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Magazine Art Bowl: Blow up a balloon. Cut strips o
Magazine Art Bowl: Blow up a balloon. Cut strips o:
Magazine Art Bowl: Blow up a balloon. Cut strips of magazines, fold in half. Roll up and glue to balloon. When all dry, pop balloon.
Lace pattern things! I think I just found my favor
Lace pattern things! I think I just found my favor:
Lace pattern things! I think I just found my favorite craft blog eburrrr.
I really wanted to have a bird bath in our yard, b
I really wanted to have a bird bath in our yard, b:
I really wanted to have a bird bath in our yard, but every time I found one that I liked it was so expensive. I decided to try and make my own using stacked flower pots and saucers.
Love this. Must make a bunch of them and put them
Love this. Must make a bunch of them and put them:
Love this. Must make a bunch of them and put them on something.
Brown Paper Flowers #aplaceforusblog
Brown Paper Flowers #aplaceforusblog:
Brown Paper Flowers #aplaceforusblog
Differences Between Digital Cameras and Film
Before digital cameras became the primary means of photography, amateur and professional photographers alike operated in a world of film. Whereas the digital revolution in camera technology allowed photographers to instantly view their work, download it to a computer and print it out in a matter of minutes, working with film required a somewhat lengthy development process and prohibited photographers from knowing which pictures turned out and which did not. The differences between digital cameras and film extend beyond that, though, to quality and alterability of the image.
Digital Cameras versus Film
Although preference factors into the differences between the two, digital photographs and film are analogous to MP3s and vinyl records. In the latter case, both store recorded music, but the process with which they are put into their respective formats differs in terms of speed, quality and technology. Although MP3 sales greatly outnumber vinyl record sales today, LPs will never go away because there will always be people who appreciate their warmer, some say superior sound along with the physical act of placing them on a record player. The same is true for digital pictures and film. Even though film has largely been relegated to a hobby pursuit, it is the love of the process that keeps people using it. It also creates warmer, more organic images than digital does. The use of film will probably never again be as common as in the past, but there will always be those who prefer it to digital. That being said, there are some very practical differences between the two.
Convenience
Without question, digital photography is more convenient than film. There are no spools of film to load, wind, unwind and remove. With digital, there is no guessing as to which photos came out well. The instant viewer shows you which photos are worth keeping. Those that aren’t you simply erase. Aside from keeping the battery charged, there is little to fret about with digital cameras. Consumer models are smaller and less bulky than film cameras as well.
Development
Film required a photographer to unwind the roll of film, remove it, have the negatives developed and photographs made either in a large machine or by hand in a darkroom. Skilled photographers who had access to the equipment could do this in a short time, but not nearly as quickly as with a digital camera. With digital, a photographer simply takes the pictures, interfaces the camera with a computer, uploads the digital files and alters, saves or erases them. In the time it took negatives to be developed, a digital photographer could take, upload, alter and post or print out hundreds of images.
Warmth
Perhaps the area where film is still preferable is the warmth of the photographs it creates. Digital photography, with its ability to break down a photograph to a near microscopic level, although technologically superior, takes some of the charm away from the art. Film has a definite limit far surpassed by digital technology, but digital images will never match the warmth of film, even with alteration programs designed to recreate the qualities of it.
The superior speed, convenience and networkability of digital photography have caused it to largely make film a thing of the past. However, the technological differences aside, film still has a place among photography purists just like records will never be entirely eliminated by digital music downloads. As much as digital photographic technology can do, it cannot substitute for the warmth and feeling of film.
How to Decoupage Anything
Selecting What to Decoupage
First, decide what item you want to decoupage. The sky is the limit here. Any material can be decoupaged including wood, plastic, metal, ceramic, and paper. You might consider decorating an old piece of furniture or embellishing a boring light shade. Other items that people have successful decoupaged include trash cans, picture frames, photo albums, shelves, vases, boxes, candles, and even sneakers. Whatever item you choose, it should be clean and free of any dust or dirt. If you want to paint it, do it at least twenty-four hours before you decoupage it.
Selecting Materials
Once you have the item picked out, you need to decide what you will use to cover it. Technically, the term decoupage refers to gluing items that have been cut out--the term comes from the word 'decouper,' which means 'to cut out.' However, decoupage does not have to be limited this way. You can use pictures from magazines, catalogs, or books. Wrapping paper, wallpaper, greeting cards, tissue paper, postcards, and fabric are other possibilities. Craft stores even sell specially made paper for decoupage. If you have a good printer, surf the Internet and print out your own pictures. You can even use your own personal photos. However, you may want to consider getting high-quality copies made first because the copies are usually easier to work with.
HINT: When cutting out designs, make sure you use a sharp scissor, razor blade, or craft knife. Tilt the cutting edge slightly toward the outside to give the paper a beveled edge. Straight up-and-down cuts give the paper a hard, raw edge and may cause the underside colors to show.
Organizing Materials
After you have all your pictures cut out, decide how you want to arrange them on the item. Pictures can be in any design and even overlap. Be creative. If you do not like how it turns out, you can always redo it provided you have more paper. Most decoupage medium will come off in water provided you do it before it has been sealed.
Collecting Supplies
Next, you need to gather the necessary supplies to decoupage. Your main ingredient is the glue. Inexpensive decoupage medium can be purchased at any craft stores, but you can also use diluted white glue. Simply add a little water to make the glue thinner. For larger projects, you can also use wallpaper paste.
You will also need something to apply the glue or decoupage medium to the paper. A cotton swab or a paintbrush will work, but foam brushes seem to do the best job. You may want to get a Popsicle stick or a brayer (which looks like a mini-rolling pin) to help smooth out the wrinkles. You should also have a damp rag to wipe up any excess glue. Polyurethane or acrylic spray sealer will also be needed if you want to protect your item.
Decoupage Methods
There are two ways you can decoupage. If you are planning to decoupage onto paper or if you do not want to have any finish on the item, only apply the glue to the backside of the picture. Otherwise, you can coat the entire picture with glue or decoupage medium. You might also want to put a thin layer onto the area where you will be sticking the picture.
Place the picture onto the item. Then, starting from the center, use your fingers to push the picture down gently. Smooth out any wrinkles and excess glue. For an even smoother look, use the Popsicle stick or brayer. Use your damp cloth to wipe off any excess glue from around the picture and smooth down the edges. If the edges are not sticking, lift up the picture carefully with a toothpick and apply a small quantity of glue. Then, use your fingers or a damp cloth to press it down again.
Continue doing this until all your pictures are glued on. Let the glue dry. Top it off with a second coat of decoupage medium or diluted white glue to over the entire project. Once it has dried, you can use soft steel wool to buff the surface of the project and eliminate any spots that look white. However, this is not necessary. Additional coats of decoupage medium or glue can be applied if desired.
Sealing the project with a sealer is also optional. However, it is strongly recommended if your project is going to see any wear and tear. The more coats of sealer you use, the more the decoration will recede into the background and look like a painting. Let the sealer dry completely between coats. Some people will use ten to twelve coats of sealer on an object, but it is up to you.
Now that you are finished, it is time to decide what you want to decoupage next. Be warned, decoupaging can become an addicting habit. Luckily, it is also an inexpensive one. Before long, you will have an array of objects that can be used to decorate your home and that make wonderfully personalized gifts.
Candle Making Basics
Essential Equipment and Tools
Melting System. Never use a microwave oven or direct heat to melt candle wax. The best and safest method, especially for a beginner, is to use a double boiler or a Presto Kitchen Kettle. Heres how to melt candle wax in a double boiler:
- Fill the bottom pot of the double boiler 2/3 full of water.
- Grate wax with an old cheese grater and place in the top pot.
- Boil the water and allow the wax to melt.
- Never leave a double boiler unattended when melting wax. Water evaporates quickly when boiling and the wax then becomes a fire hazard.
The best and safest method for melting candle wax is with a Presto Kitchen Kettle. These are available at most major departments stores and are thermostat controlled. This method prevents wax from becoming overheated.
Scales. Kitchen scales are great for measuring candle wax and other ingredients.
Thermometer. You'll need a thermometer to test the temperature of the melting candle wax. The thermometer should measure heat between 100 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit. A candy thermometer works well.
Ladle. A stainless steel ladle is perfect for removing hot candle wax from the melting system.
Pouring cup. An old glass measuring cup is perfect to use to pour melted candle wax into the molds.
Wax. Use quality paraffin wax for best results when making candles. Do not use canning wax. Paraffin wax can be purchased at most craft stores.
Wicks. Wicks are available in a wide range of materials and sizes. The best wicks for candle making are braided cotton wicks that have been specially treated for quality burning. This type of wick gives your candle many more hours of burning life. Quality wicks can be purchased at most craft stores and they also come in candle making kits.
Dye. Dye comes in every hue of the rainbow. Only a small amount of dye has to be added for light colored candles. If you wish candles to be a darker color, add more dye. You can use dye to make candles that match your décor perfectly.
Never use crayons to color wax, as this type of wax will clog the wick. Candle dye is inexpensive and can be purchased at most craft and department stores that handle candle making supplies.
Molds. Candle molds are what determine the shape of your candles. They come in a variety of materials, shapes and sizes. Plastic candle molds are the least expensive but cannot tolerate wax that's been heated to more than 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Metal molds are expensive but last for years. They're sturdy and durable and can tolerate high wax temperatures. Most craft and candle supply stores carry a variety of candle molds, including novelty molds. You can also use household items, such as flower pots, baby food jars, coffee jars milk cartons and novelty jars. Use your imagination to find molds right in your own home.
Mold seal. Mold seal holds the wick in place when making pillar candles. This prevents the wax from escaping around the wick. If mold seal isn't available, use plumber's putty around the wick to keep melted wax from escaping.
Blow dryer. A blow dryer or heat gun can assist you in covering surface imperfections. They can also be used to preheat metal molds before pouring the wax. This gives the finished candle a glossy finish. A blow dryer is great for ridding gel candles of bubbles.
Once you have assembled all of the necessary candle making equipment and tools, melt the wax, set the wick and pour your first candle. The results will amaze you. Once you have perfected your candle making method, you will be able to make candles for every special occasion and holiday.
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