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October 19, 2009

Découpage Plates

Filed under: Hand made gifts — Tags: , , , , , , , — @ 3:13 am

Decorating plates using découpage is really easy and the effect is as good as any expensive designer plate. The great thing is when you do it yourself you can make very special personalised gifts and momentos. You can use photos, special messages or dates, write your own messages or poems for a really impressive look.

What You Need -

  • Wrapping paper, greeting cards or other suitable motif.
  • Sharp scissors
  • PVA Glue and Brush
  • Glass plates
  • Paint (Acrylic or Emulsion) and Brushes
  • Blu-tac
  • Extra fine pointed gold or other suitable colour marker pen (spirit-based).
  • Cotton wool buds
  • Small sponge
  • Clear Varnish and paint brush

What To Do -

  1. Cut out the motifs you will be using. It can look effective to put a larger image in the centre and smaller ones around the edge. Use blu-tac to keep your design in place until you are happy with the positions.
  2. At this point it is a good idea to put your personal message or photo on the plate.
  3. With your message and motifs worked out it is time to secure everything in place with glue. Using the PVA paste the right side of your motifs and place them on the underside of your glass plate. Smooth it out with your finger being careful to remove any air bubbles.
  4. Place any other decorations you are using in the same manner.
  5. When everything is in place and dry you are ready to paint. Clear off any excess glue with warm water and cotton wool bud. Sponge paint over the back of the plate several times allowing it to dry in between each sponging.
  6. To finish off, protect the paint with a couple of coats of clear varnish. Remember to allow each coat to dry before applying the next. Clean up the top surface and dry to a shine. this plate should not be submerged in water to clean just wipe with a damp cloth.
  7. To hang your plate add a peel and stick hanger to the back.

Take your time and plan your design carefully and you will not be disappointed.

Have Fun:)

October 16, 2009

Découpage Jewel Box

Filed under: Craft Ideas — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — @ 5:46 am

You will need a pre-made box. These can be found in most craft supply stores along with many other crafty items you can apply découpage to.

Instructions

  1. Seal the surface of item to be decorated with all-purpose sealer, paint or gesso.
  2. Sand gently with coarse sanding pad. Clean with a damp cloth then wipe over with a tack cloth to remove dust.
  3. Apply two coats of your choice of green acrylic to the inside of the box, allow to dry then wipe over with acrylic gold.
  4. Mix a cool and warm acrylic yellow together and apply to the outside of the box. Let dry, trim with the green and wipe over with gold.
  5. Seal painted surface with all purpose sealer.
  6. Seal découpage paper, front and back, with sealer.
  7. Use sharp manicure scissors to cut out motifs. Arrange images as desired for your project. Use blu-tack while deciding your design.
  8. Mix clag and PVA, 4:1 and apply generously to images and surface of item. Place your images on the item and apply more glue. Smooth the surface of image and remove air bubbles and expelling excess glue. Apply roller gently to the surface to ensure it is smooth and free of bubbles. Wipe carefully with a damp cloth, so as not to move the image.
  9. Using a weak vinegar and water solotion wipe over the surface to ensure all glue is removed. This prevents mould forming after the item has been varnished. Let dry. Any patches can be coloured with oil pencil.
  10. Use sponge brush to apply two coats of sealer. Let dry.
  11. Working in a ventilated dust free area apply acrylic or polyurethane varnish to protect your finished work. Apply smoothly and carefully work in even strokes from end to end without lifting brush from surface. Allow to dry following manufacturers instructions. Repeat about 30 times, at right angles to each  previous coat. Sand in between each coat also at right angles to previous sanding, using the course, medium than fine sanding pads. Wipe with tack cloth before reapplying each coat until you reach your desired finish.
  12. Polish with Micro-mesh or beeswax.

October 14, 2009

Découpage

Filed under: Craft Ideas — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — @ 5:59 am

Découpage is the art of turning everyday items into decorative pieces that add a touch of romance to the decor.

Following is a list of general items and instructions that are required to complete most projects.

General Materials List

  • Item to be decorated
  • Clear Sealer
  • Sanding pads – Coarse, medium and fine
  • Tack cloth
  • Fine point curved cuticle scissors
  • 5cm and 10cm hard rubber rollers
  • Craft sponge brushes
  • Sea sponge – large and fine
  • PVA, Clag
  • Chux cloths
  • Water based varnish
  • Oil based varnish
  • Brushes for varnish – good quality ones are best for this
  • Blu-Tack
  • Greaseproof paper
  • oil based coloured pencils
  • pencil and ruler
  • Acrylic paints
  • Cracking medium
  • Gesso
  • Micro-mesh kit

General Instructions

  1. Seal the surface of item to be decorated with all-purpose sealer, paint or gesso.
  2. Sand gently with coarse sanding pad. Clean with a damp cloth then wipe over with a tack cloth to remove dust.
  3. Paint the background in desired colour and allow to dry. Sand and apply another coat of paint.
  4. Seal painted surface with all purpose sealer.
  5. Seal découpage paper, front and back, with sealer.
  6. Use sharp manicure scissors to cut out motifs. Arrange images as desired for your project. Use blu-tack while deciding your design.
  7. Mix clag and PVA, 4:1 and apply generously to images and surface of item. Place your images on the item and apply more glue. Smooth the surface of image and remove air bubbles and expelling excess glue. Apply roller gently to the surface to ensure it is smooth and free of bubbles. Wipe carefully with a damp cloth, so as not to move the image.
  8. Using a weak vinegar and water solotion wipe over the surface to ensure all glue is removed. This prevents mould forming after the item has been varnished. Let dry. Any patches can be coloured with oil pencil.
  9. Use sponge brush to apply two coats of sealer. Let dry.
  10. Working in a ventilated dust free area apply acrylic or polyurethane varnish to protect your finished work. Apply smoothly and carefully work in even strokes from end to end without lifting brush from surface. Allow to dry following manufacturers instructions. Repeat about 30 times, at right angles to each  previous coat. Sand in between each coat also at right angles to previous sanding, using the course, medium than fine sanding pads. Wipe with tack cloth before reapplying each coat until you reach your desired finish.
  11. Polish with Micro-mesh or beeswax.

September 19, 2009

Make a Witches Hat

Filed under: Kids Painting and Crafts — Tags: , , , , — @ 4:12 am

Halloween isn’t to far away get in early and make a couple of these great witches hats.

What You Need : –

  • 1 Sheet of white cardboard
  • 50 cm of black felt
  • 60 cm of black/silver feather boa (from the discount stores)
  • 1/2 ball of black feathered yarn
  • 3 silver cardboard stars
  • 40c cm of black hat elastic
  • craft glue
  • spray adhesive
  • stapler
  • sticky tape and scissors

Cut the cardboard into a shape resembling a triangle. The shape will measure 50 cm from top to bottom the width at the peak is 3 cm, and the base, which is curved, measures 58 cm straight across.

Spray the surface of the hat with spray adhesive and lay the felt on top. Once dry trim the felt to fit the shape, fold your hat shape into a cone and fix the edges with glue. Secure at the bottom with staples.

The feathered yarn is going to make some hair. Cut 20 cm lengths of the yarn and stick to a strip of cardboard with sticky tape, measure it to go half way round the base of the hat, then fix to the hat with tape or glue with the yarn hanging down. A few staples can be placed across the band to help keep in place.

Glue the stars to the hat with glue, staple hat elastic to either side then glue the feather boa around the base and allow to dry before wearing.

September 17, 2009

Crafty Terms

Filed under: Crafty Terms — Tags: , , , , , , — @ 6:15 am

For a quick reference I’ve gathered together a few terms you will come across when doing a variety of crafts.

Acid Free : Products free of acid at the time of manufacture. acid weakens the cellulose in paper over time, causing deterioration and discolouration.

Anti-static pad :- Gently dust or dab over cards to remove static. Gets rid of stray embossing powder, brush off carefully especially on dark cards.

Archival Ink : – Acid free and stain resistant, it is a quick drying waterproof ink. It doesn’t bleed, and it won’t damage paper or photographs.

Brayer : – A soft rubber roller, used for producing backgrounds.

Crafty Stickers : – Foil or plastic stickers, usually available on a sheet or roll.

Double-sided mounting 3D tape ; – Double-sided foam adhesive tape, used to raise cutouts above surface giving a 3D effect.

Dove blender pen : - Fibre-nibbed pen with clear blending ink used for blending colours to give a professional look.

Embossing powder :- A fine plastic powder that sticks to wet ink and sticky surfaces. Powder melts when heated and forms a raised glossy finish.

Foil : – A foil attached to a plastic film.  When rubbed over a sticky surface the foil transfers leaving a shiny, foil finish to your work.

Gold Leaf :- Gold flakes that stick to sticky surfaces such as glue and tape.

Heat Gun :  – A craft tool that produces hot air without blowing.

Jac Paper : – Double sided glued paper it’s alsao heat resistant.

Layer : – To place increasingly sized card or paper around an image creating a frame.

Back next post with a few more.

Happiness is seeing what you believed you could create.

Be Happy :)


September 14, 2009

Silk Screen Fabric Painting

Filed under: Craft Ideas — Tags: , , , , , — @ 6:33 am

What You Will Need:

Screen Frame – You can make or purchase one of these.

Strong wood and carpentry tools if you are planning on making the frame.

Mesh – You can use various fabrics – Cotton organdie, nylon or silk, it is important to use the correct mesh to suit the fabric being printed. Use a high mesh number for fine fabrics and a lower mesh for coarser fabrics.

Squeegee – Used to screen the dye onto the fabric, it should have a handle, a rubber edge and fit inside the dimensions of the screen.

Spray Gun – Used for background and stencil dying.

Waxed Stencil Paper – Used for sprayed designs.

Stencil Film- A coated translucent paper with a removable backing sheet that sticks to the screen printing frame.

Staple Gun – Drawing pins will work just as well. Used to attach the gauze to the frame and the padding to the printing frame.

Scouring Powder – For cleaning the screen.

Sticky tape and brown gummed paper strip – Used for masking the designs.

Stencil Knife – Should have a fine, sharp blade.

Tissue Paper  and cardboard – Used to protect the screen and stencil when they are being ironed.

Methylated Spirits – Remove the stencil.

The fabric used is polyester cotton sheeting.

Making a Screen :-

To make a screen you need to consider the design and add 15 cm (6ins), around all edges. Glue the frame together using a strong wood glue, plane and sand all the edges until smooth. The side pieces should be bevelled so that a minimum contact is made with the table.

Have a Go :)


August 9, 2009

Junk Can Be Fun

Filed under: Kids Painting and Crafts — Tags: , , , , , — @ 6:14 am

Instead of throwing away used cartons and boxes or similar items they are great for building and creating anything kids can come up with.

What You Need:- Strong glue or tape for big items, scissors, paint, crayons, felt pens, scrap paper, ribbons, straws, feathers etc;

What To Do:- If you have a spare shelf, cupboard or box you can start collecting bottle tops, buttons, cartons, cards, corks, wool, straws, lids, paper plates, cardboard cylinders and go ahead add anything else you can think of.

There is an endless amount of things to make and children will come up with their own ideas but here are a couple of fun ones.

Drums

What You Need:- Boxes, tins or plastic containers, sticks or wooden spoons, scissors or hole punch, string or ribbon.

What To Do:- Choose a container to be your drum, make two holes, opposite each other, near the top of the drum. Cut string or ribbon, long enough to go around the neck and thread through the holes and secure.

Tooters

What You Need:- Cardboard cylinders various lengths, paper, glue, elastic bands.

What To Do:- Glue around outside of one end of cylinder, glue paper to the cylinder end, secure with elastic band and put small hole in paper. Different lengths will make different sounds when children blow through.

Have Fun :)

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