Love these new products from Bare Elements! They are awesome, just paint, alter and they make the perfect gift to give to anyone. For this project I used the Family Wood Words painted, and backed with paper for my mother’s birthday which is next week, added a few of the fabulous new prima flowers. Set the inserted Family words to the side for use on a later project, and I have 2 gifts out of 1 package to give for less than 11.00. Check out the other fabulous words and projects that you can alter to give as gifts. The receiver is sure to love them!

For this project I used the following steps:

1. These are perfect, no sanding and ready to paint or whatever you wish.
2. I started by painting the dark color underneath (mixture of green and black) that will stand out against the contrasting cream color. Coated the entire Wood piece using a regular paint brush, also painting inside the letters.
3. Set it aside to allow appropriate drying time. (However if you are like me and don’t want to wait, try using your heat gun! It works fabulously and dries it in a matter of minutes) .
4. Using FolkArt Crackle Medium (can be found at any major craft store) I coated the entire piece generously, then set aside allow time to dry (or again use your heat gun).
5. After all is dry (will possibly be a little tacky – mine was) grab your contrasting color, such as mine (cream) and apply a generous coat, don’t worry about how sloppy it is or too thick, in fact if you apply a thin coat you will find yourself fixing it later – as I had to in certain areas) As you are applying the paint you should see the crackle start doing it’s magic! Love this stuff!!
6. Set aside and allow to dry (this I actually did not use the heat gun, as I was unsure how it would affect the crackle – however it only took about 30 minutes to be completely dry)
7. After it’s completely dry, flip it over, grab your patterned paper or photos if you like. Next adhere to the back by coating it with modge podge, then laying down the paper. (You will need to smooth out any bubbles or corners that pop up, to do just simply run your finger along the paper with a dab of glue on it)
8. Cut a piece of cardboard (the chipboard cardboard that you get in your LM orders are perfect for this!) and using modge podge adhere to the backside of the patterned paper. You can also attach a small note to the receiver if you like. Modge podge another layer over that, and allow to dry.
9. After it has completely dried, flip the wood piece back over to the front.
10. Using Modge Podge apply 2 coats all over the entire piece, especially the inside where the patterned paper is. This will ensure no tears and your project will last, and allow for the person to easily dust the piece.
11. Adhere a few embellishments to the final coat of modge podge, allow to dry. Then, sit back, relax and but most importantly give yourself a round of applause, after all you worked hard on this, so enjoy the fabulous new project you completed!

Supplies:

• Bare Elements Wood Words (there's Family, Baby, Laugh, Love, Travel, Create)
• Prima Petal Poetry Collection patterned paper & petal embellishments
• Acrylic Paint
• Folk Art Crackle Medium
• Modge Podge

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