Decopatch

Day 7 - Decopatch 

The first time I used decopatch was to help build a large (5ft) wishing tree for our school's entrance area.  This time I decided to do something a little smaller.  

Today I've made mini decopatch prayer boxes.  I've had a prayer box of my own for so long I can't remember where or when I got it - or was given it.  Of course you can use decopatch for covering lots of things, the boxes I made could be used for anything. 

I bought some decopatch paper which is a  strong, patterned tissue paper (it's a little expensive too!).  Again, I already had the boxes and self adhesive felt - I've been waiting to use them all for something.  

The technique itself is a bit like using papier mache.  I've cut the decopatch paper into small square(ish) shapes and have simply glued them onto the box, overlapping them, using a PVA/water mix.  You can buy specialist glues and varnishes for decopatch but I've never used them. I finished off the inside of the lid with some paper and when dry stuck some self-adhesive felt onto the inside bottoms of the boxes. 

I've stuck a peel-off cross sticker on the lid and given all of it an extra wash of PVA/water mix.  I haven't decided whether to varnish them yet.

Sorry, out of focus again!

For inside the box, I've printed out lots of bible prayers and poem which I copied from my own prayer box - you could spend time researching to collect your own favourite verses but this is a 'one a day project'!  I've cut out the prayers, rolled them into mini scrolls and squeezed them into the box.  Still haven't worked out the best way to do this - as you move one scroll all the others seem to ping out of place.

The finished boxes

I'll finish there as I'm off to a meeting at the High School about my daughter's GCSE options..........    

Calligraphy

Day 6 - Calligraphy

Calligraphy or calligrams had to be one of the projects as it was whilst I was looking for calligrams online that I came upon the 'one thing a day', 365.com sites that were my original inspiration for this project.


It has also been an excuse to dig out my calligraphy pens that I've had for twenty (+) years but have not used regularly for some time. My husband lent me his double nibbed pen (not that he uses it either!).

They all needed a clean out but each worked as well as they ever did.

I started by making a design based on a cross shape, incorporating Easter themed wording. I then stuck it to a window so that I could trace the image onto white cartridge paper.









Once I had the images on the cartridge paper I sat with my pens filling in the design, using different sized nibs and styles. I quite liked the design to stay simple but one of my daughters preferred it with some flowers so I made a few with and without flowers.  I've found frame to put one of the finished designs in but I'm on a hunt for a few more.







Unfortunately, in my eagerness I tried to rub out the original pencil lines too early and spoiled one of the four crosses - tsk, tsk, I should have known better!

Therefore, I'm now leaving the others to dry completely.......

Here are two of the finished crosses (still pencil lines on one on the left!)

Update: I made three but took more orders on these crosses too!

Teabag Folding

Day 5 - Tea bag Folding

Yesterday I took my first batch of crafts to church and managed to sell most of the extra I had made.  In fact I have had requests for more of the headbands, another quilled card and another sun catcher!

Today I decided to try another craft that I haven't done before - tea bag folding.  Tea bag folding involves making mini origami shapes from patterned papers and then glueing them together into a circular form (yes, they don't actually use tea bags - the name comes from the women who invented it who was drinking a cup of tea at the same time as trying to come up with a design for a card). 

I started by downloading a selection of free tea bag tile sheets, trying to pick them with an Easter feel. There are several online sites that will allow free downloads, one I used is:

Masikatiwebdesign

I found this quite handy as you don't always have to download full A4 sheets and it gives you the chance to experiment with different sized tiles.

I cut individual tiles from chosen sheets of paper and then followed instructions to fold each square into the desired shape.  each rosette needed eight folded shapes.  I found this project a lot harder than I thought I would.  Some papers are better to use for different kinds of folds - which is why it is a good idea to be able to experiment!

Here is a selection of the tea bag folds I made.

It's difficult to make sure papers with definite designs on them such as the ducks are always folded the same way, otherwise you lose parts of the pictures or they don't all face the same direction.

I simply finished the cards by mounting the tea bag folds onto backing paper and adding Happy Easter.

I'm quite pleased with the finished cards!

No post Today!

Today there will be no craft project to post.  There is a good reason for this.....

After some research over the internet I have learned that Sundays are not strictly regarded as part of the Lenten period.  For Christians, Sunday is a day of rest and celebrates the rising of Christ on that day.  Therefore when the period of Lent was established it was actually six weeks of six days- omitting the Sundays -  and four extra days - Ash Wednesday and Thursday, Friday, Saturday of that week.  This may vary slightly between different churches and there are many internet sites that can explain it further.

Woodlands Junior School, KENT, United Kingdom

I only wish I'd known this as a child when I spent many years giving up sweets, chocolate and crisps for forty-six days rather than forty!


My Inspiration

I've been asked where the inspiration for this challenge has come from.  As many of us do, I stumbled upon a internet site that I wasn't initially looking for.  This turned out to be a website and blog that promotes a 'one thing a day' challenge.  The site is

Skull a day Website

I felt that 365 days was a challenge a little too far for me right now and instead adapted the idea to become 40daysofcrafts.

Back tomorrow with Day 5!

Silk Painting

Day 4  - Silk Painting

Day 4 ...In the Big Crafts House...

I've been looking forward to today's project - silk painting - as it is a craft I've never tried before.  Of course, this means I'll have to make sure I have a standby project ready in case things don't go as well as I hope!

I've bought some silk sun catchers and made up my own Easter themed designs.  I placed the designs under the sun catchers and painted the outline, using gutta, straight onto the catchers.  Having done this, I'm leaving them to dry while I can get on with other exciting weekend jobs like ironing, groan...

Once the gutta was dry I started to fill in the daffodil areas with the silk paint.  It's very easy to apply so I've tried a little bit of blending.

Unfortunately by the time I'd finished the three sun catchers I've done (two daffodil and a cross and flowers) the sun was a little past catching!








The next time the sun shines I'll swap these photos for some more effective ones.  

I've painted the background quite freely. Though not intentional, where I've painted over paint that was already drying the colours have left a rough edge rather than blending. 

The sun catchers aren't quite finished - I still have to set the paint using a iron and decide on the best way to hang them.  I' ll set them later as I still have an ever-growing pile of ironing to get through!

Tomorrow I take Days1-4 to church, hopefully some people will buy cards (made six), daffodil bands or brooches (made three of each) or sun catchers.   





P.S. Quite hard to 'iron' fix these and then I remembered you can use a hairdrier!

Update: I've taken six more orders on suncatchers.





All Saint's Higher Walton Website

Fabric Daffodils

Day 3 - Fabric Daffodils

Today, I managed to start my craft project during my lunch hour, meaning I would be able to post the blog earlier than I did yesterday.  Whilst thinking of all the craft projects I could do, I did realise that some projects would take longer to complete than others and no doubt some days I will have more time than others.  Trying to work out the best day to do which craft is probably one of the trickier parts of this challenge.

Anyway, today I've made fabric daffodil headbands and brooches.  My eldest daughter and I were taught how to do these flowers on a rather lovely holiday in Devon. She has since made quite a few for her friends and so I thought it was about time I had a go.

Rectangle size 5 inches x 2.75 inches

For each petal you start with a rectangle of material, fold it in half (right sides together) and then sew up the side that touches the fold.  Unfortunately in a moment of absent-mindedness, I sewed the wrong edge on quite a few petals and had to go back to square one - not good when you've got a time limit!

The next step is to cut the sewn squares to make a curved edge. Once you have turned these small cones inside out you make a running stitch all along the curved edge of each petal, joining six of them together.  A gentle pull on the thread brings the petals in nicely.

To finish the flowers you can use felt or material to cover the centres, putting a little stuffing in between. As it is an Easter project I've tried to make these flowers look a little like daffodils but of course you can use any colours.








Here are the finished headband and brooch. I think they also look nice pinned on bags, clothing etc....

Still didn't manage to post it any earlier, must try harder!

See you tomorrow!

Update: I've taken more orders for the headbands after one child wore one to school!

Quilling

Day 2 Quilling Easter Cards

Today I've made a few Easter cards using paper quilling.  It's a craft I first learned some twenty (+) years ago. Quilling mostly involves taking different lengths of thin strips of paper, rolling them into coils, glueing them and then shaping the coils into other shapes.  The quilled shapes are then stuck together to make your picture. This is how I put the rabbit together. 

I've finished off by giving the rabbits a quirky look by adding eyes and whiskers!

For some Easter cross cards I've used a different quilling technique and wrapped the paper around the teeth of an old comb to make the parts of the cross.  

The flowers are made by cutting tiny slits into a wider strip of paper, rolling it into a tight coil and then fanning the fringes out. 

So, here are the finished cards.........

Sorry, not perfectly focussed.

Hope these are a little clearer.  The eggs are also made from quilling papers. Like I said - quirky!

All of the backgrounds are made from torn mulberry papers.

Keep watching for other Easter card ideas.











Update: I did take more orders for both the crosses and the bunny rabbits.

Wooden Box

Day 1 - Wooden Box

Today I've decided to decorate a wooden box that I found in my garage. I've had plans for using it for ages but the 40 days project has given me the nudge I needed to get on with it.

I've found a few more wooden things around the house - pieces of wood, leftover wood shavings, wooden beads and some black leatherette.

All the bits and pieces I collected

The only thing I bought was a few wooden flower shapes. To start, I've painted the box, the flowers and the wood shavings with some leftover wood dye - also in our garage!

I cut some leatherette to back the flowers and some leaves. I then assembled all the bits and pieces to make a nice lid for the box.

Some glue was still wet when I took the photo

As the wood shavings start as coils, I used quilling technique to shape them. I thought they looked quite effective.

I've finished off the inside of the box with some self-adhesive black felt (not found in the garage).  I'm not sure if I'll be selling the box. If not, my only problem will be what to put in it!

Well, one day down, thirty-nine more to go!

Welcome

Welcome to my 40 days of Crafts fundraising project!

The idea for my challenge is to make forty different Easter-themed craft projects over the forty days of Lent.  I'm hoping to be sponsored to complete the challenge and also expect that many of the items I'm making can then be sold at church. I'll be displaying all the crafts at church as I make them, there will always be a new batch of crafts there every weekend.

All the money raised will go to the church roof fund. Any members of All Saints Church Higher Walton can sponsor me by signing my sponsor form at the back of the church. Of course, I'm happy for anyone to offer  sponsorship to me personally aswell!

Each day I'm going to post that days craft project, so please keep watching!

All Saints Church, Higher Walton, Preston

All Saint's Higher Walton Website

   © Copyright Alan Sillitoe and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.