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October 24, 2009

The Art of Calligraphy

Filed under: Paper Crafts — Tags: , , , , , , , , — @ 5:41 am

Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing and it is just as old as writing is. Even though its origins are ancient it is still a popular form of creative expression. Just like any art with patience and practice it can be learned by following a few basic techniques and principles.

Posture is the first thing to consider when you start writing, sit comfortably with your feet flat on the floor leaning forward slightly. Sitting correctly will benefit your eye and back muscles and prevent tiring. Hold your pen with a relaxed hand applying even pressure when writing. Using a light but even touch will ensure the ink flows smoothly so letters are formed without interruption.

Choose a paper fine enough for a lined page to be seen from underneath as you practice. This will keep your lines straight and evenly spaced, proper spacing and margins contribute to the final appearance of your calligraphy writing. Consistency in spacing will prevent an uneven appearance that will result if you leave large gaps or bunch letters to close together.

There are a few different lettering styles you can try start by practicing the basic strokes. Be careful to maintain a correct angle with your pen, slant your strokes  consistently and work on your rhythm.

Some suggested styles to try :-

  • Chancery Italic
  • Gothic
  • Uncial
  • Decorative

Use decorative initials in your work to add some interest and colour. Again, with practice once you have mastered the lettering you can begin to design and decorate your own illuminated letters. Use calligraphy for creating beautifully presented invitations, signs, posters etc., but most of all enjoy.

Keep smiling :)

October 18, 2009

Marbled Paper

Filed under: Craft Ideas — Tags: , , , , , , , — @ 4:48 am

Marbling creates decorative paper by dipping it in liquid containing floating coloured paints.

What You Need

  • Large flat container
  • Small containers for mixing colours
  • Needles
  • Cocktail sticks
  • Paint brushes or drinking straws
  • Eye dropper
  • Newspaper or line for drying
  • Oil paints
  • Turpentine or white spirits

Floating oil paints in the water can create some lovely patterns on your paper. Mix the paints with the turpentine or white spirits until it runs easily off a brush, Use paper that fits just inside the tray. Any type of printing paper is fine and white or coloured to your liking.

Fill container with water and drip droplets of paint onto the surface and spread the colour out carefully using a brush. Patterns can be made by blowing gently using a straw. Another way to create patterns is to swirl with a needle or thin stick. Don’t over mix because the colours wil become muddy.

When you are ready to put the paper in the water slide it in carefully starting at a corner whilst holding it at opposite corners. Make sure the whole sheet comes in contact with the surface. Lowering your paper carefully will prevent bubbles that can spoil your design. If you notice bubbles you can carefully tap the paper down into the water just a little.

Once the paper is covered carefully lift it out of the tray, it can dry on the newspaper pattern side up or hang it on an indoor clothes line.

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.

September 18, 2009

Crafty Terms – Part 2

Filed under: Crafty Terms — Tags: , , , , , — @ 9:46 am

More craft terms you may come across.

Liquid Applique : – A paint that expands and puffs on heating, there are a range of colours.

Liquid Pearls : – A pearlescent three-dimensional paint.

Lumieres :- A permanent opaque pigment paint, lots of colours and a few metallics.

Mask : – A paper cut-out of a stamped image. Cut out slightly inside the outer line.

Masking : – Stick the mask over an original stamped image on card using a temporary glue. Stamp the second image over the masked image. When the mask is removed  the second image will appear to be behind the first.

Metallic rub-ons :- A metallic paint that can be rubbed onto a craft item for metallic high lighting. Comes in a combo pack.

Metal Shim : – A thin sheet of metal that can be shaped with special shaping tools. Can also be cut with scissors, stamped and embossed. Comes in a variety of colours.

Pearl-ex : – Pearlescent pigment powder. Can be mixed with other mediums.

Pigment Ink :- Acid free, non toxic, fade resistant, water based ink. Can’t be used on gloss paper. It is thick and slow to dry, great to use for embossing.

Scoring : – Breaking the surface fibres of card or paper for ease of bending, giving a smooth, exact result.

Stamp Positioner : – A ‘T’ or “L” shaped tool it allows the stamped image to to be in the exact position.

Versamark Ink :- Acid free, oil based, non toxic, clear ink. Creates a water mark on card or paper. Can be used as an embossing ink or as a resist ink.

Keep Crafting :)

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 3, 2009

Handmade Book

Filed under: Craft Ideas — Tags: , , , , , , , , — @ 3:44 am

Making your own notebook gives your journalling a lovely personal touch, they also make very special gifts.

What you will need:-

  • Heavy card or paper for front and back covers – decorate, paint or stain
  • A4 writing paper, drawing paper, craft paper or decorative paper as desired.
  • Embroidery thread
  • Large darning needle or punch
  • Blunt knife
  • Pegs or clips

Cut paper to the desired size for A4 paper in half is good. Cut the covers to match. Mark holes by measuring even spaces along the edge about 1cm in, to fit paper size and making sure you have an odd number of holes. For an interesting touch you can punch holes in a zig zag pattern instead of a straight line.

So the covers will open easily you will need to score the front and back with the knife being careful not to cut into the card. Score just to the right of the holes and fold over and back gently. Place the pages inside the covers and secure with clip or peg. Punch the holes in the marked spots with the darning needle then you are ready to thread.

Cut the thread four times the length of the book plus a little more to allow for tying off. Start threading from the top, put the threaded needle through the hole from the back through to the front then around and through the back again. From the front move down to the next hole and repeat all the way to the bottom. Once you have reached the bottom hole do a running stitch back to the top and tie both ends together.

August 23, 2009

Applique’

Filed under: sewing — Tags: , , , , — @ 4:44 am

Applique’ is stitching fabric shapes on to a background fabric to create designs. You can stitch the shapes by hand or machine, or you can fuse them on with a bonding fabric. It is a versatile technique that can be used to decorate many items from clothing to soft furnishings.

Materials

Fabric - The easiest form of applique’ uses motifs cut from printed fabrics. Fabrics with bold smooth outlines they are the easiest for cutting out and applying. Most firm colourfast fabrics work best, be sure they are a match for washing so there are no laundering problems. Stretch and loosly woven fabrics generally don’t work well.

Templates can be used if  you wish to make your own shapes, choose plain or patterned, firmly woven, smooth fabric for best results. Non woven fabrics such as felt and leather make good motifs they are easier to cut and they don’ fray.

Needles and Pins – Use fine, sharp pins and needles which will pierce the fabric without snagging or making large holes.

Thread – Should be matched to the colour of the motif

Dressmakers marker – for drawing designs .

Paper – Graph paper, tracing paper and thin  card are useful if you plan to do your own applique design.

Bonding fabric -can be used to fuse applique’ to the main fabric.

Scissors – must be sharp, use dressmakers scissors to  cut designs out roughly, then use small scissors to cut out fine detail.

Happy Sewing :

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 :)

August 8, 2009

Kids Can Draw

Filed under: Kids Painting and Crafts — Tags: , , , , , — @ 5:31 am

As soon as a child can hold a pencil they take delight from making marks on paper. Drawing should be encouraged as another avenue for developing creativity and imagination, Soon the marks, lines and symbols will start to form pictures.

Drawing pads, paper, whiteboards and blackboards are all perfect for young drawers. Felt-tipped pens are great for bright colours, colour pencils, chalk and crayons add a variety of textures and effect.

Felt-tipped Pens.

What You Need:- Pens, paper newspaper.

What to Do:- Place newspaper underneath paper to prevent colours bleeding through.

Chalk Drawing

What You Need:- Different coloured chalk, different coloured paper, cardboard, soapy water, sponge, towel.

What to Do:- Keep soapy water and sponge handy so hands can be kept clean during drawing.

Crayon Drawing and Rubbing

What You Need:- coloured non-toxic crayons, paper, leaves, cardboard. Non-toxic, thick kindergarten-type crayons are best for younger drawers.

What to Do:- For rubbing – Arrange leaves on cardboard or a suitable flat surface. Tape paper in place over leaves. Rub side of crayon lightly all over the paper. When finished ther will be a pattern left from the leaves.

Other Drawing Activities:-

  • Draw a small drawing onto balloons then blow up and watch the drawing grow.
  • Draw patterns on notepaper to make greeting cards.
  • Chalk can be used to draw on wet paper.
  • Other objects can be used for rubbing eg coins, keys, combs or doilies.

Let them go for it.

Have Fun :)

August 3, 2009

Kids Love Making Puppets

Filed under: Kids Painting and Crafts — Tags: , , , , , — @ 3:26 am

Paper Plate Puppet

What You Need:- Paper plates, felt-tipped pens, collage  bits and pieces, glue, scissors, tape, sticks.

What To Do:- Decorate plates with pens and glued on bits and pieces to make puppets head. Tape a stick to the plate for a handle and your ready to play.

Paper Bag Puppet

What You Need:- Paper bags, felt tipped pens or crayons, bits and pieces for decoration, glue, stapler, scissors, cardboard cylinder or stick, tape or elastic band.

What To Do:- Draw a face on the paper bag, fill bag with scrunched up paper, attach bag to stick or cylinder with elastic band or tape. You can also put the bag on childs hand. A sock will work as well as a paper bag, just sew decorations on.

Rubber Glove Puppet

What You Need:- Felt tipped pens, rubber glove, scissors, wool and glue.

What To Do:- Cut finger tips off rubber glove and draw faces on them with coloured pens. Glue wool for hair on the finger tips of the glove and your ready to play.

Finger People

What You Need:- Felt tipped pens, fabric and paper scraps, scissors, elastic bands.

What To Do:- Draw a face on one finger. Wrap piece of fabric or paper around finger for clothes and fix in place with rubber band. Tear or cut out a circle of paper for a hat. Tear a small hole in the centre. Push finger into the hole to make a hat. Your ready to play.

Have Fun :)

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