Shoe Polish

I have discovered that shoe polish is a great product to make new ephemera look aged. I am not referring to the liquid polish, but to the solid wax-like stuff that comes in a tin. I have found that wiping it on with a makeup applicator sponge is an effective method for applying it to your project. It also seems to stay put even when covering it with gel medium or other finishes. Since the polish has wax in it, it gives whatever you apply it to a nice matte finish. It is also translucent. I have applied it over text without it obscuring the letters.

I purchased every color polish my local grocery store carries and have used the browns and the burgundy colors to date. I also have the polish in black, but have not applied that to any of my projects as yet.

Happy crafting.

HGTV and DIY Networks

I really enjoy watching the craft shows on HGTV and DIY. The Carol Duvall Show, That’s Clever and Craft Lab are a few that I watch regularly. I think the Carol Duval Show is no longer being produced, but the other two are fairly recent additions (the last two years or so) to the programming line-up. I get hooked on these shows and then it seems that these channels air nothing but re-runs for quite awhile before airing anything new. I don’t know why the head honchos at these networks think we will enjoy seeing the same episode of Craft Lab or That’s Clever several times each season. I did send an e-mail to HGTV about this, but received some standard answer back that really did not address the question.

HGTV and DIY should really get with the program (pun intended) and stop continually re-airing the same episodes or they run the risk of losing some of their viewers!

This and That

I have been staring at a blank art journal page for the last several days. It seems like starting a page is the hardest part about keeping the journal. After I get over the hurdle of actually creating a background, other elements of the page come along a little more easily.

I am still not confident in my color choices. I have a color wheel and I do consult it sometimes before putting certain colors together. However, I have found that looking at magazines and books as well as various scrapbook papers inspires color choices and provides a visualization of how certain colors play on a page. I think that if I just keep looking at examples, some day I will have soaked up enough color theory to confidently put color down on each page I create.

Happy crafting.

Book Look

I am currently enjoying a book called KALEIDOSCOPE by Suzanne Simanaitis.

http://www.amazon.com/Kaleidoscope-Ideas-Projects-Spark-Creativity/dp/1581808798

This book bills itself as containing ideas and projects aimed at sparking your creativity. I am about ¾ of the way through the book and have really enjoyed it. It is basically a compilation of essays and project instructions from a variety of artists. I found it particularly interesting to learn how these artists overcome creative block including some of the strategies they use to jumpstart the creative process.

It is comforting to learn that even the pros deal with self-doubt and have their days when they just can’t seem to tap into their creativity.

If you are looking for an inspirational read and a book featuring some creatively challenging projects, this is the one to get!

Happy crafting.

Directionally Challenged

I admit that I don’t follow directions very well. In fact, I often skim the directions to get the gist of the thing and then dive right in. This is not always a good idea in crafting. Some may disagree with me here saying that is how “happy accidents” occur and new craft techniques are discovered. Maybe for some – but not for me. Take, for example, my recent foray into making liquid polymer clay transfers. I heard about this technique on HGTV’s Carol Duval Show. I went to the HGTV website and accessed all the directions for the project. Although I did thoroughly read and follow the directions for the project, I found that sometimes my transfers came out perfectly and sometimes they did not come out at all. I kept plugging away at it and kept experiencing the same inconsistency of results. Finally, I realized that while I had followed the directions for the project to the letter, I did not read the directions for the matte photo paper I was using. Who knew that there was a right and a wrong side for printing on this paper (probably most people who make a habit of reading directions)? The difference between the two sides is subtle with the matte photo paper (it is not like the glossy paper where even directionally challenged people like me can’t go wrong). Printing on the wrong side of the matte photo paper caused my transfers to fail. The transfers that did come out well were the ones that I serendipitously printed on the right side of the paper. Now when I make the transfers I always make sure to print on the correct side of the photo paper.

I still like to skim the directions for most things, but now I skim a little more carefully!

Beginnings

February 21, 2007

This is my first attempt at blogging. I don't know if there is a right way or wrong way to do this - so I am just going to jump right in.

I would like to use this blog to share experiences in crafting and craft techniques. I am one of those people who when they hear about a new technique or new product in the crafting realm just has to try it. This has led to some interesting results - some good and some headed straight for the trash can.

Collage, cardmaking and polymer clay are the crafting areas that interest me. I have started an art journal which has been slow going because I keep ripping out the pages I don't like. I think the point of an art journal is to let freedom reign, but I am much too critical of myself to keep all my creations.

I have had a little more success with cardmaking and have actually sent/given my creations to people. I have not received much feedback on these creative endeavors. I don't know if that is because the recipients can't tell I made the cards or if they are just too polite to tell me what they really think!

My experience working with polymer clay has yielded mixed results. These creations have mostly been tossed. I do love working in this medium and am determined to keep trying until I make something that is a keeper.

In subsequent posts to this blog, I will share some experiences related to craft products and techniques as well as provide some thoughts on craft books in my library (according to my husband I have every craft book ever published).

It is a rainy day here in Atlanta today. A perfect day for crafting! I think it might be a good day for having another go at polymer clay. Happy crafting.