Copycat Family Christmas decoration Gifts

[FrankEV]

After reading Richard’s post, aka heppnerguy, of August 17, I jumped on the Idea.  I had already planned to make something for my Great-Grandson, who is just turning 1 this month.   Also, my Lady's Son and Daughter in law are expecting a baby boy in December, and of course, she asked me to make something “cute” for him.  These wall hangings are what I came up with.

I found the Snowman and a Santa Segmentation patterns on Good’s Scrollsaw Workshop site that I will send to my Grandson.  I also found a Judy Gale Roberts Intarsia Pattern of a Christmas Teddy Bear Pattern, that I used as a Segmentation, that she can send to her son.  Like Richard is doing, these will be sent out early, so they will arrive well before Thanksgiving.

All three pieces were cut from nominal 1’x10” thick clear premium pine using Pegas #1 MGT R Blades.  I started each cutting from one small inconspicuous hole, such that the waste board created a solid border to hold the loose pieces in proper position while they were assembled and glued to the backer.  The backer is 1/8” thick BB Ply, with edges painted Black, cut about a sixteenth of an inch inside the pattern outline.

Although the patterns were cut from one board, I used typical Intarsia techniques to do sculpturing, lowering some areas while I added shims to elevate other areas to obtain a nice presentation. 

After all pieces were sanded, I applied an acrylic sealer followed by light sanding and then I painted each piece separately using my Air Brush and Artist Acrylic Air Brush paints.  Eight different colors (not counting the tiny bit of gold on the bears buckle I did with a brush), each done separately with significant drying time in between.   After the pieces were glued to the backer and the outer waste board removed, the assembly was protected with multiple coats of Clear Gloss Acrylic Finish spray.

    

Nom 8" x 11"                                                          Nom 8" x 11"                                                           Nom 7" x 9"

Comments and Critiques always welcome.

Edited September 7 by FrankEV

[Gonzo]

Wow! Those are awesome!

[Peter N White]

Great looking xmas ornaments.

[jerry walters]

You continue to amaze me with your artistic capabilities.

Jerry

[JJB]

Very nice work Frank! These are going to be cherished.

[Jim McDonald]

Wonderful cuttings and paint work. Sure to be treasured. 

Don't need to tell you, but please sign and date this art.

[FrankEV]

1 hour ago, Jim McDonald said:

...Don't need to tell you, but please sign and date this art.

I always do.  I developed a Logo that I burn with a engraving laser on to the back of every piece I do.  includes a line for my hand written signature and the date.

[rjweb]

Excellent craftsmanship, RJ

[heppnerguy]

WOW, great work as always. I had trouble with the painting of my snowmen but my family does not have anyone else, like you for instance, to compare my work with so they think I am good at what I do in my shop, so I let them  live in their ignorance.

Dick

heppnerguy

[wombatie]

They are all so very cute.  They will be cherished.

Marg

[FrankEV]

10 hours ago, heppnerguy said:

... I had trouble with the painting of my snowmen...

 

In the photo yours looked Great.  

Assuming you are using acrylic craft paints, here are a few tips.

After fine sanding the pieces, apply a coat of an acrylic sealer.  Kylon makes one that you can get at Hobby Lobby.  I simply use a light coat of any Clear Acrylic Spray.

After the sealer dries, a very light buffing with a scotch bright pad willl remove any raised fibers, and provide a fairly smooth but slightly roughed surface, good for painting.

Any craft paint, cheap or expensive, will work but do try to use a decent brush.  Cheap brushes do not apply the paint properly to get a good finish.  Minimum of two thin coats with a very light sanding in between is better than one very heavy coat, so you are less likely to get runs or holidays.  Make sure you allow ample dry time between coats.

IMO, acrylic paints are soft even after fully dried, compared to oil based paint.  A protective coat of a Clear Acrylic Spray Finish after assembly will make everything more durable and the shine will pop.  Also makes the work less of a dust collector when hung on the wall.

You can paint projects like these using rattle can spray paints, but dry time is much longer, very messy to do small pieces, really should be using a spary booth, again multiple coats needed with sanding in between to get a really fine finish. 

Hope this may help.

[BadBob]

On 9/9/2024 at 9:02 AM, FrankEV said:

Any craft paint, cheap or expensive, will work but do try to use a decent brush.

Do you recommend a particular brush?

[FrankEV]

42 minutes ago, BadBob said:

Do you recommend a particular brush?

No.  You can get an assortment (6-8) pack of brushes specifically made for Acrylic paints at any craft store like Hobby Lobby, Michales, or even Walmart, for about $10 to $15 that are good.  Keep them clean with water, and maybe a brush cleaner once in a while, between uses and they will last a long time.   IMO, foam brushes and the cheap throwaway coarse bristle brushes are not suitable to get a nice finish. 

[heppnerguy]

On 9/9/2024 at 6:02 AM, FrankEV said:

In the photo yours looked Great.  

Assuming you are using acrylic craft paints, here are a few tips.

After fine sanding the pieces, apply a coat of an acrylic sealer.  Kylon makes one that you can get at Hobby Lobby.  I simply use a light coat of any Clear Acrylic Spray.

After the sealer dries, a very light buffing with a scotch bright pad willl remove any raised fibers, and provide a fairly smooth but slightly roughed surface, good for painting.

Any craft paint, cheap or expensive, will work but do try to use a decent brush.  Cheap brushes do not apply the paint properly to get a good finish.  Minimum of two thin coats with a very light sanding in between is better than one very heavy coat, so you are less likely to get runs or holidays.  Make sure you allow ample dry time between coats.

IMO, acrylic paints are soft even after fully dried, compared to oil based paint.  A protective coat of a Clear Acrylic Spray Finish after assembly will make everything more durable and the shine will pop.  Also makes the work less of a dust collector when hung on the wall.

You can paint projects like these using rattle can spray paints, but dry time is much longer, very messy to do small pieces, really should be using a spary booth, again multiple coats needed with sanding in between to get a really fine finish. 

Hope this may help.

I appreciate  your advice. I will try that next time as I am never very happy when I colorize a project. Good tips... thank you for your help

Dick

heppnerguy

[BadBob]

3 hours ago, FrankEV said:

No.  You can get an assortment (6-8) pack of brushes specifically made for Acrylic paints at any craft store like Hobby Lobby, Michales, or even Walmart, for about $10 to $15 that are good.  Keep them clean with water, and maybe a brush cleaner once in a while, between uses and they will last a long time.   IMO, foam brushes and the cheap throwaway coarse bristle brushes are not suitable to get a nice finish. 

Thanks, I thought maybe you had some special brush you were using. I use gold Taklon artist brushes.

A window cleaner from the dollar store does an excellent job cleaning acrylics.

[FrankEV]

23 minutes ago, BadBob said:

Thanks, I thought maybe you had some special brush you were using. I use gold Taklon artist brushes.

A window cleaner from the dollar store does an excellent job cleaning acrylics.

 

These days, my brush is mostly my Air Brush

Did not know that, thanks.

Edited September 10 by FrankEV

[BadBob]

3 hours ago, FrankEV said:

 

These days, my brush is mostly my Air Brush

Did not know that, thanks.

I learned about using window cleaner while playing around with airbrushes.

[Blaughn]

That is impressive work.  Well Done!!