Merry and Bright Tree

I finally found a bit of time to put together my Merry and Bright Tree!  Made from the idea-ology Clip Carousel, the tree is a modern take on Christmas Tree.  I taught this class 4 times over the fall, the last being at Whim So Doodle in St Pete's.  The class involved making the ornaments for the tree but never assembling the full tree in class (transporting that might be a little too difficult).  I'm grateful people have been sending me pictures of their completed trees!  Anyway, I just wanted to share with you this little project.  The kit was kind of a bear to do, but it was a family affair so with everyone involved, it made it easier (and all involve made some extra Christmas money).  I've also included some behind the scenes photos of the process.  Enjoy!

Behind the scenes of the kit making...

(this kinda makes me tired just looking at them, lol!)

Stacked Stars getting spray painted silver

 Stacked Snowflakes getting spray painted silver

 The bins of product - 

(Costco table set up in my office for about 4 weeks during the processing and kitting)

 And more product!...bags of individually packed beads, domes, Found Relatives, etc.  You can also see the round stack of tree skirts over on the end.

 The finished die cuts - Stacked Stars, Stacked Snowflakes, Noel, small stars, Tattered Poinsettia, Tattered Wings, Laurel Leaves, Holidays Greens...all cut by my husband while he watched sports on TV.  Thank goodness for golf on Saturdays!

 A forest of Trophy Cups and moss.

 Helping hands to put the storage box together.  A job he really loved by the way.

Well that's it - lots of behind the scenes work to make this kit happen.  I could not have done it without my niece Courtney who put almost every bag together while I was away teaching.  

Nice to have a helping hand at home.

I do not have any kits for Merry and Bright left, but if you interested in the 

instructions you can find them in my Esty shop here.

More projects to come this week and next so stay tuned!  

I'll be back tomorrow with my tag for The Crafty Scrapper 12 tags series. 

now carry on,

paula

InLinkz.com

Star Bright Tree

The last time Richele visited, I was working on a project using idea-ology Fragments.  She asked me if I had ever used Metal Foil Tape on the back of a Fragment piece to make it look vintage.  I had never tried it, so she showed me how it was done.  She also referred me to a post Tim did showing the technique back in 2011 (you can see the full tutorial HERE).

Recently, I had the idea to use Fragments in the shape of a Christmas tree.  I thought this might be the perfect time to use the Metal Foil Tape idea.  Even though I liked Tim's easy tape transfer method, I also wanted a more distressed look on some of the pieces.  Follow along and I will show you how I changed it up...

 I cut up some Yuletide paper.  Ephemera would work also.

I added the paper directly to the Fragment piece with Glossy Accents.  I've said it before and I will say it again, you need a very small amount of Glossy Accents to glue the paper.  I think the one mistake people make using Fragments is, using too much Glossy Accents.  If you put too much on the Fragment, it will squish out from under the paper, which can easily get on your fingertips and leave glue fingerprints on the face.  You can avoid that mess by just using a small amount of GA.

 This is what they look like when they are done - pretty cute eh?

So you could just leave them like this or you can go a step further.
Soak the Fragment in warm water for 4 or 5 minutes.  I use these little plastic tasting cups that I keep handy.

 After soaking, start slowly rubbing off the paper.  Once you get past the white part of the paper you should see the image the is glued to the Fragment (just like in the tape transfer method).  From this point on I lightly rubbed the image around the outside edges to remove some of the paper.  The tape method that Tim shows on his blog is more forgiving, but I like this one too because it's more random.  Every single Fragment will be different.

 Once you can see through the image or you have enough paper removed, let it dry.  Some of the white will reappear but that is fine.

The next step is to put the Metal Foil Tape over the back and burnish with your fingers or a bone folder.  Cut away any excess foil.

And this is what it looks like when it's done.  The image has been worn away, and has been replaced by the foil.

 This is an up close shot of the finished piece.

 

 And on the plaid background...one of my favorites!

I used the same technique here (a little less rubbed off on the edges) but this time I rubbed out the center, then added a word.

This is one of the Fragments using the technique that Tim shared on his blog.  It has a subtle, metallic finish...the word "nostalgic" comes to mind.

 

If you are interested in a kit for the Star Bright Tree, please email me at: paula@oneluckyday.net

 

SOLD OUT

 Star Bright Tree

$58 + $10 shipping
please email for international shipping rate $$

 Kit includes:
black 11 x 14” frame (glass in frame removed)
metallic burlap (one side is red metallic, the other is natural)
full package of idea-ology Fragments
letterpress - BELIEVE
mosaic yuletitde paper + extra 3 x 3” pieces
small package of Distress Glitter Dust - Vintage Platinum
idea-ology gold metallic remnant rubs
idea-ology adorments wreath
idea-ology adorments snowflake
idea-ology adorments arrow
idea-ology gumdrop
idea-ology typed token
idea-ology mini Fastener
idea-ology button
Ranger glossy accents
Ranger metal foil tape - 4 x 6”
red string
chipboard star
foam squares
written instructions + color copy
nicely packaged

needed to complete kit:
10 x 13” cardboard
spray adhesive
gold mixative alcohol ink
white acrylic paint
remnant rub tool or bone folder
Ranger gold metallic paint (optional addition to frame)

If you are interested in just the instructions
for the Star Bright Tree,
 you can find those in my ETSY shop.

 

InLinkz.com