Crafty Secrets July Linky Party & DT Challenge

Hello and welcome back to my second posting for today!

WARNING:  Tutorial follows so this post is photo heavy!

With it being the first Monday of a new month, that means it's time for our monthly Linky Party / DT Challenge over at Crafty Secrets.  Now remember, there is NO challenge theme for YOU to follow ... simply create ANYTHING using a Crafty Secrets product and you could win a $50 grand prize!!

Today I decided to turn this:

Into THIS . . .

by simply using my computer, some alcohol markers and Mod Podge, I was able to turn this $1 wooden frame into a beautiful work of art (which will be a gift for a garden loving friend)!
Here ... let me show you step by step how I did this!

Crafty Secrets has some BEAUTIFUL new two sided digital papers available at the Crafty Vintage Girl shoppe for only US $0.99 and even though I love them just as they are ... sometimes I'd like to have that same pattern in a different color (in this case, purple happens to be my friends favorite color).    Today I'm using Classic Damask Pink/Scene Digital paper.   Here's how I modified the color to suit my crafting needs (you can click on the images to enlarge):

After inserting the digital paper files into a blank Word 10 document,
I modified the color  of each one until I had the shade I desired. 

Next I sized each one to fit the outer and inner frame size needed.
Then the fun of embedding sentiments & images began.

Now remember, when you have a variety of elements layered over top of each other in Word, you will need to GROUP them in order to move them around as ONE element... as I have done here.

I was wanting to position this beautiful flower image on the upper corner of my frame so I slid what would be the inner frame panel over onto my outer panel ... just so I could see where I needed to position my digital flower (found at the store here).  Of course I needed to resize it and even crop it down a little before placing it in the corner of my outer frame panel.

I also thought a butterfly would look nice up in the corner of my sentiment so I brought it in, resized it and positioned it on the inner panel.

Now that I have things put together as I like, I have slid the center panel back over onto my second page so they will print separately. 

TIME TO PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER:

I painted my frame using a purple crafting paint from Jo-Ann's and a sponge brush.

I also decided to color in my flower using my Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers.  This was a preference choice but would have looked just as nice not colored!









After rounding the corners & sponging with Tim Holtz Dusty Concord Distress Ink, it was time to apply the Mod Podge and adhere my digital design paper to the wooden frame.

CONFESSION TIME!

You see the pretty lace running corner to corner . . .
That was to HIDE a BIG MISTAKE on my part!  Okay ... here's what happened.

I adhered my front panel with the Mod Podge and of course, I'm always in a hurry and instead of leaving it to dry, I had to IMMEDIATELY flip it over and put the center panel in so I could see how it looked!

WELL ... that was a mistake because there was some Mod Podge laying on my craft mat that I did not see and I smeared it on the front ... yep!  right over that beautiful image in the corner.  QUICKLY I tried to WIPE IT OFF only to find I was wiping off some of my image (inkjet printer ya know).  It was already glued to my wooden frame ... NOW WHAT AM I GOING TO DO????????
SO ... I printed it again, cut it at an angle corner to corner, marked & cut out the center portion and position the ribbon all the way around the corners to hide the seam .... Grrrrrr!

Note to self .... let it dry next time before trying to put it all together!  PATIENCE!!!!!!

I hope you're still with me ... Sorry!  LOL!
And, if you are THANKS SO MUCH for stopping by and PLEASE pop on over to the Crafty Secrets Blog and join in the fun!

OH!  OH!  I nearly forgot to tell you .... we have TWO NEW DT MEMBERS ... WELCOME Kathy & Elizabeth!  Please be sure to check out the amazing projects/tutorial the team has to share with you!!!  Here's the links:

 Vicki Chrisman Team Leader

• Michele Kovack
• Melissa Bove
• Rebekah Faries
• Sheila Rumney

• Kathy Clement
• Elizabeth Lincoln - SCS Gallery
  

Whew!  Now I think I'm done talking!  LOL!
Of course I will have to share this creation with the following challenges:

Crafty Ribbon Challenge #50 - Anything Goes with Ribbon
The Play Date Cafe - Pretty in Pastels

Addicted to Stamps and More - Anything Goes
Crafting by Design - Anything Goes
Crafts and Me - Anything Goes
Sentimental Sunday - All Things Digital
Stamping Sensations June Challenge - Summer Blooms
That Craft Place - Flowers
Mark's Finest Paper - Purple
Artistic Inspirations - Anything Goes
Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes (#2)
Hiding in My Craftroom - Anything Goes
Creative Moments - Flowers

God Love Ya for sticking with me through this long post .. please know I  SO appreciate it!!
As always and until next time (promise not to be quite so long winded!) . . .