Top Free Crochet Patterns Online

By: Amanda Roddy

Do you need free crochet patterns for beginners? The internet is a treasure of free crochet patterns for all skill levels. Beginning crocheters can pick from hat, afghans, clothes, and household items. If you don’t know how to crochet, you can find plenty of tutorials to help you. Search how to crochet or crochet instructions on the internet. If you already know crochet or teaching someone else, here are a few sites to help you find free crochet patterns for beginners.

Craftown.com isn’t called a crafter’s resource center for nothing. This site carries over 1000 patterns and projects in most any craft. There are free lesson pages that let you learn crochet stitches and styles. There are clear, easy to follow instructions showing the correct way to hold the needle and how the stitches should look. You can find a learning section for the craft you want. Pick from knitting, crochet, tatting, and quilting just to name  a few. Beginners are sure to find something. The site is updated often.

Crochet pattern Central is another site full of beginner crochet resources and free crochet patterns. It is updated weekly. Crochet pattern Central is an online directory featuring thousands of links in more than 90 crochet categories. Some of the categories include baby , afghans, dolls, holiday, clothes, and potholders. If you are looking for more specific patterns in  a category, click on the sub category links. Crochet Pattern Central offers beginning crochet section and original patterns. If you don’t have a website, and design crochet patterns, you can submit them here. You can find links to beginner tutorials to various techniques off-site in the directory. You’ll find tips and tricks along with encouraging testimonials.

Lion Brand Yarn is a popular yarn brand. Lion Brand Yarn has their own website with several resources for the crochet enthusiast.  Offering the services is a good promotional strategy. They  provide a set of tutorials which can be viewed online or downloaded for off-line viewing. There is an illustrated directory for novices who can’t fully grasp the basic terms in patterns. Lion Brand contains almost a thousand free patterns  for children, adults, home décor, and more. The free crochet patterns are classified according to skill level and you can also purchase supplies.

Free Patterns.com and About.com are popular sites for crafts. They are perhaps among the oldest sites around and still going strong. You can download patterns in PDF format or view online. A beginner is sure to find something. Free Patterns.com offers free video tutorials to any craft. You can learn specific stitches with clear illustrations. Free registration is required for this site. Crochet.about.com has an alphabetical index of free crochet patterns around the internet. There is an onsite beginners guide with links to tutorials on stitches and free patterns for beginners and experienced crocheters.

These are just few sites with free crochet patterns.  If you check further instructions or want to make specific patterns check video sites like Youtube.com Sometimes you’ll find videos showing you how to make simple items. As you can see, it isn’t hard for beginner’s to find something. Start visiting these sites and make projects to show off. For more resources, just type ‘free crochet’ or ‘free crochet patterns’ in a search engine.

About the Author

For more craft ideas visit http://diyeasycrafts.blogspot.com.

(ArticlesBase SC #2530163)

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Why Knitting with Bamboo Knitting Needles

By: Abigail West

In market, there are a lot of knitting needles in plastic, aluminum, wood, bamboo! You can find that bamboo knitting needles are most popular and favored by experienced knitters all over the world!

These are made after extensive research was done, to make your knitting experience as smooth as possible. They are manufactured using a high technological processes. The companies that manufacturer these needles maintain, high quality, smooth finish and a perfect needle points. The high quality and standard they are manufactured to will make your knitting, an experience you will not forget.

Knitting with bamboo knitting needles is a whole new knitting experience.

• It is very smooth. The smooth wooden finish makes them glide over each other in perfect unison, hence minimizing the noise created by other needles such as aluminum ones. The amazing thing is that they become even smoother, the more you use them. Thus, knitting with these smooth bamboo needles all helps to make a comfortable experience, unlike the plastic and aluminum ones that are often used.
• It is good for arthritis knitters. It is good for arthritis knitters. Bamboo needles are especially beneficial to users with arthritis or other hand problems. Their lightweight and smooth surface features make bamboo needles easy to hold.
• It is very quiet. Do not want to disturb other persons, when you are knitting on subway or some other quiet places? Bamboo knitting needles are very quiet and will help you to enjoy the knitting even in some special places.
• It is very light. It is very lightweight. Tests show that they are 60% lighter than aluminum needles of the same size. Therefore it is very easy for you to take them with you. You can use some simple silk cases to hold them and place them into your handbag. Your hand will also tire even after long hours of knitting.

For a great place to learn more about knitting needles just go tohttp://www.circularknittingneedles.org/

About the Author

For a great place to learn more about knitting needles just click here for FREE Guide

(ArticlesBase SC #2540501)

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Keep A Sewing Machine In Working Order With Basic Maintenance

By: Samantha Clemens

A few basic inspections on your own sewing machine prior to as well as after use will keep your machine operating well and also ought to help you save money in the long run. But not only can the list keep your machine working it’s also important for your health and safety. Sewing machines are certainly not playthings. They are able to maim or kill if not serviced properly. Just for basic safety we recommend un-plugging the device from the electric supply prior to looking to do any servicing.

Clearing Away Lint

Lint is a build up of fluff through using thread. Sooner or later without correct cleaning the lint will quickly clog the machine and work its way into the most hard to get at places.

The majority of the covers on the machine ought to come off easily to help you to get to the lint with a painting brush and clean it out. You can expect to normally discover a build up on the bobbin case. Don’t use a vacuum if at all possible. Oil as well as other little parts may be sucked up because of the strong suction. Try to clear the lint from the machine every time you’ve completed a task. This way your machine will be all set to be used.

Oiling A Sewing Machine

Always make use of the proper oil. The oil you put in your car is not adequate so do not make the mistake of attempting to use it. Usually sewing machine oil is very clear and you probably would have received some along with the machine initially. Any local sewing machine shop will have loads available if you need more. Refer to your owners guide book for the parts that require routine oiling. A few machines have got all these places marked however check your guide regardless. Once you have finished applying the oil find some old material and run a few stitches up and down it. This allows any kind of excessive oil to escape on to the scrap item and not on your brand new sewing project. Oiling your machine correctly stops deterioration and also keeps every thing functioning efficiently. It also helps prevent rust which often can appear on surface areas. There are numerous moving parts on a sewing machine and too little oil could eventually damage the sewing machine.

Tighten Up All Loose Screws

While you oil the machine look for any screws which may have become loose and tighten all of them as required. Buy good set of hex keys as more and more brands are choosing some of these screws.

If you encounter a missing screw then don’t use the machine until it’s replaced. Serious damage may be caused to the machine particularly if it is missing within the timing gear.

Electrical Inspection

Be wary of for wires which may have split or where the external Pvc material covering is becoming damaged. It probably won’t often be a problem internally workings with the machine as these electrical wires are usually fixed and really don’t move. The commonest problem is with the cable on the pedal. Make sure it’s not being stretched while being used. Be sure the external PVC on the wire is not split and showing the copper interior cores. Look at the plug where it fits in to the machine. Subsequently after excessive usage these wear out and become loose making your machine stop at the time you least need it to. Electrical issues cannot just stop your machine functioning they might hurt and even cause death. If you’re in any uncertainty consult a neighborhood electrician or service agent.

To Summarize

As mentioned initially these are just the basics of sewing machine maintenance. In an additional article I will go over servicing in detail however just by adopting the basics as discussed above you will keep your machine in working order and also much less time having it mended.

About the Author

Samantha Clemens has been mending sewing machines for a living for more than 20 years. For additional info please go to her web site Sewing Machine Repairs

(ArticlesBase SC #2581167)

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Knitting for Fun ( and for Profit)

By: Volina Manson

Thirty plus years ago, I taught myself how to knit.  It did not happen over night, but it did happen.  I have never regretted the beginning frustrations and all the unraveling I had to do. I realized very quickly that it relaxed me after a hard days work, and when I got better at it, I had a very nice gift for some family member.  The first  Christmas after I became good enough, everyone in the family got a scarf and hat set.

There are only two stitches in knitting ,  knit and perl.  How many of each you do in a row and how often you do them  constructs the pattern.  Once you learn how to read a pattern, the world of knitting projects is open.

I have made everything from baby doll clothes to large queen size bedspreads. My favorite is the afghans. You can choose your own colors and even change the pattern a bit if you please.  Can you think of anyone who would not like getting a hand made afghan as a gift?

The thrid year after I started knitting, I decided to enter a few of my projects into the state fair. Mostly to see if I was as good as everyone was telling me. Out of eleven entries, I came home with eleven ribbons. Nine of which were first place in their areas. One was best of show for all the needle work catagory, and one was second place.  I was very pleased with myself, and decided to start selling some things to help offset the cost of the yarn.

I was offered nine hundred dollars  for one of the bed spreads I made.  A lady from up North thought it was a very Southern and unique.  I couldn’t sell it though, since I had promised it to one of my co-workers.  I did sell a lot of hand knitted projects, though and recooped some of my cost.

Knitting turned out to not only be a relaxing therapy for me, but a slightly profittable one also.  I would, and do reccommend it to anyone, men or women.  Someone needs to continue the craft before it becomes obsolete.

About the Author

65 year old female. Retired in September, 2009 after 30 years as a BSN ER nurse. I am married to an alien from Canada. I enjoy writing, needle work, gardening and dogs. I am at the stage in my life where I am fulfilling my bucket list, and writing is on the list. I live in a very small Southern town, or to say out in the country 6 miles from a small Southern town. I feel I have many stories I want to share, and can only hope someone out there will enjoy them and hopefully get some help and/or hope from them.

(ArticlesBase SC #2808817)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Knitting for Fun ( and for Profit)

Wanting to Learn How to Sew Clothes

Author: Gargi Nath

If you are one of those people who have always loved thinking of new and creative ways that clothes could be designed, then you may want to consider learning how to sew clothes. Sewing is a pretty basic thing once you get the hang of it so all you have to do is get yourself started. Whether it is learning how to sew leather or cotton, the general concept is usually all the same. When it comes to learning how to sew clothes though, you are going to want to try and make sure that you are starting with some scrap fabric first. This way your mistakes will not cost you as much money as working on something like better material would.

Learning how to sew clothes can be both an exciting and scary time all at once but you have to just roll with the punches and stick in there. That is the only way to make it through to the point that you are completely comfortable and sure about your own ability to sew. At that point you will be so good at what you do that you could teach someone else how to sew clothes so that other people can enjoy the hobby. Until then though your job is to simply keep practicing so that you can become very good at it.

Where To Get The Teachings

A lot of people start out by simply reading a book or two on how to sew clothes. There are also a lot of different magazines out there that cater specifically to people who want to learn how to sew clothes. These types of magazines can do a lot of good for people who are really trying to learn how to sew clothes. If you find that by reading these types of books and magazines that you are not learning enough then it is probably time to get some one on one teaching from someone that is skilled in the art of sewing.

There are a lot of places that a person can go to for classes on how to sew clothes and the prices are generally reasonable. Most times, these classes can be found at the local library or through a craft store. Be sure to look around for these classes on how to sew clothes so that you can get started on your new hobby. And once you learn enough from the classes you can then go off on your own to do what you want.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/needlework-articles/wanting-to-learn-how-to-sew-clothes-580353.html

About the Author

I am Gargi Nath from Kolkata,India.I am a Professor of English.Please visit my blog http://needle-sewing.blogspot.com for more detailed informations on sewing.

Embroidery Digitizing – Designing Clothes The Easy Way

By: Sunil Punjabi

Clothing is important as a commodity because it has worldwide appeal and plays a substantial role in the world economy. Fashion trends are a global phenomenon so wearing the right kind of attire plays an important role in everybody’s life. With this view several embroidery digitizing companies have come up all around the globe to meet the current standards and vast range of fashion wear.

Digitizing embroidery simply means creating fashionable and varied forms of embroidery by utilizing computer generated software and applications. The digitizing application is fed several stitch patterns or image files, which it stores, and processes into several files which are then read by embroidery machines to be sewn into perfect embroidered fabric. embroidery digitizing has vastly simplified the process of designing fashionable clothes, as the process employed is simple and requires minimum human intervention. The whole idea of creating your line of clothes seems much easier, faster and cost-effective than it used to be before. Today, people are actually thinking about designing their own clothes since the advent of digitizing software and machines.

The simple requirements of embroidery digitizing are a computer-operated system, digitizing machine and software, and design patterns. The designs employed can be self created or you can download the designs online or further manipulate them to give it your own personal touch. embroidery digitizing software can also be downloaded from the internet to help you in creating your own patterns. This way you can also boost your embroidery skills and come up with unique stitches that will never have common designs. With the simple instructions anyone can learn the digitizing techniques and it is far simpler than the complex hand embroidery techniques.

Computerized embroidery has become popular over the years due to the low labor that is placed in its work and the high supply of quality clothes that are made out of it. Perfecting the art of embroidery manually is quite difficult but the digitized embroidery is almost always minutely perfect. Less effort and lack of wastage of time are added advantages. Manual embroidery requires an embroidery machine that is costly and but the cost of embroidery digitizing is far less as anyone can easily buy the embroidery software and install them in their computer systems to create amazing embroidery patterns. The economics of selling your self- designed clothes are also promising. Besides, one can also opt to sell their embroidery techniques, as there are several individuals and companies who seek quality embroidery designs and patterns.

There are many websites and online manufactures who are regularly using digitized embroidery to create fabulous clothes. A lot of websites also sell their digitized patterns and have uploaded their finished designs for consideration. Today people from various fields are actually thinking about creating their own clothes and selling it online since the inception of digitized embroidery has made it all very simple. All in all embroidery digitizing can be a good source of income and beneficial to a lot of people in future.

For all your requirements for digitizing, embroidery digitizing, machine embroidery services, please contact us or call us for a quote – http://www.superdigitizing.com/

About the Author

I am a Microsoft Certified Professional. I conduct Training and Certification Guidance for Microsoft .Net Certification Courses through my training institute-Sierra Infotech. I also own and manage a SEO Company and article Directory.

(ArticlesBase SC #2846570)

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Candle Making Business at Home

By: mokiwigirl

Operating a Successful Candle Making Business at Home

Making candles can be great fun. Some people choose to take their love of this art and make money doing what they enjoy spending their time on. There are many areas of the candle making business you need to consider before embarking on such an adventure. Knowing how to make quality candles isn’t enough. You need to educate yourself on ways to promote your candles, ordering supplies, offering customer service, and determining a price for your candles.

We all know candles are a very popular item, so the market for such products is out there. However, that market can’t purchase your candles if they don’t know about it. You will need to establish a plan including where you plan to sell your candles, and then come up with a handle of ways to get attention to them. There are many places to sell candles. You can do so from your own home or rent space at craft shows. Often word of mouth will result in orders. You can also choose to advertise on the internet.

Advertising online can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Write about your business on a blog or purchase services from a web hosting company. They often offer excellent tools for setting up a web page and directing traffic to your site. In addition, they provide the shopping cart and even credit card processing for you. Most web hosting companies charge $20 per month, which isn’t a bad investment.

Placing your candles on Ebay or other online auction sites is a great way to generate sales. As you accumulate feedback for selling a quality product you will get more buyers. Before you can do any advertising, you will need to decide what types of candles to sell. You will generate more sells if you show pictures of your work with each type of candle you sell. People buying candles want to visualize the product they are purchasing. Once your business starts turning a profit, consider buying supplies in large quantities to get a discount.

The secret to being a successful candle making business is selling the product at a fair enough price that the consumer will buy it. Yet you also need to cover the cost of your time and supplies, while making a reasonable profit. Don’t be tempted to cut corners on the quality of your supplies as this can greatly alter the quality of your product. Once the word is out that your quality is poor, you will have a hard time maintaining sales.

To generate business, offer promotions. You can offer free shipping for your candle products at the online auction sites to have an advantage over the competition. Many auction surfers will buy a product with free shipping over one with low shipping. You can also offer a free candle with the purchase of three or even to send a personalized card if the buyer is going to use the candle as a gift.

Get your Free 10 part mini course to CandeMaking RightHere

Many successful candle making companies offer personalized service. This means customers can ask for a particular type of candle in a color and you will make it for them. This often costs the customer more, but they are likely willing to pay it. Make sure you communicate well with your customers and know exactly what they want before committing to such a project.

Every business experiences issues that come up. This is to be expected. Customers are likely to be more forgiving of such issues if they are provided with quality customer service. Make sure customers have a way to get into contact with you. Work out a resolution to any issues that you will both be happy with. It is best to outline return policies on your website as well so that there is a place customers can review such information.

Choosing to start your own candle making business at home is a wonderful and exciting time. Selling your own candles gives you a business where you can be proud of the quality product you are making. Taking the time to learn the basics of the business before jumping in will help ensure this is a fun business venture for you and hopefully one that is going to be quite profitable.

About the Author

For more Candle Making Tips and Techniques and your Free 10 part Mini course on Candle Making.

(ArticlesBase SC #2865461)

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Craft Ideas for Kids: For Summer Time Fun

By: serge

Summer vacation is a blast for kids and incorporating things where they can be doing educational activities, is even better. Let them enjoy summer crafts for kids to develop their cognitive skills and expand their imagination.

Doing crafts promotes creativity and develops values like openness, cooperation and perseverance. It also helps kids express themselves and build their self esteem. This is the best opportunity to teach your kids values while building a stronger relationship with them as a parent.

There are so many ideas you can offer your children, like gardening, beach fun, camping and wearable crafts. Your child can learn how to do cards, gifts, paper folding and string crafts, etc.

The great thing about doing crafts is that you can start a work, without spending much. All you need to do is make use of old and worn materials, found in your homes. Things like wires, beads, buttons, strings, clips, newspapers, caps and coloring materials.

The thing that makes a summer crafts program fun and exciting for kids are those crafts that they can wear, headbands, pins, jewelry and shirts. I use to love the Indian bead jewelry I got to make as a kid. Your child can design his or her own headband into something that reflects his personality. Have them add some butterflies, ribbons and small stuffed animals on the headband by using a glue gun or other adhesives.

You can encourage the children to make use of all these different materials as accessories, dangling earrings, made of paper clips or a necklace with a plastic flower pendant. This can be a lot of fun for your child and who knows, maybe even an income generating skill in the future.

All children love to do hand paintings on their plain shirts. They enjoy using different colors as they design their own shirts. They usually have a real sense of accomplishment when they are allowed to use their creativity and expression.

Encourage the children to collect seashells and sand during summer vacation. Then you’ll have more material to use in making bracelets, necklaces and even house decorations. Shells and coral can be used beautifully with picture frames, bags, containers and even hanging decor.

For a very cool beach theme idea, have your child soak some white sand in watercolor and dry it. Place the colored sand in a glass container with some small shells. This is also a unique gift idea.

Making use of recyclable materials teaches kids about being eco-friendly and making good use of all our resources. Plastic containers and boxes can be wrapped with colorful papers and then decorated with strings and buttons, however your child likes. Use colorful glue or glitters for an amazing appearance.

Another great craft for kids that’s fun and fairly inexpensive is paper Mache crafts. It’s an activity that’s easy and still allows the kids to express their creative nature.

1. Cover an area with newspaper to reduce the mess.
2. Decide on the design or animals to be created. Suggest they make a piñata so they can have more fun busting the goodies from the outside. Or, they may want to hang it in their bedroom.
3. Use balloons for the core of the paper Mache item.
4. Tear newspaper, colored paper or copy paper into 1″ strips. Make some longer and shorter strips. Set the piles aside by length and color.
5. Make the paste by adding 1 cup of flour to 5 cups of water.
6. Boil this for 3 minutes. (Stir constantly to keep lumps from forming.)
7. Allow the mixture to cool. Then, pour into large mixing bowl.
8. The consistency should be smooth and paste-like.
9. Dip the newspaper strips in the paste. Squeeze the access paste off.

10.  Place the pasty strips on the mold and smooth out the wrinkles.

11.  Continue placing strips on the mold till it’s covered with about four layers.

12.  Allow the mold to dry completely.

13.  Add more layers to get to the desired thickness and allow drying between each new layer.

14.  With sharp scissors, carefully cut a straight line in the middle for the mold.

15.  Carefully open the slit area if you’re going to use it for a piñata. Fill with treats and candy.

16.  Seal the “slit” that you just cut with clear tape.

17.  Paint the mold with watercolors and enjoy!

About the Author

For more fun ideas: http://ecraftideasforkids.com/craft-ideas-for-kids.html

(ArticlesBase SC #2886683)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Craft Ideas for Kids: For Summer Time Fun

5 Challenges When Making a Quilt

By: Sharon Camp

As a quilter there are many challenges you face when designing, sewing and ultimately quilting the finished product.  Here are the 5 most important steps that you need to complete before the finished product can be proudly displayed and viewed by others.

Step 1

Choosing the fabric for the quilt can be one of the most challenging and exciting tasks facing the quilter or one of the most frustrating.  Color choices can indeed determine the overall success of your quilt because it can either be alive and sparkle with its color or be dull, drab and boring due to the lack of it.

Since you might be like most quilters and wish you were wealthy enough to have the complete “stash” that contains every fabric that you ever could want to use, choosing your fabrics carefully is important.  Colors chosen for the background should be quiet, more neutral so as not to call attention to this part of the quilt and allow for the printed colors to jump out and shine.

There are two recommended quilter color tests that will help in your selection.  First, place the colors next to each other to be sure they compliment and do not detract from each other.  The second and equally important is to stand back at least six feet and look carefully to see how the fabrics melt or mix together.

Select fabrics that will enhance your pattern.  Use the color wheel to help in the selection of colors that compliment or intensify.  The hot colors of yellow and orange will dominate the quilt and conversely, the cool shades of blues will add a depth dimension to your quilt.  Remember that the neutral shades are pleasant to the eye and allow for the others hues to show their true color.

Be sure to prewash all fabric, tumble dry and iron prior to cutting for your projects.

It is always wise to buy a little extra fabric in case of wrong cuts than to be short.  This way you can add the extra to that fabric stash for your next project!

Step 2

Whether you plan to use a precut pattern, draft your own blocks, use a template or cut out pieces with a rotary blade, the design of the quilt becomes your true masterpiece.  Whether your blocks are pieced or appliquéd, simple or complex, each can be connected block to block or with sashings and cornerstones.  Another alternative that frames the blocks and gives a three dimensional look to your block is a framed or window block.   Blocks can be set on a horizontal pattern running crosswise or lengthwise.  Another alternative would be the zigzag effect which is produced by placing the blocks diagonally.

Enhancing or enlarging a block or the size of the quilt can be easily done by the adding of borders.  Well-designed borders add to the colors in the quilt blocks, as well as bring out designs and shapes featured in the blocks.   Interesting borders can be pieced, appliquéd, and mitered corners add stunning results that frame the blocks in the center.

Step 3

No matter the colors or the design that is chosen, the construction or the sewing of the quilt has rules that need to be followed carefully.

Be sure to sew exactly ¼ ” seams from edge to edge.  If possible, keep the straight of the grain on the outside edges of the quilt section.    Press the seams in what is called “opposing seams.”  This pressing of the seams in opposite directions allows the matching of the points or corners and always pin the points of matching prior to sewing.

Step 4

Once the quilt top is completed, a layer of batting is then sandwiched between this top and a lower layer of fabric.  Once the fabrics are arranged, stretched smooth, and basted together with long running stitches to hold the layers together until the quilting can be completed.  Choosing to quilt by hand or to machine quilt is an individual preference.

When quilting by hand, since the stitches create the design, it is important that each one be made carefully.  A simple running stitch is used, though the size differs from one quilter to another in the number of stitches to an inch, it is more important that each stitch be uniform in length.  Usually a 5 – 8 stitch per inch is considered to be pleasing and attractive hand quilting.

As a machine quilter, you can have the option for a quicker and often time’s stronger stitch since the machine is being utilized.  Work is done in small areas at a time, since maneuvering the material under the arm of the machine is often cumbersome and tricky.  An alternative to this process would be the quilter’s long arm, which is designed to not only work on a larger quilted area, but more intricate design patterns.

Step 5

The final and often times over-looked step is giving your quilt a name.  Many quilts many be placed in a quilt show, or sold on line, but some may be just love and meant to spend hours being loved and cuddled with by that special person who was lucky enough to be the recipient of a handmade quilt.  After the many hours the labors of love on the quilt, take time to personalize it by giving it the unique, special touch, it very own name.

About the Author

Come and choose one our handmade children’s quilts, a lasting keepsake, a unique birthday gift, or Christening gift, for that special “little one.”

Visit my website: http://www.uniquebabyquiltboutique.com and chose of one unique handmade children’s quilt from my collection for your child’s birthday or other special event.

Sharon Camp has been quilting for over 30 years.

(ArticlesBase SC #2951218)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – 5 Challenges When Making a Quilt

Use Kids Decals To Make Baby Gifts!

By: Melanie Southall

Have you ever wished you could create unique baby gifts for those sweet little people in your life? Personalized or monnogrammed gifts are beautiful and memorable but often expensive. If you’re like me, I enjoy the challenge of creating my own gifts, that are still beautiful and memorable, but are more friendly to my wallet! However, I realize there are many folks out there who say, “Yeah, that’s a nice idea, but I have no artistic talent!” No worries… this particulare project requires only a bit of courage, a few hours of time and NO artistic abitlity.

In this article, I will walk you through the process of how you can create a personalized baby gift for that next little baby who needs a “welcome to the world” gift! What makes this project both simple and professional looking is the proper use of kids decals. These decals give the appearance that you’ve spent hours tediously hand painting the gift, when if fact, it only took minutes.

In case you are not familiar with kids decals, let me catch you up to speed. Decals are a rising trend in the world of interior design and are nothing short of amazing! They are thin, flexible, but durable, vinyl stickers that are capable of being removed and repositioned multiple times. They leave no sticky residue behind and they won’t peel paint. Most people think of using kids stickers for walls or furniture, but they really offer endless possibilities for decorating childrens living space, making art and gifts. Kids decals come in all shapes, sizes and themes.

So, let’s get started! First of all, you have to buy your kids decals! Truly there are so many options and themes available. I suggest looking for a grouping or set of smaller decals. For little girls, there are fairies, flowers, butterflies, etc. For boys, you may be interested in a baseball, ship, jungle animals, etc. Also, keep in mind that you can cut decals to fit the size project you’re working on. Now for the “Project”!!

Step 1: Gather your supplies and make your plans. You’ll need a wooden plaque. These can be purchased at your local craft store. I suggest a size bigger than 8 x 10, otherwise, you’ll start running out of room till you get to your decal. The rest of the supplies you need are primer, acrylic paints, brushes, pencil, chalk and a paper plate. Pick your paint colors to coordinate with the colors of your decal. I suggest only using 1-3 different colors to avoid it becoming too busy.

Step 2: Primer your plaque. If the colors you plan to paint your plaque are light, then go with a white primer. If the colors are darker, you’ll save yourself time by using a gray primer because you won’t need as many coats to get a true color.

Step 3: Paint your plaque with the background color of your choice. I suggest 2-3 thinner coats of paint or until you get a true color and you can’t see the primer through the paint anymore. Let the paint dry!

Step 4: I like to create a boarder on the plaque, either with stripes or a scallop edge. Stripes are pretty straight forward to create. Just make sure you use a ruler to keep them straight. For a scalloped edge (looks beautiful on a girl plaque), sketch in your scallops using a round object. Trace the top half of the circle around the outside edge of your plaque. A few tips; roughly measure out your circles, so that you don’t run out of room at the end of the plaque. Try different round objects around your house until you find one that works. I used the bottom of the paint bottles and they worked perfectly.

Step 5: Paint your scalloped edge and the center of your plaque – that is if you’re using a scalloped edge. Again, I suggest 2-3 thinner coats of paint or until you get a true color and you can’t see the primer through the paint anymore. Now, let the paint dry!

Step 6: Create the monnogram or name. First, print out the letters and date from your computer. Pick a font that you like and print it out in the size you want. In order to copy it onto your plaque, rub chalk on the back of the printed paper. Place the chalked letters onto your plaque. Now with a ball-point pen, trace over the printed letters and date. When you’re done, you’ll have a chalk outline  of the letters and dates to paint over. The great thing about this is, if you don’t get your letters or date centered the first try, you can just wipe the chalk off and go for try #2.

Step 7: Paint in your letters and date with a coordinating color. Use a fine point brush for the lettering! Don’t worry, if you mess up, keep some background color handy and you can fix up your mistakes with a little of that paint.

Step 8: Add your childrens wall stickers. Simply peel them off the backing they came on, stick them to the dry plaque and press down the edges! Because these childrens wall stickers are removable, you don’t have to worry about getting it right the first time. If it’s off center, just peel it up and reapply it!

Let it all dry and cure for a few days, wrap it up and deliver with love!

I hope this article was helpful and inspired you to create a baby gift that is affordabel, beautiful and timeless! As you can see, by reading through this process, you don’t have to be an artist to create special, one of a kind gifts. Really, the options are limitless and I hope you use this article as a springboard for many other projects using kids decals!

About the Author

If this article has peeked your interest and inspired you, visit Kids Decal Corner; where we offer hundreds of stickers for walls and more and do-it-yourself children’s wall murals.

When you shop at Kids Decal Corner, we promise excellent customer service, the newest trends in childrens wall stickers and our blog offers great decorating ideas and tips using kids decals!

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