Day 262-paper bird garland

Today I spent the day in bed with a headache, so tonight's craft is just a quick one.
Remember a while back I cut out a paper heart garland and stitched it on the machine to a piece of ribbon??
well i have made another of these, expect this time with birds...

sketch your birdy 

 cut out in a variety of colours (x2 for each so you can sew them together and then fold them apart)

 a close up

stitch down the middle of the ribbon and then fold open

the birdy's and the heart's, 

an easy an fun craft to do with kids or friends

and look great to brighten up kids rooms (or yours...)

craft out

xxoo

Day 220-paper wheel lives on

The other day my fiancee was talking about the possibility of us seeing the extinction of books, magazines and newspaper's within our lifetime. His arguement went along the lines of the expanding use of computers and "E" readers, massive chains such as "Borders" closing down.... blah blah blah..... I of course don't want to believe it (even though I know he is probably right). So for now I will continue to mull over my copies of "Frankie" magazine's again and again with many cups of tea and when I am done I will love them all over again and re-invent them into creations like below.....

Pages from frankie

 initially I had this idea of using a foam ball as a base 

 and to then cover it in paper spikes (or mini trumpets if you like)

 I soon realized that would take a hell of alot of trumpets

 then I got distracted by how cool it looked when my trumpet's were colour coded

yep I got really distracted, but how cool does it look!

 so now I am trying to decide what to do with them all? should I join them to a backing to hang on a door or wall? 

or should I join them to a stick like a GIANT flower?

What do you think?

have you made any interesting creations out of paper recently?

email me to share your paper crafts at broncobowerman@hotmail.com

craft out

xxoo

Day 216 paper brooch

Tonight I have continued with the paper jewellery theme, creating some paper brooches

some old wrapping paper

fold over approx 1cm, keep folding until you have used the whole page

(you can also use newspaper or junk mail)

 create a tight pinwheel

 I have held it in place with a piece of wire to stop it from springing open

then paint the whole thing with a layer of PVA glue (let this dry and repeat, you may want to do a few layers)

 drying

once dried add brooch backs to complete your pinwheel brooches

craft out

xxoo

Day 215-paper jewels continued

Tonight I have continued with the paper jewellery experimentation.
I wound up some junk mail last night and then applied the PVA glue and left it to dry...

some of the paper swirls

 I attached an earring clip to the swirl

 I think it looks quite cool! love the red and the newsprint

craft out

xxoo

Day 214-Paper bracelet

Tonight's craft project starts a few years ago now... in fact 3 and a half years ago.
Andee and I had been travelling around europe for six weeks and we were at our last destination in Athens Greece.

andee and I in greece

It was a super hot day and we were wandering the streets looking for somewhere cool to stop for lunch. Although it seemed we had missed lunch and most places were closed for siesta. Down one of the meandering back alley's we stumbled across this artist studio/shop filled with giant canvas paintings and a large collection of jewellery made from paper, I was in heaven... and yes I tried on all the pieces!

me wandering thru the alleyways in athens

I ended up just buying one bracelet (see pic below) and returned home to Australia inspired to learn how he made these amazing recyclable, wearable pieces of art

it took me quite some time to work out all the elements

this is the pattern piece i ended up with

 it works well to make one cardboard template to ensure all your paper beads end up the same size

 ive used an old map book for this one, you will also need wooden skewers and PVA glue

 you roll your piece of paper very carefully and tightly onto the wooden skewer and then paint the whole paper bead with PVA glue (ensuring not to get glue on the stick-because you want to be able to get your paper bead off the stick the next day)

 after you have enough and they are dried you need a very long piece of strong elastic to wind your sticks together (2 pieces of elastic need to go thru the same stick in opposite directions)

 to create your own paper bracelet.

These take ALOT of fiddling around to get your technique correct.

I am keen to try out some new paper based creations in the following weeks!!

Craft out peoples

xxoo

Day 174, resource rescue and afternoon winter bbq

Today Andee and I went on an adventure to check out the "resource rescue" centre in bayswater.
This recycling centre has been running for over 20 years now and has recently relocated to the outer melbourne suburb of bayswater (just 5 minutes drive from our home).
Located in an industrial estate this warehouse collects off-cuts from factories and companies around Melbourne, anything from cardboard, foam, bottles, frames, fabric, wire, metal, plastic, tape.... its endless, a crafters dream! They supply a large amount of pre-school's with craft supplies and you can fill a garbage bag for $25 bucks!!! check it out at http://www.discountcraftsupplies.com.au/
I think this will become my new favourite shop!

the resource rescue website

 some pics inside the warehouse...

 and another 

as for todays craft its a little lame...

we were heading to a friend's birthday for a lazy saturday afternoon BBQ

and I had a bag of clothes for their 2 year old daughter, so I made a big bow for the gift bag

using some newspaper...

i actually ended up sticking it together in the car, "HA MOBILE CRAFT"

at the winter afternoon BBQ I was admiring their laden down citrus trees!!

such tiny trees and soooo much fruit! (lemons and mandarins)

 and a little afternoon fire was in order for the chilly winter day

craft out

xxoo

Day 168-Lovely lady cards for lovely lady friends

What can you do with a pile of old magazines and some cardboard?

Make some lovely cards for your lovely friends!

sketch a shape

 or a few shapes

start chopping up your magazines!

the card is attached at the top

 and flips open to reveal your special message

i think i like this one the best....

craft out lovely ladies

xxoo