Fun Find: DIY "It's a Small World" Wreath Video

Happy Friday!  Today I'm sharing a quick little video on a DIY It's a Small World wreath!

Photo Source

It's a Small World is one of Eliot's and my favorite attractions at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.  I'm also completely obsessed with the ride's gorgeous holiday overlay that they do at the Disneyland Resort time of year.  (Eliot's actually never seen it, but it's definitely on our to do list so he can!)  This video reminds me a lot of it too!

I first saw this video from a few years ago and I've always loved how they made this wreath!  I wish that Disney Family do more of these DIY videos like they used to years ago... but I'm definitely happy with the few I've found.  It's also giving me ideas of how to make my own Small World wreath for our house!

I hope you enjoyed this quick little video!  Happy Holidays everyone!!!  °o°

Scrapbook DIY: It's A Small World Die Cut

As I mentioned yesterday, I recently did another scrapbook swap.  For the title swap, I selected "It's a Small World" for my design.  I had to make 26 pieces by hand using my paper cutter, scissors, paper punches and anything else I could come up with.

It took a little bit of creativity, but I did it!  Designing a title for "It's a Small World" was actually pretty easy since the ride is so geometric.  Would you like to make a paper piece for your own scrapbook?  Here's how I made mine:

Materials:

• White Card Stock Paper
• Gold Card Stock Paper
• Silver Card Stock Paper
• Paper Cutter
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Daisy Paper Punch (I found mine at Michael's)
• Small Circle Paper Punch (I found mine at ACMoore)
• 2.5" Circle Paper Punch (I found mine at Michael's)
• Silver/Gold Marker Pens- acid free
• Gold Stamp Ink
• Small World Clock Stamp (found here)
• Adhesive (I used Elmer's Craft Bond tape)
• Word Processing Software and a Printer
• Extra Cardstock (for templates)
• Sitckles or Glitter Glue (optional)

Step #1

1.) Design The Text 

Because I couldn't use my Cricut, I designed the text of my die cut with my computer.  I found a storybook font that looked close to the It's A Small World text.  I then made a few boxes for it in Illustrator.  I filled the text white with a thin gray outline.  Then, I printed them out on 8.5 x 11" white card stock.  (You can also do this with Microsoft Word or another word processor.)  Next, I colored all of the text in with metallic silver markers.  As I completed each sheet, I laid them out to dry so they wouldn't get smudged.  When they were finished, I cut out all of the boxes and set them aside.

Step #2

2.) Cut Template Pieces

Next, I cut out a few sample pieces so I could figure out my design.  It's easiest to create simple geometric patterns that are easy to cut.  My paper cutter has ruler markings on it so I cut out strips of 1" paper.  Then, I created 1" boxes.  I cut some in half, creating triangles.  I kept some of them as squares.  I paper punched a few silver daisies.  I set them off to the side in piles.

Step #3

3.) Create Your Design

Then, I started arranging the cut outs so they would be similar to the ride.  After playing around with the template pieces for a few minutes, I was ready to create my design.  I wanted to make it look similar to the entrance to both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland's It's A Small World ride.  It looks like a bunch of small buildings all attached to each other.  I ended up cutting out a few more pieces: 1/2" silver squares and small white circles made with a paper punch.  Next, I used extra card stock (from printing the text) to create "roofs" on top of the "buildings".  I hand drew the roofs and played around with a few styles before settling on my final choices.

Step #4

4.) Trace Templates

This is probably the most tedious part of the process.  Once I was happy with my roof top templates, there wasn't a quick way to cut them.  I literally had to cut the paper into strips and then trace each and every one of them.  However, I got into a pretty good flow and it passed pretty quickly while I was listening to music.

Step #5

5.) Create Clock Face

I used my clock face stamp to stamp more of the left over plain white card stock.  After stamping and letting them thoroughly dry, I used a large 2.5" paper punch to cut out the clock faces.  I probably could have used a 2" punch in order to not have a border, but I wanted a little room for error.  Take your time to make sure your clock is centered in the punch.  Otherwise, it'll look messy.  (Note: If you don't trust yourself with the paper punch accuracy, you could punch out the circles first and then stamp them.)

Step #6

6.) Cut Out Paper Pieces

Ok, I lied- this is the most tedious part of the process.  Once you're settled on your final design, you have to cut out all of the pieces- by hand.  This is why so many people have cutting machines to do it for them.  Luckily for me, I enjoy listening to music while I craft; it makes time go by faster.  I cut paper pieces for quite some time.  When I had enough of one, I moved on to another- resulting in little stacks of paper pieces!

Step #7

7.) Assemble Die Cuts

Here's the fun part- putting the die cuts together!  Now that you have all of your pieces cut, use them to make one final layout of your design.  If you don't like something, now is the time to change it!  I tweaked my design a little before I was happy with it.  Don't be afraid to experiment with layers.  It will give the buildings an authentic look!  Once your design is done, use your glue tape to carefully attach the pieces to your base.  I did mine in stages.  I added the roofs first; then I added the details and clock faces.  It was less overwhelming to split the process up.  Plus, I felt like I was accomplishing more, faster.  Before I knew it, the stack of completed paper pieces was growing!

Once everything is attached to your base, you're done!  Congratulations; you made a paper piece by hand!  The best part?  You can use this outline to create any type of scrapbook title of paper piecing you can think of!  The sky is the limit!  I absolutely love how these came out!  I'm happy I used sparkly metallic silver and gold paper for the details.  It really gives the paper piece the glittery look of the ride entrance!  I'm definitely making more little buildings for my It's A Small World pages.  °o°

Scrapbook Swap: Disney Titles

I've done another swap with my Disney Scrapbook Facebook group!  In the past, I've also participated in the Christmas in July Card Swap, the Christmas Layout Swap, the Valentine's Day Layout Swap, the Easter Layout Swap and the Patriotic Picnic Swap.  At this point, I've got quite the collection of Disney die cuts!!!

The process for the title swap was a little bit different from the others I've participated in.  Instead of choosing from a pre-determined list of cuts, we were allowed to select something of our own choosing.  For the title swap, I selected "It's a Small World."

I planned my cut for the swap ahead of time.  I created a design that was possible for me to make by hand since I still didn't have my Cricut running at the time.  In addition, my machine doesn't take svg files that are downloadable from the internet to cut out special designs.  I'm still making them all with my paper cutter, scissors and paper punches!  (Check back tomorrow for a tutorial on how to make your own It's a Small World title or scrapbook die cut pieces!)

My swap package actually arrived a few weeks ago and we've been so busy this summer that I haven't had a chance to post about it until now!  I'm so happy I did this swap!!!  I never take the time to make my own titles, and I can't easily buy customized Disney titles at the local craft store.  (Online is another story... must stay far away!)

The titles from this swap are so creative!  I'm going to make more of my own now that I have a collection started.  These are a few of my favorites from this swap!  I love the Mickey ice cream bar!  The general Disney cuts will be perfect.  The Epcot title is perfect for our adventures there!  I think my two favorites are a toss up between the Character Dining and Frozen titles.  Those will definitely be used!

This swap was tons of fun!  I'm really inspired to create more custom designs for my scrapbook!  Now if only I could find some time to sit down and scrapbook!  °o°