International Charm Day - a Tutorial ... I hope

Many of you already know that I have a thing for paper cranes, so in honor of

International Charm Day
(click above to be directed to the event blog)

I give you my step-by-step on taking a paper crane from ... paper to charm.

(fingers crossed)

Materials: Assorted Origami Papers
Petal Porcelain (or other preferred setting agent)
Paint Brush
Wax Paper
Needle (or straight pin)
Head Pins
Various small beads

Step 1: Select your paper.

I highly recommend using thin paper (thinner than copy paper, but that can still hold an edge - tissue paper is out). The sheets below are 6"X6" origami papers.



Step 2: Cut your papers into 1" or 1-1/4" squares:



Side note: The smaller your squares, the more difficult they will be to fold, but practice - I promise it's worth the effort.

(I used the 1-1/4" squares for the photo's below)

I like to cut up a bunch of squares in one sitting, so I'll have a nice stack to work with:



Step 3: Put on some favorite crafting music or pop in a movie
(preferably one that doesn't require your full attention and is good for a giggle)

Step 4: Fold yourself some little paper cranes - I usually fold at least a dozen at a sitting.
(more is better as I almost always have a few casualties in the dipping process)

Another Note: If you don't know how to fold a paper crane, I recommend CLICKING HERE. (There's even a printable PDF link on the page - don't be daunted by the instructions; they look more difficult than they actually are. Also, practice a few on larger 6"x6" squares first.)

The picture below shows a nutshell progress of the folds:



Step 5: Once you have your flock, take a photograph of them!



Sorry about the bad photo - happens when you wait till after dark to take pictures.

Step 6: Dip each crane in The Setting Agent.
(I generally dip them twice - one time I hold the crane by the tail and the other time by the head)

**** Sorry - I don't have pictures for Step 6 Through Step 14 ****

Step 7: Brush off the excess Setting Agent and allow it to dry completely.
(at this step, it is common for the beak and wings to want to turn up - try to push them down gently with the paintbrush as you are removing the excess Setting Agent - also, if you are really careful, you can sometimes "reshape" them once they are completely dry from the first dipping.)

Step 8: Repeat Step 6

Step 9: Repeat Step 7

Step 10: Carefully poke a hole through the bottom of the crane
(if you brushed the excess Setting Agent off, there will still be a hole in the bottom - you'll see)
up through the center of the back
(as close as possible - it's fairly easy to find the center as you will be able to see where you folded the paper)

Step 11: Feed a head pin through the hole, add a bead (or beads).

Step 12: Trim any excess length off the head pin.
(keeping in mind that you will finish the head pin off by making the end into a loop for hanging)

Step 13: Can you guess?!? Yep, finish the end of the head pin by turning it into a loop for hanging.

Step 14: Add a coat of clear varnish for shine
(optional ... you might choose to paint your cranes prior to adding the varnish if you used a solid color paper)

Viola!



Yes, I know, this isn't a crane from this batch - the first flock is still drying. Thank goodness I save ALL my photo's.

As an added bonus, I'm offering sets of six dipped cranes to two people. If you'd like to be included in the drawing, please leave a comment on this post by midnight EST time on Thursday, April 30th. I'll let Sadie draw two names from the hat (or bowl, or bag ... ) on Friday, May 1st

BONUS that'll be May Day ... the first day of my birthday month!

Have fun visiting all the participants from the first ever

International Charm Day!
(click above to be transported to the event link)

Thank you, Amber Dawn, for hosting such a FUN event!!

A Charming Day, A Swap & A-Dressing the Situation

Amber Dawn has come up with a great idea, but before you click the image below for the details, go visit Terisa at Running With Scissors to read her charming post - it's a lovely tribute to Amber and the perfect lead in to:



Love the idea ... if you do too, make sure to leave a comment on Amber's post.


Perhaps you've already seen this one:



... maybe you're even signed up for it ... well, I've thrown caution to the wind and me, TOO! At this point I have no idea if I'll be trying to create an actual doll or a softie sort of creature ... thanks goodness there's some time ... if you haven't already signed up, click the image above for the whole scoop

Finally, please visit this post:



It was Monica and her Pink Artist Project that inspired me to not only participate in my very first call-to-artist charity event, but to actually start my blog ... I will forever be grateful to her. So, even though I know zero about making a dress, you can bet I am going to learn. Either click on the image above or HERE for her unique request.

In my Attempt to Avoid my Heavy Heart ...

I'm feeling a bit heavy hearted. I decided to take another job and had to give my boss my two weeks notice today ... this would have been a lot easier if I didn't care so much for her. I feel a bit fragile & pretty raw ... so ... even though I have a feeling this is going to be an exercise in twisted delight, instead of working on this:

I thought I would take inspiration from Robyn (click HERE) and post this:

Don made this bronze heart for me (Valentine's '99 - it should be noted that we aren't big into V-Day celebrations, so this was a huge surprise). We were living in Baltimore, MD. He was working at the New Arts Foundry, so was able to make the casting & soldered the "broken lock" part after it was cast. I'm not sure what the material was he used to sculpt the heart, but I am fairly certain this was a one time casting - I don't believe there is a mold of it. Before it was cast, he inscribed the back:

It's really hard to read in this photo ... it says, "Baby, you didn't need a key, you broke the lock to my heart".

*sighs*

If I don't say it enough, I know that I am a lucky, lucky girl.

When the new job opportunity came up, I had a lot of soul searching to do to make my decision. One night I broke out the Sculpy and the next thing I knew I had these:

a bunch of freeform hearts. I wasn't thinking about them as I was forming them - the hearts just seemed to happen. I also had no clue what I was going to do with them. On Saturday I cut out hearts from some of my favorite washi chiyogami papers and attatched them to one side:

I will varnish this side to protect the paper ... but then what? I don't know. I have a feeling I am just going to go with whatever happens ... maybe they'll turn out to be happy little hearts of hope. Guess we'll see.

"Nothing is so strong as

gentleness and nothing is so

gentle as real strength"

Ralph W. Sockman

You'd Think I'd Learn, Eh?

Please note: there was a half giggle trying to escape as I typed that ...

... just in case you haven't heard yet, hop on over to grrl & dog, check out &:

Did I commit myself to this? What do you think? lol ... guess you'll just have to wait and see. Who knows, you just might get inspired (click on the above image for more information).

In other news ... it's nearly 1:00am and I thought I would be a bit further along with these (though a smart cookie would have just focused on one ... never claimed to be that cookie & besides, both nagged me into creation). Look at the previous post to see where I left off ... might not look like I've made much headway ... here's an update, just the same.

as neither are currently titled, here's the light box:

And here's the dark one:

... what the heck are all those little black and white thingies on the wax paper?!?

I told uber-spouse that I'd finish at least one before I hit the pillows ... and bets on which one it will be?!?

Question ... do you dream in technicolor?

Has it Really Been a Week ...

... since my last post? Time keeps slipping though my fingers.

Once upon a time, I was girl that THRIVED on deadlines (sometimes meeting them by the skin of my teeth, but ALWAYS meeting them ON TIME) ... and then I moved to Florida. It took me a while, but I finally accept that I have grown acustomed to Florida time. Did you know that here in Florida (at least in the southwest) "soon" can be anytime between the next ten minutes and ten months (some might even argue ten years)? At least I think that's what's going on ...

Case in point #1: I still haven't sent out my Christmas cards or had my holiday "Make-n-Bake" fest. Has anyone noticed the first week of January has nearly passed?

Case in point #2:

What's that, you ask? It's the beginings of The Cigar Box Shrine for the Auction for Oaxaca Street Children ... remember THIS? I waited way to long to get started ... till late last week ... pan out a little and you'll have this:

Right now I am at about this point:

*sighs*

They're due to Rebecca on January 10th (to be considered for inclusion in Pasticcio Quartz - no guarantee, of course, but it would have been exciting to be considered). It's January 7th. I'm missing that deadline. I'm bummed, but I did this to myself. Thank goodness the shrined can be received until the end of the month to be included in the auction.

Case in point #3: I signed up for a post card exchange way-back-when with a "must be mailed" date of 12/15 ... I made it to the post office on 12/22 ... the saving grace is that I wasn't the only one & the hostess, JennLui at A Trinket Treasury is a generously kind spirit. So not to be a spoiler to the recipients, the two shots below are just snipets of two of the cards:

and:

In a nutshell, if it isn't Florida time that's gotten its hold on me, then I am seriously clueless as to why I have been such an utter and total flake ... anyone have any ideas how I can cure this terrible malady?!?

10,000 Thank You's

A super huge heartfelt Thank You to everyone that took the time to stop by and wish me a happy birthday. I can't begin to express how much it has meant to me and just how wonderful this birthday month has been. I feel such a depth of gratitude ... it's likely going to take me 100 years to come close to repaying the joy that I have been given. I promise to give it my best effort ... who knows, if I try hard enough maybe I can do it in 50. :)

UberSpouse and I had a date tonight, so critter-child was with gran till about an hour ago. I couldn't keep her up to draw the names for the party favors, so ... I assigned everyone that left a comment on "It's My Party" with a number (starting at the top - I didn't include myself):

1 - Scrappy Jessi
2 - Janet (Lavendar Loft)
3 - e.beck
4 - wahm922
5 - Janet (Fond of Snape)
6 - Marilyn
7 - Barbara
8 - Sandy
9 - Cindy
10 - Donna
11 - Marlou B.
12 - Janet (Fond of Snape)
13 - daydreamstudios
14 - mermaid musings

Then I went to http://www.random.org/ and set it up for 4 random numbers between 1 and 14 ... drumroll, please ... and the winners are:

Congratulations Marlou B., e.beck, Donna and Cindy. I'll be sure to leave a comment in your latest post asking for you to email me your addess.

Thanks again to everyone for helping make this the BEST birthday EVER

Two more birthday highlights to mention:

First, S&D had an extra special gift for me today ... may I introduce Chili:

She's the first "plushie" S has ever made (D did help, but from what he's told me, she gets all the credit for designing it and shares a lot in the execution). They stuffed it with coffee beans, so it smells really good.

AND

The mom-in-laws final pressie arrived for me today ... it was from my ESTY wish list.

This is Bubo:

Bubo was created by Janell M. Berryman of Pumpkinseeds Originals ... I simply adore Bubo! If you like what you see, check out her ETSY store (last I checked two other lumpy's - Peep & Howie - were still available)

It's way past my bedtime and it's a school night and I need some beauty sleep, so I'm off.

Ciao! ~M~

Project Updates

If you are here via Pam's challenge, my Little World photo's can be found here.

I completed the four panels for Karla & Beth's Vintage Workshop swap late Friday night (I know, nothing like waiting till the very last moment). Uber-honey made the trip to the post office Saturday and priority mailed it ... I'm fairly confident it'll arrive at Beth's tomorrow - my fingers are crossed! Here's how they ended up:

For a first attempt at something like this, I am pleased that I finished and (as is typical) now that I am done, I am suddenly struck by things I could have done differently and ways I could have improved the exectution. Also, after seeing some sneak previews of other offerings, I am truly humbled by the creative genious that surrounds me. I've gotten a lot of inspiration from those visits. All-in-all this has been a fun and educational experience for me. I've definitely found a little courage for trying something new.

Since this deadline loomed sooner than the Black and White Charm Exchange, my poor little ellies had to sit patiently by. This morning I dusted them off and added the silver edging:

I used model paint and am really happy with how shiny it is - if you squint (just a little) you could believe that it's chrome. Once I feel confident that the paint is dry, I'll add another coat of high gloss varnish (to both sides, of course). Once that dries I'll be rounding the home streatch - I'll get to poke the holes and add the jump rings.

It's too late to start all over, but if I were to make more like this, I would probably cut the paper to the size (and shape) of my wooden piece and would just seal the image high gloss varnish. I'd still want to paint the edge ... I can't scrap what I've done so far for two reasons ... 1) this was my first attempt at anything like this (yes, a lot of firsts these days), so I have a soft spot for them and 2) I've put a lot of time, energy, and love into them. I hope the recipients will be able to feel that in the pieces and appreciate them, too.

I just visited Amber Dawn's blog and learned that she is still looking for a few more participants. If you are interested, please go here and leave a comment.

You know you want to!

OK, so the last update for now:

There's not a lot of progress on my beaded doll, but I have been busy ... if you would like to see the previous photo updates you'll find them here and here.

Oops! One more. The uber-hub has given me an indefinite extension on his own challenge ... the beaded God's Eye is part of it, so I guess it IS in progress.

Updates

It was a really good weekend (if not a day or six too short for my liking). I was able to spend some serious time working on a number of projects. Some are coming along better than others, but I will allow myself an "E" for effort. :) First up ...

I don't know if you recall Karla and her Great Aunt Caroline ... Caroline is about to turn 100 and Karla came up with the BEST idea ... in a nutshell, she wants to give her auntie 100 home made birthday cards (contributions to be made by anyone willing to "create for the cause") ... how lovely is that?!? Of course I was in (even though card making is seriously not my forte) ... here's what I'll be sending:

I could seriously benefit from a class or two (something that makes texture mixes and color combo's click), but I have to admit that the knot itself is pretty cool. I used origami paper. The top part of the knot is from a cloth like paper that has wonderfully intricate designs and the bottom is bright red foil. Like I told Karla, it may not be a masterpiece, but it sure had a lot of love poured into it. I'm not sure if she's reached her goal, so if you are interested feel free to visit her at Karla's Cottage. I'm sure this is one of those more-is-better situations. :)

Next ...

I worked a little more on the Black and White charms - I added the elephants and a couple of coats of high gloss varnish:

Now that I'm at the more than half-way point I am wondering if I should have just cut the images (paper and all) the size of the tiles and just put the high gloss varnish over that (without painting each side) and painting the edges with the silver paint. I just might have to try a couple that way in the future ...

Uber-spouse gave me another extension on his challenge (he's a seriously good egg). I had God's eye stuck in my head, so ... I decided to try my hand at a beaded God's eye ... here's how it's coming along (please remember that this is a first attempt ... I have a feeling it won't be my last - don't be surprised if I suddenly have an Etsy shop one of these fine days). I used two small skewers, heavy duty thread and glass seed beads:

you know ... I think I just might like the back better than the front ...

I started playing around with papers and things for Karla and Beths Birds and Bonnets Vintage Workshop Swap - there's no photo's to share just yet, but I am hopeful ... feels like the creative juices are a sloshin ...

OK, this last item is just for fun ... when I got home from work today, there was a card from my father-in-law (seriously - my FATHER-IN-LAW - if you knew him, this would be even funnier) ... well, I think it's a riot, so I thought I'd share it:

Ciao bella's! ~M~

Happy Birthday to ME!

OK, not really quite yet - the official day is the 29th, but about 9 years ago I decided that it would be fun to celebrate for the entire month of May.

*big cheesy grin*

Lucky for me, my family and friends are really good sports ... it's a lot of fun and I highly recommend that everyone adopt this method of celebration. This morning I woke to a little package ... uber-spouse & awesome-critter gave me a set of rechargable batteries (with a charger) - woohooooo! AND they brought me some sushi for lunch ... just a pack from the grocery store, but it was a FABULOUS treat just the same. No, I don't get prezzies every day till the 29th, but I do get random treats between now and the big day ... and this year it really is a big day ... I'm turning

++++ 40 ++++

hehe - pretty cool

I also got an email letting me know that I could participate in Karla & Beth's Birds & Bonnets Vintage Workshop Swap. The deadline to sign up had passed (I didn't ask to be let in on the swap; just shared that I was a little bummed to learn about it after the deadline), so it was a really lovely and unexpected surprise receiving the email saying that I could join the swap ... how cool is that?!? I've never worked with vintage images and don't have a lot of collage experience. Just the same, I am REALLY looking forward to playing around with these fun little treasures ... I just checked out the images and they are super fabulous!

No updates on the Hub's challenge (my brain is trying, but hasn't quite wrapped itself around it ... I have ideas, but they are barely formed at this point). ... for some reason I keep seeing something like a gods eye ... hopefully I'll get it all together before the Sunday deadline.

I did work on the charms for the Black and White Charm Exchange last night. All the little plaques are sanded and one side has been painted black:

I don't know about you, but I'm definitely not the neatest paintress on the block (I admit it ... I LOVE getting my hands dirty when I paint). Tonight I'll be painting the flip side white. It won't take very long, so I'll probably get the chance to work on the panels for the Vintage Workshop Swap.

life sure is good. ~M~

5/1 before I hit the pillows update ... I did work on the charms again tonight. U-S was kind enough to take a couple more snaps for me. I think he's tired - they aren't as good as last nights shots ... ah well, they'll work:

I do like the reflection of my water dish - kind of looks like carnival glass.

Goodnight & thanks for all the fish! (tell me where I paraphrased that one from & I'll like you even better than I do right at this moment ...)

Friday Fill-Ins #69

1. When I fell in love the air around me became electric and the whole world changed ... for the better!

2. My imagination goes into overdrive when the flowers bloom and it heats up outside!

3. Oh no! The internet connection is down, I just may have to slit my wrist! ... uh, no - that's not right ... I think I'll bake some bread and play games with the fam.

4. Soap was the craziest tv show ever.

5. Cheese and crackers (what else did you expect?!?) make a great meal!

6. Once upon a time I thought that when I grew up more than anything else I'd like to be a fairy that tended a beautiful garden.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sweet dreams, tomorrow my plans include escaping from work on the early side and having friends over for a play date and Sunday, I want to get started on my 25 black and white charms for the swap!

My Charm Entries

4/24 - Woohooo! Looks like the elephant charm won out. Time to get-a-making. :)

I just emailed Amber Dawn with my two attempts for her Black and White Charm Swap - the entries are juried, so there's a definite possibility that my attempts will not be accepted. I am so totally OK with that and no matter the outcome, I am really happy that I worked on these. The first is a beaded doll. The head is a black Swarovski crystal and the rest are glass beads:

This second option took two of the ideas I originally had and morphed it into this:

As you can see, it's a reversable charm. This (being the first attempt) isn't as refined as future versions will be - I plan on much smoother coats of paint, a little finer sanding of the wooden pieces and a little more border of the silver painted edge. If you click on the pictures to see a larger view, don't be surprised by the grainy looking elephant - the photo's are much larger than actual size as this charm measures 3/4 inch x 3/4 inch. I will keep everyone posted on if either of my submissions are accepted. Wish me luck!

For the latest Art Doll update, check out the newest photo's here.

A Challenge or Two

I have been working on my submissions to the Black and White Charm Swap. I just put the first coat of gloss on one attempt - it's a small two sided wooden piece. One side is painted white and the other is black. I reduced the elephant pic and did a negative of the same image - one for each side. I painted the edge in silver (airplane paint) ... I still need to add another coat of the gloss prior to photographing it, but I am close. The other little piece is a little beaded doll that makes me grin. I should be able to take pics of both day after tomorrow and will post them after I email pics to Amber Dawn. I honestly can't say if she'll accept them and if she does which she'll pick, but I do have to admit that I am glad that I made an attempt. :)

I have another challenge facing me, too. The spouse just challenged me to complete a piece by this Sunday at 6:00 pm. He said part has to be painted, part beaded and part found object and that it should be designed to be suspended ... I am at a complete loss. The more I think about it, the more my brain hurts. lol.

I did a little more beading on the artsy doll. I'll likely take a snap of it tomorrow after work. On that note, I'm wiped out and still have dishes to finish, so Ciao Bella's! ~M~

One Marvelous Little Treasure

Doesn't everyone get a little thrilled when they grab the mail and there's an envelope that is obviously from a friend? I was lucky enough to have one of those moments earlier today ... and just look at what was inside:

My lovely friend over at Mice and Moonbeams recently made a decision about not selling her art. To celebrate she decided to give away some pins that she made ... I was lucky enough to be the recipient of this absolutely wonderful, exquisitely detailed fun little fish pin and I love, love, love it! ... and I feel inspired ... her creative nature, generous heart and kindness have deeply touched me; I feel blessed to know her.

Red Checkerboard - redone

I wasn't happy with the results of the first attempt of the red/heart checkerboard ... here's the updated version: