Urban Comfort

Reimagining Vintage Botanical Prints (Part II)

So I thought the orange botanical prints I posted last week were fun, but I knew I wouldn't be able to live with either of them. They just weren't right for my home.

Instead I went back to the drawing board and ordered Inkodye in black, expecting that I'd create prints with a chalkboard feel. That wasn't quite what happened, but I'm very, very happy with the results of this particular batch of experiments and I learned a number of things, so it seemed worth it to post a tutorial this time.

 

 

What I Learned:

1. The black Inkodye didn't develop as a true black on fabric, but rather as a deep, deep teal with touches of black. I was satisfied with this effect because it was much deeper than the blue of traditional sunprints. It's possible that the glass had an impact, though even the edges of my fabric weren't a true black. (It was black, however, where the dye had gotten on the white foam core. So you could always try this on a base other than fabric.)

2. Different textured fabrics create different effects. I did most of my prints using a thin cotton muslin with slight striations in the weave. The dye picked this up, creating that same slightly striated effect in the finished print. When I used a textured linen look cotton fabric, the condensation patterns under the glass were so pronounced that the final print looked like it had rust patches on it. Still cool, just a very different effect. One other thing about texture - I used a garbage bag under my fabric to protect the foam core I was using (and I didn't tape it down). On one of my prints, the garbage bag was bunching up a bit due to the moisture and that effect came through in the final print as well. 

3. Each piece is truly unique. My prints were similar, but some differed in ways that I can't offer an explanation for. But this is definitely part of the fun!

4. The color of the ink on the drawing makes a difference. For my first print, I used the white Sharpie paint pen drawing. The white allowed just a little bit of light to come through, which gave the illustration a slight sepia tint instead of white. When I used black for the drawing, the illustration came out in a range of whites. 

 

 

Directions:

Materials:

Botanical engravings (or the drawing of your choice)
Glass pane (I used the pane of glass from a frame)
Pens of your choice - either white Sharpie oil paint pen (in Fine and Extra-fine) or black artist pens (I used waterproof, smudgeproof India ink markers) in Fine and Extra-fine.

White fabric (cotton, linen, or silk)
Foam core or cardboard
Garbage bag (optional)
Masking tape (optional)
Straight pins
Inkodye (1 bottle made four 11-x-14-inch prints)
Small foam brush
Small dish for Inkodye


Prep:  Print out a copy of botanical art and trace over it with the pen of your choice onto a pane of glass. Let it dry for about 15 minutes before using. 

 

Step 1:  Cut your fabric to size, iron it, then stretch it out on your foam core and pin it in place. (Note: I started by using a garbage bag covered piece of foam core, then eliminated it altogether. Either works, but if you use a garbage bag, I'd suggest taping it in place to minimize wrinkling.)

 

Step 2: Working in dim light, brush a thin, even coat of Inkodye onto the fabric. The fabric doesn't need to be soaking wet, but damp.

 

Step 3:  Turn your drawing inked side down onto the dye covered fabric. Carry it outside to a bright, evenly sunny spot.

 

 Step 4:  Set a timer for at least 5 minutes and watch it develop. You'll begin to see a color shift almost immediately, as shown here.

 

Step 5:  You can see the dye developing more fully. The streaks under the glass are from condensation forming between the glass and fabric. Some of this may show up in the final print, creating a unique appearance in each print.

Finishing:  If after 5 minutes, the dye isn't as dark as you'd like, let it sit for another minute or two. Then take the piece inside, remove the glass, and quickly rinse the fabric in warm water (this will stop further development of the dye). Handwash your fabric with a gentle detergent such as Woolite and rinse until the excess dye is removed. Hang it up to dry, then iron the fabric when dried, trim, and frame.

 

Results:

I started with the white paint pen drawing on muslin. The striations that developed were from both the weave of the fabric and the condensation that formed under the glass. Note how most of the drawing has a sepia tone instead of white.

 

This was the second printing using the white paint pen drawing on a textured, linen like fabric. It almost feels like it has rust spots from the condensation that formed. This didn't happen on any other fabric, so I assume the texture of the fabric itself helped create this effect. 

 

This was my last print using the white paint pen drawing. It's harder to tell in this photo, but the tone of the illustration is actually a pale blue. This is because the paint started to break down a bit by the third printing, allowing more sunlight to come through and creating a tone-on-tone effect.  Note the condensation marks on this print. They came from the wrinkling of the garbage bag underneath.

 

This time I used a black ink drawing on muslin and eliminated the garbage bag. As you can see, the wrinkled effect completely disappears and the drawing itself has a white tone. It's also a slightly finer print than the ones created with the Sharpie paint pen.

Tips:

 Buy more than one bottle if you can. It's addictive!

For the most consistent results, use bright, direct sunlight outdoors.

You'll be able to use your drawings for several prints if you're careful. Even though both my paint pen and India ink said they were waterproof, I did find that they started to break down a bit after being exposed to the dye. If you're careful when you remove the glass, you will avoid smudging your design. Let the condensation dry completely. You can go back and fill in any details that may have worn down a bit. Also, you may find you're left with streaks or light patches of dye on the glass. I didn't bother trying to remove these. 

 

Resources:

Inkodye can be purchased from Dharma Trading

The botanical engravings I used were from The Graphics Fairy:

Poppy engraving

Clover engraving

 

UPDATE:  It appears that black Inkodye has been discontinued for the moment. Here's the explanation from Dharma Trading (and what Lumi, the makers of Inkodye, hope to accomplish in the future):

You may have noticed the cut back in color selection from Inkodye. This is due to the difficulty in sourcing quality, raw pigment materials. It seems that a year or so ago the last few remaining factory suppliers of the needed pigment components closed their doors forever. The folks over at Lumi Co. have not given up the search! But rather than offer substandard dye in the mean time they have decided to keep the quality at a premium and stick with the colors they are confident in. There are plans to revitalize the color line and slowly bring back more as a reliable supply is found.

Book Review: The Homemade Home for Children

I've looked at a lot of craft books over the years. If a book contains at least six projects I want to make, I'll generally buy it. But then there are the few craft books that are so lovely to look at, so inspired, that it takes a while before I'm even willing to put them away in a bookcase. That's how I felt when I received The Homemade Home for Children by Sania Pell. (CICO Books, $24.95. www.cicobooks.com)

The book is packed with 50 innovative ideas that cost little to make but are stylish enough for the most discerning of parents (and children). There are projects for the nursery as well as bedroom decor for the older set, projects for children to use in play, fashion accessories to make, outdoor projects, and one of my favorites, stylish storage ideas. The styling and photography are gorgeous and the projects are accessible, with clear, concise directions. 

If you have children or need ideas for unique gifts, this is definitely a book to add to your library. And for more of Sania Pell's unique perspective, you can purchase her first book, The Homemade Home. She also has a beautiful blog, At Home.

 

Play Sail

© CICO Books

 

Curiosity Cabinet

© CICO Books

 

Treasure Jars

© CICO Books

 

Clay Butterfly Garland

© CICO Books

 

Graphic Boxes

© CICO Books

 

Artist's Palette Chalkboards

© CICO Books

Reimagining Vintage Botanical Prints

When I was brainstorming for my column in the May issue of Family Circle, I decided I wanted to make sunprints out of vintage botanical clip art using Inkodye, a sun sensitive dye that comes in a variety of colors, not just the traditional Cobalt blue. I started by printing out this vintage engraving of a poppy from The Graphics Fairy, placing it under a pane of glass, then tracing over it with a black, fine-tipped artist marker. I coated a piece of white cotton fabric with a thin layer of the Inkodye, then placed the glass face down over the coated fabric and exposed it in the sun. The image shown above was the result of that experiment.

I knew immediately that it wouldn't be right for the magazine, but I knew just as quickly that it was perfect for me. I love the faded, mottled look (which occurs due to the condensation that builds up between the glass and the dye coated fabric as it sits in the sun), the uneven printing. It works for me. My next experiment will be with black Inkodye. I'm hoping for a mottled image that feels like a chalk drawing on a dusty chalkboard. (See update on this experiment.)

After this semi-failed experiment, however, I still had a column to do and I knew I wanted to do something revolving around botanical prints. I also liked the tracing on glass. I found it easy to do (lacking any and all ability to draw) and interesting to look at. But the black was too harsh for what I had in mind. I definitely had my heart set on white. 

I picked up a couple of oil-based Sharpie paint pens (Fine and Extra-Fine tipped) at my local Michaels and tried again. Success! The pens were great to work with, capable of the finest detail, opaque and quick-drying. The result of that technique was a cleaner, sharper look - the opposite of my sunprinted image. Still, two paths that I'd like to explore further.

But what do you think? Which technique do you like the best?

 

 

I used this tutorial as a basis for my sun printing experiment. It recommends using dry erase markers, which is fine if you can find them with really fine tips. Otherwise, use fine tipped art pens (available at artist supply and craft stores) that are used for technical drawings and illustrations. Just make sure they're water and smear-resistant when dry. 

For more information and examples of the botanicals created with the Sharpie paint pens, see Momster.

Coffee Filter Flower & Carrot Easter Favors

When someone once asked my son what I did for a living, his response was that I made pretty things and mailed them to other people. That's just about right, so during holidays I try very hard to make things for his Kindergarten class. His look of pride when I arrive with gifts makes it all worthwhile. 

This year I was tossing around the idea of making crepe paper flower baskets, modeling them on versions found in one of my vintage craft books. However, I was so smitten with the coffee filter flower bowls featured in Martha Stewart Living that I decided to alter my approach for a faster, easier, less expensive version. But those frilly flowers just weren't going to cut it for the boys in the class. My son and I settled on carrots and I was still able to make them with coffee filters, which visually pulls everything together.

As fussy as these projects look, they came together very quickly. I dyed all of the coffee filters in stacks, which was a breeze. The greatest time commitment was the overnight drying time (which could be shortened by creating smaller stacks of filters).  Once you get the hang of it, each basket or carrot takes about 10 minutes to make, so definitely a doable project, even for a large class. 

Fortunately, they meet my son's rather exacting standards, which is all that counts. I caught him trying to sneak a carrot in his backpack, so I know we have a winner.

 

Flower Baskets:

Materials:

Junior size basket coffee filters (4-6 cup size)
Food safe food coloring (I used McCormick Neon, Regular, and Fall (orange))
Shallow dish
Paper towels
Large rectangular baking pan or wire racks
Scissors
Nut/candy cups
Floral stems (for basket handle)
Glue dots (optional)
Quick-setting gel glue (Beacon 3-in-1 Glue)

Directions:

1. Dye your coffee filters:  Mix 12-20 drops of food coloring into a small amount of water (approximately 1 cup).

For the leaves: Put a stack of filters in the dye (as they absorb the dye, they will completely flatten out). Let them sit for a minute or two, then remove them from the dye. Let the excess drip off and then put them aside to dry on a paper towel lined baking tray or on a wire rack set over paper towels.

For the flowers:  Working in stacks, dip the edges of the filters into the dye, letting it work its way up as high as you'd like, but not saturating the bottom. Remove the stack from the dye, let the excess drip off, then put them aside to dry face down, keeping the shape of the filter intact. 

2. Stack 5 dry filters together (2 of one color for the middle, 3 of another color for the outer petals), then fold in half. Make a slit in the middle of the half, then cut those two portions in half again. Finally, cut slits along the folded edge. Round the cut edges to make petal shapes.

3. Cut a floral stem in half, then bend it to form a "U" shape. Attach it to the sides of the nut cup using glue dots or another strong glue.

4. Take the top coffee filter and push it into the nut cup, arranging the petals as desired.

5. Put a little glue on the bottom of the nut cup and around the top edge on the outside. Attach the second coffee filter around the outside of the nut cup. These two layers will cover it.

6. Run a line of glue around the bottom and the outer bottom edge of the petal covered nut cup and attach the third coffee filter, cupping it up a bit so it connects with the glued edge. Attach the fourth and fifth filters by gluing them onto the bottom of the cup.

7. Fold a green filter in half, cut a leaf shape, then glue it to the bottom of the flower basket.

 

 

Carrots:

#6 size white Cone Filters
Junior size basket coffee filters (4-6 cup size)
Food safe food coloring (I used McCormick Neon green, and Fall orange)
Shallow dish (9-inch square dish is perfect)
Paper towels
Large rectangular baking pan or wire racks
Scissors
Quick-setting gel glue (Beacon 3-in-1 Glue)
Pinking shears (optional)

Directions:

1. Create a dye bath for the carrots and one for the leaves.

Carrots: Lay a stack of #6 cone filters flat in the orange dye bath and let them soak for a few minutes. Remove the stack, let the excess drip off, and set aside to dry on a wire rack set over paper towels or in a paper towel lined baking sheet. 

Leaves: Dip the fluted edges of a stack of basket filters into the green dye and let the dye travel up around the edges of the filter. Let the excess dye drip off, then put the stack aside to dry face down, so that it stands up and retains its fluted shape. 

2. Make a cone shape from the dry orange filter and secure with a line of glue along the seam. Fill the cone with candy, blocking the bottom hole with a piece of candy (chocolate eggs are perfect). Fill 2/3 of the way up.

3. Pinch the edges of the orange filter together to create a carrot shape. Take the green filter and gather it into a point at the bottom. Snip off the bottom tip with scissors or pinking shears. 

4. Run a little glue along the outside the orange carrot top; place the green filter over the orange "stem" and squeeze shut.

Dyeing Eggs with Rit Dye

Visit me on Momster today for tips on using Rit Dye for eggs, along with a dozen color formulas. You can also find an additional 14 formulas in this year's Easter egg story in Family Circle (in the April issue of the magazine or online, at Family Circle.com).

 

UPDATE:  The Momster link doesn't appear to be working at the moment.  See below for color recipes:

 

Easter egg projects using Rit dyed eggs (from Family Circle):

 

Photo by David Prince

(On a personal note - a big thank you to my friend Korey for helping me blow out more than 300 eggs! I owe you.)

Patterned Easter Eggs

 

I was working on classic Easter egg designs for Family Circle this year when I hit a stumbling block with one of the ideas I was supposed to execute. I'm glad I did because it led me in a new direction that was really fun for me and incredibly easy to do. I started with patterned hosiery, wrapping squares of it around eggs, then securing it with a rubber band in the back and dipping it into a dye bath. I was surprised at how clearly the intricate designs showed up on the eggs, even when they were done in pastel shades. So I went back and tried some other items. I used pieces of patterned lace fabric and tulle, hosiery in different patterns, and cheesecloth. All of them worked well and were equally easy to use. So if you're looking for eggs that look intricate but are really simple to do, this is the technique for you.

Here's how to do it:

Materials:

Boiled eggs
Dye bath in preferred colors
Patterned hoisery
Cheesecloth
Lace fabric
Rubber bands
Scissors
Paper towels  

Directions:

1. Cut squares of fabric approximately 5-6 inches. If you're using pantyhose, cut a 5-inch tube. (You can either cut along the seam of the tube to create a square or keep it as a tube.)

2. Place a boiled egg in the middle of the fabric square or tube and gather tightly, securing the excess fabric with a rubber band, at the back or bottom of the egg.

3. Holding the excess fabric as a handle, dip the egg into the dye bath until the desired color is reached.

4. Remove the egg from the dye bath and blot dry with paper towels. When the egg is dry, snip the rubber band open with the scissors and gently remove the fabric. Blot dry again, if necessary.

Tips: 

1. If you want to reuse your fabric pieces, rinse them out while the dye is wet and blot dry.

2. Blotting your eggs dry with paper towels helps with consistent coloring as it prevents the dye from pooling in certain spots. It also gives you cleaner, more detailed designs.

3. Look for any kind of open weave fabric to create your designs. Also, play with the orientation of the fabric, placing some designs horizontally, some vertical, and some diagonally.

Resources:

Jessica Simpson hosiery (lots of patterns available, sometimes multiple patterns in the same pair of pantyhose)

Lace fabrics and tulle were purchased from Jo-Ann Fabrics

Cheesecloth can often be found in groceries and kitchen supply sections of stores.

 

DIY Paper Flowers

I love paper flowers, perhaps as much as I love the real thing. It's possible to get so close to the realism of a natural flower, but I appreciate the intrinsic whimsy as well. They just make me happy. 

I've got a flower project that I've been thinking about for Easter, so I've started gathering up inspiration. And what inspiration there is! I found so many beautiful examples that anyone can make, and most of them require little more than paper, a template or paper punch, and glue. Don't be intimidated, especially if your first flower takes a little while to make. It gets easier as you go and faster as you get used to the process - and it's absolutely worth it in the end!

 

DIY with Tutorials:  

One day, I want an entire wall of these giant flowers in my workspace (in red!). I feel like they'd make me happier than happy. (from Ruche for Design Sponge)

 

 

Transform paper flowers into floral party hats (or perhaps an updated version of an Easter bonnet?) from Oh Happy Day

 

 

These structured flowers are made from 1-inch circles made with a paper punch (from Cotton and Brass for The Wedding Chicks)

 

Less realistic than some examples, but no less charming. Scalloped edge scissors and crepe paper streamers make up this ruffly flower from It's in the Details. 

 

 

Here's my tutorial for crepe paper daffodils from a guest blog post I did for To Be Charmed.

 

 

Inspiring:

From The Green Vase  (See lots of other beautiful examples on the site as well.)

 

 

Iceland Poppies via Emmaline Bride  (a kit you can order)

 

 

Whimsy from Thuss+Farrell

Spray Painting with Lace

 

I'm over at Momster today with spray painted lace projects. You can find the how-tos here.

 

Tissue Paper Heart

 

 

We're hosting a Valentine's party this evening, with a mix of adults and children, couples and singles, and we've unabashedly embraced our inner child for this one. So when I saw Martha Stewart Living this month, I absolutely knew I had to try to make the giant tissue paper heart that graced the cover.

I made a similar version, though I shifted the color palette and made the tissue paper pom-poms myself in a range of sizes (it really is easy and a lot less expensive). I also veered away from arranging the entire thing on the wall. It lost some of its organic nature by doing that, but I simply don't have those kinds of skills! I found it a lot easier to create the layout on the floor first.

To make it, I put two pieces of poster board together and cut a half heart out, then taped the two pieces of poster board together with packing tape, so I had a whole heart. After that, I loosely arranged my pom-poms on the surface of the heart, then attached the wires to the poster board with more packing tape, pushing the pom-poms together so they completely filled the space. Then I attached the heart to my wall using Command Removable Mounting Strips by 3M. I used an entire package of 4 large, 4 medium, and 8 small strips and the heart's been hanging securely for a week now, so I'd say it's a safe bet. 

Have a happy heart day - filled with love of all kinds!

 

 

(Click the images above for full size versions).

 

Here's a tutorial to make your own tissue paper pom-poms. Just remember to use 4 or 5 layers of tissue instead of 8 (as stated in the directions above).

Cupcake Liner Valentines 2.0

 

You can find me on Momster today, with a (slightly) grown-up version of one of my popular kid crafts, the cupcake liner Valentine cards.

 

Make-Your-Own Valentine's Day Gifts

I love Valentine's Day. I love to craft for it, I love the unabashed use of red and hearts, the opportunity to be a little silly. And in my world, everyone's a potential Valentine, not just my husband and son. So it's one of my favorite gift giving times as well - a holiday that calls for small, thoughtful gestures in nice packages. 

That's the focus of my Valentine feature in the February issue of Better Homes and Gardens - making small, handmade gifts or upgrading traditional packaging (like giving a store bought box of chocolates a new look with customized wrapping). It's easy - and a lot more fun than being a Valentine cynic!

You can find all the projects shown here (and more!) in the February issue or online at BHG.com. (The link to BHG.com has a number of other DIY gifts in it as well - from various contributors.)

 

 Customizable, downloadable scratch-off card. 
 

 

Upgrade a standard drink carrier and fill it with a special selection of sodas or beer (look for shops that sell sodas or beers by the bottle so you can have an eclectic assortment).
 

 

Stamped muslin bags are a breeze to make and can hold all kinds of treats, not just candy. I like the idea of packaging them with vintage printers blocks, like XOXO and Love (I find wooden letters on Etsy and Ebay, as well as antique stores.)
 

 

I like to create inspiration kits for my girlfriends. I fill them according to their personalities and style, favorite colors, etc.

Decorative papers, ribbon, and cupcake liner flowers dress up traditional candy boxes.

 
 

I made these scrapbook paper candy bar wrappers for BHG a few years back, but I still love them. They're easy to make (especially if you have a paper trimmer) and the design possibilities are endless, allowing you to create a wrapper that truly reflects your recipient. 

 

DIY Magnet Sets

I'll be back tomorrow. In the meantime, you can find me on Momster today with these easy DIY Magnet Sets.

 

Let It Snow

It definitely won't be a white Christmas for me. If I'm lucky, we'll get down to the upper 40s by Christmas Day. But I find myself dreaming of snowflakes, which for me means I'm ready for a moment of calm. 

So in the midst of hustle and bustle, I bring you a few snow-oriented projects. Projects that are detail-heavy, low-tech, rhythmic and soothing in their process, beautiful in their outcome. Should you find yourself needing a moment of quiet, you can remove yourself from the fray and just let it snow.

 

The instructions for these are in Dutch, but it's easy enough to translate. The post includes templates for all of the designs shown (via Hoppin' Up).

 

I was immediately smitten when I saw this origami snowflake the first time. Watch the video by Dennis Walker to learn how to recreate it step-by-step (via Handmade)

 

 

String snowflakes require a little patience, but their daintiness makes them worth it. I'd love to have cascades of these in my window. (via Free Craft Unlimited)

 

For those who can crochet, these beautiful snowflakes are an heirloom worthy craft. See the post for a garland idea as well. (via Martha Stewart Living)

 

 

A grown-up version of painting rocks, easy to accomplish with a fine-tipped metallic paint pen (via Inspiration for Home).

 

 

Finally, for those who are happiest in the kitchen, you can make Royal Icing snowflakes that can later be used to embellish layer cakes and cupcakes - beautiful for a New Years Eve celebration (via Martha Stewart Living)

Evergreen Imprinted Clay Dishes

Ever since I made my first batch of decorative dishes this past spring, I've been itching to get the clay out again. Inspired by the greenery of the season, I found a good reason to do so. 

I used the same basic techniques that I used the first time, though I tried a new trick that specifically helped with evergreen branches, as they're bushier than regular leaves. When I rolled out the clay and placed the evergreen branch on top, I put a piece of clear acrylic sheeting over the branch and rolled on top of that. It helped flatten out the branch, giving me a more detailed impression and keeping the branch from shifting while I rolled over it. But it doesn't have to be a piece of acrylic - something like a placemat would likely work just as well. 

I also tried a different glazing technique this time. I wanted to keep my dishes in shades of white, but I wanted to define the evergreen images. I mixed a small amount of putty and gray paint with a larger amount of glazing medium and brushed it over the dish with a small foam brush, allowing it to collect in the indentations. Then I immediately wiped the glaze off with a wet paper towel, removing all of it from the smooth surfaces of the clay. When it dried, the evergreen impression was colored and the rest of the dish stayed natural. At that point, you can either sponge on a light layer of white or ivory acrylic paint (using a damp natural sponge) over the entire dish, softening the image a bit, or just finish the entire piece with a satin varnish or gloss medium. 

These would be great for last-minute Christmas gifts, though you'll need to use oven bake clay instead of air-dry since we really are at the last minute. And while you're at it, you can make evergreen ornament gift tags. My tutorial for those is at Momster.

 

Resources:  (All materials were found at Michaels)

DAS air-dry clay; Sculpey clay mat and acrylic roller; Martha Stewart Crafts paint (Putty and Gray Wolf); Folk Art acrylic paint in Warm White; Martha Stewart Crafts Glaze medium; Martha Stewart Crafts High Gloss medium or Ceramcoat Satin Varnish 

Easy Button Rings

You can find me on Momster today, with a tutorial for easy button rings.

Winter Nature Display

I sat down to craft this weekend, thinking I'd make a few ornaments for my tree. Instead, I took a left turn somewhere and ended up making this tabletop display (I love when that happens!).

Perfect timing, too. I've been obsessed with these glass bubble balls from CB2, but I hadn't quite settled on how or where to use them. Stark and modern isn't the right note for my house (though I'm crazy about the ways I've seen them used), but I definitely wanted them somewhere. For me, mixing glass with elements of nature is exactly right for my personal style and my home. (One note - I did cheat a bit. CB2 only carries two sizes, so I bought some 2-inch size balls from another source. See my resources.)

To find out how I made the elements for my display and to see other ideas for arranging, see my post at Momster today. 

Now, about those ornaments...

 

Resources:  You can get my stand at Mothology or a less expensive, but similar, style stand at Save-On-Crafts. 4 and 6-inch bubble balls from CB2, 2-inch bubble balls from Candlelight Solutions.

Easy Etched Glasses

One of my more popular posts has been my tutorial for lacy etched glasses. But I recognize how expensive that craft can get if you're having to purchase the different punches and vinyl, along with the Armour Etch. It's also subject to occasional leakage, making it suitable only for glasses that you're willing to part with if they don't turn out perfectly.

But I tried a different method recently and was very happy with it. You can check out my how-to on Momster today. 

Evergreen Painted Trays

Today is the debut of my craft column for the blog Momster. I thought I'd kick it off with a Christmas decor project inspired by these cards. It's a very simple craft and perfect for updating old castoffs, such as the trays you see here, picked up for pennies at local thrift stores. But don't limit yourself to my examples. I suspect there are lots of applications for this idea and I'd love to see what you come up with. 

To get started, head over to Momster and get the how-to.

Gift Wrap Ideas

It's not too early to start thinking about gift wrapping, so I thought I'd share the short piece I did for Better Homes and Gardens in their December issue. Starting with a base of plain paper or plain shipping tags, you can embellish with all manner of objects, both the everyday and the crafty. The best part is that the toppers and tags can be repurposed once the holiday season is over, making it a smarter and less expensive way to wrap.

 

(Click on photos to see a full size image)

 

Moroccan-Inspired Hurricane Lanterns

I'm back. I hadn't planned on such an extensive blog departure but I've been dealing with cat scratch fever for the last month, which for me involved a month of fever and the kind of exhaustion I haven't felt since my son was a newborn. It's good to start feeling human again, though I've got a lot of catching up to do, so posting may continue to be spotty for a little while.

At any rate, I thought I'd jump back in with a project I did for my column in the November issue of Family Circle. I've been inspired by aluminum sheeting for a long time, but this was the first time I'd worked with it. The most specialized tool I needed was tin snips and they were a dream to work with (and not more expensive than a regular pair of scissors). Cutting metal isn't nearly as difficult as it would seem.

Another recent discovery is black primer, which I like to use as paint. I love the matte finish and it eliminates a step since I'm priming and painting at the same time. Of course you can put your own twist on these and paint them any color you like. Just prime first, then topcoat with the color of your choice.

Aluminum sheeting, for the most part, is sold in large sheets and you'll be able to make several hurricanes from one sheet. However, if you like the eclectic look of varied patterns this is a good project to share with a friend or craft group so everyone gets a mix. The only note I want to make - the magazine took a little creative license with photography. Use these hurricanes with votive candles housed in glass or with the candle on a small plate. 

For directions on how to make your own hurricanes, visit Family Circle's site here.

Find aluminum sheets here.

 

Photograph by James Worrell