It's nearly the 4th of July and Watermelon time is here! I thought I would re-share this post from 2014! This was my first project using the eBrush as a design team member!
The end of the holiday season offers a bounty of paper coasters for a minimal cost at the neighborhood dollar stores in our area. Most of the designs don't catch my eye, but the $.25 a pack makes them worth the purchase. And here's my latest upcycle of one of the packs in the stash!
Materials needed:
1 pkg - paper coasters (my package had 6 coasters in it)
White cardstock
Craftwell eBrush
Markers, permanent -- for this piece I used Spectrum Noir (two shades of red, green) - if you use a water based marker, you may experience some bleeding when you apply the sealer to the surface...just saying! :)
Adhesive - permanent bond (waterproof if using a liquid glue) - I used Xyron's permanent adhesive.
Electronic Die Cutting machine to cut your stencils/masks (I used my Sizzix eclips and eCal software)
Zig Marker - black
Waterproof Sealer (for this project, I used Collage Pauge from Aleene's/Duncan Enterprises)
foam brush
emory board or 220 grit sandpaper
Gather all the materials you need. Open your software; using basic shapes, resize your first circle to 4 inches in diameter. Create another circle slightly smaller (about 3.350 inches making sure that keep proportions is checked. ) Center inside the 4 inch circle. When you cut these circles, you'll have your "mask" for the outer green and white of your watermelon, while you fill in the watermelon center using your eBrush. Make another circle at 3.495 inches (keeping proportions checked). This will be your mask for the center of the melon and the white portion. Cut your masks. You'll also need enough 4 inch circles to cover each coaster.
Grab some fine grit sandpaper or an emory board and roughen up the printed side of the coaster -- not a lot, but you do want a little bit of tooth to hold the adhesive when you apply the 4 inch cardstock circle to the top. Wipe any dust off of the surface. I used my xyron 510 to adhere the cardstock. Trim edges if necessary.
If you used a liquid glue, be sure your surface is smooth and there are no bubbles. Let dry thoroughly.
Center the 3.495 inch circle on your coaster. Using the eBrush, and a green marker fill in the outer edge. Use a smooth side to side movement starting off the edge of the coaster and moving towards the center (which is now covered up with your mask). When you have completed that process and are satisfied with the color and depth, carefully remove the circle and place the other mask on the coaster. It should be even with the outer edge of the coaster and cover slightly more than the green area you just applied. Using a lighter red marker, lightly spray the center of the coaster. I found that setting the nib so it was slight off -- so I got some splotching, I sprayed the entire center. You can use the side to side method or as I did, used a circular motion to imitate the interior of a natural melon. I changed markers once I was satisfied and completed using circular motions.
Add a few seeds to your slice. Embellish with a white gel pen if desired. Once the paper has thoroughly dried, apply at least 2 coats of sealer to the top and sides of the coaster. Let dry thoroughly between coats and if you can, wait at least 24 hours before stacking or using. (The humidity is horrible here right now, so I'm giving mine an extra 24 hours before using.
I have a feeling there will be some oranges, limes and lemons coming soon! How about you?
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