Great Odds and Ends | |
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IDEAS AND INSPIRATION: -Collect anything that prompts an idea and make a scrapbook that can be raided when ideas seem thin of the ground. Margaret Beech, York, UK (These tips were included as a session on the above topic in a presentation to a Book Arts Guild) ___________________ WORKING WITH PHOTOCOPIES: Reductions: A reduction of 64% changes 11" x 17" to 8 1/2" x 11" and 8 1/2" x 11" to 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". Virginia Meltzer, Missoula Montana ___________________ Spray Krylon Crystal Clear on photocopies you are preparing for reproduction. You will be amazed at how it darkens a 'too light' photocopy, making the image sharper & darker. Virginia Meltzer, Missoula, Montana ___________________ Dust pounce on photocopies to be able to retouch better with gouache or ink. Valley Calligraphy Guild, Eugene Oregon ___________________ "GIFT" BOXES: I have an endless supply of very sturdy Agfa photographic paper boxes. The most available size holds 8" x 10" paper. My friend covers the boxes with various papers (not necessary her own decorated papers) and then fills them with a variety of items. Pieces of plain and decorated papers, card, ribbons, coloured pens or pencils, stencils, glue stick, card instructions and a small pair of scissors. These boxes of treasure then become gifts for her children's friends. She is never stuck for presents and apparently they are VERY enthusiastically received. I think that her own children enjoy helping to make up the boxes and the contents. Cecilia ___________________ WRITING ON UNUSUAL OBJECTS: Spray Krylon Workable Fixative on seashells, acorns, leaves, eggs, birch bark. Then you can write on the object. A technical pen or a Micron Pigma pen is a useful tool to write with on small objects. Valley Calligraphy Guild, Eugene, Oregon ___________________ Gel pens or kistkys filled with Golden fluid acyrlics are great for writing on smooth rocks or slate. Carol DuBosch Class ___________________ MAKING EASY PERFORATIONS: Make perforated lines in cards that need to be torn apart by running a pounce wheel (found in fabric stores) along a ruler. Margaret (Lammerts) of Totfield ___________________ HOMEMADE EMBOSSING FLUID: Mix together 2 teaspoons of water, 1 teaspoon of glycerine, 7-8 drops of gum arabic, and tint lightly (you barely want to be able to see it). This can be used with brush, and metal nibs, both broad edged and pointed. Carol DuBosch, Portland, Oregon ___________________ POLYMER CLAY: Save all the little bits of faux/real gold when gilding...it makes a terrific addition to handmade paper or polymer clay! Ann Van Tassell, creator of Wild Women Pins ___________________ And with your bits of polymer clay that has gold, marbling, whatever. You can make great pen rests. Similar to the chopstick rests with just a little blob of clay, flatten slightly, fit your desired pen in so it molds perfectly. A homemade pen rest. Originally posted by Maria Levy, Tucson, Arizona ___________________ FABRIC PAINTING: Ideas for fabric painting projects: Picture frames, mats, apron, place mat, toaster cover, tote bags, christmas stocking, christmas table cover, napkins, portfolio cover, book cover, greeting card, baseball cap, umbrella, wall hangings, tennis shoes, wine bottle tote, etc.etc.etc. Virginia Meltzer, Missoula, Montana ___________________ Brushes, both pointed and flat and automatic pens work well on fabrics. Class notes Joyce Lyster class, Letters of Joy ___________________ Besides fabric paints, acrylic ink like FW and Golden acrylic paints work well for lettering on fabrics. Let dry completely and then iron with as hot an iron as the fabric can handle. Class notes, Joyce Lyster class, Letters of Joy ___________________ SKELETON LEAVES RECIPES: Spread a single layer of leaves in a tray and cover with diluted bleach. (one part bleach to 2 parts water) After 24 hours check to see if the flesh has started to disintegrate. Keep checking periodically until skeleton shape forms. Rinse gently and lay on formica counter or piece of glass. Dab with paper towel to remove most of water and leave to dry. Pavasa ___________________ 2 Tablespoons of good dishwasher detergent in 2 inches of water. Boil leaves 20 minutes. (eg. magnolia, rhododendron, camellia, ivy, or any leaf with some solid meat on it). Place boiled leaf on firm surface and thump gently with bristles of toothbrush.Turn leaf over and gently brush away tissue. I don't think you should do more than a few leaves at a time in case they get over- boiled waiting for you to work on the earlier ones, but you can experiment. I guess you can pick a few more leaves if necessary. It is ages since I tried this. Good Luck. Ann, in Melbourne, Australia. ___________________ Boil in porcelain or glass (no metal): Virginia Meltzer ___________________ Virginia Meltzer wrote to me to say that a few people had asked her about safe disposal of the lye-water mixture leftover from skeletonizing the leaves and was wondering what the proper procedure might be. Since lye is the active ingredient in commercial drain cleaners (like Drano and Liquid Plumber), it's okay to pour it carefully down your kitchen sink (or any other sink in your house, or the bathtub drain for that matter), the only warning here being not to splash yourself with it. Your drain pipes will thank you for it! Lisa McKay, New Haven CT ___________________ SPECIAL GREETINGS: The White House will send free of charge, hand lettered calligraphic greetings to individuals celebrating a 50thwedding anniversary, a birthday over 80 , or retirement. Written requests should be sent to the White House Greetings Office, Room 39, The White House, Washington, DC 20400, within 2 weeks of the occasion, or fax a request to 202/395-1232. Virginia Meltzer, Missoula, Montana ___________________ GUILD MEMBERSHIP BOOKLET: One of the most useful things I did 7 years ago was to develop a small booklet membership directory for our members. The booklet provides quick access to reaching members either by mail, phone or e-mail. I used my PageMaker program to build this directory information. Each year it only requires inserting changes of address, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, adding and deleting members names. The member's birthday month and day are included after each member's name. A statement is included in the directory saying "members who wish can send birthday greetings, it is not a requirement". The Directory also includes a listing of the books in our guild library and a page showing the library rules. We also include a list of "calligraphy suppliers" names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses with a statement that says, "we do not endorse any of these businesses, this is merely a listing for your convenience." A bonus feature - we ask a member to design a cover each year and give credit in the booklet for their artwork. It gives our members a chance to "show" their calligraphy talent. Wilma Hardenburgh, Missoula, Montana | |