Hey Bloggers,
I can't believe December is going so quickly. I've been hobbling around, the leg has been in a boot cast since the end of October (from the June ankle injury).... now it's in a resin cast and I'm back on crutches, and having to elevate it. Hmm....the busiest month of the year, CHA looming....yikes!
On a brighter note.... I thought I'd share another tutorial on one of my Acrylic Shadowbox ornaments. This little bird ornament has been extremely popular.... and it makes a quick and easy little gift.
The ornament was made using these two items:
The ornament is ACR35 Free Bird Acrylic Shadowbox Ornament (retail $5.99), and U-Cut #UC526 Free Bird Ornament (retail $1.39). The U-Cut makes it quick and easy to complete the project, but you could also just trace the shapes onto a paper of your choice and print out your own word for the inside of the window. Here's how to make it:
Free Bird Acrylic Shadowbox Ornament
1. Cut out the shapes.

2. Place the cutouts on Ranger's non-stick Craft Mat. Use Ranger's Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Tea Dye) and an Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool to add a vintage look to the edges. Tap the ink applicator on the Distress Ink and use a circular motion to add color to the edges of the cutouts.

3. Run the Ink Blending Tool around the edges of the cutouts.

4. Repeat for the wings.

5. Repeat with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink on the blue bird cutout.

6. Apply permanent adhesive to the back side of the wings. Attach the wings together, back to back.

7. Apply Tea Dye Distress ink to the edges of the wings.

8. Apply permanent adhesive to one of the chipboard cutouts as shown.

9. Apply one of the "Believe" cutouts to the adhesive on the chipboard. Repeat for the other side of this piece of chipboard, so that you have a "Believe" cutout attached to both sides of the chipboard.

10. Apply permanent adhesive to one of the remaining pieces of chipboard, as shown below.

11. Attach the chipboard piece on top of the "Believe" piece, aligning the edges. Repeat Steps 10 and 11 for the other side of the ornament.

12. Use the Ink Applicator Tool to apply Tea Dye Distress Ink to the edges of the layered chipboard.

13. Apply permanent adhesive to the chipboard cutouts as shown below, applying the adhesive to the entire chipboard surface.

14. Attach the blue bird cutout to the adhesive. Repeat for the other side of the ornament.

15. Remove the blue protective film from both sides of the wings.

16. Apply Ranger's Claudine Hellmuth Multi Medium (Matte) to one of the wings.

17. Use a brush to smooth out the Multi Medium, covering the surface of the wing.

18. Attach the paper wing to the acrylic wing. Press firmly. 
19. Repeat for the other wing.

20. Use Ranger's Mini Mister filled with water and a scoop of Perfect Pearls (Perfect Gold), to spritz the bird. Let dry thoroughly.

21. Sprinkle a small amount of iridescent shreds in the center of the frame.

22. Remove the blue protective film backing from the bird acrylic.

23. Place one of the bird acrylic cutouts over the layered chipboard/paper bird. Pick up the layers and very carefully turn over. Repeat Steps 22 and 23 for the other side.

24. Use a pair of needle nose pliers (or your hands) to attach the frame clips to the ornament.

25. We only used 2 of the clips on the ornament (it comes with 4 clips).

26. Apply a couple of drops of the Multi Medium to the acrylic as shown below.

27. Attach a wing to the adhesive.

28. Let set a few minutes, turn over, and repeat Step 26 for the other side of the bird.

29. Attach string, ribbon or jute and any other embellishments of your choice.
Pretty easy, huh? These go together so quickly that you can whip out a bunch of them in short order.
How would you like to WIN this Acrylic Shadowbox ornament and the coordinating U-Cuts? Just post a comment on THIS POST by Midnight, Monday December 13th. I'll announce the winner on the blog on Tuesday, December 14th, and the winner will have until Friday, December 17 to claim the prize by emailing me with their mailing address.
I hope your holiday preparations are coming along smoothly and that the season is filled with lots of fun projects!
See you soon! :)
Darcie