Paper Art

The other night at the Pumpkin Carving Party, my SIL Jennifer, was telling me about these paper bag trees she made with her Brownies. I must have looked like I was lost in the muck and mire because she finally said, "Geeze... just get me a paper bag and I can show you in 5 minutes." Well, she was true to her word. In a matter of minutes not only did she make a gnarly looking paper bag tree, but I felt confident that I could make one, too.

I sat down tonight to try to make one. Sure enough, in a matter of minutes, I made a tree. Out popped the camera, and easy peasy... a tutorial. I love it when things are this easy, although it would be a lot easier if all of you were sitting around my dining room table. We'd have a forest in a matter of minutes!

Basically, you can't make these wrong, and it is a craft you can do with children. So, go grab a few brown paper bags and pair of scissors, and you'll be making trees in no time. BTW... for the observant... you'll notice some blood smudges on the trunks and branches. Took a little nip out of my thumb :( But I didn't let a little cut stop me, trooper that I am ;) Ready? Here we go!

Measure up 4" from the bottom of the bag.

Cut down the center of the 4 sides of the bag to the 4" mark.

Twist the bag, then untwist.

Twist the trunk up 4" to the cut.

Each of the four sections will become a major branch of the tree.

Twist the first branch about halfway up.

Then, cut lengthwise down the bag to where the branch is twisted. You can make 1 or 2 cuts making 2 or 3 sections.

Twist each section. You can twist all the way up, or go halfway and make another cut. Continue cutting and twisting until all pieces of the 1st branch are all twisted.

Do the same for the other 3 branches. Make each one slightly different.

Make 4 or 5 snips at the bottom of the tree. Twist each section to create roots.

That's it. You can dink with the branches a bit until you are satisfied with the way they look. Then, tah dah... you are done and ready to make another. Now wasn't that the fastest and neatest craft you ever made? Thank you, Jenny, for teaching me this fun technique!

http://www.weefolkart.com
Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008 - 2009. All rights reserved.

All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. Wee Folk Art retains all rights.

Last week I shared Paperclay Leaves - Part 1. Today, we are going to finish the project by painting and sealing the leaves. After that, you'll just have to decide where they should fall! I made 12 leaves, and put them on my Harvest Cupboard. They look so beautiful I want to make more for here and there around the house. Also, I want to make some with the wee ones. I can only imagine how beautiful theirs will be!

To begin with, I collected all the supplies I would be needing. Although you can use any paint on these, I wanted a translucent quality to the colors, so I used my Stockmar Watercolor Paints.

To replicate the coloring of the autumn leaves, head outdoors and collect a handful. Unfortunately, a number of our trees haven't turned yet, so I collect some photos online and printed them for a reference.

I began by using a very thinned yellow "whitewash". I covered the front and back.

Then, I started adding other colors, mimicking the photos of leaves, but mostly just putting colors together in a pleasing fashion. I started by adding watered down colors, working my way up to deeper tones. I tried to varying the colors on each leaf. Then, I let the leaves dried and finally used a "dry brush" method to add accents. To dry brush, use your watercolors full strengths, dabbing your brush on a cloth before starting, then brush very small amounts of paint on the leaf for shading. Finally, I turned my brush over and adding dots here and there on some leaves to show imperfections.

Finally, I used Liquitex Gloss Medium and Varnish from Dick Blick as a sealer, but you could also use a product like Mod Podge.

When the leaves are dried, add them to your seasonal decorations.

NOTE: Although all the materials I used are non-toxic, these aren't meant to be played with. The clay is thin and can break if over handled. Of course they are plenty sturdy to have the wee ones help you decorate with them.  

You know how we are always saying that our patterns are just a starting point? We encourage our readers to use them as is, but also want you to use your imagination to personalize our designs. Well... I hardly know what to say here, but I got this email from Bonnie, an avid WFA reader. It said:

Hi - Your bookmark/greeting card template gave me lots of ideas.  So far, I have come up with about 40.  Here is a sample of my imagination at play.  (If you are interested in seeing the rest, please let me know via email.  I do not have a blog, so I will have to send the pages one at a time.  I am on dial-up & don't know how to send more than one.  There are 13 pages.  Sorry.)  (((hugs))) Bonnie
This first "installment" was included in the email.

She included these 3 as her first installment.

1 - made from paint chips (you know - those paint samples?)
2 - made from scrapbook paper
3 - plastic canvas; 10-count, I think

Okay, I was impressed and told her we would love to see her other endeavors. Bless her heart, she sent scans of all her projects... through dial-up no less! Well, they were just too impressive for Michelle and my eyes only, so after getting her permission, we are including ALL her gnomes. I asked her to do a little write-up on what made her take this on as a challenge, and here is her reply:

Oh, thank you!  Well, what prompted my imagination...hmmmm..  For starters, I just love your gnome creations.  Your artistry really appeals to me & when I saw the gnome bookmark, I knew I had to play around with it.  Also, I like patterns & things to have multi-purposes.  Once I got into the mode, the ideas just kept coming & coming.  I would be working on one project & another one (or 2 or 3) would come to mind. I like to think outside the box by using different mediums & sometimes mixing them.  I call these gnomie ideas: A-gnomie-lies.  hahahahahaha  Now the gnomies have run their course, I am off to find other challenges.  Thank you for sharing your ideas, patterns & especially the gnomies.  (((hugs)))  Bonnie J.

So, for your viewing pleasure, I give you ALL of Bonnie's little creations. Remember, all of these were made using the pattern from our Gnome Bookmark and Greeting Card. The pattern can be found HERE and HERE.

These are made with Christmas cards.  The one on the left has a little trim.  The one on the right shows the inside of the card.  Could use any greeting card, birthday card, etc.

This is like a paper doll, only made from felt.  Changeable cloak, beard, braids, etc.  Could make any of the costumes featured on your site.

Santa & Elf.  The eyes are punched from paint chips.  I didn't get the bell for the tip of Santa's hat cause it wouldn't copy so well in the scanner.

Ghost & Woodland Fairy.  I love the colors of the fairy.

Taking the hat component & sometimes the head.
Ice cream cone - could also make a snowcone
watermelon slice
carrot
tussie-mussie - lace on top; flowers are punched from paint chips
candy corn

tree
slice of pizza
icicle - there is clear glitter glue on it but you can't see it
mushroom - my 10 yr. old grandson sewed the mushroom & I left his stitches just the way he did them
cornucopia - the fruits are paper punched; could use stickers, buttons, etc.
piece of pie - that white blob on top is sposed to be whipped topping.  the crust is 2 narrow stripes twisted together.
safety cone

These would make cute ornies, party favors, could be made from paper, etc.
clown
hillbilly
leprechaun - clover is paper punched
wizard - on his hat are gold sequins & silver stars; his hair & beard is fake fur

snowman
tomtem - Scandinavian elf
ghost
witch - that is a plastic spider dangling from her hat; hair is separated yarn
princess

ok; these are not perfect but they would make cute dolls or beanbags.

This is the original made so that 2 regular ones would fit on a page.  I made a finger puppet out of it.  Then I used the hat to make a clover & a shamrock from paint chips.

These are using mostly the little hat.  the center of the star is the head shape from the large one.
Kiss - XOXO is punched from paper & mounted on ribbon
angel - the wings are paper punched & the bow is gold ribbon

Large hat - party hat
paper hat
crownie - large head, small hat
fan
flower - large head for center
witch - large hat

Toppers - the large one could be for appetizers or in a bouquet; the smaller one for cupcakes, etc.
Halloween cone
megaphone - put high school initials on it, etc.
Boo banner

I cut 4 stencils from clear plastic, but I would rather have cut them from milk jug plastic.  this could be used on gift bags, a quilt block, etc.  It could also be cut out, sewn & stuffed for a soft doll.

This card will stand on its own when opened.  It could say any message: get well, happy birthday, etc.

This is the last of the gnomie things & by far, my personal fave.
Top left: doorknob hanger.  the leaf is paper punched.  the handle is yarn.  Tip: tie a knot in the ends of yarn, ribbon, etc., as they will grip the glue better & are less likely to pull out.
Top right: Santa hat; great for ornies, small gifts for guests, etc.
Bottom: Advent garland.  Numbers are paper punched, using Tim Holtz Carnivale die.  Candy canes are 4" pieces of red & white chenielle stems, twisted together.  Baker's twine bows (I just learned how to make my own - easy!)  Lollipop is a fabric yoyo on a twig stick.  (you can also use craft sticks, bamboo skewers, or a real paper lollipop stick.) 

So, there you have it. If you loved our little guys, I'm sure you can find plenty in this collection to your creative juices flowing. Thanks so much, Bonnie, for sharing with us. We really were awed and impressed!

Anyone who knows me well, knows I NEVER make "just enough" food for dinner. When I make chicken soup, you would think I planned to feed the villagers... and, in fact, sometimes I do :) But here is my philosophy... it really doesn't take that much more time to make a pot of soup for 20 as it does for 6. Then, after we have dinner, and eaten to sate our appetites, I'm on easy street for the next few days. I now have enough cooked chicken to make chicken casserole, chicken cacciatore, chicken salad sandwiches, and... well, you catch my drift. And, I have something on hand to feed unexpected visitors AND the expected wee ones that grace my table on a regular basis. Some people might look at my dinner table and say "excessive". I look at it and say "brilliant" :)

Well... I have basically the same philosophy when it comes to designing and crafts. Why make a design you will only use once? If you put the time into designing something you like, look for other ways to make use of the design. Just makes sense! Example: take our basic gnome design. We've put that puppy through the paces. It's been featured in felt, woven fabric, wooden pegs, cut wood, and yarn. Today, I'm adding paper.

I had a copy of the pattern that I had used to make the Old World Wooden Gnomes sitting on my desk. While on the phone, I was doing my ubiquitous doodling. I colored the little gnome, when I thought, Hey, this would make a cute bookmark. So, I simply blew the design up 200%, and wah lah, a pattern for a bookmark. 

You can make the bookmarks out of heavy cardstock and color with pencils or markers. (You could you crayons but you do run the risk of smearing wax on your book.) I chose instead to do mine on 140 lb. watercolor paper. One 9" x 12" sheet will make 5 bookmarks if you lay them out close together. I then used watercolor pencils to color the gnomes, and then used water to paint over them. You could also use regular water colors. Here are the simple directions, using watercolor paper and watercolor pencils.

Make a copy of the pattern found HERE. Cover the pattern with packing tape and cut out the front and back pieces. The tape will make the gnome firm, making it easier to trace. And you can then use them as templates over and over again.

Trace on the FRONT of the watercolor paper. Note: It is very important to trace on the front of the paper... the bumpy side. This side will give the best results when you watercolor, and since you will be looking at the front more than the back, make the front side the nicest :) You should be able to get 5 gnomes per page if you place them close together and flip flop them, top, bottom, top, bottom, top.

Cut out the bookmarks. 

On the back side of your pattern pieces, rub pencil lead on the lines. Tip: hold the patterns against a sunlit window to see the designs through the paper.

Place the front template on top of the front side of the bookmark. Using a ball point pen or blunt, pointy object (knitting needles work great) trace the lines of the pattern. When you remove the template, there will be a light marking of the pattern on the bookmarker. These were made from the pencil lead you rubbed on back of the pattern. Do the same to the back of the bookmark.

Using a fine tipped, water proof marker, copy over the tracing lines. Do this to the front and back of the bookmark. Make sure the sign and date the back of the bookmark :) Then proceed to color the bookmark, front and back, using watercolor pencils. Use darker colors to highlight the design.



Then, using a brush and water, "paint" the bookmark, front and back.

To prevent the bookmark from curling, when the bookmark is partially dry, I place it between 2 pieces of clean paper and weight it down, and let them finish drying.

If you would like, you can cover the front and back of the bookmark with clear contact paper to make it more durable. I personally prefer to leave it natural.

Now, go find a good book, and get reading!

http://www.weefolkart.com
Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008 - 2011. All rights reserved.
All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. Wee Folk Art retains all rights.

(You knew I would have to do this tutorial sooner or later :)

A couple of fun things happened in the past few weeks. First, a lovely reader sent us the book Magical Window Stars (thanks Sarah!)

and second, we got a stack of kite paper from Bella Luna Toys. As I sat down and started leafing through the book, it occurred to me that these stars were a little advanced for someone that's never folded a star before, so I decided to start with a simpler star. I've made origami stars in the past, but never out of the kite paper. So, I made a simple, 8 pointed star, that you can find on most Waldorf craft sites. I think it is a beautiful way to begin working with kite paper. Below are the directions on how to make a Basic Kite Paper Window Star. Later, I will share other patterns as I experiment and play with different designs.

Materials:
8 squares of kite paper
clear drying craft glue

Place one square of kite paper in front of you.

Fold the paper in half creating a sharp crease. Then open the paper.


Fold the paper in half again the other way, creating a sharp crease. Open the paper.


Bring 1 corner to the middle of the paper making sure the edges of the corner touch the folds on the paper. Create a sharp crease.

Fold the other 3 corners to the middle. You will now have another square.

Turn the square to form a diamond and make sure the flaps are up. Fold the left corner in so the outside edge of the paper is against the center fold line. You will be creating a sharp star point.

Do the same with the other side.

Fold a total of 8 squares into these star points.

Decide on the arrangement of the points. The smooth side should be on top and the folded sides under. Lay out your first piece. Then turn your 2nd piece over and put several small drops of glue along the edge.

Place the edge with the glue on top of the first star point, laying the glued edge of piece 2 on the fold of piece 1. The points should match exactly.

Continue adding pieces in this manner until you've added 7 star points.


Glue the 8th star point on in the same way. The 8th star point will be laying on top of the 1st star point.

Gently lift the 1st star point and slip the edge of the 8th star point under the 1st. Raise the edge of the 1st piece, put glue along the edge, and press in place.


When the glue has dried, turn the piece over and put a small drop of glue under each flap to hold it down on the star.

Allow to dry. If your star is not laying completely flat, weight it down with books or magazines for several hours.

Your star is now ready to put on your window. You can use double sticky tape or roll your tape. (I rolled my tape but I don't like the fact that you can see the tape in the sun. I will try double sticky tape later.) I've read that people will actually glue them to their windows, but I change things around too much to do that! You can fill your window with different sized stars or use different color themes. I will share more star patterns soon!