Photo Box Tutorial

Hey Friends,

It's Kerrie again, from WOOD Creations. Today I am here to do a tutorial on our photo boxes. This is where you put your photo on a box or photo plaque and it looks like it's on canvas. The great news for you is, we sell the photo boxes or plaques and ALL the supplies at WOOD Creations to finish this project. YAY!

I chose this project because for one, it's SO EASY, and two, it's almost Christmas time and these make such FUN and inexpensive gifts! :) I also have a step by step tutorial on our Craft Tips Tab at the top of our blog and I will also have this on my own craft blog, www.kerrieskrafts.blogspot.com, labeled at the side if you ever need it for future use. This blog post will also be on Pinterest if you want to pin it to your boards. Don't forget to follow us on Pinterest. We are also on Facebook as well and we do giveaways often--you won't want to miss out!

This is the finished project I did of my cute little family. It took me about 30 minutes to do, and that is adding the drying time on there. It's that simple! :)

First you want to get your supplies. I chose the photo box to use this time because you can hang it on a wall or set it on your shelf or end stand. These also come in various sizes. I chose to paint the edges black, but you can also do it any color and it will still turn out great.

Once I had all my supplies, I sanded the edges to make sure they were all smooth. You can take a piece of sand paper or even a nail file works great.

Then I painted the sides and around the edges on the front black. You don't need to paint the whole front because your picture will cover it.

Once the paint was dry, I applied a coat of Mod Podge on the front of the photo box. You want to make sure every part is covered, but make sure there aren't any clumps. There are three reasons that your picture would bubble, they are the same reasons that your paper might also bubble:
1. If you miss applying a part of the wood with Mod Podge and it's dry when you apply your photo/paper.
2. If you have big clumps and don't get them out.
3. If you put a top coat on your photo/paper and the coat underneath isn't dry.

As you can see, I put a nice coat of Mod Podge on there. I made sure everything was covered, and that all the big clumps were out

I apply my Mod Podge with a paint brush. You can use a sponge brush as well, tt's just what you are more comfortable using.

Next, put your photo on top of the box. I use a clean rag and rub all over my photo to make sure that the photo is applied to the box. I then take my scraper, (you can also use a credit card or Pampered Chef scraper) and gently scrape over my photo like I would applying paper. You don't want to do it very hard. You also want to make sure you have a rag or paper towel handy in case the Mod podge comes out the side and gets on the scraper. I wipe off my scraper often to assure that there isn't any Mod Podge on it. The Mod Podge won't ruin your photo, so if some gets on, it's ok. Then I take my fingers and rub all over the photo to make sure that there aren't any bubbles underneath and it's all flat. Make sure to scrape around the edges too to be sure they are applied well. Then you will want to let it sit for about 10-15 minutes so that it dries. (I use my rag first because you can get most of the bubbles  out that way. Then you won't have to push with your scraper very hard.)

Next, you'll want to get your texture cream, roller, and plastic gloves; which we also sell at WOOD Creations. You'll want to make sure that you are wearing plastic gloves when you apply your texture cream. because you don't want to get any on your skin. It's hard to wash off and will dry out your hands.

Once the photo is dry, you will want to apply the texture cream. With the gloves on, I dip my finger in the jar and take out a clump of texture cream; a little bit goes a LONG way. I dipped my finger in about three times.

I just dab it on the photo. I try to spread it out just a little bit, so it will cover all over the picture. If you don't have enough at first,  you can always add more. So I start with less and then if I need to, add more. This way you aren't wasting any texture cream.

Then take your roller and roll it all out. I spread it all over with my roller and then I just roll one way.  I do it side to side and then change to up and down.

If you do it side to side and then up and down, it gives it a canvas look when it dries. Once you have it all spread out, you just have to wait for it to dry. You can put it in front of a fan or heater and it will dry faster. The length of time to dry just depends on how much texture cream has been applied. While you are waiting for the photo to dry, you can wash out your roller. You will want to be sure you are wearing gloves when you wash it out also. I wash it out with warm water and you can also use a little bit of soap if you want.

Then, once it's dry you can add some ribbon to it if you want and you are done. You don't have to add ribbon, tt looks great either way. The great thing about the texture cream is, not only does it make it look like a canvas, but it also protects your photos. This project will last for ever. It's such a fun way to display your photos in your home or to give as a gift!

There are so many things you can do with your photos; the ideas are endless! No matter if you put them on a box or a plaque, the steps are all the same. You could even put your photos on on smaller pieces of wood and then have them sit on a candle stick. We sell the candle sticks at WOOD Creations as well. Come see us and pick up all the supplies you will need to finish this fun project! :)

Trick or Treat Block Tutorial

Hi Friends,

It’s Kerrie from WOOD Creations. Not only am I a designer at WOOD Creations, I also have my own little blog “Simple Treasures” where I demonstrate simple techniques for crafting, along with fun crafts that we might have out in the store. So come check it out, www.kerrieskrafts.blogspot.com!

I'm here today to do a tutorial on our "Trick or Treat" word blocks we have out at the store. I picked the "Trick or Treat" blocks so that I would be able to show you a few different techniques. I have been getting LOTS of requests from customers who want to know if I can demonstrate how to chalk, tricks with applying paper; so the paper doesn't bubble, and also applying vinyl. So, I thought I would kill three birds with one stone today! :)

Our “Trick or Treat” blocks have been a huge hit this season. I’m so excited! They are very simple to do and they also turn out so stinking cute. This set is $10.99 in the store. These are truly easy for crafters at any stage. I have also put instructions on the “Craft Tips” tab here on our WOOD Creations blog if you ever have any questions after this post. All you need to do is click on the “Craft Tips” button at the top of the blog, and I have step by steps instructions with pictures.

The very first thing you want to do is take a piece of sand paper and lightly go over the edges to make sure they are all smooth. Then trace your wood onto your paper. I turn my paper over so the side I want on the front is facing down. You will also want the front of your project facing down as well! Then you just take a pencil and trace the around the wood onto the paper.The next step is to paint all the edges and back black. I also paint the very edge on the front as well. That way if your paper doesn’t go all the way to the edge, the raw wood isn’t showing. You don’t need to paint the whole front because we will be putting paper on the front. Remember we sale all the paint, paper, chalk, glitter, ribbon and everything you will need to finish your project at WOOD Creations.After I have painted everything, I cut my paper out. That gives the paint some time to dry.

Once everything is dry and cut out, it’s now time to apply the paper onto the wood. I know a lot of you get scared with this point. I promise, it does get easier and easier with practice. There are just a few little tricks to not making your paper bubble. You want to make sure that all of your wood has Mod Podge applied to it. If there is a spot on your wood that you have missed and is dry, that will make it bubble. Once I have applied the Mod Podge and made sure that the wood is covered, I take my brush over it and get all the clumps so it’s smooth. Another reason for you paper to bubble would be if there are clumps of Mod Podge on your wood when you apply your paper.Once I have done these two steps, I put my paper on and run a plastic scraper all acrossed it. If you don’t have one, you can also use a credit card or a plastic Pampered Chef Scraper also works great. After I have ran my scraper all across the paper, I then run my fingers across everything to make sure there are no lumps in the paper. This helps to know that the clumps are out so the paper doesn’t bubble. If you have paper hanging over the edge a little bit, you can get some sand paper or a nail file and just scrape the edge a little bit to get the paper to the edge. If you push too hard, you might need to touch up the paint on the sides. After I have done all these steps, I let it sit for about 10 minutes to ensure that the Mod Podge is dry under the paper. If the paper isn't dry, and you apply a top coat, this will also make the paper bubble.This is where you can apply your chalking (We do sell this at WOOD Creations). I put my chalking on before I put my top coat of Mod Podge because it shows up a little darker. If you happen to forget, you can still apply it on top of the Mod Podge once it’s dry. To apply the chalk, all you do is rub it along the edge of the wood. It’s actually like a stamp pad and not actual chalk. You can add as much or as little as you want. You really can’t go wrong with the “Chalking”. I LOVE it! I honestly don’t know what we did before chalking. Stippling?? Ha! Ha! That seems so “Old School” now. The chalk gives your project more character and can also make it look a little antiqued as well. I think it just gives it that little something extra.

Once you have your chalk all around the edges, you can now apply your vinyl. Applying vinyl is also really easy. All you need to do is pull back the clear side of the transfer tape. If the vinyl sticks to the paper side, just go back a little bit and push the sticky taped side with your finger and it should pull back with it. This is another one of those things that practice makes perfect with. Once you’ve got your vinyl onto the sticky side of the transfer tape, get your wood and put it in front of you. I hold my vinyl up just off the paper to help make sure it’s going on straight. You will want to be very careful not to get the vinyl too close to the paper because it will stick to it and probably won’t come off. Once it’s straight, I lay the tape onto the wood and then get my scraper again that I used to apply the paper and scrape the top of the transfer tape all over. Then I start at the top left side and start to pull the transfer tape back. You will want to go slow to be sure that the vinyl doesn’t come off with it. If it happens to pull back with it, just take your scraper and go over it again. You can even use your finger. I apply my vinyl before I apply the top coat of Mod Podge so it seals it. If you happen to forget and put a top coat of Mod Podge on before you apply your vinyl, that’s okay too. You can still apply your vinyl on top. You will just want to make sure your Mod Podge is TOTALLY dry or else the vinyl will not stick.

Once you have your chalking and vinyl done, you can now apply a top coat of Mod Podge. I put a top coat on top of my paper so it seals it to the wood. Putting a top coat on top is not a must. I just find it gives your project a "Finished" look. It also makes it easier to dust and keep clean along with protecting your paper.

While you are letting your Mod Podge dry, you can tie a little bow around the witch’s hat. I put a little dab of hot glue under the bow to ensure that it won’t slip off. Then, once everything is dry, I hot glue the hat onto the wood so it will stay. You don’t have to have the witch’s hat, I just thought it added a cute little addition to the project. We also sell the Witch Hats at WOOD Creations!

Ok crafters, here is the fun part. If you hop over to my personal blog, www.kerrieskrafts.blogspot.com and leave a comment, you will be entered to win a $20 Gift Certificate to WOOD Creations. You can also leave a comment here on this post for a chance to win ANOTHER $20 Gift Certificate to the store. That's TWO Chances to WIN! :) We will reply to the winning comment, one week from today. Good luck!

I will be posting another tutorial soon of one of our new Thanksgiving projects here. Be sure to follow our blog or watch our Facebook page to find out when our Thanksgiving crafts will be in stock. If you haven’t “Liked” Wood Creations on Facebook, make sure you do. We have great giveaways and specials ALL the time. We LOVE our customers and want to give back to you for being so supportive and wonderful. We wouldn’t be where we are today without all of you, so thank you!

P.S. We are ALSO on Pinterest! :)