Friday, July 11, 2008, 07:47 AM EST [free project]
Many times our fond memories can be easily recharged by reading a few simple words. This interactive box is a great place for storing memories that you've recorded.
This week's free project features this fun-to-make box that has little drawers for you to tuck away the words of fond memories you have for someone close to you. It could also house small trinkets or objects that symbolize your memories.
The project is from Layers by Shari Carroll. All of the projects in this book encourage you to try instilling meaning into your papercrafts. You'll create things like:
• greeting cards
• journals
• gifts
• home accents
All projects come with complete step-by-step photos and include techniques such as distressing, sewing, transfers, stamping with wax, and much more.
Thursday, July 3, 2008, 02:05 PM EST [free project]
Sometimes you want to be able to frame something without the need for sophisticated tools or the help of a professional framer.
Well, that's where this week's free project comes in! This is a quick and easy way to frame something without the need for a miter saw. Add a little acrylic craft paint to complement your artwork and you're in business.
This is just one project from the book Frame It! by Tonia Davenport. In addition to traditional framing techniques, this book is filled with many non-traditional approaches to framing as well. In the book you'll find:
• How to cut glass, mats, Plexiglas, frame molding and more
• Creative ways to extend your art into the matting and the frame
• Unique solutions to framing things with depth
• Alternative methods such as using vinyl, glass and nails, and many other unexpected materials
Thursday, June 26, 2008, 10:06 AM EST [free project]
his week we are featuring another innovative technique from Lifelines by Carol Wingert and Tena Sprenger. Even if you are not a scrapbooker, this is a great technique to use if you enjoy adding the look of hand lettering to your artwork.
For this project, Tena made great use of an embossing pen, and the finished resist look is just so cool. This technique would work on a variety of papers and embossing pens come in different sizes to suit your style. Even if you've never used embossig powder before, the directions here couldn't be easier, so give it a try!
For each project in Lifelines, Carol and Tena begin by sharing the inspiration
behind the art to get your creative wheels turning, followed by
step-by-step instruction for one key artistic technique you can adapt
to create meaningful masterpieces of your own:
create spray paint resists with objects
stamp and emboss on metal
acheive a faux stained-glass effect
use rub-ons to transform three-dimensional objects
Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 01:27 PM EST [free project]
This week, I bring you more magic from Sally Jean Alexander and her beautiful book, Pretty Little Things. Did you know you can solder a paper jewelry box? See? Magic. This is a great project for housing any number of your precious mementos. It also makes a great gift. Sally's book is full of ideas for making the most use of your soldering iron and even if you're not in the mood for flux and solder, the eye candy here and the witty tone set by Sally are enough to make you love this book.
To try making your own box shrine, download the project by clicking here.
To purchase this book and make your own pretty little things, click here.
Monday, June 16, 2008, 06:57 AM EST [free project]
Well, I'm a little biased about this week's free project. Naturally, I'm going to tell you it's amazing and incredibly cool, but that might be because it's from my own book, Plexi Class! I have a passion for working with Plexiglas and I can tell you that even if you've never worked with this material before, there are plenty of projects in this book suitable for a beginner and for great weekend projects. The project featured here is especially easy because working with shrink plastic is a primary element to making the piece. So dowload it today and see how fun working with plastic can be! And feel free to check out my blog for more plexi inspiration.
To purchase your own copy of Plexi Class, click here.
