As part of my school's effort to help raise money for Katrina, our grade level chairperson (who knows how much I like crafty stuff) asked me to make a little something to be raffled off during our big rundraiser. We will also be raffling off all kinds of other good stuff as well, and all the proceeds will go to an agency to be distributed. This is what I decided to contribute.
It's a paper Christmas centerpiece. All of the items (flowers, pine cones, greenery, holly berries, candles) are all made out of paper. This technique is called quilling, and was (as far as we can tell) introduced by bored French nuns in the fourteenth or fifteenth century. It's also sometimes called paper filigree. I use it a lot in scrapbooking, and for making homemade cards. I find it very relaxing, and people are astonished to find out that all this centerpiece is paper and glue. I did not create the original design, though I have created plenty of designs of my own.
If anyone wants to start quilling in their spare time (what's that?!), the above link, and this one are good tools to help you get started. All I needed to get started was: paper (scrapbook paper works well), glue (I use Alene's Quick-Dry Tacky Glue), and a paperclip to start my coils off with. That's it. No fancy accessories, no major outlay of money.... I did buy a 50-pack of blank greeting cards and envelopes, and I've yet to use them all.
10 comments:
I'll join everyone else and say that I can't believe that it is entirely paper. Very pretty! How long did it take to finish?
No one else is saying anything! You're the first! :) (Or am I missing something again?)
Thanks! It took about five hours all total to finish it. It's not really all that difficult, but it does take time between sections to dry. That's why I use the quick-dry glue -- it helps speed the process along some. Plus, some of that time is invested in cutting the paper to the right sizes. I do all that by hand.
It looks very delicate, but actually has great tensile strength once it's glued down. It can get pretty roughed up before it shows damage. To keep something like this permanently, however, I would spray it with a fixative and a shellac or something.
Lovely.
I haven't gotten in to quilling yet--and between scrapping, cardmaking, cross stitching, embroidery, sewing, candle making and jewelry making, maybe I shouldn't. LOL But I will admire it from afar and say I'm looking forward to seeing other christmas projects posted up over hte next few months. :)
That is so beautiful!
Beanie Baby -- I know what you mean about taking on yet ANOTHER hobby! I also do all the things that you mentioned, and it always seems like there's a thousand wonderful projects to make, but no time in which to make them! I took on quilling a few years ago, and I also used to make my own perfume and soap, but have really stopped doing all that as those are both really labor-intensive ventures with relatively little output. At any rate, I will have to make a few more projects, and post them. :)
R2K's, thank you! It's a very easy craft to get started in. Check out those links, if you are interested. I've even taught this skill to girls as young as kindergarten! Of course, they are more proficient as the get more adept with small items, but it's good technique for making circles to form into bugs, catepillars, and flowers and the like.
Allison -- who knew that girls undies could look that bad?
Minions of Satan, I tell you! Looks like you have the trifecta of childhood suckiness: Legos, Polly Pockets, and messy undies. *sigh* A mother's work is never done.
Beautiful! I can't believe it is all made of paper either! You are too talented, Klee.
What is all this talk of undies?
Thanks, HL. The undies talk center around a comment Allison (www.allisontannery.blogspot.com/) made on her blog about her sons and their not-quite spectacular personal habits. I had to commisersate because Offspring needs some girlying up in that area as well. Her motto right now is "God made dirt, and dirt don't hurt." *sigh*
That's so impressive!
It's gorgeous, and I feel so inadequate.
Post a Comment