Crafty Switch Plates

10 Thursday May 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Crafty Ideas

Tags

art, crafts, decor, design, home decor, lighting, switch plates

Everyone has switch plates in their home and most of the time they are simple, white and plastic. When I moved into my apartment back a few years ago it came with just that. Boring! To make it worse, a lot of them had paint on them. I said to myself, there has to got to be a way to create a designer look without spending tons of money. Well, the idea bulb burst and today I am sharing it with you.

This project is so easy and it comes out gorgeous. It costs under $10 to make enough to cover most of your home. You may even have all the materials needed to do it so that will save you time and money as well. You really can’t go wrong with this one. Lets get started!

{Materials}

plastic switch plate
contact paper or clear label paper
X-acto knife
double sided tape or craft glue
image of your choice

First, you want to decide on the image or design you want to use. Depending on the room it goes in, try to have it blend in with the decor. The one below was for our dining room which had rich browns and light blues so I chose a design that is a modern but classic pattern that includes those colors.

The best place to find images and inspiration are magazines. They also have a nice quality that will be noticed so keep that in mind. I recommend design magazines, like Elle Decor, because there is so much to choose from. You will find something for each room in just one magazine. However, there are tons of cool choices out there so whatever you have lying around the house will work too.

Now that you have your image, take some double sided tape or craft glue if you have it and adhere it to the front of the plate. Next, place the plate front side down on the paper. To make sure you cover the whole plate you will have to place it in the middle of the image to give it some extra room. You can draw a line or just use a ruler and cut around it. If you are a perfectionist like me than do the math and measure. It doesn’t have to be perfect though.

You can use any kind of cutter for this but I recommend an X-acto. You will want to cover the paper so its protected. Contact paper is great for this. All you have to do is cover the plate with it and cut around it like you did with the image. Don’t forget to cut where the switch comes through. Puncturing a small hole for the screws should be fine. You don’t have to cut a whole circle.

If you are good at decoupage this would be a good project to show your skills. Just get some Mod Podge and get creative.

Put it up and bask in sweet design bliss! I promise if you choose a really cool image this switch plate will look fabulous. This is a great idea for a kids room too. You can really have fun with it. So good luck, even though you won’t need it, and happy decorating!

Scrapbooking 101

26 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design

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Tags

art, books, crafts, designs, layout, paper, photobooks, photos, scrapbooking, space

Maintaining, organizing and keeping memories close to your heart is an everyday task. There are plenty of ways to protect and preserve the things that really matter in your life and scrapbooking is one of them. Not only is it a great way to tell your personal story but it is a unique way to tell someone else you care. A handmade or printed scrapbook makes an excellent gift.

There are a few elements to this craft one must know in order to successfully create a collection of keepsakes. Once you are aware of them, the process is much easier. Think of these tips as a guide to inspire, motivate and help carry you down the yellow brick road of scrapbooking.

Imagine
First, you must know why you are creating it. What is this book going to say? What is it about and who does it reflect? Knowing the meaning of the book is the best way to create something honest, personal and meaningful. This will definitely reflect through your work.

{Create interesting pages by combining the use of text, color and imagery}

{Allow the pages to also have enough negative space}

The Main Attraction
Now think of what type of book you want to use. If you are going the handmade route, you have lots of options to choose from from. Deciding on the style and size will send you along to the next step smoothly. If getting the book professionally printed is your preferred method than research companies and pick the one that fits your price range and offers a great product. Some I recommend are MyPublisher, Inkubook and Blurb.

{Experiment with different layouts before you decide on the final design}

{Arrange items so they are readable}

Collect
Gather up all your materials you want to use. Whether it’s a collection of photographs, various items from a vacation or mixed media, having it all in front of you can allow you to see the bigger picture. This will help you tell the true story and layout the pages much easier.

{Collect all your materials together and get ready to create something beautiful}

Get Crafty
Now think of any extra materials you want to include. Decorative paper, special borders, stickers – there are tons of creative ways to add that touch of flair to any project. Think out of the box and come up with items that are not so traditional. Whatever you choose, remember to carry a theme throughout the book and reflect the materials used. Having it all make sense and show a cohesive look will help it become a piece of art.

{Add some color or texture to the title page for interest but make sure it matches the theme of the book}

Tell the Story
Layout each page in the order you prefer and play around with some ideas. Think of this as sketching out a drawing. It’s good to design a temporary version before you carve it into stone. Doing this will allow you to make changes as you go and not have to redo something that is permanent.

{Use color to highlight spreads by adding unexpected borders}

{Don’t forget to include a title page}

{Combine imagery and text in fun ways}

If you follow these few essential tips you will be on your way to scrapbooking bliss. I also recommend you do some research to see examples of what other people have done. You can do this on the internet or check out some books on the subject. I always say it’s a vital step to any art form.

Gaining inspiration from the stories of others will help you not only distinguish your own but present it in a way you might have never thought of. Happy Scrapbooking!

{For more inspiration check out my previous projects: custom photobooks}

The Art of Organizing

11 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design, Crafty Ideas, The Home

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Tags

art, crafts, creative space, decorating, design, interior, office, organization, organize creative space, space, studio

Everyone needs a space where they can let their creativity flow without disruption. Whether you’re an artist or not, spending time in a creative corner is healthy for the soul. It’s a place where you not only get quiet time, but space from the rest of the world. Who wouldn’t want that?

I wanted to share some tips on getting your creative corner organized and ready to inspire. Hopefully, you can find the time to escape the real world and get going on some masterpieces.

Everything Has Its Place
Giving supplies and materials a place of their own is key to an organized work space. You should know where everything is at all times, so you can just reach for something when you need it. You can do this in a fun and creative way.

Instead of using traditional methods, let your style be the inspiration. For example, I love vintage things, so I use old crates and boxes to keep supplies. Not only do they create a cohesive look, they represent who I am and the things I love. So, I’m organizing and showcasing my materials at the same time.

At an Arms Reach
The stuff you need most should be close at hand. It gets annoying to have to walk across a room to get something when it can be closer. If there isn’t enough room or storage within the area, create it yourself.

If you have a desk without drawers, stack cubes underneath or on the side to hold items that are large. For tinier items, take the same idea but think smaller. Stack shoe boxes or containers on top of your desk like shelves. Design them any way you like. Also, use drawers to their fullest potential and store items you need at close range.

Instead of hiding rolls of wrapping paper, try putting them in a small bin or basket. Find something that will add to your space, so you’re showcasing the paper instead of hiding it. This will add more texture and color to the area and inspire you to buy more cool wrapping paper.

Surround Yourself with Smiles
Always surround yourself with things you love. This is very important. You want your creative corner to be a space where you can relax and be happy. I display lots of little trinkets that make me smile, so when I look at them, I’m comfortable and calm. Everywhere I look, they’re looking back at me.

Find items you simply adore and give them a new home. Working and creating magic with them by your side will make all the difference.

Create Pictures
Everything on your desk should look as if it was meant to be there, not accidentally thrown there because you couldn’t find a place for it. Think of your space as a film made up of pictures. If it helps to use a viewfinder or a camera, go ahead.

Create scenes with the objects that surround you. Set up small displays and allow them to come to life. This act alone will inspire you to create more. In fact, think of this as an exercise to help you view things in a different light. With little versions from your imagination, your work space will shine as much as your artwork does.

Let the Light Source Lead the Way
Make sure the light by your desk is not too bright. You want enough glow to see details but not necessarily the whole room. Imagine you’re on a stage and the spotlight is on you — only the light is the glow of the sun and not fluorescent. This will keep you relaxed so your ideas can flow easier.

If you take these tips and see them through, I promise you can have an amazing art space in no time. Remember to think out of the box and do what makes you happy. There is nothing like working in a space that is organized, fun and clean. Not thinking twice about finding something saves time, patience and lots of aggravation. Relax, smile and get to work!

The Art of Bookmaking

07 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design, Crafty Ideas

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

art, bookmaking, books, crafts, design, paper

When I was in school, I took bookmaking classes which really helped me understand the basics of creating handmade books. I realized it wasn’t that hard after all. Plus, it’s fun to make something with your hands. It really gives your project that handcrafted feel you just don’t see much of anymore.

I want to share how to construct a book from scratch. You can choose any size you want and pick whatever materials suit your concept. There are a few ways to do it but this one is easy, affordable and doesn’t take much time. They make great gifts as well.

{Materials}

2 pieces of thin cardboard or thin matte board of the same size, any size you want.
1 piece of cardboard or thin matte board about 1/4 inches in width.
decorative paper
any kind of paper for the inside
glue or double-sided tape
scissors or an x-acto knife
stapler
a needle and thread, if needed

First, gather the cardboard. The two pieces of the same size will be the front and back cover and the small 1/4 inch piece will be the binding.

Take decorative paper of your choice and lay it flat upside down. Lay the cardboard pieces on top with a 1/2 inch extra around the edges. The binding piece should have 1/4 inch or so on each side so there is space in between the covers and the binding.

Cut the paper to size if needed then glue cardboard pieces to paper. Make sure you create a nice fold in the corners.

Now, get your pages ready. Make sure they are cut to size as well. They should fit inside the covers and not stick out. Fold the pages in half. Use a stapler to attach the paper at the fold. If you are using large pieces, try sewing them together at the fold. One section on each end and one in the middle should do the trick.

For the final steps, take another piece of decorative paper and cut it to size. It should be the length of the edge of the cover to the edge of the first page. Do the same with the back cover. You can use a different design or the same as the cover.

Glue the papers down or use double-sided tape if that works. Once you do that, the book is done being constructed. Now you can add content or leave as is. That wasn’t so hard now was it? You can have a lot of fun with this project. It’s something great to do with your kids too. Especially, if they love to draw and write stories.