CRAFTY
VISIONS
Newsletter
CRAFTY
VISIONS
Newsletter
September/October 1997
Published by
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Letter
From Laurieann
Fall is here....my favorite season for Crafting! Just think of all the wonderful projects out there just waiting to be tackled for Halloween and Thanksgiving. And...Christmas is just around the corner!
To start out this Crafting season, we have some great Fall and Halloween crafts for you to try, Halloween costumes to make, yummy recipes to make, as well as information to use in this issue.
I 'd like to share this wonderful and touching letter from Paula..... to me, this is what crafting is all about!
" Thanks for a continuing excellent site for us crafters. The broad scope of the crafts you portray is wonderful. I print them out and take them to our local teenagers who have developed a group of teenagers trying to say out of trouble and create a meaningful contribution to society by making and selling crafts and learning a useful skill. Your instructions are very helpful. Bless You. "
I do want to make sure that credit is given to the right people. The Bluebonnet Crafters are the primary contributorsfor all the crafts in this newsletter. They always do an outstanding job! Please take time to let them know (e-mail:TheGroup@bluebonnetvillage.com) and visit their site (http://www.BluebonnetVillage.com).
Have fun, don't let the goblins get you, and as always, thank you for reading Crafty Visions Newsletter.
Sincerely,
Laurieann
laurieann@ivisions.com
World Wide Visions
PS
If you want a condensed copy of this newsletter e-mailed to you, send a request to cvsept_oct97@craftyvisions.com. (Your request is handled by a computer so you don't need to write anything in the message unless you like talking to computers.)
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Halloween
Crafts
Halloween
Trick or Treat Goblins
Put a ring of craft glue approximately 1/4" from one end of your cardboard tube completely circling the tube in a band about 1/2" wide. Glue the 4 1/2" edges of your fabric right sides together, turn so the right side is to the outside and gather the top edge of the fabric around the cardboard tube pressing it into your ring of glue. Use the rubber band to anchor it in place and set aside to dry.
Form a small paper sack* (looks like a grocery sack) just large enough to fit over the top of the cardboard tube with the fabric attached. Glue the squared bottom and the back seam in place. Draw eyes and a mouth on the unseamed front of the sack. From the remaining brown paper cut a small shopping bag type piece. Write trick or treat across the front of it with your black pen.
Using the 12" X 1" piece fold in one twelve inch side 1/4" and tack with glue, then roll from the raw edge toward the folded edge and glue the folded edge along it's length to form the arms. Tie a single knot in the center of the length for the hands. Remove the rubber band from the cardboard tube body.
Take the two raw edges to the top of your dressed cardboard tube. Move the raw edges up and down to adjust the length of the arms so the hands meet approximately where your goblin's tummy would be. Glue one side at the top and trim any excess. Place the handle of your shopping bag over the unattached arm and slide it to the center where your knot hands are. Adjust the remaining length, trim and glue in place. This should look like your hands are held in front of the goblin with the shopping bag over the arms. Be sure the writing is facing out.
Place a circle of glue on the top edge of your cardboard tube and pull the small sack over the tube and the top of the fabric to anchor in the glue. Be sure the face and hands are facing the same way. Trim the fabric even with the bottom of the cardboard tube.
*A paper sack can be made by wrapping a square or rectangular box slightly larger than the tube and taping the back and one end leaving the other end open to slide over the top of the tube.
Hot
Glue Spider WebsDraw several spider webs on the paper, place the waxed paper over the drawings and with your glue gun trace all the lines being sure that they meet and crossover at the intersections to give your web strength. Allow to cool completely and peel the web from the waxed paper. These spider webs can be hung using a soft thread like one strand of embroidery floss tied around the thickest point of the outer edge of your web.
Option: Sprinkle with glitter while the glue is still hot and tacky.
Jack-O-Lantern
Centerpiece
MATERIAL:
INSTRUCTIONS:
Inflate the balloon until it is firm and tie a knot at the end. With a piece of the crochet cotton thread tie the balloon so it is suspended just above the waxed paper where you will be working. Place approximately 1/2 of the crochet cotton into the zipper bag holding one end to the outside. Add approximately 1/4 cup of fabric stiffener to the bag and gently work it through the crochet cotton. With the end you were holding tie a knot around the knot of the balloon and using the zipper bag to strip excess stiffener from the thread begin wrapping the balloon in a criss crossing motion to form a fairly close web totally covering the balloon. With the second half of the crochet thread add it to the remaining stiffener in the zipper bag and again gently knead to distribute through the crochet cotton. Repeating the above motion with one slight change, at a point approximately 1 1/2" from the knot make a ring around the balloon to build up a firm cuff. Each time you come back to this point circle again. When you have your balloon well covered and a cuff approximately 1/4" thick formed allow the balloon to sit down on the waxed paper so it's bottom will be slightly flattened and allow the balloon to dry thoroughly. When dry pop the balloon and cut the thread above the cuff around in a circle. This should form your pumpkin shape with the top edge firm enough to hold it's shape. From the scraps of black felt cut two eyes, a nose and a mouth and glue them to the front of your pumpkin to make a jack-o-lantern. Place the greenery fanning from a center point on the table, set your thread jack- o-lantern in the center and add the votive candle and holder to help hold it in place. You can add some of the goblins around the thread jack-o-lantern and with your Sharpie pen add a name above the trick or treat such as Cody's trick or treats and use these as party favors or naming members of the family.
How often have you said "There must be an easier way !"? Well, now there is. In this feature, our contributing crafters share some of their secrets with you.
TIPS: (by Bluebonnet Crafters)
# 1. Random length pieces of white sewing thread hung straight down from the ceiling on a dark porch gives the little trick or treaters the feeling of walking through spider webs. (they can be touched up with fluorescent glow paint)
#2. In place of a candle in your jack-o-lantern use a flashlight for safety sake.
# 3. Halloween costumes can be made from materials that a child can then wear all winter as sleep wear. This way you literally get a costume for free as all children need sleep wear.
OUR FEATURED ARTIST
Judi Maddigan
Judi Maddigan has worked as a full time designer for the craft and gift markets. She has published patterns, articles and books for various crafts including Teddy Bears, soft toys, cross stitch, jewelry and oven baked polymer clay. In addition to these she has designed needlepoint, quilting, cross stitch and Battenburg lace for the U. S. gift market that is produced overseas and imported. Most recently she has designed push molds for polymer clay manufactured and marketed by American Art Clay Co. Inc.
Judi has a degree from U. C. Berkeley with a major in art and although she claims her degree does less for her actual day to day designing, knowing the foundation is there means the degree adds to her confidence level.
Having crafted as long as she can remember her professional experiences began in 1975 when she taught tole painting classes through the Parks & Recreation Department and it was here she first realized some of the benefits of crafting. Some of her students had been told they weren't artistic, couldn't draw or paint and they were absolutely delighted to find they could. Then, too, many of the class members were stay at home moms with young children and the social interaction was more important than she had anticipated.
Although trained in computer graphics Judi realizes that the computer is only a tool and that the intangible element that makes a design work must still spring creatively from the designer not the machine. Regardless of training and background Judi claims you should never underestimate the role luck plays in your career. As an example she cites the opportunity to write her first book came about because she was in the right place at the right time.
Through a local writers group Judy met her publisher who at that time was looking for a how-to book of approximately 160 pages on Teddy Bears or dolls while Judi wanted to publish her Teddy Bear patterns. The match was made.
As soon as the book contract was signed Judi enrolled in an adult-ed class entitled "How to Write Your First Book". The teacher, after recovering from the shock of learning that Judi had signed a contract with no idea of how to write a book, coached her through "Learning Bear Making" (160 pages now in it's 7th printing with Crause) and it was completed by it's deadline. This was followed by "Soft Toys for Babies" (198 pages).
She has found the study of writing to be worthwhile and applies what was learned to writing new product proposals. Her crafting is both a wonderful hobby and business.
For the past six years Judi Maddigan has specialized in new product designs. Manufacturers license her designs and they handle marketing and distribution freeing her for the more creative endeavors, although she does help whenever possible, as an example, her informational web site for push molds. This web site has generated some wonderful responses and keen interest. She rarely sells her licensed products directly but refers potential sales to the manufacturers or distributors.
Just as there is good luck there is also bad. For every success there are nine times as many that didn't make it. These are not necessarily wrong, they are just detours and dead ends on the product development highway.
Free lance product development is challenging and difficult. Much of it is out of the designer's control but when the pieces fall into place and a successful product line is launched you can't beat the sense of accomplishment. If asked for my favorite craft medium I would have to say "the one I'm working on at the moment". The same design principles translate to each of the mediums, the working relationship with client companies is more important. If the opportunity to design for a new company presents itself it may entail a switch to an appropriate craft medium. This may incur months of uncompensated time learning the new medium but the investment has always been worth it.
It is never a waste of time to learn something new.
Website: http://www.angelslanding.com/pushmolds/index.html
E-mail address: judi@angelslanding.com
CRAFTY Q & A
In this feature, we invite readers to ask a crafting question. Questions will be printed in each issue. We then would like for anyone who has an answer to these questions to please send them to laurieann@ivisions.com .
In the following issue, we will print the questions, the answers we received, and new questions for you to answer.
Please submit your crafting questions to laurieann@ivisions.com
Question from Trish
I have always saved the styrofoam bottoms that you get with your meat purchases (and sometimes veggies). I have been using them when I sell my shortbreads at Christmas but am looking for new ideas on how to use them during the rest of the year. I have two young children so ideas for crafty kid things would be most appreciated! Thank you very much.
A1) My Granddaughter ( 11) used my styrofoam trays to make Christmas decorations. She glued Christmas material inside and them glued the front of an old Christmas card in the center and decorated the edges with ribbon. It turned out really cute. I didn't say I was "Crafty", I said I do Crafts! Grambear
A2) For Trish. I use those styrofoam bottoms from meat and veggie trays as disposable pallets. Great for acrylics. The white ones are best. Barbara
This Month's Questions:
Question #1: I have a case of the little spoons that they use for sampling foods like the ones used at Sam's club. I have a Girl Scout Troop and we're looking for some craft ideas to use them. Any ideas will be appreciated. Nora
Question #2: I have been a craft vendor at many shows over the years and have been asked to by many in my city to organize a show. Any suggestions on where to start, resources, etc. B. Marie Terpening
DOLL CORNER
For this issue we have a very special feature and that is the Grand Opening of The CLOTH DOLL® Magazine Online!
This is the newest addition to The Doll Net (http://www.TheDollNet.com) and is a revolving online cloth doll magazine that features a terrific dollmaking How-To, an inspiring artist profile, and a wonderful free pattern!
Please click on the logo below to read this wonderful online magazine!
The
CLOTH DOLL® Magazine Online!
http://www.TheClothDoll.com
Crafty
Kids
by Bluebonnet
Crafters
Lollipop
Ghosts
Materials:
Instructions:
Place the lollipop candy in the center of the square of fabric or two crossed tissues. Gather the fabric or tissue at the base of the candy around the lollipop stick and tie with the ribbon in a bow to hold it.
Using your Sharpie pen draw eyes and a mouth on your little ghost. These can be displayed on a pumpkin by using a nail to make a small starter hole and inserting the ghost lollipops in a pattern all over the top to look like a jack-o-lantern's hair. Features can be painted on using acrylic paint.
Paper
Plate Ghosts
MATERIALS:
For one ghost:
INSTRUCTIONS:
On the back of your paper plate draw a 3" circle in the center with a line from the edge of the circle out to the edge of the plate on one side only. Inside the circle use the pattern to draw the head and arms. Cut along each drawn line leaving it uncut and still attached 1 3/4" opposite the cut to the center.
Cut along the lines forming the arms. This will leave the head already cut out. Form a cone with the plate bringing the cut toward the center overlapped to form the skirt of your ghost. Anchor using glue or clear cellophane tape. Punch a hole at the top of the head and place a reinforcement around the punched hole. Tie your fishing line or thread through the hole and knot. This will be used to hang your ghost.
Using the picture as a guide draw the eyes and the mouth of your ghost with your black pen, crayon or paint.
Using the option you can decorate the skirt of the ghost with glitter, glow in the dark paint, etc. Varied sizes of ghosts can be made using circles cut from white poster board or paper plates.
Turkey
Place Mat
Material:
Instructions:
Trace the main pattern piece (the turkey body) on the brown construction paper and cut out. Trace and cut 12 large feathers in varied colors. Trace and cut the waddle from red.
Place the turkey on the Manila sheet and lightly outline where he is and set the body aside. Take your colored feather shapes and with the Sharpie draw the detail lines on the feather. Glue the feathers in a fan beginning just inside the outline of the turkey from point A to point B. Place the turkey body on top of the feathers to cover all the ends. Glue the waddle across the turkey's beak. With the Sharpie pen draw the turkey's eye. You may also write your name on the Manila paper to personalize it.
KITCHEN CRAFTS
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Melt the margarine and marshmallows in a large saucepan over low heat stirring constantly until the marshmallows are completely melted. Remove from heat and add the food coloring. Stir to blend and add the rice cereal stirring until well coated.
Spray the ice cream scoop with the vegetable spray and use it to form rounded scoops of the cereal treats. Shape to look like pumpkins adding the green gum drop stem and pieces of black gum drop or licorice to make the eyes and mouth of each Jack-o-lantern.
Options: you can make these as small pumpkins without the faces for Thanksgiving favors placing each in a Thanksgiving motif cupcake paper.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Combine Almond paste, corn syrup, food coloring, vanilla and marshmallow creme. Mix well. Gradually add confectioners' sugar and knead until uniform and smooth. Using a small melon baller or by hand shape into individual balls about 3/4" in diameter. Shape into a smooth ball with a slight indentation at the top. Add the stem and with a toothpick score the sides to make it look like a small pumpkin.
Option: Use a snip of green gumdrop as your stem instead of making 2 colors of Marzipan.
Instructions:
Cut a slice off the top of the orange and scoop the orange sections out into a bowl. You can add green grapes, sliced banana or any other available fruit to make a breakfast fruit cup.
Wash and dry the empty orange shells and using a black Sharpie permanent marker or acrylic paint draw humorous faces on the side of the orange shell. Fill with the mixed fruit and serve on a lettuce leaf.
Instructions:
Using your favorite cake mix or recipe for cupcakes fill each cupcake paper 1/4 full, place a large marshmallow in the center of the batter and add more batter to cover. Bake following your instructions. Allow to cool and frost with a 7 minute boiled frosting or a fluffy white frosting. Use snips of gumdrops or licorice to form two eyes and a mouth. When served these spooky ghostly cupcakes are hollow in the middle.
GENERAL CRAFTS
by Bluebonnet
Crafters
Fall Centerpiece
Material:
Instructions:
Arrange some of your leaf sprigs in a circle around a regular basket or in a fan at the opening of a cornucopia. Place the basket or cornucopia on the leaves and place the excelsior, etc. filler into the bottom of the basket to fill it at least 2/3 full, some pulled up around the edges. In the cornucopia shove it in and pull it out to form a base for your fruits and vegetables.
Arrange the fruits and vegetables in a pleasing manner varying the colors and shapes that are next to each other. Clip some of the autumn leaves and tuck them in among the fruits and vegetables for accent and interest. Tie a bow in the center of your raffia streamers and attach it to the edge of the cornucopia or basket and if the basket has a handle on the handle.
The following recipe can be used to make face paint as an alternative to a mask. Reflective tape and fabric paint should be used on the front sides and back of all the costumes as part of the embellishment to make the children stand out in the dark.
Face Paint:
Stir together starch and cold cream until well-blended. Add water and stir. Add food coloring. Using a small brush paint designs on child's face. Remove with soap and water. Store in airtight container.
Native
American Costume
Material:
Instructions:
Cut a vest shape from the fabric, see diagram, cutting the bottom to form a fringe. Cut two circles of fun foam or felt with pinking shears for conchos. Glue to the front of the vest, one on each side. With heavy thread take one stitch through the center of each concho leaving two ends hanging and string colored beads or embellishments of your choice. Add a feather to the end of each string.
Headband: A 1" strip of felt or fabric that your vest is made of long enough to go around the forehead and tie in a knot. Add feathers to the end of each tie and one large feather standing up at the knot. Decorate and embellish the band with beads and fabric paint.
Mask: With this costume no mask is needed. You can use face paint to paint appropriate Native American markings on the forehead and cheeks.
Ballerina, Fairy Princess or Fairy
Material:
Instructions:
Measure the child's waist and center the measurement on the grosgrain ribbon. If using glue run fabric glue from the center out both ways to 1/2" less than the child's measurement. Place the net across the grosgrain ribbon belt so when the ribbon is folded it will form a double layer skirt, both layers the same length just below hip length for the ballerina, ankle length for the Princess and Fairy.
When the glue is dried place another row of glue on top of the net along one side of the ribbon, fold the other side down and press in place to anchor and allow to dry. Using your fabric paints and embellishments of your choice decorate the neckline of the leotard and add sparkles to the skirt.
For
the tiara you will need a headband or sweat band. Arrange the glitter stems
to form loops, 2 small ones to the outside, a little larger next and a
larger one in the middle. This larger one can be heart shaped if you like
and small clusters of thin ribbon can be attached at each side to form
the tiara. For the Fairy's wand cut two stars from the felt or Fun Foam
and glue them together with the dowel stick extending from the top of one
point down. Again with the fabric paint and glitter decorate the star.
Option: multi-colored ribbons can be tied just below the star for added
embellishment.
Dragon
or Dinosaur
Material:
Instructions:
Cut each piece of yellow felt in half so you will have two 9" X 6" pieces. Cut each of the 9" X 6" pieces in half on the diagonal to make two triangular shaped pieces. These pieces will be placed in a row along the ribbon *see diagram beginning at the top as far as your triangles will go (you will have 12 triangles, on a larger child you will need them all but on a smaller child you can cut the triangles smaller or use fewer).
With the green felt sew or glue across one 9" edge and down the 12" edge. This will form a hood. Punch a hole in the two corners and thread a piece of yellow or green ribbon through there to tie under the chin (on a large child this will form the full hood. On a smaller child before you add the ribbon either trim it back so the eyes are not restricted to the side or fold back to form a cuff and tack it around the face to hold in place).
Take and place the Velcro pieces on the hood and down the back of the sweat shirt with the soft piece on the hood and sweat shirt and the hook piece spaced along the ribbon. The first piece will go on the very front of the hood and the top end of the ribbon measure down to one at the crown of the head and the corresponding spot of the ribbon, the third is as the end of the hood (nape of the neck) and the corresponding piece on the ribbon. You can then space them on the sweat shirt itself ending at the waistband of the sweat shirt. This will allow the rest of the ribbon to hang free as the tail. Using the glitter or metallic paint you can decorate the yellow triangular spines and the front of the sweat shirt (let the kids fix it their own way). Option for gloves: cut long narrow triangles of white felt and glue them in the fingernail area of each glove. This will form the animal claws. Very soft claws, no danger of getting scratched.
This will give you three options where you have a sweat suit the child can use for dress up and night wear the rest of the winter but it should also spark your imagination on how you can costume for many other occasions starting with a basic sweat suit in the right color. There are cowboys, clowns, other animals and it is a lot of fun for the kids themselves to contribute to the making of their costume and then being able to wear it even after Halloween night.
READER ROUNDUP
Here are answers to two of last issue's Reader Roundup questions.
In response to the value of dolls from the Danbury mint:
When we have purchased collector's plates, etc., we have received on occasion a magazine from the company, listing previous issues and the prices they have sold for, or will currently sell for. Perhaps you can write or call the Danbury Mint and ask for such a publication, and they may even be able to tell you on the phone what the going rate is for your particular items. Hope this helps. Lynniepoo2@aol.com
In response to Carol's question for some ideas for her wooden craft sticks:
I am having a problem with my pc, but if you could have Carol from jslater@tpgi.com.au write me, I can give her some ideas for her wooden craft sticks. Thank you very much, fran, FSmith@call.tesc.edu
Some of our readers are trying to roundup the answers to the following questions:
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e-mail: bluebonnet@BluebonnetVillage.com
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