Basically Bare ... My First Project

Hi there!  I am so excited about my first post as a designer on the Basically Bare blog, and you have no idea how thrilled I am to be able to be one of their designers!  I love their products and enjoy trying to come up with new ways to use them.  Today, since Thanksgiving is just a few days away here in the United States, I though I would use one of the frames from our Fanciful Frames II and make a vintage place card for our dinner table.

 

Supplies:

• Basically Bare Fanciful Frames II
• Basically Bare Blossoms and Leaves
• Crate Paper 'Farmhouse' Patterned Papers
• Epiphany Crafts 'Round 14' Shape Tool and Bubble Cap
• 'Stampabilities' Brown Ink
• Ranger / Tim Holtz 'Shabby Shutters' Distress Ink (Leaf)
• Darice Earth Tone Hemp Cord
• Vintage Button, Chipboard and Ivory Cardstock From My Stash

Instructions:

• Before you start, you will want to go through photos of each of your guests when they were children or teenagers and scan and print them in a 'wallet' size.
• Using chipboard frame, trace shape onto two coordinating pieces of patterned paper.  Trim (or 'fussy' cut) frames.  I found that a 1/8 inch hole punch fits perfectly into the deeper cuts.
• Adhere the sheet of patterned paper you chose for the front onto the front of the chipboard frame.  Using a craft knife, cut slits from corner to corner of the inside of the frame in a large 'X'.  Fold the triangular pieces under the chipboard frame and adhere to the back side.
• Ink all edges with brown ink, including the inside edges of the frame.
• Crop your photo so that it is about 1/4 to 1/2" larger than the opening in the frame.  Adhere to underside of the frame.
• Cover back of frame with a square of plain chipboard for added sturdiness.
• Adhere second sheet of patterned paper that you previously cut to shape of the frame to the back side of the frame.  Ink all edges.
• Cut a scrap of chipboard or heavy weight card stock for the back easel.  Measure the height of the frame, take 3/4 of that measurement and double it.  (For instance, if your frame is 4" tall,  3/4 of that is 3" x 2  = 6")  Cut a strip of chipboard that is that length by about 2" wide.  Adhere a scrap of coordinated patterned paper to one side.  Score in half and fold at the score.  Cut a scrap of chipboard or heavy duty card stock that is about 2" x 3".  Score at 1/2" and 2 1/2"  Fold in the shape of a 'Z' and glue the ends to the inside of the strip of folded chipboard.  See photo below for example.  Now adhere the 'easel' to the back of the frame with the bottom edges at the bottom of the card.
• Decorate the front of the frame with your Basically Bare Blossoms and Leaves.  Cover one side of the chipboard 'blossom' with coordinating patterned paper.  Add a button or round 14 Epiphany Crafts Bubble Cap to center of the blossom.  Ink edges.  Heavily ink the canvas leaf with green ink.  Adhere leaf, then blossom to the frame.
• Print or hand write the name of your guest on a scrap of coordinating card stock.  Use a decorative edger punch to punch one end.  Adhere to top corner of frame.  Add a bow of hemp cord and a button.

Isn't that just the cutest thing?  And yes, that is me when I was about two years old, wearing a dress that my great grandmother made for me.  It is my favorite picture of me as a child.  I hope that you have enjoyed your visit, and that you will now go visit the Basically Bare blog and check out even more incredible inspiration!  Blessings,