My experiments with T-Shirt paintings

 Abhi loves all his favourite characters in his T-shirt!!!


Bala Hanuman
Obelix and dogmatix
............

Recycle Cotton Pants

Cotton Pants and Jeans are the best material to recycle and make shoulder bags, shopping bags etc.

I have used my son's cotton pants to make this shoulder bag. It can contain quite a good amount of things. I have cut the material such that the pockets are left as such, so that they can be more effectively used!.

See the following links also:

http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2007/08/shopping-bag-from-jeans.html

http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2007/08/shoulder-bag-from-recycled-jeans.html

M-seal art

Materials needed
Mseal
Pot – shape an be your choice
Acrylic paints
Paint brushes
Fevicol

Method

Wash the pot and dry it. Give a coating of any dark shade.
Mix the m-seal. Use little bit of talcum powder so that it does not stick to fingers.
If required draw a light sketch of the design you want to create on the pot.
Take small rounds of the mix and shape it like leaves and petals and fix it on the pot. It will stick directly on the surface. If not use little bit of fevicol.

For the stem, roll out the m-seal into long strings and arrange. Keep aside for 2-3 hrs for drying. Once dry, give the colors of your choice.

This can be done by children also. They will really enjoy doing the m-seal petals and strings. Even other shapes can be formed and used to decorate their boxes or shelves etc.

Other m-seal art :

http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2007/07/m-seal-art.html

There is no limit for creativity

Sewing project - needle case

I needed a handy case for my crochet needles, small scissors etc when I take the craft bag while going out. Then why not make one which satisfies my requirements. It requires sewing knowledge.

Materials needed

Scrap cotton fabrics (contrast colours)

Velcro

Design the pockets inside depending on what thing need to be kept. For crochet needle, stitch long pockets. For scissors or thread rolls wider pockets can be stitched.

Piping given with contrast coloured material enhances the look of the pouch.(see the pictures)

Painted Sofa Back

Make beautiful sofa backs by youself and decorate proudly in your living room!

Materials

Plain colour cotton Fabric

Lining material

Acrylic colours

Lace edging of matching color

Method

1. Plain water wash, dry and iron the cotton and lining fabrics. Cut the fabric into required shape and size. If your fabric is thick then lining may not be required. Otherwise, stitching the lining may be necessary.

2. Choose a design of your choice. Trace the design onto the fabric using yellow carbon paper.

3. Using black colour draw the outline of the design.

4. Fill in the appropriate colours for the design. Dry it for a day and iron press the back side.

5. Stitch the lining if required and the Lace edging.

Take pride in decorating your home with your hand made creations.

Bead garlands

Beads of different colours and sizes

Pendent of matching colour

Back screw

If back screw is used, start threading with one part of the the screw. Then thread the beads alternatively (the size and colour). I have used small golden beads also in between. When the length reaches half long, thread the pendent. Different types of pendents are available in the craft shops. Finally thread the the other part of the screw at the end.

If screw is not used, make the chain longer so that it can go thru the head.

Appliqued pillow case

Materials

Plain Cotton Fabric
Fabric for the remaining part of the pillow case
Fabric scraps
Fevicol
Fabric colours

Have a design drawn on a paper. Choose appropriate fabric scraps and cut them into the required shapes.

Draw the picture onto the plain fabric. Using fevicol spotting position the shapes on the fabric. Stitch the sides. It will be easy if zig-zag machine stitch is done, otherwise it has to be done by hand using stitches like button hole stitch.

I have used appliqués for the main portions and have painted the leaves, grass, flower stalk etc using fabric colours.

Once completed, press on the reverse. Attach this as the front panel for the pillow case.

Hand Embroidered Cushion cover

Materials needed

Cross stitch fabric
Fabric for backing
Lining Material
Embroidery Floss & tapestry needle
Velcro

Cut the cross stitch fabric to the size of the cushion for the front. Have an extra 2” seam allowance. Do simple patterns using common embroidery stitches like satin stitch, laisy daisy stitch, button hole stitch, chain stitch etc.

Once done, stitch the lining fabric for the front. This will protect the embroidery. For the back lining is optional. Attach the back piece from cotton fabric, with an overlap. Attach Velcro between the overlaps.

Other Ideas!

Crocheted flowers, satin flowers, laces etc can also be attached for decorations.

Decorated Karthigai Akal

Materials needed:

Karthigai akal (earthen lamps)

glitter

artificial jewel stones

Fevcicol

If the lamps do not have smooth finish or varnish coat, a coat of acrylic or pearl color could be given as a base to have a better look.

I have used white and green stones as they shone better with the background. There was a thin groove in the lamp, which I filled with the glitter. Decorate the lamp that goes as per the design on the lamp. If the lamp does not have any design on it, we can use our own designs.

Light Karthigai deepam with home made designer akals.!!

Cute and handy pouch

Materials required:

Cross-stitch material – a rectangular piece
Embroidery thread and tapestry needle
Scrap cotton material for shoulder strap
Light weight lining material
Velcrove

Method:

The size of the cross-stitch material can be based on the size of the pouch to be made.. .. or as my usual self, I have recycled the remaining cross-stitch material into a pouch for my use.

Do some simple cross-stitches to form a pattern. I have done double cross-stitch which looks like stars.

Cut lining cloth to the size of the cross stitch material. Keep it on the wrong side. Fold the pieces such that one side is longer than the other. Longer edge makes the flap as in the picture. Keep the lining on top. Join the sides (sewing them will make it strong) and pull inside out.

Stitch piping for the ends using a contrast color material. Make shoulder strap using the same cotton material and attach. Attach velcrove.

Cute pouches can be used as cell pouch or as an accessories kit. Gift you friend with her favourite necklace in this cute pouch.

Making Bookmarks

With little help from elders, children could make bookmarks. They can use it for themselves or it could be simple, but lovable gifts for close people like grandpa or a close friend.



See the blog for Bookmark ideas

Hobbies

Everyone should atleast have one hobby. Hobby refreshes the mind and recharges you. Anything other than what you do for your daily bread and living. Some hobbies cost you money, whereas some others can be effective. Interestingly, these days, many get opportunities to convert their hobby into a business.


I will try to put down whatever activities (I dare not call it art & craft!), which I do in the bits and pieces of time I get. Since I am restricted to travel long distance to shop, my work uses things that are readily available in near by shops and maximises the usage of already available materials. But the outcome gives a happiness and real energizer to me.

One of my favourite past time is crocheting. Mostly simple ones. The advantage of crocheting is that it is a mobile art, which can be taken anywhere along with you. So you can do crocheting when are waiting at the doctors clinic, on travel etc. Recently I read somewhere that Psychologist are advising crocheting and knitting as stress releiver and to improve concentration!


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