Quilling Art, By Sena Runa. Review.

Quilling Art

By Sena Runa

GMC Publications, 2017

Paperback, £14.99 UK/ $19.95 US

ISBN 9781784943677

Star rating: ****

Quilling designer Sena Runa has a refreshingly contemporary and irreverent approach to quilling. Her designs have a beguiling fluidity and elegance. She has a successful online business – and in her new book, she generously shares her designs and making-up techniques. 

Sena’s preferred method is to create an outer shape which is then filled with quilled coils and shaped strips. A drawn template is your guide. Sena has a wonderful way with quilling strips – for example, the yin-yang effect inside the diamond compartments of her Snowflake design. She has an excellent eye for colour, and chooses pretty and playful motifs. She is also not afraid to combine quilling with whimsical drawn elements – the Mermaid, for example.  

The upfront section takes you through the paces of basic quilling techniques – shapes and best practice. 

Projects include Sun, Cloud, Heart, Lion, Duck Fish, Butterfly, Apple,Rose, Tulip, Birthday Balloons, Sailboat, Coffee Cup, and the previously mentioned Mermaid. Clear photographic step-by-steps are provided for each project. Back-of-book, full-size templates are provided.

The suggestion to display the designs as ribbon-hung ornaments is a very appealing idea – one which would make a superb stocking filler (if you got cracking with your quilling). The learning curve is not steep – but the papery curves are infinite! Well done, Sena Runa.

Note: I was provided with a review copy of this title.

Easy Papercut Ornaments

Here's an easy papercutting project designed for double-sided paper. It is fun to make - the template is constructed from a single strip of paper. There's a wow moment when the final design appears.

The flip side of the ornament looks like this: 

.... so use it as a decorative giftwrap embellishment.

Here is your free papercut ornament file:
PapercutOrnament.pdf 
PapercutOrnament.svg 

PapercutOrnament.studio3 

I print the flip side of my paper with the colour of my choice. I make the folds against a small metal ruler. When folding, make sure the cut-outs are on top.
Add a craft thread hanging loop.

So, a quick project featuring two of my favourite papercraft-y things - papercutting and double-sided paper.
 

Nested Doll Pockets

Here's a fun paper take on Russian matryoshka dolls. Print and cut the three dolls - they all fit on to one A4 sheet of photocopier card! :)
They make cute party favours or envelope enclosures - but they are not for under 3s. (Of course, you can enlarge them on the photocopier.)

Here are your free nested dolls:
Nested Dolls.pdf 
NestedDolls.studio3 

Making up is a cinch. The how-tos are printed on the page.

Happy papercrafting. :)

Starry Pleated Ornaments

Star motifs are having a moment - not that they ever go out of style. Since they are super-suited to the festive season, here is a pleated ornament with a 3-D star feature. Cosmic!

In order for the projecting stars to be yellow on both sides, you either have to print on yellow card or print the flip side of your white card yellow. (I have supplied you with a .pdf of a matching colour yellow.)

Here are your free files: 
StarryPleatedOrnaments.pdf
StarryPleatedOrnaments.svg
StarryPleatedOrnaments.studio3

StarryPleatedOrnamentCardBack.pdf

Print on flip side of card.

I am not giving you detailed how-tos on how to make these pleated ornaments. For a quick study, check out my Pleated Paper Globes Tutorial.  

Also take a look at New Look Pleated Globe Ornaments.

I won't kid you - there is a bit of a learning curve. The trick is reversing the folds at the points - pop! Once you've cracked it, making pleated paper ornaments will be more-ish.  

Enjoy papercrating your Starry Pleated Ornaments.

 

Nested Teddy Bears

These cute nested teddies are inspired by Russian dolls. Tuck the successively smaller teddies into the pockets (kangaroo-style!) . There's a mailing envelope in a coordinating print, too.

Here are your freebie nesting teddies:
NestedTeddies.pdf
NestedTeddies.studio3

NestedTeddiesEnvelope.pdf
NestedTeddiesEnvelopeBig.pdf
NestedTeddiesEnvelope.studio3

To make the teddies, simply cut out the shapes. Affix a pocket on to each teddy bear. Glue on backs are supplied, for a tidy finish.

The small size bears are not for under 3. You can enlarge the design - and make a suitable larger envelope.

Enjoy making and giving the nested teddies! :)

Bargello-inspired Gift Cup

The pattern on this lidded gift container is inspired by bargello - flame stitch - needlework. The cute little tub has a handled lid with tabs. The tabs fit into the slots. There's a gift tag, too. Ideal size for small gifts or sweet treats.

Here's your free print-and-cut design:
BargelloGiftCup.pdf 
BargelloGiftCup.studio3 

I have given you an alternative colourway for the cup on the Silhouette Studio cutting file.

To Make Up:
1 Print on to 160 gsm photocopier card.

2 Cut out. If cutting by hand, carefully cut the slots in the cup top with a craft knife.

3 Join the cup to make a ring.

4 Turn up the base tabs, apply glue to them. Lower the base into the cup; glue tabs in place. Make sure the base is flush with worksurface.

5 Fold the end tabs of the handle - glue them on to opposite ends of the lid.

6 To close the lid, slide the tabs into place. Gently pull the handle near a tab to remove the lid.

Happy gifting. :)

Decoupage Your Home, by Fransie Snyman. Review.

Decoupage Your Home

A contemporary guide to transforming everyday objects

By Fransie Snyman

Search Press 2017

Paperback £12.99 UK/$19.95 US

ISBN 978-1-78221-576-9

Star rating: ***

Decoupage – decorating objects with artfully-applied cut-outs (made of paper and other materials) which are then lacquered, is a craft that’s enjoying a revival, thanks to new products and the upcycling trend.  So – Fransie Snyman’s new title is well-timed.  Decoupage is the perfect skill for an IKEA hack or a tea chest upgrade. 

Author Fransie Snyman’s day job is as a science teacher – so you can see how her fascination with materials and surfaces extends to the craft. She is up to speed with the products required to produce speedy decoupage projects. In olden times, layer upon layer of labouriously-applied varnish was required to finish a decoupaged object. These days, a variety of finishing products , many quick-drying, are available with specificity of end use and appearance. Example: podges. A podge is both a glue and a finish. You can choose matt, satin, gloss – even glitter  finishes, plus you can match the podge to both the surface and the material being applied. 

There is much to choose from when it comes to materials to apply. Napkin decoupage is a niche craft in itself. Printed paper napkins come in magnificent patterns, as does decopatch paper – tissue thin and brilliantly patterned. Fabric is a possibility, too.

Up front, you will find basic how-tos, acquainting you with tool, materials, and techniques. This is then followed by over 50 projects, all accompanied by step-by-step how-tos. The projects are pretty much as expected – lots of  tins, stool tops, toy box, wall clock. The peacock feather-motif cushions fashioned from paper napkins applied to fabric work a treat. It might have been nice to have a chart back-of-book, matching decoupage cut-out to finishing medium.

The craft of decoupage has much appeal – everyone likes a makeover, plus the potential to magic pretty papers a more permanent existence had great appeal. Protect and display.  Fransie Snyman’s new book provides decoupage know-how in one stop.

Note: I was provided with a review copy of this title.