Mobiles, Sun Catchers and Wind Socks

Hi Crafty Friends!

Sometimes it's only in looking back at your work that you discover a theme or a direction in your creative journey.  I realized lately when trying to find a place to hang one more mobile that I create a lot of wind chimes, sun catchers, mobiles and the like.  I like the light catching bright colors floating in a breeze and the sounds of wood or metals resonating in the air.  And, I have a lot of fun creating them.  So, here are a few of the many I have created for your inspiration.

Here's my latest mobile. I created it with Smoothfoam™ hollow half balls so it's nice and light and perfect for a child's room or a party decoration.  You could use this for lots of different parties such as retirement, a baby shower or a wedding. 

Hot Air Balloon

Here's another mobile that I created for Smoothfoam™.  Here I used a disc as a base and added bright Rowlux® Illusion Film flowers on the base and hanging from it.  You can't beat Rowlux® film for vibrant color!  And, the Smoothfoam™ base holds the pins without glue.

Flower Mobile

Links under the photos take you to the Smoothfoam™ blog where you can find the instructions for these projects and many other wonderful projects created by the Smoothfoam™ design team.

Some of the other materials that I've used to create wind chimes, sun catchers, wind socks and mobiles are plastic canvas, bamboo, old felt pens and beaded wire.  Here's just a few! 

April Showers Mobile

Felt Pen Wind Chime

Here's an easy plastic canvas windsock that I did with a kids' group.  It's plastic canvas, twine and plastic beads. Just roll a rectangle of colored canvas into a tube and use twine to lace it together.  To hold it into a tube while you stitch, use clothespins or binder clips.  Cut out butterflies and use more twine and beads to stitch them to the canvas.  Add twine fringe and twine strands to hang.  This is great for the kids because you don't even need a needle!

Plastic Canvas Wind Sock

In fact, I've got so many different hanging designs that I decided to collect them all on a Pinterest page! 

Have fun creating! 

Terry

Designer Crafts Connection: Party Decor

Hi Crafty Friends!

This month on the Designer Crafts Connection, we're creating party decor.  I can't wait to see what my fellow designers will create!  We're sure to see some fabulous ideas!

I'm enjoying the summer here and bright, fun colors are what I want to create with right now - something easy, something fun.  So, I created some pinwheels with samples I received from Rowlux® Illusion Film.  I think the shimmery patterns and bright colors will make the perfect summer party decor.

A Bouquet of Pinwheels

To make these bright and colorful pinwheels, you'll need:

Rowlux® Illusion Film

Head pin

Beads

1/4" wood dowel or chop stick

Paint for stick

Tools:  scissors, metal ruler, hand drill with small bit, wire cutters, round-nose pliers, push pin, paintbrush, circle or other shape punch


1.  Cut a square of the film.  With a metal ruler, mark the diagonals.  Leave an inch in the center uncut and cut the diagonal lines.  

2.  With a push pin or other sharp pointy tool, make a hole in the center of the square and every other point of the square.  Punch a circle or other shape from a different color film and poke a hole in the center.

3.  Drill a hole in the end of the dowel.  This must be done slowly and carefully.  I used a small hand drill.  You could use a regular drill.  Covering the area with masking tape will help to prevent splitting.

4.  Paint the dowel and determine how long you want the stick for your pinwheel.  Cut the dowel with heavy scissors or a hand saw.  Sand any rough edges.

5.  Slide a bead onto the head pin, a punched circle and pick up each of the four corners of the pinwheel.  Slide a few more beads onto the pin and push it through the center of the pinwheel.  Add another bead and slide through the hole in the dowel.  Add another bead or two and check to see if the pinwheel will rotate without hitting the dowel.  Add more beads if needed.  The beads help the pinwheel to rotate smoothly.  Make a loop in the wire to hold.

6. Try different sizes and colors!  Arrange in a flower pot with tissue paper for a table decoration for a pool party or birthday!

To find out more about the Rowlux® Illusion Film, go to their Pinterest page.  There you will find ordering information and more projects to make with this versatile film.

Come back on the 13th for a blog hop promoting Burlap Fabric.  The rustic look of burlap is so popular now for decorating and you are sure to see some wonderful ideas and projects using it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Terry

Rowlux® Illusion Film Blog Hop - Colorful Mobile

Hi Crafty Friends!

One of the things I like best about being a professional designer is the opportunity to try new materials fresh from the manufacturer.  It's fun to be able to help introduce a new product to the crafting public and design new ways to use it.

On this hop, some of the Designer Crafts Connection designers will be presenting projects made with Rowlux® Illusion Film.  This fascinating plastic film has been in use in many areas and is now being introduced as a craft material.

Here's a Colorful Mobile that I designed using the film.  The colors are vibrant and the plastic sheets are very sturdy.  It has wonderful 3-D patterns that dazzle the eye and reflect light in all directions.  



Colorful Mobile
with

Rowlux® Illusion Film

Here are the beautiful colored sheets.

Here's some information about this product from the manufacturer:

Rowlux® Illusion Film is made in the USA and comes in a diverse range of spectacular eye-catching colors and patterns.  These durable, translucent, 12" x 12" polycarbonate sheets add instant pizzazz to craft projects, seasonal accents, party decorations, scrapbooks, greeting cards, jewelry, furniture, frames, gifts, favors, accessories, art and DIY home decor projects. Easily cut with scissors, Rowlux® is also the perfect material for scoring, folding, embossing and die cutting. The creative possibilities are endless. This innovative and inspiring new craft material manipulates light to create dazzling visual effects. The illusion of depth and motion is the result of thousands of tiny parabolic lenses that are molded into the surface of both sides of the material. These lenses create a pattern of light reflection and refraction resulting in stunningly brilliant optical effects.

I cut strips of the film using a metal ruler and a craft knife.  To do this, score the film with the knife and bend along the scoring line to snap the strip from the sheet.  Then, I used a 1" punch to cut circles.  You may have to squeeze a few times to punch through the film.  Just keep squeezing in the same position and it will pop out cleanly.

After I punched out the circles, I was left with strips with holes in them.  Well, I couldn't waste those, so I decided to cut them into squares and use them also!

I connected the pieces with 8mm silver jump rings after punching small holes for connecting.

I wrapped a 5" metal ring with bright yellow acrylic beads using 28 gauge silver wire. 

Here's the finished bead-wrapped ring.  Wrapping took about 50 beads and 2 yards of wire.  Then, I connected the strands of circles and squares to the ring with jump rings.  I also connected four pieces of chain to the top of the circle and connected it to a wire hook for hanging.

Here's my Colorful Mobile hanging out in my garden!


Rowlux® Illusion Film

is available on Amazon at:  http://www.amazon.com/Rowlux-Illusion-Film-Polycarbonate-12-Inch/dp/B00CW7940Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1372292244&sr=1-1&keywords=rowlux

To see more amazing craft designs with this wonderful new material, hop forward on the big blue Designer Crafts Connection button or visit this link:
http://blog.modernsurrealist.com/2013/06/26/Rowlux-Illusion-Film-Designer-Blog-Hop.aspx

I can't wait to see what the other designers have created!  Come back soon and see what I did with my extra circles and squares...I'm thinking a pair of bright, fluttery earrings!  What would you create?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Happy Crafting!

Terry