Wednesday, 10 January 2018

DECOUPAGED WALL CLOCKS

Hello everyone. 
It seems yesterday that we send new year wishes to each other and its already the 10th day of 2018. Time flies indeed !!!!
And to tell the time, we have wall clocks. 
Handmade clocks are always unique and enhance the decor in style. 
Today I would be sharing step wise procedure to create  a decoupaged wall clock . 

Decoupage is a wonderful technique to create home decor products. 
Some time back, I made a wall clock for a client. 
Considering the humid weather of Mumbai, the base material used was clear acrylic. 
You can use  a mdf base as well.
Since the wall clock was for the kitchen space, I decided to give it the shape of chopping board. The shape was laser cut from the clear acrylic sheet. The arrangement to fix the clock machine and hang the clock were made as well.

Step-1 
The first step was to cover the base with gesso. Gesso acts as a primer, giving tooth to the paint and is also must when you plan to decoupage on non porous surfaces like glass or acrylic.
I have used chalk paint from home decor (colour-  sheep skin. its a lovely off white colour ) instead of gesso.
Chalk paints are acrylic paints with chalky matt finish and properties of gesso. 
So if u choose to work with chalk paint, gesso can be avoided. 
Next I decided on the print of tissue that I wished to adhere. 




Step -2
I wanted distressed look to go with the tissue print. Decoupage is not just about adhering a paper to the surface. The work gets depth and dimension only when the paper merges with the background. 
Here I used distressing technique for the background. Apply black acrylic paint, where the distressed look is desired. Refer to the pictures for details.
Step -3
The next step is to adhere the selected tissue. Always tear the tissue with hand, do not use scissors. This gives a natural look and it merges well with the surface. Mildly sand the surface with fine sand paper to get a smooth surface, before laying the tissue.
I have adhered the tissue, using decoupage glue from Plaid called Mod Podge (matt finish).
When laying  a tissue, always work in parts, to get a wrinkle free output. 
Give a drying time of about 1 hour and then apply the top coat of mod podge over the tissue. The top coat seals the paper ( tissue here ) and prevents it from yellowing.
Note mod podge is to applied only on the tissue and not the surrounding painted area.

Step-4
Now its time to further work on the background to give depth and dimension. I have done some colour blending with a shade of yellow acrylic paint. The leaf image is a stamping done with green archival ink. Have also stamped the quote- the sweet life with black archival ink. Some texture is added through stencil, on the handle part using texture paste.

Embellishments make a world of difference. Here I have embellished with paper flowers, twine, metal charm and a cute cork bird. Kept it minimal though to make it maintenance friendly.
Step- 5
Leave the product for 24 hrs. Now the next day varnish the entire clock, both the paper and the painted area with water based varnish. Apply at least two coats with drying time in between. I have used Aquadur wood varnish from Asian paints. Its time to make it functional now. I adhered the foam numbers and fixed the clock machine and hands. Here is the final look of a cheerful, wall clock for kitchen.

Wall clocks are fun to make. Sharing pictures of some more decoupaged wall clocks made by me.

                                                 Wall clock for a girls room

Ethnic wall clock for living space

Happy day wall clock on fabric base 

I hope you have enjoyed the post and would try creating one for yourself.
The ticking of the clock reminds us to cherish the past, live in the present  and look forward to the future with fulfillment. 
May each passing moment brings new dreams, hope and happiness to all of us.
Happy Crafting from Craft Express
Create, Express, Enjoy !!!

Monday, 11 December 2017

DESK CALENDARS 2018

Hello friends, we are almost at the end of 2017. Hope its been a wonderful year for all of you.
Today I have crafted desk calendars to welcome 2018. They make perfect utility gifts for friends and family. 
The calendars are made on mdf planks of size 6 x 6 inch and have a stand behind to sit on the desk. The space for the calendar months can be used later to frame the most magical moment of the coming year.


Here's the duo, one for him and one for her. Have painted the planks with chalk paint WILD WASABI from Itsy Bitsy.
I simply love the colour, its very fresh and as you see can be used to create products for both genders.

For the desk calendar for men, I have done the distressing and stamping. Its a wonderful technique that can be done with chalk paints.


The calendar for her is more shabby. I have done doily stencilling, and embellished further with hand bag sticker and pretty flowers.


One paint colour, lovely chalk finish and two techniques, simply love the end result !!!!


I am entering my creation using chalk paint Wild Wasabi to the current Itsy Bitsy blog challenge10. 

Best wishes and  good luck to everyone from Craft Express for the coming year 2018.
I welcome the new year with my lovely goodies.

Lots of Love 
Vaishali Khandwala

Monday, 3 July 2017

MIX MEDIA BIRD HOUSE PIGGY BANK

Hello everyone. A warm welcome to my bird house !!!!

Today I have a step wise tutorial of my mix media project....A  bird house shape, mdf, piggy bank. So here you go....

Sand the mdf bird house. Unscrew the door of piggy bank and keep it aside. 
Stick some corrugated sheets of packaging on the roof of the house. 
Now cover the entire house with white gesso, including the corrugated sheets and let it dry completely.




Next I decided to add some crackle effect and exposed brick wall effect. 
For this, I  applied white crackle paint with palette knife on the roof and some areas of wall. While applying the paste, I varied the thickness, to get various sizes of cracks. 
I have used crackle paint from Decoart. As the paint dries, it gives egg shell cracks. Thicker layer gives larger cracks and thinner layer gives smaller cracks. 


Its worth the wait to see the cracks appear !!!!  They add so much dimension to the project. 
Remember let the crackle paint dry naturally. Do not use heat tool.

Next step is to create exposed brick walls. I did so by using brick stencil with Mont Marte modelling paste.

Let all the mediums dry completely, preferably overnight. 
Now begins the fun part.....To colour and embellish !!!!
I have stamped some leaves with black archival ink on the roof and base. Also done some random hash, background stamping. Do not do any work in the part, where door is to be fixed. 



I have coloured using spray colours from Lindys. Some purple, yellow and pink hues on the walls. A dash of orange and yellow on the roof. Highlighted the corrugations with copper colour acrylic. 
Spray the colours and spritz water to move them as desired, especially in the cracks. Give natural drying time between two colours or set with a drying tool. 




Colours can be of your choice and play with them till you get the desired effect. 
Now embellish with available materials from your stash. 



Final look of the bird house piggy banks, with some close ups


Small tip- when arranging the flowers, use a mix of small and big. Do not leave much gaps between the flowers.


I have covered the door with gesso. Stamped with my favourite lattice stamp and distressed the edges with pearlised rust acrylic paint. 





This bird house piggy bank  can be a wonderful piece of decor in a girl's room ...a wonderful gifting option as well. 


Hope you loved this beautiful bird house...I enjoyed making it.!!!

Happy Crafting....
Create, Express, Enjoy !!!!

Thursday, 22 June 2017

NAME PLATES


Name plates play very important role in enhancing the entrance space of a house. They speak volumes, not just of the decor inside but also of the person staying in the house. It is important to have a name plate as per vastu as well.

Today I am sharing with you few unique, handmade name plates. I have recycled left over planks of wooden flooring, decoupaged them to create these lovely name boards. You can use any piece of wood. 
Most houses have left over pieces of plywood during renovation, that goes to trash. Why not use them instead. Name plates are just one of things you can make with them, you can create many more handmade stuff for your home !!!!

                Left over piece of wooden flooring. I had a few of these in different sizes. 

I decoupaged this plank with a pattern paper, using mod podge. Choose a paper that compliments the wall colour on which the name plate is to be fixed. Also fit the ears ( metal hangers) at the back to hang the name plate. Do so before starting the work so that you do not spoil the finished surface later. 


Now select alphabets of colour that compliments the paper. Here I have used foam cut alphabets. You can use paper die cuts, mdf or acrylic laser cut alphabets as well. Colour them with acrylic colours,if required to match the paper. 
I have made small dashes on  the alphabets with permanent black marker to give a stitch effect. 
Next step is to embellish the name plate further. I have used  paper flowers, metal charms and chipboard laser cut out. The house numbers are of foam, painted with maroon acrylic colour. 

Making the chipboard piece-  First I coloured the chipboard cut out in a dark maroon shade of acryllic paint. Let it dry. Then gave a coat of clear crackle medium. Let this air dry. As the medium dries, egg shell cracks start to appear. Size of cracks depend on the thickness of coat of crackle medium. Now I highlighted the cracks by rubbing metallic pink acrylic paint and distressed the edges of the cut out with black. Happy with the crackle effect....

Crackle effect on mdf pieces, done in a similar way. The pieces are hung with the help of jute rope and I added a paper flower as seen. The jute rope is stuck all around the name plate like a border using silicon glue. 

                 Complete look of the name plate, ready to adorn the entrance of a home.

Do not forget to varnish the name plate. I have varnished using aquadur wood varnish.

Would love to share some more name plates made by recycling the wooden flooring pieces. 
                                                Warm welcome to the guest 

Now this decoupaged plank fitted with other left over acrylic piece to form an elegant name plate. 



                                             Light plays a crucial role in interiors......

I hope you enjoyed this post...Create, Express, Enjoy !!!!
Happy Crafting....



Thursday, 8 June 2017

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL....LIVE IT....CAPTURE IT !!!!

Hello everyone. Hope everyone is doing great !!!!

Today I have a mix media project to share. I have used the white washed alterable photoframe available at Itsy Bitsy as my base. Photo frames means memories to me. They hold the beautiful moments that we cherish and here is a great way to frame them up .....

I have a step wise picture tutorial for this project. 

This is the frame ready to start the work. 


       
                                                        














                   Step -1



Step -2                                                                             Step -3

                          Step -4



Step -5


Now here is how the frame looks......


Some close ups showing the gold shimmer of the alcohol sprays








So go ahead and frame one of  your precious moment....Life is beautiful....Live each moment to the fullest !!!!











I am entering this project to the Itsy Bitsy monthly blog challenge. I have used gold alcohol splash Golden Mocha and Citron Breeze. They definitely splash  golden touches to my crafty expression. Happy Crafting .....

Create, Express , Enjoy !!!!


                                                                                                      

Friday, 28 April 2017

BURLAP GOODIES

Hello everyone, Today I would like to share my creations using burlap sheets.

I have crafted a co-ordinated gift set for girl's room....A name plate, door hanger and a magnet. 
Burlap has great texture and it gives an instant character to the project.
As I was creating products for a young girl's room, I opted to use the white polka dot burlap sheet.
It made a wonderful background for the other elements in pink, yellow and green.
I have decoupaged the rice paper fussy cut flowers, butterflies and borders on the burlap sheet. Further did the colouring with the distress inks.
Added the name/ initial and further enhanced with a burlap border and pearls.




                                                             DOOR HANGER



                                                                NAME PLATE




                 The cute doll with burlap dress....love the character, added by the burlap.




DECOUPAGED MAGNET WITH BURLAP BACKGROUND.


THE LOVELY SET


I would also like to share bookends made by me sometime back. They compliment this set very well and can definitely be an add on to this one. The common elements are the burlap sheet and the colours.
                                       
                                       BOOKENDS WITH A LOVELY BOOKMARK

      
       FAIRY, FLOWERS, PINKS, PURSE...ALL SO MUCH A  PART OF GIRL'S WORLD


I always love making home decor utility products and completely enjoyed creating this beautiful girl room's set. Hope you liked it too.
I am entering my creations to the current Itsy Bitsy monthly blog challenge, using the burlap sheets. These burlap sheets from the store are great for projects and can be used in various ways.

CREATE, EXPRESS, ENJOY ......
HAPPY CRAFTING !!!!