Frank Garcia Design Team Blog Hop

Welcome. Thanks for joining our blog hop all day,  Dec 5th.  The blog hop starts at Frank Garcia's blog.  You should have arrived here from Trina McClune's blog. We are here sharing our paper crafting passion and love for Frank's designs. 

Here are his 2014 and 2015 designs in addition to the Victorian Christmas collection that I am showcasing today.   2016 only promises to be even more spectacular!  

The Blog Hop Details

A few details...Frank has a giveaway for those who leave comments on our blogs. 

I am also giving away a prize pack chock full of Vintage Christmas goodies in time for Christmas gifts, tags and holiday cards.  So please leave a comment and tell me 

what you are excited to see in the new year.

Prizes Prizes Prizes

We have some magnificent prizes. To win them, you must comment and follow the blogs.

First is the Grand Prize  from Frank .

You will be eligible to win this prize collection by leaving a comment in my blog:

  

Before you scoot off to the next blog destination, I'd love to share a gift set I made using Frank's Vintage Christmas.  I have a step-by-step as well.  Please scroll through my tutorial because I usually have special tips and tricks to share. 

The next blog hop destination is at the end of my tutorial!

So How Did I make This?  

Step 1.  I used my box as a template for the patterned paper and traced around it. 

Step 2.  When I am working on projects like boxes and canvases, I like to adhere my patterned paper using Prima's Soft Matte Gel.  I slather on a nice layer of gel with my foam brush, lay down the paper and then use a brayer to make sure the paper has no ripples and bubbles. 

Step 3.  Once I'm satisfied my project is bubble free, I apply a thin coating of gel over the paper to seal it.

Step 4.  This step may be the MOST OVERLOOKED step when decorating any box in my opinion - major emphasis on those words "most overlooked ". 

Place the top on the box (whatever box you are using - including metal tins).  See where the lid stops.  It's important to note where the top ends - or how far down the top goes on the sides.  If you glue paper all the way up the sides of the box and cover the sides totally in paper, the box top MAY NOT FIT, or may rip the paper each time the lid is removed and set back on.  No good!  You need to think ahead.  Take note and work around that potential glitch. 

I pop the top on.  Make sure it's secure and then trace all the way around the box marking where the lid stops.  This is where my paper is going to end.  I need to leave the rest of the side bare neked so the top fits properly.  

Step 5.  Go ahead and now add your paper.  I also used Prima's Soft Matte Gel to adhere the paper, and topped the paper with a thin coat  to seal it.  
 NOTE where my paper sides end!

Step 6.  Add some of Frank's Memory Hardware Rocquencourt Doily trim.  

Time to Create a Cluster

Step 7. When I decorate a box,  I like to give the cluster some height ,dimension and angularity.  The box most likely will go on a table or shelf so I want the floral cluster to be seen when the box is lying flat. No sense decorating a box with flat decorations in my opinion .  It's meant to be shown , right? 

To create this dimension, I will use the wire stems from Frank's gorgeous flowers (Victorian Christmas collection-Red Stocking). The wire stems are going to be used as supports for placing flowers at an angle and creating an angular and dimensional cluster.  

This image shows how I use the wire stems as supports by bending then and gluing them onto the project with strong glue.  

This image shows my flower placement.  I glued it to the box at a slight angle using the wire stems as supports. 

This is the backside of the cluster. You can see the wired peeking through .  No worries - I'll cover them and hide them with some cool embellishment . 

Step 8. Time to add the illusion of a bow.   To do this, I grabbed Frank's Monpazier Gilded Trim from his Memory Hardware collection.  This trim adds sparkle and glitz to any project and is especially joyful for a Christmas decorative piece. 

You don't need to cut a giant piece and tie a bow, you just need the illusion of a bow.  Tuck a few loops into the cluster and BAM, it feels like a bow !  Save the rest of the gorgeous trim for another project.  

Step 9. I want to add more sparkle and glitz so I will pull out the Soft Matte Gel once more and dab on generous amounts of gel.  

Sprinkle some sparkle with Prima's Glass Glitter.  I promise the gel medium dries clear and your project will dazzle. 

Here is a close up of the glass glitter areas. 

Finishing Touches

Step 10. Time for some finishing touches. Those little finishing touches are what  makes your project special and adds wow factor.  Frank's collections have gorgeous and fascinating coordinated embellishments.  The Vintage Christmas Collection is no exception. I grabbed the cool wood embellishment, "Noel" as a sentiment.  

I selected a few more flowers from the collection for the top and tucked in some pine punches.   Lastly,I placed a few Memory Hardware Pearls about the box.   

I did add some trim from my stash around all the edges of the lid and I ran a bit of RubNBuff around the edges of the box for gilding. 

I also made a matching card to go with the gift set. 

Here are a few more close ups: 

***************************************************************************

So Back to the Blog....How to win a prize?  

I hope you enjoyed my step-by-step tutorial for my box set.  The Vintage Christmas Collection is totally divine and I'd like for you to have a mini kit to enjoy.  To be eligible, please leave a comment on my blog.  

Your next stop in the hop is Delaina's blog.  

Enjoy, good luck and Merry Christmas!

*****************************************************************************

Here is the complete Blog Hop line up: 

START: Frank 

Trina 

Jennifer ( you are here) 

Delaina 

Cari 

Lisa Nazario Gregory 

Beatriz 

Lisa Novogrodski 

Product List:
Prima Products Box:
990480  Prima Victorian Christmas by Frank Garcia paper - Pere Noel ( Top of tree box)
990503  Prima Victorian Christmas by Frank Garcia  - Le Sapin de Noel (sides of box)
583453  Prima Victorian Christmas by Frank Garcia -flowers Joyeux Noel
582517 Prima Victorian Christmas by Frank Garcia  -Wood Embellishments
583477 Prima Victorian Christmas by Frank Garcia - Red Stocking Flowers
991043 Prima Memory Hardware -by Frank Garcia - Rocquencourt Doily Lace
961428 Prima Art Basics Finnabair - Soft Matte Gel Medium
991036 Memory Hardware - by Franks Garcia- Monpazier Gilded Trim
961428 Prima Finnabair Art Basics -Soft Matte Gel.
961657 Prima Finnabair Art Ingredients Glass Glitter - Gold Lush
990381 Prima Memory Hardware - by Franks Garcia-Pearls

Prima Products Card:
990510  Prima Victorian Christmas by Frank Garcia paper - Un calendrier deLAvent
990503  Prima Victorian Christmas by Frank Garcia  - Le Sapin de Noel
583439  Prima Victorian Christmas by Frank Garcia - flowers Christmas Eve
583415  Prima Victorian Christmas by Frank Garcia -Flowers Holiday lights
583477 Prima Victorian Christmas by Frank Garcia - Red Stocking Flowers

Other Products:
branch punch
Trim/Ribbon