Envelope #243

August 31, 2014

This is the last of the black and white series. I will be glad to return to some color.

Envelope #242

August 30, 2014

Sometimes you just need a big ol' crane on your envelope.

Envelope #241

August 29, 2014

Still trying to work on my paisley.

Envelope #240

August 28, 2014

And sometimes, all you got is dots.

Envelope #239

August 27, 2014

A return to black and white and another attempt at paisley.

Envelope #238

August 26, 2014

Tomorrow,  I will return to the black and white theme for this week but, today, I am being a little self-indulgent. It's my birthday and I wanted some color!

Iron Craft 2014 Challenge #17--Paper Stained Glass (Project 34)

First phase

For Challenge #17, we were asked to contribute something to be judged at the State Fair of Minnesota.
In a previous challenge, I constructed a paper quilt. I was going to do so again but I couldn't decide upon a pattern so I looked at some of the other other categories.  After looking at the categories, I decided to enter something into the Fine Arts category--specifically, a stained glass piece of artwork (but out of paper).

Since I was working on Christmas projects, I decided to create one of the Dover Publications designs from the book Christmas Stained Glass. To create the project, you have to cut out the outlines (lead lines) out of black card stock. To create the colored glass pieces, you have to cut out the identical pattern for each of the colors you want to use. I used a total of twelve different colors (not including the black outlines).

Once all of the pieces have been cut, you assemble the final product.

I cut the black layer first. I then mounted it to a piece of good quality artists paper. Prior to cutting out the individual colors, I ran the colored card stock through my Xyron laminating machine so that adhesive would already be applied to the back of the pieces. Also, the paper backing from the laminating sheet keeps the pieces together and prevents me from cutting too deep into the card stock.

After all of the colors are cut, you simply fit the pieces like a jigsaw puzzle.

Finished project

I have to say that I am very pleased with the way that this turned out. I am going to hate to give this one away. I might have to make one for myself. Since all of the colored pieces are already cut, all I have to do is cut out another black layer and use the unused pieces that I already have.

Envelope #237

August 25, 2014

Envelope #236

August 24, 2014

This is the last of this particular series. I am going to miss these airbrushed backgrounds. I might revisit these in the future especially since I have more airbrushed t-shirts to complete (and since I still have two more of these that I didn't use).

This is envelope #4 below.

Envelope #235

August 23, 2014

Today's envelope is an homage to one of my favorite TV shows from the 60s--The Partridge Family. Of course, in my world, the boy partridge is prettier than the girl partridge. Similarly, the girl partridge always plays hard to get.

This is envelope #5 below.

In hindsight, I probably could have done without the dark purple accents. But sometimes, there isn't any going back.

Envelope #234

August 22, 2014

Today is brought to you by paisley--or at least my attempt at paisley. This is envelope #2 below.

Envelope #233

August 21, 2014

Today brought to you by purple.

This is envelope #1 below.

Envelope #232

August 20, 2014

Today is brought to you by orange and curves. This reminds of the Giant Snail that comes to save Doctor Doolittle at the end of the Rex Harrison Doctor Doolittle movie.

This is envelope #9 below.

Envelope #231

August 19, 2014

This is envelope #3 below

Project #33--Doodled Wrapping Paper

Doodle wrapping paper

I needed to send my nephews their birthday present last week. I discussed their present here. Because I was running late, I needed to send their gift via FedEx. I was concerned that if I did something special on the outside of the box then they wouldn't deliver it. I contacted my local FedEx representative and they said as long as the billing label was affixed to the package then it would be considered deliverable.

With this new found knowledge, I decided to create my own wrapping paper out of white craft paper. I pre-wrapped the box so I would know how much paper I would need. I also "designated" a space on the paper for the mailing/billing label that I would use after the fact. Granted, I could have simply written the address and mailed it through USPS but I needed the gift to arrive there faster.

Once the areas where designated, I measured out a two inch border with a black Sharpie and then started doodling on the inside of these lines. After the interiors were designed and colored in, I decided to doodle the two inch border because it looked a little bare.

After the doodle was finished, I wrapped the gift and sent it away. When the FedEx person came to pick up the package, I heard a little whistle as he picked up the package. I went to see if there was a problem and he said "This is the coolest. This is gonna be fun to deliver."

Top View:

All wrapped up and ready to go
(Top of box)

 Side One View:

Long Side #1

 Side Two View

Long Side #2

 Side Three View

Short Side #1

Side Four View

Short Side #2

Bottom View

Bottom of box
(ready for the mailing/billing label)

Envelope #230

August 18, 2014

The first of the airbrushed backgrounds. This was envelope #6 (seen below).

Envelope Preparation

What happens if you are in the middle of airbrushing some T-shirts and you have a little paint in the paint pouch but not enough to complete the t-shirt you are making? Well, you whip out some blank envelopes and start playing. These will be the base of my Envelope a Day for this this week.

Of course, I am bummed because I just found out that the company that made this product is discontinuing it's production. The company is Testors (which is known for its airbrushing supplies). The hobby line was called ColorArtz.

I have really enjoyed working with this product line so now I will have to go and scour the internet to stockpile remaining supplies. While usually I don't mind doing so, I get so frustrated with opportunists that feel they can jack up the prices knowing that the materials have been discontinued. The 1/2 fluid ounce pouches usually sold for about $4. On ebay, people are offering them for $15.

So let's see what I can do with these envelopes this week.

Envelope #229

August 17, 2014

Envelope #228

August 16, 2014

Today brought to you by yellows and greens. Still trying to figure out layering and shading my Crayola colored pencils (not really a fan but trying to like them).

Envelope #227

August 15, 2014

Envelope #226

August 14, 2014

Not all oranges as the same.

Envelope #225

August 13, 2014

Envelope #224

August 12, 2014

Iron Craft 2014 Challenge #16--Abominable Snowman Book (Project 32)

I see you--but what is it?

For this challenge, we received a color challenge. White was our inspiration. I knew what I wanted to do but I didn't know if I had the time to get it done since there was a lot of practice that I needed to do before I attempted the project.

I have been wanting to make a Monster Book for quite a while. But in order to work out the logistics, I had to practice on working with fur again. I tried in 2008 and described the process here.

Once I understood how to work with the fur, I needed to review how to sew the Coptic Stitch binding technique. In 2009, I shared the technique here and here. Once I reviewed the sewing pattern, I was ready to go with my Abominable Snowman Book (in homage to the Christmas cartoon, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer).

Here is the opened book on it's side

Five signatures and
front and back covers

Here is the book opened flat:

Opened book

The beauty of the Coptic Stitch bookbinding technique is that it allows the book to lay completed open without breaking the spine (since it has an exposed spine).

Here is my favorite view of the book: Opened Up and resting on it's edge.

Overall, I am very happy with the way that it turned out. I have some minor tweeking to do but I will definitely have these for sale for the holidays and on my Etsy shop.

Envelope #223

August 11, 2014

This week is brought to you by geometry and a return to colored pencils.

Envelope #222

August 10, 2014

Envelope #221

August 9, 2014

Envelope #220

August 8, 2014

Envelope #219

August 7, 2014

Envelope #218

August 6, 2014