Construction Paper Art

These images are symbollic of my life, in a way. The first image represents family as a tree deeply rooted in good soil. The next image represents me (my branch of the tree) and music being something that helps me grow. The last image is two trees growing towards each other (me and my hubby) and bearing fruit (baby!).

Symbolism Art Project

Task: Create symbollic artwork that represents your life (e.g. your family life, your spiritual/faith journey, etc.).

 

Time: 30 minutes

 

Materials:

- Square white paper, stiff. (this was watercolor paper)

- Construction paper in various colors.

- Glue stick

- Scissors

 

For best results, draw your design in mirror image on the back side of the construction paper, then cut it out. When you paste your colored paper onto your white paper, the pencil lines will all be on the back so it will look clean on the front without any pencil indentations or eraser marks.

Easy Paper Bunting

Need party decorations and short on time? I whipped this up in 30 minutes or less, for my cousin's baby shower. These are also really cute in a baby nursery.

Start with a selection of coordinating scrapbooking paper. For one-sided paper bunting flags, you can get two flags from one square sheet.

Create a pattern out of a piece of scrap cardboard. Draw a line down the center. Then measure an equal distance out from one end of the line and mark two points which will be the corners of your triangle. Draw lines to connect the points to the other end of your line. Cut out the triangle.

Place your triangle on the paper. You can position the base of the triangle against the edge of the paper. Use a roller cutter and mat to quickly cut the triangle out.

Flip your pattern piece and cut a second triangle from the same sheet. Repeat for all of your sheets of paper - you can cut 2 or 3 sheets at the same time to go faster. I used 6 sheets of paper for 12 total flags.

You need string and a sewing machine for this part.

Place your first flag pattern-side down. Using the widest zig-zag stitch and a length of about 3, stitch along the top edge of the triangle, keeping the string under the zig-zag so your stitches land on either side.

When you finish, the flag will look like this. Stitch the rest of the flags in a row, leaving a couple of inches between each flag.

When you are done, string them up and party on!

Custom Handmade Birthday Card

The local store didn't have any birthday cards for Grandpas, let alone 85th Birthday cards. So I made one!

You can make your own card like this, it's a super-easy project that can be done in 10 minutes or less.

Here's what you need:

- card stock, 8.5 inches x 5 inches makes a card 4.25 inches by 5 inches (for the card size, measure your envelope and subtract 1/4 inch from both dimensions)
- colorful striped scrapbook paper
- textured red card stock (for the numbers)
- thin ribbon
- hole punch
- glue stick
- sewing machine w/ color-coordinating thread
- scissors
- paper cutter

Instructions:

1. Cut the card with your paper cutter, fold it in half to make the card. Run the edge of a scissor blade along the outside of the crease, shaving off just a little to make a good folded edge.
2. Cut a piece of striped scrapbook paper, fitted to the size of the card but leaving 1/4" on each edge and 1" on the top edge.
3. Position the striped paper on the card and use a straight-stitch to sew it in place. If you use a fancy satin or metallic thread, use it in the top spool (the bobbin thread should be similar or coordinating but could be white or plain thread).
4. Cut out the numbers from the red card stock. You may want to draw the numbers on the back of the card stock in reverse first so you have a line to follow when you cut. Use a hole punch to cut out the centers of 6's, 8's or 9's.
5. Use a glue stick to paste the numbers onto the front of the card.
6. Punch two holes in either end of the front of the card on top. (You don't need to go through both layers of the card.)
7. Thread ribbon through and tie in a bow.

Congratulations Hand Made Card

My sweetie got a new job so I wanted to make a card for his first day.

I started off with a nice piece of thicker scrap paper from an 8x8 pad.  The print is only on one side, so the inside of the card is blank for printing.  Instead of the more common side fold card I wanted to fold it tent style.

I wanted to write a big "congraduation" on the front side, but the design of the scrap paper is too busy.  So I took a piece of 8 x 10 cardstock that I wanted to put across the middle of the front. I picked a matching coloUr, yet still blank so the words would be the focus. 

Here you see that I've folded the underside of the paper that will be glued to the card front.  This is for two reasons

1) this will give the paper dimention to the paper instead of just a flat piece.

2) folding will likely create straighter lines than if i just cut on a drawn line.

Tip:  measure out your letters before you start drawing or glueing (cardboard letters) it to the card.  In this case even if I kept the letters uneven I still couldn't get the entire word on the paper, so I had to scrap this idea.

Do you see how there is a slight curve to the paper where it's not glued flat to the paper.  The size of the blank paper and the base are not proportioned giving it uniquness from the regular store bought cards you see.

Because I used card stock the back of my card is also pretty unlike the back of store bought cards which are usually just white.

I used sticker letters, here's some tips

1) spell out the word for you to follow; when  you are too focused on prettiness it's easy to make a spelling mistake, ~cough~ it's happened to me before

2) start by doing the middle characters first and moving outards, this will help center your word

3) play around, don't need to make your word be straight and exact.  Doing a purposeful uneven placement of your letters will cover any potential mistakes you may make if you tried to make it even.

Want Some Fries With That?

A little Friday office humor from the Help Desk...

The witty response from Application Support (a.k.a. me):

Heh heh... looks like I even got the font right. :)

Tip: to make paper curl, press it between your thumb and the sharp edge of one blade of a pair of scissors and pull down the length of the paper pinching at an angle... but not hard enough to tear the paper.

Party Hats

My aunt had a great idea for something to do on New Year's Eve while we were waiting for the clock to strike midnight. She brought out scissors, glue, cardboard and leftover Christmas wrapping paper, and we all went to town making...

PARTY HATS!

OK yeah I went a little overboard and ended up making a boater hat and a mini top hat.

My sister modeled my hat for me. She is actually a professional actress, model and photographer in NY.

Tiny top hat!

Chewbacca approves.

Monopoly Cards

This was a fun project.  Ever though about reusing odd findings for your new cards?

Here I used a old Monopoly game set to create some new pieces.

Used a Die Cutter to cut out a tag from the monopoly board.  Can still write a special message on the backside which is blank.

In this case instead of using expensive paper I cut out a flower from Monopoly Community Chest cards, and instead of little flower stamens or a bead, I used the Monopoly House.

Repurposing Oatmeal Containers

I eat a lot of oatmeal, and the containers just seem too potentially useful to just throw away! They have lids and could be excellent storage containers for craft supplies, but they look like trash, right? Well, then... I just need to make them look cute!
Materials:
- Oatmeal canisters (empty, clean)
- Shelf liner/contact paper with a pretty pattern (Option B: use decorative paper and double-stick tape)
- Scissors, pencil, ruler

1. Do a little test to see what the finished product will look like by wrapping a scrap of the contact paper around the canister. I had this shelf liner paper leftover from lining the drawers of a refinished nightstand. You could use any sort of decorative paper, but this particular type has a sticky back to it so you don't need glue or double-stick tape.

Does it look good? Does it fit under the lid? Yes? Okay let's continue.

2. Measure the height of the canister, then add 1/4 to 1/2 an inch so the paper will overlap the bottom. This is the WIDTH of the piece of contact paper you will need to cut out.

3. Wrap the paper around the canister and use a pencil to mark the circumference, then allow for 1/4 to 1/2 inch of overlap. This is the LENGTH of the piece of contact paper you will need.

4. Use a ruler and pencil to mark the lines on the back of the contact paper, then cut out the rectangle.

5. Wrap the paper around the canister to get a good fit, you may need to make an extra cut if your canister is tapered at all. Then peel off half of the backing and start applying the paper to the canister. Match up the edge with the top of the canister, leaving the overlap at the bottom. Use your thumb to smoothe out the air bubbles as you go.

6. Use your thumbnail to press the edge of the paper in at the top lip.

7. Press the overlapping edge down around the bottom of the canister.

8. Put the lid on it. All done! Now do all the rest of your oatmeal containers to make a matching set...

9. The best part: figure out what to put in them!

I discovered that they make excellent paintbrush holders.

Congrats Pillowboxes

Nothing says CONGRATS better than a gift that says CONGRATS on it!

I made these for two cousins when they graduated from college.

Guess what fits in pillowboxes really well... gift cards!

This is a really easy 5-minute craft.

1. Start with a pillowbox - you can buy them bulk at OrientalTrading.com.
2. Measure the width of the box and cut out a piece of decorative scrapbooking paper that is longer than twice the width of the box and not quite as wide as the box.
3. Wrap the paper around the box and secure with double-stick tape.
4. Decorate!
5. Insert a small gift, like a gift card or money and fold over the ends.
6. Tie a decorative ribbon to secure it.

Wedding Wednesday - Escort Cards

Escort cards are a popular means to guide guests to which table they are supposed to sit at for your wedding reception dinner. It is possible to buy cards by the pack that you can print on, but this can be really expensive, like 50 cents to more than a dollar per card.

Making your own escort cards is a little time-consuming but the process is simple and it can save you a lot of money. Handmade cards are also a nice personal touch.

To make 200 escort cards I bought one stack of card stock from the PaperZone for around $20 and I ended up using up less than half of the paper supply. My other tools and supplies were items that I already had on hand: art markers, a caligraphy pen a shaped punch, ruler, and paper cutter.

Easter Cards

Bunnies and eggs are for kids! I decided to stick with a spring floral theme for these Easter cards. Pastels and bright colors helped bring Spring to the cloudy gray rainy Sunday.



Cards are a great craft project for a crafting party! My friend Karen put the cupcake and chick designs together for her crafting party and then I got to make them and take them home. I love the little chick.



Little chick says "Cheep!"

Open Crowns

I found this book Crowns & Tiaras: Add a Little Sparkle, Glitter & Glamour to Every Day and it inspired me to make these crowns.  I used a headband as a base and some wallpaper because it's often textured and always longer than your average scrap paper.

This was the first crown I completed.  The shape was copied from a previous failure. 

At first adding the beaded strings seems like something good to do because it's just pretty.  After it was completed I learned of a awesome second purpose for the beaded string.  Strength.  It helps the paper keep it's shape, like hat wire for hats.  This makes the crown less prown to bending, thus durable which is always a bonus when working with paper. 

and pictures of the sides.

I tend to put these crowns on the side of the table; not the focused project of the table but always in view.  As I come across objects that would look cool I would add them until I feel the crown is complete. 

This is a current crown I"m working on, red and black is the theme.  I originally wanted to put more stuff on it and but I actually like it the way it is.  I'll let it sit longer and if i find something that matches well I'll add it, if not I will let it remain the way it is.

This is another crown I have sitting on the side for now.  I really dont know what to add to it for now, but maybe in two months I'll be able to repost it in it's beautiful ending state.

Green Christmas Tree

This tree is made from paper that I grabbed from the recycling bin.

1) Make a lot of cones (out of paper) with a similar size
2) Create one large Cone (out of paper) to use as the trunk of the tree
3) Begin attaching (via glue, tape, or staples) the cones to the trunk working your way up. Use the larger cones for the bottom and the smaller cones at the top
4) use any additional paper to make decorations such as stars, hanging balls, or streamers.

-Rini
Material: Paper, tape (because that was what i had on hand)

Star Wars Paper Snowflakes

I saw Wil Wheaton's tweet about Star Wars Paper Snowflakes and knew I had to pick up a pair of scissors. I just happened to have some scratch paper nearby...

This was a fast and fun craft project, I totally recommend it!