Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Moulding Clay Tip!


We've all heard about the amazing new Simply Pressed Moulding Clay, & Clay Moulds right? 

I love the stuff. I love how easy it is to work with.  I love how the options are endless with what you can make out of the clay.  I love that I can make the clay any colour I want it to be.  I love that one small packet of clay never seems to run out.  I love those moulds, oh so much.  They are so sweet. 

But, there is one thing I do not love about Moulding Clay.  It takes at least 12 hours to dry.  

Recently I held a Workshop where everyone needed a large clay flower for their project.  Due to the drying time, it was necessary for me to pre-make everyone's clay flower beforehand. I needed 8 flowers, which meant I needed to get started making them about a week before the Workshop.  I had a plan to put clay in the mould each morning, and let it set during the day and overnight, and each morning, pop out the flower and put in new clay. I did this for two days... and then promptly forgot, until it was the day before my workshop.  I needed 6 more flowers! How was I going to make 6 flowers in 24 hours? Let me explain how.

Push your clay into the mould, and PUT IT IN THE FREEZER! Yep, you read right, the freezer. Leave it in for 30 mins, pull it out and quickly pop it out of the mould and then place it somewhere safe to dry. You have to remember to act quickly though. It literally freezes the clay, just enough, so that you can easily pop it out of the mould to complete it's drying process. If you don't pop it out of the mould straight away it starts to return to room temperature and will pick up your finger marks. 

I was able to make all 6 remaining flowers in a couple of hours, and they were dry, and ready to go for the Workshop on the next morning!

If you have a great Moulding Clay tip to share, I'd love to hear it!

To read more about some of the fun things you can do with Moulding Clay, go here.

Christy

Monday, September 9, 2013

Mickey Mouse Punch Art

A couple of weeks ago I did a workshop for one of my lovely customers.  One of the things she asked to learn about is punch art, and more specifically, how to make Mickey Mouse punch art, as her son is a huge fan! I came up with a couple of options and wanted to share them with you.


#1 - Large Mickey Face  


Head: 2-1/2" Circle Punch (#120906) 
Ears: 1-3/8" Circle Punch (#119860).  
I have used Basic Black cardstock (#121688)   
Using your 2 way glue pen (#100425), stick his ears to his head.


Eyes: Extra Large Oval Punch (#119859)
Eyeballs: Small Oval Punch (#120908) 
Pupils: 1/2" Circle Punch (#119869).  
For his "skin colour" I use Pink Pirouette cardstock (#116203)
Whisper White cardstock (#106549) for his eyeballs
Stick down all the pieces using your 2 way glue pen. 

HINT: I find it easier to glue down everything as it's punched out so I don't lose any of the little pieces!


Mouth: 3/4" Circle Punch (#119873) in Pink Pirouette
Tongue: 1/2" Circle Punch (#119869) out of Real Red cardstock (#106578). 
Nose: x3 Large Oval Punch (#119855) 
Small Oval Punch (#120908) in Pink
1/2" Circle Punch (#119869) in Black  


Glue down your mouth pieces using your 2 way glue. 
Glue all three of the larger oval pieces together, but use Dimensionals (#104430) to stick down your smaller oval and the black nose. 
Next you glue the mouth to the nose.


For finishing touches use your White Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen (#105021) on his eyeballs, nose & tongue. He's a nice big size so he could really be used for anything.  I just thought he looked sweet on my Kraft Gift Box (#124106).

If you love Mickey, but want less work involved, try making his silhouette.

#2 - Mickey Silhouette


Head: 1-3/4" Circle Punch (#119850) 
Ears: 1" Circle Punch (#119868)  
I have used Basic Black cardstock (#121688)   
Using your 2 way glue pen (#100425), stick his ears to his head.



And you're done! I put together this sweet simple card in a few minutes. 

#3 - Small Mickey Face

And another little Mickey face, this time, he's a little smaller. He would be great on a toothpick for some party food bunting, he'd work well on a card, or gift box.. it really is up to you.  Here's how to make him.


Head: 1-3/4" Circle Punch (#119850) 
Ears: 1" Circle Punch (#119868)  
I have used Basic Black cardstock (#121688)   
Using your 2 way glue pen (#100425), stick his ears to his head.


Eyes: 3/4" Circle Punch (#119873)
Eyeballs: 1/2" Circle Punch (#119869) 
Pupils:  Hole Punch  
For his "skin colour" I use Pink Pirouette cardstock (#116203)
Whisper White cardstock (#106549) for his eyeballs
Stick down all the pieces using your 2 way glue pen (#100425).


Mouth: 3/4" Circle Punch (#119873) in Pink
Tongue: 1/2" Circle Punch (#119869) in Red
Nose: x3 Small Oval Punch (#120908) 
1/2" Circle Punch (#119869) 


Using your 2 way glue pen (#100425), stick the tongue pieces together, and then stick the two pink "cheeks" together.  Stick down the two nose pieces using Dimensionals (#104430). Then glue your mouth to the underside of the nose.  I've used my White Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen (#105021) to add some little finishes touches.


I love this little guy, he is my favourite of the three.  

Enjoy making your own little Mickey's!!


Christy xo