A Paperclay Tutorial for You!

Come and join the Halloween Link-up Party with Creative Paperclay! 

I am going to be showing you a tutorial for making an ornament/wall hanging using Paperclay, fabric and a few other embellishments.

You will need the following supplies:

1 - 8oz package of Creative Paperclay

A scrap of fabric approximately 3"x4", for the front

A scrap of fabric 1"x10"

A small piece of lace

Ribbon or lace for hanger, about 8"

A scrap of batting that is slightly smaller than the top fabric

A backing fabric, same size as top fabric

Acrylic paints in colors you want to work with

Antiquing medium

Mod Podge

A sewing machine with a matching/coordinating thread

Paintbrushes

A rag

The first step is to find some fabrics in colorways that you would like to work with and cut (or tear like I did) one fabric piece to approximately a 3 inch by 4 inch piece.  When I got that piece to the size I wanted, I painted it with a thin layer of Mod Podge.

Now comes the fun part....working with the clay!  I tore off a piece of Paperclay about the size of a pingpong ball.  I like to keep my clay moist (not wet) so I work with damp hands.  Work the clay into a ball and then start pulling a point down to form the bottom of the heart.

I then make a space at the top to form the two top mounds of the heart. When I get a basic heart shape I press it onto the fabric while the Mod Podge is still wet.

Then using my finger, or sometimes a clay tool, and working with a little water, I start to work the edges of the heart into the fabric.

Use a little water to get everything smooth, and smooth out any cracks you can see.  While the Paperclay is still fresh and wet, find your favorite stamp or texture tool and make an impression of texture on one side of the heart.

I also took the end of a paint brush and pushed in shallow dots on the other side of the heart, because everything is better with polka dots!! RIght?

Now comes the difficult task of waiting....waiting for this piece to dry.  It usually needs over night to be properly dry.

When it is dry paint it with your favorite colors that compliment or coordinate with the background fabric.

I like to use aquas and greens because if you put an antiquing medium over this it looks almost patina'd.  So since I mentioned it....let's antique this heart.  Wait until the paint is dry and then apply a thin coat of antiquing medium over it, then take a rag and wipe it off until you get a look you like, making sure to leave some in the grooves of the textured design.  Set this aside to dry.

Now we need to gather a few more items, like the above photo on the right shows.  You will need a scrap a batting that is slightly smaller than the heart piece, a backing fabric, a few torn strips, and perhaps another scrap of embellishment.

Make a sandwich out of the fabric-heart piece, the batting, and the backing fabric....in that order.

Trim (or tear) piece to desired, finished size.  I personally like the look of the torn fabric and loose threads.

Take your little quilt and Paperclay sandwich to the sewing machine and do some stitching around the perimeter of the piece, probably about a quarter of an inch from the edge.

After I got the perimeter stitched all around a few times I took a few torn fabric strips that were about an inch wide and accordion folded them and stitched them down to the bottom of the piece.  Basically I fold the fabric and hold it in place while I stitch it down.  Fold as you go method!

I also added a small piece of vintage doily and a short piece of fabric, on top of the folded fringe, just on the left side.

I then, free-motion stitched the word *Goodwill* to the right hand side of the quilting piece.  If you are not comfortable stitching like this you can stamp on a word or write it on with fabric markers.

This is a good point to stitch on a ribbon or fabric hanger to the top corners of the piece.  I used a long piece that was cut off the vintage doily to match the doily on the bottom fringe.

The final step.......

To give everything a good seal and make it stronger I give it one last coat of Mod Podge over the Paperclay heart and a little bit of the surrounding fabric.  Any clear sealer will work well for this.

Here is the finished piece.......

Also thought I would show you another piece I did, alongside the piece in this tutorial.  The piece on the right has a wire hanger and a bit more fabric fringe on the top.

There are endless possibilities with these ornaments!  When I was photographing these I was envisioning some with pumpkins.....I think I am going back into the studio to play with some more Paperclay!

Have fun creating with Paperclay and be sure to check out all the other blog posts via the link at the top!

Happy October!

October is finally here!!

I am slowing but surely getting out my fall decorations.  Had a bit of a panic when I couldn't find the container in the attic, but my husband came to the rescue!

This is the santos pumpkin doll that I made last year to add to my growing Fall decoration collection.

This year the trend has continued with another pumpkin doll......

I started this years doll in an online class with David Everett, who's work I just ADORE, back in June and just finished it this week.  I just wasn't sure how I wanted to put my own touch to it which I ended up doing with the felt hat and pompom trim, and also with the vintage doily as part of the neck piece.

Here is my pumpkin doll collection to date.....

I am hoping to finish up up a few more Fall decorations next week, like the hexagon table runner that I showed you in the last post, and of course I have two more clay dolls started.  The last two dolls do have a Halloween theme, but sadly, are not pumpkins!

Happy Fall Creating!

~Cabochons~ a blog hop

Cabochons!

I have a love-hate relationship with them!

I LOVE how they look but they really intimidate me sometimes.  I LOVE the end result but get very frustrated at times making them.
So I signed up for Sally Russick's Cabochon Challenge to help me overcome some of the fears.

Since I became serious about making jewelry & metalsmithing I have made cabochons from a variety of objects.  Being from the Bahamas and having many beaches in my backyard, sea glass is a natural draw.

Old pottery shards make great cabs as well.

Maybe these objects are not technically *cabs*, since they are not round in shape....the process is still the same, perhaps even more of a challenge with an irregular shaped item.

As I have become better at my lamp working skills over the last few years I have also been making glass cabs at the torch.

I love the process of making everything from start to finish and the fact that even the glass cabochon is my piece!  The scalloped bezel wire makes such a fun accent to any piece also.

I can't seem to get away from the beachy color scheme!

Please be sure to go and check out the blogs of others that participated in the Cabochon Challenge!  Thank you so much to the host, Sally, for organizing this challenge & blog hop!

D Lynne  Bowland
Alicia Marinache           
Lynn  Jobber           

Jenny Davies-Reazor           

 

Jo-Ann  Woolverton           

Marde Lowe           
Dawn Doucette           
Mary K McGraw           
Gloria Allen           

Cheri  Reed           
Sonya Stille           
Elizabeth Owens Dwy           
Veralynne   Malone           
Tania Hagen           
Lynsey  Brooks           
Christina Miles           
Holly  Westfall           
Kathy  Lindemer           
Patti Vanderbloemen           

Therese Frank           
Adrienne Berry           
Liz   E  
Tanty  Sri Hartanti           
Ginger Bishop
Renetha Stanziano           
Marlene  Cupo           
Sandi Volpe           
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson           
Niky  Sayers

Mischelle Fanucchi           
Tracy  Stillman           
Skylar Bre'z           
Ann Schroeder           
Paula Kramer
Jess Green           
Susan Kennedy           
Stacie  Florer           
Cathie  Carroll           
Susan F.   

Michelle Caballero       
Sabine Dittrich           
Kristina Johansson           
Kimberly Sturrup-Roberts           
Melissa  Meman           
Cheryl McCloud         
Michelle  Timms           
Cindy  Pack           
Ailsa  Cordner           
Lynda  Carson

Cynthia  Machata           
Julia  Harris           
Karin  Slaton
Ingrid  Anderson           
Karin Grosset Grange
Jasvanti Patel  
Inge  von Roos
Molly Alexander

Toltec Jewels  

Fall Prepping

I get really excited about fall, even though we don't get a drastic change of season or changing leaves in the Bahamas.  I L.O.V.E. Halloween, pumpkin carving, Thanksgiving and all of these lead up to Christmas.

This fall I have signed up for an art show the week before Thanksgiving called Jollification.  I did Jollification for many, many years then took a few years off.

I am already getting stock made for the show, as well as trying out some new things.

Here is one new item, leather cuffs made from recycled belts and bags.

The one on the left I used the original buckle from the belt, on the other I added a snap.

  

This one above has *BLOOM* etched on copper and then riveted onto the cuff.

For the flower cuff I made the flower from sheet metal, forged and soldered it, then added the blue glass gem to the middle.

I love to decorate for Fall and Halloween so I have started a few projects just for me.

One is the hexagon table runner below.

I have some more hexes to prep before I can sew it all together.  Hoping to finish this tomorrow, when I need to take a break from *real* work.

How are you getting ready for Fall?

What's Been Going On & What's Coming Up!

I am not sure where the first part of 2013 has gone! It has been a whirlwind!  One week left in August......it will be Christmas before we know it.....eeekkk!

Before that is one of my favorite holidays, HALLOWEEN!  I am so excited about getting out my Halloween decorations, and making some more.

Below is a Pumpkin Santos doll that I made last year.  My head is brimming with some new ideas for Halloween decorations.

Right after Halloween I am running the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon in November with a friend.  I return from that and put the finishing touches together for Jollification, a show in Nassau.  It is a pretty big show that I haven't done in a few years.  {There is a half marathon that same weekend that I would like to squeeze in while I am there also.}

My brain is in full show gear, I am experimenting with some new ideas and stocking up on inventory.

The first week of December I am signed up for a glass bead making class with Corina Tettinger!!! SOOOOO EXCITED about this, and a little nervous also.  After this, Christmas will be upon us!!

While all of this is going on I am training for a full marathon in Disney in January.  Well, that is only half the story......I signed up for the Dopey challenge.  I will be running a 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon on four consecutive days!  I return from Disney and MIGHT run the Nassau half (if I can still walk, I am signed up!!!), and then I have another big Art Show ~ Art for the Parks, in Abaco.

I am also considering, in the midst of all of this, because of many requests, teaching again.  Quilting, glass and jewelry classes.  These may not happen until 2014, after Art for the Parks, we'll see how time goes.  I need time to finish the studio space, work on lesson plans and samples.

The glass angel ornament, below, is one of the many ideas I have for a class.

If you are in Abaco and are interested in any quilting, glass or jewelry classes, contact me.

PHEW!!  Typing all of that was very overwhelming and exhausting, but somehow very exciting at the same time!  And I wonder why time flies!!!

Happy {Heart} Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Yesterday I took some time out from filling orders to make a heart pendant.  This pendant was one of the awesome lessons from the Aspire to Wire ecourse that I just completed.

This is made from strips of copper, held together with fine silver rivets.

I used one of my glass headpins to form the loop for the chain.  I thought the droplet shape fit perfectly inside the heart chamber.

Lots of fun to make, but then it was back to working on orders and packaging some up for Valentine's.

I am starting to enjoy packing my orders as much as making them!

Have a wonderful day filled with LOVE!

My First Half Marathon Experience

On January 20th, 2013 I ran my first half marathon in Nassau, Bahamas. Marathon Bahamas.  It was an awesome experience.  I have been wanting to run a half or full marathon for about 15 years, and I am still wondering what took me so long to do it.

The hardest part of the training was keeping up with my runs over the holidays.  I never missed a long run, but I probably should have gotten in more base miles thru the week.

I had run 9 miles two years ago, before I got my mystery injury last year, so I knew I mentally had it in me to get thru the mileage.  Some people do not know how to mentally push themselves.  You might not want to hear what I tell myself, but I can push myself thru it.

During the half I mentally lost it around mile 9.  It got really hot, my feet felt like they were on fire and I, quite frankly, just wanted to stop!

In my training I learned some great lessons about endurance running.  The first day I went out and did 10 miles I packed my handheld water bottle, but decided at the last minute not to carry it.

"you've done 9 miles and not needed to drink along the way", I told myself.....BIG mistake!  Luckily I run with my iPhone for music, so I was able to call my husband and ask him to bring me my bottle.

Something else I had to learn how to do was eat before running.  Again, I had done 9 miles and been fine.  The day I did 10 miles it took me 2 days to recover, and that shouldn't happen.  But the thought of eating before I ran made me sick to my stomach!!  A few times, over the years, I had done some afternoon runs and my body just didn't respond well to a tummy with food in it.  I also knew if i wanted to do longer runs, like a marathon someday, that I would need to eat before and during.  So, I started with a few bites of a banana and just kept increasing and experimenting.  Now, of course, I don't know how I ran before without food.  I feel so much better now after a long run.

I am now also been schooled in the world of energy drinks for endurance, and re hydration.  Let's not forget about the wonderful world of energy gels!!!!!  Where have they been all my life?  I didn't use the gels on my half, this is something new I am learning about.

So race morning, after only about 4 hours of sleep, my friends and I are lined up at the start line.  The energy of all the runners at 6am is just surreal!  I keep looking at the port-a-potties wondering if i should go have a tinkle one last time.  "I'll be fine.  I'll sweat it out once i start", I thought......my second epic mistake!  At mile 4 i HAD to pee. right after the mile three aid station I asked where the port-a-potties were and was told they were at mile 4.  When I got there, there was a line!  GREAT!  I looked around considering going behind a wall, it even crossed my mind to pee my pants!  BUT i waited in line.  It cost me almost 6 minutes.

I could not have made it without my beautiful compression socks.  I have NO muscle fatigue in my legs after long runs with these and they have taken away my leg cramps, which were a symptom of my mystery injury from last year.

My first goal was to finish the half marathon.  My second goal was to finish by 2:30.  Well thanks to the bathroom break my finish time was 2:38.  I could have made up the 2 minutes and beat 2:30, but there is no way I could make up 8 minutes.

I beat myself up quite a bit about this, but it was my first long race and I am sure that with every race I do, I will learn something new.

So my final thoughts after my amazing experience......

EVERYONE should be a runner and EVERY runner should run a half marathon!

My next race is a sprint triathlon on March 23rd.  This will be my first triathlon.  Something else I have wanted to do for 15 years and I have always let the quarter of a mile swim hold me back.  I've been doing swim training since November and now LOVE swimming.  Now I am dreading the bike!

I am on the hunt for what will be my next race, after the triathlon.  I have been bitten pretty hard with the racing bug! 

I would really love to do a full marathon, but I need to find somewhere cool.  One race I am considering is the Disney Goofy Race and a Half Challenge.  On the Saturday you run a half marathon and the next day, Sunday, you run a full marathon!  You can even run a 5K on the Friday before the half!  Sounds like fun, right?!  I think so!

OH! AND.... this will be the weekend before Marathon Bahamas in 2014, which I plan to do again!  If anyone would like to join me on this journey, let me know!
RUN ON FRIENDS!!!