Have you bought moon cakes to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival yet? I have not but lanterns I have created for my children are ready. Here is a tutorial guide on the one I have created for Calvin.
To do the cut out for decorating the surface, check out the instruction for creating a Polish Gwiazdy. It is similar to doing a cut out for snowflakes. The design of the one I have pasted on my lantern is cut out from a square piece of paper.
Keep folding the square to cut out a triangular shape, circle or a rectangle. You can also fold it at an angle to cut. Open it up to check how it turn out before deciding if you need to do more cut outs.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Paper Bag Transformation
The library at Sungai Long Buddhist Society needs book stands for its collection of National Geographic magazines. I decided to create book stands for them since I would like to help the society save some funds.
If you are interested to make your own, I have the instruction on this slide show.
If you are interested to make your own, I have the instruction on this slide show.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Embroidery frame and balloon. What's the connection?
If you have kids at home, you are bound to have some balloons from parties the kids had attended. These may have been given out at shopping complexes during promotions. Once these balloons have deflated what can you do with them?
First go and look around for some embroidery frames. You most likely have at least one sitting in your store room somewhere from a past hobby phase someone in your family went through.
Got that? Now sit down and watch Hillar Bergman creates a drum out of them with the help of some clamps.
Drum away abandoned materials.
First go and look around for some embroidery frames. You most likely have at least one sitting in your store room somewhere from a past hobby phase someone in your family went through.
Got that? Now sit down and watch Hillar Bergman creates a drum out of them with the help of some clamps.
Drum away abandoned materials.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Table Chic from Trash
I have been watching David Tutera on Party Planner and...
...he has inspired me to create a flora centre piece for dining table.
All you need to salvage from your bin are:
1) 4 Plastic Bags in one or two colours to from stamens
2) 4 Plastic Bags in a larger size to from petals of flower
3) 2 Plastic Bags in smaller size in 2 different shades of colour
4) 7 small batteries to to add weight to piece
5) 2 rubber bands
Equipment Needed
1) Scissors
Here is the instruction.
Like it? Then make many of them in different shades to decorate your dinning table.
I have been inspired by David. Have I inspired you?
...he has inspired me to create a flora centre piece for dining table.
All you need to salvage from your bin are:
1) 4 Plastic Bags in one or two colours to from stamens
2) 4 Plastic Bags in a larger size to from petals of flower
3) 2 Plastic Bags in smaller size in 2 different shades of colour
4) 7 small batteries to to add weight to piece
5) 2 rubber bands
Equipment Needed
1) Scissors
Here is the instruction.
Like it? Then make many of them in different shades to decorate your dinning table.
I have been inspired by David. Have I inspired you?
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
A reminder that words can kill.
So, you like my write up about props and would like to create your own?
These are the material and tools you need:
1) Scissors
2) Rubberbands
3) Magic Pen for writing and colouring
4) Cardboard from a box
Method
1) Create the handle and write the word "Handle" on it. The handle can be in any style you like. I have created mine by drawing circles that overlap one another.
2) Reinforce the cardboard by stapling a narrow strip of cardboard to the back of the handle at the tip and mid section of the handle.
3) Create another piece to form the "T" of the handle. Write the words "With Care" on this piece.
4) Create the sharp end of the sword and write the word "Swords" in the direction as shown in the picture.
5) Staple the handle together as shown below.
This is how it will look from the front.
6) Place the pointed end of the sword on top of the handle, with words facing out.
Turn it around to check to make sure that the handle covers the first letter, "S", of the word "SWORDS".
Use the rubberbands to hold them together.
When you turn the pointed end the other way and hold it in place with the rubberbands. This is what you will get...
... a picture like this when you cannot afford a serious actor.
These are the material and tools you need:
1) Scissors
2) Rubberbands
3) Magic Pen for writing and colouring
4) Cardboard from a box
Method
1) Create the handle and write the word "Handle" on it. The handle can be in any style you like. I have created mine by drawing circles that overlap one another.
2) Reinforce the cardboard by stapling a narrow strip of cardboard to the back of the handle at the tip and mid section of the handle.
3) Create another piece to form the "T" of the handle. Write the words "With Care" on this piece.
4) Create the sharp end of the sword and write the word "Swords" in the direction as shown in the picture.
5) Staple the handle together as shown below.
This is how it will look from the front.
6) Place the pointed end of the sword on top of the handle, with words facing out.
Turn it around to check to make sure that the handle covers the first letter, "S", of the word "SWORDS".
Use the rubberbands to hold them together.
When you turn the pointed end the other way and hold it in place with the rubberbands. This is what you will get...
... a picture like this when you cannot afford a serious actor.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Drawers cum gift boxes.
Would you like to create this gift box to fit the "Chest of Drawers"?
Method:
1) Cut the bottom off the tissue box. The bottom will form the cover of the box.
2) Place the cover on the opening, as shown below, to get it to fit before stapling the sides of the cover up to hold it in shape.
3) Add thin cardboard to fit the sides and bottom of the box to reinforce it. Staple them to the box.
Here is a picture of the cover beside the box.
Place the cover on the box and this is how it will look.
Paper mache it with 1 layer of white paper to colour it or wrap it up with wrapping paper.
Here is another modified version of the "Chest of Drawers" earlier posted. This one has legs.
The legs are made of leftover strips of cardboard placed laterally to level with that of the extended end on both sides of the chest.
Method:
1) Cut the bottom off the tissue box. The bottom will form the cover of the box.
2) Place the cover on the opening, as shown below, to get it to fit before stapling the sides of the cover up to hold it in shape.
3) Add thin cardboard to fit the sides and bottom of the box to reinforce it. Staple them to the box.
Here is a picture of the cover beside the box.
Place the cover on the box and this is how it will look.
Paper mache it with 1 layer of white paper to colour it or wrap it up with wrapping paper.
Here is another modified version of the "Chest of Drawers" earlier posted. This one has legs.
The legs are made of leftover strips of cardboard placed laterally to level with that of the extended end on both sides of the chest.
Monday, December 10, 2007
X'mas? A time to be merry recycling.
Christmas is around the corner. With feasting and gifts exchanging I see lots of used cards, wrapping papers and packagings, that come with the gifts we received, to recycle. Recycling is about making use of waste as raw material to make another product. So, what can we create with these if we are not sending them to the recycling centre?
How about a "Chest of Drawers" to keep all the new stuff you have received? I learned how to make one from helping out at the Holiday Camp organised by the Sungai Long Buddhist Society recently.
Here is my modified version.
Material Required
1) Cardboard from boxes
2) Used wrapping paper
3) Old newspaper
4) Used enveloped; white ones if you like to paint it, coloured if you like it as is.
5) Greeting cards
6) 3 Empty boxes. Each box should be able to fit within the width size of 22.5cm, height of 10cm and depth of 12cm. A very good example of one will be your regular tissue boxes.
Equipment
1) Ruler
2) Blade
3) Scissors
4) Glue (Make your own starch with tapioca or corn flour)
Method
Step 1
Prepare templates in the following sizes:
A) 22.5x10cm
B) 12x10cm
C) 12x22.5cm
You can use these templates to source boxes that you need for the project.
Use templates to cut out the following:
Size A - 3 pieces to form back of slot for drawers
Size B - 6 pieces to form sides of slot for drawers
Size C - 6 pieces to form top and bottom of slots for drawers
I was able to create the above pieces with a box I picked up from my fruit supplier.
Step 2
To create slots for drawers.
Each slot requires 1 piece of A, 2 of B and 2 of C. Place them in this configuration:
C directly above A
B beside (A in the centre) B beside
C directly below A
as seen in the picture below:
Step 3
Place 2 masking tapes on one side of A, as shown in the following example.
Hold it at right angle to C before pressing down the masking tape to hold them together. Do the same for the other side of A.
Place masking tapes on sides of A to join B to it. This is how it should look like.
Place 1 piece of B directly on top of sides of A and C. Place masking tapes along the sides to hold them together.
Now join the 2nd piece of B to the other side of A and place masking tapes along the sides to hold them together. This is your first slot for your drawer. Create two more of the same slots.
Now place 1 slot over the top of the other until you have all slots sitting neatly on top of the other. Place masking tapes to hold each slot to the other at the sides and back.
Step 4
If you have more cardboard to spare, even if they are thinner, you can paste them to the sides, top, bottom and back of the box to give it a smoother finish. To get the measurement right, place the box on its back to outline it size on the cupboard before cutting it out. Then place the box on its side on another piece of cupboard to outline its size before cutting it out. Do the same for the other side and the top and bottom of box. If not proceed with the paper mache.
We are going to paper mache (papier-mâché) the box with the old newspaper to give it a smoother finish. To prepare newspaper, fold 1 piece in half and half again to cut them up in strips. Divide these strips in half and half again to cut into sizes. My cut strips turn out to be about 4.5x7.5cm.
Step 5
Paste a layer of the cut newspaper strips over the box. Make sure that each strip overlaps the other slightly and covers the areas where the joints meet neatly. Dry 1st layer before adding a 2nd layer. If you are still not happy with the shape of the box, you can add another layer of newspaper strips till you are happy with its form.
Step 6
If you intend to paint your creation, use the white envelopes to form the 3rd and 4th layer of paper mache. If you do not have enough envelopes, you can use any printed white paper that is blank on 1 side. To prepare the envelope, cut along its fold to open it up. Cut out any printing or writings or plastic on the envelope. Fold each piece in half and half again and cut it up. If you are using white paper, just fold it in half and half again then cut. Fold it in half and cut till you get the size you are happy with. I used A4 size paper, and my strips turn out to be about 5.5x7.5cm.
Paste the 3rd layer first, dry it and add the 4th layer. Once it is dry, place the boxes you have collected to create the drawers into the slots to see if they fit.
To create drawers:
Cut the top of the box off to form opening at the top. Paper mache the box with coloured envelope and decorate it with cut outs from the greeting cards or used wrapping paper. Look out for instruction for drawers cum gift boxes in my next posting.
Teach your children to create their own "Chest of Drawers" and encourage them to paint them. If they create them before Christmas, you will have an insight into what they are hopping to receive and store in their "Chest of Drawers".
What better way to reduce waste than to get them what they want.
How about a "Chest of Drawers" to keep all the new stuff you have received? I learned how to make one from helping out at the Holiday Camp organised by the Sungai Long Buddhist Society recently.
Here is my modified version.
Material Required
1) Cardboard from boxes
2) Used wrapping paper
3) Old newspaper
4) Used enveloped; white ones if you like to paint it, coloured if you like it as is.
5) Greeting cards
6) 3 Empty boxes. Each box should be able to fit within the width size of 22.5cm, height of 10cm and depth of 12cm. A very good example of one will be your regular tissue boxes.
Equipment
1) Ruler
2) Blade
3) Scissors
4) Glue (Make your own starch with tapioca or corn flour)
Method
Step 1
Prepare templates in the following sizes:
A) 22.5x10cm
B) 12x10cm
C) 12x22.5cm
You can use these templates to source boxes that you need for the project.
Use templates to cut out the following:
Size A - 3 pieces to form back of slot for drawers
Size B - 6 pieces to form sides of slot for drawers
Size C - 6 pieces to form top and bottom of slots for drawers
I was able to create the above pieces with a box I picked up from my fruit supplier.
Step 2
To create slots for drawers.
Each slot requires 1 piece of A, 2 of B and 2 of C. Place them in this configuration:
C directly above A
B beside (A in the centre) B beside
C directly below A
as seen in the picture below:
Step 3
Place 2 masking tapes on one side of A, as shown in the following example.
Hold it at right angle to C before pressing down the masking tape to hold them together. Do the same for the other side of A.
Place masking tapes on sides of A to join B to it. This is how it should look like.
Place 1 piece of B directly on top of sides of A and C. Place masking tapes along the sides to hold them together.
Now join the 2nd piece of B to the other side of A and place masking tapes along the sides to hold them together. This is your first slot for your drawer. Create two more of the same slots.
Now place 1 slot over the top of the other until you have all slots sitting neatly on top of the other. Place masking tapes to hold each slot to the other at the sides and back.
Step 4
If you have more cardboard to spare, even if they are thinner, you can paste them to the sides, top, bottom and back of the box to give it a smoother finish. To get the measurement right, place the box on its back to outline it size on the cupboard before cutting it out. Then place the box on its side on another piece of cupboard to outline its size before cutting it out. Do the same for the other side and the top and bottom of box. If not proceed with the paper mache.
We are going to paper mache (papier-mâché) the box with the old newspaper to give it a smoother finish. To prepare newspaper, fold 1 piece in half and half again to cut them up in strips. Divide these strips in half and half again to cut into sizes. My cut strips turn out to be about 4.5x7.5cm.
Step 5
Paste a layer of the cut newspaper strips over the box. Make sure that each strip overlaps the other slightly and covers the areas where the joints meet neatly. Dry 1st layer before adding a 2nd layer. If you are still not happy with the shape of the box, you can add another layer of newspaper strips till you are happy with its form.
Step 6
If you intend to paint your creation, use the white envelopes to form the 3rd and 4th layer of paper mache. If you do not have enough envelopes, you can use any printed white paper that is blank on 1 side. To prepare the envelope, cut along its fold to open it up. Cut out any printing or writings or plastic on the envelope. Fold each piece in half and half again and cut it up. If you are using white paper, just fold it in half and half again then cut. Fold it in half and cut till you get the size you are happy with. I used A4 size paper, and my strips turn out to be about 5.5x7.5cm.
Paste the 3rd layer first, dry it and add the 4th layer. Once it is dry, place the boxes you have collected to create the drawers into the slots to see if they fit.
To create drawers:
Cut the top of the box off to form opening at the top. Paper mache the box with coloured envelope and decorate it with cut outs from the greeting cards or used wrapping paper. Look out for instruction for drawers cum gift boxes in my next posting.
Teach your children to create their own "Chest of Drawers" and encourage them to paint them. If they create them before Christmas, you will have an insight into what they are hopping to receive and store in their "Chest of Drawers".
What better way to reduce waste than to get them what they want.
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