Monday, August 31, 2009

Today's Special:
Today's Special Altered Chalboard Menu!

Ingredients:

Artist’s Canvas 10” x 20”
Chalk Board 9” x 12”
Patterned Paper: DCWV Nana’s Kitchen 12” x 12” Stack
Cardstock: DCWV Brights
Pigs: Animal Kingdom Cricut Cartridge
“Today’s Special”: Jasmine Cricut Cartridge
Felt Flowers: American Crafts
Brads: Making Memories
Utensils: Any Dollar Store
Hardware: Drill with 1/8 inch drill bill
(2) 8 x 1 ¼ & (2) 8 x 1 ½ wood screws

Steps:

1. Trim one edge of the DCWV Nana’s Kitchen patterned paper with a scalloped blade. Ink the edge of the scalloped cut to provide depth. Using craft glue, center, stack, and adhere onto the artist’s canvas. You will have to use some form of clamping to wrap the paper around the sides of the canvas while the adhesive sets.

2. An optional clear varnish may be applied to lend a glossy sheen.

3. Cut to dimension, ink, and adhere paper to edge of the chalkboard.

4. Cut and assemble components of pig trio using the Cricut (Animal Kingdom Cartridge, 3”, 2”, 1 1/2” settings) Using the Shadow Function, shadows may be cut for the pigs using a coordinated color cardstock. Embellish the eyes with brads, and ink the edges.

5. Using a 1/8 drill bit, drill pilot holes through the four corners of the chalkboard. Align the chalkboard to the paper-clad canvas and continue drilling the pilot holes through the canvas’ frame.


6. Use the following wood screws to fix the chalkboard to the canvas frame: (2) 8 x 1 ½” for the top to add length for the utensil mounting, (2) 8 x 1 ¼” for the bottom. *Note: Assemble the wood screws by hand screwing to prevent splitting either wood frame. The screws need only be barely tight to ensure affixture.

7. Drill a pilot-hole just slightly smaller than the hook, and install the apron hook to the side of choice.



8. Affix ribbon or bows as desired to utensils to be mounted.


9. Working quickly, apply hot glue to the upper screws and portions of the utensils that will be in contact with the chalkboard frame. Quickly mount the utensils to either side of the chalkboard
10. Adhere brads (with prongs clipped off) or embellishment of choice to screw heads.

11. Cut “Today’s Special” letters using the Cricut (Jasmine Cartridge: Size 2”). Adhere letters to chalkboard.
12. Cut out and trim quotes from the Nana’s Kitchen paper.
13. Adhere quotes, pigs, felt flowers, and other embellishments as desired to complete the adorable craft!