Saturday, May 10, 2014
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Map Wall Art
How To Age A Map; To Frame For A Wall Picture:
I have always liked Maps, the world globe, they speak of adventure. This gift would be a great guy gift, kid gift, mom gift, or traveler. Simply pick a map that means something to you: a trip, your town, dream trip, etc. On my wall I have a copy of the original map of the United States, before highways. It is interesting to see how the map of the United States evolved over time. Of course it is a frontier map, and it fits right in, it is a frontier room. Nothing but denim, kerchiefs, hats, leather, and dark brown woodsy furniture, hurricane lamps, old motorcycle, and car art (don't laugh it works well), than the mountain man art (scouts). The file cabinet even has faux finish (textured wall paper, painted woodsy brown, than aged and than I sealed it with...ack car wax...8) so it is waterproof. It is a interesting room everyone that comes into it, just wants to relax..because of the scene created. It is my spare bedroom, family room, library (yup woodsy book carts that roll). I also created a small cube (milk cartoon) game table covered in the kerchiefs, than put a lid on it, so the kids can dig inside for the treasure. The kids toys are in a old suitcase leather (no wheels) it slides under the dresser. The rest of the games will be in another old suitcase that fits under the Futon. The curtains are denim with kerchief ties and the swag is made from old jeans, with kerchiefs hanging out of the back pockets. The hats have a dual purpose they are old but kids can play with them, they hang from a Amish basket hook from the ceiling (wrought iron). The computer stand was a challenge but it is covered in dark vinyl (all I can say about that is use a really good glue, this vinyl is very thick and I had to re-glue it 3 times). Well let's get back to the map.....
Cut to the size of frame you intend to use: 5 x 7; 8 x 11..I have a perfect square map and finding a frame to fit a picture square is a nightmare; most frames are oblong or round. If you intend to use a full size school room map, consider your wall, and yes some can cover a whole wall. To hang one of those attach to the wall or you could use a quilt hanger, and put weights on the bottom of the map, on the back, or glue to a shower curtain. You could also glue a section to a shower window curtain or cloth curtain (I will get to the cleaning part in a minute).
For the picture, simply take the back off of the frame that is your template; than put it on a area of a map you want to cut out, if you want a border, still use the template and cut the piece out, than take a ruler and pencil in a border; 2 in., 1 in....this will be your guide to cut, if you want a border. To make the border to fill in what you just cut out, simply use card stock what ever color you prefer, and use the template (the picture frame back), that way you do not have to miter the corners. Glue the map to that or tape, when finished with the aging steps and it is completely dry. Other wise go to the next step.
Paint the map with coffee and several colors of cold water dyes to give it a rich, aged texture. ( experiment around on a piece of paper first, write each color down what you did when you reach the right hue of color you want, than go to the map) These dyes are transparent and allow the map features to show through. Add metallic acrylic paint highlight (if wanted make sure it is transparent not opaque). I also use black or brown to age, water based paint and I thin it to where it is almost just tinted water. You have to let the map dry between each coat of paint, don't soak it. Dry the map with a hair dryer after each layer is painted. Hang to dry for 1-2 hours, or if you have a flat table surface. It is important to not soak it, other wise you might have drips and runs. After dry, the one I have has X's to mark the spot, special trails, etc., use a fine tipped magic marker for that.
Put the picture back together and you have map artwork. If you do not intend to frame, even on the curtains, etc. than seal it, and I don't like to use anything toxic in seals, so use decoupage ( it has several finishes; gloss, mat, flat..so decide what would look best when finished, the mat finish sort of dulls it). This finish allows you to spot clean or wipe the map down; if on curtains, hung on wall.
I have always liked Maps, the world globe, they speak of adventure. This gift would be a great guy gift, kid gift, mom gift, or traveler. Simply pick a map that means something to you: a trip, your town, dream trip, etc. On my wall I have a copy of the original map of the United States, before highways. It is interesting to see how the map of the United States evolved over time. Of course it is a frontier map, and it fits right in, it is a frontier room. Nothing but denim, kerchiefs, hats, leather, and dark brown woodsy furniture, hurricane lamps, old motorcycle, and car art (don't laugh it works well), than the mountain man art (scouts). The file cabinet even has faux finish (textured wall paper, painted woodsy brown, than aged and than I sealed it with...ack car wax...8) so it is waterproof. It is a interesting room everyone that comes into it, just wants to relax..because of the scene created. It is my spare bedroom, family room, library (yup woodsy book carts that roll). I also created a small cube (milk cartoon) game table covered in the kerchiefs, than put a lid on it, so the kids can dig inside for the treasure. The kids toys are in a old suitcase leather (no wheels) it slides under the dresser. The rest of the games will be in another old suitcase that fits under the Futon. The curtains are denim with kerchief ties and the swag is made from old jeans, with kerchiefs hanging out of the back pockets. The hats have a dual purpose they are old but kids can play with them, they hang from a Amish basket hook from the ceiling (wrought iron). The computer stand was a challenge but it is covered in dark vinyl (all I can say about that is use a really good glue, this vinyl is very thick and I had to re-glue it 3 times). Well let's get back to the map.....
Cut to the size of frame you intend to use: 5 x 7; 8 x 11..I have a perfect square map and finding a frame to fit a picture square is a nightmare; most frames are oblong or round. If you intend to use a full size school room map, consider your wall, and yes some can cover a whole wall. To hang one of those attach to the wall or you could use a quilt hanger, and put weights on the bottom of the map, on the back, or glue to a shower curtain. You could also glue a section to a shower window curtain or cloth curtain (I will get to the cleaning part in a minute).
For the picture, simply take the back off of the frame that is your template; than put it on a area of a map you want to cut out, if you want a border, still use the template and cut the piece out, than take a ruler and pencil in a border; 2 in., 1 in....this will be your guide to cut, if you want a border. To make the border to fill in what you just cut out, simply use card stock what ever color you prefer, and use the template (the picture frame back), that way you do not have to miter the corners. Glue the map to that or tape, when finished with the aging steps and it is completely dry. Other wise go to the next step.
Paint the map with coffee and several colors of cold water dyes to give it a rich, aged texture. ( experiment around on a piece of paper first, write each color down what you did when you reach the right hue of color you want, than go to the map) These dyes are transparent and allow the map features to show through. Add metallic acrylic paint highlight (if wanted make sure it is transparent not opaque). I also use black or brown to age, water based paint and I thin it to where it is almost just tinted water. You have to let the map dry between each coat of paint, don't soak it. Dry the map with a hair dryer after each layer is painted. Hang to dry for 1-2 hours, or if you have a flat table surface. It is important to not soak it, other wise you might have drips and runs. After dry, the one I have has X's to mark the spot, special trails, etc., use a fine tipped magic marker for that.
Put the picture back together and you have map artwork. If you do not intend to frame, even on the curtains, etc. than seal it, and I don't like to use anything toxic in seals, so use decoupage ( it has several finishes; gloss, mat, flat..so decide what would look best when finished, the mat finish sort of dulls it). This finish allows you to spot clean or wipe the map down; if on curtains, hung on wall.
This is a Rose Compass; which I purchased at "CafePress" just key in Compass, Rose there are many different one's.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
DIY: Linen Tote Bag
DIY-Linen Tote Bag
Click
Click
Lot's of possibilities, I used to use something like this to carry the extras I needed in college (slipped my purse inside of) mine was bigger and sometimes used one for the extra books, they fold neatly inside of book bags for those extras when needed. Would be nice for a baby bag, or traveling when you shop, or when you go to the food market since they are doing away with plastic bags. Yeah, yeah I know they sale them in the stores, but half of them are not washable, if you are like me..if I cannot wash it, I will not buy it. Make a cute toy bag to or for day care with their name either sewn in or use cloth paint.
DIY-Linen Craft Box
DIY..Linen Craft Box..Covered
Click
Click
This lady has such cool ideas. This can be used for; toys, laundry, pantry, arts & crafts, you name it. For me also if I used like for magazines I would strengthen it with a double layer of card board inside, or place some flashing like they use for roofs. To water proof these use, water proof repellent (only for adults, not toy box, (read the can for warnings), or if you want a gloss finish use decoupage.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Cloth Laundry Bag...
This is a really simple craft in sewing...it is a draw string laundry bag..but I see tons of use for it; beach, diaper bag, food or shopping bag, safety emergency bag in a car, book bag, purse, gift bag, kids toy bag, etc....see the instructions below click the link ( would also be a good learn to ..sewing for children)...Also be nice to store hair care products, and I have a cloth hanging laundry bag in the restroom, I have a small like camper restroom, NO place for a hamper, so I found one with a hanger sewn in it and it hangs on the shower rod or on towel rack or on door knob..it is something like this, except also it has a zipper full length of bag, to unzip and take the laundry out, you can also remove the hanger to wash the bag, pretty smart actually....remember those smelly old hampers??.....below the step by step how too's is also instructions for a .....
- DIY Linen Pillowcase
- Linen Kimono Top
- DIY: A Handy Linen Sack
- DIY Linen Bread Bag
- DIY: Bordered Table Linen
Her instructions are simple; it is a DIY...sewing, crafting how too's and they are free you sign up by e-mail. I first signed on because I like linen, it makes awesome curtains, table cloths, bed spreads (on a window it filters the light and gives a textured look, on the tables looks professional and expensive, on beds what can I say it is airy let's air filter in) Yes, they sale Linen of all textures and thickness..and also cotton...and it is really wide like tailors, seamstresses use...so easy to make bedspreads and yes, you do save mega bucks..
Hey.....if you spot any cool idea sites or crafting, scrap-booking any arts, send the link and we will check it out.....
like she said you can make this bag as big as you want....that is a plus, plus....There is NO cost to sign up, I have been checking it for a week, so it's safe...
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
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