Iron Craft 2015 Challenge #16--Cabin Lampshade

Moose Scene

For Challenge #16, we were asked to contribute to the Minnesota State Fair. After much internal debate (not), I knew that I wanted to enter the Decorative Crafts Division--Paper Cutting competition. Somehow, my eyes immediately locked to that entry in the official rules and divisions.

The only difficulty was deciding exactly what to enter. I knew that I wanted to do something from the area but didn't quite know what to do. I was planning on doing a cut out of a grizzly bear face. My motivation came from the theater once again. One of the actors was redecorating his dressing room and he wanted a Maine Cabin decor.

I decided to contribute a lampshade to his room. This actor is in love with moose (I didn't know the plural of moose was moose--why not mooses or meese?). I started with craft paper lampshade with black trim. I knew that I wanted to do a moose silhouette that would only appear when the light was turned on. I glued the silhouette to the interior of the shade. The shade has 8" slanted sides. The top opening is 5 inches in diameter. The bottom opening is about 9" in diameter.

I then had several options--to repeat the pattern or to create different silhouettes to fill the space. I made each silhouette 6" in height so that the images wouldn't be too close to the bulb. I  treated each of the silhouettes with a heat retardant spray so there wouldn't be any problems with the heat.

I decided to do three different scenes. The shade is an Empire shape with a slip UNO fitting. This means that the light bulb holds the lampshade in place. More importantly, it allows the shade to rotate easily. I chose the three different scenes so the actor could rotate the shade as his preferences changed.

Bear Scene

Elk Scene

 I am very happy with the way this turned out. Everyone that has seen it seems to be pleased as well.

Iron Craft 2015 Challenge #15--Paper Suncatcher

Paper Suncatcher

The challenge for Challenge #15 was wee (as in tiny). I took a little liberty with the challenge and designed something that was small-ER than normal. The tiny/wee part comes with some of the tiny/thin cuts that were required to create this project. The overall size of the project is 5.5 inches square.

On a previous challenge, I created a Paper Stained Glass. The difference with that project that it wasn't translucent because each of the pieces where filled in with card stock. For this project, I wanted light to pass through the cutouts so that it would appear like stained glass.

The first step was to cut the piece out of black card stock to simulate the lead lines. As you can see, I always work with wide borders. Not only does this give you someplace to put your hands but it actually reduces the tension when you work on the inner-most or tiny areas. Of course, you have to work from the middle to the sides. For this project, I worked on all of the tiny little (wee) rounded triangles (you see what I did there?).

I forgot to take a photo of the pre-painted image. I then mounted the black card stock to plain white tissue. I then mounted it to another piece of tissue. So there are two layers of tissue.

Painted, untrimmed project

I realized that I really needed two layers of tissue and that I would have to work with a relatively dry brush. I used a very small liner brush dipped in undiluted liquid water colors. The only problems that I had were two areas that bled through because I didn't wipe my brush dry after changing colors. The brush was too wet.

Here is the underside (backside)
of the project. The second layer of
tissue really helped.

I then trimmed the image with a half inch border on each side. Right now, I am calling these paper suncatchers because I have placed them in an acrylic sign holder and have placed it in my office window. The below image is the project in its holder with a light behind it. I might want to turn these into lampshades.

Backlit project.

I don't know why the image seems so stretched out--maybe it is just the angle that I took the picture but the image really is 5.5 inches square.

Waiting for the sun

I am really pleased with the way that this turned out. Once I figured out the bleeding issue, I really didn't have any other problems. I worked on a light box so I could see how the colors would change once dried. I see a lot more of these in my future.

Iron Craft 2015 Challenge #14--More Quilt Squares (Study in Blues)

Logs (but small narrow ones)

Blue. I'm so BLUE. Not really but this challenge really challenged me. It wasn't that I had a dearth of ideas but I had so many that I couldn't decide and ended up wasting a couple of days trying to decide. The challenge became even more difficult in that I decided to continue on working on blocks for a future quilt.

These blocks were dedicated to logs (rectangles) and points (triangles). The points almost made me jump off the George Washington Bridge.

The design that I have been most enamored have been the log designs. I tried them in a larger (thicker) format but decided to try to do narrower rectangles to work on my seam allowances. With the larger rectangles, you have a lot of room for error. On narrow rectangles, much less so. The reason that I like the pattern so much is because there is less pre-measuring. You simply sew two sides to the length of the current side and then cut the opposing sides to the added length.

Although there is less blue here, I did feature the color in the design.

The second pattern featured rectangles, squares and triangles. In this example, I tried to work on the triangles meeting the points of the squares. I loved the blue against the red. As you can see, I ran out of the grey striped material and had to piece one side and it made it wonky in the process--LOL. You live and learn.

The third and fourth patterns really featured blue and POINTS. The classic star pattern proved to be most difficult and that I had to start and restart several times. As you can see, some of the points matched up better than others. I do love the two shades of blue and the pattern on pattern.

The final pattern made me dizzy in the process. I don't know the name of the pattern but I got so confused and at times couldn't remember where I was in the pattern. I think that this would be equivalent to a knitter losing count during a stitch pattern. On a larger scale, I think it would be too busy. Once again, sometimes the points met and sometimes they didn't.

One of my biggest regrets is that I don't have a washing machine. Therefore, I have to wash all of the material by hand, let it drip dry, and then sew it. The I have to repeat the process with the finished square and iron it.

So, hopefully I met the Blue Challenge even though it turned me blue in the face. When I worked with Isaac Mizrahi, he told me that he learned more about sewing from taking things apart than sewing them together. I never understood what he meant until I started these quilt blocks.

Iron Craft 2015 Challenge #13--Halloween in July

For this challenge, we were asked to work with text. Kat said that she was letting off easy and I really needed an easy challenge for #13 because I was on vacation for most of the crafting period. When I returned, I developed an inner ear infection so it seems that I am constantly in a cave.

I was watching QVC and was noticing their Christmas in July broadcasts and I thought--why can't I have a Halloween in July crafting period. This is a two-for-one special because I felt a little guilty after cutting my first card.

Two years ago, I had a 31 Days of Halloween series and I used the ghost image for a bag topper (seen here). So, for the first card, I decided to make a card using the same image and adding the text "Boo."

Thinking that I was done, my good old Catholic guilt kicked in and I woke up at 4 a.m. this morning thinking that I had cheated. I decided to use the same text with a different image. I did a quick "bats and moon" card and then went back to sleep.

With a clear conscience, I was able to go to work--LOL.

Iron Craft 2015 Challenge #12--Quilt Squares

This week we were tasking with creating something of which we were a fan. Many of you know of my fascination with QUILTS. Whenever I see a quilt, I become reduced to a blithering idiot in awe. My grandmother was a quilter and she would make a quilt, by hand, for every child and then grandchild. The quilts were all greatly revered by the family and many times she would enter them in local craft fair competitions.

My grandmother never made me a quilt because there was some angst within the family that by making a quilt for an adopted child that the "natural" children would get upset. Of course, this was adult stupidity but it made its mark and I never received a quilt. When she died, much to the regret of the "natural" children's parents, my grandmother bequeathed her fabric to me.

For this challenge, I wanted to honor my grandmother with making some quilt square with some of the fabric that she left me. I have been waiting for the right project and decided that this was it. 

I started simply by just doing a four block square.

I then make smaller squares but kept it simple.

I then used the smaller squares to make a pattern.

Then I experimented with points and triangles and geometry, oh. my.

Then I tried different shapes (oops, everything just didn't quite measure up.

Finally, I decided to go back to simply shapes that I could control. I had used this pattern in paper quilting and decided to try my hand in real fabric.

I have a new found admiration for people who do quilts. Moreover, I have a greater appreciation of my grandmother and her ability to make this quilts without calculators, computers and the modern convenience of sewing machines and stitchers.

Iron Craft 2015 Challenge #11--Paper Playbill Bouquet

For Challenge #11 we were asked to create something out of paper or in the words of our leader--find your inner Dr Russ. Oh. My. Gosh. The pressure to produce something special really hit me hard (just kidding). The only other difficulty is that we were in the middle of the theater awards season here in NYC and the show that is currently at my theater has been nominated numerous times. Three of our actors were nominated for a Tony Award (the highest honor in the on-stage professional theater profession). I wanted to do something special for them so I created these paper bouquets out of the show's Playbills (the free programs that are given to the patrons at each performance).

I folded, curled and molded several different types of flowers out of the most colorful pages and gave a bouquet to each of the nominated performers.

Paper Rosettes

Kusudama Flowers 

Curled leaves (and the underside)

 I am very happy with the way these turned out. The actors were very appreciative. I just hope that my Iron Craft crafters like them.

Iron Craft 2015 Challenge #10--E is for . . . (Updated)

In my attempt to get my post online in time, I left out some of the specifics regarding the envelopes. I decided to update the posting so people could understand the process.

The picture above shows the reverse of the envelope (or the face of the envelope if you are sending it out without the glassine cover). The top envelope is still awaiting its liner. The bottom envelope shows the liner. The liners are made up of pages that have product descriptions only (or pages that could not be used for envelopes).

As mentioned yesterday, many times I will place the envelope in glassine covers so I can send them out without ruining the image with an address label. I simply tape shut the envelope, throw an address label on the front of the envelope, place a stamp on it and send it out.

When I send the envelope without a cover, I simply tape shut the envelope on the flap side, throw an address label and stamp on the flap side (if you are using standard size envelopes you can use a regular priced stamp since no special handling is needed). By utilizing the flap side (the reverse), the main image is unaffected. Many times, I will send out my bills with these types of envelopes.

When I use a glassine cover, I include a blank address envelope so recipients can determine if they want to use the envelope for their personal use (I also include instructions).

Iron Craft 2015 Challenge #10--E is for . . .

Another letter challenge. This challenge was dedicated to the letter E. So E is for...envelopes. I have done this project before and I decided to revisit it as I need to use my stash of recovered Abercrombie & Fitch catalogs.

Someone posted on Craigslist that they were selling old A&F catalogs. After failing to find a buyer, the owner offered them to a good home as long as they would be recycled, reused or repurposed. I convinced the owner that I would put them to good use.

These are business sized envelopes. I am constantly amazed at the images used in these catalogs. These envelopes have been very popular with my friends. I usually send them in glassine outer envelopes so the recipient can reuse the actual envelope.

Iron Craft 2015 Challenge #9--Dragon Eggs

For this challenge we were asked to do something "faux." I took the challenge on a different direction. Rather than create something that looked like something else (faux painting, faux metalwork, etc). I decided to go with something that is truly fake--in other words, something that doesn't exist (well at least MAYBE doesn't exist).

I decided to make dragon eggs (a la Game of Thrones Dragon Eggs).

I took some leftover goose eggs that I have been hoarding for Easter Eggs and covered them with decoupage paper (which is a very thin glassine type paper). I used techniques similar to washi eggs but instead, I simply cut the fringe as it was attached to the egg. I will provide a tutorial when time allows. I went with wild prints to add to the fantasy of Dragon Eggs.

I wonder what type of dragons will hatch from these beauties.

Iron Craft 2015 Challenge #8--Mallory the Mallard

For this Challenge, we were asked to make something for the home. I decided to do a two-for-one for this challenge. My bathroom has a small window and ledge that I wanted to change out. There used to me a solid wood cabinet that would block the sun that would would shine through the frosted glass window. I purchased some wire shelves from the Container Store and placed them on the ledge. I also went to the dollar store to buy some containers to line the shelves.

The second feature of this challenge was Mallory the Mallard. She was a wooden fake decoy that someone had given to me previously as a gag gift at Christmas. She was a little worn out so I decided to re-paint her. I covered her with acrylic paint and freshened her up using Sharpie Paint Pens.

As you can see, I got a little sloppy with the white paint pen (or the pens leak--you choose) but I am very happy with the way she turned out. I still might go back and distress her a little bit but she is content guarding my bathroom supplies.

Mallory the Mallard (side view)

Mallory the Mallard (top view)

Iron Craft 2015 Challenge #7--D is for Decoupage (Eggs)

Decoupage Eggs (Washi Eggs)

I really struggled for this challenge in that I couldn't decide what I wanted to do. I thought about dinosaurs. I thought about dragons. I thought about doing another cut out but this season of Iron Craft, I wanted to start doing other projects without falling back to cut outs.

I was walking through the local craft store and I saw some decoupage sheets and Mod Podge so I decided to do something with decoupage. Since it was Easter, I decided to revisit these washi eggs. I have chronicled my attempts at washi eggs here, and here, and here.

I finally listened to my own advice and only used Japanese Washi Paper. Rather than use Mod Podge, I decided to use traditional bookbinder's paste. This paste dries clear and does not leave a gloss coat to the paper.

The first egg was a real duck egg that was blown out. Duck eggs are slight larger than chicken eggs. They are little more pointed at the top than goose eggs.

Real Duck Egg

The second egg was a real goose egg that was blown out. Goose eggs are a 1.5 times larger than duck eggs and almost 2 times larger than chicken eggs.

Real Goose Egg

The third egg was a paper mache egg that I had left over from a previous project. They claim that it is a goose egg but in reality it is between the size of a goose and ostrich egg.

Paper Mache Egg

I am getting closer to standardizing the process so I will be able to adapt to the size of the egg. I am getting fewer wrinkles and less bulk at the ends of each egg. Maybe by next Easter, I will have conquered the process.

Iron Craft 2015 Challenge #6--Noon Rise/Noon Set

Front Cover

For this Iron Craft Challenge, I decided to create a coloring book for myself from start to finish. I have always enjoyed coloring and find the zen like feeling of doodling and coloring very satisfying. I don't think that I have ever created a book for myself from start to finish. I have used some of my own books after they were completed but never truly designed a book for my personal pleasure.

This is a mandala style design. The front and back covers are different because the book can be viewed two different ways. With the orange side facing up, it depicts the rising of the sun (i.e, Noon Rise). The first page indicates moonlight, the second page indicates the sun rising to midday, and the last page indicates the sun at high noon.

With the blue side facing up, the book represents the setting of the sun (i.e, Noon Set). The first page indicates the sun at high noon, the second page represents the sun beginning to set, and the third page represents the setting of the sun into moonlight.

Moon

Rising/Setting Sun

High Noon

Back Cover

Noon Rise

Noon Set

Final Coloring Book

I have been spending a lot time finalizing the details of my handmade coloring book as I prepare to start selling them on Etsy. I have made several adjustments after sending them to people to use. The biggest dilemma I was facing was how to close the book. I finally decided to use an elastic band similar to a moleskin. I also thought about using a ribbon to tie it closed but decided against the ribbon due to the fraying over time. These are books that I want to last a long time.

The title page can be left blank (in case someone wants to send it as a gift and/or write something). The colophon will be a paper label that is glued in place. I also tested some different papers in hopes that I would find something that would withstand dry and wet media. I also wanted a paper that would be wide enough so I could use one continuous sheet rather than having to glue several sheets together to get the book length that I wanted. I decided upon a Fabriano 200g paper.

Other than the title page, there will be some options so people can personalize the coloring book design. Namely, if there will be coloring lines or not. In order to illustrate, I decided to color and test my own book.

Coloring Lines or Not

Also illustrated here are the results of an unlined coloring book and using markers.

Crayon Illustrated Pages (using Crayola 96 count crayons)

 (left side--without coloring lines; right side-- with coloring lines)

Watercolor Illustrated Pages (using Caran d'Ache Classic Neocolor II Water-Soluble Pastels--15 count)

(left side--with coloring lines; right side--without coloring lines)

Colored Pencil Illustrated Pages (using Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils--24 count)

(left side--with coloring lines; right side--without coloring lines)

I don't know if the paper has enough tooth to use pastels (of which I am not a fan) but with fixative I am sure that it would probably be OK. Also, I did not test it using acrylic or oils. Maybe that will be a later test.

Now the only decision I have to make is how much to charge for each book.

Iron Craft 2015 Challenge #5--Tie Dye Magic

The theme of this challenge was GREEN--either the color or green crafting--in order to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the US. I chose the green crafting route--in other words: recycle, repurpose or reuse.

I wear T-shirts and I have a lot of them. I have a collection of graphic tees. I also wear colored tees. I practically live in basic white tees: crew necks, V necks and tanks. Since I am so hot natured, I love wearing tees because I can layer them in the winter or cooler months. In summer, I simply wear them as an outer shirt. The problem is that I sweat in them and they get stained; this coupled with the fact that I hate throwing out perfectly good tees that are simply discolored means that I have A LOT of tees.

So for this project, I decided to tie dye some of my tees that were a little less pristine.

I used some tie dye pigments that were left over from a previous project that I will share later--tie dye Easter Eggs. I used the Tulip One Step Tie Dye kit which makes the process a lot easier.

Shirt #1

Shirt #2

Shirt #3

I have always been a fan of tie dye and I am really happy with the way these turned out. What I am not happy with is the quality of the pictures and how bloated I look but I will work on those problems in the future.