Craftside

Home Screen Printing Workshop by Paul Thimou

Screen printing is a technique I have always wanted to try and this book is just the ticket to get me started. It is packed full of techniques and design inspiration.

Home Screen Printing Workshop
Do It Yourself Techniques, Design Ideas, and Tips for Graphic Prints
By
Paul Thimou

Images produced by the process of screen-printing surround us everywhere we go, from the garments we wear to the pillows we put on our couches; from the bags we carry our belongings in to the mugs from which we drink coffee. Screen printing has a long history--it is the way Andy Warhol had his celebrity portraits produced. It can be done on a large scale, but it is also very easy to do with simple and affordable materials at home. With the increasing interest in personalization and in making a statement with your own customized clothes and artwork, screen printing is being rediscovered by the younger DIY audience. It is a technique with a long history--but suddenly lots of crafters are trying their hand at it at home.

The aim of this book is to simplify the process of screen-printing. Presented in a step-by-step format to show that it can be used in a variety of environments, whether they plan to print on a table in a kitchen (that's how Laura Ashley started her design empire in London), a longer table in a garage, or a full studio in a basement or loft. It will also include chapters on adapting screen-printing to special areas of artistic interest and suggestions for applying the technique to produce something beautiful and functional. Home Screen Printing Workshop shows them how to print their own designer T-shirts, tote bags, scarves or posters, banners and serigraphs. The sections include simple resist printing, making a direct block out screen, making a photographic screen with found objects, making a one color simple repeat design, printing a multicolor design, printing on t-shirts, creating an engineered print, using the drama of B&W, printing with three dimensional ink, discharge printing (ink-less printing), making a photographic screen with textures, and solving common screen print problems.

Paul Thimou was introduced to the screen-printing process in the early 1980s after studying photography at the New York Institute of Photography. He teaches at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. He uses screen-printing technique in combination with other methods to produce art work for exhibitions and crafts for selling or giving as gifts. Paul lives in Brooklyn, NY.

No, your eyes are not going wiggy these are images that are printed a bit off registration. I love the effect!

Click on the image to enlarge.

To see more of the inside pages pop on over to Amazon. They are so pretty!

Beadwork Inspired by Art: Art Nouveau

Ooooh, I am so excited, here is the next book in the series:

Beadwork Inspired by Art: Art Nouveau
Jewelry and Accessories
By
Judith Durant, Jean Campbell

Beadwork Inspired by Art: Art Nouveau is a series of beadwork project books, inspired by the colors, textures, and forms of historical art and craft traditions. The authors present full instructions for 12 one-of-a-kind beadwork projects inspired by their favorite masterpieces by some of the world’s finest artists. In this volume, working with a “canvas” of beads, thread, and a variety of techniques—from stringing to weaving— readers learn to re-create the jewelry and home décor objects of the art nouveau period, an art style known for its graceful, flowing curves and natural shapes. The historical artwork that inspired each project and detailed step-by-step instructions and drawings are included, too.

Judith Durant is the author of Ready, Set, Bead. She has written and edited dozens of books on beadwork and knitting. She has also contributed designs and articles to Beadwork and PieceWork magazines.

Jean Campbell was the founding editor-in-chief of Beadwork magazine. She has written or edited more than 40 books on beading and has appeared on the DIY show Jewelry Making, The Shay Pendray Show, and PBS’s Beads, Baubles, and Jewels.

Off to the library and I pulled out a Dover book of Erte Paper Dolls rendered by Tom Tierney. This is my absolute fave!!! It kind of reminds me also of the outfit in the Nutcracker where the kids come running out from under the big skirt.

So the elements I took from the illustration were the pearls, the drops at different lengths, and the swags.

If you like this concept pop on over to this post and check out a couple more designs based on the same concept but different styles of art. I'm working on another piece of jewelry with one of the cool techniques from Beadwork Inspired by Art: Art Nouveau so be sure to to check back or to make sure you don't miss it subscribe to this here blog and you'll get all the crafty inside peeks every day in your in box! (top left)

Quilt Blocks and Quilts from Your Favorite Fabrics

The upcycling designs in this NEW book rock! It is totally my style-classic and contemporary simultaneously.

Quilt Blocks and Quilts from Your Favorite Fabrics
Recycling Fabrics as You Learn to Quilt

Quick and Easy Quilt Blocks From Your Favorite Fabrics is a guide to making the most of the fabrics you love. Quilting is a great way to recycle T-shirts, blue jeans, neckties, pajamas, even prom dresses—to give old favorites a quick and cozy makeover.

These 15 projects teach three of the most basic quilting techniques: patchwork piecing, foundation piecing, and appliqué. Readers learn how to “deconstruct” their favorite garments and then reconstruct the pieces to form the small individual blocks that are stitched together to form a quilt. Block by block, they’ll learn how to make quilt tops and “sandwiches” and then decoratively stitch their surfaces by machine—with straight lines or freeform shapes. They’ll also learn how to assemble blocks to make three full sampler quilts, adding sashing, binding, and designer labels.

Kate Perri is the author of SINGER Style: Pattern-Free Fashions and Accessories. She has been creating commissioned quilts for private clients for many years. She also teaches hand- and machine-sewing and quilting to children and adults in special programs, workshops, and private classes.

Working with plaid and denim are two of my favorite fabrics to work with so I thought I'd try this block first.

Click on images to enlarge.

Click on images to enlarge and read the full directions.

I found a nice dark denim pair of jeans and a red plaid that will be nice to have for Christmas.

I used two different sized glasses for my circles. I then followed the great directions and photos from Quick and Easy Quilt Blocks From Your Favorite Fabrics and I completed my first block!

I totally love how it came out and it was really easy! This is my question for myself, "Do I make a whole bunch of these blocks with different plaids and make a quilt or do I use these for throw pillows?"

Well, I'll be sure to let you know. But in another denimy-goodness check out this little fun project that I just kind of happened upon:

While going through the denim stash I ran across this little pocket from a pair of Jordache jeans, you know that little pocket inside the front pocket. It fits my ipod! I simply ran a chain through the waistband and I had the perfect little ipod cozy!

If you are looking for more cool denim projects and patterns grab a copy of:

Jean Therapy
Denim Deconstruction for the Conscientious Crafter

and get creatively cutting!
 

Call For Entries! -1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse and Crafty Blogger Links!

Monday News:

Click on images to read all the details about this publishing opportunity!

And it's Monday so I have Crafty Blogger Links for ya!

The Crochet Dude
I Want My Mummy! Drew has a free Halloween treat bag crochet pattern that is super cute!

The Impatient Crafter
Margot shares next week's Terrorific Tuesday Halloween Themed paper crafted jewelry project. Hooty the Halloween Hoot Owl!

The Swell and Spooky Life
Swelldesigner is giving away a super swell vintage-inspired pumpkin man box in honor of Terrorific Tuesdays!

About Family Crafts
Take a few moments and tell Sherri and all of her visitors what your favorite way to save money is when it comes to craft supplies.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen has a colorful fiber necklace tutorial posted that would make a lovely gift idea, enjoy!

Cathie Filian
Cathie Filian has a tutorial on how to transform plain candles with a few stamping supplies. Great for holiday gift giving and decorating! From the Medieval Lights episode of Creative Juice.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Are you thinking about stocking stuffers for you crafty friends yet? The Crafty Princess has a few ideas for you.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Do You Suffer from Pattern Paralysis? Find out what it is and learn ways to treat it. Be sure to read all the comments and add your own!

Layers Upon Layers
Cyndi has updated her ever-growing list of posts covering different methods to do image transfers.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
The "Eyes" have the vote with a super easy Eyeball Halloween Desktop Decoration.

The Gourmet's Guide to Cooking with Wine-2 Sherry Recipes

The definition of "craft" according to Dictionary.com is:

"to make or manufacture (an object, objects, product, etc.) with skill and careful attention to detail."

So based on that definition, I am well within my jurisdiction to consider cooking a "craft'. Really now, what goes better with making "stuff" than yummy food?

To close out this week I thought I'd share with you a recipe from:

Gourmet's Guide to Cooking with Wine

By

Alison Boteler

Building on the concept of The Spaghetti Sauce Gourmet, this book shows how to use wine as the ultimate convenience ingredient that will add big impact to recipes and simple dishes. Why? Wine is versatile. It can be used with nearly every type of food. Use it to marinate meats, flavor stews, punch up sauces for fish, chicken, pasta, vegetables, and take desserts from everyday to elegant. Add a splash (even from that half-drunk bottle in the fridge from two days ago) and you instantly add class to the most humble fare.

Alison Boteler is the author of eight books on cooking, crafts and entertaining children including The Disney Party Handbook and Creative Children’s Parties. She has contributed to magazines as well as Family Fun’s website. Television credits include appearances on NBC’s Today Show and a regular guest on Lifetime’s Our Home.

Pop on over to her website for more recipes and to read more about Alison.

(Click on image to enlarge)

So after you cook and drink the vino you can in fact craft (or at least decorate with it)
Grab yourself a "wine bottle candelabra" I did a google search and found lots!

And to make the candles I simply rolled up sheets of beeswax around a wick.

And the pirates partied into the night by candle light!

One more tidbit for today:

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