Congratulations!  You’re going to love creating a home décor piece that is simple and awesome!  This brief reference will show you the summary of steps to make this kit similar to how we planned it.  However, our theme at Foundations Décor is to Build Your Style. So we also encourage you to personalize this kit any way you’d like.  You’re welcome to substitute papers, paints, whatever you’d like. All of our instructions are general suggestions and you can change up if you’d like.  

If you’d like, layout your piece and admire how much fun you’ll have.

First, it would also be a good idea to get all your tools ready.  These tools are specifically made for wood crafting and sold by Foundations Décor.

1. Foam brush
2. Small paper file
3. Large paper file
4. Precision needle files

Other items that you’ll likely be using include:

1. Some type of glue.  Most any glue will work well.  Some that we use often are:
1. Mod Podge
2. Elmer’s General Purpose glue
3. Tombow glue – white or clear
2. Paint or ink – we’ll be using black, orange, and yellow.  This can be ink pads or acrylic paint.
3. A pencil
4. Scissors

Pro Tip # 1:

Start by putting an X on the front side of all items that you will be covering with paper.  

Next trace your pieces.  

Pro Tip # 2

Trace all your pieces first.  Then, paint the pieces that you plan to paint.  (If you trace them now, and paint / ink next, the paint/ink can dry while you are cutting your paper pieces.  

Place the side with the “X” on the BACK SIDE of the paper you’ll be cutting.  Remember, you’ll end up gluing the back side to the side with the “X”.

Trace the one side of the orange paper.

Trace any pieces that you want the different side of the orange paper showing on the other side in an unused portion.  

Trace your piece on yellow paper – Note how some pieces will be glued to the BACK SIDE of the of the house and pumpkin.  In this instance the you will cut INSIDE the line and the “X” will be up because you are covering the back side of the wood shape.  

Again, flip the paper over and trace any other pieces that you want to have the opposite side showing.  

Trace the pieces on the black paper.

Flip it over and trace any other pieces that you want to use the opposite side of the paper.  

Trace the pieces on the cream paper.

Setup the background pieces.

Pro Tip # 4

You can trace these pieces as show below.  But, we just glue them on and cut the edges of the paper off after they are glued using the paper files.  

Now, gather the pieces that you will be painting or inking.  

Paint or ink the pieces.  

Pro Tip # 5.  We leave the letters in place on the caption board.  It makes them easier to paint or ink. (Don’t worry if you get paint or ink on the background board.  You can either turn it over or cover it with paper.)

On the thick pieces, you’ll want to paint or ink the sides.  Just gives the kit a nice professional finished look. Here are our examples.

Now while the paint is drying, cut your pieces.

Now start gluing the pieces to the wood shapes.  Remember to glue the side with the “X” to the back side of the paper you are using (except any pieces that you are intentionally gluing to the pack for a “see through” look.  Like the house and pumpkin.

Put your papers in place and gently rub them flat.

Here’s another example of spreading the glue on the piece.

Here are the “see-through” pieces that we glued on the back side.

Pro Tip # 6

Don’t worry about cutting the paper exact.  You can use a file to shave off the paper for a perfect fit every time.

Once the glue has dried, shave the paper (You’ll actually see it cut the paper). Use firm pressure and long strokes.

Use the large paper file when possible for the quickest filing.  

On medium size sides, use the small paper file.

On very small sides, use the precision needle files.  

Pro Tip # 7

After you have all your pieces painted and covered with paper and the edges filed off, quickly stack everything and just make sure you like the layout.  

If desired, ink any paper edges you want to ink.  

Any square pieces.

And any shaped pieces.  

Next, glue your pieces in place on the background boards.

Pro Tip # 8

Put a thin film of glue on the backs of pieces that you are gluing in place.  Check to see if the glue dries clear (most white or clear glue dries clear). Then, do your best to keep the piece clean, but don’t worry too much if there are some sides or corners with a little extra glue if it dries clear.  

The glue in the corners will dry clear.

Glue and affix the pieces with paper on the back the same way as the other pieces.  

Any raw and painted pieces should be glued the same way.  

Finally, peel the backs off the magnets and affix them to the back of the background pieces to put them into the magnetic shadow box.  

There are seven magnets in the kit.  They are meant to be affixed to the back of the background pieces similar to this pattern.

Put your pieces into the magnetic shadow box.  

Congratulations!  You are done! Be sure to show off your amazing decoration piece.