Saturday, January 9, 2010

Love in 3-D

For this week's Our Creative Corner challenge, Joycelyn has asked us to make something 3-D. I have to say that cards are (and probably always will be) my first love, but I do enjoy making ABC projects so this was a good opportunity to have some fun with something different!

My idea for these blocks came from a project I saw in Stampin' Success (the SU demo magazine) a couple of years ago. They did blocks for Halloween and they were super cute. I decided to do a Valentine's Day version, using lots of the new products from the Occasions Mini. (Apart from the paint on the blocks themselves, these are made completely with current SU products.)

First I took my 2" wood blocks, sanded the edges, and painted them with Folk Art vintage white paint (this is a really good match for very vanilla). Then I decorated the letter side of each block and adhered patterned paper squares to the other sides. The letters are the negative image squares of some of the letters from the Lots of Letters chipboard. The paper I used is the gorgeous, glittery Sending Love paper from the mini.

Let me briefly tell what I did to decorate the front of each block:

The L was embossed using chocolate chip craft ink (I know it looks black in the photo) and clear EP. I tied real red grosgrain ribbon through the hole for the L and put one of the DP prints behind the hole to show through. The heart is from I {Heart} Hearts (the three-heart punch) and was also embossed using real red craft ink and clear EP. Then I added a pink button (Sherbet) tied with hemp twine.

The O was covered with DP and trimmed/sanded. I put a red Playground button (again tied with hemp twine) in the center.

The V was painted with the same paint I used on the blocks, then I stamped the Dot, Dot, Dot stamp from the mini catalog with real red craft ink. The ribbon is pretty in pink taffeta with a 5/16" chocolate chip brad.

I covered the E with red galaxy glitter. Tip of the day: Be prepared for a mess if you use this much glitter - it got everywhere! The "love" heart is from the same stamp as the L block's heart (this time embossed with chocolate chip), and the flower is from the Birds & Blooms Sizzlit set with a real red epoxy brad (available in the mini) in the center.

How did I do with my 3-D project? I think they came out pretty cute, and although they might look labor-intensive, it really wasn't much harder than making one of my more elaborate cards. I just did the painting in little increments over the course of a couple days and then decorated them in one afternoon, once I received my first Sale-a-Bration order. (Woohoo!)

OK, that's it from me - be sure to go check out what the rest of the OCC gals have come up with. And then come join in the fun!

12 comments:

katherine rock said...

Hi Lori! These blocks are gorgeous! You have inspired me to create something bright and sparkly today!

p.s. Did you see that someone cased your Disney card and it was featured on the Late Night Stampers blog this past week? How cool is that!!

Carrie said...

These blocks are adorable. Thanks so much for sharing this idea. Simply wonderful

Jenny Gropp said...

Holy smokes - this turned out FAB! The Glittered "E" might have made a mess- but well worth it -- it sparkles and shines!

LorettaL said...

I bet you are all sparkly-glowie now!! Gorgeous project!

Joycelyn Pelkey said...

I LOVE this (pardon the pun)!! What a fun decoration for V-day or even all year long...FAB-U-LOUS!!!!

Wendy J. said...

What fun you must have had making these. They're wonderful! I love all the different elements you put on them! Great job!

Jennifer Meyer said...

Hi Lori :) Your blocks are SO neat! I LOVE your creative touch and added sparkle!

Have a fun weekend ~ Jennifer :)

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Lori, when I saw your blocks I (literally) gasped!!! They are positively sensational. I WANT them and I don't even decorate for Valentine's - LOL!! Gosh, this 3-d project has just opened doors for me - so many projects, so little time :(. When I retire, I'll probably never leave my craft room! Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!

Mary J said...

Lori, I just love your project! Sooo beautiful - I would love to receive it! ;)

Anonymous said...

Lori--These are FANTASTIC! I LOVE them--you did such a terrific job.
Nola

Michelle said...

These look fantastic. Well done! So bright and cheery. TFS.

Michelle

Butterfly Girl said...

What a great idea to use letter negatives! So cute!