Count down the
days until the final “sleepy-time”
on Christmas Eve. Colored vinyl in green,
white, red and black
are carefully positioned and affixed to a painted METAL
rectangular backing sheet using registration “target cross”
guides to create a merry
and bright decoration.
(Substitute glued-up card stock for holly sprig
decorations
as desired.) Countdown window “slider” is cut from or attached
to a
magnet paper base (or affixed to a magnetic
business card rectangle and
trimmed with scissors or art knife),
then moved along and up the rows each day
with
number showing through cutout. Display on a large easel,
or drill a top
hang hole, attach cord ends or
saw tooth brackets on reversed side to mount on
a wall.
Original design measures 11.69” wide x 8” tall.
( A round version is also available.)
FOR THIS PROJECT, YOU WILL NEED:
1) metallic re-purposed shallow baking sheet with
min. 12.75" wide x 8.75" tall interior flat surface
2) black matte or satin spray paint to paint sheet
3) flexible magnet business card for slider
4) card stock for slider
5) vinyl sheets for cutting the layers; green (3-4),
white, red, black
ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes or layers:
A green layer 1
B white layer 2
C red layer 3
D sprig detail shapes: cedar sprig, holly base & half,
berries black bases, berries red overlays
E window slider
spray painting front and (optional) back, in light, even
coats until thoroughly prepared. Also spray a protective
clear matte or satin coat to help preserve the surface.
2. Measure to find the center of the baking sheet
if necessary. Or estimate how to center the design
within the "flat" surface . . .
. . . by eye-estimating the pan margins that will remain
beyond the design edges.
3. Follow conventional methods to cut the vinyl layers,
weed excess "background" areas, transfer to clear
(recommended) or opaque transfer "tape".
4. Position (centered) onto the display surface,
and once adjusted as needed . . .
to create 3 or 4 "hinges" along top of sheet.
(NOTE that some of the green vinyl from the sample project
sheet #1 has been "harvested" for a later project
5. Pivot the attached layer 1 vinyl and transfer tape
upward away from the baking sheet, allowing it
to hinge where the tape is holding it in place.
Then, carefully peel back the backer sheet so that
the vinyl is attached only to the transfer sheet/tape.
6. Re-position the vinyl, helping it to attach from the hinge
edge toward the opposite (bottom) edge, using a squeegee
to help the vinyl to get attach without bends, folds,
or bubbles. Burnish over the vinyl to help it attach
to the baking sheet.
7. Carefully peel away the transfer tape, leaving
the vinyl in place, including the registration targets.
NOTE: if you are NOT using the center target,
remove it either before attaching vinyl layer,
or as soon as it is in place on baking sheet.
Burnish over the vinyl to help it attach in place.
8. Prepare to position the layer 2 white vinyl sheet
using the targets, aligned exactly next on top of previous one.
(NOTE this pic shows the white layer without the transfer
tape in place.)
One way to align the targets is to pierce the new layer
target exactly in the center, then prick the in-place
target in corresponding center position. Then carefully
slide the new layer down into place. Repeat for
the other side target, then temp tape in place.
Since the targets will be removed, TAKE CARE not
to scratch the painted surface. Complete the remaining
steps to position and attach the vinyl layer.
9. Prepare to position and attach layer #3 red vinyl
by aligning and temp taping the banner in place
as for previous layer.
NOTE that the banner layer in this pic is shown
without the transfer tape to help visualize the positioning.
10. Carefully remove the registration target symbols
taking care NOT to scratch the paint surface.
11. Complete the sprig detail elements by lifting
from the vinyl backing paper, then positioning on top
of the layer 1 sprig base. The best order to add these is:
cedar sprig, berry black bases, holly base then half,
berry red overlay.
12. Glue the slider frame onto the magnet sheet.
When glue is dried, carefully trim magnet . . .
. . . around the outer cut edge, and around
the inside frame edge, as neatly at the cut edge
as possible.
13. To count down the days, move the magnet frame
from number to number, centering it within the opening.
14. If desired, attach a hanging ribbon to the back
of the baking sheet.
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