Fortunately,  we don’t need any knowledge or training to use a craft punch.  Just insert your paper,  card stock,  or light metal into the slot or opening  (depending on what type punch you are using)  and squeeze or push down.   The neat thing is that you can then use either the piece you’ve punched out or the surrounding area or both.

One word of warning!!   Don’t try punching anything with an adhesive backing.   I tried punching out some self-stick metal tape.   It gummed up my punch.

Think of an occasion or special event in your life.   Gather together your photos and design your page(s) around that particular theme.   Choose scrapbook papers that will coordinate with that theme.   Add embellishments (there are so many to choose from),  stickers, punch-outs, etc.   Post a little journaling next to your photos, and you will create a memory of a special event for all who views it to enjoy.

But when she’s done working, the finished product is simply fabulous. She can match the mood and colors of the photograph perfectly, or if she’s in a different mood she can do contrasts to show off something unique. Her creations also stand the test of time, so goes the cliché. One of her wall designs that was made eight years ago is still there, the color still sharp. The scrapbook she made for one of our nieces, who is now ten, is still with them. She’s just extremely talented and we all admire her for that.

My grandkids loved this paint spinner!

Recently while standing in the checkout line of a favorite craft store,  I happened to be behind a rather elderly couple.   Their arms were full of  kids’ crafts,  and  I thought to myself that these folks were more than likely going to be babysitting their grandkids.    And they were going to be prepared!

We all know how rambunctuous kids are.  Weren’t we the same way as kids?    After a short time on one project,  it becomes boring,  so it’s time to move on to a new one.

When I visit my grandkids I always take some craft supplies along.    For awhile at least,  it gets them away from the TV,  computer,  WII, and all the other electronic devices we weren’t privileged to have as kids,  and it presents a new challenge and interest to their life.    The kids always enjoy crafting!

Go to any large home store or craft store and pick one up very inexpensively.   Be sure to wash and dry it thoroughly.   Next choose a design.   You may want to lightly sketch it on the pot to be sure you have the right placement before you begin to paint.

You can paint these little characters with just your basic colors:  blue, red, green, yellow, while, beige.   In fact,  you actually can start with the three primary colors   (red, yellow, and blue)  plus white and mix them together for any color you want.

Weird as it may sound,   I loved pouring plaster and making all these things.   Maybe it was the fact that I could take a bag of plaster and in rather short time turn it into something beautiful.   The tough part was handling the heavy molds.

At one time my husband and I had thousands of molds and made statuary for retail businesses.    It seems as if those stores rarely exist any more,  at least in our area.   Yet you can still find an occasional piece,  and most craft stores carry small unpainted plaster items to paint.   It’s really quite fun.

At times I’ve found unpainted plaster items at a yard sale or thrift store.   Keep your eyes open if you visit these places.

Bisque Figures Painted With Acrylic Paints

It is  probably very seldom that it happens,  but on a rare occasion we could find ourselves running out of  painting projects, or maybe just looking for something new to paint.   Perhaps we’re burned out on what we’ve been doing and need to find a new focus or project.

Do you like to have a lot of knick knacks sitting around?    Do you find yourself at garage sales and flea markets buying all sorts of cute little things to sit around in your home?    I have very little self-control when it comes to this.   I love cute, decorative, and pretty things around my home.

What is even more fun is painting your own.   Do you know that you can go to your local ceramic shop and buy all sorts of bisque figures?    These have already been fired,  and all you have to do is take them home and paint them with your acrylic paints.    The great part is that you do not need to own a kiln or pay for these pieces to be fired.     Just paint them as you normally would if you were painting a plaster piece.

These events are held, as I said,  three times per year:   once in the fall,  once in January,  and once in February of every year.    The next one will be starting this week on Wednesday,   February 24,  and go through Saturday,  the 27th.    You can see all sorts of old engines and tractors there,  along with tractor pulls and a huge flea market.   One great attraction at these events is the old style town that has been recreated on the property.     And of course,  there is plenty of food available.

When I tour the grounds,  I always keep my eyes open for new and different craft ideas.    Although I will never,  I’m sure,  be able to make a tractor like the one pictured above,    I can still find several ideas for new crafts.

(Wait until you see the vehicle my son made!    I’ll have a picture for you later this week.)

When you consider all the designs and subjects that are available,   it seems as if you can get nearly any style or design of punch you desire.   I’ve just purchased a double-edged one that cuts out a piece of paper that looks just like a piece of lace.   It makes a really beautiful embellishment.