How To Print in The Round

How would you like a way to make some lovely round prints and use up some unneeded items from around your house?  Yes, it's possible for the project I am sharing with you today as part of the Gel Press Blog Hop.
Thank you for joining our first Gel Press Blog Hop!  We will have a challenge every month!  Giving you the opportunity to play along AND win a Gel Press for yourself!  This month you can win an 8" Round Gel Press Plate!

Enter by going to all of the blogs and leave comments.  Leave a comment on the Gel Press Blog telling us your favorite project.  You can comment between now and April 7,  2016.  The winner will be announced on the Gel Press Junkies on Facebook, and the Gel Press product page April 8, 2016.  You will have the 8 inch Round Gel Press to make a project to play along with our Earth Day Designs, April 22.  Enjoy the process and good luck!

So, here is what I do when I find a stack of coffee machine filters for an appliance that we no longer own, and a bunch of nearly empty bottles and pots of kids paints.  I make large Gel Press Prints.

By using the 8 inch round Gel Press Reusable Gel Printing Plate I have the perfect sized plate for using up those useless coffee filters!  Win!  Note that coffee filters made of fragile paper meant to allow water through, and it is a pretty sturdy paper.  The filters have a lot of creases which leads to some fascinating prints.  The thinness of the paper also makes for quick drying times.

I gathered up several of these many children's paints from many different sources.  There were acrylics, watercolors, and poster or gouache paints.  They are all safe to use with the Gel Press Plate.

I scooped or poured different colors on the Gel Press Gel Plate and used a brayer to spread the [aint.  I then made marks with a variety of household items, such as corrugated cardboard, bottle caps, bubble wrap, doilies, and office supplies.  For more fun I even used some children's art brushes.

I made a total of 36 prints.  I now have three dozen round backgrounds ready to be used as is or decorated.  I can use this in collage, art journals, and a lot of mixed media.
I intend on posting my projects in the future here on this blog and perhaps on YouTube.

Materials:
8 inch Round Gel Press Reusable Gel Printing Plate
Coffe Filters
Miscellaneous water-based children's non-toxic paints
Items from around the house

Here is the list of links to all the Designers participating in this fun Blog Hop:

Gel Press Blog 

Ann

Cindi

Cyndi

Elena

Kathy

Keri

Kristi

Lea

Sandee

Teresa

How to make Heat Proof yet Hot Looking Tavel Pouches

Make your own curling iron travel pouches to keep the contents of your suitcase damaged free whenever you travel.

Use nonfraying easy to cut and sew fun and fabulous NEW Metallic Oly-Fun fabrics by Fairfield.

Create these with or without a pattern; it's that easy!  If you wish to use a pattern, I know of this one from McCall's (6838) from years ago.  I am not sure if it is still available.

If you wish to make your reusable pattern or template here is what you can do.

                    Tip:  Use  Repositionable double sided adhesive (Tombow) instead of pins

Measure the length of your curling iron add a couple of inches or 6 cm.  Measure the width inserting the wrapped cord into the measurement.  Add a  couple of inches or 6 cm again to the measurement.  Cut a rectangle out of paper or cardboard.  Make rounded bottom corners by using a round object such as a small plate or lid and a pencil.

Use your pattern by laying it over your chosen piece of fabric.  I worked with pieces that were approximately 12 inches square (30cm).

To create pockets use the same pattern as a guide and cut one or two more pieces, but slightly shorter in height.

Stack the layers of fabric, fold along the length and stitch a seam beginning from the top corner, down the side around the corner and to the fold.

You may also choose to add seam binding to the top edge to add a small loop handle and to finish off the edge.

Note:  the fabric I used does have some heat resistant qualities but like most materials it can melt.  Always use caution when storing your curling iron, make sure to unplug it and let it cool down enough, so it is safe to handle and store.

Thank you for stopping by!

Fabrics provided free of charge by Fairfield
Other materials:
 thread (my own)
Seam binding (Wright's) also my own
Repositionable Double Sided Adhesive from Tombow (as part of the Tombow Brand Ambassador program)

** This project has been entered int the Fave Crafts  Best Blogger Craft 2016 Contest.**  Here is the link to vote for one of my four entries (Ann Koeman)

Why Cricut Basics?

**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Hello, friends.    It's time for a change.  Yes, I am upgrading my Cricuts!  I will be investing in the new to me Explore soon.  I love being able to use my devices (iPhone and iPad) over the wi-fi to be able to cut on my Cricut while being in another part of my house.  I will not only be able to get even more done, but it will be easier on my tired old legs, lol!  Stay tuned for new projects I will be creating with my new equipment.

Links for information:

NEW Cricut Basics™ for iOS

https://youtu.be/dZtyf92lnfQ

Check out what's new at Cricut

How To Make Baby Bibs that are Heavy Duty

How would you like to spend less time doing laundry and have more time for crafting?  Well here is one-way mom's with young children and babies can get a short reprieve.  

You see, when I was a younger mother, ahem, I got sick of doing big loads of laundry following every major Holiday and family gathering.  The culprit behind my sentence was those commercially made bibs!  They were too small most of the time.  Or they did not provide enough coverage.  So after each meal my children's clothes were still dirty, and worse stained!  Ugghhh, I had enough.  So I went to the stores and searched for some cute and soft hand towels that I would convert into these Heavy Duty Bibs!  That;s right, I created my pattern and made these super bibs.  Like a cape that babies wear in the front. LOL.  I got to reduce my loads of laundry significantly and just tossed those bibs in with the other towels when I did laundry.  Easy peasy!  Here is how I made the front facing capes.  I first shared this tutorial with the readers of Seams and Scissors; now I am sharing with you!  I hope that these help out another parent or caregiver.

1.  Find some cute towel and size it up.

As hand towels come in varying sizes, it may be necessary to cut one to the appropriate size.  In this tutorial, the towels measure 15 x 24 inches, and I cut it in half.  I finished the cut edges with a rolled seam to keep the fabric from fraying.

2.  Cut a hole to fit your baby's head.

 Trace a 5 to 6-inch circle near the upper edge of the towel, centering it at the same time.  Remember to leave enough cloth to drape over baby.

3.   Make the neck.

 Cut a piece of ribbing or a very stretchy knit about 3 x 18 inches.  Sew the ends together to create a tube.  I recommend finishing the edge with a zigzag stitch or in an overlocked edge.  Which will enable the neck to stretch accordingly?

4.  Put a ring on it.

  Fold the tube in half along the longest edge to create a piece that is about 1 and a half inches wide.

5.  Bring it all together.

 Using pins, attach the ring of ribbing to the towel neck hole.  Try to keep the seam in the back.  Secure temporarily with the pins stretching as you stitch.

6. Serge that neckline.

 Sew the neck ring again with a zig-zag stitch on the sewing machine or use a serger.

7.  Secure and avoid the flip.

  Top stitch 1/8" from ribbing on the towel side.  Stitching will secure the ribbing and keep it from rolling out.

Thank you for popping by.

How To Make Cat Toys Easily

How do you make stuffed toys for your favorite feline when you don't have a lot of time?  Well, you use wonderful fabric that doesn't require finished edges.

                                        Not a real cat, just a Body Double, with the faux Fish.

Hi, I am so excited to share this post with you today about how I have been doing projects like crazy with this excellent Oly Fun Metallic fabric from Fairfield. This post is also part of the Blog Hop going on with the Designers from the Designers  Crafts Connection.  I was so fortunate to receive some samples and some large cuts of their newest line.  Let me tell you a bit about the cloth.
The New Metallic Oly*Fun™ is a Multi-Purpose Craft Material.  The product details are: "Shimmer, sparkle, and shine.  Innovative craft material in hot metallic hues. Great for crafts, costumes, accessories and playful home decor.  Easy to cut and sew.  Does not fray." (by Fairfield)

                                                 available at: www.fairfieldworld.com

So although my cat has many stores bought toys, I wanted to make her something special, and when I opened the box that the Fairfield sent me, and I saw all that shining goodness,  I knew I had to make my fur baby a new toy.  You see my precious furball goes nuts over anything that has shine or sparkle; she will snag anything she finds that has any glitter.  Then she can play hunting until she drops from exhaustion.  The exercise is good for her, and the entertainment is free for us.

                                                                    The Model Fishing.

To make the Faux Fish Cat Toy I started by drawing out a fish shape on a scrap piece of paper.  I did not feel the need for accuracy as this is a toy for a pet after all.

 I created my pattern and glued the pieces to some scrap cardboard.  I cut out the thick pieces.

 I temporarily adhered then to the Oly Fun in Red with my Temporary Tape Runner adhesive from Tombow.  I found this was easier than putting pins through thick cardboard and into the shiny fabric.  The tape runner worked very well.  Note that the adhesive just rolls right off the fabric by rubbing with your finger.

I cut out the pieces I needed.

I sewed the fish body together while leaving an opening.  The unsewn section made it possible to stuff the body of the fish with some batting.

 Before I completed the stitching, I sprayed some liquid Catnip inside.

 I chose to use my pinking shears to add some details.

Finally, I made the eyes with some Puffy Fabric Paint.


Products used:
Oly*Fun (Red) * given to me by Fairfield
Batting (stash)
Cat Nip (stash)
Puffy Paint (stash)
Thread (stash)
Tombow Repositionable Adhesive (given to me as part of the #TombowPro Brand Ambassador program)
Stuffed Toy Cat (my son)
Real Cat (ours) *will play with anything for free

  ********I ve entered this and 3 other projects in the Fave Crafts Best Blogger contest HERE*****
all votes count thx.

*********************************************************************************

There is a giveaway for the hop.  Woot Woot!  You can enter by entering via the Rafflecopter widget on the DCC blog.  Leave a comment on my blog AND the DCC blog to enter.  The winner will receive ONE bolt of OLY*Fun metallic in one of the colors in picture below.

How To Make Prompt Cards

Learn how to generate ideas and great works of art by using some Gel Press prints and some old business cards.

How do you like staring at that blank page in your journal?  Are you terrified of a white canvas?  Does your head feel all dizzy when you have the time to create something but have such brain fog that you go into a creative rut?  Well, I have been afflicted by all of those myself, and one way  I found to fight the block is by having prompts.

Today there is a post I wrote about making some of your very own prompt cards to get the creative juices flowing.  You can read all about it by going over to the Gel Press blog:  www.gelpress.wordpress.com or by clicking on this link.

Just in case you are wondering here is a complete list of all the supplies I used to make the cards:

Gel Press Reusable Gel Printing Plate (I used the 3 x 5)*
Old Business cards (my own)
Testors Craft Paints (Mat: Deep Plum, Ruby, Black) and (Metallic: Silver, Gold)**
Tombow Stamp Runner Dot Adhesive*
Ranger's Archival Black Ink
Self-Laminating Cards (Dollarama)
Rubber Stamp (From my stash)
White Printer paper (My stash)

www.gelpress.com
www.testors.com
www.tombowusa.com

*   I received products as part of a contractual or financial agreement
** products were given to me for free

Thank you for stopping by.  Please follow my blog (click somewhere over on the right;) )


*******I have entered this project in the Fave Crafts Best Blogger Contest.  Please click HERE and vote.  thank you!*******

How To make 2 Luck of the Irish Cards

Here is how I make some easy cards for Saint-Patrick's Day coming March 17.

First I cut some black cardstock.

Second, I make an arch or rainbow with a couple of lines of Dot Adhesive (a dry adhesive).  My new favourite is the Stamp Runner from Tombow.

Third add glitter to the sticky part.

Four decorate the rest of the card with some Clover (foam sticker) from the dollar store.

Add more embellishments if wanted.

Add a sentiment.

Double mat and adhere to card base with Tombow Stamp Runner Dot Adhesive

Thank you for stopping by.

Tombow products are available through Amazon (click below) or directly through Tombow at www. Tombowusa.com

Other Products used:
Black card stock (my stash)
Glitters (my stash)
Foam Clovers (Dollarama)
Ribbons (Michaels)

How To Use Those Coloring Pages in Projects#1

How do you use those lovely coloring pages you make?  Do you leave them in their book?  Or Are you wondering what to do with all those great pages now that you have colored them?  Well, I am looking for and finding different ways to take those small pieces of art I make and use them in other projects.  After all the time I am spending on making those sketches pretty I don't want my work to stay hidden.  I am enjoying coloring the pages of my Leisure Arts Book(s), with my Tombow Recycled Colored Pencils, and want to do something else with my works afterward.

So here is one way I am repurposing some of my adult colored pages.  I make envelopes.  Not just any envelope too!  I made a sturdy water-repellent container useful over and over again.  I made this particular one just to hold some relevant medical documents that I need to carry in my bag and have handy all the time.  There is information in those papers that just don't fit on those small medical emergency cards or a medical ID bracelet.  However, I found myself having to dispose of and replace my old regular envelopes periodically.  Now, I am hoping that this envelope will be able to last a long time, and keep those papers safe.

I started with a plain business size envelope available where office supplies are.  I opened up the envelope.

I made photocopies of my original colored page (Art of Coloring Animals by Leisure Arts), so I would have enough paper for my project.  I also want to be able to use the same Design in other projects.

I brushed on a generous coat of glue-sealer-finish (DecouPage) onto the envelope and the photocopies (back side).  I adhered the envelope to the papers and let that dry.

Once the papers were dry, I trimmed the excess around the edges of the envelope.  I then brushed on another coat of sealer onto what is the inside of the envelope.  I let that dry as well.

Once everything was dry, I proceeded to assemble the envelope back.  I just followed the grooves from the white envelope to create the folds and used a bone folder to make each fold crisp.  I adhered the envelope sides with my Tombow Stamp Runner Dot Adhesive.

To make a durable and reusable closure for this envelope I chose to use some thin craft magnets which I glued onto the envelope flap and back with more adhesive by Tombow( Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue).

Note:  I made labels with my DYMO Letratag® (my own)

Products Used:

One white business size envelope (already in my stash)
Leisure Arts Art of Coloring Animals Book (given to me Free by Leisure Arts)
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue (my own)
Tombow Stamp Runner Dot Adhesive (provided by Tombow as per The Tombow Pro Brand Ambassador Program) available: www.Tombowusa.com
Tombow Recycled Color Pencils (My own)
DecouPage by Deco Arts Glue Sealer Finish (Helping Artists Program)

** note some of the products used in this project were given to me by companies free of charge


  ******This project has been entered into the Fave Crafts Best Blogger contest HERE, your vote is appreciated.  Thx. :)  **********


This blog post is part of the following Blog Hop

Doing Laundry Just got Better

How about spending less time doing laundry?  And, Bonus, you get some extra money to devote to the more fun things in life like crafting and supplies!!

Ok, so I was sent these Dryer Balls for FREE by the company Timber Wool  through Amazon.ca.  I always wanted to try using these wool balls to see if they would work in my dryer.  Well, they do!

So what are these balls?  They are these dense balls of 100% wool that you toss into the dryer with your wet or damp laundry, and they reduce the amount of time it takes clothing to dry.  The  Dryer Balls bounce around and separate the laundry so more air gets in. The wool balls also soften the clothes, so there is no need to use those disposable (non-reusable) and pricey dryer sheets.  No need for fabric softener either.  We did over six large loads this past weekend (and they were colossal) and tried out the Dryer balls.  All the basket took less time than usual to dry, the clothes came out soft, and there was no static.  I was happy.  I honestly still don't look forward to doing laundry, but I do love the idea of saving money on energy costs, and dryer sheets, as well as a fabric softener!  Cause I don't need the last two anymore!

Thanks for stopping by.