Personalizing Paperweights with Text: A Family Recipe with Grandma's Photo

Many families have recipes that have been passed down from mother to daughter (or son) for two or more generations.  They're often written on index cards with corners and edges that have been lovingly worn and tattered throughout the years.  Some have been stained by a drop or two of vanilla, or even scorched from a slight mishap.

These written family treasures are often stored in a recipe box or scribbled on the inside cover of a cookbook.  This design idea, following my series on personalizing paperweights with text, will turn  timeless recipes into beloved keepsakes.  Adding a family photo will make your paperweight even more special.

Here's how I made it...

I used the Large Rectangle Paperweight Kit for this project because it has a generous display area that measures 4 1/2" x 2 3/4".  Granted, not all recipes will fit into this space.  You can edit the text of your recipe to shorten it.  You can also experiment with fonts, font sizes, and different layouts.  Still, a recipe with many steps will be a challenge.

The layout for the design was created using a simple publishing program called Microsoft Publisher.

I started by drawing a box that was slightly larger than the measurements of the Large Rectangle's display area.  This was easy to do using the program's ruler feature as a guide.

The text of the recipe and the ingredients were typed into separate text boxes so I could position them independently.  After moving them around a little, I decided the best fit was to place the instructions on the left and the ingredients to the right.  The font (Times New Roman) was sized to 9pt which was still very easy to read.

The photograph was added to some blank space above the ingredients.  To make the title of the recipe stand out, it's in a larger, red typewriter font.  I also added a vertical, dashed line in red to separate the two columns.

ADDING A BACKGROUND COLOR

I wanted to include an alternate version of the same artwork to show you how a few simple changes can dramatically transform the look of your design.

The alternate version has a blue background, white text, and white lines.  Everything else is exactly the same.


PRINTING

I printed my artwork on premium photo paper using my inkjet printer.  I used the best print quality setting possible.

This Child's Antique Mirror Makes an Adorable Papeweight... Perfect for Quick Makeup Checks at Work

The centerpiece of this paperweight design is an antique hand mirror from a child's set.  It's made of nickel plated metal that I was able to brighten up with a little silver polish.

When the mirror is set it against a background of vintage-inspired paper, it's transformed into a special and unique piece.  It's also something you can keep within reach for those times you need to do a quick check of your hair or makeup at work.

I used the Large Rectangle Paperweight Kit (PhotoWeights: Large Rectangle) for this project.  The only other supplies I used included a scrap of decorative paper, the mirror, and some ribbon.  A hot glue gun was also used.

The first step to creating a paperweight that features a dimensional object is to create a background for the object to be adhered to.  This is done by applying paper, fabric, or other type of material to the self-adhesive mounting board that's included with each PhotoWeights paperweight kit.

In the image above, the adhesive side of the black mounting board was placed on the reverse side of a piece of decorative, floral paper.  (The floral paper had another design printed on the reverse side.)

After your background is attached to your mounting board, use a pair of sharp scissors to trim any material that extends beyond the edge of the board.  (The board acts as an excellent cutting guide.)

I tied a small bow around the handle of the mirror to dress it up a little.  The green bow coordinates with a color found on the floral paper I used.

Tip:  Double check to make certain your mirror and any embellishments you add will fit within the display area of your paperweight, especially the depth.

After I cleaned the mirror, I placed it on the mounting board and centered it.

Because I'll be using hot melt glue, there will be little opportunity to reposition the mirror once it's glued down.  I used removable tape (washi tape) as a guide to mark where the left and right of the mirror should be positioned.

The center of the back of the mirror is slightly raised, so I applied the hot glue around the center to avoid adding any additional thickness to the final design.  A dab of glue was also placed on the handle for added support.

After the mirror was secured in place, the guide tape was easily removed.

The mounting board (with mirror attached) was placed face-down into the recessed area on the bottom of the paperweight.

I finished the paperweight by applying the self-adhesive bottom pad, included with each PhotoWeights paperweight kit.

FINDING A MIRROR

Antique mirrors such as the one I used may be found on websites such as Etsy.com and Ebay.com. You need a smaller mirror which may be described as a toy mirror, doll mirror, or child's mirror.

Most craft stores sell small, thin, unframed mirrors that are perfect for creating mirrored paperweight designs.  You may also be able to use the mirror from an old compact.

Turn a Mary Engelbreit Greeting Card Into the Most Adorable Paperweight

Mary Engelbreit is one of my favorite artists because her designs are so warm and charming.  This is why I'm such a huge fan of American Greetings' line of cards featuring her artwork.

When I was shopping for Valentine's Day earlier this month, this sweet card caught my eye.  I knew it would make the most adorable paperweight.

The list of supplies for this project is very small.  I used the Large Rectangle Paperweight Kit, a Mary Engelbreit card, and some double-stick foam tape.  I also used something PhotoWeights just introduced, a display area template.  These templates are reusable and available for just 50-cents each.

My challenge with the greeting card was the fact that there were several inches of space between the little girl and the heart-shaped balloon (as you can see in the photo above).  I easily solved this problem by cutting out the balloon and placing it closer to the girl.  The balloon was attached with double-stick foam tape, raising it about 1/8" above the background.  This transformed it into a dimensional embellishment

Using the display area template, I traced a cut line around the area of the image I wanted to appear in the paperweight.   I recommend using a pencil for this step.

Cut around the outside of your traced line with a pair of good scissors.  Any visible portions of the line may be gently erased.

Adhere your artwork to the adhesive mounting board that comes with each paperweight kit.  This board is the same size as the template, so your artwork should fit perfectly if you cut just outside the trace line.

The heart balloon was carefully cut out with a pair of good scissors.  I placed a square of double-stick foam tape on the back, far enough from the edges that it would not be visible from the front.

The heart-shaped balloon was placed onto the artwork from the card, lining up the string.  Because this string extends all the way to the edge of the card, the balloon had to be placed close to the edge to cover it.

Any materials you place on the mounting board that extend beyond the edge can simply be trimmed.  (This is the top part of the balloon).

The mounting board (with artwork attached) was placed face-down into the recessed area on the bottom of the paperweight.

To finish, the base of the paperweight was covered with the self-adhesive bottom pad that's also included in each paperweight kit.

The next time you find yourself walking down the greeting card aisle of your local store, spend a few moments looking through the hundreds of greeting card designs that are available.  Which ones will you want to capture in a paperweight?

A Glammed Up, Girlie Paperweight That's Seriously Easy to Make

Whenever I pass by a Target store, I'll often stop to pick up a few things so I can look through their selection of Papyrus greeting cards.  These cards are very well designed, decorated with all sorts of embellishments, and perfect for creating some seriously cute paperweights.

 

For this project you'll need a greeting card and a paperweight kit.  The card used in the example is a birthday card from Papyrus ("Four Girls Playing Dress Up", papyrusonline.com)  Because I wanted to include as much of the design as possible in the paperweight, I used the largest paperweight kit we have available (PhotoWeights: Large Rectangle).

Each paperweight kit includes a pre-cut, self-adhesive mounting board.  Simply apply the adhesive side of the board to the back of the design and cut any paper that extends beyond the edge of the board.  The board is rigid, so it will act as an excellent cutting guide.  The photo above shows the artwork already mounted to the board.

A word about glitter.  I'm not a big fan of glittery greeting cards because the glitter can get everywhere - your hands, clothing, face.  Before you assemble your paperweight, I recommend removing any loose glitter by running a dry cloth or brush over the design.  A few gentle puffs from a can of compressed air will work nicely, too.

Before you begin this step, clean your paperweight with a streak-free glass cleaner.  After you check to make certain there are no smudges or dust particles on the glass, place your artwork face-down into the recessed are on the bottom of the paperweight.

For the finishing touch, cover the base of the paperweight with the pre-cut, self-adhesive bottom pad that's included in your paperweight kit.


Greeting card paperweights are perfect for holiday gifts because there are so many card designs to choose from.  As you can see, they're also a breeze to make.

Antique Button Card Paperweight

 

This paperweight would make the perfect gift for a seamstress or someone who collects antique sewing notions.  It's made with an old sewing card that still has it's pearlized buttons attached.  The artwork on the card features two peacocks with their outstretched feathers fashioned into a border.

The buttons are sewn onto the card with a small sheet of foil behind them.  This has a mirror effect that adds a lot to this piece.  I added a needle and thread to the design to give it a little more interest.

The first step in creating this paperweight was to make a background to build the design on.  I chose a sheet of greenish-blue paper from a scrapbooking pad.  (The color was a close match to a color in the peacock feathers.)  The paper was placed on the pre-cut, self-adhesive mounting board included with the paperweight kit.  (PhotoWeights:  Large Rectangle)

I used double-stick tape on the back of the button card because I wanted the card to lay as flat as possible on the background.  Be sure to use permanent tape, as removable tape is likely to lift.

As you can see, the buttons are sewn into the card.  Sometimes you'll find the thread used to do this is somewhat delicate, especially on older pieces.  If this is the case, re-stringing the buttons with new thread is an option.  If the thread is still in fair condition, you can also apply just enough glue to the thread on the back of the card to keep it secure.

After you place the button card on the background, gently press down on all areas of the card to ensure a tight bond with the double-stick tape.

Here's a tip.  Before I applied the tape-backed button card to the background, I drew a faint line with pencil as a guide to help me center the card.

I wanted to add a little something to the design to give it more interest.  I thought a needle and thread would be the perfect element to tie everything together.  After I threaded the needle, the needle was glued to the button card with clear adhesive.

The thread was laid across the buttons.  In order to keep it in place, I used a small amount of clear glue on the middle button, second row from the bottom.  The end of the thread was tucked underneath the mounting board and held in place with tape.

Here is a close-up view of the finished paperweight.

Button cards are just one of the many things you can find at flea markets and antique shops for your paperweight projects.  Dollar bins are a great place to look!

Vintage Valentine Paperweights

With Valentine's Day less than three weeks away, it's the perfect time to add a sentimental touch of romance (or schoolhouse puppy love) to your desk with a vintage Valentine Paperweight.  If you don't have any old Valentine's Day cards at hand, check with a local antique shop to see if they have a selection available.

I had the luxury of sorting through a few boxes of old Valentine's Day cards earlier this month and chose three simple, die-cut cards (pictured above) for these projects.  Choose cards with fun graphics that will fit well within the display area of your paperweight.

Important note:  Vintage cards can be very delicate, so be especially careful.  A coating that makes some cards shiny may also craze when the paper is bent.

To My Sweetheart

The first paperweight was created by cutting out the artwork on the Valentine's card.  I used a metallic paper background that shimmers when the light catches it.  This color of the paper (Blue Steel) compliments the dark blue bow in the little girl's hair.  It's also a nice backdrop for the red heart.

I used a glue stick to apply the card to the background.

Puppy Love

I'm a little heartbroken about this paperweight because I accidentally destroyed it when I attempted to change the background (note the earlier warning about the fragility of clear coatings).

The background is a soft shade of green.  I later realized it should have been blue to resemble a sky over the fence (duh!).  Plan B was to replace the green paper with a photo of a sky and clouds I tore out of a magazine.  It would have looked perfect. (Emphasis on would have.)

St. Valentine Greet to You!

I chose this card because I love the floral dress and huge, oversize bows. All little girls should have such a dress.  Don't you agree?

My goal with this design was to take a die-cut card and place it on a background that would make it look as though it wasn't die-cut at all.  I chose a piece of scrapbook paper in a yellow baroque pattern that really brought it all together.

First Prize at the County Fair!

 

Today's paperweight showcases a few items that were bundled together in an old scrapbook album I purchased.  I really love the look of vintage paper, especially when it's a bit tattered.  It really lends a lot of interest to to paperweight by creating depth, texture, and age.  This is why I often refer to PhotoWeights as little shadowboxes you keep on your desk.

The items I used are pictured above.  Because of the size and depth of paper and button combined, I used the Large Rectangle paperweight kit.  All the items related to the Freeborn County Fair in Albert Lea, MN.  There's an entry form that includes a list of canned goods a woman entered in the fair, as well as an entry tag that was attached to one of the items.  (Don't you love old hang tags with string?).  The button is covered with blue, silken fabric that's imprinted in gold.  It's stunning when the light hits it!

I overlapped the entry form and the entry ticket and stapled them together.  Because these items were fairly thin, I was easily able to pin the button through them.  (I had considered removing the pin from the back of the button so I could glue the button directly to the tag.  After giving it some thought, I realized this would have made it look too staged.)  Pinning the button through the paper gave the paper more shape.  The sharp end of the pin also looks great.

The mounting board, included with the paperweight kit, was covered with vintage-inspired scrapbook paper. (See photo above.)

After the display items were grouped together, they were applied to the mounting board with glue.  (See photo above.)  The string attached to the hang tag was also secured with glue to prevent it from moving freely within the paperweight.

Once the glue dried completely, the paperweight was finished by placing the mounting board (display items attached) face-down into the recessed area on the bottom of the paperweight.  A velvet pad, also included with the paperweight kit, was applied over the bottom of the paperweight to keep everything in place.

I hope this project will inspire you to find design possibilities in a variety of items that may otherwise end up being discarded.

What kind of cast-off items do you enjoy working with?  Better yet, send us a photo a of "Junk Drawer" paperweight you've created.  We'd love to share your designs.

Antique Sewing Scissors With a Clip of Vintage Ribbon

One of my dearest friends celebrated her birthday last weekend.  She's collected antique sewing notions as long as I can remember.  Therefore, I thought I'd create a distinct paperweight that would add a touch of home to her office.

I purchased these antique sewing scissors years ago because I loved the patina of the metal and the delicate design of the handles.  When I placed them on a decorative background and added a clip of vintage ribbon, the scissors were transformed into something truly special.

This project required the Large Rectangle paperweight because of the area required to display the scissors.  I also used K&Company's 'Teal Floral & Letter Flat Paper' from their ancestry.com collection.  (Most craft stores like Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics carry more than 100 different paper designs sold by the sheet.)   To add a little more interest to the design, I added some vintage ribbon.

The photo above shows the mounting board (included in each paperweight kit) with the decorative paper applied.  I used Liquid Fusion, a clear urethane glue, to adhere the scissors to the background.  The piece of ribbon was added last.

Here are a few tips:

Prior to gluing items to your background, arrange them a few different ways and view them under the paperweight before commiting to a layout.

There are a few things to consider when it comes to selecting the right glue for your project.  You should use an adhesive that's designed for the materials you're working with (metal, wood, glass, plastic, etc.).  You should also consider damage the glue may cause to the items you're displaying if they have monetary or sentimental value.

I hope this paperweight will inspire you to look for a small treasure the next time you're at an antique shop or a tag sale.  Perhaps you already have something hidden in a box or a drawer.

What kind of curiosities can you think of that would look great in a paperweight?  We'd love to hear your ideas!