How to Re-cover Books

This is a great way to update some old books that you no longer want to read or even just for a bit of home decor around the house. Stacking books is really popular right now so why not have them look pretty too. 

I covered my books using calico and wallpaper samples that I got from Masters Australia (a hardware shop) but you can use any sort of paper or fabric. Why not try scrapbooking paper, decoupage paper, a nice wrapping paper (how cool would a stack of Christmas books look!) or even your own or child's artwork that they painted themselves. 

 

Watch this video on you-tube: http://youtu.be/AeHzOGHHq18 

Supplies:
Old Hardcover Books Fabric (such as calico)
Wallpaper, scrapbooking paper or artwork etc.
Ribbon to cover the join between paper and fabric
Fabric Glue
Mod Podge Matte
Craft Knife

Canvas Wall Art Tutorial

Here is a tutorial on how I made my flower wall art.

 

Watch the video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/HpMld1pCoto

   

You can download my flower template here but please be aware that it is for personal use only and cannot be used if you are selling the finished artwork.

If you use this file and share your project, please post a link to this video or blog and I will be very thankful.

 Download the .psd files - Side Canvas and Middle Canvas Download the .jpg files - Side Canvas and Middle Canvas 

Instructions for Photoshop (.psd)
~ Open the .psd file in photoshop
~ In the menu go to Image > Image Size
~ Under Document Size, type in the size of your canvas then click OK
~ Use the crop tool to crop sections the size of your paper. Print each section then undo the crop and crop the next piece.
~ Use sticky tape to match up the printed sections (cut off any excess paper up to the joins though or you will be trying to cut flowers through canvas and two layers of paper instead of one)

Instructions for .jpg
~ Open the .jpg in picture viewing software (I use Microsoft Picture Viewer or Picasa which is free from google)
~ Click Print and print the full design on a single sheet of paper
~ Use a photocopier or the copy function on a scanner to enlarge the design to fit your canvas. Simply fold the single sheet of paper in to smaller sections and enlarge that section
~ Repeat re-sizing sections until the whole design is larger
~ Use sticky tape to match up the printed sections (cut off any excess paper up to the joins though or you will be trying to cut flowers through canvas and two layers of paper instead of one)

 If the whole design does not fit on one page
~ In Microsoft Picture Viewer tick or un-tick 'Fit Picture to Frame' (I have to un-tick it)
~ In Picasa click the button that says 'Shrink to Fit'

 

Supplies:
One 12" x 24" Canvas
Two 10" x 20" Canvas'
Craft Knife
RGB LED lights or Christmas Lights
Hot Glue for gluing on lights

Scrunched Flower Tutorial

Here is a quick video showing how to make Donna Salazar's scrunched and puffy flowers. They look fantastic on 3D projects that can allow for quite a lot of dimension.

 

Watch this video on You-tube - http://youtu.be/bVmWvyDQ13Q

Supplies:
Spellbinders Cutting Die - Scalloped Circle
Text paper
Tissue Paper
Liquid Mist (Perfect Pearl Mist or Glimmer Mist)
Mix your own liquid mist (Mini Mister, Distress Reinker & Perfect Pearl Powders)
Liquid Glue (such as Mod Podge)

Background Stamps with Chalk and Perfect Pearls

Here is a quick tutorial on how to use background stamps with VersaMark ink, chalks and Perfect Pearls to create cute backgrounds for your cards.  

Watch this video on You-tube - http://youtu.be/W_iieq_Mmd8



Supplies:
Background Stamp (Darkroom Door stamps used in video)
VersaMark Clear Watermark Ink Pad
Pebbles Inc, Chalk
Extra Pom Poms
Tim Holtz Perfect Pearl Powders

Paper Model Yoshi

Wow was this a monumental project! Yoshi is a paper model and before I had a google to find something new to do, I had no idea that there was such thing as a paper model hobby.

Model making is actually really quite fun and because it is made from paper, you just download the pieces and print them at home so you don't have to wait for postage. I found this model of Yoshi then spent the next two full weeks putting him together. You just print the pieces, cut them out with a craft knife, score them so they bend where you need them to then piece him together like a great big jigsaw puzzle.

 

 

 

Supplies:
Yoshi Model
Craft Knife
Very Fine Tip Stylus or Scoring Tool
Liquid Glue such as Mod Podge Matte (Matte glue is best in case it oozes out. Matte glue will not stay shiny)
Precision Tip Bottle (so you can squeeze out liquid glue in small areas)

How to make custom colour Metallic Distress Crackle

Here is a quick video on how you can make any colour metallic Distress Crackle Paint you like. All you need is Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint in Brushed Pewter, your choice of Alcohol Inks and an Alcohol Ink Applicator. It will be great for ornaments and Christmas decorations for one.

Watch the video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/JpNqzEHM15M

Supplies:
Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint - Brushed Pewter
Adirondack Alcohol Ink
Alcohol Ink Applicator
Chipboard Shape,
Cardstock or Tag
Non-Stick Craft Sheet (optional)

Watercolouring: 3 hours in 3 minutes

This is just a fun video I made because I was curious to see what my watercolouring process looks like in high speed.

Click here to see my Watercolouring Tutorial.

Supplies:
Tim Holtz Distress Markers or Distress Ink Pads
Tombow Blender Pen
Watercolouring Paper
Make It Crafty Stamp - Fairy Tree House

Rolled Roses/ Spiral Blossom Tutorial

When I first saw a spiral blossom cutting die I was a little bit confused as to how to construct the cutout. This video should clear it up for you.

Watch this video on you-tube - http://youtu.be/5Erv1PPpAho

Supplies: 
Spellbinders Spiral Blossom or Bitty Blossoms die
Distress Ink - Vintage Photo
Ink Blending Tool
Mod Podge glue