TIMELINE Project

It is almost Fathers Day in Australia, and I have decided to create something for my Husband, that won't end up in a drawer with the rest of previous cards and gifts.

I've decided to do a timeline of his life. Something to remind him of family, places and good times. This project is easy to do, and can be used to showcase family holidays or special occasions. You can build a string for each family member and hang them in a row. I will suggest hanging them in different lengths to create a good visual installation.

You will need:

A flat pack kit of little wooden boxes (Order from www.facebook.com/RabbitHillCreations

Photos

Printer

A4 white copy printer paper

PVA craft glue

scissors

Instant Adhesive (Quick set glue)

String of choice around 2m to work with

Scrapbook embellishments (optional)

Brown acrylic craft paint or brown shoe polish

Instructions:

1. Refer to the next photo. Lay the little squares down, exactly as the photo shown. If you don't you will end up with upside down photos. The squares is cut like a puzzle, and need to be in a certain way for a perfect fit.

2. I was a bit lazy, and decided to not paint my blocks. If you decide to paint your blocks, you have to do so before sticking your photos down. Make sure the paint is dry. Leave in a sunny spot or overnight.

3. Because I didn't paint my blocks I need my photos to blend in with the natural colour of the wooden blocks. I use a free program "Picasa 3" to change my photos to sepia brown. If you do a Google search you will find the instructions to download the program. It is a really easy program to use, and you can change your image to any colour.

4. I then change the size of my photos to fit on my 8cm x 8cm blocks. Also available in Picasa, when you go to the print function. I also print a few words in brown, to add in between the photos.

5. I cut the photos out, and left a small white frame around some.

6. Decide how you want to display the photos. I've started with the Baby photos and birth date, working my way down to 2016. Again refer to the layout photo and make sure to lay the photos down with the right side facing up. Working with one block at a time, take the first square and put a small amount of PVA glue and smooth it out using your finger or a small brush. Only slightly bigger than the photo.

7. Then place the photo down in the preferred way, and gently smooth out the bubbles with your finger. While the bottom glue is still wet, add a small amount of the PVA glue on the photo, and gently massage the glue into the photo, covering the edges of the photo. Finish the process of by moving your finger from left to right, to create a smooth finish. Leave to dry, Don't touch the glue once it get sticky, it will damage the photo.

8. Once you finish the photos on all the blocks, and they are totally dry, you can start sticking them together. Using the layout photo, stick together one side at a time. I use Instant adhesive at this stage. It's quick, but you have to make sure your pieces line up perfectly before adding the glue into the cut out areas. Here is the layout photo again.

9. The first two pieces to stick together, would be the top with the hole, and then the piece to the right. Flip the side down, to start building the block. Add small glue drops into the cut out area and join the two parts. You only need the smallest drop of glue, otherwise it will run over the sides and you will stick yourself to the block.

10. Stick the whole block together, except the bottom square with the hole. It is a tight fit, but otherwise your block will just fall apart.

11. After doing this to all your blocks, now decide the order to hang them. Take the first block, and stick the one end of the string through the hole. Make a large knot on the inside of the block, so when it hang down it won't pull through. Leave enough string at the top to hang the blocks from. Stick the string through the bottom square, add a bit of glue and stick the square in place. You will now have a complete block. Make another large knot against the bottom of the block. Add a little bit of glue to the knot and stick it to the block.

12. Leave around 6cm between the blocks. Make another large knot (6cm from the last knot)and continue with block two. Keep on adding blocks to the string until you finished the last block with a big knot and a bit of glue. Cut the string just below the knot.

13. I took some brown acrylic paint, and add the smallest amount to a brush. I then dry brush the paint around some pictures and the writing. I wiped most of the paint back with a dry cloth. I did this just to add a vintage touch.

You are now ready to hang and admire your work. You can stick embellishments to the blocks. A sea shell you picked up from the beach holiday or create a hanging scrapbook, and use all those embellishments laying around. Your imagination have no limits. Enjoy this project.

The End