Dutch artist drawings leap off the page

Dutch Artist Ramon Bruin’s 3D Drawings Leap Off the Page

Self-taught artist Ramon Bruin (previously) has created more impressive 3D drawings across several sheets of flat paper. To see more of Ramon’s work, visit his website and Facebook page.

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Book It Cell Phone Charging Station

(From Article)

DIY - 'Book It' Cell Phone Charging Station

Well, it's about time we had another 'book'torial here on the blog. This book charging station is a simple way to keep your nightstand looking neat and tidy and is also a great way to keep that pesky cord in place. 

Wanna make your own book charging station to tuck your phone into?

HERE'S THE HOW TO:

Stuff You'll Need:

Book (Make sure it is large enough to hold your cell phone.)

Mod Podge

Ruler

Pencil

Xacto Knife

Method:

Check out this tutorial for instructions on creating a book safe. Also, you might want to cover your book with fabric to match your decor.

Cutting a notch on one side will give the cord a place to go.

That's all there is to it! Now, all you have to do is close the book to keep your nightstand nice and pretty....

Hello Summer Card

Gorilla origami

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackscorpion/3655354723/

DIY MATRYOSHKA DOLLS

When I went to Markit@FedSquare in Melbourne, I bought a set of blank Matryoshka Dolls from Blank Goods. If you’re into simple and fun art and craft projects, you should check out Blank. They sell a lot of blank basic goods that you can customise on your own.

Don’t you think they will make a perfect personalised gift for someone? If you’d like to do it on your own, here’s what you need

I used Copic markers because they are the only markers I have in different colours. I wouldn’t say they are the best markers to use for this project. According to the Blank Goods stallholder I talked to at the market, the best way is to use acrylic paints. They also have tried using Stabilo neon markers. Just bear in mind that due to the wood material, the markers will tend to bleed. Oh, and I draw the finelines using Artline fineliners. I forgot to include it in the picture!

Get creative with your Matryoshka dolls!

Owl pins

felt owl pin: a tutorial.

remember these little ones? 

well here's how i made them:

 materials:

 three colors of felt(eyes, belly, body), embroidery floss, scissors, needle and thread, pin back or alligator hair clip, and glue gun(not pictured).

directions:

• begin by printing and cutting out your owl template.
• use a pen to trace the eyes, belly, and body of your owl onto the felt and cut the pieces out.
• first, pick up your eyes! with your chosen eye color stitch the little circles for the eye(i used a back stitch). now sew the eyes onto the body.

• next step is to sew the belly onto the body, you're about halfway done now.
• beak! i just picked a spot i thought would be a good start and used a satin stitch, beginning at the top,   to form the triangular beak.
• with your third color of embroidery floss make 3-4 rows of little "x" stitches across the belly for feathers. 

• now, stitch the little owl feet with the same color used for the beak. they're just three quick little stitches on each side.
• almost done! since the back of your owl probably looks a little messy, we're going to take a piece of felt slightly larger than your owl in the same color as the body to use as the backing. with a simple straight stitch sew around the perimeter of the owl. 
• trim the excess felt around your owl. be careful not to cut any of your stitches!

• last step! use your glue gun to attach a little pin(or hair clip!) to the back of your owl. it's now ready to wear!

Paper daisy chains

I love daisy chains, I used to make them at school in the summertime - we would all make them at break and join them together to make "the longest chain ever!!". I wanted to recreate this summery feeling with a daisy chain that will last a bit longer... I'm really pleased with the result.

You will need: white paper, yellow felt, double sided tape or glue dots, green embroidery thread. 

1// Cut the white paper into little white circles about 2.5cm in diameter. Use a picture reference to cut petal shapes around the edges. I used tiny scissors for this - slightly less fiddly than a knife.

2// Use a knife to lightly score the shapes of the petals into the paper.. This gives the right effect without making the paper too flimsy. 

3// Cut the yellow felt into tiny circles for the daisy centres and fix them into place with a glue dot/double sided tape/fixative of choice. 

4// Attach the daisies to the embroidery thread with a little strip of masking tape (you may have to cut it down to size). 

5// Find things to hang them on. I suggest a pretty birdcage or something equally pointless and pretty: 

Candy color bobby pins

DIY: Bobby Pin Makeover

After seeing this photo taken by the street style photographer Vanessa Jackman, I knew I had to create some colored bobby pins for myself.  I love the hint of bold color these over-sized bobby pins provide, and they certainly make pulling your hair away from your face a lot more fun. It's time to give your bobby pins a fresh look.

HERE'S THE HOW TO:

Stuff you'll need:

Method:

1. Fold a piece of paper in half to create a 'drying rack' for the pins.  Clip your pins to it.

2.  Add a few coats of nail polish to each pin being sure to let each layer dry thoroughly before adding the next layer on top.  You don't have to be very neat or precise in painting the pins because you can easily remove them from the paper once they are dry.

3.  Peel the pins from the paper and remove any bits of the paper that stick to them. 

4.  That's it, now all that's left to do is pull your hair back with your now colorful bobby pins.  I like layering several of them up in a row.

I'd love to see the hair candy you create if you try this project.  Just leave a link in the comment section below.  It will be fun to see what colors you choose and how you style them, so please feel free to share  :)