May 14, 2008, Painting + More Project
These garden stake mosaics are the perfect accent to the lovely blooms found in your garden. You can use cookie cutters in your favorite shapes as molds for these dainty embellishments. And if you’re an avid mosaic maker, these small pieces are perfect ways to use up any odd or left over tesserae. To download this project for free, click here.
This week’s project comes from Easy Mosaics for Your Home and Garden by Sarah Donnelly. The 20 fun step-by-step projects use a simple “embedding” technique to create mosaics with glass, pebbles and found objects. There’s no tile to cut and no messy grout to deal with! With complete instructions, each project can be completed in just a few hours and they are ideal for crafters, artists and even kids. To purchase a copy of this book, click here.
Other books on mosaics that you might enjoy include:
Garden Mosaics Made Easy In the U.K., click here.
Mosaics Piece by Piece In the U.K., click here.
May 7, 2008, Painting + More Project
In this week’s free project Donna Dewberry teaches you how
to paint this bright tiger lily using her One-stroke painting technique.
This project comes from Flowers A to Z with Donna Dewberry. With more than 50 beautiful blooms, Flowers A to Z will help you paint a colorful garden with just a few simple strokes. To purchase the book, click here. In the U.K., click here.
Other flower painting books you might enjoy include:
Painting Fabulous Flowers with Donna Dewberry. In the U.K., click here.
Painting Flowers A to Z with Sherry C. Nelson MDA In the U.K., click here.
April 30, 2008, Painting + More Project
With May upon us, many areas are experiencing spring in full bloom. You can celebrate the beauty of the season with this charming “Cabbage Patch” floral arrangement of ornamental cabbage, kalanchoe plants, yellow roses and pink hydrangea. The container is beautiful and easy to make. Simply glue two foam cubes together and then paste your favorite decorative paper to the foam block. You could personalize the piece by adhering photos or artwork to the foam instead of decorative paper.
“Cabbage Patch” is one of 34 projects and ideas found in Silk
Flowers for Every Season by Diane D.
Flowers. You’ll find elegant arrangements for every holiday and beautiful ways
to brighten a room any day of the year. To purchase this book, click here. In
the U.K., click here.
Other flower arranging books you might enjoy include:
Simply Elegant Flowers with Michael George In the U.K.,
click here.
New Inspirations in Wedding Florals In the U.K., click here.
April 23, 2008, Painting + More project
Stenciling is a simple way to embellish any wall in your house. This project takes stenciling to the next level by embossing the design and adding jeweled accents. The artist was inspired by the inlaid designs of buildings in India, particularly the Taj Mahal.
This week’s project is from Spectacular Walls! by Jeannine Dostal. The 38 different wall finishes offer exciting decorating possibilities for any room in your home. The finishes are easy to recreate using inexpensive materials you can purchase at any craft or hardware store. And you’ll find lots of opportunities to adapt the designs to your own style and décor. You don’t have to be a expert faux finisher to get these professional results. To purchase this book, click here.
Other wall finishing books you might enjoy include:
Painted Illusions Painting Murals Fast & Easy, in the UK click here
April 16, 2008, Painting + More project
Brighten a loved one’s day with this smiling “Ray” of sunshine. Ray is made of polymer clay. The sparkling, iridescent color behind his face is made with cane of transparent yellow, transparent orange and a few sheets of imitation gold leaf.
This project comes from Making Gifts in Polymer Clay by
Stacey Morgan. The 21 projects feature great gift ideas for every season and
the projects are easy for crafters of any experience level. Even children can
help with the fun. To purchase a copy of this book, click here.
Other polymer clay books you might enjoy include:
Creating Life-Like Animals in Polymer Clay