DIY Network

Assemblage Art Odds and ends, bits and pieces: they all come together to create clever and useful works of art. From "Creative Juice" episode DCRJ-509

(Continued from page 1)

You’ll go to pieces over this innovative way to create your own secret message and disguise it in puzzle form.

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	Romance Novel Puzzle Love Note
	Romance Novel Puzzle Love Note, ready to mail

Romance Novel Puzzle Love Note

Materials:

purchased blank mini-puzzles
romance novel pages (or copies)
magazine clippings
découpage medium
craft paint or spray paint
pencil
marker pens
envelope
craft knife
blue painter's tape or masking tape
optional: rubber stamps and ink pads, embossing powders and embossing/heat gun, lace, string, glitter, etc.

1. Keeping the puzzle assembled and in its frame, paint the surface a base color with craft or spray paint. While painting, hold the puzzle together with strips of painter's or masking tape attached to the back (figure A).

2. Clip lace, magazine and romance novel pages, apply découpage medium to each piece and layer over the assembled puzzle to create a collage (figure B).

Figure B

3. Stamp rubber stamps over the collage, top with embossing powder, tap off excess and heat with an embossing or heat gun to create embossed images (figure C). Use markers to write messages, etc.

4. If desired, when the collage is complete, coat with a thin layer of découpage medium.

5. Decorate and address the envelope.

6. Remove the tape from the back of the puzzle, disassemble the puzzle and put the pieces in the envelope or a hollowed-out book (figure D). Use a craft knife to cut along the individual puzzle pieces to disassemble the puzzle (figure E).

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Keep messages private with a secret hideaway tucked deep within the pages of an unassuming book.

Hollowed-Out Book Puzzle Holder

Hollowed-Out Book Puzzle Holder

Materials:

old hardback romance novel
craft knife
ruler
gel medium
foam paintbrush
2-4 clamps
cardstock, cardboard or other thick paper
waxed paper

1. Use the gel medium to glue the dust jacket to the book (figure A). Next, glue the back pages of the book to the back inside cover. Glue all of the blank pages down, including the last page of the actual story; when the back cover is opened, the glued page that faces up should have text on it (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

2. Starting at the back of the book, and working on the left side, use the craft knife to cut out the text. Use the ruler to guide the craft knife in creating straight lines (figure C). You can cut through several pages at a time. Place a piece of cardstock or cardboard between the front inside cover and the first page to keep the craft knife from scoring the cover when you cut close to the front of the book. Continue cutting until all remaining pages have been cut.

3. With the front cover open and the pages of the book on the right side, apply gel medium to the inside edges and bottom of the just-carved well (figure D). In addition, cover the outer edges of the book in gel medium; do not put gel medium on the top of the very first page.

4. Place a piece of waxed paper between the front inside cover and the first page and close the book. Use clamps to clap the book shut, or place something heavy on top (figure E).

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

5. Let the medium dry for approximately 3-4 hours. When the medium on the outside of the book is fairly dry, unclamp the book, open the front cover and set aside until completely dry (drying time will vary depending on how thickly the medium was applied).

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