Saturday 22 September 2012

Yet more pyrography...

Hi Everyone

It's official... I'm hooked! I never realised how much fun Pyrography could be. Not only can you decorate wood using simple design rubber stamps as a guide but you can also create unique cards using heavyweight watercolour card!



The first card was rubber stamped and then the outline was traced with Efco's basic pyrography tool with a round burning point. The same tip was used to first add shading and then singe the edge of the card after cutting it out. For the second card a design from The Ultimate Design Source Book for Crafters was traced and transferred onto the watercolour card. The pyrography tool was used to go over the outline and then the colour was applied using watercolour pencils with a brush and water.

Nowadays I can't stop thinking of designs to add to every wooden box etc I come across. For instance, I thought Efco's rustic wooden heart would make a  great present for a wedding anniversary...


It's not a smooth surface but can still be pyrographed if you take your time and do it carefully. The same Efco Roses Stencil was used for the front as was used on the Rambling Rose Tea Caddy (HF/0018M). The initials and date were printed from a computer and then traced.




I always think it's rather nice to decorate places on objects that people don't always expect eg the bottom of a box or a little detail inside a lid etc. Here I thought it would be rather nice to decorate the back of the heart as well as the front. Here's the design for anyone who wants it.


All you need to do is click and drag the above image to your desktop before printing it out and tracing it. Lay it on the left side of the heart and retrace it before flipping it over to transfer it onto the right side.

However, if pyrography is not for you, you can use the designs for painting projects. For example here's the Hanger from the Hanging About Project HF/0017M. 

 
The same template was traced onto the hanger but this time a small round brush was used to create comma strokes for the leaves with green and yellow acrylic paint (in the same way as the Advent Wreath Project FMJ/0003). A fine liner brush and green paint was used for the stems and dots and a Berry Maker Applicator for the white flowers with yellow centres (although you could use a cotton bud or the end of a brush handle instead).

Happy Crafting!


Fee x

Sunday 16 September 2012

More Pyrography

Hi Everyone

If you're new to pyrography then it's a good idea to practice first on a scrap of wood. If you're using Efco's wonderful Burning Stamps in conjunction with their basic Pyrography Tool (this is not heat adjustable) it's especially wise to practice first as you may need to blow on the end to cool it slightly to stop it over burning the wood.

There are a wide variety of wooden items available to decorate for crafters these days. For instance, Efco do an extensive range of assorted wooden boxes etc. There are also other wood items available to the crafter such as Pébéo's earrings from their Fantasy Accessories Range which are perfect of pyrography amongst other crafts.



This pair were decorated using a Hero Arts stamps as inspiration and the rounded nib burning point. They are so easy to do and once done all that's needed is a couple of coats of varnish for protection... et voilà!

Happy Crafting!

Fee x

Friday 14 September 2012

Pyrography - September's Featured Product

Hi Everyone

September's Product of the Month is Efco's Pyrography Range. They do a great basic pyrography tool and assorted extra burning points and stamps which are ideal for anyone who would like to try their hand at the craft. To get you started there is the simple door plaque, followed by a decorative hanger and tea caddy.




Of course you can use stencils and design books as a basis for your own pyrography designs, or even rubber stamps as seen below...



Pyrography is a great way to decorate everyday wooden objects around the house and it's a lot of fun too!

Happy Crafting!

Fee x

Friday 7 September 2012

2013 Calendar

Hi Everyone

The 2013 Calendar Template is now available to download from the Papercrafts page of Projects4Crafters.com.





Project P/0007M shows how to turn the template into a calendar. You can decorate each page with rubber stamped images, mixed media, paint or even photographs. You could make personalized calenders as presents for friends and family. Theme them to each individual's taste eg. if they are a gardener have a floral theme, if they are newly weds use photos from their wedding or honeymoon or if they are an elderly relative you could use photos of your children - it's up to you how you decorate it!

Enjoy!

Fee x

Tuesday 4 September 2012

Advent Wreath

Hi Everyone

Here's another Christmas project which I think you'll like!



It introduces the comma stroke which is used to create the painted decoration on the tree. This is one of the basic strokes in decorative painting which, with a little practice, you will find is a very useful stroke to learn. It can be used to great effect to create a wide variety of patterns.

There are some superb online tutorials for the comma stroke if you'd like to see how other painters do it (everyone has to find out what works best for them by having a go and practising):

To view Prudy Vannier's Basic brush strokes video click here

or

To view Chéryl Poulin's website: Your Decorative Painting Resource.com

Another great video which shows an alternative way to do comma strokes is:

As this is a slightly more involved project, what with all the various components that need to be decorated, I would suggest that you make a start on it sooner rather than later, particularly the comma stroke and not rush.

Happy Crafting

Fee x

Saturday 1 September 2012

Papp Art Letters

Hi Everyone,

Papier Mâché letters still seem to be very popular with crafters so, as autumn is upon us, instead of making up words like HOME, LOVE, FAMILY or children's names you can think more seasonally and go for words like FALL, XMAS, SNOW etc.

To get you in the mood for the autumn crafting season here's another relatively quick and easy Christmas project...




I've gone for a frosty theme here but you could use holly and/or ivy stamps or napkins with a red and green colourway for a more traditional look.

Enjoy!

Fee x