Posts filed under 'Arts & Crafts'
T-shirt printing, contrary to general perception, does not involve any complicated and hard work. One need not be an artist or even artistic to make a great t shirt printing design. You can make your own designs by following certain simple steps. T shirt printing designs do not even have to be pictures.
Your design for t-shirt printing can be anything to everything from simple outlines and figures to funny phrases or slogans. You must note that such designs are no less appealing than artistic designs. Start with an idea. Decide the theme, whether you want it look funny or just amazing. Just think about the message it will convey or how it will have an impact on those who see it.
You will get abundant ideas from a local library or a book store or even magazines. You will find many great drawings made for children and designed by children. Simple drawings that your kids can make, whether they are stick figures or more complex drawings, can become a great design pattern.
Make a funny phrase in a colorful and fun text and you will instantly have a great design. Create a slogan or a tag line, add a simple pre-made logo and you will have another great design. If you look around, you will find many such designs which are popular, even though they are nothing but simple phrases or text with no pictures. If you feel creating a picture will be a difficult job, then you can rely only on words. Because the message, text, and color will make the design effective and appealing.
Finally, after you have made a design to your satisfaction, you have to make it ready for imprint. You can do it yourself by using your computer. Better still,use a printing company that specializing in t-shirt printing. Just follow these guidelines and you will soon realize that t-shirt printing is really simple yet fun.
author:jasper knowapp from http://knowinfo.info
August 7th, 2007
The famous lady writer, George Sand, was a puppet fan. “Her feeling was that when she thrust her hand into the empty skirt of the inanimate puppet it became alive with her soul in its body, the operator and the puppet completely one.” It’s true. Your hand puppets will lead you into a new and wondrous world from which you will not-cannot escape.
Here is a way to fill a rainy day with fun: make a puppet and give a little show. Most of the materials you will need are around the house. Briefly described here are three unusual types of hand puppet: finger puppets, rod puppets and shadow puppets. These last designs include highly specialized comic and exotic puppets and some two-handed puppets. The puppeteer who has come this far is ready to exercise his own ingenuity, and so in most cases complete construction details are not given.
July 28th, 2007
Whilst you may not think Anime has anything to do with graphic arts, then you are surely wrong. Anime Online, a rather established forum, was basically born from the interest and followings in Anime and Manga - Japanese famous cartoons and comics. Over time, discussions evolved around signatures and wallpapers. Every week, members are competing against each other on various themes for who creates the best graphic arts. Themes usually evolve around:
- Popular anime series such as Naruto and Dragon Ball
- Anime Girls and Maids
- Final Fantasy
- Transformers Movie
- Cosplay
Obviously the list is much longer, but if you’re into graphic design, then there will be a lot of tips you can learn from such forums. Checkout Anime Online to see what it has to offer.
July 27th, 2007
One of the easiest ways to makeover a room is by changing out the artwork. For instance, if you have a southwest peach & blue painting, it just screams the 1980’s, which is probably not what you would want your home to be screaming. Furniture tends to be more neutral, which is good because they are investment pieces that need to last for several years. So, I recommend bringing color into decorating by using artwork. There are several ways you can do this:
- Try using a favorite fabric in the place of a painting. It’s unique, & can even help to soften sound. Plus, it adds an element of texture to the room.
- If you don’t think you are an artist just try painting a canvas all one color. Place it next to several different colors of canvases for a more dramatic effect.
- If you have a favorite print, but you are sick of it, try using a very small mat, essentially cropping your poster so you see it in a whole new way.
- Take the art off the wall & just lean it against the wall. This gives a different perspective & a more modern look.
So if you are a renter & can’t paint the walls, or you’re just too tired, try changing out the art in your room for a quick & easy makeover.
July 23rd, 2007
This checklist outlines the free tools you should use to make your website known, before even considering advertising campaigns.
- Submit to major search engines: Google, Yahoo, Msn. Of these Yahoo is the easiest: read their site submission help here. Google does not offer site submission, but you can use their webmaster tools to help googlebot index your site. Msn offers Microsoft Small Business Centre, which does much the same thing.
- Add to major directories:ODP/dmoz, and Yahoo Directory.
- Add a link to your site to all of the following:
- Your e-mail signature
- Your signature in any discussion forums you are part of
- MySpace
- Your profile in any sites that allow it, for instance Orkut
- If you have a blog, post about your new site there; if you don’t start one. You don’t need to post often, or any great content, but you should have one, no matter what you do online. Then use the pinging service of your blog if it has one. This helps other sites find your blog, which in turn leads search engines to your website.
After that you can move from basic SEO to more advanced optimization concepts and techniques.
July 22nd, 2007
Throughout modern music’s history, there have been many prominent band leaders that played bass guitar. This proves that just because you can sling a guitar around and spew out hundreds of notes fast, that alone dosen’t make you a good musician.
The bass guitar is really the root or stabilizing force in a band. Many poplular band leaders have played the bass guitar as well. Geddy Lee, Philip Lynott and many others.
While the bass guitar may look simple it really takes practice to really understand exactly what is needed to hold down the bottom end in a band. Learning timing is crucial to understanding the job of the bass player.
You can learn the bass guitar fast if you just focus on the most important aspects of the bass guitar. One resource that has helped many to learn bass guitar can be found online.
While there are many programs that are over priced and lack quality there are some that are very reasonable and provide a powerful resource to help you learn the bass guitar.
July 10th, 2007
These mood boards can help you master your own style and construct your own unique layout of the scrapbook. You can begin by flipping over the pages of your preferred magazines, mostly through the fashion; living and interior designing sections and look for photos and pictures that attract you or is similar to your taste. It is not important that the pictures have to fit in your scrapbook are may be relevant. As along as the pictures appeal to you, try putting in as many as you can, since it evokes an optimistic response. Once this is done, try to look for different colours. Choose the colours that attract you the most. You can also try selecting your preferred font or your most favourite song.
Get more scrapbooking ideas
June 27th, 2007
Chances are your craft room or child’s play area has a handful of colorful markers. Since markers are available in so many different colors and often come packaged in coordinating shades, markers are the perfect mediums to stretch your color options without breaking the bank. Using markers with rubber stamps is a perfect way to make classy paper craft projects and bright vibrant scrapbooking pages. Here are five great tips for getting the most from your markers and rubber stamps and making marker magic.
1. Mark up those ink jet transparencies! Using any ink jet transparency, ink the rubber stamp for your project with the desired marker color and stamp the print side of the transparency. The glue on the ink jet transparency will bond the marker ink to the transparency film and will dry in a short period of time. You can then cut around the stamped image and mount on your project!
2. Color Metal! Using any silver brads, paper clips, or any other silver metal embellishments, color the metal with the marker of choice. If you are using water-based markers, bond the ink to the metal with a light mist of hair spray or acrylic spray-on glue and allow to dry. This technique will allow you to make many different custom colored metal embellishments coordinated with your current project.
3. Cellophane Crackle Color! Take a piece of clear cellophane and lay it on a flat surface. Tape the edges to hold the cellophane in one place. Using a watermark stamp pad, stamp the surface of the cellophane the desired size according to the stamp you will be using. Using your markers, color the stamped cellophane, blending the colors with q-tips, brushes, or light mists of water. Taking your rubber stamp, cover the surface by gently tapping the stamp to the cellophane. Proceed to stamp your project with this watercolor-crackled look!
4. Embossing Powder Power! Gently dust a piece of vellum with corn starch. Using embossing ink, stamp the vellum and cover with your choice of embossing powder. Using a heat tool, melt the embossing powder. Take a handful of similar colored markers and draw various sized triangles in a random pattern on the reverse side of the stamped vellum. Color in the triangles with the markers in a random color pattern. Gently spray the surface with a light water mist and allow to dry. Using spray-on adhesive, lightly set the ink on the reverse side and cut out around the embossed image. Attach to your next project for an amazing stained glass raised vellum embellishment!
5. Shade These Threads! Markers are the perfect mediums for coloring in the non inked areas of a stamped fabric image. Simply start by stamping the fabric with the desired color dye-based ink pad. Allow to dry. Using markers, color in all remaining areas accordingly. To soften the marker lines, gently spray the fabric with water. You can dry the fabric with a hair dryer or allow to dry in the air. Cut out your fabric and place on the desired project!
Using these simple marker techniques is a fantastic way to gather a large variety of colors and inexpensively fill in the color wheel areas for which you have no stamp pads. Markers are a wonderful solution for vibrant colors on a wide variety of surfaces. Go ahead, try those markers and stamps out today!
Kathy Williams loves rubber stamps
and scrapbooking. When she is not working on her online rubber stamping store,Rubber Stamping Fun, she enjoys writing stamping and scrapbooking articles and working with all of her rubber stamp projects!
June 21st, 2007
Once you’ve decided on your leather craft project, you’ll need the right tools and room to do the work. Being prepared ahead of time will make your task more enjoyable and give you a sense of satisfation when you’re done. If you’re like most of us you’ll probably be working on more leather craft projects over time, so creating a designated area is probably a good idea.
What to Cut On:
Regardless of the project, you’ll need to cut your piece of leather. Choose a flat surface protected with a rubber mat. The latter will help protect your tools and prevent them from becoming blunt. Alternatively, you can purchase a self-healing cutting board that comes with a grid work. Any cuts made in the board seal up. This product is readily available at such shops as Staples.
Marking the Cut:
Use a ruler or yardstick and a pencil to mark the cut. Just make a light mark with the pencil. A rounded edge will help if you’re cutting a curve. Then place a metal straight edge along the line you have drawn. Using the tip of an X-acto knife, cut along the line, keeping the knife against the metal edge
Trimming the Edges
If you want to trim the edges of the leather, lay the piece out on a flat surface. Make sure the leather is damp, and keep it so by using a spray bottle full of water.
You’ll need what’s called an edge beveling tool to smooth the cut edges. The two prongs that form its V shape need to be positioned so that they are facing upward on both sides of the edge.
Keeping the tool at a 45 degree angle, with your index finger on the top of the tool, push it away from you along the cut edge, holding the leather craft piece firmly with your other hand.
As you work, small strips of leather will come off. It’s a good idea to practice on small scraps of leather before using the leather craft beveller, so you feel comfortable with it and what it can do.
Tools to Use
* Cutting board, preferably self-healing kind
* Ruler, pencil, metal straight edge, rounded edge
* X-acto knife
* Leather craft edge beveling tool
Summary
* Use a cutting board
* Mark where you want to cut before you cut!
* Dampen the leather when trimming the edges
* Butt the knife against a straight edge or a curved edge for more control
More on Tools
For working in leather crafts, consider the basics: an awl and spare point, a retractable X-acto knife and spare blades, a retractable knife with a break-off blade and a rotary punch.
In addition, you’ll need needles, a lump of beeswax and some waxed linen thread. As well, a pair of pliers to pull the needle through the leather is a must, and scissors you can use for cutting the leather.
Then there are edge slickers and bevellers that are used to finish the edges, drive punches for bigger holes and thong cutters for making laces. A T-square, compass and yardstick are essential to ensure that your leather craft piece is measured accurately.
If you’re just starting out with leather crafts, you might not want to spend a lot of money on tools. Once you’ve worked with the basic set and completed a few leather craft projects, you’ll have a better idea of what tools work best and what you use most.
At that point, a little research and some comparative shopping can lead you to acquiring better quality leather craft tools that will enhance your work. Of course, even the most expensive tools won’t help if you haven’t taken the time to develop and perfect your skills.
If you do your very best with what you have, it doesn’t matter if you can’t afford the most expensive leather craft awl or the latest knife. Quality will show anyway.
Summary
* Start with a basic leather craft tool set
* Buy better quality tools once you’ve completed some projects and have a better idea of what will enhance the quality of your work
*** Hey! Need To Know More About Leather? ***
Here’s How to Get Your Answers Quick and Easy
Click Here ==> Leather Secrets
June 10th, 2007
“Heaven”
Heaven, with all its God-filled splendor,
Is far greater than ‘most anything.
My heart, full of love and valor,
Praises God and continues to sing.
Always will I praise God, for He
Makes the dead live and the blind see,
And gives to us of His love endlessly,
As we join Him for Eternity.
*****
“Redemption”
Nothing can pay
For the pain
I’ve caused
And
Nothing can ease
The pain
I’ve endured
Just trying to
Survive,
Just trying to
Be happy.
Nothing can erase
My past,
My mistakes,
My regrets,
My worries.
Nothing but the
Blood of Christ
Can wash it all away,
Make it a whole new day,
So that I may
Re-enter the fray,
With a newfound strength,
That Strength from God,
That will help me through
All the strife
In my life,
All His trials,
His purifying fires,
His glorious plans,
So that at
His Heavenly Harvest
I may be called
A good and faithful servant,
And join Him
Forever-more!
*****
“Trials”
We sow the seeds
God has given us:
We work the ground
Until the day of harvest:
All Things
Of Worth
Are Worth Waiting For,
Worth Working For:
And God’s Plan
Is Worth Everything
And All Time.
God makes the soils
Of our broken spirits
Fertile once again,
He plants seeds in our hearts
That we might begin to
Grow ready to serve Him:
And every day we must
Tend to our gardens,
With God’s Guidance
And brilliant, shining Son
Whose love is that
Ever-living Water
That daily cleanses
Our dry, parched earth.
In the end
God will renew us to Him
Through His One and Only Son,
That the curse upon man
May be broken,
And that we may
Rejoice in the fruits
Of our labors
In those trials
Made to serve the
Greater Glory of God.
*****
“Dear God”
Dear God,
You were always with me;
Oh God,
You will always be with me;
My God,
You were and always will be
My God,
My Past,
My Present,
My Future.
*****
“God in Everything”
Blanketed by
The warmth of
God’s Love,
Compassed round about by
God’s Great Creation;
I consider the constellations,
The ebb and tide of emotion;
And yet ponder how
So many could be
Unable to see
God in Everything.
*****
“Omni Presen(ts)ce”
I rest in
God’s
Presence
And
Ever Present
Love
Which
Tomorrow
And
Tomorrow
Present
New
Presents,
New
Victories,
A
New
Day,
A
New
Present,
A
New
Life,
God’s
Great
Gift,
Eternally
Present.
*****
“A Prose-Poem Prayer/My Psalm”
God,
You never left me in the hard times. You were with me
always, using the circumstances to teach me, lead me, show me how
much You loved me, how to love myself, You, and others. Thank
You.
Your Great Work is never done. You continuously create new
heights and depths of glory and inspiration within our lives, our
souls. You search my heights and depths to find what I never knew
I had all the time: and if it is wrong, then please fix it in me,
oh God; and if it seems good to You, make it better.
I pledge my entirety to Your Cause that I may help You lead
everyone to Jesus, that we would all revel in Your Glory, for
ever, and ever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
*****
“Eternal Hope and Glory”
O God,
An eternity ago,
You wrote the verses of my soul:
Within me
Incessantly burns
The Flame of Hope;
My soul sings the song
Of sweet salvation,
Received from
Jesus Christ,
The Son of God,
The Son of Man,
And the Savior of
All God’s children.
Let us now work towards
His greater glory,
That an eternity from now
We can look back at our lives
Without shame.
*****
“Eternity Begins Now”
The Holy Spirit
Whose grace knows no bounds
Gives freely to
Any heart that
Believes
And Loves Him
And His Only Begotten Son
Whom He gave to us
That we might be saved.
The wisdom of the spirit gives
True sight
To the closed eye of the mind,
True hearing
To the deaf ear of the heart.
God even gives to us
Wonderful new dreams
To live out,
Life in abundance -
Such a joy it is
To work for the Lord!
Yet there will always be
Struggles
While we are
In this world -
We must remember that
God has put us here
To lead us every day into
A New Lesson,
A New Creation,
A New Heaven on Earth,
As any good father would.
It is the example of Christ
We should always strive for -
God has called us to be
Spiritual warriors
Who will dedicate
Their lives
To what is right,
According to
God’s will,
And
Against
All odds.
Let us daily rejoice in God’s great plan.
Let us rely on God’s strength.
Let us play our part on
The stage of life,
The book of destiny,
The River of the Soul,
That we might have life more abundantly,
A Heaven on Earth,
Eternal bliss hereafter!
Let us continue to
Believe and dream,
For our adventures have
Only just begun!
Eternity Begins Now!
The author lives in Lake City, South Carolina where he teaches at his Wado ryu Karate school. The above poetry was excerped from his “Heaven on Earth”, available as an online e-book at Johnston Arts - Online Publications.
June 9th, 2007
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