Mandy Collins, also known in the art world as “Pearl Maple,” is a talented collage artist. Particular to Mandy is her tone-on-tone cream vintage designs.
Mandy teaches at her local scrapbook store and at the Kit and Caboodle traveling road show.
She is on the design team for a new company called Rapt in Paper and has had publications in Somerset Studio & Legacy/Memories and a contribution to the exhibit, Collections and Collaborations’ Women’s Caucus for Art. You can also see her art in The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Altered Art by Allyson Bright Meyer.
Today Mandy is sharing a beautiful project, along with instructions and tips for a quick completion.
Three Panel Hanging Message Center
(The following is by Mandy Collins)
Appealing but practical gifts that can be assembled quickly are an important part of any crafter’s repertoire.
This 3 panel hanging message center uses 2 of the photo frames from the Kaiser Accordion Book, scraps of cardboard, ribbon, buttons and tags left over from other projects.
(For a complete list of the supplies, scroll down to bottom of post).
After pulling the bits and pieces together that suit the color range and theme, the whole project takes less than 30 minutes to create.
Instructions:
Step 1)Paint or ink the two photo frames.
Finishing the edges of 3d objects with a darker color helps to create depth. The fastest way for me to achieve that is with a colored pen.
2) Stamp and Emboss frames.
A paint resist technique like crackle glaze can take some time to dry. Embossing is a fast alternative to creating texture and interest.
I particularly like the Opals powders with many rich vibrant colors to choose from and as the name Opal implies, you can blend their colors without them becoming muddy for a lovely variegated finish.
3) Create the three squares.
While the photo frames are cooling, cut 3 pieces of heavy weight cardboard or chipboard to 5 inch squares. Cover the squares with paper and ink the edges. File tabs were used on the green version to add a message about making time to enjoy life.
4) Attach the squares with Ribbon.
When gluing the ribbon on the back of the squares, the fastest way to ensure they are evenly spaced is to use a ruler.
5) Embellish.
People often ask how I pull collages together. For me the rule of 3’s works easily and painlessly. For the most part it is only one or two colors in use in my assemblage and a very simple theme, in this case coffee time! Anything more than 3 it starts to get cluttered, the message is muddled and who has time for that?
If I am using two colors it will be one theme, or with two themes I will cut it back to one color to equal 3. It sounds ruthless but it is fast and works easily when deciding what embellishment is getting on board.
6) Add backing.
One thing that is worth taking time for especially if you are making a gift is to ‘back it up’. The back side of a hanging project may not see the light of day too often, but is that any reason to leave your plain old cardboard hanging out? It takes little time to cover the back with scraps of left over paper from other projects.
Most importantly – don’t forget to sign and date your creations.
Visit Mandy’s blog to see more of her gorgeous projects.
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Supplies:
2 photo frames from Kaiser
Heavy weight cardboard 3 pieces 5 x 5
Coordinating pattern paper x 2 sheets
Paint or ink
Embossing powder and stamp
Ribbon for hanger
Wide Ribbon 12 inches long
Cardstock strip of 4 inches for die cut tabs
Sizzex or pre-cut tab shapes
Buttons and embellishment
Clip and message pad
Red : Cosmo Cricket 2006 Christmas Paper Wonderland First Gift & Holiday Cheer Green : Walter Knabe Big Paper Block
