Craftzine.com blog: My Paper Heart Archives

Archive: My Paper Heart

February 17, 2011

Sugar Skull Art, So Yummy!

Jonathan Koshi's new series of pop culture icons dressed up in sugar skull finery makes me all kinds of happy. Each piece in his Get Your Sugar series is also less-fattening than that Valentine's chocolate you've got stashed above the breadbox. Oh, maybe that's just me. Nonetheless, take a peek...

And in related news, if you're a Star Wars fan as well as a calaveras skull fan, Jose Pulido's got your number over in his Etsy shop, MisNopalesArt. Check out this Gocco Serigraph, entitled Bobo Calavera.

Related:

Sugar Skull Tutorial

Fabric Sugar Skulls

February 7, 2011

Invisible Ink Valentine in a Bottle

Kate Lilley shows us how to make a lemon juice invisible ink valentine.

January 25, 2011

Patent Illustration Valentines

Steve Hoefer writes:

What better way for a maker to celebrate Valentine's Day than with a celebration of romantic inventions and innovations from times past complete with illustrations.
The cover of each is an original, amusing, Valentine's Day themed US patent that I've restored for high resolution printing. Inside are matching cheeky (and occasionally suggestive) Valentine's day comments. The back features a short description of the patent.

Feel free to download, share, and print the PDFs below. They are for 8.5 x 11 inch paper (5.5x8.5" cards) but can be resized easily. I've left the inside as a separate PDF so you can add your own wittier or more heartfelt turn of phrase.

September 30, 2010

Cute, No-Fuss Paper Towel Roll Flowers

Following up on my post about dried flower arrangements and how easy they are in so many ways, here's another great flower project that involves no remembering to water, no need to add sugar (or is it ammonia?) to keep the stems fresh, and no mess once the flowers began to drop their petals. Plus, this project is easy and fun to make, and you're recycling common household items!

I found this cute Paper Towel Roll Flower tutorial at Kolleen Kilduff's site, Design By Night. She has quite a few great recycling projects, so be sure to take a look around.

February 27, 2010

Subversive Finds: Carton Perforé

Subversive Finds

Carton Perforé: The Craft That Almost Killed Me By Julie Jackson

I'm not sure where I first heard about French perforated paper that could be cut into intricate designs, but I immediately wanted to integrate some cross-stitch into this craft. This is back when I was sane, before I actually received the book and assorted materials from France.

Now, I'm not afraid of a craft project that ignites my obsessive-compulsive tendencies. I've done some large-scale intricate paper cutting in my time, freehand, armed with only my trusty X-Acto knife. But I really had no idea what I was getting into when I was flitting around the la lambroquine website, optimistically tossing different items with French names into my shopping cart. I easily spent almost $100 on a basic book (in French) and assorted colors of perforated paper, plus a cutting knife. Be authentic, I thought. Go to the source, I thought. Maybe I'll make little cross-stitch kits with perforated paper and offer a whole new thing for my customers — who knows?

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February 26, 2010

Sneak Peek: New Lotta Jansdotter Paper Goods

My Paper Heart

As we wrap up our paper theme for the month, I thought it would be fun to share the new Lotta Jansdotter paper goods due out in April from Chronicle Books. I'm drooling over the Lotta Jansdotter file collection -- such a pretty way to get organized. Everything comes in a silkscreened plastic storage/document case filled with 9 file folders, 3 hanging file folders, cardstock tabs, and a sheet of labels. Organizing suddenly became a lot more fun! Stay tuned on CRAFT as we'll be doing a giveaway for these sometime in April.

See more photos of Lotta Jansdotter's new spring paper goods from Chronicle Books after the jump!

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CRAFT Pattern: Jellyfish Paper Lamp

By Matthew Borgatti

I love folding paper. I especially love how a few elegant curves and pleats can turn a plain sheet of paper into something that is beautiful, at once organic and mechanically precise. Looking at those simple shapes and beautiful lines inspired me to make this paper lamp, which resembles some kind of exotic jellyfish creature. Read full story »

February 25, 2010

Accordion Paper Clock

My Paper Heart

By Patricia Zapata

One of the things that I enjoy the most about working with paper is the challenge of coming up with a project that is contrary to its two-dimensional characteristic. The second part of the equation is coming up with something that is actually useful. This clock fits the bill in both instances and it now happily resides on the wall next to my desk.

The accordion fold is my favorite part of the design. I made a pocket in the back of the piece so that the colored paper can be switched out whenever a new color is needed. The clock can move around a home and be customized to compliment the décor of a room or fit in with a specific time of the year.

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February 23, 2010

How-To: Make a Travel Love Shrine

Crafty Chica Challeng: Love Shrine

CRAFT is celebrating love, glitter, and craftiness with the Crafty Chica Love Shrine Challenge. Preserve your memories and tell your love story by building a shrine that creatively reflects your personality and expresses your hopes and dreams.

I've been going crazy making these shrines! They are such great ways for me to use my ephemera and this project in particular includes some great memories. I heart NY, and my Travel Love Shrine is a like a three dimensional scrapbook of my time in the city.

How-To: Make a Love Shrine
How-To: Make a Wedding Love Shrine
How-To: Make a Woodland Love Shrine

For even more inspiration, check out the amazing entries in the Crafty Chica Challenge flickr pool. Once you make your own, please add it in, with a short description of your process. There are some great prizes, but if you make a shrine, you've automatically got the best prize there is!

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February 22, 2010

Custom Silhouette Cards

My Paper Heart

By Andrea DeHart

Minding my manners often means continually sending out thank-you cards for gifts relating to birthdays, holidays, and new babies. I've been known to resort to the store-bought variety at times, or to create a craft sweatshop in which my kids literally scribble on blank cards to add a personal touch. In an effort to use the remaining blank cards from our son's birth announcements, I was eager to find a way to make something unique. These custom silhouette cards are simple to make, and they can be used for any occasion. Simply run the pre-cut cards through your home printer for a cost-effective alternative.

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February 19, 2010

Vintage Labels for Your Personal Projects

I adore the beautiful line work and perfect colors in these vintage labels on iDiy. The celadon version is my favorite favorite favorite. Print them out and use them with any paper project you can think of. The beloved site has a clamoring in the comments for more posts, and I just know it's because Luzel and her writers have great style and a great blog that people can't live without!

February 18, 2010

How-To: Make Dryer Lint Paper

AshleyAmber makes paper using dryer lint. And if you are thinking blah grey, she suggests washing a red towel to get red lint. Check out her instructable, with great step by step shots.

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