Irish History and Blessings, St. Patrick and a Kirigami dye project

Welcome!

Today is Day 9 in our 10 day countdown to St. Patrick's Day.

"May the Lord keep you in His hand

And never close His fist too tight."

- Irish blessing

Here's a leprechaun and a Celtic knot for you to color, or use it as a beading pattern, or applique quilting, or....

Dover Publications

Irish History

Paragon Publishing, 2002

"Saint Patrick's mission to Ireland appears to have lasted abut 30 years and its impact was immense.  AD432 is the date traditionally given for the start of his mission. It is probable that there was a small number of Christians in the country before this time, as Ireland had considerable trading links with both Roman Britain and continental Europe."

sheet music art, courtesy Indiana museum of vintage song sheets

Let's do a fun sweatshirt project!

A one-of-a-kind kirigami sweatshirt
You will need:
   * a washed sweatshirt, with NO FABRIC SOFTENER
   * a few 'trial' t-shirts, washed, with NO FABRIC SOFTENER
   * various spray bottles
   * kirigami pattern(s) of choice, cut out of scratch paper

tip: Pick one with bolder lines rather than one with a lacy design to start.

   * a cardboard insert to go inside your sweatshirt
   * waxed paper and scotch tape
   * fabric dye in a liquid form

tip: Try fabric paint that has been watered down a bit.

   * clean rags, paper towels, etc.
   * plastic craft gloves, if desired
   * various colors of puff paint or dimensional paint

Let's get started!
> Place newspapers on table surface and floor to cover.

> Place a trial t-shirt on papers, with front facing you.

> Cover cardboard insert with wax paper. You can tape the wax paper on, with the tape on the 'back' side. This will prevent bleed-through onto the back of your shirt. Insert inside t-shirt, wax side up, smoothing out any wrinkles.

> Mix up fabric dye to a consistency that will spray well from the spray bottles. Pour into spray bottle(s). Remember, you aren't filling the bottles, just mix enough for this project.

> Place your kirigami pattern on top. Tape in place with rolled up scotch tape, so no tape is showing from front.

tip: NOT the time to use double stick tape!

> Practice your spray inside your spray box, or an area that is well covered with newspapers. Try to make an even spray from the top, so the spray doesn't continually  go under the kirigami pattern.
> Start spraying your t-shirt, concentrating on the blank spots left open from the kirigami pattern, and the edges. If you want to use more than one color of fabric dye, keep the first color at a mist and not too heavy. Repeat with second color, making sure that all edges have dye on them.
    Tricky Part:  Lifting off the pattern -
> If you have 'pooled' fabric dye on your kirigami pattern, you can dab to absorb with a paper towel, without smearing the design on the t-shirt. Now, loosen the rolled up scotch tape, and lift to remove pattern.
Worst thing? Some extra, creative dribbles of fabric dye splat on your t-shirt design. Simply make these part of your design.
> Follow the fabric dye's information on how to set. Some want you to press with an iron. Some want you to wash & dry a certain way. Let fabric air dry first, then remove the cardboard insert if you have to go and set it. Otherwise, leave the insert in place so the dimensional paint doesn't bleed through.
> Finish with dimensional paint to accent. Add dots, short lines, etc. Let thoroughly dry before handling.
> Repeat with your sweatshirt. Go ahead and do some more 'trial' t-shirts too!

tip: I would definitely wash my just painted shirts all by themselves, or maybe with dog towels, or something that I wouldn't care if it got new colors on it!
This is a project that even your grumpy teenagers that don't like anything you suggest - will like! Adapt the kirigami pattern for something 'lightning' shaped and get your guys to join in!

Great project idea for boys/girls clubs, girl's pajama parties, Basement Babes, etc. as long as everyone wears "paint clothes" and socks. Put the shoes far, far away, unless you are including them in your dye project!

An example of a 'bold' design of kirigami, made into a greeting card by me.

To use as a pattern for the dyed sweatshirt, I would not add colored paper behind parts of the design (purple and pink).



"May your day be filled with blessings

Like the sun that lights the sky,

And may you always have the courage

To spread your wings and fly!"

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com

Butterflies, Fairies and Shamrocks

Hello!

"May the roof above us never fall in.

And may the friends gathered below it never fall out."

- Irish Blessing

I am starting a 10-day countdown to Saint Patrick's Day, March 17.

We'll be doing a bit o' green each day!

This front cover of sheet music is from one of my favorite web sites:

http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/inharmony/welcome.do

Bit of Irish History

Paragon Publishing Book, ISBN0-75256-139-1

Around AD600 the Irish imported books and copied them in their monastaries. They also took these books with them wherever they went.

An important library was established at Bobbio AD613.

If you are still working on your fairy wing mobile from March 6th blog, here is a web site that has MANY full color butterflies to be inspired by and to gaze upon:

http://www.insectframes.com/ButterfliesThumbnails.htm

Here is a vintage Irish fairy for you:

If you would like to give a live shamrock plant for the holiday, here is a site I found on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Green-Shamrock-PlantFlowersOxalis/dp/B000NUB2HM/ref=pd_bxgy_ol_text_b

I have always loved the delicate shamrock plant with white flowers. Browsing around, I have found there are several different types of shamrock plants. So, do some shopping and pick which one you like best!

image from:

27249-irish-womans-hand-holding-a-green-shamrock-clover-by-the-stem-over-a-white-background-stock-photo-image-by-anastasiya-maksymenko[1]

Altered Paper Doll Wing Project:

Let's make an Irish Fairy Altered Paper Doll!

Take a look at the butterflies on the web site mentioned above.

Put  your Green Oz Glasses on, and envision them in green!

Here is a base doll to get you started:

This is one of Tom Tierney's paperdolls from Dover Publications.

http://store.doverpublications.com/index.html

Here is a dress to go with her:

BUT....I want you to turn her into an Irish Fairy!  So, get out those pictures of wings, and play. What style looks best on her? How about detachable wings so she can have new wings for every day of the week?
I bet velcro would work? A sewing hook and eye?

Do I want to make the wings glittery? Refer to the tutorial on Fairy Wing Mobile and apply the glitter/paint suggestions.  Ranger's Stickles would also work great!

Have fun with your Irish fairy altered paper doll. Add some green crepe paper. Add a bit of green lace, or an interesting button. Cover her in shamrock stickers!

You can print out the base, and glue it onto a sturdy piece of cardboard (yeah - cereal boxes!).
What about gluing the base doll to a thin piece of balsa wood? You can cut this with your x-acto knife fairly easily. Balsa wood can be found in Hobby Lobby, or other craft stores.
OR -
Use just the outline of the doll to get you started. Now you can make the face or clothing style any way you want. Give her wild red wire hair!!! Give her dried moss for hair, and twigs for her arms and legs!  Add tiny white silk flowers at her wrists and ankles.  Does she need a proper white lace shawl around her shoulders? Use a bit of an old handkerchief with lace border.

I would love to see your Irish Fairy Altered Paper Dolls. Send me a picture!

Stamped  with Peddler's Pack rubber stamp.

I am so looking forward to getting a new printer/scanner soon. Right now I can't scan any of my projects to show you; I am relying on "old" pictures and clips.  Ah, such a reliance on the electronic age. Once you have it, you think you can't live without it. And perhaps we can't...

"There are only two kinds of people in the world -

the Irish, and those who wish they were!"

- Irish saying

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com



Cake, Quotes and Baking tips

Hello!

Swiss Alps town

"The atheist can't find God for the same reason a thief can't find a policeman."

Today is gray, foggy and a light scattering of snow looking out my window.

A perfect day for baking a cake!

The following is a cake recipe that my mother baked every Christmas morning.  It has a long baking time, so we would gather around our Christmas tree, and Dad would read the Christmas Story from Luke.  Then we would open our presents, one at a time so we saw what each of us received.

Then it was time for CAKE!!!!!

Neiman Marcus Cake

or

South St. Louis Ooey Gooey Cake

or

Gooey Butter Cake

(I have seen similar recipes with these different names.)

I will provide you with the recipe I grew up with:

1st Layer:

1 box yellow cake mix

1 stick melted oleo/margarine

2 eggs

> Combine these 3 ingredients with a mixer and spread into a greased 13"x9" pan.

2nd Layer:

1 box powdered sugar (3 3/4 Cup)

8 oz. cream cheese, soft

2 eggs

> Combine these with a mixer and pour over the first mixture. It's actually more like a glopping over the first layer!

> Bake at 275' for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

> Cake will become light brown and begin to fall in the center and will continue to fall as it cools.

How cool is that? A cake that is actually supposed to fall!!

Some recipes call for a sprinkling of powdered sugar over the top, but I find this unnecessary and just makes it messier.

courtesy of Dover Publications

http://store.doverpublications.com/

ENJOY!
I am sure this will become a family favorite for you, just as it has in our family.

"Peace on earth will come to stay,

When we live Christmas every day."

- Helen Steiner Rice

No, I'm really not in a Christmas mind set, but I suppose writing out the recipe for a traditional Christmas morning cake, and it being a bit snowy outside, I kinda' go with the flow!

COOKING TIP:

Do you have trouble getting your gravy to thicken? Does it always seem to turn out lumpy? Here's an easy, simple solution:

Gold Medal Wondra quick-mixing flour. It comes in a cylinder canister; easy to spot with its' bright blue label. You just sprinkle it into the hot liquid and it always works great.

Remember, when thickening anything, it will get more and more thicker after it sits for a bit. So stop trying to thicken just short of your desired consistency.

(oh, that's terrible grammar, but it says what I want it too!)
Go grab that cup of tea, and give yourself a few minutes of quiet.
Then eat cake.

inkspired
http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/
dominoes@myinkspired.com



Finishing Details, Kirigmi, Spray Box Beauties, Scrapbook & Rubber Stamping tips

Hello!

vintage ad for Sunkist

Today I would like to tidy up some loose ends, and encourage you to continue to play with many of the ideas I have mentioned in previous posts.

FINISH your project!

PUT AWAY all your creative messes!

LABEL your containers/boxes/whatever you use!

TAKE A PICTURE as a lasting memory!

SHARE with someone what you have created!

Of course, you understand that
                I have an extremely difficult time doing most of those!
:-)

               This lil' darlin' is from a shop in etsy.
http://www.etsy.com/
shop: caracarmina

ALTERED DOLL TIPS:

If you are super unsure about adding an embellishment, and it is preventing you from going any further - there's help for all you perfectionists!

There are a couple of tack-it-over, temporary fixatives that you should be able to find easily.

Aleene's Tack-It-Over Glue

repositional tape runner

repositional glue

Most of these you should be able to find in any stamping/scrapbooking store. At least one or more of these you should be able to find at large craft stores, including WalMart's craft section, and even perhaps your local Walgreen's.

A good tip to remember, even though it may say "can reposition any time" keep in mind that these are meant to be temporary. If you decide temporary may mean months or even years from now - don't! It may be impossible to remove an item safely without damage, or the temporary adhesive may leave a permanent stain or residue.

This doll sold on ebay. I don't have the creator's name.

More Altered Art Paper Doll embellishments to excite your creativity:

google eyes, in many sizes

pipe cleaners

baby blocks

address labels

fun flocking
pine needles

canceled postage stamps

rub ons

random beads you find on the floor

Barbie accessories like shoes, handbags, etc.

KIRIGAMI TIPS:

When using kirigami with the Spray Box:

Instead of newspaper placed inside the Spray Box, lay down a top layer of plain white paper/card stock/wrapping paper (we will call this scratch paper).

Now place on top the desired 'scratch paper' with the kirigami placed on top of that. Follow spray instructions in previous posts.

When you are ready to change Glimmer Mist colors, or desired card stock, move the bottom 'scratch' paper around.

By the end of your spraying session, you should have quite a nice pile of 'scratch' paper that is ready to use as is, as backgrounds for scrapbooking pages, layers for card making, the ideas are limitless.

This is a two-in-one activity that works wonderfully!

                             Glimmer Mists:  http://www.mytatteredangels.com/

                 Here is another kirigami leaf pattern from

http://www.papersnowflakes/.com

KIRIGAMI TIP #2:

Are you having problems with your kirigami or paper blowing around when you are spraying them with diluted colors/Glimmer Mists? You can use small dabs of repositional tape runner or glue, or...

Try chopsticks!

I also like wooden skewers that you get at the grocery store for kabobs.

Pay attention that your chopstick or skewer is not interfering with your spray results. For example, that you leave a line across a lacy part.

You do have to use both hands however, which can be a challenge for some of us, especially on no-coffee days.  :0)

from Dover Publications



TIP: You can also use very small rolled up bits of scotch tape to hold a pattern in place. Try to tape only in large areas so the tape does not show through.

TIP ON A TIP:

To use scotch tape as a cheap alternative to double sided repositional tape, you cut off a small square or so. Roll it up so the sticky sticks to the sticky!

NOW pat the rolled up scotch tape onto your t-shirt or jeans. This will collect enough lint to decrease the stickiness. I use this all the time to hold in place a pattern when I do my papercutting/scherensnitte. I want to be able to remove the tape afterwards with no damage to my paper. This works!

CRAFTING TIP:

This idea is from my friend Shelly. She takes old CDs and puts a blob of glue on it. She then uses the glue by dipping a toothpick into the glue blob, and using this tiny amount of glue to place in small, exactly-where-she-wants-it areas.

She does amazingly detailed work, using this glue method.

SCRAPBOOK/RUBBER STAMP PUNCH TIP:

Are your paper punches getting sticky? Not punching all the way around? Leaving little torn edges?

Time for a day at the punch spa!

Translation: time to give your punches some tender loving care.

Tear off a piece of wax paper. Fold it in half. Now fold it in half again.

Punch folded wax paper several times with your tired punch.

Pick out bits of wax paper with a pin.

Tear off a piece of aluminum foil. Fold it in half. Now fold it in half again.

Punch folded foil several times with the same tired punch.
Doing these two things can really help to perk up your punches to punch their best.

Here is one of my favorite punching books on paper punched flowers:

http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Bouquet-Punches-Beautiful-Flowers/dp/1600590594

very addictive.

Well, hopefully that clarifies a few things for you, and gives you a few tips to make your crafting time as fun as possible!

For recycled projects in the future, continue to save your gum wrappers, old CDs, printed plastic bags with logos but not grocery plastic bags, and now a new one:

plastic lids from deli items, margarine containers, etc. We will be needing both white or clear, and any color, but a larger size.

"Nothing you do for children is ever wasted.

They seem not to notice us,

hovering, averting our eyes,

and they seldom offer thanks,

but what we do for them

in never wasted."

- Garrison Keillor

Have a good day. And I mean that, not just saying it.

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com

Scrapbooking, kirigami and St. Patrick's Day

Howdy!
Today will be a fun day of tips and quotes, and hopefully you'll start feeling a little "green"!

"For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way,

Good health, good luck and happiness

for today and everyday."

TIP: Time to check the closet and make sure you have some green to wear on Mar. 15th. If it needs cleaning or mending, do it now!

Scrapbooking and Kirigami really complement each other.

After cutting a few different designs in differing colors, spread them out on your work table/counter.

Set out a few pages of the scrapbook in progress that you have.

Get out some photos you want to scrapbook. Kirigami looks fab as photo frames! Ad one to make a big splash on your page. Use several pieces that overlap the edges and cut off the overhang. Save for later uses.

Play with color combinations. Do at least ONE that is way out of your comfort range. You might end up really liking it!

DESIGN IDEA:  Use your glimmer mists and kirigami stencils in your spray box onto sheets of 12x12 or whatever size your scrapbook is. After drying, take the shadow images sheet to your work table. Use the same cut of kirigami to layer over, slightly off center, the glimmer mist shadow image on your paper.

An example of colors: off white paper, gold and walnut glimmer mists, scrap kirigami to spray over, brown vintage look kirigami to layer. You are well on your way to completing a scrapbook page with vintage photos or memorabilia.

    Here is an original papercutting          Here is the sprayed paper

Note how the image is reversed. These 2 pictures are not my own. Unfortunately I have lost the info on who it belongs to. If you know, send me the info so I can give credit where credit is due.

Here is a  St. Patrick kirigami design for you to cut and play with:

This kirigami uses the quarter page fold. You take one square piece of paper. Fold it in half. Crease well. Fold in half again. Crease well. Print out the above shamrock design (copyrights by http://www.scissorcraft.com/). Fold using the directions above. Now you have a 1/4 pattern that can easily be cut, or transferred to your desired paper. Spread open flat and admire  your work!

HINT: make sure that your shamrocks are overlapping, and that you don't cut between them. You need the connections to keep your kirigami in one piece.

TIP: You can always iron your kirigami to make it flatter. Use a dry iron with no steam.

Wouldn't these kirigami shamrocks look pretty with a spray of Glimmer Mist over the top?

These two designs are copyrighted from DOVER PUBLICATIONS. They are found in the Stained Glass Book section. I would highly recommend that you subscribe to Dover's free downloads weekly club.
.
Here is an addy that I think will get you to the right place:

"Mary Davis, Dover Publications" <Mary_Davis@e.doverpublishing.com

This is a heart design from the discontinued Back Street Studio line of books. It is definitely okay to use for your own personal use. I'm not sure where they stand on multiple uses, but the general rule is you can make 10 items using their designs for "pin money", but you can't reproduce it and say it is mine.

This next card is a stamp from Peddler's Pack line of rubber stamping. Excellent line! I have stamped it onto the back side of a piece of acrylic. I'll give directions on how to do this with glitter tomorrow.

https://www.peddlerspack.com/

"A friend's eye is a good mirror."

enjoy today,

inkspired



Punches, Quotes and Oatmeal Muffins

It's a beautiful day today. A storm is blowing in, and all the trees and grass are tipped with lovely white crystals. I love it when that happens - it is so pretty.

"Begin doing what you want to do now.

We are not living in eternity.

We have only this moment,

sparkling like a star in our hand -

and melting like a snowflake."

- Francis Bacon, Sr.

Thank you to those who have given me some feedback. After some consideration, I will try to streamline this blog and make it a bit shorter. I suppose it doesn't make sense to expect everyone to want to read an "inkspired  book" every day! :0)

Let me know what you think!

Tip:  Punches

Are your paper punches just not punching as well as when you first used them?

Fold a piece of wax paper (I use 1 sheet folded into fourths.)

Punch through the wax paper several times. Use a toothpick or sewing pin to pick out any pieces of wax paper that may have gotten stuck in the intricate design ones.

Repeat, only this time with a piece of aluminum foil, again folded into fourths.

Punch through several times.

Doing these two steps can really perk up sluggish punches that have been ripping your paper, and encourage them to punch their best!

Here is a great muffin recipe that is easy to make, tastes really good, and is good for you!

OATMEAL MUFFINS

pre-heat oven to 425'

1 Cup quick cooking rolled oats

1 Cup milk

Combine rolled oats and milk; let stand 15 minutes

while you assemble the rest of the ingredients.

1 Cup sifted all-purpose flour

1/3 Cup sugar

3 tsp baking powder

dash of salt

1 well-beaten egg

1/4 cup canola oil or melted shortening (I always use canola oil)

Mix:

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into bowl.

Combine egg, oil and oatmeal mixture. Add all at once to sifted dry ingredients, stirring just to moisten.

TIP: over mixing muffins make them condensed and tough after baking.

Fill muffin pans 2/3 full. You need to either grease the muffin tins, or use paper baking cups. I like the ease and no-clean-up of the paper ones!

Bake:

425' for 20 - 25 minutes. Makes about 16 muffins.

Let cool a few minutes so the paper wrapping comes off easier.

Add-ins, if desired:

3/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp nutmeg

1 pared and chopped apple

1/2 cup of chocolate chips, or butterscotch chips

1/2 cup raisins or chopped dried apricots

or my husband's new favorite - dried cherries!

Remember, laugh at least once today!

inkspired

http://www.inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com/

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com

Kirigami, Rubber Stamping and How to build a Spray Box

Hello!
Welcome to my inkspired musings!

Here are some rubber stamping tips to get us started:

TIP: I love using egg cartons and glass custard cups to hold all my little embellishments while I'm creating. The cups have a wide enough base that they don't easily flip over or tip.
I have the custard cups from Pampered Chef, and they come with lids!

TIP: Keep a shoe box full of blank cards, prefolded. These are ready to grab and add a pre-stamped image or word....good to go!

TIP: Keep a shoe box full of stamped images that are ready to use as is or in need of coloring. I grab my shoe box and sit in front of the TV watching old westerns, and color quite a few of them at a time.

"Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters

cannot be trusted with important matters."

 - Albert Einstein

Here are some examples of using kirigami and rubber stamping together:

HOW TO BUILD A SPRAY BOX

Okay, you are going to think me ridiculous, but here goes...

Get a big box, slightly larger than a paper reams box!



HOW TO USE A SPRAY BOX

You need newspapers. Plenty of newspapers! If you are any bit messy, you want to cover your floor where you will be spraying. Sprays have a way of getting where you don't want them, so make sure any over spray will be onto newspapers.

The one time you are in a hurry, and don't want to put newspapers down will be the one time you have a humongous mess, and you'll be regretting it. So put the newspapers down!

Place box on top of newspapers, on its' side, with all flaps open to give your more controlled space.

TIP: you need a well ventilated area - garage, porch, patio, driveway, etc.

If you are spraying inside, be sure to open a window or two.

Things you will need:

Small spray bottles- My friend Shelly uses the small travel size  hairspray bottles; when empty she cleans them and has a perfect spray bottle!

Paper to spray on to - stationery, cardstock, blank paper, stamped paper or cardstock, brown bags, lunch bags, blank boxes...

Stencils - KIRIGAMI!! Opened and laid flat.

Paper doilies of all sizes and patterns.

Skeleton Leaves. Vintage keys. Dried flowers.

You can also find a number of rubber stamping sites that sell delicate patterned frosty plastic stencils that are just gorgeous.

Things to spray with:

Just a few ideas: 

Acrylic paint watered down and in a spray bottle

Glimmer Mists, as many colors as you can afford!

http://mytatteredangels.com/

A mixture of water, powdered pearl ex, a bit of arabic gum (no you don't chew it, it's powdered!)

Spray webbing, sold at many craft stores

Diluted re-inkers, of the dye variety, not of the pigment family.

Okay, let's play!

Place your desired paper inside the box, on top of the newspapers. Place your kirigami cut out on top of paper. Let it hang over the edge. Start with one color of, let's say, Glimmer Mist. Do a light passover spray to get the hang of how the bottle sprays, where the spray lands, etc.

Be a bit more aggresive, and spray over your paper a couple of times. Not too much though, we are going for a light, misty look here. Just enough so you can see the outline of your stencil.

Remove your kirigami carefully. You can now add a couple of skeleton leaves or part of the edge of a paper doiley.  Choose a different color of Glimmer Mist, and again do a light pass over with the spray to get the feel of the bottle. Spray until you like the look, but remember:

If you spray over the first stencil too much, it will disappear. So keep a light spray hand! Just think about coloring Easter eggs - you dip once for allover color, then dip again for a second color or stripe. You put stickers on your egg before dipping, and after the dip, you peel the stickers off, and reveal the original color of the egg below. But if you continue to dip again and again, you end up with a brown, muddy looking Easter egg.

TIP: When layering colors of ink, always start with the lightest color. Then the middle color and last just a bit of dark color.

TIP: Choose no more than 3 colors to combine. Any more and the colors just get muddy.

Okay, you're done with that sheet, set it aside to dry. On the newspapers is ideal in case any of the ink wants to puddle. Your paper will want to curl up. That is okay, as long as the sprayed side is not touching itself.

Time to play some more!

Oops, there goes an hour!

How time flies when you are having fun crafting, or getting messy!

Once your papers are dry, you can set them under heavy books - like big dictionaries - and leave them overnight. 

Still curly? When you are ready to use them, you can use a dry iron to smooth out the sheets more.

You should have quite a pile of beautiful papers, card stock, and whatever else you chose to spray on.

After you return from the store to get more spray bottles and Glimmer Mist, you will be well supplied to use your spray box whenever you want!

Here are a few more picture examples of how to use your kirigami with rubber stamping:

Here are a few more kirigami patterns to inspire you:

with tip pointing up.

with tip pointing down.

That's all for today. Let me leave you with a favorite quote:

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments

when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."

 - Thornton Wilder