Turn Your Favorite Scrapbook Paper Into Wall Art in 4 Simple steps!

Welcome back  for an extremely easy project that is sure to spruce up any room. It can be made as simple as you want or you may embellish it with stunning flowers, gems and trinkets.

 Turn your favorite scrapbook paper (you know the stuff... it's been in your stash for so long because you won't dare cut into it or cover it up with photos because it is so pretty) into decorative wall art panels.


Are you ready to get started?

Here we go... 

Supplies: 

• Beautiful Scrapbook Papers to match your room
• Embellishments of  flowers, gems, book pages and trinkets and words
• Picture Hanging Hardware for the back  
• Helmar Acid Free Glue 
• 12 x 12 wood board 1/2 inch thick so you can add the hardware to the back (as many as you desire to make... it works best if you make them in pairs, 2, 4, 6, 8 depending on the space you wish to hang them.) 
 

Step #1: 

Spread your Helmar Acid Free Glue over 1/2 of your board (I bought a board at the big box hardware store and they even cut it for me into 12 x 12 blocks for free) or you can purchase them at a local hobby and craft stores pre-cut.  This is raw wood so the glue will absorb faster to into the surface, I used a bit more then I would usually.   You can gesso the wood prior to this step and use less glue and save a painting step later on.

Step #2: 

Place your beautiful scrapbook page over the top of the Acid Free Glue while it is wet and use a Helmar Glue Spreader/Old Credit Card/School ID to smooth out all bubbles and creases. I prefer for this step a flimsy credit card type card so that there is a softer touch to the paper minimizing the chance of snagging (Paper vs. Cardstock). Begin smoothing out in the center of the paper and then to the edges. 

*Repeat step #1 for the second half of the board and then repeat step #2 to finish adhering the scrapbook paper to the board.
 

Step #3: 

With a sanding block, distress/remove any excess parts of paper from around the edges. Round the corners with this tool as well.  Clean up any excess Acid Free Glue that may have seeped out in Step #2 and paint the sides of the boards (if you did not gesso them prior to step #1).

* If you want some simple panels (like the teal ones in the display photo at the top of this post) you could be done. How easy was that? (Skip to Step #6)

Step #4 (Optional): 

Use your glue to adhere your lettering prior to any embellishments.  I used a tiny paint brush to apply the glue to the back of the letters so there would not be much excess. I lined it up with my quilting ruler to help keep a strait line with the board. The praise I chose to add was the Chinese Proverb: A Book is like a Garden carried in the pocket.

Step #5 (Optional): 

Embellish with your style! I added these book pages using steps #1 - #3 and more flowers, bing, gemstones and trinkets too. Have fun with this!

Step #6: 

Install the picture hanging hardware on the back side of our panels. Make sure to have the right side up.

I hope you enjoyed this project. It is one of my favorites and oh so easy to create something for a powder room, livingroom, kitchen and can be done in almost any scrapbook paper size, 6" x 6", 8" x 8", 12" x 12".

These could also make great gifts for Mother's day, Teacher appreciation, birthdays etc.

Have a fantastic day!

~ L. Grace Lauer

Minecraft 3D Box Birthday Party Invitations - Custom Handmade Cards

Well my wonderful readers, it's that time of year again, my son's:

Birthday Party Time!!!

The theme this year is: MINECRAFT

Minecraft 3D Box Birthday Party Invitations (click to enlarge)

In a new state we were able to scale down the amount of invitations to only 20 this year! That is huge for this Mama, who is used to inviting upwards of 40 kids! Can you imagine? I think we even had our Harry Potter party where we allowed siblings to attend as well with almost 50 kids in attendance. YIKES!

After a very chilled out BFF only party last year my son is ready to host a bash again this year. So he choose his theme of Minecraft. If you have a child in you life who likes video games I am sure you know what this is. It reverts back to the old 16-bit graphics and is wildly popular with the gaming crowd. I don't mind him playing this game because of many reasons but my favorite thing about it is that it uses creativity. My son will sit here and build a home from the bottom up or a roller coaster or something crazy. Yup, the creativity in this game is what sold me on it.

Enough about that lets get on with the 3D Invitations! Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Minecraft 3D Box Birthday Party Invitations (click to enlarge)

As seen in the image above we used clear 6.5" square envelopes to hand out these cards. They could be mailed also they fold up so thin! How cool is that? Both the back and front of the card is the TNT graphic.

Minecraft TNT Exterior, card flattens for mailing (click to enlarge)

How does it work? Check out this 2 min video where my son, the birthday boy shows you how it works, push play and watch it in action:

Since these are double sided you can always opt to "unfold" one side relieving the inside of the box a bit more while the card is inside the envelope. But we didn't do this... thought it would be more fun to have the 3D surprise in the box when they opened it.

Option 2 on flattening the card (click to enlarge)

Once you open the card it unfolds into a box and the side flaps come down revealing the party info and characters like these here: Steve, Enderdragon, Enderman, Slime and a Zombie Pigman.

Minecraft 3D Box Birthday Party Invitations (click to enlarge)

My son helped me fussy cut out all the characters, we averaged about 100 total. Here are some close ups of the characters inside the box card. The cool thing about this is each card was different. No card had the exact same characters, which left the kids chatting about it after they were handed out. Who got what inside their invitations!

Close up #1: Enderdragon, Villager, Creeper, Blaze and Steve

Minecraft 3D Box Birthday Party Invitations (click to enlarge)

Close up #2: Enderdragon, Steve, Pig, Cow, Creeper and Ghast

Minecraft 3D Box Birthday Party Invitations (click to enlarge)

I hope you found this an interesting post. We had tons of fun making these and handing them out. There will be more post to come about the party decor, games and food.

Minecraft 3D Box Birthday Party Invitations (click to enlarge)

 Here is a list of more of my Birthday Party Invitations:

Boy Birthday Invitations:
- Harry Potter Hogwarts Invites
- Lego Bionicle Mask of Light

- Lego Starwars Light Sabers

- Iron Man Mask Brithday Party  Invites

Girl's Birthday Invitations:

- Fashion-ista Pink and Black Designer Purse

- Angelina Ballerina Birthday Party Invitations

Thank you for viewing my post today. Please leave me a comment below if you like what you see.

Coordinator for Party Time Tuesdays Challenge Blog

"Troisième Presenting" a Canvas Diptych - Peacock & Ballet Inspired

Good morning everyone!  Today I am very excited to show you a painting project.

My daughter is my biggest fan to say the least. She makes me smile, giggle, feel loved and I adore her like any mother would. I have been wanting to do an art piece for quite some time for her room that she could keep forever. We are military so painting her walls is something she can't keep with her.

"Troisième Presenting"

An Acrylic Painting with Pastels on Canvas

Troisième Presenting 2' x 4' (Click on image to see larger)

This painting was inspired by my daughter, her face, her body, her eyes and her passions. She loves to dance and for almost two years now she has loved peacocks and everything that has to do with peacocks. It started with a Peacock Princess Costume for Halloween in 2012. Then her love for the bird and colors moved into making Peacock Ornaments for her little Christmas tree she gets to keep in her room. I started to see a trend in her clothing choices from pink to peacock colors as well. In 2014 her birthday party was an international theme with the focus on India and the colors of a peacock. Now we have moved to a new home, in a new state and one thing we did for the kids was let them redecorate their rooms to help them get excited about our family's transition. Can you guess what she chose? She calls it...

 "Vintage Peacock" 

Troisième Presenting Diptych Piece #1

Troisième Presenting Diptych Piece #2

This painting was created to go in her room, solely inspired by her. It is called "Troisième Presenting" because her arms are in the third position for ballet (bringing in her love for dance) and the representation of a peacock plumage in all it's glory with the hair, peacock feather stencils from The Crafters Workshop, the colors chosen and the peacock feather in her hair.

Close Up of "Troisième Presenting"

My daughter had input through almost every step of the process this piece went though. She even made the suggestion to lightly color in the eyes to match hers, a beautiful light blue.

"Troisième Presenting" close up of half of face

The peacock thing has gotten out of control here, but out of control is how we have fun in our family. I too went as a peacock for Halloween the following year using her tail we extended with longer feathers. I have made a Peacock Tutu Halloween Costume with coordinating hair piece. I have made an adult sized peacock tail for a local art gallery owner. Her peacock costume inspired an entire altered dress, pair of wings and a peacock crown that was created for +Elena Lai Etcheverry at +Charity Wings for the Live Stream from CHAW (The Winter Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show). The Peacock Couture Outfit was again used during the CHA Gift Lounge at the 64th Emmy Awards. It is currently entered into a craft awards called "The Craftys". You can go vote for it there though the 26th of May.

I created this piece while taking two online Bloom Girl classes from Jamie Dougherty. They were her Bloom Girl Workshop 2 class and her Bloom Girl Elements class. I highly recommend +Jamie Dougherty 's classes. She gives thorough instructions and support. She teaches how to use acrylic paints, PanPastels, India Ink and other products properly within her project.

Thank you all for your time. If you desire to learn how to make such a project then please check out these classes. I would love to know your thoughts about this project as well, please be so kind to leave me a comment below and follow me here on my blog or on Facebook on my artist page L. Grace Lauer Artist.

Mixed Media Artist and Paper Crafter
Coordinator for Party Time Tuesdays Challenge Blog

Happy Mother's Day! For all you Moms out there here is your project Roundup!

 Happy Mother's Day!

To all you fantastic, endless loving women who provide, care and love all your babies, little and grown! I love my Mom and now that I am older and have kids of my own I love them with all my heart too. I understand now what she went through raising me and I love her even more for it. Here is a Monther's Day Round Up for all you Mothers out there (and Grandmothers too)!

Click on the image to be taken to the coordinating blog post

Mother's Day Gift: 

Gift Bag Purse: For Mini Album (shown below)

Mini Album

Layouts:

 My Mom: Layout

In Loving Memory: Layout

Generations: Layout

Why God made Moms... according to 2nd graders...

This just got emailed to me and I thought I would share it in honor of all those Mothers out there.



WHY GOD MADE MOMS Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:


Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.
Coordinator at Party Time Tuesdays

Peacock Crafty Couture - Altered Dress, Crown, Wings & Articulated Tail

What better way to make a statement then a Peacock Couture Dress? There are so many parts and details to this Crafty Couture project I can't even try to share them all with you. This will be a fun photo heavy post so enjoy the eye candy.

The Dress

Tulip Fabric Paints, from I Love to Create were sued to distress the dress and to create a henna, mehendi inspired motif.

  

The Sash/pendant was created with May Arts Ribbons, Prima Marketing Flowers and peacock feathers. Held together with Helmar Adhesives.

Finished Sash/Pendant

 

Close up of the sash/pendant on the dress.

The Wings

The base of the wings were created with PVC piping and a custom harness so they float on the back of the person wearing them, they are not tied on in any way. Makes for a comfortable piece that is able to be worn all day without any strain on the shoulders, skin, or even back.

The harness was created in two parts. One part is very easily built into any dress or corset. This harness base is padded and can be worn all day. The second part is what the wings are build off of. This part slides into the base for a quick and easy dress/undress with the wings.

The wing decoration was created mainly with  May Arts Ribbons (some hand cut into gold feathers), feathers and Prima Marketing Flowers.

This photo is the back of the wings.

 

Details of the center back

Here is the front.

 The Articulated Tail

The tail was engineered with my own design. It moved freely to be fanned out like a live peacock on display then to lay down the back of the dress in a resting position like a dress train. It works with the pull of two strings. It was created with up-cycled items, netting, hardware and over 300 peacock feathers. Accented with May Arts Ribbons, Prima Marketing Flowers . 

 

Close up of the details on the back of the tail when open.

Close up of the top of the tail with the many smaller feathers.

 

The Crown

The crown consists of bits of metal Prima Marketing  findings, some Prima Marketing Flowers and a few wisps of gems on a string from May Arts Ribbons. 

 

Photo of the crown while adhesives were drying prior to shaping. 

 

The Entire Peacock Couture Creation: 

 

The outfit was created for Elena, from Charity Wings Art Center. She hosts a Live from CHA show every CHA event! 

The work being done over at Charity Wings Art Center is fantastic please make sure you check out their webstie and join up as a member for online classes and to help support the arts!

I hope you enjoyed this post and project details Have a wonderful day!. Have a wonderful day!

Please go vote for this project at The Craftys under Home Decor/DIY category. Don't forget to enter your project today, there are many categories!

 

Please see more of our costumes in the following links:

Angel Warrior with Articulated Wings
Jack Skellington  - Disney's Nightmare Before Christmas Puppet Costume

Parks and Recreation's Leslie Knope Wedding Gown Tutorial

Moon/Lunar Fairy - with articulated wings

Tron Lightcycle
Peacock Princess with articulated tail
Iron Man - 3D
3D Paper Doll Ballerina
Literary Work of Art

 

Coordinator at Party Time Tuesdays