Making an Accordion Fold Display

Whenever I design a new set of images for Digital Antiques on Etsy, I try to make them as versatile as I can, so the same design can be used for tags, cards, altered art,  etc.   The new Witch's Daybook images are such a lot of fun,  I wanted to have a way to display them on a shelf or in a cupboard.  So after some thought, I came up with the accordion folded display below. 

I also try to use materials that are easy to get and inexpensive if at all possible, so here's what you'll need to make your own display:

Prints of the images you want to use,  lightweight cardboard like cereal or cracker boxes,  black cardstock, glue stick, and scissors.   Pretend the paper punch isn't there - OK?

Cut out your images.  Measure the finished size of the image and then cut out a cardboard piece that measures approximately an inch larger on each side.  Use your cardboard piece as a template, and cut two pieces of black cardstock the same size as the cardboard.  Set one piece aside, and use your gluestick to glue cardstock to one side of the cardboard.

  If you'd like to ink the edges of your image, using a sponge and a stamp pad, do that before you glue your image into place.  Center the image on the black cardstock and glue in place with the gluestick.  Repeat the above steps for each image you want to include in your display.  Set aside to dry.

Using scraps of cardstock, cut out some pieces approx. 3" x 4", or a size that's appropriate for your image.  These will be the hinges for your accordion.  Fold in half lengthwise and crease, using  a bone folder, or butter knife, or whatever you have.

Apply the hinge to the back side of your cardboard mounted images.  Leave about a 1/16"  gap between the two pieces so there will be room for the fold, and glue in place.  If you like to use a tape runner or double sided tape, it works well here, but gluestick works well too.  If you will be joining more than two images, continue hinging pieces together until everything is connected.

Glue a 2nd piece of cardstock to the back of each mounted image, over the top of the hinge.  Set aside and let dry.  Trim the edges if  necessary, and ink the outer edges if you wish.

Here is a view of the back of two joined pieces, where I used black cardstock on one side and scrapbook paper on another.  You have a ton of choices for your background paper, of course, and don't forget old book pages, wrapping paper, magazine pages, and on and on.

I kept the end result pretty simple, but you could find lots of ways to embellish if you wish.  And, of course, you can do this kind of thing with any image you wish, and vary the paper you use for the background according to your taste.

Up next, some new free tags for Fall.


Try to stay cool if you can,  from the Dog and me.

New Halloween Fun!

Farm chores have kept us busier than usual lately, with crops and preserving.  We’ll love having this harvest during the Winter, but it does take time and effort, even with all the modern conveniences we have.  I hate to think of the serious canning that was done in days gone by, in the  hottest part of the Summer. Those women were a tough bunch! 

I have spent some time working on new designs for Digital Antiques, including this new set of Halloween images.  Halloween is my absolute favorite Holiday, so this was a lot of fun to design.

It’s called the Witch’s Daybook, and includes all the information a well equipped Witch might need, from the School for Witches, to a new broom.  Available in my Etsy shop, you can use it to make Decorations, Make a fun Halloween themed Journal, for Note Cards, altered art and collage or scrapbooking.  I’ve included a form for making Party invitations,  and some blank pages for whatever you wish. 

I made an accordion style folder that stands up on a shelf or table, using the pages from the Witch’s Daybook.  I’ll show you how I did it tomorrow, in a simple tutorial.

Have a happy day, from the Dog and me.

New for June on TDIPT Mercantile

Hard to believe it’s the 15th of June already!  This means that I have new offerings on TDIPT Mercantile . This month my work is all about Halloween, with witches, bats, and a special display piece “Jackdaws”.

Jackdaws is another name for crows, especially in Europe.  This piece could be displayed year round.

 

Visit TDIPT Mercantile when you have a chance and see the wonderful work of all the member Artists.  Also, don’t miss the special group listings by TDIPT Members on eBay right now.  It’s the “Best in Show” launch. Click on the Banner below to take a look. 

Happy Tuesday from the Dog and Me!

The Great American Pastime

 

I wanted to make something that could be used for Father’s Day, and other “guy stuff” that comes up during the year.  When I came across these old time baseball cards and photos, I knew I was on the right track.

This is an old photo from the early 1900’s, obviously taken in a studio.  Some of the staged, studio photos of baseball players are really funny to look at now, though they were certainly cutting edge in their day.

And here’s my favorite! 

So I’ve made up a set of Old Time Baseball Images, and they’re now available in my Etsy shop, DigitalAntiques.  Download the set and make cards and tags for the men in your life.

The Dog is reminding me it’s been too long since he’s had a chance to play ball, so you know what we’ll be up to next.  Have a great week!

Summer is Here

We can always tell that Summer is ready to begin when we get a call from the family who grows the hay we feed in the Winter. They call to let us know when they will be cutting and baling the hay, and we drive over and pick it up from the field.  This Spring has been difficult for hay growers here in Tennessee, because of the weather.  Hay needs to be cut before it grows too tall, or sets seed, and it needs to lay in the field and dry for a couple of days before it’s baled, and all this time needs to be dry.  Wet hay will mold and mildew, and is no good for horses.  We haven’t had two days without rain since the middle of April, so when the weather cooperated, everyone in east Tennessee was busy getting in the hay.  Although we are just pretend farmers, it does remind us of how everyone depends on nature.

Here is a free image for your artwork.  Summer, from a 19th Century Kate Greenaway Almanac.  Such a sweet image,  click on it to enlarge, and save it to your computer.

Lastly, there is a new set of free tags to download, Birds this time.  Click on the tab in the sidebar, snag them, and enjoy. 

Happy Summer, from the Dog and Me!