Showing posts with label Gift wrapping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gift wrapping. Show all posts

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Reindeers and Elves: Handmade Cards


Well, there is a reason for my blogging absence...

Work.
Life.
Family.
and Instagram is faster and more immediate :)

Another reason is my commitment
 to making and gifting handmade this year.
No "Made in China" for me this year.

Oh,  one exception:
 I can't handmake a trampoline for the kids.

Here is a card I made tonight from
a vintage 1976 Golden Book 
 "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer"






Are you into Christmas this year?
Or maybe you just couldn't be christmarsed!
(got to love the Urban Dictionary)


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Art bangles: A class project for Primary Students

Now it may just be me..
but in my experience,
 the male gender aren't crash hot
 when it comes to buying presents for others.


This week I have been talking
 with quite a few mums
 about what goes on in their home for Mother's day.


Overwhelmingly, this is what happens:
It seems we mums buy our own presents,
subtly side passing them to our partners 
who in turn pass them on to the kids.

This has its benefits-we get what we want!
I know, because I'm getting a funky pair of knee high boots  (Oh! what a surprise!)

But really we mums have don't care about the present,
 it is the thought that counts.
 We are SO cliche sometimes!


Now I teach in a boys' college and I feel I am obliged to TRY and educate the young ones to think about others, especially their mums who do so much for them.

I admit,
 I also wanted to teach them about up-cycling,
artworks from a variety or historical and cultural contexts,
moulding materials and presentation.


So, we embarked on 62 bangles!
This how we did it...


  •   We began by soaking extra large paddle pop sticks in water for 24 hours.
  • Then carefully, we bent the pop sticks into a curve and put them in a small glass to dry for 24 hours. Some broke or splintered, but we had extras.




  • Next, the boys looked through old Art books and journals that were destined for the recycle bin. As they looked at the artworks spontaneous conversations, questions and analysis evolved. They chose an artwork that would become the feature of the gift tag and bangle.




  • A flat paddle pop stick was used as a template. Placing it onto the chosen artwork, they traced around the shape, cut out the art image and Mod Podged it onto the bangle. They sealed the outside of the bangle with Mod Podge also. 







  • To make the gift tag the boys used a circle punch to select a matching image. This was then glued on blue industrial offcuts. 
  • They punched white paper for the reverse side, glued it and wrote a sweet message for their mum.
  • Then the boys punched a small hole and inserted the string. 




  •  Finally the boys wrapped the bangle, inserting the information note below.




I know the boys' mothers will appreciate the care their sons have taken in creating this gift for them and the boys were very proud of what they achieved.

Incidentally, this activity also gave the boys practice with their fine motor skills such as cutting, tracing and accuracy. Never underestimate how many primary students struggle with these simple tasks!

Anyhoot- Happy Mothers Day!

Post Note: my children made me some gorgeous Mother's  Day cards, as did my wonderful husband AND my knee high boots are a perfect fit...who would have thunk it ;)


Also, the original pop bangle idea is not mine it came from the creative  Tara at Craft Affection.






Sharing this Elle and Lou post here:
http://www.kadie-sevenalive.blogspot.com.au/
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http://cheapcraftymama.com/pin-it-and-win-it-7/#comment-1199
http://www.releasemecreate.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.happygoluckyblog.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com.au/
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.craftionary.net/







Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Maths meets Art: Bunting to stimulate inquiry


When it comes to maths my mind is a black hole.

Simply put:
Algebra + me = coma


Sound familiar? Is this you? Your child? 

Well, I used to think this way and
 I thought I was super crap at maths.
It ends up -I'm not too bad actually!
How do I know?
Well I married a Maths teacher!



So many people consider that Maths and the Creative Arts
are at opposite ends of the learning spectrum.


I wish to assert an alternative and less common belief,
 that just as music and maths are intrinsically linked,
so are visual art and maths.




In my Art classes I teach about measuring, fractions,
how to visually divide an image, how to frame,  angles, pattern, tessellations...(big breath)...
the golden ratio, sequencing, perspective...
Do I really need to go on?




So if I can teach all this,
 why did I think I was so rubbish at Maths for so long?


Maybe it has something to do with the unimaginative approach of my Maths teachers from
 some 20 (a-hem) years ago.

Maybe it has something to do with
 the notion that Maths has an image problem,
 especially with girls.


So when the library staff at Mt Alvernia College,
 an all girl's school in Kedron
commissioned some maths bunting I jumped at the chance!

How exciting to potentially engage young womens' maths inquiry through the visual arts! 


I hope that when the girls' eyes wander
 that maybe they will begin to wonder....
"What does that have to do with Maths?"
"Is Maths connected with that?"

Any inquiry is good as it is the beginnings of engagement. 



Who knows?
The girls might even come to the conclusion
 that maths can be beautiful,
(something my husband has been telling me for years).


Envelope for Maths Bunting


Extra education for no extra fee:
In Australia we call the subject Maths not Math as they do in America.

Sharing this Elle and Lou Post @
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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Cinderella and Prince Charming Luggage Tags

My love of retro papers, microfiche and eco-cycling have been a marriage made in heaven
at least I think so :)

His and Hers luggage tags for the Bride and Groom to be.






Can you think of a Cinderella and Prince Charming, planning a long haul flight?






Sunday, February 5, 2012

Children's Gift Tags: Retro and laminate up-cycling

The new school year is only a few weeks old here in Australia.
Already, the weekends are filling up with class parties for my children's friends.

Presents to buy.
Presents to  wrap.
Presents to decorate.
Presents that need gift tags!


Lets face it- kids aren't really interested in cards.
They are usually just tossed to one side.
But a gift tag on the other hand....


A child will turn over a tag over, searching for THEIR name on it.


They love bright colours.


And these retro images will still captivate this new generation.

This new generation will also reap other benefits,
 because these gift tags are up-cycledeco-friendly!

They began their life as laminate sample discards-destined for landfill.


That is until I got my scissors and hole punch to them.


With paper on the back to write a short message on and a ribbon, they begin to take shape.


Naturally, the sweet images are also up-cycled from an old kids book.


I am officially gift tag ready!
http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com.au/

Monday, March 7, 2011

Button & Beads Keyring

A few years ago I bought a stack of buttons for 50c from the a little Church market stall outside the voting hall and this seems like a really handy use for them. This keyring includes one or two stray beads also. 


I can see myself making a few more of these as they are quick, eye-catching and feel lovely in the hand.



 This little something is for my dear friend


Here are some links to some other  similar ideas:
and