• Make
  • Cook
  • Read
  • Think
  • My Story

created for joy

~ make today

created for joy

Tag Archives: paper craft

Barton birdhouse

20 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by createdforjoy in Make, Read

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Barton Hollow, bird, birdhouse, craft, make, paper, paper craft, quick

paperbirdhouse04

I always listen to music while I’m making art in my studio, and the two go hand-in-hand for me. My music tastes are varied, but right now, I’ve got the album Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars on repeat. This little paper fella danced right out of it all a few nights ago.

The template for the birdhouse comes from one of my favorite craft books, Papercrafting In No Time by Clare Youngs. The birdhouse is small, standing about two inches high, and it’s made of a cardstock frame with patterned paper pieces layered on top and for the roof.

paperbirdhouse05

Part of what I love about this project is the challenge of mixing several patterns into a harmonious whole. The tiny bird, named Barton of course, is made from a third type of patterned paper, a sprightly, pale blue paisley. This little guy and his humble abode took an enjoyable hour start to finish, not bad for such a charming companion. :)

paperbirdhouse02

Advertisement

Paper plum blossoms

02 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by createdforjoy in Make, Read

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Asian, cut and paste, fragile, hope, make, modern, origami, paper craft, read, spring, springtime, watercolor

plumblossoms08

Usually, surviving February merits a celebratory rush of energetic, brightly colored projects in the studio. But it has been so unseasonably warm and mild this winter, I don’t feel quite the same urgency about ushering in springtime. I wore shorts the last week of February, and the weather is already playing its April games, revolving between sunny 70’s and thunderstorms. Tornado season also seems to have arrived earlier, much to my children’s chagrin. (There are only so many times you can make a game out of doing your schoolwork in the downstairs hall closet by flashlight.)

However, the last few weeks have felt distinctly February when it comes to matters of the heart, and this paper craft seemed the perfect fit: hopeful, but fragile. The blooms and leaves are made from pieces of a coffee filter. I folded and watercolored the small shapes, then glued them in place on a tree branch. (That’s twice now our Bradford pear tree has done something useful — pretty sure that’s a record.)

plumblossoms02

This is another project from Margaret Van Sicklen’s fantastic Modern Paper Crafts. Like the pleated paper bowl I made from the same book, this also required some complex paper folding and a delicate-but-determined touch. I found the leaves much simpler to make than the blossoms, but the instructions were clear and detailed enough to get me through it without frustration. And the nice thing about a paper craft with coffee filters is that your raw materials only cost a few cents, so it’s no great loss if (when) you have to start over.

plumblossoms05

Watercoloring the blossoms and leaves also required a gentle hand, but I love the effect gained as the paint bleeds into the fibers of the filter. I used to make watercolor coffee filter art with my kids when they were little, so this was a sweet reminder of those early homeschool years. My son and daughter are more complicated creatures now, but we all still revel in doing art together.

In the end, that is what my plum blossoms speak to: fondness and nostalgia for a more innocent time, determination to get through winter’s challenges together, and growing hope for the future. I think that’s a pretty good way to end February.

plumblossoms06

Pleated paper bowl

18 Saturday Feb 2012

Posted by createdforjoy in Make, Read

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

bowl, folding, handmade paper, Lokta, make, modern, Nepal, origami, paper, paper craft, Paper Source, pleated, pleating, read

Photobucket

While most people window-shop for clothes or browse the electronics aisle, I stare at racks of art paper. Our local Paper Source store has a dozen rainbow rows of handmade papers, with patterns ranging from candy-colored stripes to watercolor waves. Just the sight of all those deckled edges is enough to make me want to squeal a little. :)

When they stocked some gorgeous new handmade Lokta, I knew it merited a special project. Lokta is a paper made in Nepal from the bark of the Lokta bush, and the strength of the fibers combined with the light weight mean it folds beautifully. There is also something undeniably romantic about folding paper that was crafted in the heights of the Himalayas. I chose a sheet printed with delicate butter yellow and white chrysanthemums on gold stems, layered over a pale aqua background.

Photobucket

I wanted a project that would really showcase the paper, and my mind immediately went to the piece featured on the cover of Modern Paper Crafts, one of my favorite additions to my art book collection last year. The title features sections on folding, scoring, cutting, pleating, and recycling paper, and this pleated paper bowl was one of the highlights for me.

Photobucket

I like to practice intricate paper crafts on more pedestrian paper before I attempt the real thing. Because a lot of this project was about perfecting the pleating technique, it made sense to take the time for a dry run and get my hands used to the folding and scoring motions. I made my test bowl from some Alice in Wonderland scrapbooking paper, twice the size of the final 6″-square Lokta bowl I had planned.

Photobucket

If you examine the underside of the paper, you can see how the base and sides are formed. It required a lot of precise folding, but after one of those weeks that tested me both emotionally and physically, it was a joy to put on some ridiculously upbeat music and lose myself for a focused, rewarding half hour. Forming the final shape took some time, and I am definitely glad I tried it first before attempting it on more expensive, one-of-a-kind paper.

Photobucket

Other than doubling the Lokta so both sides would be patterned, the second bowl was just a smaller version of the first. It went a little faster at the final stages because I knew what to expect and I was so excited to see the finished product. It made me excited to try out a few other projects that I have had my eye on from the same book. I think I saw a piece of paper with clouds and cranes that would work perfectly… ;)

Photobucket

(Modern Paper Crafts; STC Craft: 2011; ISBN 1584798661)

Be mine

13 Monday Feb 2012

Posted by createdforjoy in Make

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

card, cut and paste, handmade, heart, love, make, paper craft, pink, red, Valentine's Day, valentines

valentine11

For me, February has only two redeeming qualities: the fact that it is a few days shorter than the rest of the winter months, and the appearance of Valentine’s Day halfway through. After weeks of unrelenting cold and gray outside, I am happy to warm up my studio with bright pink paper and red foil hearts, and I certainly don’t mind an excuse to eat chocolate. :)

I have always loved this holiday. One of the highlights of my elementary school years was sorting through my Valentine’s Day “mailbox” (a.k.a. my shoebox covered with an improbably thick layer of glitter) and examining all the tiny cards. I was thrilled to see my name written by so many different hands, to open dozens of little secret messages, and then sort them by cartoon character and color. In a tidal wave of zeal for the day, I even ate whole handfuls of Conversation Hearts, even though they taste more like chalk than candy.

valentine01

It is a shame that Valentine’s Day often creates such a vortex of angst and commercialism. Life involves quite enough pressure and uncertainty without adding worries over buying the right gift, making the right reservation, or finding the right partner on a deadline. I much prefer the old days, when you gave a valentine to everyone in your class because that way no one got their feelings hurt. I appreciate February 14th because it is a day to say “I love you” to the people I care about, to remind my friends and family how much I appreciate their sweet selves. I’ll take construction paper hearts and a hug over diamonds and a teddy bear gift basket any day.

valentine05

I had a lot of fun making my own valentines again this year. They wound up being more like miniature books than cards, a melange of all the papers, fabric, stickers, and ribbon that caught my eye. I made a dozen, but no two were alike — partly because I don’t see the point in making something by hand and then turning it into an assembly line, and partly because I have a little trouble reigning myself in when I get excited about a project. :)

valentine10

The end size of my valentines was about 2″x3″, much more reminiscent of vintage valentines than a traditional greeting card. They are small, detailed, have lots of texture and color: all my crafting loves. In addition to several papers, I used red plaid fabric from kitchen curtains I made a few years back and some pink and white toile from my daughter’s toddler bedroom. (She’s almost twelve now — always keep your fabric scraps is the lesson here.) The finishing touch was some translucent plastic, Valentine-themed die-cut shapes, perfect for tucking in tiny envelopes or dangling from pink embroidery floss. Valentine’s Day is one of those times when I indulge in all things girly, dainty, and pretty.

valentine02

One final caveat: even though I really enjoy making my own valentines, I offer not a whit of condemnation if you don’t. As long as what you give comes with genuine thought and feeling, you really can’t go wrong. May you have a sweet, loving day this Valentine’s Day and every day. :)

valentine08

Origami Photo Cube

10 Friday Feb 2012

Posted by createdforjoy in Make, Read

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

art, cube, make, memories, nostalgia, origami, paper craft, photo, preserve, read, recycle, valentine

cubemain

Remember the ubiquitous 1970s acrylic photo cube? It had a clear plastic outer layer and a spongy cube in the center, between which you could slide five of your favorite snapshots for fashionable, easy display. My grandparents had one in their living room, and I remember twirling it from one side to the next to look at the pictures over and over again, as if they might change on the next turn.

My favorite photo in the cube was of my grandpa and I: he resplendent in a silvery blue leisure suit, I perched on his lap in my favorite Snoopy shirt. He was a gentle, charming man with brilliant white hair and thick-rimmed glasses, and I was a preschooler with blonde ringlets and a ready, crooked smile. He loved to tell cheesy jokes, and I loved to hear them… we were a good match.

Twenty years later, at his passing, I found the same photo cube sitting on the side table. The colors in the picture were faded to shades of green and umber, but he was still there, with the same smiling, twinkling eyes. I wish I had kept that photo cube; I wish I had known things like that would matter so much more some day.

I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic when I saw a photo cube project in Trash Origami. Unlike the original, this one is made entirely of paper, but it is the same concept. In the origami version, the inner structure of the cube is formed from six photo-size pieces of thick paper — I opted for cardstock scraps, but you could easily use old postcards. A few simple folds layer them together without any adhesive.

cube05

The cube’s outer layer is made from folded photographs which serve to lock the structure in place. I used 4″x6″ prints from our visit to a San Diego botanical garden this fall. I thought it would make for a welcome bright spot in the midst of my husband’s thoroughly taupe cubicle. I love the variety of textures and colors the plants provide, but the cube could just as easily display snapshots of a new baby, honeymoon pics of the newlyweds, or photos of you and your sweetheart for a custom valentine.

Best of all, it could even preserve a moment of laughter shared between grandfather and granddaughter. And although some day soon the clothes in the pictures and the technology used to capture them will again be obsolete, the memories never will. These jokes are for you, Daddy R.E. :)

Two atoms are walking along when one suddenly says to the other, “I’ve just lost one of my electrons!”
“Are you sure?” asks his buddy.
“Yes,” replies the first atom. “I’m positive.”

How do you make a Venetian blind?
Poke him in the eye.

What do you call a fish without eyes?
A fsh.

cube06

Kirigami bookmark

01 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by createdforjoy in Make

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

bookmark, cut and paste, kirigami, paper craft, papercutting

bookmark01

Kirigami is origami’s scissor-wielding cousin, from the Japanese kiru meaning “to cut” and kami meaning “paper.” I have been anxious to try my hand at this sort of precision papercutting ever since I got a CutterBee Reatractable Knife for Christmas. It looks like the ergonomic lovechild of an X-acto hobby knife and a ballpoint pen, and the hands-free blade replacement cartridge is much less hazardous than trying to snap off the tip to get a new sharp edge. (Unlike the kitchen, so far I have never had an injury in the studio that required stitches, and I would like to keep it that way! :)

If there is one thing I can always use more of, it’s bookmarks, so I decided that’s how I would use my first little piece of kirigami. I traced the floral leaf motif from a cutting template in Papercrafting In No Time; I have learned the wisdom in having training wheels when trying out a new type of art. As I get more proficient at the cutting techniques themselves, I would like to try sketching my own designs.

bookmark02

I made the papercutting out of plain white cardstock, then mounted it on some printed paper for contrast. The top layer slides back to reveal another printed paper and an appropriately bookmark-ish quote. This project only took about an hour start-to-finish, and I see bookmarks of all shapes and sizes in my future. Now if I could just figure out how to construct a few more bookshelves with paper and a cutting tool, I would be set… :)

Hope Collection

30 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by createdforjoy in Make, Think

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bible, collection, encouragement, faith, history, hope, paper craft, past, printers tray, specimen tray, verses, vintage

tray03

I am a collector by nature. Not of anything obvious or mainstream, like stamps or rare coins, but of the things that inspire me: vintage valentines, old books and photographs, tiny resin flowers, and Japanese glass beads. I have a pair of antique opera glasses that thrill me with their aged mother-of-pearl, enamel, and brass, and the single-word inscription Paris. I have tucked away fall leaves that look as if each one was hand-watercolored, bits of wool and velvet ribbon, a handful of board game pieces smoothed and worn by the fingers of children who could easily have been my grandparents. None of them bear much monetary worth, but measured in sentiment and beauty, they have great value to me.

When I set out to make a birthday gift earlier this month for one of my dearest friends, I thought a lot about the items I have collected and what they mean to me. She is also a lover of history who understands how a connection to the past can give you steadier feet in the present. We have both had our share of challenges recently and discovered that there is great faith and hope to be found in the midst of pain and loss. I set out to build her a collection of items that symbolize hope to me, then give them words — a sort of visual and spiritual scavenger hunt.

tray04

The container itself is a printer’s tray, sometimes also called a specimen tray, depending on whether you lean more toward bibliophile or biologist. I filled it with the kinds of things I think someone might make and collect over a lifetime, a very personalized sort of natural history museum: rocks and feathers, shells and dried flowers, bits of embroidery and handmade paper snowflakes.

tray05

Underneath each smaller box is a Bible verse that links directly to the item above, so that each little compartment hides a secret message of encouragement. My hope is that after reading the verses a few times, just seeing the pieces of the collection will be enough to call to mind the words behind them.

tray07

tray06

tray08

The most challenging task in the whole project was covering each of the 21 inner boxes, ranging in size from 1-1/2″ squares to 3″x6″ rectangles, with a half dozen layers of tissue paper, cardstock, and sealant. The vintage text and rich green, purple, and mustard are much more visually appealing to me than its original gray craft paper covering. It was detailed, time-consuming work, but it gave me plenty of time to plan the contents and verses. As is often the way with this kind of artwork, I was definitely blessed and encouraged myself by the process of creating it.

tray09

Trash to Treasure

25 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by createdforjoy in Make, Read

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

art, book, creative, dust jacket, folding, origami, paper, paper craft, recycle, responsible, reuse, trash

curlermain

The amount of daily junkmail that finds its way to our mailbox is unfathomable to me, and whether I toss it in the trash or recycling bin, I still always feel a twinge of regret. Paper is one of my favorite things, and it seems so wrong to have pages and pages of the stuff pass through my hands for mere moments before being relegated to the incinerator. It’s not the trees’ fault that coupons for carpet cleaning and sports bars landed at the home of someone with laminate floors and food allergies.

Enter my recycling bin’s new best friend, Trash Origami: 25 Paper Folding Projects Reusing Everyday Materials by Michael G. LaFosse. I love this book because it gives me a creative, fun way to make use of life’s flotsam, and it was clearly written by someone who cares that his reader succeeds. The instructions are clear and well-diagrammed, and unlike many origami books, there are full-color pictures of every project so you know exactly what you’re working toward. Even better, the book includes a DVD that shows an artist folding all of the projects, so you are virtually guaranteed to be able to finish what you start.

Photobucket

There is a great deal of flexibility in terms of materials, although some projects ask for a specific type of paper recyclable, i.e. candy wrappers, potato chip bags, or magazine subscription cards. Paper and nimble fingers are really all that’s required, although a ruler and sharp cutting tool are handy for trimming paper as needed. I also use a bone folder, a tool used to press down and get good, strong creases. (And, yes, it is actually made of bone. You can handle that three ways: revel in holding a tool originally conceived thousands of years ago; celebrate the macabre, gothic nature of crafting art with a bone; or just ignore it and pretend it’s plastic. ;)

curlerball10

As a book-lover, I am ashamed to admit that the first thing I usually do after purchasing a hardcover book is toss the dust jacket. (At least for books in the studio — my cookbooks need all the protection they can get. :) In the spirit of Trash Origami, I decided to make my first project out of the book’s dust jacket instead of throwing it away; in a further boost to the existentialist symmetry of the thing, I chose the craft pictured on the cover, a Curler Ball.

curlerball09

After cutting the dust jacket into a dozen 4″-squares, I folded and curled each according to the directions. Each of those twelve units was then linked by the curls to make four larger units, then those four were linked again to make the finished curled paper sphere. The final assembly step gave me pause, but with the help of the book’s illustrations and a little experimentation, I got it. I am utterly fascinated by how such a detailed structure can be formed without any cutting or adhesive.

curlerball11

The Curler Ball is one of the most complex projects in the book and took about an hour start-to-finish, but others are accomplished in a few minutes, so it’s all about what items and time you have available. Trash Origami is accessible for any age, although very young children will obviously need a helping hand. Paper folding is a great trick to have up your sleeve for any unexpected wait (with or without kids), whether it’s in a restaurant reception area or the doctor’s office. Add to that the ability to work with the lunch receipt from your pocket or the month-old grocery list at the bottom of your purse, and you’ve got a real winner.

I am a complete documentary geek, so I cannot write about origami without mentioning the film Between the Folds, especially since one of the movie’s featured artists also contributed projects to Trash Origami. My family and I were as riveted by the film’s amazing creations and the art and science behind them as we were by the interviews with the offbeat, genius paper-folders who made them. Beyond the Folds is available to rent and stream on Netflix, and after seeing the potential that paper holds, it’s impossible not to want to dive in yourself. You can find out more and see excerpts at the film’s web site.

curlerball04

Cheer up

17 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by createdforjoy in Make, Read

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

card, cardstock, cheer, cut and paste, flower, get well card, make, paper craft, read

flowercard1

With a bad cold making the rounds in our house, my family has been in need of comfort and cheer. For my husband, I made amberjack poached in red curry and coconut milk, full of ginger and chili, then we settled in for a marathon of the original Star Wars trilogy. (first theater release version, thank you very much — I’ll have none of that CGI-rendered Jabba the Hut ;)

Spoiling my teenage son/confirmed chocoholic is just a matter of baking the fudgiest recipe I can find and tucking him in with a big fleece blanket still warm from the dryer. For my daughter, it’s a cup of Sleepytime tea with honey and plenty of lemon, and some sort of little artsy gift to make her smile, like this blooming flower card.

flowercard2

The inner flower is the same size as the base, but the petals are carefully folded and each one tucked under the next to create a cute pop-up effect. I glued two sheets of printed paper back-to-back to get the patterns I wanted, but you could save time by using double-sided cardstock. I like that peek of the inner message as it opens.

flowercard3

The template for this charming little bloom comes from one of my favorite papercrafting books, Papercrafting in No Time by Clare Youngs. There are fifty creative, appealing projects in the book, and while “in No Time” is a bit of a stretch for some of the more complex pieces, they are worth the effort. You’re certainly not limited to the included instructions either — I have re-purposed several templates to create a whole new set of paper art. Definitely on the Cut-and-Paste Club reading list. :)

Photobucket

Gift Box

03 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by createdforjoy in Make, Read

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

cardstock, cut and paste, gel medium, gift, holiday, make, mini scrapbooks, paper craft, pocket, prayer, read, winter

giftboxmain

As we get back to our normal work and school routine around here, I thought I would share one last holiday-themed project. If there was such a thing as Paper Craft Engineering 101, this would be the final exam. The 4″-square box, lid, and double layer of pockets inside are made from four single sheets of cardstock, scored, cut, and folded to form the structure and its contents.

giftbox2

When you remove the lid and unfold the box, it transforms into four pairs of pockets. Each pocket holds a decorated, removable tag. The center forms the perfect hideaway for a miniature winter scene made from paper and gel medium.

giftbox3

I made the gift box around this time last year; it was a promise to the recipient to pray for the items listed on the tags: peace, love, wisdom, faith, joy, mercy, hope, and patience. (I certainly needed and received all eight myself in 2011.)

giftbox5

The template measurements for the gift box came from Outstanding Mini Albums: 50 Ideas for Creating Mini Scrapbooks by Jessica Acs. The rest of the projects featured in the book are more traditional scrapbooks, and this could easily be used as a keepsake album with pictures on the tags. It would make a fantastic birthday gift or present for new parents. You could also use the tags to record words of advice for newlyweds or wishes for a graduate.

giftbox6

Projects like this one take time, but I value the focus and solitude of those hours. This is definitely one of those crafts where being a member of the Cut-and-Paste Club comes in handy, but don’t worry — even if you haven’t renewed your membership since kindergarten, the club officially welcomes you back with open arms. Go get your scissors, I’ll wait here. :)

minialbums

(Memory Makers: 2009; ISBN 159963032X)

← Older posts
Follow created for joy on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Search

Recent Posts

  • Almond Butter and Jam Cookie Sandwiches
  • Bacon and Egg Breakfast Muffins
  • Loving the Kitchen
  • Creamy Chicken Noodles
  • Double Chip Molasses Oatmeal Cookies

Categories

  • Cook (48)
  • Easy-Peasy (3)
  • Make (37)
  • Read (24)
  • Think (20)

Archives

  • October 2013 (1)
  • March 2013 (1)
  • October 2012 (1)
  • August 2012 (6)
  • July 2012 (4)
  • June 2012 (7)
  • May 2012 (4)
  • April 2012 (6)
  • March 2012 (6)
  • February 2012 (9)
  • January 2012 (14)
  • December 2011 (15)
  • November 2011 (17)
  • October 2011 (6)

All original content © Spring Barnickle, Create Joy LLC, & createdforjoy.com, 2011-2014.

Feel free to link to createdforjoy.com or provide excerpts with clear credit and directions to original content; please ask before copying posts or pictures to your site or publication.

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • created for joy
    • Join 96 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • created for joy
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar