It’s time to bring a couple of additional elements “home” for use with our indoor horizontal sign. For this project, March and April were selected for the next duo. St. Patrick’s day is celebrated in our household and so the Lucky Mandala layered shamrock designed by pixaroma was chosen. A few alterations within SCAL 5 allowed this 6 layered Lucky Mandala to go from a square to a circle. The fun flower-filled boot image from PrettyGrafik’s April Showers collection was printed and cut and layered onto a blue and purple rain sprinkled background created by Rizu Designs.
Construction for the images is very easy and each can be assembled in less than an hour minus drying time for the hanger.
You’ll need:
- Files (links posted above)
- Cardstock, greens (5 shades), white, black, photo paper (12 x 12)
- 2 – 2” wood shapes
- 2 pieces 1 ½ inch – loop tape (from hook and loop tape package)
- Glue
- Double-sided tape
- Foam pop up squares
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- E6000
- Electronic cutting machine and software (Skycut and SCAL5 Pro were used)
Let’s get started with the Shamrock Element
Watch the following video for a step-by-step process of creating the circle from the square image.
Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBOStFtgJww
TIP: you can place four of the original layers on a mat and open a second page and place the last two layers on the second page.
Repeat the above process for all layers but the bottom layer. The layers (1,2,3,4 and 5) should now be circles that will be cut at 5.570.
The bottom layer can be made using a circle of the same size as the previous circles. For a little more stability, cut two of these circles.
Choosing the darkest of your selection of greens, cut the bottom layer and cut the remaining layers working your way to the lightest colors. The top of our sample is cut from white.
Once the cuts have been made, begin the assembly process. There are no foam pieces separating the layers in this project. The layers are just glued to each other to form the design in order beginning with layers 1 and 2. If you want more dimension, cut additional layers and stack.
TIP: Use glue sparingly. A fine tip applicator is perfect for applying small dots of glue on the back of each layer. Allow it to dry… it won’t take long and if you experience any warping, place the element under a heavy book for about 10 – 15 minutes to flatten.
Allow it to dry. This shouldn’t take too long. Glue the wood square to the back of the element with some E6000 glue. Let that dry for about 20 minutes. And then add a piece of loop tape to that as shown in the image below.
Your Shamrock mandala is now ready for display!
Our second image for the sign would be perfect for April.
April Showers
Download, unzip and open the April Showers digital image file. Choose the boots and import the png image into the software. Size to 5.570 inches high. Since we’re going to add layers, you’ll need to print at least 2 of the images. We printed 3 (to be on the safe side).
If you have access to 12 x 12 glossy photo paper, you can fit 3 on the page. Print and cut according to the software’s directions.
Choose one of the images you’ve cut. This will become your base image. You will add the layers to this image. Select the other boot and using a craft knife, separate the flowers from the top of the boot.
Add some foam tape to the back of the flower blooms. Apply a small amount of glue at the base of the stems and glue each stem in place on the base image.
Add some foam tape to the back of the top of the boot and adhere it in place.
Trim the top of the boot. Carefully cut the knot from the bow and separate the two loops of the bow.
Apply some foam tape to the back of the loops of the bow. Adhere in place. Apply 2 layers of foam tape to the back of the bow’s knot and secure in place.
Once again, place a 5.570-inch circle on the mat and use the Pattern fill option in the color palette. Choose Load image and fill with the rain background image as shown in the image above. Size to 6 inches in the load image window. Click on Preview and adjust if needed. Click okay when ready. NOTE: this is not a seamless background.
Highlight the circle now on the mat. In the color palette, change the stroke from black to none. Print the image according to the Print 2 cut directions for the software. Then, cut using the print 2 cut directions.
For additional stability of the element, it is recommended that you cut 2 additional circles (5.570 inches) using a complementary color of cardstock. Black was used for demonstration purposes. Adhere these circles together and then add the printed circle to form the base of the element.
Apply some double-sided tape to the back of the boot. Center and adhere to the printed circle. If you want additional dimensions, use foam tape to secure the printed circle.
Glue a 2-inch wood square to the back of the element using some E6000 glue. Let dry for about 20 minutes. Add the loop portion of some hook and loop tape.
Your element is now ready for use.
Elements that could be used for February and May were created in this article.
For additional inspiration, be sure to visit Jan’s author page, here.
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