This time of year can get a little crazy trying to organise everything for the Holidays. Factor in trying to finish up those writing deadlines and life gets even crazier.
It's at just this sort of time that Muse starts to get antsy and I remember that when I launched my website I really wanted to be publicly accountable for making sure I stopped once in a while and ensured Muse got to refill the well.
Simple craft projects are guaranteed to help Muse and I retain perspective and get back to that chilled-out place. Doing something that's completely different to writing but that's still creative--really helps free up your mind, helps you relax and restores a little balance.
So I thought I'd post a simple project that takes around an hour to complete.
Ornament Decoupage: You can use an old Christmas bauble and update it using this technique or buy ready-made ornaments to decorate/embellish.
It's at just this sort of time that Muse starts to get antsy and I remember that when I launched my website I really wanted to be publicly accountable for making sure I stopped once in a while and ensured Muse got to refill the well.
Simple craft projects are guaranteed to help Muse and I retain perspective and get back to that chilled-out place. Doing something that's completely different to writing but that's still creative--really helps free up your mind, helps you relax and restores a little balance.
So I thought I'd post a simple project that takes around an hour to complete.
Ornament Decoupage: You can use an old Christmas bauble and update it using this technique or buy ready-made ornaments to decorate/embellish.
I bought some ready-made cardboard ornaments from my local craft store.
You will also need:
Pretty Paper
PVA glue
Decoupage paintbrush
Varnish (optional)
Ruler, pencil and scissors (optional)
Instructions:
Pretty Paper
PVA glue
Decoupage paintbrush
Varnish (optional)
Ruler, pencil and scissors (optional)
Instructions:
1) Tear the paper into strips, or, if you're a neat freak like me, turn the paper over, divide it up with ruler and pencil and cut the paper into strips.
2) Mix some PVA glue with a little water.
3) Using the paintbrush put a little glue onto a small area of the ornament. Pick up a piece of paper and lay it over the glue. Next, take your
brush and brush a little glue over the paper to seal it.
4) Repeat the process, overlapping the paper in any pattern you want as long as
you cover the surface of the ornament.
2) Mix some PVA glue with a little water.
3) Using the paintbrush put a little glue onto a small area of the ornament. Pick up a piece of paper and lay it over the glue. Next, take your
brush and brush a little glue over the paper to seal it.
4) Repeat the process, overlapping the paper in any pattern you want as long as
you cover the surface of the ornament.
5) Make sure you go over the paper with a light layer of glue to seal it.
6) Allow to dry.
7) Paint over with varnish (optional) to make it extra shiny.
6) Allow to dry.
7) Paint over with varnish (optional) to make it extra shiny.
Voila! It's really that simple, and okay, maybe a little addictive. Before you know it you'll be applying paper, glue and varnish to anything that's not stuck down!
Have fun with it and leave me a comment about your decoupage exploits, or let me know which craft projects soothe your soul and free up your mind to go back to your writing fresh and revitalised.
Have fun with it and leave me a comment about your decoupage exploits, or let me know which craft projects soothe your soul and free up your mind to go back to your writing fresh and revitalised.
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