A Gift from the HeART by Linda Kay's Art

What a wonderful way to share the love you feel for friends and family by making a handmade gift. Something that will show them, every day, that they are well thought of and loved.

This is what I did for some very special friends who saw me through a very difficult time recently.
I needed a simple, economical yet meaningful gift to give to my friends as a small token of my gratitude. I chose a heart.

I was perusing Pinterest recently for ideas and found a 4 sided heart ornament made of paper that I instantly fell in love with. So, to make it very personal, I chose a 3 sided design as that is a special number for me and holds deep meaning that I wanted to embed in my gifts.

Now I went into production mode!

After cutting out a bunch of hearts with my Cricut machine, I went about and put these heart ornaments together. First I creased a line down the center with my ruler and bone folder.

I gather a lot of soft colors and pretty designs for my hearts as I wanted to reflect my loving thoughts with sweet colors and patterns.

I cut lots of fibers to use as hangers and set them aside.

Choosing which ones worked well together was a lot of fun. I worked on a crafting mat to help keep the mess manageable. 

Using Modge Podge and a 1" flat brush, I started pasting them together. One heart laid face down, the other two folded in half and matching edges with the first.

Laying the folded fiber hanger in half, I placed it in the center of the remaining side, laid on enough glue and squeezed the pieces together keeping the hanger as close to the center as possible. Some of them were a bit lumpy and bumpy, but I didn't think that hurt any of them. I just made sure to fill them with good thoughts of love and hugs!

I let them dry overnight and hoped my cats would not try to run off with too many of them. They really like to sleep on this table and love yarn even more!

I tied on some shiny beads; one on the top, two on the bottom.

I have a special ornament hanger that I got from Crate and Barrel last year which worked out perfectly for the display. It created quite a interest at my party where everyone was encouraged to pick one out and take it home. 

So, if you need to make a special gift on a budget and don't have a lot of time, these little hearts might just be the trick. 

Best wishes and Happy Holidays!

Linda Kay

Use these links to find me. 

My Website ~ http://lindakaysart.com/

My Blog ~ http://lindakaysart.com/blog/

Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/LindaKaysArt

Instagram ~ http://instagram.com/lindakaysart

And make sure to come by the FB group and share all your projects!!

Little Books Part 3 - Binding by Shells in the Bush

Have you gotten your papers and tape finished?

Here you go for binding all your pages!Imagine how cute these would be for gifts!

Hi everyone!!
I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.
I'm here today to show you how to bind the pages you've created with the washi tape you've made into Little Books.

Part 1 showed you how to make different backgrounds and pages for your book.

Part 2 gave you some tips to make your own washi tape.

Part 3 binding the book together - no needles required!!!

Supplies:
Pages
Washi tape
Scissors
Paper


1. Use a ruler to keep the pages lined, allow a small gap in between the pages to allow for bending.

2. Stick your washi tape down the spine.

3. Trim excess tape. Fold page over, add another page and stick more tape down the spine.

4. When the book gets too thick then tape one side at a time, flip the book over and place the page on the tape leaving a small gap. Continue on until you have finished all your pages.

5. The spine of the book will be all stick and will need covering. Measure the width of the spine.

6. Cut a piece of paper, not cardstock as it will be too thick and inflexible, the width and the length (add a little extra length, similiar to when the edges of the pages were taped) of the spine. Stick a strip of washi tape to each side of the paper.

7. Lay the spine on the table and place the book on the spine, leave a small gap between the book and the paper. Then fold over the spine towards the cover of the book.

8. Trim excess tape from your spine and your book is ready to write in, for doodling in, drawing in and decorating.

I hope you have fun creating your book.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to decorate your pages or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.

Little Books Part 2 - DIY Washi Tape by Shells in the Bush

Part 2 of Michelle's book series...

Enjoy!!

Hi everyone!!
 
I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.
I'm here today to show you how to make washi tape for your Little Books and to inspire you to create your own.

Part 1 will show you how to make different backgrounds and pages for your book.

Part 2 will give you some tips to make your own washi tape.

Part 3 we will be binding the book together - no needles required!!!

Supplies 

~ Double sided tape - 18mm/0.7 inches wide
~ Paper - use very thin paper as the tape will be folded over and this is much easier to do with thin paper.  (I once tried to use vellum but it was too thick and did not fold over.)

I'm in Australia and I love to use greaseproof paper - it is $2/roll, thin and soaks up the paint on the gelli plate. If you are in USA or elsewhere then I suggest tissue paper or deli paper or if you have another suggestion then leave a comment below.  Thanks.

~ Ink Sprays
~ Gelli plate and acrylic paint, brayer
~ Stamps and ink pad

1. Decorate your paper.

I only have 3 inks and spray them onto the paper inside a cardboard box so I don't get ink everywhere. I need to be careful not to mix the inks altogether to get brown.

 I always have greaseproof paper around when I'm using the gelli plate as it's great to make texture, it sucks up paint and therefore cleans the plate up nicely and I put it next to the plate to roll off any excess paint from the brayer.

2. Stamps add a bit more interest to your paper:

3. Before adding the double sided tape cut the paper to desired lengths adding a little bit extra - 10cm/4" and 20cm/8" are required for the book. Stick the tape to the back of the paper.

4. Then cut the tape into strips. See first photo.

5. Optional - I like to do this as it adds colour and interest to the pages - add washi tape to the 3 out of the 4 sides of your page - stick half a strip on one side edge and the other half to other side, the back side.

My next tutorial will show you how to bind your book pages together with washi tape - you will need more washi tape.... :D


I hope you have fun creating your washi tape for the pages of your book.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to decorate your pages or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.

Little Books Part 1 By Shells in the Bush

Now you're in for a real treat! 

This project will make you want to get started right now!!

Hi everyone!!
I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.
I'm here today to show you how to make Little Books and to inspire you to create your own.

Part 1 will show you how to make different backgrounds and pages for your book.

Part 2 will give you some tips to make your own washi tape.

Part 3 we will be binding the book together - no needles required!!!

Supplies - will vary depending what you use to create your pages.

~ Index Cards or cardstock cut into 8" x 4" = 20cm x 10cm rectangles

1. Index cards which have been gelli printed and brayered - using the left over paint not needed on the gelli plate.

2. Index cards which have been sprayed with ink spray, you could place a stencil or mask on top first. From here you could stamp them, collage on them, leave them as is for journaling on or writing poetry or quotes.

3.  If you have any punches then create some cut outs and glue them to the index cards. I decorated the hexagonals with a bee which is a free printable I found on Pinterest.

4. Glue paper napkins to index cards then add ephemera to make a picture. The ladies are free printables I found on Pinterest. Download them and put them onto a Word Document or Pages in Mac, you can them determine their size - I made mine 5-6 inches which leaves an inch above and below. I also added some lace and small doilies.

5. Glue book pages to index cards then decorate.  Use vintage books or old dictionary pages. Decorate with paint, gesso, stamps, gel pens or washi tape.

Check out second hand book stores, garage sales, op shops or fairs for vintage books.

Three of the above pages were given to me in happy mail - where you swap ephemera and bits and pieces with others - postage stamps, punch cut outs, lace, washi tape etc.  I joined a group earlier this year and have participated in many swaps and have three baskets of goodies - these are great to go through when looking for pieces to collage to your cards.

So there are some ideas of what you can do to decorate your pages for your little book. You could also choose a theme or just one way of doing your background too. You may wish to include some blank pages for writing on too if you have decorated both sides of the card.

How many pages? 10 - 15 is good

My next tutorial will show you how to make your own washi tape.


I hope you have fun creating your pages for your book.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to decorate your pages or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.

Felted Soap Tutorial By Kelly Corso

Christmas is only a few weeks away and Kelly is here to show us a fabulous gift idea that’s easy to make! 

Have you ever heard of felted soap? It’s soap that is encased in wool, pretty cool huh? There are many benefits to be had from felted soap.

-soap lasts longer

- you have a wash cloth and soap in one

-exfoliating properties

- wool has natural anti-microbial properties

- it’s also darn pretty!

I'm going to teach you how to make cuties like these for yourself or for a great gift for someone you love!

Material needed:

-wool- any wool of your choice will work. A lot of people like merino. You can choose roving or    batting. I prefer batting because the fibers seem to felt together faster and easier.

- a bar of soap, your choice. Preferably in a shape with rounder edges

- a stocking or panty hose

- water and friction

Soap, wool, stocking and a container for warm water

Step 1- Put enough warm water in your container to dip wool in

Step 2- Tear off strips of wool and dip in the water, then begin wrapping the soap. Tearing is better than cutting. Cut edges will take a bit longer to felt together.

Begin wrapping the soap while smoothing the fibers on the surface of the soap

Step 3- Cover the entire surface of the soap while keeping the fibers as even as possible.

Step 4-  The fibers will still be loose at this point. Enclose the soap in your stocking or panty hose.

Soap enclosed in stocking

Step 5- Immerse soap in warm water to get it completely wet and begin rotating it gently in you hands as if your were washing them. Be very gentle at this point because the  fibers are still loose and need to begin to felt together. 

Do this for approximately 5 minutes. 

Step 6- Take the soap out of the stocking and the fiber should be                 interlocked at this point as pictured below. At this point you can continue to felt without the stocking.

Final Step- Continue rotating the soap in your hand for about 5 more minutes or until you can feel the fibers tightening around the soap.

Place on a towel to dry. 

Drying can take 24-48 hours

Bada Bing! There you go! Felted soap!

I hope you enjoyed learning how to make felted soap and give it a try!! It is so much fun!

Happy Felting!!!

Until next time-

Find more of Kelly’s fabulous felted creations at: 

Bird In A Tree Creations

Connect with us in between posts and 

share your thoughts with our Facebook  group: 

Cre8ive Klatch

Mantra Mobile by Michelle Reynolds

What a wonderful project this one is! 

This project could also be a tree ornament, an affirmation for yourself or a friend, or just a beautiful mobile piece to hang anywhere! 

You’ll want to make lots of these!

Hi everyone!!

I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.

I'm here today to show you how I made my Mantra Mobile and to inspire you to create your own.

Here are the supplies I used but I encourage you to use what you have already or to check out your $2 shop for some special items.

Paper - gelli prints and scrapbooking paper, pencil, scissors, glue stick, alphabet stamp set and ink, hole punch, ribbon.

1. First of all you'll need a mantra - two to five words that resonate with you.  I've created a Pinterest board if you need some inspiration.

2. Decide which shape you would like your mobile to be - for example if your mantra is Live Laugh Love you might decide on a heart shape.

3. Choose some papers - I love gelli printing so I have a lot of gelli prints and I also have a stash of scrapbooking papers which are plain and patterned.

Choose a colour scheme - think of contrasting your papers - warm colours and cool colours, plain and patterened, or red/white/blue etc.

Your top layer with words on it should be plain enough so the words stand out and don't get lost in the pattern.

4. Cut out your papers - I have cut out three circles - using a round gelli print made the bottom layer easy to cut and I have already made up circle templates to use but look around your home - in the past I have used small plates and bowls and glasses to create a circle shape.

5. Use a glue stick to glue your layers together.

6. Put your words onto your top layer - I have used stamps, paint pens and gel pens. Another idea is to use words or letters from a magazine.

7. Then continue to decorate your mobile to your heart's content. You could use a paper doilly as one of the layers - see image below.

8. I punched a hole in the top and threaded some ribbon through.  If you feel your paper is too thin and not strong enough then you may have to glue some cardstock to the back of your mobile.

I hope you have fun creating your Mantra Mobile.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to use to create this mobile or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.