tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79439888930841593292024-02-07T10:59:21.012-08:00The Golden Fingersthaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-2842570769285531002015-11-21T09:31:00.001-08:002015-11-21T09:33:10.978-08:00African printed and dyed textiles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Africa is a great and varied continent of wide horizons and clear blue
skies, which has long held a fascination for those born outside its
bounds. Over the centuries its wealth of minerals, animal products and
manpower has drawn in colonists and traders, slavers and missionaries
alike. Its huge population is of diverse origin: people of Arab and
Berber descent in the north, Khoisan-speakers and European colonists in
the extreme south, Nilotic-speaking peoples in the north-east, and south
of the Sahara a rich mix of groups who speak one of the Bantu
languages.<br />
<br />
Although the African textile tradition attracted little foreign
academic interest until the 20th century, African textiles found their
way into European collections long before then. At the Ulm Museum in
Germany, for example, there have been garments made of strip-woven
cloth, the characteristic weave of West Africa, since the 1650s, and
woven raphia cloth of the Kongo people (decorated with patterns similar
to those of the modern-day cut-pile embroidery of the Congo’s Kuba
tribe) has been held at the <a href="http://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/">Pitt Rivers Museum</a> in Oxford since the 17th century.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Nigerian-indigo-dyed-cloth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nigerian indigo dyed cloth" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4434" data-jpibfi-indexer="0" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Nigerian-indigo-dyed-cloth.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>To go to any market in West Africa is to experience an assault on the
visual senses. The market women will be swathed in brightly patterned
wraps – usually wax-printed factory-made <a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/the-batik-a-bit-of-theory-and-practice/">batiks </a>of
Dutch or local origin. At funerals, however, both men and women wear
mantles freshly dyed in sombre colours, which in Ghana are decorated
with <i>adinkra </i>patterns, block-printed on with calabash stamps at the village of Ntonso.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/African-cloth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="African cloth" class="aligncenter wp-image-4435" data-jpibfi-indexer="1" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/African-cloth.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Although some cloth is still woven at home for personal use, there is
a vast textile trade. The European wax prints, based on Javanese batik,
are an important trade item throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Damasks from
China and Europe are another major import, as it is on these and
locally made damasks that much of the tied-resist indigo dyeing is done.
And until very recently English ‘Manchester prints’ were hugely popular
and heavily traded.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Kuba-Raphia-Textile.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kuba Raphia Textile" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4436" data-jpibfi-indexer="2" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Kuba-Raphia-Textile.jpg" height="163" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Traditional West African cloths are often made up of very long,
narrow strips of fabric, cut into appropriate lengths and sewn together
selvedge to selvedge. Rolls of this cloth once served as currency in
place of money. Veils made from the narrowest strips are heavily
indigo-dyed, then beaten to produce a metallic sheen. So highly prized
are they by Tuareg men that, weight for weight, they are among the most
expensive textiles in the world.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Matmata-shawl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Matmata shawl" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4437" data-jpibfi-indexer="3" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Matmata-shawl.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Indigo dyeing is widespread in West Africa. The dye pits and vats of
Kano and Yorubaland in Nigeria and of St Louis in Senegal are justly
famous. indigo was widely grown and traded until recent times, but now
it is increasingly replaced by synthetic dyes, combines, in areas such
as Senegal or Mali, with an admixture of gentian violet to achieve the
deep, shiny purple-blue that is now so fashionable.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Adire-cloth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Adire cloth" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4438" data-jpibfi-indexer="4" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Adire-cloth.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Regardless of the dye used, methods of creating white motifs against
an indigo-blue background remain the same. Usually a ‘resist’ is
introduced into the cloth before it is dyed by stitching or trying
sections of it with raphia or cotton thread, which is pulled extremely
tight to prevent the dye from penetrating the enclosed cloth. During the
20th century machine-stitched resists became common in Nigeria and the
Senegambia region. Originally the machine stitching was done by male
tailors, but today – as the demands of commerce increasingly break down
occupational barriers between the sexes – it is often women who carry
out this work, particularly in Nigeria.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Adinkra-textiles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Adinkra textiles" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4439" data-jpibfi-indexer="5" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Adinkra-textiles.jpg" height="336" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
More akin to the Asian tie-and-dye tradition are the multicoloured
shawls from Matmata in southern Tunisia, while further south, around
Tataouine, the woven <i>bakhnug </i>wool and cotton shawls are masterpieces of the dyer’s art.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/raphia-Cote-dIvoire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="raphia Cote d'Ivoire" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4442" data-jpibfi-indexer="6" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/raphia-Cote-dIvoire.jpg" height="550" width="413" /></a></div>
<br />
Wax is widely employed as a resist medium for drawing designs on to
fabric, and in Nigeria cassava starch is the resist used to produce the
charming indigo-dyed <i>adire </i>cloths of Yorubaland. Hand-decorated <i>adire </i>
cloths are traditionally made by women and stencilled versions by men,
but Yoruba textile specialist Robert Clyne says that nowadays it is
often women who do the stencilling as well (although the men cut out the
zinc stencils). King George V and Queen Mary at their silver jubilee in
1935 is but one of the eccentric designs that have been used on <i>adire </i>cloths.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Cotton-Hand-Dyed-African-Batik.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cotton Hand Dyed African Batik" class="aligncenter wp-image-4440" data-jpibfi-indexer="7" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Cotton-Hand-Dyed-African-Batik.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In Africa painted cloths have a talismanic significance often
associated with hunting or warfare, and shirts bearing Arabic
calligraphy were once believed to protect the wearer. However, the
Senufo hunting cloths of Côte d’Ivoire have been somewhat devalued by
becoming a tourist item. Similarly, the <i>bogolanfini ‘</i>‘mud cloths’ of Mali are now exported wholesale to the United States.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Madagascar-cloth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Madagascar cloth" class="aligncenter wp-image-4441" data-jpibfi-indexer="8" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Madagascar-cloth.jpg" height="310" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Madagascar has textiles which show both Indonesian and mainland
African influences. Ikat on raphia is unique to the island, and
beautiful funeral cloths in plain warp stripes are also characteristics.</div>
thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-49993847795393301102015-07-29T08:32:00.000-07:002015-07-29T08:32:25.535-07:00How to hand pictures on the wall?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
One thing that is more sad than blank walls in ones house is to see a
single lonely picture in acres of space. Especially if it is hanged so
high up that nobody can see it. It does'nt have to be like this. And you
don't have to be in the possession of valuable pieces of art. Family
photos, childrens' drawings, posters or emerging local artist's work -
everything can look great on your wall. There are loads of different
ways that you can hang pictures. Here are some ideas and methods to
inspire you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/hanging-posters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hanging posters" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4347" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/hanging-posters.jpg" height="599" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/hanging-posters.jpg" width="379" /></a></div>
<br />
<img alt="" class="wp-more-tag mce-wp-more" data-mce-placeholder="1" data-mce-resize="false" data-mce-src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" data-wp-more-text="" data-wp-more="more" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" title="Read more..." /><br />
Clear
your floor and lay out everything you have to put up on the walls. Now
try out various arrangements of your items before you start banging
nails and screws into the wall. bear in mind that small pieces work well
when grouped together, whereas larger items might need to stand alone
to look their best. Experimenting will point you in the right direction.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<img alt="Hanging various pictures on the wall" class="aligncenter wp-image-4341" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hanging-various-pictures-on-the-wall.jpg" height="421" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hanging-various-pictures-on-the-wall.jpg" width="470" /></div>
<br />
Pictures,
plates and mirrors look great all mixed up together, but you could also
hang them in separate groups. For example, putting lots of vintage
mirrors together on one wall can be really effective. The impact of two
vintage mirrors above a dresser can be much greater than it would be
achieved with only one.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Hanging mirrors on the wall" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4342" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hanging-mirrors-on-the-wall.jpg" height="607" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hanging-mirrors-on-the-wall.jpg" width="451" /><br />
<br />
The same applies to hanging pictures as it does to displaying collections
- look for colours, patterns and textures that complement each other
and work well together. If you can't make this work to your
satisfaction, remember that similar-coloured frames will unite disparate
pieces.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Hanging various pictures on the wall 1" class="aligncenter wp-image-4343" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hanging-various-pictures-on-the-wall-1.jpg" height="399" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hanging-various-pictures-on-the-wall-1.jpg" width="474" /><br />
<br />
Once
you are feeling pretty confident that you have arrived at the best
layout and grouping for your pictures, you should take the following
step before you make a single hole in the wall. take a large piece of
paper and draw around the outline of each picture. Cut out the shapes
and you have templates of everything that might go on the wall. Using non-marking Blue-Tack, hang your templates on the wall where you think they should go.<br />
<br />
<img alt="eample of hanging the pictures" class="aligncenter wp-image-4344" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/eample-of-hanging-the-pictures.jpg" height="239" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/eample-of-hanging-the-pictures.jpg" width="472" /><br />
<br />
This
gives you the freedom to move them around until you have the right
grouping and spacing. It sounds like a lot of effort, but it is worth
putting in the groundwork before you start hammering holes into your
walls. Note that this is really a two-person job, so rope someone in to
help.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<img alt="Hanging plates on the wall" class="aligncenter wp-image-4345" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hanging-plates-on-the-wall.jpg" height="329" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hanging-plates-on-the-wall.jpg" width="470" /></div>
<br />
<span data-mce-style="color: #de9e1d;" style="color: #de9e1d;"><strong>Tips for displaying pictures</strong></span><br />
<br />
1. Hang them at eye level so they can be seen - that't the whole point!<br />
2.
Pictures also look good if they are close to a piece of furniture.
Arranging a group of them just above a sofa or side table, for example,
avoids that disembodied, floating-high-up-the-wall look.<br />
3. If hanging a large picture or mirror above a mantelpiece, keep the bottom edge of it close to mantel.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Hanging pictures on the staircase wall" class="aligncenter wp-image-4346" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hanging-pictures-on-the-staircase-wall.jpg" height="491" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hanging-pictures-on-the-staircase-wall.jpg" width="471" /></div>
<br />
4.
Imagine a line down the middle of your wall, splitting it in a half.
Hang your pictures on either side of the line, balancing each side up
symmetrically. Make sure you use a tape measure and spirit level to give
this look the precision it needs.<br />
5. If you prefer a more central
arrangement, try putting the largest picture in the middle of the wall
and placing smaller pictures around it, going outwards and upwards. This
type of arrangement looks good over a sofa, sideboard or any large
focal point in your room, and works well when your picture frames are a
variety of shapes and sizes.</div>
thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-19557647725563207972014-11-28T04:07:00.000-08:002014-11-28T04:07:29.779-08:00Beautiful Braids Every Weaver Should Know<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #825a2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #993300;"><strong>Braids</strong> </span></span><span style="color: #825a2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">are a byway of weaving. One of the many journeys weavers can go on. In amongst tying knots and intertwining yarn, we use braids to embellish our unique woven textiles. Weaving braids is addictive, puzzle-like and absorbing. Whether it’s for a trim, edge finish or a closure, braiding techniques are an essential tool in a weaver’s skill box.</span><br />
<div style="color: #825a2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; padding: 5px 0px; text-align: justify;">
Braids and ways of braiding have developed in the most extraordinary ways around our world. Japanese <span style="color: #993300;"><strong>Kumihimo braiding</strong></span> is done on a <em>Marudai </em>stand but can be explored on a simple cardboard circle or square. Andean sling braiding is a fascinating method of doing very tight complex braiding in the curled fingers of a fist without tension. And of course there are countless ways of using our fingers to build braids.</div>
<div style="color: #825a2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; padding: 5px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/bracelets.jpg" style="color: #cf880c; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="bracelets" class="aligncenter wp-image-3482" height="322" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/bracelets.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="484" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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The simplest braid to learn is the <strong><span style="color: #993300;">three strand braid</span></strong>. Most of us pick this up when we are faced with pigtails on hair. But look around for the four strand braid, which is a rounder style offering different color pattern looks or the <strong><span style="color: #993300;">fishbone braid</span></strong> with seven or eight strands. Any search on friendship bracelets will give you more ideas too.</div>
<div style="color: #825a2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; padding: 5px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="color: #993300;">Lucet braiding</span> </strong>can be traced to the Vikings and although it can be done on your fingers, it’s nice to use a wooden tool called a lucet or even a cut your own cardboard one. See how to make a simple squared cord and discover more about the history of this lovely braid technique.</div>
<div style="color: #825a2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; padding: 5px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/lucet-braiding.jpg" style="color: #cf880c; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="SONY DSC" class="aligncenter wp-image-3481" height="363" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/lucet-braiding.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="484" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #825a2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; padding: 5px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="color: #993300;">Kumihimo</span> </strong>is Japanese braiding and can create very complex braids. It’s easy to start with aneight strand braid on a simple round cardboard disc with slits cut in it and a hole in the middle for the completed braid. This is a particularly good one for the young weaver. The braid is impressive and very rhythmical to do. Use several strands of yarn as one of the threads to build a thicker braid as shown. When you’re confident, try a 16 strand one as it’s just as straightforward to do. You can also do a 16 strand braid on a square disc with numbering for remembering the braiding sequence.</div>
<div style="color: #825a2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; padding: 5px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/kumihimo-braiding.jpg" style="color: #cf880c; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="kumihimo braiding" class="aligncenter wp-image-3480" height="348" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/kumihimo-braiding.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="463" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #825a2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; padding: 5px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="color: #993300;">Loop or slentre braiding </span></strong>type of braiding uses looped ends and the fingers to build the braid, which provides nice tension as you go. The fingers are the perfect tools to hold loops and ‘walk’ the designs. Start with a 3 loop braid then try 5 loops. It’s always a joy to read about the history of the braiding.</div>
<div style="color: #825a2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; padding: 5px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #993300;"><strong>Andean sling braiding</strong></span> is the most intriguing braid method I’ve come across. It creates very complex and strong decorative braids but requires no equipment except the hand and skill of the braider. This Peruvian braid uses 24 strands, which might be tricky but a great one to explore the complexity and ingenuity of the technique.</div>
<div style="color: #825a2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; padding: 5px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/andean-sling-braiding.jpg" style="color: #cf880c; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="andean sling braiding" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3479" height="168" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/andean-sling-braiding.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="448" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #825a2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; padding: 5px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<em>text by Kaz Madigan (for Craftsy)</em></div>
</div>
thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-51326805328178201832013-07-05T02:47:00.000-07:002013-07-05T02:47:07.810-07:00Crocheted coasters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
These crocheted coasters are simple to make and will jazz up your coffee table. Make matching
sets in a range of shades to suit your home decor or make them as a gift
to dear friend. These colourful coasters are an ideal present for any
occasion - birthday, Christmas, happy retirement... It is small, unique
and house-warming gift. Pretty and practical, these coasters take less
than an hour to make and even include a useful crochet holder to keep
them tidy.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="mceWPmore mceItemNoResize" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif" title="More..." /><br />
<strong>Material you need</strong><br />
- cotton yarn in four colours (eg Rowan Handknit Cotton)<br />
- 3.75 mm (UK 9) crochet hook<br />
- 50 cm length of ribbon (colour should match with one of yarn colours)<br />
- daming needle<br />
If you are new to crochet, this is the perfect project to take on if you want to have a go at working in the round.<br />
<br />
<strong>Abbreviations:</strong><br />
ch = chain<br />
dc = double crochet<br />
dcblo = double crochet back loop only<br />
htr = half treble<br />
tr = treble<br />
sl st = slip stich<br />
st = stitch<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/coasters.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/coasters.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="coasters" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2916" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/coasters.jpg" height="438" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/coasters.jpg" width="454" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br data-mce-bogus="1" /><br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>How to make the coasters</strong></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
The pattern is worked in rounds - the yarn is fastened off after each round.<br />
<strong>Foundation round:</strong>
Using 3.75 mm hook and chosen colour, make an adjustable ring. 2 ch,
work 12 htr into a ring and join with a slip stitch into top of 2 ch,
fasten off yarn, 12 htr.<br />
<strong>Round 1:</strong> Join second
colour into any st from foundation round with a sl st, 2 htr into same
st, *2 htr into each st; repeat from * to end, fasten off yarn. 24 htr.<br />
<strong>Round 2:</strong>
Join a new colour to any st from round 1 with a sl st, 1 htr into same
st, *1 htr into next st, repeat from * to end, fasten off yarn. 24 htr.<br />
<strong>Round 3:</strong>
Join a new colour to any st from round 2 with a sl st, 2 htr into same
st, 1 htr into next st, *2 htr, 1 htr, repeat from * to end, fasten off
yarn. 36 htr.<br />
<strong>Round 4:</strong> Join a new colour to any
st from round 3 with a sl st, 1 htr into same st, 1 htr into each st to
the end, fasten off yarn. 36 htr.<br />
Using this pattern, make three
more coasters with different colour orders. When finished, press each
coaster on the reverse, using a warm iron and a damp cloth.<br />
<strong>Holder</strong><br />
Work
as the coaster to the end of round 4, do not fasten off yarn. Join with
a sl st into first htr. Place marker to indicate last st of round.<br />
<strong>Next round:</strong>
Do not turn work, dcblo into each stitch to marker. 36 st.Remove
marker, dcblo into marked stitch. Replace marker to indicate end of
round and work in dc until work measures 3 cm. Remove marker.<br />
<strong>Next round:</strong> Work 1 tr into each st to end, do not join, do not turn.<br />
<strong>Next round:</strong> Sl st into each st to end. Fasten off yarn. Weave in ends. Thread ribbon through the treble stitches and tie it in a bow.<br />
<br />
Source: <b><a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/crocheted-coasters/" target="_blank">The Golden Fingers </a></b></div>
thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-59294556926081822672013-07-04T14:39:00.001-07:002013-07-04T14:39:14.915-07:00How To Make A Pencil Roll<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This neat little pencil roll
is just great for the start of a new school year, for keeping together
favourite pencils or even brushes and little tubes of make-up. You can
add initials, name tags or button decorations if you wish, too. You can
use different materials, make a patchwork design or appliquè.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pencil-roll.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pencil-roll.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pencil roll" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2922" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pencil-roll.jpg" height="605" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pencil-roll.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Material you need</b><br />
<br />
- colouring pencils and other stationery bits<br />
- felted woolen blanket<br />
- tape measure<br />
- tailor’s chalk<br />
- fabric scissors<br />
- pins<br />
- iron<br />
- sewing machine<br />
- sewing thread<br />
- ribbons; three wide ribbons and one narrow<br />
- buttons if desired<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
<b>How to make the pencil roll</b><br />
<br />
<strong>1</strong>
Gather up the number of pencils that you have to pop into your finished
roll and anything else that might be useful to add to your gift
(brushes, ruler, eraser…)<br />
<strong>2</strong> Mark out and then cut
a rectangle of woollen blanket material that is taller than all of the
pieces of stationary you have chosen and long enough to space out all
the pencils, with about 10 cm extra. If there is a finished hem on the
blanket, use that one of the longest sides.<br />
<strong>3</strong>
Then, on the inside of the roll, lay the three pieces of ribbon across
the width of the rectangle and pin them in place, ensuring that all the
pins are clear of the edges of the blanket.<br />
<strong>4</strong> You
now need to neaten the sides around the roll. Turn over all the
unfinished edges and make a hem about 1 cm wide. Pin them in place,
press and then use zigzag stitch to sew them down. The ends of the
ribbon should be hidden under the hem.<br />
<strong>5</strong> Then,
using straight stitch on the machine, sew up and down in lines at 90º to
the ribbons to create tubes that are wide enough for the pencils to
slip into.<br />
<strong>6</strong> Finally, fold the piece of narrow
ribbon in half and machine sew it to the centre of one of the short
edges to make a tie. Hem the unfinished ends, too, with the machine.<br />
Add
buttons if you like to decorate. When you have finished, pop the
pencils and other little bits of stationery in, roll it up towards the
ribboned side, wrap the ribbon around the roll and tie the ribbon in a
bow.<br />
<br />
Here are some inspirations:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pencil-rolls-1-4.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pencil-rolls-1-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pencil-rolls-1-4" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2924" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pencil-rolls-1-4.jpg" height="452" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pencil-rolls-1-4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br data-mce-bogus="1" /></div>
thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-9799367319698934992013-04-07T09:19:00.000-07:002013-04-07T09:19:05.889-07:00Hot Water Bottle Cover<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Everyone loves a hot water bottle. The calendars and thermometers are not nearly accurate at announcing the arrival of cold weather as the calls for hot water bottles at bedtime. To make a beautiful and unique hot water bottle cover you can knit your own piece, but if you are seriously unaccomplished knitter, you can borrow somebody else's knitting to achieve the same effect.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="300" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/hot-water-bottle-cover-4.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<br />There is always some old knitted scarf that is slightly out of fashion, or your child jumper that is over-grown. Or maybe you can search for the old knitted or crocheted blanket. The fleece is very cosy and any such garment is more than welcome.<a name='more'></a>So let's start!<br /><br /><b>Material you need:</b><br /><br />- Felted jumper, wooly blanket or knitted garment... or anything you find attractive and suitable<br /><br />- paper for template<br /><br />- pencil<br /><br />- paper scissors, fabric scissors<br /><br />- pins<br /><br />- tailor's chalk<br /><br />- tape measure<br /><br />- sewing machine<br /><br />- sewing thread<br /><br />- narrow ribbon<br /><br />- darning needle<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/hot-water-bottle-cover-2.jpg"><img height="400" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/hot-water-bottle-cover-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><br /><b>How to make it?</b><br /><br /><b>1</b> You will probably need both the front and back of the jumper to make this cover, because you need to use the welt or finished edge at the bottom of the jumper as the top edge of the hot water bottle cover.<br /><br /><b>2</b> Draw around the rubber hot water bottle onto a piece of paper. Then draw a rectangle all the way around this, about 2 cm outside of any of the edges and the top of the hot water bottle. Round off the bottom corners to mirror the shape of the bottle and cut the template out.<br /><br /><b>3</b> Have a look at any pattern on the reclaimed knitting that you would like on the front of the cover, then pin the template to the fabric accordingly, with the top edge (where the cover will open) on the finished edge of the jumper. Chalk around the other three sides of the template, remove the template and cut out the cover front. repeat for the back. At this stage you may like to add some decoration on the front side - a bit of embroidery or small application.<br /><br /><b>4 </b>With right sides facing, pin the front and back of the cover together, making sure the two top edges are level.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/hot-water-bottle-cover-1.jpg"><img height="400" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/hot-water-bottle-cover-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><br /><b>5</b> Then, using quite a small straight stitch on the sewing machine, sew around the three edges of the cover, about 1 cm inside the cut edges, leaving the top open.<br /><br /><b>6</b> Turn the cover right side out. Thread the narrow ribbon into the darning needle and, starting at the centre of the front, weave it in and out of the woolen fabric, just where the narrowest part of the neck of the bottle will be, until you have threaded the ribbon all the way around the cover.<br /><br /><b>7</b> Double fold and hem the ends of the ribbons so they are neat. Put a couple of stitches into the back of the cover through the ribbon so that it can't be pulled out.<br /><br /><b>8 </b>Pop the hot water bottle inside the cover, pull the ribbon tight to gather the neck and tie it in a bow.</div>
thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-87564984909945303392013-03-28T13:35:00.001-07:002013-03-28T13:36:04.479-07:00Four Rules on How to Choose Right Vintage Furniture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Whether you are after original period furniture or second-hand
bargains to create your vintage look, there is always something out
there that's right for you. Just follow simple rules about planning,
searching and selection, and you can find fantastic pieces of furniture
for your home. And if they need a bit of TLC, check out some of the
techniques for restoring and looking after furniture so it will last and
last and give a wonderful<span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span data-mce-style="color: #d2691e; text-decoration: underline;" style="color: chocolate; text-decoration: underline;"><b> vintage look to your home</b></span></span>. Furniture is the staple of every room, and here are the four simple rules on what to buy you should stick to.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/living-room.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/living-room.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-2541" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/living-room.jpg" height="532" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/living-room.jpg" title="living room" width="448" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b><span data-mce-style="color: #d2691e;" style="color: chocolate;">Rule 1</span></b><br />
Start
with the basics, thinking about them as the building blocks of your
room. In the living room somewhere to sit is a must, so begin with a
sofa and/or armchairs. Bedrooms are for sleeping, so it's comfy beds all
the way. With these basics you have a functioning room. Everything else
can follow in time. The important point with essentials is to pick
pieces you love because you will have to live with them every single
day, and probably for a long time.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/bedroom.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/bedroom.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-2540" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/bedroom.jpg" height="450" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/bedroom.jpg" title="bedroom" width="450" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span data-mce-style="color: #d2691e;" style="color: chocolate;">Rule 2</span></b><br />
Don't cram your room with too much <b><a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/where-to-find-affordable-furniture-and-home-decor/" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/where-to-find-affordable-furniture-and-home-decor/">furniture</a></b>.
Start with the bare minimum and add other pieces over time. A bit of
breathing space between purchases is sometimes a good thing. When
buying, look for furniture that might be able to serve a dual purpose.
For example, you can think about storage potential when buying any item
of furniture because if a key piece can provide storage too, it's a
winner in your book.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/kitchen.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/kitchen.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-2542" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/kitchen.jpg" height="334" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/kitchen.jpg" title="kitchen" width="444" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span data-mce-style="color: #d2691e;" style="color: chocolate;">Rule 3</span></b><br />
Buy
the best quality you can afford. Flatpack furniture will come and go,
often very quickly, but classic, well-made furniture will stand the test
of time. Up and down the country in auction houses, markets and
thousands of second-hand shops, there is beautiful, high-quality
furniture for sale, and it will enhance your home in ways that flatpack
can never match. Invest in the good stuff whenever you can.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/bathroom.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/bathroom.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-2543" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/bathroom.jpg" height="427" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/bathroom.jpg" title="bathroom" width="427" /></a></div>
<br />
<span data-mce-style="color: #d2691e;" style="color: chocolate;"><b>Rule 4</b></span><br />
Think
practically. The furniture you choose should work for you and the way
you live your life. It shouldn't be a hassle or a maintenance nightmare.
If, for example, you have a busy family life, glass tables and white
sofas might not be the best choices if you want to be able to relax, or
you have a small children. Pick your furniture to make you happy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/children-bedroom.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/children-bedroom.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2544" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/children-bedroom.jpg" height="460" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/children-bedroom.jpg" title="children bedroom" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
Using this rules and carefully considering your furniture choices before you buy will pay dividends in your home.</div>
thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-31182761584896436612012-07-27T16:44:00.001-07:002012-07-28T04:10:02.559-07:00How to tie-dye the cotton fabric?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Source: <b><a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/how-to-tie-dye-the-cotton-fabric/">Golden Fingers</a></b><br />
<br />
While the cotton is the traditional fibre for <b>tie-dyeing</b>
in Africa and India, you can use almost any fibre for this process
providing that it is receptive for the dye and not too bulky to
withstand tying. For best results, select a smooth, fine cloth such as
cotton lawn. In general, man-made fibres are not as suitable as natural
ones because they don't absorb the dyes as readily.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="mceWPmore mceItemNoResize" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif" title="More..." /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-5.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-2172" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-5.jpg" height="383" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-5.jpg" title="tie dye 5" width="400" /></a></div>
Always
make sure that you wash the cloth prior to dyeing to remove
manufacturers' finishes and grease, since these may impair the results.
It is important that you wash the cloth in the hottest temperature it
will withstand (refer to the manufacturer's instructions for advice).
Afterward, make sure that you rinse and dry the fabric and iron it flat
before you start folding or dyeing.<br />
As the example here featured
reveal, everyone has their own technique of tie-dyeing. While some
people favour stitch-resist technique, others produce existing results
by binding objects like peanuts into the cloth. As you will see, the
results are often diverse, especially if you create your own dye colour.
The example shown in this step-by-step guide has been stitched in order
to resist the dye, but you can employ a wide variety of techniques -
from tying and binding to knotting, folding, plaiting and hand
stitching.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
For
a random effect, clamp areas of the fabric together with paper clips,
clothes pegs or bulldog clips. For a spotted design like that shown
above, bind small objects as rice, pebbles or dried peas inside the
fabric, then remove them after dyeing is complete.<br />
<br />
<b>Equipment & materials</b><br />
<ul>
<li>fabric</li>
<li>turquoise cold-water dye</li>
<li>blue cold-water dye</li>
<li>fixative</li>
<li>measuring jug</li>
<li>4 tbsp salt</li>
<li>absorbent kitchen paper</li>
<li>rubber gloves</li>
<li>needle</li>
<li>buttonhole thread</li>
<li>dyebath</li>
<li>wooden spoon</li>
<li>iron</li>
</ul>
First
mix up turquoise dyebath, making sure that you follow the
manufacturer's instructions. When the dye has completely dissolved, add
four level tablespoons of salt and one sachet of fixative (dissolved
first in boiling water). Wearing rubber gloves, immerse the fabric in
the dyebath and keep it submerged for at least an hour. When the cloth
has absorbed the dye, remove it from the bath and leave to dry.<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-1.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-1.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-2173" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-1-1024x339.jpg" height="162" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-1-1024x339.jpg" title="tie dye 1" width="491" /></a></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br data-mce-bogus="1" /></div>
To
produce a lozenge design on the cloth, fold the fabric in half to
produce two thicknesses and, using a running stitch and buttonhole
thread, stitch a series of curves 10.2 cm (4 in) in length along the
folded edge, making sure that you leave the ends of the thread free
between each shape. To produce a repeat lozenge design, repeat this
several times. Next, pull up the ends of the threads and gather them
into a pouch effect.<br />
To make the cloth resist the dye, bind the
thread tightly around the neck of each pouch. Then soak the tied fabric
in warm water to encourage it to take on an even colour when placed in
the dyebath in next stages of process. Gently dab off excess moisture on
absorbent kitchen paper.<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-2.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-2.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-2174" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-2-1024x381.jpg" height="183" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-2-1024x381.jpg" title="tie dye 2" width="491" /></a></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br data-mce-bogus="1" /></div>
Following
the instructions given for the turquoise colour, make a dark-blue
dyebath. Next, wearing rubber gloves, immerse the tie-dyed fabric in the
liquid and agitate it a number of times with a wooden spoon so that it
takes on the dye evenly throughout. Leave the tied fabric submerged in
the dye for at least an hour so that it absorbs the dye completely.<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-3.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-3.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-2175" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-3-1024x431.jpg" height="207" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tie-dye-3-1024x431.jpg" title="tie dye 3" width="491" /></a><i> </i></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<i>In order to give an extra depth and to produce geometric shapes, the author has drawn out selected threads from the cloth</i></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Finally,
rinse the dyed cloth in warm water and leave it to dry. When the cloth
is dry, untie the ties and unpick the stitches, then iron flat. Decorate
with drawn-thread work.</div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-28451268066889869382012-07-27T16:39:00.000-07:002012-07-28T06:20:31.483-07:00Braided rugs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Source: <b><a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/braided-rug-tutorial/">Golden Fingers</a></b><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span data-mce-style="color: #d2691e; text-decoration: underline;" style="color: chocolate; text-decoration: underline;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span data-mce-style="color: #d2691e; text-decoration: underline;" style="color: chocolate; text-decoration: underline;"><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
<span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span data-mce-style="color: #d2691e; text-decoration: underline;" style="color: chocolate; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Braiding rugs</b> </span></span>became
close to an art form, and going above the skills of someone who wants
to make simple and inexpensive floor cover. Rugs are today made from
pure wool, carefully designed to fit almost in any interior. They are
hand braided and laced with special threads.<img alt="" class="mceWPmore mceItemNoResize" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif" title="More..." /><br />
Other
rugs are braided by machine with an even braids. Big discount stores,
department stores and 'flea markets' are places where can be find this
cheaper version. Also, there are real braided rugs. Rugs the way they
were invented, made from real rags from old worn clothing and other
random cloths.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-6.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-6.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2271" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-6.jpg" height="440" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-6.jpg" title="braided rug 6" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Braided
rugs are not lifelong, but they could last for years and give you the
pleasure of making something beautiful out of nothing. They are great
joy to make and give one a sense of full self-content when finished.<br />
<br />
<b>How to make it?</b><br />
Cut
the collected cloth into strips about 5 com wide. If your chosen
material is too thin, cut it wider. Thicker cloth can be cut narrower
and that is the way to make the braids more or less equal in size. Most
people sew the strips together then roll them into a ball, but it is
much easier to start braiding and sew the strips together as you go.<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rugs-7.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rugs-7.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-2272" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rugs-7.jpg" height="450" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rugs-7.jpg" title="braided rugs 7" width="450" /></a></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br data-mce-bogus="1" /></div>
At
the beginning of braiding, you need a central piece that would not be
able to move. These sort of spindle will hold the spool of thread on a
sewing machine works well, but if you don't have that, tie the ends of
the fabric strips together and loop them over a some fixed point (handle
or door knob, or even close the beginning of the braid in door). This
end will be trimmed off later, but that will give you solid start. Keep
the material stretched but without any force and braid your three strips
just like you would braid hair.<br />
To join strips, hold them
together and make a square shape. Sew a diagonal seam to fix the square
you formed. Later you will need to trim any excess threads.<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-5.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-5.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-2273" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-5.jpg" height="357" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-5.jpg" title="braided rug 5" width="476" /></a></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br data-mce-bogus="1" /></div>
When
you begin to braid, try to turn the raw edges of strips inside where
they would not show or pop out. At the beginning it could be
complicated, but as you go steadily it will become the routine.<br />
The
start will determine the shape of your rug, so you can start with
square center or circular one. The most important thing is to keep
braiding and sewing evenly, so the rug will have a nice, sturdy shape
and its quality will be better.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-2.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-2.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2276" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-2.jpg" height="322" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-2.jpg" title="braided rug 2" width="430" /></a></div>
<br />
Lacing
or sewing a rug together is the last step, and should be done on a flat
surface. You may want to do this as you go, too, so you can see what
the rug will look like, and to keep an eye on the size. A large table or
the floor can be used. You can get special needles to lace a rug, or
you can use a large darning needle - anything that will guide the thread
through the braids.<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-3.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-3.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-2274" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-3.jpg" height="336" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-3.jpg" title="braided rug 3" width="448" /></a></div>
Use
very strong string or special lacing thread and lace the rug like you
would lace your shoes. To start, choose to where you want the end of the
first braid to be, measure it, then turn the braid backward and start
lacing through each of the loops.<br />
While you doing your rug, check
from time to time if it is even and flat. If there are any wrinkles,
just stop, go back and fix it.<br />
When you have to make a turn, put a
few more stitches in the same inner loop while continuing to lace
individual loops on the outside. It is important to keep the rug flat.<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-1.jpg" href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-1.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-2275" data-mce-src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-1.jpg" height="573" src="http://www.goldenfingers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/braided-rug-1.jpg" title="braided rug 1" width="430" /></a></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br data-mce-bogus="1" /></div>
Keep
braiding, sewing and lacing until the rug reach the size you want it.
Then, on the last strip, cut them progressively narrower so the last
braid could fades into a very narrow one which can disappear in the edge
of the rug. At the end, trim the ends of the center braid (be careful
not to cut your rug) and tack them firmly against the braids next to
them.</div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-52985088199778761442011-08-01T14:08:00.000-07:002012-08-12T04:24:49.834-07:00A New Website: www.goldenfingers.info<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMAJKYYzHctY-EWJNC_QK2qhv8fHjjwfDxHa5a6WHxmIKIwI3Sjp_mDa8wm1mgSy293Z8J8YR3ztAdse-2IXIw3kMReWMie4l9PbuxO-ixdZgvF96skLoCHF1rdUnOikPKGw6jvy84UpJ/s1600/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMAJKYYzHctY-EWJNC_QK2qhv8fHjjwfDxHa5a6WHxmIKIwI3Sjp_mDa8wm1mgSy293Z8J8YR3ztAdse-2IXIw3kMReWMie4l9PbuxO-ixdZgvF96skLoCHF1rdUnOikPKGw6jvy84UpJ/s400/logo.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">PLEASE VISIT FOR MUCH MORE...</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For all interested in arts, crafts and design, I am inviting you to visit a new website</div>
<div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://www.goldenfingers.info/">The Golden Fingers</a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are articles about designers, and their work, creative ideas for everyone, ceramics, textile, paper, photography, video, events, art schools and many others.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would appreciate your suggestions and comments.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See you on The Golden Fingers website!!!</div>
</div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-85045007854085328892011-07-23T03:59:00.000-07:002011-07-23T03:59:31.939-07:00The Rings that you have to love!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Here are some crazy, funny, modern, eye-catching rings...<br />
Enjoy!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLHkR653OvmQgXX41gkyBluwzE33pZDNT7P8uS6kNIvmM-WmqsdBE4F3i6t04fzw3dh_FZoJ5GuYB0BJpnyqBap5EMGXv7qAGCTzQoYcfEPMXSHSnIfeIeMMmR33wZtaRrhb12FsM9IMU/s1600/ring+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLHkR653OvmQgXX41gkyBluwzE33pZDNT7P8uS6kNIvmM-WmqsdBE4F3i6t04fzw3dh_FZoJ5GuYB0BJpnyqBap5EMGXv7qAGCTzQoYcfEPMXSHSnIfeIeMMmR33wZtaRrhb12FsM9IMU/s320/ring+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQt3WLV3j7ul6Zf90ffQy5ulWhb75aOKoX6aG_uY6znqDAxACTiNKc6j-u5EYKSKZgzPXORu0MXHjtPFN9AxBN99eviOSyIL9p7gVCaoqicM-ujp6VG7XVRtHMEEFEWaF0Mdm1BSAh4V2/s1600/ring+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQt3WLV3j7ul6Zf90ffQy5ulWhb75aOKoX6aG_uY6znqDAxACTiNKc6j-u5EYKSKZgzPXORu0MXHjtPFN9AxBN99eviOSyIL9p7gVCaoqicM-ujp6VG7XVRtHMEEFEWaF0Mdm1BSAh4V2/s320/ring+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjOTBAOCMFYo4Y6LmSDb6NVqSz4dI_7yr3GeVEoPgP1TnsPtH1Ql1c7A4bPC72mKk1MOxNyscMFmDAGJfdW-cr_E5cZ05rNPMSF7I2tH5Jbyv14Vtd_iJ_VXp43INSdSyqGIz-ausPEHx/s1600/ring+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjOTBAOCMFYo4Y6LmSDb6NVqSz4dI_7yr3GeVEoPgP1TnsPtH1Ql1c7A4bPC72mKk1MOxNyscMFmDAGJfdW-cr_E5cZ05rNPMSF7I2tH5Jbyv14Vtd_iJ_VXp43INSdSyqGIz-ausPEHx/s320/ring+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLAr8tfeBAP3b0haPsGlpzRZ99hyphenhyphen2AaOSpGYS6gRnNd0Kp8NxIpuNp-tNtg0qyfc4R7kVwovLsdZdhdmvJLOV0ZbbvCODexayPGimb70KWy_DQVWAj3mMKi1QplyHORH9KLffzlzdIcP-/s1600/ring+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLAr8tfeBAP3b0haPsGlpzRZ99hyphenhyphen2AaOSpGYS6gRnNd0Kp8NxIpuNp-tNtg0qyfc4R7kVwovLsdZdhdmvJLOV0ZbbvCODexayPGimb70KWy_DQVWAj3mMKi1QplyHORH9KLffzlzdIcP-/s320/ring+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUm5KmSy_7T2mr8eQ_wNXOwmyGk9ntrxvoNrRAvMmzt6mYiZ6Z8sICSnRemftly40vEWTdxVWDcx0FKzB5wIpqGEV-OTVg0Bmualm-0Pg7-foreT0n9dBDWMOleFkxaOM3kfHzVCZ1slr/s1600/ring+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUm5KmSy_7T2mr8eQ_wNXOwmyGk9ntrxvoNrRAvMmzt6mYiZ6Z8sICSnRemftly40vEWTdxVWDcx0FKzB5wIpqGEV-OTVg0Bmualm-0Pg7-foreT0n9dBDWMOleFkxaOM3kfHzVCZ1slr/s320/ring+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-48133131671676912832011-07-12T14:38:00.000-07:002011-07-12T14:39:59.151-07:00Molas: Textile Art of Kuna People<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J7XFfjhzwobZPjQ0COIWqB_IupvAvMO81_7RN6e6n4R8UyzXoqLv0tzKms7whHN0ouhXG3BOL0Uj_-RgAK8HZPjkhheC-ytOFs9HlfcNY1AZG0BswCPIhezlqv4nuCCS_nHwL216ae9O/s1600/DSCF1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J7XFfjhzwobZPjQ0COIWqB_IupvAvMO81_7RN6e6n4R8UyzXoqLv0tzKms7whHN0ouhXG3BOL0Uj_-RgAK8HZPjkhheC-ytOFs9HlfcNY1AZG0BswCPIhezlqv4nuCCS_nHwL216ae9O/s320/DSCF1717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Molas are the colorful, multi-layered appliqué panels of blouses worn by Kuna women of Panama. The Kuna live in a region called Kuna Yala, which means “Kuna Land.” This area, more formally known as the San Blas Archipelago, lies off the eastern coast of Panama. Molas developed after Spanish colonization, in particular within the past 100 years when cotton yard cloth became commonly available to the Kuna. The intricately designed and sewn molas are attached to the front and/or back of women’s blouses and are considered a major form of artistic expression and ethnic identity.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu71nRwYWCxUo3e-joiQQKJxkP8u5R_we1CAmi3cuVhwIzz12h3VmPNRLNYQDKs1ON6uN9aXaRwnrS2j6QmHQVQwqx3McmFInJtyNajRH6EMkpTsf3oqY4w4FmQycM3z8jtOvSSM2QdBdJ/s1600/KunaWomanWithMolas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu71nRwYWCxUo3e-joiQQKJxkP8u5R_we1CAmi3cuVhwIzz12h3VmPNRLNYQDKs1ON6uN9aXaRwnrS2j6QmHQVQwqx3McmFInJtyNajRH6EMkpTsf3oqY4w4FmQycM3z8jtOvSSM2QdBdJ/s400/KunaWomanWithMolas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Molas are usually done in reverse appliqué technique, using two or more layers of cloth and cutting through to reveal the color underneath. The designs and patterns used are particular to the maker and incorporate both traditional and modern elements. Early mola designs were related to pre-Hispanic body painting; today, mola designs may include abstract geometric designs, motifs from the natural world, or themes related to politics, popular culture, or Kuna legends.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-vFWA08GcSX6O1yaSls8lKSCFMvmjTwQkv7Rm5h7FBmO5aQjiy7va8fbtJIiU1u8VnvYuNuH3IWUEzcRhyphenhyphengF-29D5IlwlkXM9-fXDKqB2yba_hTde31G91rtuk92D08rCAN0GvMa4UQU/s1600/mola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-vFWA08GcSX6O1yaSls8lKSCFMvmjTwQkv7Rm5h7FBmO5aQjiy7va8fbtJIiU1u8VnvYuNuH3IWUEzcRhyphenhyphengF-29D5IlwlkXM9-fXDKqB2yba_hTde31G91rtuk92D08rCAN0GvMa4UQU/s400/mola.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">After Panama became an independent nation in 1903, a law was passed that said the “wild indigenous tribes,” notably the Kuna, had to be “compelled to lead civilized lives.” Women’s blouses called mola, with their geometric and pictorial patterns that articulated the Kuna understanding of the world, were banned. At this point the Kuna had had enough of colonial interference, and the result was their 1925 Revolution. Following a period of negotiation, the Kuna established the right to practice their traditions as well as gaining virtual autonomy over their own territory in the San Blas Islands, now called Kuna Yala.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RlokGS-pWMTFda-Sk_2ncI_sXcpQ_Hp7ARve6s9heqqpkPU1swMHMfXMF_GN0TYSM6Bu3W1TY5zjz8qLU_3knepI5JP_t19YBcw_k21pNKnkmQHB1xIsz1AS9mWpegeOwxcfZ-ixbxpR/s1600/VenancioMolaCloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RlokGS-pWMTFda-Sk_2ncI_sXcpQ_Hp7ARve6s9heqqpkPU1swMHMfXMF_GN0TYSM6Bu3W1TY5zjz8qLU_3knepI5JP_t19YBcw_k21pNKnkmQHB1xIsz1AS9mWpegeOwxcfZ-ixbxpR/s320/VenancioMolaCloseup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifg3aQOHRGzFGLLoF8ogXBFuizQrlw8lyBpnQvu35qpmebZh2ZqwJDe4u7WIkGhk1xxx9TS3Zv1OrbhXwbJyWZS2F_G37X-E4WS7A_f5vP_PidjMhmboQ7bBz0dOiPyhq10Xy1kz3qtNmb/s1600/eDSCF1719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifg3aQOHRGzFGLLoF8ogXBFuizQrlw8lyBpnQvu35qpmebZh2ZqwJDe4u7WIkGhk1xxx9TS3Zv1OrbhXwbJyWZS2F_G37X-E4WS7A_f5vP_PidjMhmboQ7bBz0dOiPyhq10Xy1kz3qtNmb/s320/eDSCF1719.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-23962542477873542602011-07-10T08:40:00.000-07:002011-07-10T08:41:45.972-07:00A Few Wall Decorating Ideas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg8S8dDQixRkb7WoEid51N-Up-pYMCQgbvcFhC_Kw8ZsGoGyx6uw1Q_nlf2WPuyXUEFEKL8zc3sPzplUJojyfGnErsAuJ-VYe4Qd_CMFC7KOUT4a_FyzBJwAubhTAjo6lPWJK0re1ENaO/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg8S8dDQixRkb7WoEid51N-Up-pYMCQgbvcFhC_Kw8ZsGoGyx6uw1Q_nlf2WPuyXUEFEKL8zc3sPzplUJojyfGnErsAuJ-VYe4Qd_CMFC7KOUT4a_FyzBJwAubhTAjo6lPWJK0re1ENaO/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Do you need wall decorating ideas? The first thing people usually think of when it comes to decorating the walls of their home is to put up framed art or photographs. However, there are many other wall decorating ideas that are unique, inexpensive and easy to incorporate into each room of your home. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Here is a quick hit list of cheap and easy ways to decorate your walls and perhaps create a whole new wall decor in the process. </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Quilts</b> are a classic decorating accessory and can be used with any decorating style. Hang them on a wall, stack them on a shelf or showcase them in a shadow box or frame on the wall. </span><a name='more'></a> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Small, lightweight <b>rugs</b> can also be used for decorating walls and add color and interest. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Hang your child's christening outfit on a beautifully decorated hanger and add <b>vintage doll dresses</b> around it for a collection. This would be great in a little girl's bedroom, sewing room, or sitting room. </span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GjOU12FafRuKjkqJUaGeMRpHp92HrqmG3IlOH94su8wKpKrnjGCS0-l6ch29lE6CLvE278GNQMflrtwBEUBk6ZfcJ-4r4NK_qWFBoowzOTZhofOZnuCLEixILE1BOhdPQJJw8bwwJkTZ/s1600/luxury-kids-bedroom-design-and-interior-wall-decorating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GjOU12FafRuKjkqJUaGeMRpHp92HrqmG3IlOH94su8wKpKrnjGCS0-l6ch29lE6CLvE278GNQMflrtwBEUBk6ZfcJ-4r4NK_qWFBoowzOTZhofOZnuCLEixILE1BOhdPQJJw8bwwJkTZ/s400/luxury-kids-bedroom-design-and-interior-wall-decorating.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">Create a wall <b>mural </b>by your own hand or use vintage fabrics, wallpaper remnants, wall decals, or maps to create unique wall art. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mirrors </b>are a fantastic wall decorating idea for any room of the home. Hang groups of large and small mirrors if you want to cover an entire wall. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Go dimensional!Use the <b>objects</b>! Hang small chairs on the wall and use them as shelves. Musical instruments, toys, plates, saucers and cups, driftwood, masks, wall fountains, and wall letters are just a few ideas to get you started. </span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu7pzuJKXhpLKcqq-51YQwAFzkYIOunAVuWj8ys96AMg-5LcTP10cGCFSbZ8J-ffWQLjnOl9nL6WRE0Y6L7NussyenhBUfb07RqEbNxEKyFskZmKh4yTAuXeCKZ-Argw2ymxYItd3pI6c/s1600/4854AED1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu7pzuJKXhpLKcqq-51YQwAFzkYIOunAVuWj8ys96AMg-5LcTP10cGCFSbZ8J-ffWQLjnOl9nL6WRE0Y6L7NussyenhBUfb07RqEbNxEKyFskZmKh4yTAuXeCKZ-Argw2ymxYItd3pI6c/s320/4854AED1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">Create a <b>collage </b>of those old postcards or frame individual postcards for a different look on a wall. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Vintage <b>handkerchiefs </b>should adorn a wall somewhere instead of never seeing the light of day. Carefully frame them and hang on a wall in a collection or throughout the home. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Flea markets</b> are a great place to find wall accents and art. Frame or create a collection (on wall shelves or cubbies) of glassware, vases, die-cast vehicles, flowerpots, teapots, pottery, etc. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Blank art canvases</b> are the perfect background for wall decorating ideas. Cover the canvas with pretty vintage fabrics, embroidered pieces, t-shirts, orphaned quilt squares, or pretty wrapping paper. </span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVF4oJMFT72Q1kQE9wESqY-8_IBnSIQbHgT0rcsbYYnMc1ot_FbK1o4KqRU5BC1ktOc3mCuJIi4zKEX4_ddYR9uD0GnUMCma_PD362uMohu-ouMbGd4P98t9ScPhabyNrJKDdOo6sYPbY/s1600/barcode-wall-decal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVF4oJMFT72Q1kQE9wESqY-8_IBnSIQbHgT0rcsbYYnMc1ot_FbK1o4KqRU5BC1ktOc3mCuJIi4zKEX4_ddYR9uD0GnUMCma_PD362uMohu-ouMbGd4P98t9ScPhabyNrJKDdOo6sYPbY/s320/barcode-wall-decal.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Calendar </b>pages can be framed and used as wall art. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Your <b>child's artwork</b> is the most unique wall art that can be created. If you're really creative, scan your child's artwork into the computer and print the images onto fabric. Create a wall hanging from those fabric images! </span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWRO9poANTruZ5fxtMDqO2__3f6u-yggRcklmSPvI9vwGJ-Gqb2MWfdV3TmzH6zuDVfNaSBfY0fKiqbraENWAWOMF9q7FKjkhwXetKJE5_lhaTI26vppxqD7Gty8ZJ_Ak1bE6kGMW5w9X/s1600/Kids-Art-Display-Banner_product_main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWRO9poANTruZ5fxtMDqO2__3f6u-yggRcklmSPvI9vwGJ-Gqb2MWfdV3TmzH6zuDVfNaSBfY0fKiqbraENWAWOMF9q7FKjkhwXetKJE5_lhaTI26vppxqD7Gty8ZJ_Ak1bE6kGMW5w9X/s400/Kids-Art-Display-Banner_product_main.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">Wrought iron, <b>metal </b>accents, or iron pieces from flea markets or antique stores can be great wall decorating idea. </span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDS8xFp-Hfs66NZqOljsmSIn2zG9BLJlPn5URi7Wr8mqNCAQ7rqA9ry23KeX-yT3WfR04Gy5Ak0MxNaJ___0TNX5chxO8XexkeSB7HkGM2o_NZVOHf8kDqYnazdWbbHAsMWFWjFhHKbjuL/s1600/Wall-Art-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDS8xFp-Hfs66NZqOljsmSIn2zG9BLJlPn5URi7Wr8mqNCAQ7rqA9ry23KeX-yT3WfR04Gy5Ak0MxNaJ___0TNX5chxO8XexkeSB7HkGM2o_NZVOHf8kDqYnazdWbbHAsMWFWjFhHKbjuL/s400/Wall-Art-2.jpg" width="347" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Family photo</b>s are always a great way to decorate the walls of your home. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Magnetic paint</b> will transform a wall into a great backdrop for displaying your child's art, magnetic letters, or even a family bulletin board to leave messages for each other. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Display your favorite scarves, hats, or even jewelry on your wall as a collection. The items are instantly "stored", but double as beautiful wall decor as well. </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXMTEYW7HuWkA2OOsQngBtVeo_R_eKs6lo0on_kgwNZPdQM5gxwbiSRBPRxCTITTFHm1JMOqAv74hugZh9t6brHB_jF3rZs-9uH5M9I2bAFQ7MLFfEcyJSyCfeS0Gq-uXqiItUa7NMOPs/s1600/wall-art-display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXMTEYW7HuWkA2OOsQngBtVeo_R_eKs6lo0on_kgwNZPdQM5gxwbiSRBPRxCTITTFHm1JMOqAv74hugZh9t6brHB_jF3rZs-9uH5M9I2bAFQ7MLFfEcyJSyCfeS0Gq-uXqiItUa7NMOPs/s320/wall-art-display.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">Another great idea...Check out <a href="http://thesimplestencil.com/">The Simple Stencil</a> for a vast array of decorative wall transfers. You can customize any room in your house, and they go on like magic!</span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKemliSJv984tw79w4gVgYbBL9xjqERZlcDugZhifu7mOWKEB_gbAuxyoyd-Ji2OvKDY2ekLxllspIeNvjqL7i31sY8g98hUUThMmwapF9_hf2-qy4K7lk9vxLIrsGFVbhpt03mG1T6bfk/s1600/9-29-08flashcards2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKemliSJv984tw79w4gVgYbBL9xjqERZlcDugZhifu7mOWKEB_gbAuxyoyd-Ji2OvKDY2ekLxllspIeNvjqL7i31sY8g98hUUThMmwapF9_hf2-qy4K7lk9vxLIrsGFVbhpt03mG1T6bfk/s400/9-29-08flashcards2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-77582526105039259722011-07-03T02:34:00.000-07:002011-07-03T02:34:36.548-07:00Nature-Inspired Crafts for Children<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: small;"> Whether you gather supplies in your neighborhood or at the crafts store, your kids will love bringing the outdoors inside with these easy natural crafts projects featuring supplies found in nature. <br />
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<b>Rain Stick </b><br />
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This instrumental craft might not summon the rain, but the natural seeds inside the tube sound like a real thunderstorm when your child turns it from end to end. <br />
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Make It: Cut a piece of decorative cardstock or scrapbook paper 1/2 inch wider than the circumference of an empty paper towel roll and 1 inch taller than the roll. Measure across the inside of the roll to get the diameter. Cut a piece of boxboard or heavyweight cardstock 1/4 inch narrower than the diameter of the roll. Accordion-fold the boxboard and stuff it inside the roll. <br />
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Next, tape one side of the roll closed. Have your child scoop rice and popcorn seeds into the tube; tape the other end closed. Adhere the decorative paper to the outside of the roll, folding the paper over the ends. Adhere two circles of the same decorative paper to cover the ends of the roll. To finish, have your child choose pretty ribbons to tie on to an elastic band. Place the band around the tube and you're ready to play. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTf0qyiTfy7q3PHO_J6moTGS3s6BdRxavYWKZ1v8Z0YJeoN4uFSQlbQOtjhFpZ1ewAzuC-KAKugBrGEKzX3rIU9-kRob9EDHtDZy-knUM5McOr4Y_Jp8cJxpQnhMqbI963tr1qaAgOSJUs/s1600/image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTf0qyiTfy7q3PHO_J6moTGS3s6BdRxavYWKZ1v8Z0YJeoN4uFSQlbQOtjhFpZ1ewAzuC-KAKugBrGEKzX3rIU9-kRob9EDHtDZy-knUM5McOr4Y_Jp8cJxpQnhMqbI963tr1qaAgOSJUs/s1600/image001.jpg" /></a></span></div><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Twig Raft </b><br />
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Create a playtime raft that really floats with just a few natural twigs from your own backyard. <br />
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Make It: Have your kids search your backyard for twigs. Use outdoor trimmers to cut the twigs to the same size. Using jute or hemp cord, weave the ends of the twigs on both sides to tie them together. Attach a twig in an upright position for the mast. Cut a sail from colorful felt. Fold the felt in half, punch a hole in the middle, and slide it over the mast. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlyU7lF5o-DgBOXhqqMyePdfSdYuTsGVagx7iU9Txde2kjsubXpjXPbw7XT7QVq5AmrQZ1B0OBzuT4NtA15U6dfHPkwd1BXjUWMjigpHm0MkfttolK9xDiHOyJDeB4_uyfsuVCIHNLqc5/s1600/image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlyU7lF5o-DgBOXhqqMyePdfSdYuTsGVagx7iU9Txde2kjsubXpjXPbw7XT7QVq5AmrQZ1B0OBzuT4NtA15U6dfHPkwd1BXjUWMjigpHm0MkfttolK9xDiHOyJDeB4_uyfsuVCIHNLqc5/s1600/image002.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<b>Bug-Collector Bottle </b><br />
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This creative craft doubles as a fun science project when it becomes an indoor habitat for your child's favorite insect friends. <br />
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Make It: Rinse a plastic bottle and let it dry. Draw a rectangle on one side of the bottle and cut it out with a knife. Cut wire screen to cover the opening (but don't attach it yet). Trim a colorful piece of foam to fit around the screen. <br />
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Let your child fill the bottle with sticks, rocks, and other objects to make a habitat for his bug collection. Use glue to attach the screen and frame over the opening. Twist off the lid to let the bugs into their new home. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTipCdAq3mtxNFkBrIsNVviAqx0Qi8XEqdABLVeL-mSQCmd6x4IVPd25w0XyteIYWav2eZUHncrifOo6e4sJA0UuqipEsXEw3BpvzOIF9hchNLWeVVnvLPVwDPBmiMtTBonDIob8IUsHz/s1600/image003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTipCdAq3mtxNFkBrIsNVviAqx0Qi8XEqdABLVeL-mSQCmd6x4IVPd25w0XyteIYWav2eZUHncrifOo6e4sJA0UuqipEsXEw3BpvzOIF9hchNLWeVVnvLPVwDPBmiMtTBonDIob8IUsHz/s1600/image003.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<b>Strawberry Necklace </b><br />
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Transform a natural walnut into a darling strawberry necklace that will dress up any outfit. <br />
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Make It: Paint a walnut red or pink and let it dry. Cut out a top for the strawberry from light green and dark green felt, as shown. Glue the felt pieces together; let dry. Fold the pieces in half and punch a hole in the middle. Unfold and glue to the top of the walnut, leaving the area around the holes free of glue. Thread a ribbon, chain, or piece of string through the holes to create a fashion-ready necklace. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hvVjMoFUBIqOFxz1L8N8WK6_ZdsuzAE7vBlze35qusTVNgF3QmbSZPD1blhQa_7lQgr88s3Z76TMFYYBH_2bg7-Ji92DvI2xEfjmmMRH57ndwRX_hl4k-fYzSwaYZUgykGxw05eLy8Vm/s1600/image004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hvVjMoFUBIqOFxz1L8N8WK6_ZdsuzAE7vBlze35qusTVNgF3QmbSZPD1blhQa_7lQgr88s3Z76TMFYYBH_2bg7-Ji92DvI2xEfjmmMRH57ndwRX_hl4k-fYzSwaYZUgykGxw05eLy8Vm/s1600/image004.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<b>Seed Art </b><br />
Your kids can spend hours creating fun designs and interesting patterns with dyed pumpkin seeds and popcorn kernels. The artistic possibilities are endless. <br />
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Make It: To make dye, mix white vinegar, food coloring, and water (experiment with the amounts of each to suit your child's desired look). Place pumpkin seeds and popcorn kernels in the dye. Let them soak 4-6 hours before straining and drying overnight. Let your kids have fun sorting and organizing the seeds into imaginative shapes and gluing them onto paper, foam, or canvas. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpb1SwlwKxdZ2pfP-SItrczZOG3OfwtnYrs9pVccurfc9_XEIEEVNlAuCsaBMzA-tGryPkK6EDOig-xJL4iaCgD7nTqeQiYHgMX-qyCAtcbF1_dcJRemTYdb0ucpz1hEC0KKFg3IiGp2Dm/s1600/image005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpb1SwlwKxdZ2pfP-SItrczZOG3OfwtnYrs9pVccurfc9_XEIEEVNlAuCsaBMzA-tGryPkK6EDOig-xJL4iaCgD7nTqeQiYHgMX-qyCAtcbF1_dcJRemTYdb0ucpz1hEC0KKFg3IiGp2Dm/s1600/image005.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<b>Shell Creatures </b><br />
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Made with real seashells, these imaginative characters have loads of personality. Your kids will adore coming up with fun storylines for these little guys to act out. <br />
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Make It: Hunt for seashells on your next trip to the beach, or purchase them at a crafts store. Use glue to assemble the shells into creative creatures, adding google eyes and pom-poms as desired. Choose a fun name for each creature, then let the adventures begin! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fEC9LSiP683IgOH1P4f4TDP1wqj15tiQgprxQTEwcqtDFs1XSqO2nfzuc6YIeHOSqcZ24Aa-g4coysxZxElFnEmxnFhmBF2DlCGA8fFO37En9Y1JHk18MNzlTQtsAztzvxQeJE7tgC1x/s1600/image006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fEC9LSiP683IgOH1P4f4TDP1wqj15tiQgprxQTEwcqtDFs1XSqO2nfzuc6YIeHOSqcZ24Aa-g4coysxZxElFnEmxnFhmBF2DlCGA8fFO37En9Y1JHk18MNzlTQtsAztzvxQeJE7tgC1x/s1600/image006.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<b>Rock Mushrooms </b><br />
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Let your child decorate your garden, potted plants, or windowsill with easy-to-make rock mushrooms that won't wilt in the summer sun. <br />
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Make It: Search your backyard or a neighborhood park for smooth rocks, choosing ones with flat surfaces so the mushrooms can stand upright. Have your child paint some rocks red (for the tops) and some white (for the stems). Add white dots to the red tops using paint or stickers. Glue the pieces together with liquid glue. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhE8uvgyPavBfE5dWkWORkduDLF0EyDo7owe9tVdmJBjbZNW_UX2sM80U1SzUxVXIUMtmaKMtOsX08TBZ2n6c4S4KhBdwLmZ3WS424ddrbYzGJH2T89sQzA2Iq6JfZbW35tphc8XWeN_5/s1600/image007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhE8uvgyPavBfE5dWkWORkduDLF0EyDo7owe9tVdmJBjbZNW_UX2sM80U1SzUxVXIUMtmaKMtOsX08TBZ2n6c4S4KhBdwLmZ3WS424ddrbYzGJH2T89sQzA2Iq6JfZbW35tphc8XWeN_5/s1600/image007.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<b>Vacation Jar </b><br />
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Treasure a family vacation forever by capturing it in a simple glass jar. <br />
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Make It: Let your children collect sand, pebbles, shells, and other pieces of nature while on vacation. Place them inside a glass jar, layering as you go. Write the destination on a tag and attach it to the jar. Use as a mantelpiece decoration or centerpiece display and remember your special trip forever. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkynSYj83Ur3SspKdox0NdQjyHR8K3OGq9N276eTwI2o3P-Iom6E7-vk5Z08MDFlH-UMB6AQQw3p-Vt4_7JHf9i9AbNdjpUmSqY61kZoBdB1UowCwQaFmnzSFWLLwcfSw_VE0YOZ7t_Uv8/s1600/image008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkynSYj83Ur3SspKdox0NdQjyHR8K3OGq9N276eTwI2o3P-Iom6E7-vk5Z08MDFlH-UMB6AQQw3p-Vt4_7JHf9i9AbNdjpUmSqY61kZoBdB1UowCwQaFmnzSFWLLwcfSw_VE0YOZ7t_Uv8/s1600/image008.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<b>Cute Nut Bird </b></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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Your kids will go nuts for this cute little bird made from just a few nuts and some colorful foam. <br />
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Make It: Glue various natural or store-bought nuts together to form a bird's body and head and let dry completely. Cut wings, a beak, and feet from colored foam and attach to the bird. Add google eyes to finish. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bfwCn8K6YRL-oj-5_DmmYg-uxUA0rpOX2RAc5HflZ5wv8nvVPS3ueQ9oH89sbXErfvHzOOHPI3ssVZaEhrh1lRjPPGyl1U41mJuL6qiUqyo5Kcg76Loip_VLGUNxaYmZu3hKEeIkGoyG/s1600/image009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bfwCn8K6YRL-oj-5_DmmYg-uxUA0rpOX2RAc5HflZ5wv8nvVPS3ueQ9oH89sbXErfvHzOOHPI3ssVZaEhrh1lRjPPGyl1U41mJuL6qiUqyo5Kcg76Loip_VLGUNxaYmZu3hKEeIkGoyG/s1600/image009.jpg" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Source:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.my-children.me/nature-inspired-crafts-for-children-275/">MyChildren.me</a><br />
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</span> </div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-38163080758974872222011-07-02T05:44:00.000-07:002011-07-02T05:52:08.234-07:00Lush Designs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b>Lampshades!!! Pillows!!! Tea Towels!!! Greeting Cards!!! .... And Much More!!!</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF58zA4vF4OAzuMdPAsl0kQUIE0zIFreYtbU8x2jZYv8Aa0TaENiycaCDNsQWc5XDJ50wOBvcTQyHQybwweKQJ8fNwUwPo6khsHCdkrGxpjtY7wwfln3uz1j6651jebzNo74RMOhHuOtaz/s1600/purple+london+shade+cut+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF58zA4vF4OAzuMdPAsl0kQUIE0zIFreYtbU8x2jZYv8Aa0TaENiycaCDNsQWc5XDJ50wOBvcTQyHQybwweKQJ8fNwUwPo6khsHCdkrGxpjtY7wwfln3uz1j6651jebzNo74RMOhHuOtaz/s320/purple+london+shade+cut+out.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>Lush Designs is the creation of <b>Marie Rodgers</b> and <b>Maria Livings</b>. They design and manufacture homewares and gifts which feature our idiosyncratic print designs. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW87w88JF3yVWnfjdE95EtRd5m8JMWfBi2z9woAlKM-SSSUbAPijrCfQliJVlp0fkPiUSdqaNsWKpVWqK-sUNrS-gLI4mmOsxtPqMuI6dq9PVscMnrlMjPjlfN3B0jrLK2UJudN9z31LgQ/s1600/CAT+TRAY+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW87w88JF3yVWnfjdE95EtRd5m8JMWfBi2z9woAlKM-SSSUbAPijrCfQliJVlp0fkPiUSdqaNsWKpVWqK-sUNrS-gLI4mmOsxtPqMuI6dq9PVscMnrlMjPjlfN3B0jrLK2UJudN9z31LgQ/s320/CAT+TRAY+photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
<div>Marie Rodgers and Maria Livings studied painting and printmaking at Maidstone Art College and evolved their business while working in the theatre and community arts after moving to South East London.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsx7QBOm9JlIyfw-4TxhWatRIzHrgdb95eFz6pKmSiOSl-0zRKmEn6qJDAQSAQRn9zzsCJAWMRQGinRg5BVAa8gbnte-scyPc5Cunr59Zba_2O1dbMfJLF5gdtTWaYf3jhXkjCyKA5MQU/s1600/veg+apron.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsx7QBOm9JlIyfw-4TxhWatRIzHrgdb95eFz6pKmSiOSl-0zRKmEn6qJDAQSAQRn9zzsCJAWMRQGinRg5BVAa8gbnte-scyPc5Cunr59Zba_2O1dbMfJLF5gdtTWaYf3jhXkjCyKA5MQU/s400/veg+apron.JPG" width="310" /></a></div><div>Their love of colour and characteristic quirky prints has been applied to a range of homewares many of which are made in house at their lovely studio at Cockpit Arts in Deptford where they have twice yearly open studio events.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPO8CZCYK8EJXwX2ADholvwVWTnyViT7R1eSYnScR9Fc6nZiPKNr_EG0luGz1sfj7W0qZicCEybv3yMReDfy_lMV8VufRs_USbFLS2s-juk1-EDC-7zAgItzilFXsIGYNz52pZjNwPfOr3/s1600/shop+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPO8CZCYK8EJXwX2ADholvwVWTnyViT7R1eSYnScR9Fc6nZiPKNr_EG0luGz1sfj7W0qZicCEybv3yMReDfy_lMV8VufRs_USbFLS2s-juk1-EDC-7zAgItzilFXsIGYNz52pZjNwPfOr3/s320/shop+window.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
A couple of times a year <b>Lush Designs</b> takes a stand at a Trade show. This is where they show a new designs to trade buyers and meet the people who buy for hundreds of retail outlets from grand palaces of designs such as the exquisite department store <i>Liberty </i>, to wonderful little jewel-like shops like <i>Frank </i>in Whitstable. </div></div></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqFC6fysWrtEMdnLzJECPoGycS4_b7Mp3XkkNETTJcN6sFMuJomkAvNW6mP-yFhWbz3D76eTvZrt35RKnon18XqLfI16aFMBIwmQwKz_ViCAIcH35d-CDz_AzkzTcQZMqTvowulfjcRHM/s1600/cushions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqFC6fysWrtEMdnLzJECPoGycS4_b7Mp3XkkNETTJcN6sFMuJomkAvNW6mP-yFhWbz3D76eTvZrt35RKnon18XqLfI16aFMBIwmQwKz_ViCAIcH35d-CDz_AzkzTcQZMqTvowulfjcRHM/s400/cushions.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div><br />
</div></div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-42396930778589775282011-06-25T08:51:00.000-07:002011-06-30T13:22:25.947-07:00The Magic of Czech Glass<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol6L00Rxwwana_iEA5iCV-t3SbfLe6qbcSg893STU59UDO9wjQtdNVD_ZGrBR8i2b4Wp8BfEVMC1VUAqYJWlKQxJbHR4Pa_gNyAE2rDlx-B5XGaG6ORJWQYJYwzlg564ulNf7DvhMRJxC/s1600/dagmar+pankova.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol6L00Rxwwana_iEA5iCV-t3SbfLe6qbcSg893STU59UDO9wjQtdNVD_ZGrBR8i2b4Wp8BfEVMC1VUAqYJWlKQxJbHR4Pa_gNyAE2rDlx-B5XGaG6ORJWQYJYwzlg564ulNf7DvhMRJxC/s400/dagmar+pankova.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vases designed by Dagmar Pankova</td></tr>
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The Czech glass is without doubt phenomenon not only within history of glass making but even in context of whole world culture.Although history of glass making in Czech lands is not as long as in countries that were part of classical civilization in Roman times, Czech glass at least since 18th century is considered a part of European cultural heritage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw0hAJnEzwjMAWerqHbUuqKg9jmPg7TIHSCyD4zXJZ4jZuDkbqIE8v2kHlJGjFNBiT3Ad10V2aMQ11WSHzDbvXYgMJEqTvD4fxqWhcaBezhVF-arBwJdZNSczy4yvhljzqgLo52L5jb07/s1600/catphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw0hAJnEzwjMAWerqHbUuqKg9jmPg7TIHSCyD4zXJZ4jZuDkbqIE8v2kHlJGjFNBiT3Ad10V2aMQ11WSHzDbvXYgMJEqTvD4fxqWhcaBezhVF-arBwJdZNSczy4yvhljzqgLo52L5jb07/s1600/catphoto.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted glass vase from Kamenický Šenov </td></tr>
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Cosmopolitan environment of Central Europe and permanent competition between numerous glass producers were the main reason why glass makers working in territory of current Czech Republic have always sought ways how to improve quality and attractiveness of their products. They have used and invented a plenty of hot and cold techniques of glass making and refinement and tried to keep in touch with contemporary art styles and changing aesthetic canons.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVt188LFmJeNFCUUnRcIzl2xdgGSbhTgn2WtkdRNfI90kthA9Ut5jx2VaN0T3VnARUzUG8NXiBoShBzSA-h0uRScYcIQgK8-oxyRlhvtpIyZ9EaYpd_zGx0pgxZB9S2LyXH2Vpaug6GMuQ/s1600/DA_Apr09-195_czech+glass_05another.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVt188LFmJeNFCUUnRcIzl2xdgGSbhTgn2WtkdRNfI90kthA9Ut5jx2VaN0T3VnARUzUG8NXiBoShBzSA-h0uRScYcIQgK8-oxyRlhvtpIyZ9EaYpd_zGx0pgxZB9S2LyXH2Vpaug6GMuQ/s400/DA_Apr09-195_czech+glass_05another.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contemporary design</td></tr>
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It is no coincidence that the first glass school in the world was established in 1856 in a small town of Kamenický Šenov in North Bohemia, the region famous for glass making until today. Since 1885 when Academy of Applied Art, Architecture and Design in Prague was established it is possible to study glass art systematically and obtain competences for professional art and design work. At presence Czech educational system provides tuition in glass field at many specialized institutions with possibility to study glass continually from secondary school to highest university degree, bot in art and technology branches.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTUKxStXhbInMzt0MPxrTiP1aIPsBKiJj45M5fZJZ54oiLwIqfOvp3YUzVGcmF4Zxke5ugGKqg453_jsxVqKCZ60dCDDb1Ptdm2GS_KNLcO18Tu9rIyKl1yURf3dT33-7S7nXevqjqaKW/s1600/H05Glass011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTUKxStXhbInMzt0MPxrTiP1aIPsBKiJj45M5fZJZ54oiLwIqfOvp3YUzVGcmF4Zxke5ugGKqg453_jsxVqKCZ60dCDDb1Ptdm2GS_KNLcO18Tu9rIyKl1yURf3dT33-7S7nXevqjqaKW/s400/H05Glass011.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working with hot glass</td></tr>
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After establishing Czechoslovakia in 1918, the 1920s and 1930s were the period when Czech applied arts and modern design won reputation of world top class. That was possible only through the collaboration between artists, artisans,designers, craftsmen and technologists.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrz17O_d3DhsVapRpwDppT_hxcMZdgLkvtFXZLDGLpaADmzAMHcYOJ94bPuWalzeBTi0UO_qzHWkTYHPEj5k6l1B-Vavqk1Tn0UdAm8j5Va5U-Dm5CwnnExlA2cWkD4aalYTDy1miK8b9/s1600/moser+glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrz17O_d3DhsVapRpwDppT_hxcMZdgLkvtFXZLDGLpaADmzAMHcYOJ94bPuWalzeBTi0UO_qzHWkTYHPEj5k6l1B-Vavqk1Tn0UdAm8j5Va5U-Dm5CwnnExlA2cWkD4aalYTDy1miK8b9/s400/moser+glass.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moser glass </td></tr>
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The development of glass making was dramatically interrupted during the WW2 and continued in 1940s due to political and economical transformation of the country. The transformation led to forced restructuring of glass industry and education in the 1950s. Natural contact with Western world were ceased namely in arts. Paradoxically this situation enabled emerging of the new generation of artists with less orthodox and more innovative approach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSu_55EKqVv-p7xIOHyfbDA7dd-7q5LUu2wQ0ZSIgN30leWapaBu2hPm6mpuNmHW79nLn6efQhFfD0AGd222z7cOQFrkqhqkZlbwjvRL3w1r7_iegiqwJGxFb26qPCx49wlAGdX8umUpoJ/s1600/tomas+hlavicka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSu_55EKqVv-p7xIOHyfbDA7dd-7q5LUu2wQ0ZSIgN30leWapaBu2hPm6mpuNmHW79nLn6efQhFfD0AGd222z7cOQFrkqhqkZlbwjvRL3w1r7_iegiqwJGxFb26qPCx49wlAGdX8umUpoJ/s400/tomas+hlavicka.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glass plate designed by Tomas Hlavicka</td></tr>
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World exhibition EXPO '58 in Brussels became a milestone. That event was a real triumph of Czech glass and applied arts in general. The fact that the most acclaimed Czech participants were freelance artists, designers and teachers is significant. Czech glass artists assisted the birth of real glass art as a sovereign part of visual arts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-9M9anBj5qHF2wzkyvc-C8BaFojLHvWYJex_sS8Jxh-A5Md2jEjlG-oMg3rliCjB-WD0NImoP2TLyqGk5vw8QdgZyrtEIRTrfOwNFsaZZZvHVscYaw6Bunz-x3pA64e-JeTG3iVV-Juy/s1600/borek+sipek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-9M9anBj5qHF2wzkyvc-C8BaFojLHvWYJex_sS8Jxh-A5Md2jEjlG-oMg3rliCjB-WD0NImoP2TLyqGk5vw8QdgZyrtEIRTrfOwNFsaZZZvHVscYaw6Bunz-x3pA64e-JeTG3iVV-Juy/s400/borek+sipek.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of work of Borek Šipek </td></tr>
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Contemporary Czech glass is based on respect for tradition and unique background of top quality craftsmanship, technology and education. There are tens or maybe hundreds of glass artists in Czech Republic at the moment. Regular or occasional meetings, exhibitions, symposiums, seminars, and competitions have been essential parts of the life of Czech glass community. <br />
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</div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-6213915059898875252011-06-23T14:44:00.000-07:002011-06-30T14:23:27.235-07:00"Zip 'er up!!!" , A History of the Zipper<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgqqGYBB4efOENECQ_DHrBhumzkqVvZQJvxQu0OcRycwxop-qNu3J41d6Aq9-7AmSr5Khn96aapVfDuo7zDM3kunPWOmT66CZCuj7NhAkv8onwqMyenK_WQfwskJi_7DyRg2Hh-VQGPVn/s1600/zipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgqqGYBB4efOENECQ_DHrBhumzkqVvZQJvxQu0OcRycwxop-qNu3J41d6Aq9-7AmSr5Khn96aapVfDuo7zDM3kunPWOmT66CZCuj7NhAkv8onwqMyenK_WQfwskJi_7DyRg2Hh-VQGPVn/s320/zipper.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">After a slow birth and years of rejection, the zipper found its way into everything from plastic pencil cases to sophisticated space suits and countless "fly" jokes. The zippers used today are little different then the <b>Gideon Sundback</b> design of 1917.<br />
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An early device similar to the zipper, "an Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure", was patented by<b> Elias Howe</b> in 1851, but did not reach the market. Howe was preoccupied with the sewing machine that he had patented in 1846. <b>Whitcomb L. Judson</b> loved machines and experimented with many different kinds of gadgets. He invented a number of labor-saving items, including the zipper. It came about because of a friend’s stiff back. The problem was that his friend could not do up his shoes. Judson came up with a slide fastener that could be opened or closed with one hand. This was an absolutely new idea, and in a few weeks Judson had a working model. On August 29, 1893, he patented his new "clasp locker." The earliest "clasp locker" fasteners were being used in the apparel industry by 1905, but they weren't considered practical. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The design used today, based on interlocking teeth, was invented by an employee of Whitcomb Judson's, Swedish born scientist Gideon Sundback. In 1913 and patented as the "Hookless Fastener" and after more improvements patented in 1917 as the "Separable Fastener". Only after Gideon Sundbach, had remodeled Judson's fastener into a more streamlined and reliable form, was the fastener a success. One of its first customers was the US Army. It applied zippers to the clothing and gear of the troops of World War I;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> When the<b> B. F. Goodrich Company</b> decided to market galoshes with Sundback's fasteners, the product became popular. These new galoshes could be fastened with a single zip of the hand. A Goodrich executive is said to have slid the fastener up and down on the boot and exclaimed, “Zip 'er up,” echoing the sound made by this clever device and the fasteners came to be called "zippers." Registered in 1925, zipper was originally a B.F. Goodrich trademark for overshoes with fasteners. As the fastener that “zipped” came to be used in other articles, its name was used as well. B.F. Goodrich sued to protect its trademark but was allowed to retain proprietary rights only over Zipper Boots. Zipper itself had moved into the world of common nouns </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL65uWRTdytqjK4fLmTPKh3MMAw8zfY5oFkt3Yc3bNpXsiu8HlrHdw7X5CXrWnci1PWwvaVVdG4mB-oseVakZSgGhC1nHpMK8icUBlD3p6sngfl3K3GlPLjusPjzcp2zOyUv_byaKhsQtm/s1600/orange_zipper.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL65uWRTdytqjK4fLmTPKh3MMAw8zfY5oFkt3Yc3bNpXsiu8HlrHdw7X5CXrWnci1PWwvaVVdG4mB-oseVakZSgGhC1nHpMK8icUBlD3p6sngfl3K3GlPLjusPjzcp2zOyUv_byaKhsQtm/s320/orange_zipper.png" width="239" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> </span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Today the <b>YKK Group</b> is most famous for making zippers, although it also does business in other fastening products, architectural products, and industrial machinery.<br />
When you see YKK, you think of zippers, because we have manufactured zippers since 1934.. The name YKK was first registered as a trademark in 1946. Over the years, the letters "YKK" were stamped onto the zippers' pull tabs, and thus YKK became known as the Company's trademark.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The YKK stands for <b>Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha</b>. In 1934 Tadao Yoshida founded Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha (translated Yoshida Industries Limited). This company is now the worlds foremost zipper manufacturer, making about 90% of all zippers in over 206 facilities in 52 countries. In fact, they not only make the zippers, they also make the machines that make the zippers; no word on if they make the machines that make the parts that make up the machines that make the zippers. Their largest factory in Georgia makes over 7 million zippers per day.</span></div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-19263346721507348742011-06-22T13:42:00.000-07:002011-06-22T13:42:59.067-07:00Make your own and unique slippers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Funny, comfy, cozy, chic & stylish!</b></i></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whether you are a novice or expert seamstress, with or without sewing machine, slippers are a fun and easy project to tackle in one evening. They also make a great personalized gift.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNX9jyI72v-xfSNzikdPJ-aXgbTy_orGBHaoaXW8pjRz0GUE4Gw7jBdMklgUlBvNrbxp2aDdYirU7jts59p0qbIQJLA9nWwNJvFtPXegvJG-goXKmUmQWxlQy47dpaIVqXzlbGUFTpZlA/s1600/fabric-shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNX9jyI72v-xfSNzikdPJ-aXgbTy_orGBHaoaXW8pjRz0GUE4Gw7jBdMklgUlBvNrbxp2aDdYirU7jts59p0qbIQJLA9nWwNJvFtPXegvJG-goXKmUmQWxlQy47dpaIVqXzlbGUFTpZlA/s320/fabric-shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Your first step in making slippers is to choose fabric. If you are looking for just the right expression of your personality, check out your local fabric store and wade through the bolts for the perfect swatch. If you are on a tighter budget, or just like to be green, consider up cycling a towel, bathrobe or other tatty piece of clothing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">The simplest type of slipper to make is an open toed slip on. For this style slipper, you will need a half a yard of fabric, plus batting or fill for padding. You might select contrasting cotton and silk to make a pretty toe holder that pops from the slipper sole. It’s recommended to use a machine washable fabric that you can toss in with the laundry. Cotton prints work great, or you can try a polyester fleece or twill like cotton.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trace your foot out on a sheet of paper to make a simple pattern. Cut out the shape of each foot on folded fabric (so you have two pieces per foot) with a half an inch around the edges. Turn your pieces facing inside out, and sew along the top, bottom and the bottom/heel part of each side.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKKlpj5wIh8PRtpYt6M3-5R3ipWSm2YG8YgLTDQVae4L03wQ1e9VO0e0HbAXFRqCDzS3HAziOP9Bph620VGyZMkMSnTaIy72m7DF143YKgoHB5cINb7hvWLSsK_dkTAIwuEqkUKoiOKI_/s1600/slippers+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKKlpj5wIh8PRtpYt6M3-5R3ipWSm2YG8YgLTDQVae4L03wQ1e9VO0e0HbAXFRqCDzS3HAziOP9Bph620VGyZMkMSnTaIy72m7DF143YKgoHB5cINb7hvWLSsK_dkTAIwuEqkUKoiOKI_/s400/slippers+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cut a one inch wide double folded piece about a foot long. This will be your toe holder. Sew along open edge so it makes one strip.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxVW3SGu7_WHcdPVHtcKvNehV7ARYFwwHxly7Ev7xgTwZt2uiRLKrI5q8j42HV4huMbT7rtAQZpHo-U5sjTK1uN6S9wwMFEsm7pSgxEAiqCz6NaQKRbcar6O8u_OnSBbuWhxYLyJICCRG/s1600/slips-rainpeople-women.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxVW3SGu7_WHcdPVHtcKvNehV7ARYFwwHxly7Ev7xgTwZt2uiRLKrI5q8j42HV4huMbT7rtAQZpHo-U5sjTK1uN6S9wwMFEsm7pSgxEAiqCz6NaQKRbcar6O8u_OnSBbuWhxYLyJICCRG/s320/slips-rainpeople-women.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next, you can turn your slipper sole inside out, slip in the padding, and align your toe strip so that the two ends can be sewn into the bottom toe portion of your sole leaving about a half an inch at the top for your toes to pop out. You might consider making these stitches have thick exterior nubs for traction on the sole.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sew neatly closed. To make it look really pro, think about adding a ribbon or trim around your seam, or add embellishments to your toe.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79eb_GFDC90Ip8QmvLgTzth351fdwsnRc0Gg19XnHzaN7XBwdvWpOH8nPrhPICKL0RJM-8KrzhPYfGIZc5iaiMKGJrCcdqeFHvJUW_q0JDDwMdi5oLxC8GZE4mSTZ4KVnd6L3qNYJxjrY/s1600/slippers3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79eb_GFDC90Ip8QmvLgTzth351fdwsnRc0Gg19XnHzaN7XBwdvWpOH8nPrhPICKL0RJM-8KrzhPYfGIZc5iaiMKGJrCcdqeFHvJUW_q0JDDwMdi5oLxC8GZE4mSTZ4KVnd6L3qNYJxjrY/s400/slippers3.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are lots of other great patterns for slippers online and vary in terms of level of difficulty. I recommend finding some felt and making yourself a proto-type for more difficult slippers before you commit with expensive fabric. Otherwise, modify by making a long half inch strip of fabric for your heel and cover the full toe with a foot wide piece of doubled fabric.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXesbvUEStqV3T_En2s7gAyF5gqltPl0rQBP9CJTcd36JCy3amBXdmJmBlYiVhKTFGDO7_3Q5bfY3LLIgN3fU0lWzjmb0ZcJT7i8iouXoM4yPRUtuXWLFxQKYEB8JTTL8NcUpjMJh5FL30/s1600/slippers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXesbvUEStqV3T_En2s7gAyF5gqltPl0rQBP9CJTcd36JCy3amBXdmJmBlYiVhKTFGDO7_3Q5bfY3LLIgN3fU0lWzjmb0ZcJT7i8iouXoM4yPRUtuXWLFxQKYEB8JTTL8NcUpjMJh5FL30/s320/slippers.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Felt Slippers How-To</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5E6Y9qbryiirLEAN3GsK8jKu0LTOYOJKmAVLWjtUH3pJcs-_JpXc5duCmRxC_ifl9HJ1Gzktba2DaQtju7cio-nZRvG3AWO4eBz-YVm3FPkyESdUVpWVYY4nZhovJmEX_XigTtA6yNxB/s1600/slippers+template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5E6Y9qbryiirLEAN3GsK8jKu0LTOYOJKmAVLWjtUH3pJcs-_JpXc5duCmRxC_ifl9HJ1Gzktba2DaQtju7cio-nZRvG3AWO4eBz-YVm3FPkyESdUVpWVYY4nZhovJmEX_XigTtA6yNxB/s1600/slippers+template.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">1. Use templates. Trace onto 1/8-inch-thick wool felt, and cut out (you will need 2 sole pieces and 2 upper pieces per slipper; remember to flip the soles over for the opposite foot). Stack the sole pieces.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Place the upper pieces together, and then sew the heel and the instep with a straight stitch, 3/16 inch from edge. Open, and pin to the sole pieces, first at the heel and toe, then along the sides. Sew all the way around, through all layers, 3/16 inch from the edge.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Add a decorative stitch with embroidery floss, like the X pictured on the big red slipper opposite. To add custom fabric name tags, print them on iron-on tape using a label maker, and apply to top layer of sole before sewing slipper.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Like most art forms there are differing styles of calligraphy. The first step in learning how to write calligraphy is gaining enough knowledge so that you can choose a style that resonates with you. Calligraphy styles fall into two basic camps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">* <b><i>Western Calligraphy</i></b>: Was first developed in Europe, and is considered the predecessor of modern-day block print. Western calligraphy uses ornate, regularly-spaced and regularly-sized characters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">* <b><i>Eastern Asian Calligraphy</i></b>: Includes Islamic and Chinese calligraphy. Oriental calligraphy emphasizes spontaneous, flowing strokes, with a special emphasis on the width and the weight of each stroke. Oriental calligraphy is often used in paintings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Like a painter needs brushes and canvas, a calligraphy needs some basic tools as well. Whether you are learning how to write calligraphy for fun or business, you will need a a basic set of tools in order to practice and produce. Like manuals, calligraphy pens and brushes are plentiful. The sizes and shapes of the pens can be confusing to the beginner as well as the pricing. Calligraphy pens can be expensive. As you are learning how to write calligraphy and developing your skill, it would be better to start with an inexpensive pen set that will allow you to practice all the basic strokes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The calligraphy paper comes in all forms and varieties. The simple rule is: practice with inexpensive paper, produce with parchment. Since spacing is so important in writing calligraphy, your practice paper should include the top, bottom and center lines. Art supply stores carry practice paper and parchment, but I have found both in the school supply aisles of certain department stores.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9Akfk3FIxzyK6W8rIgm7E7l-kZILiDrxWx6q8MSzCv6fvIzLagFZQFcbyievS2Cv996OZi-9Gpgs9wwbdU8X7xcT4wRnCtZiT3SkHZJKgFBwf6XifUEyWP1BM3DlYqxVE9vLjHhKBJLa/s1600/calligraphy+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9Akfk3FIxzyK6W8rIgm7E7l-kZILiDrxWx6q8MSzCv6fvIzLagFZQFcbyievS2Cv996OZi-9Gpgs9wwbdU8X7xcT4wRnCtZiT3SkHZJKgFBwf6XifUEyWP1BM3DlYqxVE9vLjHhKBJLa/s400/calligraphy+7.jpg" width="315" /></a></span></div></div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-25682522177699266892011-06-18T11:18:00.000-07:002011-06-30T14:20:17.605-07:00Paper + button + ribbon + lace = The Magic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: small;">Recently I came across the work of <b>Danielle Flanders</b>, an American who is a real master of work with paper, scrapbooking and card making.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36exT_bCicoA0XBf99sGLD5KVYkYAzUc5FQSxRF32QKt9O-ygmjyFjcGmN8oMtvNez1WQP9EUVISEUNyFBnGZlWLyKt_Qd30pdA2Vc_9B0WJNoM6a7PG553OwCgi2HXSU552ZrZsFmtHI/s1600/creating+a+happy+home+-+cover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36exT_bCicoA0XBf99sGLD5KVYkYAzUc5FQSxRF32QKt9O-ygmjyFjcGmN8oMtvNez1WQP9EUVISEUNyFBnGZlWLyKt_Qd30pdA2Vc_9B0WJNoM6a7PG553OwCgi2HXSU552ZrZsFmtHI/s320/creating+a+happy+home+-+cover1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">That is what Danielle said about herself:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">'I am a certified K-8 teacher turned stay-at-home-mom with 2 beautiful girls and live near Albany, NY with my husband of 10 years!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Creating things has always been my passion since I can remember! Scrapbooking and card making were introduced to me when my first daughter was born 9 years ago. Since then I have really flourished and adore trying new techniques! I enjoy creating scrapbooks for my daughters and want them to know how we feel about being parents, how much they are cherished, and create something memorable for them to keep forever. But the process is what I really enjoy the most! I feel my style is girly, artsy, creative and a bit of shabby chic thrown in for good measure!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Quilting, painting, and spending time with my family are also my favorite past-times. I strive to create work that inspire others as much as I've been inspired!! My goals are to continue designing for manufacturers and obtaining freelance design work as well.'</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Currently she works with<b> <a href="http://www.papertreyink.com/index.html">Papertrey Ink</a>, <a href="http://jennibowlinstudioinspiration.blogspot.com/">Jenni Bowlin Studio</a>, <a href="http://www.rightathome.typepad.com/">Right at Home Scrapbooking</a> </b>and couple more design teams. Her works are published in numerous crafting, art and design specialized magazines, and she share her knowledge and experience in scrapbooking classes. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are a pictures of her beautiful work, and if you are curious for more visit her blog<b> <a href="http://danielleflanders.blogspot.com/">Homespun with Heart</a> </b> I hope you will enjoy as much as I did!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div></div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-3426528098379152172011-06-15T14:26:00.000-07:002011-06-30T13:26:21.104-07:00Royal School of Needlework - Keep hand embroidery alive<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Royal School of Needlework </b>is unique in the field of hand embroidery and has a wealth of experience and expertise accumulated over more than 130 years.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CYQdqm9tkYtRO6fiGQzcaeL-mv8OWtNDM7_uch0R4BXmwIBl6RHaniPQZMj9y03Z_W4KP_ZG0xiiwzQZw0EiUCZXBlBK-QDF9UNs2HVZ_KL2hE-b_ZjUKw-68f2C8VowGozI9LYlMgE7/s1600/House+and+Garden+June+2010+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CYQdqm9tkYtRO6fiGQzcaeL-mv8OWtNDM7_uch0R4BXmwIBl6RHaniPQZMj9y03Z_W4KP_ZG0xiiwzQZw0EiUCZXBlBK-QDF9UNs2HVZ_KL2hE-b_ZjUKw-68f2C8VowGozI9LYlMgE7/s400/House+and+Garden+June+2010+3.jpg" width="292" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">The early history of the RSN is linked with the social, cultural and political history of Victorian and Edwardian Britain. The RSN began as the School of Art Needlework in 1872 founded by <b>Lady Victoria Welby</b>. The first President was <b>Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein</b>, Queen Victoria's third daughter, known to the RSN as Princess Helena.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The founding principles of the RSN were two-fold: to revive a beautiful art which had fallen into disuse and, through its revival, to provide employment for educated women who, without a suitable livelihood, would otherwise find themselves compelled to live in poverty.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The RSN began operating in a small room above a bonnet shop in Sloane Street, London, initially employing 20 ladies. By 1903, after sterling fundraising efforts from Princess Helena and others, George, Prince of Wales (later King George V) was able to open a new purpose-built centre on Exhibition Road, close to the Victoria and Albert Museum where, at its peak, the RSN employed around 150 workers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Importance of design<br />
</b>In the 1870s, under the guidance of <b>Lord Leighton</b>, the RSN commissioned designs from leading figures in the <i>Aesthetic Movement </i>and later the <i>Arts and Crafts Movement</i>, including <b><i>William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones, Walter and Thomas Crane, GF Bodley, George Aitchison, Fairfax Wade, Selwyn Image, Gertrude Jekyll</i></b> and others.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYaOKWFJtXDWlndKMaly4ecm76SV6egvpNjbQvPIhZjLDrjpvZ2DfqGB3Hex3OcspcsWe_OBo-nCnlhaZCqY1X6g8_zCiXcpeeXG5rAW5dsi67d1nPbNoxJi_pVrF5ImT26LsiQhQa6R3/s1600/Princess+Helena+%25281846-1923%2529+1861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYaOKWFJtXDWlndKMaly4ecm76SV6egvpNjbQvPIhZjLDrjpvZ2DfqGB3Hex3OcspcsWe_OBo-nCnlhaZCqY1X6g8_zCiXcpeeXG5rAW5dsi67d1nPbNoxJi_pVrF5ImT26LsiQhQa6R3/s320/Princess+Helena+%25281846-1923%2529+1861.JPG" width="254" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Princess Helena, the first president of the school</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><b>First World War<br />
</b>Men first became involved with the RSN as stitchers during the First World War as embroidery was considered something physically disabled soldiers could do. Some came to work in the RSN workroom for a while to the cost of female jobs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Second World War<br />
</b>During the Second World War <b>Lady Smith-Dorrien,</b> the then Principal led the RSN in collecting lace which was then sold for the war effort. She was later made a Dame in recognition of this work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The design of wheat ears, olive branches and acorns, symbolising fruitfulness, peace and longevity was created by 12 embroiderers working seven days a week in shifts over three months using 18 types of gold thread. In 2002 the RSN was commissioned to produce a balcony hanging for Buckingham Palace to represent the Commonwealth on the occasion of<i> Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Many of our Royal Patrons and Presidents have been active supporters. Both Princess Helena and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother were frequent visitors and took an active role in the annual sales, 'manning' one of the sales tables. The late Queen Mother was also active in the RSN's move from Kensington to Hampton Court Palace in 1987 (the RSN's sixth home). In 1985 Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester became the RSN's President. An accomplished needlewoman, Her Royal Highness regularly visits the RSN to view students’ work and in March 2010 she met the Degree students and viewed the new Foundation Degree rooms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>20<sup>th</sup> century commissions<br />
</b>Notable commissions in the late 20th century include the Hastings Panels commissioned in 1966 to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings and the Overlord Embroidery, commissioned by Lord Dulverton, depicting the Allied invasion of Normandy. Comprising 34 hand embroidered panel, the work took 20 embroideresses five years to complete from 1969-1974. The panel now hangs in the D-Day Museum Portsmouth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In 1997 the RSN celebrated its 125th anniversary with an exhibition. On show were Collection pieces, staff and students' work and commissions from a variety of clients. Items included a Philip Somerville hat embroidered with leaves and flowers, a Paul Smith suit featuring hand embroidered insects, a panel commissioned to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of Longleat in 1980, two goldwork crowns for the Worshipful Company of Girdlers from 1946 and a regimental mascot coat for the Royal Regiments of Wales in 1982.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">In 2005 the National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) commissioned the Studio to design and produce a new altar frontal for Canterbury Cathedral and more recently an international artist commissioned the Studio to interpret his original artwork in canvas work. In 2006, Sir Paul McCartney’s PR company commissioned the Studio to create the cover of his classical album 'Ecce Cor Meum' in whitework. English Heritage turned to the RSN in 2009 when preparing for the re-presentation of Dover Castle in Kent. Six large pieces were produced in an extremely short timescale including the King’s Hall backcloth; a canopy and tester; the Guest Hall backcloth and a standard and altar frontal. These were completed with the help of volunteers from the RSN Certificate Course.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7D0Nv2p47LVUJ1wkZDwfmMTN7714LyxtVJK53LE6Fr7IQdBvjudaCW6Z34tlZBPi4M57PhhOFKdhkQsg1yf_4Z2WXHDKh10aWtiVfAMrJYFLWe-6KhFzjSbEa4hvKqnGVs0NT1lURlkb/s1600/rsn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7D0Nv2p47LVUJ1wkZDwfmMTN7714LyxtVJK53LE6Fr7IQdBvjudaCW6Z34tlZBPi4M57PhhOFKdhkQsg1yf_4Z2WXHDKh10aWtiVfAMrJYFLWe-6KhFzjSbEa4hvKqnGVs0NT1lURlkb/s400/rsn.jpg" width="353" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Training and courses<br />
</b>Throughout its 138 years the RSN has offered training courses. In the 1870s young women received just nine five-hour lessons before joining the workroom. There was an admission fee, sometimes paid by a relation or referee, which could be offset against the worker's wages. Today students have to pay but some of them are funded through bursaries, scholarships and awards and the generous support of livery companies, charitable trusts, private donors and legacies. Today we offer a range of classes from fun day and weekend classes making practical pieces, to our Certificate and Diploma Courses enabling students to concentrate on a particular technique. The RSN two year Foundation Degree in Hand Embroidery started in 2009, accredited by the University of the Creative Arts. The degree combines learning the techniques of stitching in both historical and contemporary contexts, with artistic and creative personal development. </span></div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-6063434453672910102011-06-09T15:12:00.000-07:002011-06-09T15:15:12.379-07:00A Story of the Bookmark<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtS9xy04K9aiDLT58JhAFTI2Q0RG-61a1LD_WrsRQ2IaNE-hymYv9k-ctJz4BXr3G0G_LuxI0wZuxaGnoeYKtn9fQG9cjfmWi4KgOnbQmf40-1mNtYojsygejud_2Th1XhGdB9MaS_iQFs/s1600/bookmark+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtS9xy04K9aiDLT58JhAFTI2Q0RG-61a1LD_WrsRQ2IaNE-hymYv9k-ctJz4BXr3G0G_LuxI0wZuxaGnoeYKtn9fQG9cjfmWi4KgOnbQmf40-1mNtYojsygejud_2Th1XhGdB9MaS_iQFs/s400/bookmark+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">What are you using as a bookmark? A simple ribbon or piece of string? An old concert ticket? A wrinkled paper with someones phone number? I remember my father used to put in the book just a small, ripped off piece of newspapers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Well, I hope you are more creative person, who, like I do, think that is much more in this small object called <i>the bookmark</i>. And there is a quite a history of it....</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMS37E7m-Z-WY0Opvfz8unp66NrqaUIa_nkOtwqJyLvmgAr_IEBDDCK4GovJqBE6OIzKHbkvgPjSLkqO06JjCFFLvb9r_f08v1vMZog0wTbAoj_wFPhLIFJ-hs5EjhG0dXP3wecA2owe1/s1600/handmade+bookmarker+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMS37E7m-Z-WY0Opvfz8unp66NrqaUIa_nkOtwqJyLvmgAr_IEBDDCK4GovJqBE6OIzKHbkvgPjSLkqO06JjCFFLvb9r_f08v1vMZog0wTbAoj_wFPhLIFJ-hs5EjhG0dXP3wecA2owe1/s320/handmade+bookmarker+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">The history of bookmarks is intimately connected with the development of the</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> book itself. Though the earliest bookmarks date from the medieval ages, it is obvious</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> that even in ancient times - when papyrus scrolls were the reading matter of choice -</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> bookmarks must have been used to mark a reader's place on the scrolls that could be</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> 40 meters or more in length. Some of the oldest bookmarks were found in medieval</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> monasteries and among them are clip-on type bookmarks made of vellum. Therefore it</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> is easy to imagine that this type was also used to mark place on the papyrus scrolls in</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> ancient Egypt. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQFSulgPVqWXhEXi9fOZSvIeOtxe8Vi1UTGUpmcOLWaIjuCNnn9a9QYYxWog_5hzRDOEV2D3U4zQKXeFODsVznOGIXZVqJ_DyDdgZnQfs_1z2C29Mk8Z7nCEhQupfuqJmeHwAv1NEj9TE/s1600/bookmark+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQFSulgPVqWXhEXi9fOZSvIeOtxe8Vi1UTGUpmcOLWaIjuCNnn9a9QYYxWog_5hzRDOEV2D3U4zQKXeFODsVznOGIXZVqJ_DyDdgZnQfs_1z2C29Mk8Z7nCEhQupfuqJmeHwAv1NEj9TE/s400/bookmark+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Bookmarks were used throughout the medieval period, consisting usually of a small parchment strip attached to the edge of folio (or a piece of cord attached to headband). As the first printed books were quite rare and valuable, it was determined early on that something was needed to mark one's place in a book without causing its pages any harm.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KiLcD9m48teWEM-S5akS2h-WGHvw39HCDKh3S6KSB5GsWynOxeCWmM1jJfZEr71yKRB4f09YxyPibRVwBRWeVHB5iZG69QPmXa6XW554ua65J8flaxixzN46Gn3dkYIPWzVQQfMMa06w/s1600/bookmark+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KiLcD9m48teWEM-S5akS2h-WGHvw39HCDKh3S6KSB5GsWynOxeCWmM1jJfZEr71yKRB4f09YxyPibRVwBRWeVHB5iZG69QPmXa6XW554ua65J8flaxixzN46Gn3dkYIPWzVQQfMMa06w/s400/bookmark+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">With the rise of printing in the fifteenth century, books were published in limited numbers and were quite valuable. The need to protect these precious commodities was evident. One of the earliest references to the use of bookmarks was in 1584 when the Queen's Printer, Christopher Barker, presented Queen Elizabeth I with a fringed silk bookmark.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Common bookmarks in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were narrow silk ribbons bound into the book at the top of the spine and extended below the lower edge of the page. The first detachable bookmarks began appearing in the 1850's and were made from silk or embroidered fabrics. Not until the 1880's, did paper and other materials become more common. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The great period of bookmark design and the use of luxuriant materials was during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. The idea that a bookmark be used to keep one's place and protect one's book caught on, and bookmarks have been produced in a variety of materials ever since. Modern bookmarks are available in a huge variety of materials in a multitude of designs and styles. Many are made of cardboard or heavy paper, but they are also constructed of leather, ribbon, fabric, felt, steel, wire, tin, beads, wood, plastic, vinyl, silver, gold, and other precious metals, some decorated with gemstones.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The first detached, and therefore collectible, bookmarks began to appear in the 1850s. One of the first references to these is found in Mary Russell Mitford's <i>Recollections of a Literary Life</i> (1852): "I had no marker and the richly bound volume closed as if instinctively." Note the abbreviation of 'bookmarker' to 'marker'. The modern abbreviation is usually 'bookmark'. Historical bookmarks can be very valuable, and are sometimes collected along with other paper ephemera.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhne1Gr1MizZlvDQOfr4vMweBCwhXg-Weq76V4aTD8eeVsDmAKEOiVnfodjc1VS99uVbq1uIABSsEio_dsROQM0V8ud9YiZD52SYiAF_m9b2ySzyiMKacZuizSqJmxMVSdvG8lRJRMAxdF/s1600/bookmark+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhne1Gr1MizZlvDQOfr4vMweBCwhXg-Weq76V4aTD8eeVsDmAKEOiVnfodjc1VS99uVbq1uIABSsEio_dsROQM0V8ud9YiZD52SYiAF_m9b2ySzyiMKacZuizSqJmxMVSdvG8lRJRMAxdF/s400/bookmark+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">By the 1860s, attractive machine-woven markers were being manufactured, mainly in Coventry, UK, the centre of the silk-ribbon industry. One of the earliest was produced by J.&J. Cash to mark the death of the Prince Consort in 1861. Thomas Stevens of Coventry soon became pre-eminent in the field and claimed to have nine hundred different designs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Woven pictorial bookmarks produced by Thomas Stevens, a 19th century English silk weaver, starting around 1862, are called Stevengraphs. Woven silk bookmarks were very appreciated gifts in Victorian days and Stevens seemed to make one for every occasion and celebration. One Stevengraph read: <i>All of the gifts which heaven bestows, there is one above all measure, and that's a friend midst all our woes, a friend is a found treasure to thee I give that sacred name, for thou art such to me, and ever proudly will I claim to be a friend to thee.</i></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCsjlAwvbjUKXu2PXo5bIzptXAujPAaAGWXEVBWzVF1rIxO0hm9lEw2tDusztaGxWw3OF1HDEGnl8dhTqOv_tadNQr6iYC0ZzfZ_AT7N5It2HFjLkkYb2rNrIl6sOtV9vhbh8p6cfD8aq/s1600/bookmark+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCsjlAwvbjUKXu2PXo5bIzptXAujPAaAGWXEVBWzVF1rIxO0hm9lEw2tDusztaGxWw3OF1HDEGnl8dhTqOv_tadNQr6iYC0ZzfZ_AT7N5It2HFjLkkYb2rNrIl6sOtV9vhbh8p6cfD8aq/s400/bookmark+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Most nineteenth-century bookmarks were intended for use in bibles and prayer books and were made of ribbon, woven silk or leather. By the 1880s the production of woven silk markers was declining and printed markers made of stiff paper or cardboard began to appear in significant numbers. This development paralleled the wider availability of books themselves, and the range of available bookmarkers soon expanded dramatically.</span><br />
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</span></div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-16674368408482197222011-06-06T13:50:00.000-07:002011-06-30T13:39:11.097-07:00Emma Bridgewater's special touch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="staticpage"><div class="andreacoxright"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ii3tZB-MlV21TXCmm2wMqp7m3Q1xAQNIghY9n5k6c7mBqCzJ9B8_x7cZxJsJsOspuGxCUjWeTo2GMWnsKNFgaQ9M6ChdxVUIr7WQI3yq9CinALWXg9tn-5IrWX3qkov2Q6gXCpbzZLcV/s1600/pink-hearts-range_-from-_11_95-emma-bridgewater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ii3tZB-MlV21TXCmm2wMqp7m3Q1xAQNIghY9n5k6c7mBqCzJ9B8_x7cZxJsJsOspuGxCUjWeTo2GMWnsKNFgaQ9M6ChdxVUIr7WQI3yq9CinALWXg9tn-5IrWX3qkov2Q6gXCpbzZLcV/s320/pink-hearts-range_-from-_11_95-emma-bridgewater.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Emma founded the company in 1985 and since then has designed a huge number of patterns, many no longer available. The very nature of pottery (i.e. it breaks!) also means that as time goes by less and less of the discontinued patterns are in existence, and are therefore more collectible.</span></div><div class="bordertap"></div><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Emma Bridgewater</b></i> is the oldest daughter in a large family and her mother Char provided the first inspiration for her as a designer. Emma grew up in Oxford, where her mother’s welcoming kitchen was dominated by a scrubbed pine kitchen table and a big dresser covered in colourful, mismatched china including big Victorian meat plates, pretty cups and saucers and generous jugs big enough for a bunch of flowers from the garden. An early exponent of kitchen living, with rush matting on the floor and Elizabeth David’s cookbooks on the window sill, Char Stroud’s taste defined relaxed, easy living. Emma’s father started, built up and eventually sold, a publishing business; this gave Emma an insight into entrepreneurial life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Emma graduated from London University with a degree in English Literature. Her first and only job was working for knitwear designers <i> Muir & Osborne</i>. She became involved in every aspect of this small fashion company and it gave her the taste for doing something for herself.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsY_nvKNF9mXDXPaZOdOeZKfIP0hMeZc2AFd3DxghNVe2xWXjFfV6zNiN_V6yuoVEtmaKnrQ5RX3e5tskCG7fyXB_V1L1mYuaH2ItNfQV4d4-T1x4dWQSHg0JNeaJZrk7Fq12Br9Wxa4z/s1600/tumblr_ljupq6BgX81qanl61o1_r1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsY_nvKNF9mXDXPaZOdOeZKfIP0hMeZc2AFd3DxghNVe2xWXjFfV6zNiN_V6yuoVEtmaKnrQ5RX3e5tskCG7fyXB_V1L1mYuaH2ItNfQV4d4-T1x4dWQSHg0JNeaJZrk7Fq12Br9Wxa4z/s1600/tumblr_ljupq6BgX81qanl61o1_r1_400.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Union Jack collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Matthew </b></i>trained as a theatre designer, and subsequently designed bespoke furniture. He also produced a range of stationery and desk accessories featuring his watercolour paintings of Venice, country houses and farms.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Emma and Matthew met when they were both selling their products at London trade fair Top Drawer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Born in 1962 in London, Matthew is the only son of designer Pat Albeck and theatre set designer Peter Rice. Matthew went to Chelsea and Central School of Art. He set up furniture design company David Linley Furniture with David Linley, an old school friend from Bedales, in 1985. Matthew produced a range of beautiful desk accessories and stationery for the company featuring his trademark muted watercolours. Subjects included Venetian scenes, country house and English farms.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: small;">After marrying Emma, Matthew left David Linley Furniture and in 1989 set up his own company ‘Rice-Paper’ which was very successful for some years. Matthew joined forces with Emma after their marriage in 1987 and he now collaborates on designs in partnership with her.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQPEWnVCDTe-CESUztZIEVA7oj7vrKfeQiKl9WAIImmppGEQYu4u2oU_6on9H_JRNKhY7HhHk1RU02dToo7XJ5nbcyV7qRYFqvFGs17AnBMFoiiK0pkDcn6AOsYqkdxkZ-dIlqZo2xIP_/s1600/emma-bridgewater-royal-wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQPEWnVCDTe-CESUztZIEVA7oj7vrKfeQiKl9WAIImmppGEQYu4u2oU_6on9H_JRNKhY7HhHk1RU02dToo7XJ5nbcyV7qRYFqvFGs17AnBMFoiiK0pkDcn6AOsYqkdxkZ-dIlqZo2xIP_/s200/emma-bridgewater-royal-wedding.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Royal Wedding collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">As well as his work on Emma Bridgewater designs, Matthew has also produced a range of beautifully illustrated books about architecture and Norfolk, where he and Emma have lived for much of their married life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Emma and Matthew now live in Oxford, but retain a home in Norfolk, which they both love. Matthew and Emma design together, working on the patterns that decorate your kitchen.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The early family life which inspired the Emma Bridgewater business took place round the kitchen table, and that is still the focus of Emma and Matthew’s life with their four children today.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdj3aYTg24fXICXnEUP2N04w4cehwzXiRSTYSAvW1C4TZlozAPbNmbFkii8vcao1QbWv6HrSPgmL7NvrbXKgIdoUI2m3luhwRdulQVEqLShCDu7WTiEvjcirS0OXpl3Wq6Z-fsDYy4WKn2/s1600/CCACAAAALEEDACBF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdj3aYTg24fXICXnEUP2N04w4cehwzXiRSTYSAvW1C4TZlozAPbNmbFkii8vcao1QbWv6HrSPgmL7NvrbXKgIdoUI2m3luhwRdulQVEqLShCDu7WTiEvjcirS0OXpl3Wq6Z-fsDYy4WKn2/s640/CCACAAAALEEDACBF.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classical Emma's collections: Black toast (left) and Polka Dot (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>As well as our own stores, Emma Bridgewater products are also available from lots of lovely shops in the UK and around the world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7lPeRQ60iYieMDBlQA3bkYBe6HZZmhvZV4FLxGCEC8BSiZ6I3IdB4l4KgJ1059NeCi5jrBSWb_wenDMf1HGhxKgohLl3ZMuTOAq1DITXl7lSVlfy6wmZ0fbeq-dqasKQKSj9IHK3cwgR/s1600/g6263_fr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7lPeRQ60iYieMDBlQA3bkYBe6HZZmhvZV4FLxGCEC8BSiZ6I3IdB4l4KgJ1059NeCi5jrBSWb_wenDMf1HGhxKgohLl3ZMuTOAq1DITXl7lSVlfy6wmZ0fbeq-dqasKQKSj9IHK3cwgR/s320/g6263_fr.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Childrens' collection Man at Work</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div></div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-17164292762283260672011-06-04T12:17:00.000-07:002011-06-30T13:38:08.440-07:00A Creative Gift Wrapping<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXk9_cSLKMbQDLx_aE8hyphenhyphen138nKuj9MwveneAnfeCE92krauAqbPyEQ1tIFhnB6at8F_kGmRdYmjAhN66LigMaqYG3Sc3-oiWHIQHhja3NoSKf2gUoAFIR3X2AGkBbZEB18GkYDpsepMgl/s1600/woven+ribbon+wrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXk9_cSLKMbQDLx_aE8hyphenhyphen138nKuj9MwveneAnfeCE92krauAqbPyEQ1tIFhnB6at8F_kGmRdYmjAhN66LigMaqYG3Sc3-oiWHIQHhja3NoSKf2gUoAFIR3X2AGkBbZEB18GkYDpsepMgl/s320/woven+ribbon+wrap.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="personalized_text">Turn your gifts into works of art</span></span></i></b><br />
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<span id="personalized_text"></span><span style="font-size: small;">The gifts wrapping could cause you a lot of trouble as much as a choice of the right present. </span>Giving a beautifully wrapped gift makes a lasting impression.<span style="font-size: small;">With a nice, creative wrapping even a smallest and modest present could give a great deal of joy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">All you need is a good will, a bit of imagination and creativity, and some 20 - 30 minutes of spare time. Even if you are not too skilled for crafts and if you don't have "the golden fingers", your present may look adorable - chic, elegant, funny, serious, childish, romantic, rustic... or - just name it! With a little effort you can achieve a wow effect. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Let's start!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>What You'll Really Need</b></i></span></div><br />
The right materials make a huge difference in painless present-wrapping. While the tradition lends itself to endless variations, the basic materials are: <br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Paper</b>. Select a medium-weight gift wrap in a sheet large enough to cover the item, plus a few extra inches to spare. Thin, dime-store paper, while inexpensive, can crumple and tear during wrapping, and premium papers, though seductively beautiful, can be difficult to work with due to their heavy weight, and resistant to the adhesive of general-purpose tape. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> <b>Scissors</b>. Sharp blades allow you slice the paper in one sweeping movement. If possible, use long paper shears for the most precise cut. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> <b>Tape</b>. Transparent tape with a matte finish "disappears" when you apply it. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Ribbon</b>. You'll need enough ribbon to wrap around your gift length- and width-wise, plus additional inches to make a bow. Stock up on a selection of colors and styles to add variety to your packages and make your task more fun. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> <b>A gift box</b>. If your gift isn't already in a box, consider putting it inside one to make it easier to wrap. If you are wrapping multiple gifts, they will also be easier to stack and store until you're ready to give them. </li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> Assemble your materials on a large table top and clear plenty of work space where you can unroll your wrapping paper. If the gift has a price tag, now is the time to remove it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b> <i><span style="font-size: large;">Follow the steps</span></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Measure the Width of the Box</b></span> <br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> Place the wrapping paper face-down on the table and center your gift on it, bottom up. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> Bring the paper around the sides of the box: if the box is rectangular, you want this bottom seam of your wrapping to run along the length of the box. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> Mark the place where the paper overlaps itself by about an inch (more if you'd like a folded edge along this seam). Hold your finger on this spot or mark it with a pencil. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> Slide the box over to the marked spot and use its edge as a guide to cut the paper in a straight line. You may also use a yardstick or fold the paper, if you find it easier to work that way. </span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoZPM4ZRExbQUQ6K5tXAUElWHyMeTOYMyy4M96nK9ddG_1H9PGNc9H8snsyALxjaOB3kx2PHUh3lwi1QtwsIYAU9Au8L2rH183kjKWoxWi3EPOL08DS5oLR6BjP6_8MTvkJBwxLhqR10a/s1600/SDC13369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoZPM4ZRExbQUQ6K5tXAUElWHyMeTOYMyy4M96nK9ddG_1H9PGNc9H8snsyALxjaOB3kx2PHUh3lwi1QtwsIYAU9Au8L2rH183kjKWoxWi3EPOL08DS5oLR6BjP6_8MTvkJBwxLhqR10a/s400/SDC13369.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Tip:</b> If your scissors are sharp enough, you can hold the paper and glide the scissors forward for a long, smooth cut with no jagged "cutting" marks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Measure the Length of the Box</b></span> <br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> Move the box toward the end of the paper, positioning it so you can fold the edge of the paper a little more than halfway up the end of the box. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> Holding the box in place, fold over the paper at the other end of the box. Mark the spot on the paper where this side also reaches a little more than halfway up the end of the box. Remove the box from the paper. Use your yardstick or fold the paper to mark the full length of the excess, then trim it away using your scissors. </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Tape the Seam</b></span> <br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> Wrap the paper back around the sides of the box so the edges meet at the bottom of the box, in the center. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> If you are working with one of the original edges of the paper, position it as the top layer for a crisp, straight line. If both edges are scissor-cut and you want a cleaner look, fold the top edge under about half an inch and crease. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> Secure the seam in the center with a small piece of tape. </span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NhAStnUFbafrxUVQAuhZcCx8F3kI4s-b9TQf1aqY2oowSXEc2J7V46x3PXGq_yWUNgrbvJIvUn-iG_n-YlB0Uu1OwCcQR1yZwyAr6psVuCtNCFE6YLduGgkKSt7f4rp3Lv_nBSmqmGX6/s1600/wrap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NhAStnUFbafrxUVQAuhZcCx8F3kI4s-b9TQf1aqY2oowSXEc2J7V46x3PXGq_yWUNgrbvJIvUn-iG_n-YlB0Uu1OwCcQR1yZwyAr6psVuCtNCFE6YLduGgkKSt7f4rp3Lv_nBSmqmGX6/s400/wrap.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Fold the Sides</b></span> <br />
<ul type="disc"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Be sure the box is centered in the paper you've wrapped around it. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Holding the box firmly in place, fold the sides of the paper against the edges of the box completely, at both ends of the box. This helps keep the box centered. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Crease the diagonal edges of the upper and lower flaps. </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Fold and Tape the Flaps</b></span> <br />
<ul type="disc"><li><span style="font-size: small;">With the bottom seam still facing upwards, fold down the upper flaps, gently creasing the paper against the edge of the box. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Fold up the lower flaps. If the exposed edge of the flap is not straight, or looks a little long, fold under a small amount of paper on both ends of the box. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Secure the flaps with tape. </span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglluv1Jz1_bbXINnB1M-4UNR-4r_Kmtcr14AgCvkQbcVpju_rwPZ0zBVEbNh1CWAL1u4_FJulWrNMhKHUrL4toNTdm3fDD2BYsnb5d0x8C4VDDqP1dyP2wjsiLQfnBy9FLxDHNz6woqagf/s1600/creative+unique+gift+wrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglluv1Jz1_bbXINnB1M-4UNR-4r_Kmtcr14AgCvkQbcVpju_rwPZ0zBVEbNh1CWAL1u4_FJulWrNMhKHUrL4toNTdm3fDD2BYsnb5d0x8C4VDDqP1dyP2wjsiLQfnBy9FLxDHNz6woqagf/s400/creative+unique+gift+wrap.jpg" width="333" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Measure the Ribbon</b></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Heed the thrifty carpenter's motto: measure twice, cut once! Before you cut your ribbon, first unwind the approximate length you'll need. </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> Wrap the ribbon once around your box lengthwise. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> Continuing from that spot on the ribbon, wrap an additional amount width-wise. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> To allow for a bow, unwind from several inches to several feet more, depending on the size of the package. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> Use your finger to mark the total amount of ribbon you'll need. </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Wrap the Ribbon Around the Box</b></span> <br />
<ul type="disc"><li><span style="font-size: small;"> Turn your wrapped package right-side-up and center the unwound length of ribbon across the top.</span> </li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> Wrap the ribbon around the package lengthwise and twist it in the center underneath the box. </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>Tie It Up With a Bow</b></span> <br />
<ul type="disc"><li><span style="font-size: small;"> Bring the ends back up around the sides of the box. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> Tie the ribbon once in the center, then tie a bow. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"> </li>
<li> <span style="font-size: small;"><i>Now</i> you can cut! </span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDF_BDidPs5MxQ2QAKzh5XXYMwevIzeXcJGD5PSeyVl6i2xLI4N7f2aAnxc9uB6zYvgp37RpT3hp4bziJCwOy4eDW_J-tLIHP_vwZ59iB28g3M1WT-UjvHqu3GQ910SRgYAnpuVUoQ7hF/s1600/P1080392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDF_BDidPs5MxQ2QAKzh5XXYMwevIzeXcJGD5PSeyVl6i2xLI4N7f2aAnxc9uB6zYvgp37RpT3hp4bziJCwOy4eDW_J-tLIHP_vwZ59iB28g3M1WT-UjvHqu3GQ910SRgYAnpuVUoQ7hF/s400/P1080392.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Odd-Shaped Gifts</b></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;">While an easy solution to the hard-to-wrap shape is to get a box for it, that isn't always practical. Besides, thinking "outside the box" can spark your creativity and lead to charming innovations. A few ideas: </span><br />
<ul type="disc"><li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Think tissue.</b> The secret weapon of the oddly shaped present! Gently swath the item in a few layers of tissue paper to make its shape more regular, than wrap the resulting bundle. This is a good solution for unboxed clothing and soft toys. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Cylindrical shapes.</b> Use a lightweight wrapping paper so the ends are easy to fold down. Thicker paper creates sharp edges that look awkward. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bottles and jars.</b> Go with tissue paper for a festive effect: tape the end of the paper neatly at the bottom of the bottle, and leave extra paper at the top that can be tied with a ribbon and fanned open. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Tips and cash gifts.</b> A decorated gift tube is a nice way to upgrade your basic envelope. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none;"></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gift bags.</b> If all else fails, don't be ashamed of turning to these problem-solving time-savers! Just nestle the gift in some tissue and add a bow and a note. Best of all, you know the bag will be easy for the giftee to reuse. </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxadLwhPqXKCycdGG3L28CFLez-KWSs0RV9rWboUP1pXbzw4_N1Plgks4f_B7ocInOuZCCxny03BVN3UIw6MrTfvvPlY3R4Zfk2A9DQHlq9UWSMQawBCFiBzDYTGzJ-ZH4saa2HyPKuML/s1600/ss_100967918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxadLwhPqXKCycdGG3L28CFLez-KWSs0RV9rWboUP1pXbzw4_N1Plgks4f_B7ocInOuZCCxny03BVN3UIw6MrTfvvPlY3R4Zfk2A9DQHlq9UWSMQawBCFiBzDYTGzJ-ZH4saa2HyPKuML/s1600/ss_100967918.jpg" /></a></span></div></div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7943988893084159329.post-18599271037768438552011-06-02T15:28:00.000-07:002011-06-02T15:31:24.194-07:00Wool Felting - Enjoy the Colours!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdl2IL2dR7o23YrbSxLGPOpmpE7WPViBz9WiKF_qYoocEsRK6HsxY7VKFDRRhZtuWyhDVhLM5pwBmoKgOD301AJAn2xOsdCH58jWIuVwNzAAnaApO4vzYVek8iNwrvN5s2DaKm_DZ2dPh/s1600/woolfeltsquares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdl2IL2dR7o23YrbSxLGPOpmpE7WPViBz9WiKF_qYoocEsRK6HsxY7VKFDRRhZtuWyhDVhLM5pwBmoKgOD301AJAn2xOsdCH58jWIuVwNzAAnaApO4vzYVek8iNwrvN5s2DaKm_DZ2dPh/s200/woolfeltsquares.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">You put your new woolen sweater in a washing machine and it shrinks at least 4 sizes? Hmmm... Not a nice thought, but maybe you can learn something new out of it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The reason why you actually ruined your sweater is simple and amazing. Wool and other animal fibers have scales. When you agitate the fibers with hot water and soap, or heat them and exert pressure, the scales rub together and bond. Nothing can reverse this bonding.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Felting is a process that creates a strong, homogenous structure from wool fibres. Felt is made using moisture and heat or a felting needle. This technique allows you to create clothing and home accessories, decorations, clothing and toys. Felting offers endless craft opportunities and is suitable for beginners and experts alike. Felting can be divided into three techniques:</span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Felting using moisture and heat </b><br />
Moisture, heat and friction cause the tiny scales on wool fibres to open up and interlock, bonding to create felt. Arrangement of the wool roving crossways supports this process. Soap serves to speed up the process. Finished felt is strong and homogenous, fibres cannot be pulled out, but it remains soft.</span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IpdqMKrQdALeZ22hRw9gw5VTHwWrtsmYBh3Ut-c2dldq3HXyafHC8e6pTwqfMDJnsoQbFlLH82O96qcQUY7R9U04znJT2q_XJQKaHFszwYjibd6k7Ed_pAhVfkeIJcFEKqFA1oe-mKCt/s1600/wool+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IpdqMKrQdALeZ22hRw9gw5VTHwWrtsmYBh3Ut-c2dldq3HXyafHC8e6pTwqfMDJnsoQbFlLH82O96qcQUY7R9U04znJT2q_XJQKaHFszwYjibd6k7Ed_pAhVfkeIJcFEKqFA1oe-mKCt/s320/wool+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Nuno felting</b><br />
Nuno is the Japanese word for fabric, and can be translated as ‘fabric felting’. Moisture, heat and friction cause the wool fibres to interlock while bonding with the fabric. Because the wool fibres that penetrate the fabric acquire durability, even a thin layer of roving can be placed in the fabric. Silk is most commonly used in nuno felting, but this can be replaced with cotton or linen gauze. </span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGxVEIIo_pxZgBo4r554Nm32Jah4jXvrtRqYEVUX5iA4sBtEPD-M8b4nh8y2A8orO3JjycXNd1w5yE1Q8BXfMMTAYujmVFRhS4Z_FiaNF_HvJlaynKVwAHKczGkVcTDaanPcJHKZGwICO/s1600/woolen+brooch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGxVEIIo_pxZgBo4r554Nm32Jah4jXvrtRqYEVUX5iA4sBtEPD-M8b4nh8y2A8orO3JjycXNd1w5yE1Q8BXfMMTAYujmVFRhS4Z_FiaNF_HvJlaynKVwAHKczGkVcTDaanPcJHKZGwICO/s400/woolen+brooch.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Felting needle</b><br />
Making felt using dry needle felting a relatively new craft technique that even beginners can do. All that is necessary is a foam backing and a felting needle to shape the wool. Repeatedly poking the needle into clean, brushed wool roving creates strong material. During the process, the individual fibres hook (lock) onto one another (they “felt”), resulting in a stable texture. Dry needle felting is divided into three basic groups: using needle felting appliqué moulds; felting onto polystyrene forms; and creating freeform decorations. </span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NGvFzjZjaELN536GVE-mKZi8vBM4NXLvSUtUVzSwGQpAwj1PjlqRBtTeVxuMaw1plvKpdwE4wyqV-9HWJ79qGDMkkCUsulrnDQl5eK9KY6lKSm2BCoDH21gL4qSGOwGbWDkAbTu_fyrT/s1600/owl+brooch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NGvFzjZjaELN536GVE-mKZi8vBM4NXLvSUtUVzSwGQpAwj1PjlqRBtTeVxuMaw1plvKpdwE4wyqV-9HWJ79qGDMkkCUsulrnDQl5eK9KY6lKSm2BCoDH21gL4qSGOwGbWDkAbTu_fyrT/s320/owl+brooch.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5J0PkUIYD25SsVBg0RxX-iMNyQNTnZJooIMmoRMaOpP-N4nBD6m2aesLonl3vJwRzr-zOEVy9vcYgzSA3LwKeFb8eYpLR6KuDnXH3EXB5on4UvEVP9VkKPsf1wqa1lyFlXyuYMLp2g_o/s1600/bowler+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5J0PkUIYD25SsVBg0RxX-iMNyQNTnZJooIMmoRMaOpP-N4nBD6m2aesLonl3vJwRzr-zOEVy9vcYgzSA3LwKeFb8eYpLR6KuDnXH3EXB5on4UvEVP9VkKPsf1wqa1lyFlXyuYMLp2g_o/s200/bowler+hat.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmDunv0NbdmBvq6Q5Mxb9rlHkoAWO5M9mAWLdpvZ3HHXCiat33w4neCbAEGPq8e-7s70cfn9tJG-3AvFlId8gDRhbZl63rX-CJCtO2jVCcZ7bO2ritqQ5h7w-j0vOY7-npx0rTmTI-pmh/s1600/felt+shoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmDunv0NbdmBvq6Q5Mxb9rlHkoAWO5M9mAWLdpvZ3HHXCiat33w4neCbAEGPq8e-7s70cfn9tJG-3AvFlId8gDRhbZl63rX-CJCtO2jVCcZ7bO2ritqQ5h7w-j0vOY7-npx0rTmTI-pmh/s200/felt+shoe.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The wool felting is an old technique, well known worldwide. Asian nomad tribes use a felt to make their homes (yurta), also they made rugs and clothing out of felt. In construction business felt is a very popular insulation material. The felt can be used for making shoes, slippers, hats (famous English bowler hat, for example), bags and also small items such as brooches,home decorations...</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div>thaichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17003273178272643581noreply@blogger.com0