Unique Picture Frames

     

        Voila! Found a wonderful way to use my miniature bags and slippers - as embellishments for my handmade picture frames!

       The picture frame skeleton is crafted from No. 20 chipboard wrapped in various colored crafts paper as needed. To add texture and design, I wrapped the face in reused embroidered abaca cutwork material. 

     

Finally, I chose slippers and bags that compliment each other and glued them over carefully on the picture frame face.

    The picture frames include a thin glass photo cover which I had to remove as I can't get good picture shots without camera reflections. Instead of glass, acrylic clear sheets may be used. It is a cheaper alternative, but is less durable, easily scratched and loses its luster in a short time. 

CUTIE PIE SLIPPERS FOR SCRAPBOOKING

These cute slippers which measure to about an inch and 1/4,  are almost like the real rubber flip-flops that is so "in" today. They will make wonderful additions to your scrapbooks. And they are really fun to do!

 These are made of rubber foam discards about 1/4 cm. thick, which were used by my niece in their arts class.  Layer them in at least two colors so they look just like the real flip flops. You can experiment with other slipper designs as you learn the basics.

For a pair of cute flip-flops, here's how to do it!

Step 1: Make a slipper pattern. Use a firm cardboard.

Step 2: Layer two recycled foam sheets big enough for your slipper size, by gluing one on top of the other (use contact cement) two sheets of different colors.

Step 3: Trace the pattern onto the layered sheets. To make the pair, turn over the pattern and trace. Do not cut yet!

Step 4: Trace the pattern on another foam sheet (same color as the sole). This will be the top of your slipper. Mark the holes for the straps. Do the same for the pair (turn over pattern and trace). Do not cut.

Step 5: Cut 2 thin strips ( 1/4 cm. x 10 cm.) of the foam sheet of the same color as the middle layer. Fold each strip in two equal lengths.

Step 6: Use a sharp cutter/artist's knife to cut a hole on the marks you made in step 4. On the single hole at the upper part, carefully slip in about 1/2 cm. of the folded part of the strap.  Then slip in one of each end to each of the two lower holes. Cut excess strip leaving just enough to fold inwards and attach to bottom of slipper (Use contact cement as they work well with rubber foams).

Step 7: Attach, using contact cement, the top layer with the straps to the layered sheets you made in step 2.

Step 8: With a really sharp pair of scissors, cut out the slipper following the pattern you made in step 3.

Step 9: Finish off by very gently sanding (sand paper no. 12) the edges of the slipper. Be careful not to lose the shape by excessive sanding!

Have fun! :)

NO-SEW DOLL BAGS

Now here is a craft for both the young and old and a great bonding activity for mothers and daughters. All you will need are:
                                1) a pair of sharp pointed-tip scissors
                                2) recycled fabrics of choice
                                3) white glue
                                4) all-purpose contact cement
                                5) buttons, beads and other embellishment stuff
                                6) cutter
                                7) yarn (for bag handles)

        For beginners, start by choosing from one of your favorite, simple-cut bags as a model to work on. As you get a grip on crafting doll bags, your imagination will take-over and it will amaze you how easy it is to come up with "designer bags"  that are proudly your own creations.

        Study the construction of your model bag, decide on the size of your finished product and cut out a pattern. The mini bags shown above are about 1 and a half to two inches on either dimension (height and width). The choice of fabric is important to achieve a close resemblance to your model. If you want a bag that is soft but stiff enough to hold a shape, choose upholstery fabrics (like the left and middle bags above). If you want tote bags that lose its shape, shirt fabrics will do the trick. The bag on the right is of cotton but I backed it with cardboard (recycled!) to get that firm stay-put shape.

     

      First, do not forget to add at least 1/3 of a cm. to your bag pattern when you cut the fabric. This is where you will apply contact cement when you put together the body of the bag, right side in, then carefully and slowly flip over the right side out. In most cases, the body of the bag is first assembled before the handle/s are added along with the other embellishments as with this bag.

In some cases, as with this mini backpack, the handle is attached simultaneously with the body for a neat finish.


It is important to figure out the easy way to put the bag together but do not be disappointed if your first try do not end up as you pictured it.It takes a bit of imagination and construction sense to go about the project the easiest way.  But  with a bit of practice, each project will always be easier and more fun than the last.

     

PRETTY BOXES FROM RECYCLED FABRICS

       
         One of the greatest joys of staying home :) is being able to do the other  thing I truly love - CRAFTS! It is a real stress reliever and my creativity and imagination go to work. 

      For my first recycl-arts blog article, I am featuring this pretty, patched-up embroidered box. It can be used as jewelry box, or a gift box for just about anything which can fit in it. Cheap, brown, plain art boxes (you can find them in most arts and crafts stores!) which come in different shapes and sizes are prettily dressed up in recycled fabrics (used clothes and tailors' discards). The box container is wrapped neatly by gluing the selected fabric to it. Most fabrics can be used for this project although you will find that some are more workable than others. Another thing to look out for is to make sure that the fabric you choose is not too thick. Check that when both the box and the cover are wrapped in fabric, they will still fit to a close.  For finishing touches, I opted to use felt paper to cover the inside of the box.

         Working on the box cover is the fun part. With basic embroidery and sewing skills and a lot of imagination, you can turn it into a wonderful work of art. Experiment with different fabrics and work them out together in pretty patterns and colors. When you are satisfied with  a patchwork pattern, stitch them together. Then embellish with beads, ribbons, buttons and other recycled stuff that takes your fancy. A half inch foam beneath adds volume and dimension to the box cover. Make sure that the patchwork is carefully stretched over the foam and neatly folded and glued.

   

Since these boxes were crafted from way back, years before I learned to blog, these pictures do not show much details. I have given them away as gifts so there is no way I can take anymore pictures. But I hope to be able to re-blog on this showing a step-by-step instructional  procedure which I am sure will be more helpful and fun to follow through. For now, you can try to figure out the "how-to's" and enjoy putting your hands to work.       
        

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