Watching mixed media and crafting videos is my new vocation. Notice I said WATCHING, not doing, because my major project has stalled trying to figure out how to do snow at night. I also have to spend at least 15 minutes getting glue off my fingers every time I work on the sky; ah, yes, because I’m quilling. My current favorites are done by this lady: Gabrielle Pollacco. I’ve been watching her youtube videos and it looks complicated, but if I watch enough, maybe my brain will pick up some techniques. I really love the layered dimensions. Watch out relatives, you may end up with some strange looking presents in the near future. Ha.
Category: Crafts
2015-12-23 Christmas Gift Book Box
I have all these crafty people in my family and the if the perfect gift forces them to make something for themselves, so much the better? Well, they may not think so, but I have so many ideas about things they could do that I cannot decide for them what they would like. So here are some of the ideas I came across, just in case.
Source: PrettyHandyGirl.com
How to Make New Wood Look Old and Weathered
…supplies:
Valspar Antiquing Glaze in Asphaltum
Valspar Translucent Color Glaze in Mocha
Valspar Clear Mixing Glaze
Minwax Early American Stain
Rustoleum Sunbleached Stain
Rubber Gloves
Rag
Wide flat brush
…
Weathered boards have a warm gray color. To create this color I stained the boards with Rustoleum sunbleached. Then wiped off the excess.Next I added a little Minwax Early American and wiped it off.The results are the blue-gray weathered look. For more dimension and detail try adding the glazing technique described below….
Valspar Antiquing Glaze in Asphaltum
Valspar Translucent Color Glaze in Mocha
Valspar Clear Mixing Glaze
Mix 4 parts clear mixing glaze with 2 part mocha glaze and 1 part antiquing asphaltum glaze.
Mix thoroughly. The resulting color should be a very dark chocolate color. Adjust your color by adding more mocha or more asphaltum.
Dip your flat brush into the glaze and drag it over the wood. The glaze really accentuates the grain in the wood.
Shake or tap the brush on a stick to give your lumber age freckles.
For more uniform color, brush the glaze over the entire board (don’t forget the ends of the wood.)
Rub the glaze into the wood and wipe off any excess.
[images no longer available]
And another idea for treating the wood. Be careful about treating the wood with glaze, finishes or oil based products if you plan to use paint. I do not like the smell of paint, so I use wax or stain underneath.
[images no longer available]
Also, I thought you could treat clay like a ‘leather layer’ by adding a picture of a book cover to it. This has some ideas: https://www.ehow.com/how_8387659_transfer-images-polymer-clay.html
In addition here are some pictures of projects out there.
[images no longer available]
Actually, chalkboard paint would be cool, then you could easily change as you like. Merry Christmas.
2014-11-01 Quilling
2014-11-01 Quilting Art
Who knew that quilts could be so EXPRESSIVE! Inspiring.
2012-11-30 Panoramic Group Photo of Just Us Kids
My sister and I have been talking about creating a panoramic photo of our family as kids. Roughly the same age. That’s the way I see us. We are occasionally serious, but we are just kids at heart. Nothing like having new little ones running around to bring out the kid in all of us. Though we have the idea and most of the pictures, the ability to do so effectively requires merging multiple photos together which I am still working on. Not this year anyway…. but soon. This is a possible web site for getting the job done. They really slashed prices this Christmas, maybe they will do so next year, too. Surely, I’ll be ready by then. Oh, not Shirley again. Lol. Enjoy.
Nope, not yet. 10/2018
2012-07-02 Friendship Bracelet
I used white nylon cord for the base, which frays quite easily. First, burn the end to keep from fraying. Put one clasp end loop on the nylon cord. Then measure how much cord you will need to go around the target wrist(s) (use your own) in a loop with clasps attached. In other words, you will make a knot in the nylon cord so that the clasps are attached at both ends. Double around the wrist plus around 1/4″ extra should work. Best not to make it too tight. Even though you can use the clasp to put on and take off, if you want, the tighter it is, the harder to do by yourself. Make it too loose, obviously and it falls off. Okay, now that you have the length, cut and burn off the end. Use the burn ONLY on the nylon cord(s). Now B4 adding the other end of the clasp, add what beads you want, using double cord through the bead(s). Then add the bottom clasp end (just one cord) and tie the nylon cord(s) into a tight knot. I clip and burn the ends close and put the knot towards the middle. Then put one end of the clasp under the clip on a clipboard. Take two colors of embrodery thread (do not split) and tie together in a tight knot. Pick one of the colors as your TIE BY. This will produce one solid color on one side of the bracelet and one solid color on the other side. I like this because I can remember to tie right by always using the same color. For the instructions for tying the thread onto the nylon cord, I used this example. After I did the first one, I skipped the making the extensions. Just make it clean. If you need adjustments, see these instructions:
https://smittenbyaknot.com/2011/01/01/easy-macrame-bracelet-tutorial/#
and cool examples, no longer for sale: