These directions are for students in my Advent Calendar class at Scrapbook Blessings in Newbury Park California. The class to make the Advent Calendars is October 26 and the decorating portion of the class is November 9th.
I found it is much easier to glue the pieces together and then paint. If you paint first the tabs will swell and not fit in the slots. This requires a lot of extra work and sanding to fit tabs into holes.
You will need:
Your kit, glue, rubber bands, Acrylic paint, foam paint brushes and smaller brush for small spaces.
I used Detail Adhesive Quick Dry Glue from the store to glue my pieces together
Colors used were American Acrylic Paint although any Acrylic paint will work.
I used
Santa Red for bright red
Berry Red for dark red
Lt Avocado for muted green
Sour Apple for bright green
This depends on paper you picked
Directions for the boxes. Fold the boxes and then glue ends and form a box. Use rubber bands to hold in place and make sure they are square while drying. Look at the way the boxes go together and you can see where to place glue line.
Afterward paint with Acrylic paint ( you will need one small bottle).
Do not coat to heavily as this is thin chipboard.
Allow to dry and then turn over and paint other sections.
You can also spray with Glimmer Mist.
Sanding and Gluing either Advent Calendar
The pieces need to be broken apart and will need sanding with a nail file or sand paper on tabs.
Put together as shown without gluing and then lay out and put together the second time and glue.
Glue tab pieces on each side
Glue top edges. End of tab doesn't need to be glued.
It is helpful to have a partner to help with holding in place etc. Do not hammer as the wood is press board and it will damage wood.
Square Shadowbox Directions
Chimney Directions
If there are any rough edges on the wood pieces file with a nail file or sandpaper.
I highly suggest you watch the video for the calendar you are making several times. See links above. Then watched the video and pause as you work.. Lay out all your pieces and put your calendar completely together with no gluing before starting so you know you have all the pieces in right place. There are several similar pieces to check carefully.
After putting it together without glue take it apart lay pieces out so you know
where to put them back together.
Start with bottom base
Using rubber bands to hold pieces in place is helpful.
This is bottom base
Allow pieces to dry well
VERY IMPORTANT THERE ARE PIECES WITH SHORTER TABS.
THESE FIT IN THE SECOND SECOND LEVEL SO THAT THE CENTER PIECE WILL ALSO FIT IN THE HOLES ON THE BOTTOM SECTION
Other side
Top added
This is added chimney
VERY IMPORTANT THE SHORTER TAB PIECE FITS IN THE SECOND SHELF ON THE TOWER SO THAT THERE IS ROOM FOR THE SIDE TABS TO FIT ALSO.
Doors swing open and are not glued.
Do not glue and be careful when you paint so they do not stick.
Now you are ready to paint. I would buy two small bottles of what ever color you plan to use for the wood part. It will take two coats.
C
Lay out wax paper or craft mat to paint on and paint all wood that is showing.