M-seal art

Materials needed
Mseal
Pot – shape an be your choice
Acrylic paints
Paint brushes
Fevicol

Method

Wash the pot and dry it. Give a coating of any dark shade.
Mix the m-seal. Use little bit of talcum powder so that it does not stick to fingers.
If required draw a light sketch of the design you want to create on the pot.
Take small rounds of the mix and shape it like leaves and petals and fix it on the pot. It will stick directly on the surface. If not use little bit of fevicol.

For the stem, roll out the m-seal into long strings and arrange. Keep aside for 2-3 hrs for drying. Once dry, give the colors of your choice.

This can be done by children also. They will really enjoy doing the m-seal petals and strings. Even other shapes can be formed and used to decorate their boxes or shelves etc.

Other m-seal art :

http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2007/07/m-seal-art.html

There is no limit for creativity

Another Patch work

Have bits and pieces of fabric. Create a new Patch work Cushion cover.

Materials needed

Scraps of fabric
½ m Plain fabric for back
Knowledge of sewing

Method - Front

Cut the pieces of fabric into squares of 31/2 inch squares. Arrange and see how the patterns will look good. If the fabric are of contrast shades/designs it will look better. Have few plain squares in between. Cut as many squares as required. I have made a 4X4 square.
Stitch the squares as arranged. To get the required size of the cushion I have added another straight piece of fabric from 2 contrast designs.

Method - Attaching the back with overlap

Cut the backing fabric into two.One should have length more than the other. The extra length should be kept as the overlap. The total length and width should be as required for the cushion plus the seam allowance.

Attach the front panel to the backing material with overlap. Attach velcrove or buttons ont the overlap.

Cushion cover for your favourite cushion is ready!

Paper maché Art – Secret Pen holder

Materials


Old Flower vase or pen holder
Plastic ball
Newspapers
Tissue paper roll
Corn flour – few spoons
Fevicol, Bowl & Water
Paint brushes
Acrylic paints


Method
I had an old flower vase which looked like a penguin’s body. It was my son Abhi’s idea to make a penguin with that. Anything like a bislery water can, used cups, old pen holders etc can be given a new look with this method.
Penguin's Body

• Mix 1 part fevicol and 2-3 parts water in a bowl.
• Cut the newspaper sheets into long strips. Dip it in the glue-water mixture and stick it on top of the vase. Stick many strips so that one layer of paper covers the entire vase. Similarly continue and do one more layer. Press with both hands so the paper layer sticks close to the vase.
• Now, dip a broad brush into the glue-water and brush slowly on the paper layer. Stick one by one tissue paper piece on that and complete a uniform layer. Keep aside for drying.

Head

Take a plastic hollow ball. Cut it so that the hole exactly fits on top of the vase.
Do the newspaper and tissue layer as for the body above.

Beak & Feet

• Tear tissue paper into small pieces and put in a bowl. Pour fevicol, little water and little corn flour. Mix thoroughly and make into dough consistency.
• Shape the beak, feet etc (or what ever shapes you want as the item you are making).Fix the beak to the head and feet to the bottom of the body with fevicol.

Keep aside for a day to dry.Colour as per your wish with acrylic colours.
Inside the vase, kids can keep some nick-knacks of their own secretly!!!!

Enjoy ....

Kids Photo Album

Materials required

Drawing book with thick sheets
Colour pencils,crayons
Water colours, sketch pens etc

glitter pens, sequins, vegetable cuttings leaves etc!!!

Method:

This art work is for the children to make their own photo albums. It is a very good pass time in the vaccation,during nights when they get bored etc. Each type is a simple art of painting. Even they can gift it to their friends.

Each sheet of the books is coloured with different randoms designs. Tell them the technique of shading using pastel colours, using the colour combinations etc. They will do wonders.

Borders can be given by free drawing or even using different shaped stencils! The center of the sheet (see as in the pics given) is used for sticking the photos or pictures.

For a more interesting one, for each sheet let them try different technique, material etc. Use whatever material crosses your mind and give the children the idea!. Even our normal school ink could do the trick beautifully. See the last two pictures given for a different page using cut vegetables as stencils and leaves. Vegetables like ladysfinger, potato, capsicum etc can be easily used.

Let the children enjoy doing painting and art. You enjoy by involving yourselves and guiding them.

Sewing project - needle case

I needed a handy case for my crochet needles, small scissors etc when I take the craft bag while going out. Then why not make one which satisfies my requirements. It requires sewing knowledge.

Materials needed

Scrap cotton fabrics (contrast colours)

Velcro

Design the pockets inside depending on what thing need to be kept. For crochet needle, stitch long pockets. For scissors or thread rolls wider pockets can be stitched.

Piping given with contrast coloured material enhances the look of the pouch.(see the pictures)

Painted Sofa Back

Make beautiful sofa backs by youself and decorate proudly in your living room!

Materials

Plain colour cotton Fabric

Lining material

Acrylic colours

Lace edging of matching color

Method

1. Plain water wash, dry and iron the cotton and lining fabrics. Cut the fabric into required shape and size. If your fabric is thick then lining may not be required. Otherwise, stitching the lining may be necessary.

2. Choose a design of your choice. Trace the design onto the fabric using yellow carbon paper.

3. Using black colour draw the outline of the design.

4. Fill in the appropriate colours for the design. Dry it for a day and iron press the back side.

5. Stitch the lining if required and the Lace edging.

Take pride in decorating your home with your hand made creations.

Bead garlands

Beads of different colours and sizes

Pendent of matching colour

Back screw

If back screw is used, start threading with one part of the the screw. Then thread the beads alternatively (the size and colour). I have used small golden beads also in between. When the length reaches half long, thread the pendent. Different types of pendents are available in the craft shops. Finally thread the the other part of the screw at the end.

If screw is not used, make the chain longer so that it can go thru the head.

Appliqued pillow case

Materials

Plain Cotton Fabric
Fabric for the remaining part of the pillow case
Fabric scraps
Fevicol
Fabric colours

Have a design drawn on a paper. Choose appropriate fabric scraps and cut them into the required shapes.

Draw the picture onto the plain fabric. Using fevicol spotting position the shapes on the fabric. Stitch the sides. It will be easy if zig-zag machine stitch is done, otherwise it has to be done by hand using stitches like button hole stitch.

I have used appliqués for the main portions and have painted the leaves, grass, flower stalk etc using fabric colours.

Once completed, press on the reverse. Attach this as the front panel for the pillow case.

Hand Embroidered Cushion cover

Materials needed

Cross stitch fabric
Fabric for backing
Lining Material
Embroidery Floss & tapestry needle
Velcro

Cut the cross stitch fabric to the size of the cushion for the front. Have an extra 2” seam allowance. Do simple patterns using common embroidery stitches like satin stitch, laisy daisy stitch, button hole stitch, chain stitch etc.

Once done, stitch the lining fabric for the front. This will protect the embroidery. For the back lining is optional. Attach the back piece from cotton fabric, with an overlap. Attach Velcro between the overlaps.

Other Ideas!

Crocheted flowers, satin flowers, laces etc can also be attached for decorations.