Onwards and Upwards Weekend Is Here!

It's finally here!  The onwards and upwards weekend blowout, hosted by Jennifer of Jennifer Grace Creates.  I'm so glad you're here. 

If you're following the blog hop, you should have landed here from Lisa-Jane's site at Come Inside My Crazy Head.  In case you didn't know, there's a prize to be won if you comment on all the blogs in the hop.  You need to begin with Jennifer's site, and end at her site.  Then leave a comment letting her know that you commented on all the sites participating.

And what is the prize you ask?  Well, I'm delighted to say that it's a prize pack of cheerful Glitz Designs Color Me Happy and Simple Stories 24/7.  You can see it in the picture above.  All entries must be received by Monday the 13th of May at 10.59pm BST. 

In keeping with the theme of onwards and upwards, I decided to do a project using Jennifer's word of the year, "PROGRESS".  I thought it would look cool as a quilled inspirational wall plaque.  

I started the project by printing out the word in a pretty script font.  I made sure that I chose the lightest printing available.

After cutting my strips, I started gluing them onto the word, starting in the middle and working to the outer edges.  The strips were glued standing on their sides.

This is the halfway point.

Working the other side.

Lettering finished.

I decided that it didn't need to be the full page size, so I cut it down, leaving about an inch all around.

For the frame, I used the same colored paper and cut four 2-inch strips.  Then folded back both sides 1/2 inch.

I measured and mitered each corner.

Checked for fit.

I used some of the scrap pieces to reinforce the inside of the corners.  

For strength, and to keep the sides straight, I knew that I needed more.  So I took card stock and cut 4 strips like before, but a tad smaller.  Then I folded the sides the same way.

All four glued to the inside and outside.edges.  This really strengthened it. 

Before I glued it, I punched a hole for hanging.

I cut the plastic from this cardboard to use as a faux glass for the front of the frame.

Instant recycling.  Gotta love it!

Since the plastic could not be glued to the inside (because of the quilling), I had to figure a way to attach it to the outside.

This is what I came up with.  I thought it turned out great.

This is what the back looks like, once it's finished.

So, what do you think?  Would you believe that this is my first try at quilling words?  I think I did good, if I say so myself.

I took loads of pictures trying to capture how pretty it is, but none did justice.  

Just take my word for it, it's purty as can be!







Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed my project.  Your next stop along the hop is Jo's site at http://www.curlyscrapbooker.blogspot.co.uk/.  I've included a list of the participating sites below, just in case you get lost along the way.

Jennifer - http://jennifergracecreates.com/

Rinda - http://gallorganico.blogspot.co.uk/

Meghann - http://www.meghannslittlecorner.blogspot.co.uk/

Louise - http://scrapbook-me.blogspot.co.uk/

Lisa-Jane - http://comeinsidemycrazyhead.blogspot.co.uk/

Julie - http://www.icreatepurtythangs.blogspot.co.uk/

Jo S - http://www.curlyscrapbooker.blogspot.co.uk/

Jo B - http://www.buckinghamspalace.blogspot.co.uk/

Jenny - http://dragonllew.blogspot.co.uk/

Jacky - http://scrappyjackylive.blogspot.co.uk/

Fay - http://beautifullilysramblings.blogspot.co.uk/

Daphne - http://dapfniedesign.wordpress.com/

Abi - http://creatingpaperdreams.blogspot.co.uk/

Jennifer - http://jennifergracecreates.com/