Crafts

Posted by Mary Welling-Bonney

She didn't have a lot of money to spend and wanted to know if we could make the sign rather than buy it. It took some thinking but we found it wasn't that hard.

We had two magnetic sheets (10" X 12"). She really wanted something larger than one of the sheets could provide. Now how do we create a magnetic sign that would measure 12" X 20"?

Here is what we did.

On the computer we formatted the business name and contact information. After trying a few different fonts and colors we printed out several drafts. The words were all cut out and placed on the side by side magnet sheets. This way we could enlarge or shrink any part until if was just right.

Once we had everything perfect we reprinted a fresh copy and cut out each of the words. The backing was removed from the magnetic sheets. Wanting the magnetic side to remain strong but wanting to adhere the two magnetic sheets we attached the magnetic sheets on the non-magnetic side with a piece of black electrical tape. Using a glue stick all of the paper words were adhered to the magnetic sheets.

The entire surface was then covered with clear contact paper to protect the paper from weather and help secure the two magnetic sheets together. It was then magnetted to her car door. We found the possibilities were endless. We could add a photo of her, a photo of her work or we could just add clip art.

It turned out great.

Posted by Mary Welling-Bonney

There are a lot of books out there that are the same old thing with different fabric, different paper, different color, etc. They are still the same old thing. When I get a book that is really different, I love to make sure you know about it too.

I recently received a book that at first glance I thought was just another knitting book. I was not excited or in any hurry to check it out. I am being honest here. How many scarves does a person really need? I set the book aside on my desk. I'll look at it later. Well I actually had some time to look through a stack of "I'll look at it later". Boy was I surprised.

One Ball Knits: Accessories is really different. Just as the title suggests, these are all projects made using only one ball of yarn. Can you imagine the challenge to the authors? The three sisters who developed this book made patterns that are beginner and advanced beginner level but they are not your basic boring designs. All of their patterns are made with stylish flair for today's fashion.

There are patterns for belts, wraps, ponchos, handbags, jewelry and even fingerless gloves. This is not your grandmothers patterns. Make sure to check out this book at the Watson-Guptill website.

Posted by Mary Welling-Bonney

Origami is one of those crafts that has found itself being filtered over into other materials beyond just paper. In a nice hotel or on a cruise ship you look forward to coming back to your room to see what the staff has done to your fresh linens. After a long day to walk in and see a little bird made out of your wash cloth just puts a smile on your face. We all need a little whimsy in out life. Wouldn't it be fun to leave an adorable folded washcloth for your own guests to find?

When you go out to dinner you traditionally leave a tip at the end of the meal. The hard working wait staff is happy to receive the ten dollar bill. But after being on their feet for hours catering to people's whims, getting a ten dollar bill folded into a rose would give them the gift of a smile on top of the monetary reward.

Even in the usual origami in paper alone, it adds so much. Imagine going to another bridal shower in a long summer of going to too many showers. You sit down to a beautiful paper crane at each setting. You can't help but smile.

I found some great websites that will help you add a smile to anyone's day. The first site can be accessed by clicking here. It is the most thorough site and includes video casts to give instruction.

I am also including a website that is specific to money folding. You can access it by clicking here.

This site has a gallery and includes instruction for the different designs.

Go ahead and give someone you care about a smile today.

Posted by Mary Welling-Bonney

Isn't it great to know that we celebrate something that is alive and growing. It isn't our past, it is the future. How cool is that.

Now you really have to think about how you are going to celebrate. You can take time off and invite all of your scrapping friends over to do nothing but scrapbook. You can go online to your favorite scrapbooking sites and find some great bargains. How about entering a contest? Where is the scrapbooking element? This contest winner receives an all expense paid scrapbooking cruise for two to Alaska. It doesn't get any better. Not unless it includes four classes each, a stay in a veranda state room, free air fare and a preflight hotel stay. Begin your Scrapbooking day by entering Crafter's Home contest by clicking here.

Not up for a cruise? How about some free online Scrapbooking classes? Creating Keepsakes is giving us an entire week of classes brought live by webcast.

When you are done with your scrapbooking classes make sure to stop here and enter your creations into the latest scrapbooking contests. Don't forget to include Simple Scrapbook's contests and Paper Crafter's sweepstakes as well.

No matter how you celebrate, do what give your creativity flight.

Posted by Mary Welling-Bonney

You will need a large clear glass vase. It needs to be large enough to hold a three inch by twelve inch candle and have at least an inch of space all the way around the candle when it is placed inside of the vase. Your only other ingredients will be fruit and water.

Place the candle in the vase and add water to about halfway up the vase. As you add fruit the water will rise.

• If you are serving seafood try lemons slices.
• If you are serving pork slice up pineapple.
• If you are serving foul slice up oranges.

If you want a certain color for your table, add a fruit in that color. If you want a certain scent, add that fruit.

Mix up the colors for a real punch. Use a bright red cherry with the yellow lemons. You can use different shapes as well. Cut some of the fruit in rings and some into wedges. Add a decorative edge for even more impact.

You can personalize it even more by using bowls instead of vases. Put a small bowl at each guests place setting with the chosen fruit and add a floating candle into the center of each bowl. If the fruit can enhance the meal, add a small pair of tongs at each plate so the guests can help themselves to their flaming fruit bowl.

Posted by Mary Welling-Bonney

They cost more than the set of furniture and you are only given a half dozen choices to pick from. You can spend the entire season looking for cushions only to end up with nothing.

If you have some old furniture you are getting rid of you may have hit the jackpot. If not watch the yardsales in your area for old couch cushions.

Some cushions have a molded piece that curves around the arm of the couch. Not problem. Get out your electric knive you use for Thanksgiving and saw it right off. You want the cushions to be square or rectangular with no pieces projecting off. You can use the knife to cut the cushions to fit your furniture perfectly or just make them into big outdoor throw cushions the kids can sit on.

Now go to you fabric store and ask them to show you their outdoor fabric. You can make all of the cushions the same or make them each in a different bright color. Make half of the cushions in one color and half in another so you can mix and match them on your furniture.

Measure the top surface of your cushion in both directions. Add an inch to each measurement to give you a 1/2 inch seam allowance on each side. You will need two of these pieces. Now measure the sides in both width and height. You will need about a yard and a half of material per cushion. If you are real ambitious you can add a zipper or hook and loop. Otherwise just leave an opening on the underside so you can remove them and throw them in the washer.

Next take them outside with a cool beverage, sit back and take pride in your latest endeavor.

Posted by Mary Welling-Bonney

We see stencilling done all the time. The neighbor stencils a swirl pattern repeating around the chair rail in the kitchen or your friend stencils sea shells along the top of the wall in the bathroom. You have seen them. They range from "What were they thinking?" to "It's nice." Rarely does any stencilling wow you. Can you ever remember walking into a room and upon seeing the stencilling being awestruck by it's grandeur and creative energy?

Don't get me wrong. Stencils are great. They don't have to have a major impact. They just seem to get over done with tired designs in pastels. Why not try something different the next time you have the urge to stencil.

DecoArt has a product out called Americana Stuccos. They are a water based precolored stucco that you can apply on a stencil instead of just paint. You then not only have a design you actually end up with a raised surface on your wall. You can use any color and stencil you choose.

Want an understated Fleur-de-lis pattern on your living room wall? Paint the room a pale ecru. Now stencil with stucco in the exact same color. You will gain texture and pattern without it being either boring or too over the top. Color is a joy to work with but we can learn a lot by eliminating this element from the equation and using only one color. This makes our design rely on light and shadow. Not a bad place to start.

Posted by Mary Welling-Bonney

Do you have garbage receptacles or an air conditioner system in your yard that detracts from the yards beauty? Do you want to make sure your pool is not visible from the road? This is a quick fix that will look great and last for years.

Measure the area you want to hide. If you have an area that measures six feet across, purchase two three feet wide trellises. If your area is nine feet wide, purchase three.

Dig a trench along the area that is at least fourteen inches deep and twelve inches wide.

Position the trellises in the trench so that the trellises are closest to the street side of the hole and farthest from the object or area you are trying to hide. Lodge them into place with any temporary support making sure they are in the position you will want them when the project is done.

Mix up concrete and fill the hole to a few inches below the surface of the hole. Allow to dry completely. Remove the temporary supports. Fill in the remainder of the hole with dirt, stones or sod.

In front of the trellises plant a row of climbing vines or flowering plants that will fill in the trellises. If they are long enough train them onto the trellis with ties. You will eventually end up will a wall of flowers rather than an unsightly garbage can.

Posted by Mary Welling-Bonney

Many times designers and decorators use terms that or common for them but are not explained for the home crafter.

Over the next several months I am going to clear up some of the confusion. If there is a word you hear and don't get it, feel free to e-mail me and I will help you out.

But what exactly is a Patina?

According to Merriam Webster Patina is:

1 a: a usually green film formed naturally on copper and bronze by long exposure or artificially (as by acids) and often valued aesthetically for its color b: a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use2: an appearance or aura that is derived from association, habit, or established character3: a superficial covering or exterior.

If you look at the definition in terms of how you hear it used, it still isn't clear. Israel Sack, an antique collector, gives the best definition of how the term is used today.

"Patina is everything that happens to an object over the course of time. The nick in the leg of a table, a scratch on a table top, the loss of moisture in the paint, the crackling of a finish or a glaze in ceramics, the gentle wear patterns on the edge of a plate. All these things add up to create a softer look, subtle color changes, a character. Patina is built from all the effects, natural and man-made, that create a true antique." - Israel Sack

Patina refers to any fading, aging or darkening, which are natural and/or unavoidable. But can be recreated by the crafter to resemble actual aging.

So you know that cabinet you distressed to make it look old? That is a patina you created.

Posted by Mary Welling-Bonney

If you are not a professional, the same companies charge a hefty fee for those same color decks. Here is a quick and easy way to make your own.

Visit your local home improvement store. Paint chips are free. Look for the company that has the most expansive color selection and take one of every color.

You will also need a hole punch and a piece of heavy twine. If you don't already have those at home, pick them up while you are at the home improvement store to save you having to run out later.

When you get home, punch a hole in each color chip. Make sure the holes are all in the same location on each chip.

Next is the biggest part of the project. Organize each of the chips from lightest to darkest in each color. Use the color wheel for direction. Begin with the whites. Then organize the yellows. Continue for the oranges, reds, purples, blues, greens, browns and blacks. Keep each color section separate while you are organizing. If you are stumped as to where a color goes, just pick one. An example would be whether a color goes in as the lightest brown or the darkest white, pick one. There are no chip police. It is fine wherever you decide to use it.

When you are all organized, thread the chips onto the twine in the same order. Triple knot the twine so it doesn't come apart.

You now have a color deck similar to the ones decorators use and can use it yourself as you decorate your own home. Take it with you to the store to match colors.

You can also create a deck with the wood samples. Just make sure they have a hole already punched or you will need to get out your drill.