Nov 27, 2013

Quilling Christmas Snowflake Card (1 of 5)

For those who know my previous blog, Crafting Creatures, you may be wondering why I haven't been quilling for some time. I have a good reason for that but am only allowed to say it in the New Year, so I hope you'll follow my new blog, Paper Zen to hear the exciting news.

Until then, here is a quilled snowflake greeting card for this year's Christmas. In truth, I don't find my quilling tension to be very even, so I actually prefer more loose designs that allow for that variation. I hope you'll enjoy the next ones to come along.

Quilling Snowflake Grid

Download your free snowflake quilling grid in PDF format

Nov 20, 2013

Paper Orchid Cards and Party Favor Box

Thanks so much everyone! I've been buoyed by your enthusiasm over my paper orchids. The set is finally done and listed in my Etsy store. I've enjoyed learning about the amazing colors orchids have to offer. Now that they are in my radar, I can't help but notice them in florist shops.

Since I don't have an embosser, I make my own version by cutting the Asian inspired lattice pattern out of paper, then gluing the paper on top of my card. Even my hubby was fooled and had to take a second look, wondering how I achieved the subtle pattern. It's difficult to see the white on white card, but you can see it better with the pink on pale pink card on the right.

It took a bit of time to list this in my store because I wanted to make protective boxes for the cards. This box works for both the horizontal and vertical card. When the cards are nestled inside, it reminds me of peering through the decorative windows in Asian gardens and admiring the view on the other side.

Since I use my blades until they are very dull, I end up plucking/weeding quite a bit with the lattice. So I added very tiny rounded corners to help my machine cut smoothly, making weeding easier - these are bonus files which you can choose to use if you prefer it as well.

As a child I loved attending weddings and collecting the party favors, imagining my own one day. The tapered box in this collection has little feet that raise the box up. To help guests open the lid, there is a half moon tab along the lid lip. I couldn't decide which I liked best - the straight or diagonal placement of the blossom. There are step-by-step photos to assemble every piece you see here.

Thanks for visiting!





Cecelia

Nov 3, 2013

Paper Orchid Sneak Peak


Thank you to those who have been asking about my paper orchid pattern. I had hoped to have it ready last week but after finishing my square card I realized it needs a protective box while being handed to the recipient.


Since I don't have much experience with orchids until my first one last year, I never knew they grew in so many amazing patterns and colors until I started researching how to show different decorating options.

I also wanted to give a 2nd card option that was faster to make but had a nod to the orient. So until I finalize everything, please bear with me, and thank you for your patience!

Nov 2, 2013

Halloween Carving 2013




This year I decided to carve a Volkswagon (I didn't know about Fillmore until someone told me). To make such perfect circles for eyes I used an apple corer. As the pumpkin dried, his mouth started to compress, making the funniest pursing of his lips.

If you like the Jack Skellington window display in the background, you can see it better in this past post: http://paperzen.blogspot.com/2011/10/happy-halloween.html


To make Totoro's tummy, I used a melon baller which makes it look a bit like fur. Then I scraped from the inside to thin the wall so his tummy could glow.


I can't believe hubby used a chef knife to carve this eyeball! Then he used linoleum carving tools to define the pupil lines. Creepy!


Some years ago I bought this kit at half price from Walmart. When I brought it to a carving party last year, they were so excited to use something safer than a paring knife.

Off they went to buy a kit of their own, but this year they told me it didn't compare. Their kit was orange and the blades were thinner which meant they bent and broke easily. The "Goop Scoop" wide scraper was also better because it has such an easy grip vs theirs which had a handle. To copy the patterns inside, mine has an easy to wipe marker where theirs had a perforating wheel - they assured it was not worth the effort.



I had no idea my plastic purchase was such a good investment, so imagine how happy I was to find my familiar green tools at the Spirit Halloween store. I hope you had a craft-filled Halloween!