Photo Clock | Good Things Utah '06 by Kara Henry

• Canvas: Canvas Concepts
• Paper: My Mind’s Eye
• Flowers: Prima
• Pen: Zig
• Ink: ColorBox
• Thread: Coats and Clark
• Acrylic paint: Making Memories
• Clock mechanism and hands: Walnut Hallow
• Floss: DMC
• Buttons: American Crafts

1. Pick the photo that you want to go on your clock. Keep in mind that the hands of the clock and the numbers will have to fit without obscuring any important parts of the photo. I printed mine at 4 x 10”, but a smaller photo will work as well.

2. Start with a primed 10 x 10” canvas. The paper I chose is from My Mind’s Eye and the line is Wild Asparagus. It’s double-sided paper with a great texture. You’ll need just one sheet of the flowers and one sheet of the stripes. Cut flowered background paper to 9 1/2 x 9 1/2”. Add photo and strips of patterned paper. The solid strips are the back of the flower paper, distressed with sandpaper.

3. Using black thread, zigzag stitch with a sewing machine along the seams of the paper. Pull threads through to back and secure with acid free tape. Ink the edges of the paper in brown. Rub on words. Write names and date on light green paper (the back of the striped paper), cut out, ink and adhere.

4. Turn paper over to the back. Find the center by laying a ruler from corner to corner, then making a pencil line in the middle. Repeat for the opposite corner. Where the lines meet, use an anywhere hole punch and a hammer to punch a hole. Repeat with the canvas.

5. Make a template for the “numbers” of the clock with a blank sheet of cardstock, then use a hole punch to make a hole where they will go. Lay your template on your paper, then mark where the buttons and flowers will go. Using a tacky adhesive, glue flowers and buttons in place. You don’t need to use very much adhesive, as we will be coming back and sewing the buttons in place. Set aside to dry.

6. Paint the outer edges and the sides of the canvas black (or another coordinating color). Set aside to dry.

7. Place your paper on a mouse pad and using a paper piercer or needle, punch holes in the paper through the button holes. Thread white floss onto a thin needle with a large hole. Go through each of the buttons, working around the clock.

8. Using a gel medium or Mod Podge, thinly coat the back of your paper, then adhere to canvas, lining up the center holes.

9. Turn canvas over, then using your hole punch and hammer, punch three holes close together to allow the clock mechanism to fit through. Put clock mechanism on according to directions, distressing the clock hands if so desired.

10. Add a battery and hang on your wall to enjoy!

Additional detail images shown below. To view Kara's appearance on Good Things Utah, Click here.

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