How To Decorate a Ship With Patterned Paper

Scrap O' Luck

Here's a detailed tutorial for decorating a ship with patterned paper. It was originally posted as a Special Ops Training project for the SWAT blog in 2013. Don't let these pretty pieces of wood and paper intimidate you. The step by step instructions are a cinch!

Supplies:

Art Minds wooden puzzle: Military Sailing Ship

5 sheets patterned cardstock

Acrylic Paint

Twine

Rubber Cement

Glossy Accents

Craft Knife

Large Needle

Step 1:Purchase a wood puzzle ship kit. I get mine from Amazon. 

Step 2:Color the corresponding pieces as shown in the following schematic. 

A schematic is included in the kit.



Step 3: On the back of each wooden sheet of puzzle pieces, label each piece using a ball point pen.

Step 4: Very carefully punch each piece out. Keep in mind the pieces are fragile and will separate in layers or splinters if you are not VERY careful.

Step 5: Use the color clues in the above schematic to complete steps 6 through 9. Each color is a different piece of patterned cardstock. On the "Scrap O' Luck" I used the following colors of patterned paper for each color represented above:

Blue --- white with sparkle green pattern

Purple --- Solid black with a flourish

Yellow --- Black and Green polka dot

Orange --- Green polka dot

Green --- News Print

Orange and Green were made out of the same pattern of double sided paper. The Orange were traced on one side and the Green on the other.

Step 6: Orange and Green pieces are sails. Use different pieces of patterned cardstock for each color. Be aware that the sales will be seen from both sides so use double sided paper that compliments your ship theme. The first and third set of sales are colored orange in the above schematic.

Step 7: Four of the puzzle pieces will be covered with patterned paper on both side. Those are indicated with arrows.

Step 8: The remaining colored pieces will have paint on one side and paper on the other.

Step 9: The pieces without any color will be painted on both sides, but will not be covered.

Step 10: Paint sides and edges of all the puzzle pieces, let dry. One coat of paint is fine.

Step 11: Trace puzzle piece onto wrong side of patterned paper with painted side face up, cut out, and adhere. I prefer to work with Rubber Cement, but I am sure Mod Podge would work fabulously.

Step 12: Follow the step by step instructions included with the ship to assemble the pieces. Have your craft knife ready to trim the edges of the wood joints or of the paper. I found that many of my pieces looked like this before the ship would fit together properly:

Any places that I over cut or roughed up I camouflaged with ink. In a few places I broke the thin wooden pieces. These I re-attached with Glossy Accents.

Step 13: Because you are adding paper to many of the pieces the actual width will change. The pieces will not fit in the same way and some will not fit at all. I had the following pieces left over.

Step 14: If you plan to glue the ship, put it together without glue first to be sure you know where each piece will go and if you will need to leave any pieces out.

Step 15: Replace the string included in the ship kit with twine. Rig the sails as per the instructions.

During the months of June and July I will be moving my crafting space. I won't have time for much crafting so I will be posting previous projects. I'll be back with brand new content in August!!!

Scrap On!

~charity hotrum~

Cats and Art Paintbrush Holder

Today's tutorial is a project that illustrates the lifeblood of our household...Cats and Art. Painting, drawing, sewing, scrapbooking, it all happens with a cat close by. One of my favorite photos is of my second oldest painting while a cat sleeps in her lap. I mean, if it doesn’t have cat hair in it did it even happen?

When it came to decorating a canvas paintbrush holder for my Lori, cats paws were a given. Deciding on the color scheme was MUCH harder. TatteredAngels High Impact Paint comes in 29 colors. How to choose? Who to send home without screen time? I gave up and used them all. I placed them in rainbow order from red to violet with the metallics between sets.

With the amount of colors I planned on using, the stamp would need cleaned, and cleaned well between each impression. The quickest way to do that is a wet wipe. Disinfectant wipes are harsh on acrylic and rubber so I used wipes made for skin. I did rinse the stamp with running water every 6 to 7 impressions and anytime I got too much paint on it.

Dab paint onto stamp, rather than brushing it on. Add a bit of color to the impression if the image doesn’t turn out clear.

The paw prints were super cute, but that was just the start. My daughter compared the shades of paint displayed on the canvas and chose Navy and Turquoise as her favorites.

I used 7gypsies Architextures Tall Base Swirls as a mask in the corners of the canvas holder. I trimmed them to fit and painted over them with Tattered Angels HighImpact Paint-Navy.

After using the Architextures I rinsed them and placed them back on the film. They weren’t completely free of navy paint, but they were definitely reusable.

I dabbed turquoise paint onto letter stamps and centered her name on the holder. Paw prints in the same color went on either side. Flourish bits I had cut off the corner pieces I placed under her name as a mask and painted over with turquoise paint.

Finally I punched a cat shape from cardstock and used the negative as a stencil with Navy paint. There was a lot of paint on that canvas paintbrush holder so I laid it flat to dry for a couple days.

When the project was finished the cats gave it a thorough inspection. Big Eyes decided it was acceptable and opted for a nap. If you don’t have a cat to approve your projects send them on over...he doesn’t charge for his services. :)

Stop by my Instagram for more crafty inspiration.

Scrap On!

~Charity Hotrum~

Iridescent Peacock Feathers With Acrylic Paint

Iridescent Peacock Feathers are the feature of today's tutorial. Peacocks have been the subject for countless works of art due to their glorious plumage. Although I don't pretend to be a master painter, I can let you in on a little secret for how to get that signature peacock iridescence using a gold wash of acrylic paint.

I started with a wood model and an assortment of acrylics. I painted sample stripes of blues, greens, and browns on white cardstock. When those had dried I painted over them with stripes of metallic paint. The sheer metallics gave the colors an iridescent sheen and I had only to choose which color combinations I liked best.

For the body I choose Aqua and Blue, for the feet and beak, Brown. I painted the tail feathers in Blue, Brown, Green, Lime Green, and Antique Gold

 I carefully assembled the peacock and assigned colors to body parts. The original model planned for the eyes of the feathers to be punched out. I choose to leave them in but gave them an extra layer of paint to hold them there.

 Peacock wings, neck, and body alternate between light and dark blue. To get a similar look I painted the pieces with Aqua, let them dry, then splattered them with Blue. When those layers had dried I added a thin layer of Blue over it all.

 The base of the tail and back of the peacock I painted in Lime Green. I splattered the pieces with Brown to give the impression of multi colored feathers. A layer of Antique Gold added the iridescent look I had planned.

 The tail feathers took the longest to paint. I began with a layer of Aqua on the eye of the feathers and Lime Green on the rest. After a second layer of Aqua and Lime, I framed the eye with Brown and the outer edge of the feathers with Green. I added a dab of Blue to the center of the eye. The final layer of paint, Antique Gold, gives the tail feathers that iridescent gleam.

 I grew up with visits to Grandma's farm and her many types of fowl. Although the turkeys were my favorite, the peacocks were unmatched for beauty. I spent many long hours gathering peacock feathers from the pastures and woods. There is something so glorious about bringing in armfuls of blue and green feathers that flash gold in the sunlight.

This glorious peacock model was purchased off Amazon. The paints are from Canvas Corp Brands, and that amazing 3-D Taj Mahal was assembled by my daughter Lori.

Craft On

~charity~

Canvas Cover for Spiral Bound Journal

 Ric rac and paint decorate a canvas cover for a spiral bound journal. Hand made memory books are common this time of year. This particular one is a Gratitude Journal. This journal cover protects the spiral binding so that I can toss my book into my bag and not worry about it getting caught on things. It also gives me one more surface to embellish!

Directions:

Step 1 Measure the width of the journal and the length from page tip to page tip.

This should be done with the journal closed. I used a bit of trim that was the same thickness as the material I planned on using to cover my journal. The length of fabric needed to cover an item will vary depending on the fabrics thickness. I stretched my trim from cover to cover and over the spiral binding then laid this on a yardstick for the final measurement.

Step 2 Add 1 inch to the width and 3 inches to the length. Cut fabric to size.

I was using scraps of canvas so I didn't have one the correct length. I knew I would have to piece my cover together. I choose two pieces the right width and an inch more than the right length when added together.

 Step 3 Sew a basting stitch 1/2 an inch from either edge down the length of the fabric. 

Although this step is not strictly necessary, I have discovered that my rolled hems are not very even when I just eye-ball them. If I give myself a folding line the rolled hem turns out much better. A basting stitch is a long loose stitch that is easy to remove.

Step 4 Sew a rolled hem on either side of the fabrics length.

The purpose of a rolled hem is to trap the raw edge so it doesn't ravel out. To do this, fold the fabric twice so that the raw edge is hidden in the second fold. Fold the fabric in 1/4" increments with the right side down and the wrong side up. When you have folded it correctly the basting line will run straight down the outside edge of the fabric. The right side is the outside with any decoration. The wrong side is the inside, with the seam edges and hidden stitching. After you have sewn your seams pull the basting stitch free.

 Step 5 Turn the ends of the fabric under 1/2 an inch and sew a seam 1/4 inch from the folded edge. We will not be making a rolled hem on the ends because the thicknesses of fabric increases with each roll and the needle has difficulty piercing all the layers. This end is rolled under when the pocket is formed and the raw edge will be protected.

Step 6 Make a pocket to slip over the journal cover at each end. Fold 1 inch of the fabric over (wrong sides together) so that the raw edge from Step 5 is hidden. Use a blind stitch along the overlap at each end to hold the pocket in place.

Blind Stitch Tutorial
The blind stitch is one of my favorite hand sewing techniques. When this stitch is done properly the thread is completely invisible. It makes me feel like a MAGICIAN! Side a and side b are both hemmed leaving a 1/4" space along the edges to be joined. I used red thread for contrast, a thread that blends with your fabric is preferable for this stitch.
Step 1 The stitch begins on side b. Pull the needle through, anchoring the knot inside the hem space. Insert the needle in side a, directly across from where the thread emerged in side b. Slide needle in the hem space for 1/8 to a 1/4 of an inch, exit the hem space still on side a.
Step 2 Insert the needle in side b, directly across from where the thread emerged in side a. Slide needle in the hem space for 1/8 to a 1/4 of an inch, exit the hem space still on side b.
Step 3 Continue this pattern for the length of the seam, alternating sides.
Step 4 Pull the thread snug so that the edges match up exactly, but not so tight they pucker, and knot off thread.

Because I used two pieces of canvas rather than one long piece, I joined them with a 1/2" seam. I covered the seam with ric rac.

Decorating Tips For The Journal Cover

To give my journal cover the look of a bound book  I added strips of ric rac trim where it bent around the spiral binding. The finished length of my cover is 16 inches, from edge to edge. The ric rac trim that curves around the binding is in 4" lengths.

 I chose felt trim because the ends do not ravel out. I sewed the pieces that run the width of my cover onto the fabric, then snipped the ends so they were the exact length I wanted.

 I added the flourish design to the front of the cover using Tattered Angels High Impact Paint and a stencil. I tend to get too much paint on my brush when stenciling which results in a smeared design. Instead, I prefer to use a cotton round (the sort for make-up removal) to apply the paint through the stencil.  

My final step was adding the Beaded Rose Ornament. A couple of quick stitches hold it in place, but a good fabric glue would do the same.

Supplies:

Canvas Scraps and Burlap Flower:Canvas Corp
Red Paint:Tattered Angels
Papers:7Gypsies

Stencil:Pebbles Inc

Felt Ric Rac:Little Yellow Bicycle

I decorated the Burlap Flower using the Beaded Rose Ornament tutorial.

Craft On!

~charity~

How To Make An Unusual And Attractive Window

This tutorial for how to make an attractive window is unusual because it is made from foiled paper. I love the look of stained glass and Rinea Foiled Paper gives me the opportunity to do that simply and quickly. Follow along with the steps below to make your own shimmering decor!

~ Foiled Koi Window ~

 Step One: Print or draw a pattern for a stained glass window.

Choose a graceful image that can be broken into parts with simple lines. I chose a Koi fish. Pinterest and Google abound with free patterns for Stained Glass windows. I found it just as easy to draw my fish and sea weed on whiteboard paper. By using a dry-erase marker I could easily erase and re-draw till I got my lines just so.

 Step Two: Trace and Cut pattern from foiled paper.

I cut my Koi from Rinea Marigold Start Struck paper. The back fin is from Rinea Mocha Glossy paper and the sea weed strands are Rinea Emerald Star Struck paper. I added details to the fish and the fin with Rinea Ghost Ink. For the scattering of scales I used a quarter foil stencil. 

 Step Three:Cut window paper and adhere to backing.

My window is cut from a roll of Rinea Silver Star Struck paper. I used an 11"x14" piece of cardboard. I wanted my foil base to be rock solid AND I wanted to see the window frame without using lines or separate pieces. To get this look I used inch wide super sticky tape. 

 Getting the foiled paper onto the cardboard base without mistakes took steady hands and a good game plan. I cut my silver paper to 12"x15" size. With a 1/2 inch of playroom on each side I had a good chance of getting the cardboard covered even if it was a tad crooked. I rolled the foiled paper then laid it on the cardboard as straight as I could. I started at the top, rolling toward myself,  and pressing the paper into the adhesive as I went.  I folded the excess to the back of the cardboard.

 Step Four: Glue designs to window base.

I used Best Glue Ever and a No-Clog Writing Cap to be certain my glue went where I wanted it to and that my pieces stayed put! These ScraPerfect products always make my project a success.

 Step Five: Mix 1 part black acrylic paint to 3 parts all purpose glue for window leading.

The glue mixture is grey when wet. Remember to use a glue that dries clear. When it does you will have lovely, thick, black lines. I did not leave enough room in my squeeze bottle to shake the mixture and had to use a bamboo skewer to mix it. This made the process more difficult then it had to me. Just an FYI.

Step Six: Outline all joints and paper edges with leading mixture, leave to dry.  

  The leading proved to be my Achilles heel. I started with a craft blond glue and paint mixture. The craft bond was too thick and ran unevenly. I had to scrape off bits of leading and start over. I was so FRUSTRATED that I had to put my project aside for a day. I made a second mixture of Elmer's Glue-All and black acrylic paint. This ran smoothly. I tested it out to get the right line thickness and was back in business. 

To clean up the smears and glue overage I used Best Cleaner Ever. This eco-friendly solvent removed the dull patches on my foiled paper without damaging the paper or affecting the color.

Supplies:

Whiteboard Paper:DCWV
Foiled Paper and Ghost Ink:Rinea

Adhesive Tape:American Crafts

Glue, Solvent, Writing Cap:ScraPerfect

Acrylic Paint:Deco Art

All Purpose Glue:Elmer's

Stencil:Kite

Scrap On!

~charity~

How To Make a Fantastic Canvas with Brilliant Colors

In celebration of Mexican culture and childhood memories here is a how-to for a fantastic canvas with brilliant colors. During my teen years I lived in Texas. My family made various trips over the border and was invited to some amazing fiestas. During that time I was introduced to The Day of The Dead, a day to celebrate family members and friends that have passed on. It is a beautiful celebration of life and love. One symbol of that day is the sugar skull.

~ A Day To Remember ~

 I recently picked up a pack of stencils because of its fabulous skull and crossbones. Included was a sugar skull template. The idea for this wall decor was sparked!

 I applied a bit of Modeling Paste to this canvas with stencils. Then I was ready for COLOR! I spritzed on bright ink sprays and added metallic paint around the edge. Finally I decorated the skull with dots of glitter glue.

The Sugar Skull represents a very important day, so I needed a title to reflect that. I started with a strip of Rinea Foiled Paper in Glossy Violet. After decorating with flourish and heart stamps using Rinea Ghost Ink I was ready for words.

The letters are die-cut from Ebony Starstruck Rinea Foiled Paper. I punched the corners with a decorative punch and laced it to the canvas with twine.

Supplies:
Modeling Paste:Liquitex
Spray Ink:Ranger, Heidi Swapp
Alpha Die and Glitter Glue:Ranger
Acrylic Paint:Deco Art
Foiled Paper and Ghost Ink:Rinea
Stamps:Inkadinkado
Twine:Two Berry Creative
Corner Punch:Kreaxions

Scrap On!

~charity~