October 2000
AZTEC DIAMOND Year-Round Frames, Cards and Hanging Ornaments
Designed By Judi Kauffman

The Aztec Diamond Shape on Red Castle's FIT IT Frames CD is extremely versatile. You can use it to frame a photo of any size or shape and if you're careful when you cut out the center, you can use that inner shape for a hanging ornament -- not a scrap of card stock wasted.

This project is named "Year-Round" because all you need to do to turn it into a Mother's Day card or Halloween frame is to change the colors and embellishments. Use the samples to inspire your own creations.

MATERIALS

Red Castle FIT IT Frames CD - Aztec Diamond template

Red Castle Fit It Frames CD
Photos
Card stock - hologram, handmade paper, solid colors, hand-stamped, etc. (appropriate to the holiday or event and to complement photos)
Embellishments (faceted flat-back gems)
Adhesive backed foam dots
Gem glue (Beacon Gem Tac)
Straight edge
Craft knife
White gel pen (Gel Xtreme from Yasutomo)
Glue stick or Xyron with adhesive cartridge
Fine gold or silver cord, chenille needle

Instructions

General Instructions

Crop photos to size and shape desired.
Make an Aztec Diamond template in the size and dimensions needed to fit the photo. Print the template directly onto the back of card stock if it will feed through your computer printer OR print the template onto lightweight paper and adhere it to the back of the card stock. Cut the shape using craft knife and straight edge. Save the piece that comes out of the center to use for shaped ornaments.

Hologram Christmas Frame Instructions:

Cut Aztec Diamond shape from Hologram card stock. Layer frame over red card stock.
Layer photo onto white card stock, cut with 1/8" border, and center photo on adhesive backed foam pieces for added dimension. Refer to photo of sample.
Using white gel pen, write names and dates in corners of frame and decorate points with dots and doodles.

Hologram Christmas Ornament Instructions:

Use the piece saved from the Hologram Frame project for a shaped ornament. Thread needle with silver cord and pierce top corner for hanging loop.
Make a narrow red frame for the photo using FIT IT Frames Rectangle/Square shape template. Note that the red frame is positioned 1/8" inside the dimensions of the photo so you see some of the photo AROUND the frame.
Center the photo, raised on foam pieces for dimension, and glue faceted flat-back gems to corners of ornament.

Summer Smiles Card and Ornament Instructions:

Cut an Aztec Diamond frame shape from handmade paper with dried botanicals or any stock that complements the photo.
Refer to photo for ideas. Layer photo and frame or shaped piece on card stock as shown, or invent your own version.

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