How to make a Day of the Dead Home Décor Frame

Other Supplies: Cardstock (Black, White), Acrylic Paint (White), Black Frame (size of choice), Ranger Distress Ink Pads by Tim Holtz (Antique Linen, Rusty Hinge), Paintbrush, Paper Trimmer, Sheet Music

1. Die-cut out of desired cardstock colors all chosen elements from the Day of the Dead die set. This project created one male and one female skeleton. (Note: With Colorize die sets, there are suggested colors etched on the back of each die to assist with ease of assembly.) Die-cut out of black cardstock the phrase ‘buen dia de muertos’ from the Alphanumeric Tiny Type Lower die set. (Additionally, for ease of assembly it is recommended to die cut the various elements from cardstock with adhesive sheets attached to the backside of the cardstock.)
2. Assemble and adhere the die cut skeleton elements with liquid adhesive (if adhesive sheets were not used when die-cutting the elements).
3. To create the background, start by tearing apart the sheet music to desired sizes and shapes. (Photocopied sheet music can also work as an alternative.) Cut a piece of white cardstock to fit inside a chosen frame as a background.
4. Water down some Express Glue and with a paintbrush completely cover the torn up sheet music in the solution, or dip the torn pieces into the solution. Then layer the torn pieces as desired so that they are overlapping until they completely cover the white cardstock background.
5. Once the white cardstock is covered and the solution is dry. With the Blending Tool, ink around the edges of the background, starting by inking with Antique Linen near the middle of the background and blending outward. Once near the edge begin blending Rusty Hinge ink towards the outer edges.
6. Brighten the middle of the background by adding a thin layer of white acrylic paint using a dry brushing technique.
7. Tear a sheet of black cardstock from one end to the other to create an organic hilltop effect. Make sure that the black strip runs the bottom length of the white background. Adhere the torn black cardstock strip to the bottom edge of the white background with liquid adhesive, creating the ground on which the die cut characters will stand. Make sure to leave the top of the torn edge free of glue as the feet of the characters will go underneath.
8. Apply foam tape to the back of the assembled skeleton elements, peel the back off the tape and adhere in the center of the page, with the feet inserted underneath the torn black cardstock. Adhere the sentiment phrase centered directly above the skeleton elements.
9. Once everything is fixed in position, add the decorated background into a black frame.