you know there were so many options for sharpening a writing instrument...LOL), it was the PenCut scissors that received the "Utah's Crafty Chick - LOVE IT!" award! :)