Clear Scraps Blog

First Day of School Shiplap Board

August brings on the final days of summer - but here in the Southwest, school starts in the first few weeks of August!  Hi everyone, it's Maureen with you today - and whether you are excited or sad that Summer is over, I have a project that will make you smile as school begins.

We're making a first day of school chalkboard - and this is all the rage!  Many parents use it to help document that memorable first day of school - and I have an easy one you can make yourself!  I'm using chalkboard paint, and the fun Cutting Board Wood Shiplap Shape from Clear Scraps.

I've started with 2 coats of a black chalkboard paint - according to directions, you will coat the first coat in one direction, then stroke the paint brush in the opposite direction for the 2nd coat.  Let these each dry thoroughly between coats.

Next, I'm using a white chalk marker to write on the board, and my choice is a removable pen, where it can be wiped off easily.  I wanted something that would show up well in pictures, so I've decided to use the ABC Lower Case Letter Stencils.  I removed the letters from the storage ring and placed them out on the top of the board.  I've taped down the stencils lightly so they don't move as I do so. 

I'm working backwards, starting with the letter "T."  Then I remove the stencil and do the next.  By the way, the ABC letters also are a great choice for a personalized board, if you choose to do a name instead!

Taking my chalk pen, I gently trace the outside edge of the stencil letter.  Then, I remove the stencil and color in the middle.  Chalk pens are great for this project because they do not generally run underneath a stencil; however, if that happens, you can fix any edges with a wet paper towel.

I'm also adding dots to the edges of the letter with a fine tip chalk pen - there are so many ways to decorate these letters and this will match the overall theme nicely.

Next, I've chosen the apple shape from the Fall Wood Shapes collection, and traced it on a red polka dot paper.  Cut this piece out and glue to the apple shape.  I took some acrylic paint and did the stem in green.  In addition, I've given this shape some dimension by dusting the outer edges in black ink with a sponge and adding a green twine bow at the top.

The apple is glued to the board with hot glue, and then I've added some words with a black glittery sticker set.

Final details on the board include adding dots to divide up spaces where you can write details about your student, and adding a rickrack ribbon to the top and bottom for color.  I've glued those in place with a tacky glue.

My students are actually out of school now...and I sometimes miss those first day of school moments.  But this board will make a fine gift for some other parent.  How about you?  Will you give this project a try?  Feel free to save this project, and come find us out on Pinterest at Clear Scraps Crafting Inspiration Ideas.  See you next time, everyone!

Maureen

Additional supplies:  black chalkboard paint and brushes, white chalk markers, red rickrack ribbon, polka dot card stock, green acrylic paint, green twine.

 

 

# SNAP

 Hello Friends,

It's Sandy Diller here today with a fun little album I made for a child returning to school after summer break.  I used the Mini Mixable Little Bits 3.5" X 5" Album for this one.  It is small enough to fit in a backpack yet has room for several photos.  I left the top of each frame open so a photo can slide in easily.

I began this project by covering the back page with paper and painting the center page pink.

Then some edges were added to the acrylic pages.        

 

I added some cute phrases and banners that go along with photos.

 

 

I did a little stamping to add color, the photo frames on the right are actual slide frames that have been covered with washi tape.

 

 

Rings were added to the holes to hold it together.

 

 

I like to add colorful ribbon to the rings just for fun.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Sandy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Photo 3D Frameable

HiYa!

Tami here with you today on the Clear Scraps Blog! 

It's that time of year --- back to school time, where did the summer go?

And what does back to school mean? New pictures and class photos of your kiddos in their brand spanking new school clothes.

The photo in this project was taken when my son Chris was in middle school - and when he liked his hair SHORT... boy have things changed! LOL!

I used one of Clear Scraps' 3D Frameables to display his school photo. I selected the Square Frame and Base with the School-Apple Word and Shape.

I find I have a lot of leftovers when I scrapbook. I keep them sorted by themes and then when I want to make a project, I pull out the bits and pieces and use them to create something new. This project utilizes parts and papers from several different collections.

I started by painting the top of the base school bus yellow and the bottom of the base brown. I painted the School word with black paint, then outlined it with a white gel pen to help it stand out. I covered the apple with printed paper, then inked around the edge with red and inked the stem and leaf with brown and green inks.

I used strips of a ruler printed paper to cover the frame. I wanted to add a few more accents so I added the quote blocks at the upper left with some stickers to embellish them. I had some book paper I wanted to use, so I mounted it on some chipboard, cut it out and adhered it behind the School word.

I liked the sticker with the quote "the more that you learn, the more places you'll go!" so I adhered it to the front of the top base.

All that was left to do was add my photo! 

AND... you can use the same frame from year to year and just change out the photo! 

I think this would make a great teacher gift as well, you could frame the class photo for them to display on their desk.

Thank you for stopping by the Clear Scraps Blog today! Please come back soon! There are some BRAND NEW team members that will be sharing their projects with you this month so keep an eye out for them!

SUPPLIES:

Clear Scraps: 3D Frameabls: Square Frame and Base and School-Apple Word and Shape

Other: Beacon Adhesives: Zip Dry, Clearsnap: ColorBox Inks, Sakura: White Gel Pen and Misc Papers and Stickers

Gingerbread Advent Countdown Calendar

Over the years, I've had several Christmas countdown calendars, especially when my kids were little.  Each one is unique in it's own way, but most counted only the days of December.  Hi - it's Maureen today!  I want to share a project using the newest item in the Clear Scraps catalog, the Advent Countdown Kit!

Yes, I'm working on Christmas stuff, but this kit will allow me to countdown from 99 if I want!  And, oh by the way...that's not far from now.  Ha!  Oh my goodness, this kit is so cute, and the possibilities with this project were endless...I admit, it took me a few days to decide what colors I wanted to do.  After much debate, I decided a peppermint swirl and gingerbread plaid was the way to go.

To start, I've taken the main easel board and base-coated it in a spice brown color.  I did sand it once and painted a second coat on top - it gives it a much smoother finish that way. 

Next, I used a gingerbread brown and burgundy card stock paper to back the board.  To cut it to the right shape, trace it on the back with pencil.  Also make sure to trace the holes for the pegs.  I used a small pin tool to poke them out before I glued to the board.  Then glue the top panel over it.

For the number panels, I've painted them a burgundy red.  I'm using all acrylic paint for this project.  Sand and add a 2nd coat as necessary.

I had a peppermint swirl die cut so I cut several sheets of white card stock with this panel, then laid them on top of the panels, gluing them into place.  Then I took a detail scissors and trimmed off the ends.

The chipboard numbers that come with the kit are painted in a pine tree green and the script font is painted in white.  Set these aside to dry, then later glue them on the center of each peppermint panel and on to the main board.

Now, I also saw this really cute Holly Tag Chipboard Embellishment, and thought the outline to the holly looked like gingerbread icing!  I've painted the tag in the same burgundy red, but added some green where the holly will lay over the shape.  Next, I've painted the trim in white and glued it together.  I'm also using a small die cut in a peppermint shape and adding some red and white card stock candies to the berries on the tag, as well as some additional ones on the easel.

I've also painted the holly leaves that come with the kit in the same manner.  Both the holly leaves and the tag embellishment were added to the top left and bottom right corners of the easel.  To glue all the items together, I'm using a white tacky glue.

Now let's assemble the back.  When the kit comes to you, you will break apart the joint panels and then insert the tabbed piece to the joint on the back.  Next, glue the panel to the easel back.  Let this dry completely before you put pressure on it - hot glue or a tacky glue works really well and holds nicely.

Okay, for the gingerbread trim, I've cut a few strips of rickrack shaped paper in white card stock and glued them to the edges of the easel board.  If you don't have a die cut like this, you could cut a few strips from an electronic cutting machine, purchase stickers or even paint them on!

And now we look all ready to countdown...I even am in the mood to do some holiday baking!  Although it might be too hot yet to do so, ha ha.  Now - I'm curious; how will you decorate YOUR Advent Calendar Kit??

Until next time,

Maureen

Additional supplies used:  acrylic paints in burgundy, green, brown and white; die cuts of a peppermint swirl, mini peppermints and rick rack border shapes; white card stock; plaid card stock; tacky glue.

Life is Better on the Farm

Hello Craft Friends!

I'm Dana and I'm back on the Clear Scraps blog today with a Farm styled Home Decor project to share. These new Shiplap shapes from Clear Scraps come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, and they are ready to decorate to match any decor! For my project today,  we'll be using the Clear Scraps Square Shiplap shape- Large Click here and the Clear Scraps Chicken Shiplap Small shape Click here

We also will be using Clear Scraps new mini cloud shaker! Click here

To begin,  I took some acrylic paint "Wicker white" and using a paintbrush, I white washed the paint over the square Shiplap surface leaving some of wood showing through. Then I took some light blue acrylic paint and white washed this over the surface to create a look that resembles the sky. Set aside to dry. 

Take your Chicken Shiplap Small shape out of your package. I traced around my shape onto one of the patterned papers from Echo Park's "Farmhouse Kitchen. I cut out along the edge, glued my paper to the front of my Shiplap Chicken shape, using Beacon glue. Then with my xaco knife, I trimmed around my shape removing any excess paper. Then Distressed around the edges till smooth with my Distress tool. Then I took some Distress Ink "Gathered Twigs" and inked around the edges of my chicken shape. I glued a black round disk for the eye on my chickens head. I also painted my chickens feet with a black paint pen. Set aside for now.

Shaker: Remove your shaker pieces from your package. Take your top shaker piece and using a sponge brush, I dipped my sponge into some the white and light blue acrylic paint, using a light pouncing motion, apply your paint over your top shaker piece. 

Then with a small paintbrush, paint around the sides of all your chipboard shaker pieces. Let dry.

Take your bottom shaker piece and trace around your shape onto some white card stock paper.  Cut out and glue on top of your bottom piece. Trim away any excess paper using your x-acto knife. Smooth any rough edges using a Distress tool. Then I glued one of the stickers from my Echo park "Fun on the Farm" collection.

Then glue your next 2 chipboard shaker pieces on top of your bottom piece. Add any shaker filler you prefer. Then remember to peel off the protective film on both sides of the acrylic shaker piece before gluing in place. Add your top shaker piece and set aside to dry. Do not shake until throughly dry or your filler will stick to the sides. I added another bee sticker on the top of my cloud!

Now we're ready to decorate and glue all your pieces in place. I like to add a variety of different embellishments and sentiments. Don't glue them down until you are happy with their placement. 

I added foam tape to the back of my chicken shape and adhered on the bottom of my Shiplap square shape. Using foam dots I added a sentiment from my ephemera pack in the center of my chicken's body. 

At the top I took some jute cord and tied a knot on each end. Glue each end down onto my wood surface. Then I applied some foam dots to the back of my FARM sentiment letters, from my ephemera pack, then glued in place on top of my jute cord. 

Here's a closeup:

I cut out one of the 4x6 Journaling cards from the paper pack and glued on the left side of my wood shape. Adding some foam dots on the back of my tree sticker, I adhered it over the duplicate image on my Journaling card. This adds nice dimension. In my craft stash, I adhered some Farm animals 3D stickers around my journal card and on the bottom left side of my wood surface. I also adhered some of the grass stickers around the farm animals feet and also my chickens feet. 

To finish, I adhered my mini shaker cloud at the top right of my square Shiplap surface. Then with foam dots, I added another sentiment piece above my chicken. You can add a metal hanger on the back or even some jute cord and it's ready to hang!

Here's another closeup!

I hope you enjoyed this project today and I have inspired you to create your own Home Decor piece! Don't forget to visit the Clear Scraps website to see all the new products that are available for purchase! Click here

Thanks so much for stopping by the Clear Scraps blog! Remember to share your crafty makes on our Facebook Creative page! We love to see what you create!

Until next time we meet, Happy Crafting!

Dana

Other Supplies Used: Echo Park's Farmhouse Kitchen collection and Fun on the Farm collection, Plaid Wicker white paint, light blue acrylic paint, foam tape and foam dots, Beacon glue, sponge brush, small paintbrush, Distress tool, Tim Holtz Distress Ink Gathered Twigs, black round disk, jute cord, x-aco knife, white card stock, Jolee's "Petting zoo" stickers.

 

 

Birthday Gnome

                                                          Hello Friends,

It's Sandy Diller here with a fun and easy card for somebody special.  I used the Mini Shaker Gnome to create this card. 

              This is an easel card so it is easy to display.

 

After assembling the cute little gnome and filling it with shaker elements I picked out some fun paper.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Sandy

 

 

Wings Chipboard Embellishment Shapes Layout

Hello crafty friends and happy Monday!  It is Jennifer here on the blog to share a layout I created using some Clear Scraps goodies! And I'm going to show you my easy techniques that you can recreate on your own pages!  

I started with a 12x12 piece of white cardstock as my background and lined up approximately where I would adhere my photo.  

I then secured the 5x9 Geo Burst Stencil with washi tape to my cardstock.  Using blending brushes and Distress Oxide Inks in pink and green, I added color to my background around my photo as well as under my top border.

Here is a close up of the end result!  I did not worry about it being perfect as I knew some of the ink would be covered by my photo or paper.  

I set aside my layout to work on my embellishments.  Using white acrylic paint, I added a thin coat the Wings Chipboard Embellishment (I only used one out of the set).  Once my paint was dry, I added a light coat of crackle effect and allowed ample drying time. 

Once the crackle was dry, I painted my wings with chalk paint in pink.

I then adhered my Chipboard Embellishment using my Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive as it works great and dries quick! 

I added and layered smaller embellishments under and over my photo.  I also like to use foam dots to pop up my embellishments for extra dimension. 

Thank you for stopping by the blog today! You can find all Chipboard Embellishment Shapes by clicking HERE! Have a great day!

Additional products used:  patterned paper, stickers, die cut shapes, brads, foam words/stickers:  Simple Stories; cardstock: Bazzill; adhesive: Beacon, Tombow, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L;  paint: FolkArt, DecoArt; crackle effect: Martha Stewart Crafts; Distress Oxide Inks, pigment ink: Ranger;   date stamp: Heidi Swapp; sewing machine: Janome; misc: thread