I made these GRAD signs and DAD signs while trying to teach myself to make the layered mandala projects. I thought they would make the perfect graduation and Fathers’ Day gifts. Work on the mandalas continue and maybe they will be posted next week.
The projects are 4 or 5 layers, filling in each layer a little more with each level. It creates a wonderful effect and is really a lot easier than it looks. The Dad sign and grad sign make wonderful gifts
You will need:
-
-
-
- cardstock in various shades
- cardstock for the background
- Glue or Foam tape
- Frame (10 X 14)
- Download File
-
-
Paper Selection for Dad sign and Grad sign
This project can be made with any paper. The colors for the word parts should be in the same color family. Patterns would look very weird for everything but the background mat colors.
Cutting the Grad Sign or Dad Sign
Start with the darkest layer and cut the designs upward in hue and layer. This is a must!
Assembling the Signs
As yo cut the layers, build up from the bottom. Glue each layer to the one below it before you cut the next layer. This way you don’t lose the little pieces. This is more of a problem with the Dad Sign that the Grad Sign.
You can glue the layers together with foam tape or glue. Foam tape adds more dimension to the project but you end up using a lot of it. The GRAD sign was done this way. If you use glue it still looks great though. The DAD sign was done with glue.
Once the layers are all together, cut the background color the same size a the glass in your frame. I did this part by hand. If you used foam tape you should put foam tape between the mat and the glass along the edges to make the frame stick up far enough to give the project room.
And your Grad Sign and Dad Sign Projects are done.