Ryan Galiotto

Posts Tagged ‘crafts’

At this juncture we are in 2009 in the midst of the credit crisis, which is a grim outlook worldwide. Hence any slight thing that we can organize to jazz up our lives in the present circumstances can only be a blessing. As an artist I can lose myself by doing abstract paintings where I can express my emotions, or head on out to do some landscape painting to keep my feet firmly on the ground and include a trace of realism.

Nonetheless, not every person desires to paint, they need other forms of outlet, whether it is for them or to just keep their children amused. So it happens, at present rubber stamping seems to remain in fashion, consequently my article!

There appear to be various forms of ink pads available to carry out rubber stamp with, so how do you identify which ones to go for? As a result, let me present the mixed types to you.

Pads which comprise a pigment source are most likely the most worthy of note in several ways, seeing that there seems to be additional colours obtainable, together with metallics plus some fluorescents. These pads create a really eye-catching stamped look.

You are most likely to discover that you can every so often come across pads which actually contain multi colours. However, I would say don’t bother to try these with a glossy surface. These are brilliant for treatment on nearly all papers, the only downside being that they will need rather some time to become dry.

Then you have what is known as dye based pads, which are in actual fact, used a lot for both cards and papers. These appear in very vivid translucent colours. They are fast drying, on the contrary I would not endorse them if you aim to emboss.

Embossing I will go into further in an additional article, nevertheless they are pads notably planned for this reason. In the main, the colouring comes out rather light and transparent. Embossing pads have to be used with embossing powders.

Do not expect to see the colour once you have embossed. These too, are slow drying. They are sometimes to be had in a pen format appropriate for, would you believe it, calligraphy.

The ink within the fabric pads will turn out to be permanent as soon as it is set. Place your work to dry out for a day, subsequently, very like silk painting, make use of an iron to press your object. The iron wants to stay on a hot setting to subsequently press your work on the wrong side.

Friends of mine paint felt tips directly on to their stamp and sometimes mix these up somewhat to combine interest. Certain stamps, you will get, may well really be bigger than the pad. This is not a problem, just cover the stamp entirely along with your ink before you stamp.

If you then would like to add colour to your imagery you would in truth want to take into account your surface. Then again, you can make use of crayons, oil, glass as well as fabric paint, hence take your pick!

As you store your pads, it is better to place your pads topsy-turvy so that the ink will stay at the top. This way they will be organized for next time when you desire to make use of them. It goes without saying, comparable to most crafts, that you ought to keep them clean.

In this instance you will require a stamp cleaner. If you remember to do this with each usage, they should last you for lots of years to come.

Suncatchers and windchimes, I think, are always an effective item. Generally they can be produced quite easily from items that you already own. So what I am about to suggest making, is done using old compact discs.

How can you do this and what will you need? Not too much, some scissors, glue, bells, old CD’s and something to hang your items on. You have choices for this, narrow ribbon, string, twine, cord etc. in any colour you like to choose.

So, now you are feeling a bit more adventurous, let’s forge ahead! After all, you are not going to need much to complete this project. You have your CD’s, so what you now need to do, is to pick the first two up and put the labels face to face. Using your glue, simply stick these together like this, then do exactly the same with the remaining two.

Bear in mind, this idea can be adjusted to suit where you want to actually hang this. First of all, you will need to cut about 36 inches of fine ribbon. You then need half of this on each side of the first two CD’s, so go straight through the middle of these and do a tight knot on the edge which will be on the outside.

Your second CD now needs to be added to this so that it will end up on top of the first one. To do this, one string has to go through the middle of the CD and be joined with the other string and knotted at the outside edge again and then knot again.

Now we can add some bells. As you, in this case, have used colourful CDs, I think that it would be quite nice to spray or paint your bells on the outside with coloured metallic paints. With both strings together, attach a bell just above your CD, then move about two inches up and add another.

In this manner you could end up with three or four, but do leave enough cord to be able to hang your catcher at the top. I leave the choice of how you hang your bells to you. You can knot them with space above and below, or you could fix them on to the two separate strings at alternate type of spacings.

It is still possible to hang smaller bells, or whatever you like, from the base of the bottom CD. So, if you were to hang two or three strings, they would all jangle, and you could not only use bells, it would look good with some coloured beads or use some of both. You can buy plastic crystal beads in handicraft stores now which would catch the light well.

This would work similarly with silver CD’s, but there is nothing to stop you spraying these with other colours. Crystal beads would work well with silver CD’s.

Try hanging this in the garden, it might keep the birds off your seeds!

One way or another it is always a pleasure to receive cards. So I got around to thinking of all the types of cards there actually are. Why not try doing cards for different occasions? Particularly when we often have items lying around at home we could use for this!

To give you an example, fancy paper, tissue, string, ribbons, stones, sequins, scraps of materials, why not incorporate them.

As a change, I am about to explain how to do a menu card. This could be a very useful addition for a special bash like a wedding, dinner party, golden wedding anniversary or for any big party. You will require some thin card, about 24 x 21cm. Choose one that has a nice texture. Then you need to fold this in half.

Make a line for the fold with probably a craft knife. Now you could do with a line at the top and the bottom of your card. This could be made with a couple of strips of ribbon, braid or coloured paper, about 12 x 2cm ,which can be glued to the card. Of course, you will need the correct glue for this.

These strips can be the same shade, toning or very different colours, depending on the occasion. At this stage you could add a narrow strip of gold paint just above the edge of your strips.

Supposing this is for a silver wedding, I would most likely use a picture of the couple involved. Add it to the centre and then highlight this by adding a silver circle around it. Underneath my bottom trip I would put an item which, in fact, denotes each five years up to their silver wedding.

Then, on the top line, you could have your wording. On the other hand if, say it was a young couple, you could basically take the same idea, but enclose the photo in a heart shape and along the bottom of your card affix little jewels, which are heart shaped. Sticking a few bits of confetti around the outside of the big heart.

You will need your menu now on a thin piece of paper. This can be hand written with a gel pen or printed, you have the choice. This needs attaching to the card, or, you could just write on the inside of the card.

However, it might be you just want to make place cards, and really, the cost of these soon adds up if you buy these in the shops. I would attempt this in the same way. Using roughly 8cm of card, score it lightly down the centre and then fold it.

Take a narrow ribbon across the width of your card, allow extra on the sides, about 1 cm from the top of the card. Now glue it in place and chop the ends off when this is dry.

You will need some heads of little flower buds to stick in the centre of your ribbon. Cut off any stems, or you could make your own from tissue paper and add a small bead to the centre. To finish it, write the name on with a gel pen.

Stitch quality is of paramount importance. Like stitches on a regular sewing machine, the proper formation of stitches produces either a beautiful and functional finish, or a mess. Unlike the stitches on a ordinary sewing machine, serger stitches may have up to eight threads.

Speed, stitch quality, trimming, overedging, and a multitude of threads work together to give the serger huge advantages over ordinary sewing machines. In one pass, the serger stitches, overcasts, and trims at speeds twice the ordinary sewing machine up to 1500 stitches per minute.

Professional looking stitches with vast varieties of applications, make sergers a prized sewing device, although you still need a conventional sewing machine.

When tensions are just right and each thread lies where it is suppose to be, it is a good stitch. Things like irregularities, loops, and puckers just dont exist.

Problems with stitch quality are a major irritation for serger users. They must be eliminated in order to produce consistent high quality seams and overedge finishes. Stitch problems may include faulty tension balances, irregular stitches, set up issues, and thread breakage. These and other stitch challenges can be overcome, but they require a little common sense, serger care, and basic technique.

A common source of stitch problems relates to problems with tensions. When you suspect difficulties here, rethread and make sure thread is right. Seat the threads carefully in their tension devices. Finally, adjust one thread at a time until all tensions are balances. Use a different color for each thread to make it easier to track.

Sometimes the stitches just do not look right. It may be weirdly formed, it may have hiccups, or may have rough inconsistent edges. We might describe these stitches as being simply irregular. When you find these challenges, begin by examining the thread line. Check for missed thread guides, possible snags, improperly seated thread in the tension assemblies, or poorly positioned thread rack. Correct as needed.

Rethreading is often helpful. Properly balance the tensions and make sure the needles are fresh and appropriate to the fabric. If the edge is inconsistent, try pre-trimming the edge and carefully guide the fabric consistently as you serge. Try adjusting the stitch length to see if that helps. Change threads especially if you are using older thread, highly linty thread, or otherwise lower quality threads. Closely inspect the loopers, needle plate, thread guides, and presser foot for possible burrs or rough spots. Smooth off and try again.

Often when you change the stitch set up, you will get faulty stitch formation. Go back and make sure you to properly complete the set up including associated tension balancing.

Sometimes thread breaks. This can happen the second you start serging, or it can happen at the most in opportune moment in the middle of a seam. The root causes are commonly needles, threads, tensions, burrs, and presser feet. Try the following to seek a solution. Check to make sure the needles are properly seated and positioned. Replace the needles and make sure they match the fabric. Change to a larger needle will sometimes reduce breakage. Inspect the thread to make sure it is good quality and has consistent integrity.

Bad thread is bad and needs to be replaced. Old thread and especially natural fiber threads tend to rot and decay. When you try to serge with rotten threads, they break. Before using a thread make sure it is in good dependable condition.

Generally, when the stitch quality is less than acceptable there are some basic things to check every time. These include needles, thread and threading, tensions, loopers, snag causes, settings, and balance. Replacing needles properly, rethreading properly, and adjusting tension balance are the three basic approaches to solve stitch problems.

Crafts making is a hobby that can turn into a business opportunity. Crafts makers are small business people owners who managed to turn their hobby to a money making opportunity. There are many crafts available nowadays that are fun, easy and quick to make. Crafts making was known to be a woman’s hobby although there are some males who are turning it into a hobby as well. Being in the arts and crafts world makes you a creative genius!

The art of jewelry making is also an example of crafts making. Even a beginner can easily make a simple jewelry bracelet in no time. First step is to prepare the materials to be used: a nylon string, beads, jewelry clasps, needle, and a pair of scissors. Place the beads into the string while occasionally checking out the length by wrapping it around your wrist. Stitch the jewelry clasps at both ends to close.

Homemade candles are indeed very easy to make and fun to do. Ingredients for a homemade candle are: paraffin wax, candle mold, dye wax, wax scents, metal saucepan, spoon and thermometer. Melt the wax into the saucepan and add the dye and wax scent of choice. Remove from heat and transfer to mold. After cooling, remove from mold and place in a wax paper to air dry.

Homemade soap making is a very refreshing alternative in dealing with soaps. The ingredients for homemade lavender soap are: a bar of color free or no fragrance soap, a double broiler, soap mold, almond oil, lavender oil and almond oil (for moisturizer). Mix all the ingredients together and remove from heat. Transfer to mold, let it cool and place in wax paper to air dry.

Scrap booking is a fun, easy and creative way to dress up your photo albums. Scrap booking can effectively organize your photo albums: from your baby pictures to favorite family vacations. Scrap booking is considered as a womans hobby although some males are into scrap booking as well. Scrap booking as an art is a very fun way to look at photo memories with art.

So you own an American Girl doll. Well, as the owner, extra effort is expected from you for your doll to always look best. As the owner, you must know how to take good care of your doll so she will always be presentable. You must know the do’s and don’ts in regards to taking care of your doll.

I myself also own a doll so personally I have my own list of do’s and don’ts in regards to taking care of my doll. And I actually want to share this list to you.

Do’s:

Keep doll away from sunlight. It is not advisable to expose the doll to sunlight most especially for a long period of time. Doll will quickly look old when often exposed to sunlight.

Wash hands before grabbing the doll. Our hands are oftentimes full of dirt and so grabbing our doll without first washing our hands is not a good idea. It is best to wash hands first to make sure they are clean.

Clean doll’s face with baking soda. According to some doll collectors, baking soda can help clean doll’s face and so it will help if sometimes we use baking soda along with water when cleaning doll’s face. However, never rub the baking soda directly to the face. Mix baking soda with water first.

Use good wire brush when brushing doll’s hair. Using other kind of brush is actually a bad idea.

Keep doll in her box if possible. If you can, keep your doll in her box but if you can’t just be sure to clean her up regularly.

Don’ts :

Never place doll near foods and drinks. Some foods and drinks can cause stain to dolls.

Don’t keep your doll in a damp wet environment. Keeping your doll in such kind of environment won’t bring forth any good result.

Never use hair dryer or the like on your doll. Heat can damage your doll’s hair.

Don’t tumble dry your doll’s clothes. Aside from your doll, her clothes are also important. What is she going to wear if her clothes are all damaged? Dolls’ clothes are normally delicate and should not be tumbled dry.