Stencil Gift Wrap
So, there are a few days left before Christmas and your holiday giving. I wanted to share some inspiration for a last minute project with you today: Stenciling your own gift wrap! Not only does it add plenty of flair and care, it also feels nice not to waste so much wrapping paper that most likely will end up in the bin. If you wrap things in fabric, that fabric wrap can be a gift in itself that can be useful and treasured even after the gift is opened.
And not to worry, stenciling is VERY easy and so much fun..you can do these projects in a matter of a couple of hours.
First I decided to print a graphic design on a napkin and wrap it japanese style.
You use a stencil brush or a sponge and simply push paint through your stencil.
You can easily create your own motif and patterns by cutting them out of acetate paper with an x-acto knife. You can also use simple cardboard for your stencil as well, but if you do that remember that you can not use it for a long time or many printings..the paper wont hold up to the pigment, it will get brittle and break, - but for one or two prints you can get away with a cardboard stencil.
I placed and stenciled my graphic design in a random order. I stenciled on a cotton napkin and I used some excellent fabric ink called Pebeo Setacolor Opaque. They have so many brilliant colors to choose from, but the one I used for this project was "Bengal Pink". It worked real well with the light gray, I thought.
Once your print is completely dry, make sure to heat set the ink with your iron: you simply iron the print for about 5 minutes, using the cotton setting on your iron..and Voila: your wrap is ready and can be used and washed over and over again. Fold the fabric and tie it in a "bow" ala Japanese wrapping style..it could not be easier, or prettier... Such a fabulous gift in itself!
Then I decided to print on small little cotton drawstring bags (that you can find here >>>>). OR if you are a tad handy and have the time: you can sew simple cotton bags and tie them up with ribbon.
The bags are so cute, come in all kinds of sizes and you can print all over patterns or single motifs, use letters and monograms. These bags are very useful after christmas: for trinkets, toys, makeup and special things. Have fun making ...and happy holidays!
LOTTA
Saffron Buns
Ingredients
2 1/8 cups milk
1/2 cup butter
3 (0.6 ounce) cakes compressed fresh yeast
8 ounces quark or sour cream (I used natural yogurt)
2 (0.5 gram) packets powdered saffron
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
7 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup raisins (optional)
1 egg, beaten
Directions
- Heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan until the butter has melted and the temperature has reached 100 degrees F (38 degrees C). Crumble the yeast into a bowl, then pour in the warm milk. Stir well until the yeast dissolves.
- Stir in the quark, saffron, sugar, salt, and 7 cups of the flour. Mix the dough in the bowl until it becomes shiny and silky, adding more flour as needed until it begins to come away from the sides of the bowl. Cover, and let rise for 40 minutes.
- Prepare 2 or 3 baking sheets by covering each with a sheet of parchment paper. Lightly flour a work surface, punch down the dough, then divide into 35 pieces. Roll each piece into a rope, 5 to 6 inches long. With the rope lying flat on the work surface, roll each end towards the center, in opposite directions, creating a curled S-shape. Place the buns on the prepared baking sheets, and garnish with raisins if desired. Cover with a towel, and allow to rise for an additional 30 minutes while you preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Gently brush each bun with beaten egg, then bake in the oven until puffed and golden, 5 to 10 minutes.
Plate Printer
I wanted to share a fun project with you today. I am having fun with decorating plates..using porcelain paints. In the past I have been painting images and motifs on with brushes, but recently I started exploring new ways. I love stenciling and usually I do that on fabrics, but why not try that technique on plates too? It turns out it works real well. It takes a little finagling and a wee bit of practice, but if you pick simple and straightforward motifs you will master this project in a jiffy.
This is what you need for your project:
Porcelain plates
Stencil brushes and or sponges
Masking tape
Stencils, motifs and or letters.
(you can also cut your own stencils: using acetate paper and an x-cto knife)
x-cto knife
Pebeo porcelain inks
What to do :
1 .Start with cleaning off your plates properly and dry them well.
2. Take your stencil and place it on your plate, secure the stencil with masking tape. Since the plate is slightly curved and the stencil is flat, you will experience a little bit of movement of the stencil while you print. Be aware of this and simply press down the stencil while you are printing to help it lay flat on the plate.
3. You might find that after you print there is a slight smudge or jagged edge of your motif, perfectly normal! There is an easy trick for that: Once the inks has dried :use your x-cto knife and carefully scrape the "mistakes" away.
4) you can use letters ..that's fun.
5) Or why not simply use the masking tape as the design tool? I love anything striped! - And this is SUPER easy to do.
6. Once the plates are dry you need to heat set them, to make the inks permanent, in your oven at home. Make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging of your ink. After you have done that you can wash your plates in the dishwasher and use them in your microwave..rather splendid right ?
So there..now you can make a stack of custom plates. You can create a lot of different motifs and patterns. I love when one mix and matches dishes. Very timely and festive for the holiday smorgasbord. Maybe stencil monograms for your guests and let them bring home the plate as a small gift?
This is where and get your supplies:
Pebeo Porcelain Inks:
They have a great and wide selection of wonderful colors and hues (some even sparkle) I love using these inks. Pebeo also have porcelain marker pens (Now, those pens are AMAZING). Find them here.
Stencils:
You can find some of my stenciles here and here.
and here are some others that are fun!
Fabrics:
As seen in the shots are available by the yard/meter here
All other supplies you can find in most well selected arts and craft supplies stores.
Good luck..and have fun !
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