• Art - Blog - Crafts

    T Tuesday: upcycled can project edition

    November 24, 2015 - By 

    For several years I’ve had a boring tin can on the counter for a pencil holder. You’d think that I’d have made it a bit more visually appealing before now…but no….I’ve mostly just hid it behind other things.upcycled can project | Halle's Hobbies

    As I was working on a completely different project I noticed a scrap of burlap from my wreath project appeared long enough to wraparound the can. I had to trim it a bit but was very pleased with the look.  I added a torn fabric strip around the middle then used hot glue to attach some paper flowers. It looks nice enough to have out in front now.

    upcycled can project | Halle's Hobbies

    I have a mini office space on top of the recycling cabinet in our kitchen.  Keeps the essentials close for list making, homework, wine sipping… 🙂

    I also have to show you the art journal page I finished up yesterday.

    Happy bunny art journal page | Halle's Hobbies

    The orange flowers and words were cut using my Silhouette Portrait.  They were started out as sage green cardstock.

    Happy bunny art journal page | Halle's Hobbies

    I used spray mists to alter them more to fit my page. The bunny was cut from an envelope. He looks like a happy bunny to find such yummy flowers.

    Happy bunny art journal page | Halle's Hobbies

    The page used more of the green fabric used on the burlap wrapped can.

    I’m off running errands this morning but look forward to dropping by and visiting my T stands for Tuesday friends later on.

  • Art - Blog - Crafts

    Silhouette Portrait

    November 23, 2015 - By 

    Check out my new Silhouette Portrait!!

    silhouette portrait

    I must confess I’ve had this cool machine since Valentine’s Day but hadn’t gotten the hang of it until now.

    silhouette portrait | Halle's Hobbies

    It’s really quite versatile compared to the Cricut machine that requires really expensive cartridges… You can either purchase individual images through the online store or you can create your own! Being able to create my own was why I wanted this machine.

    silhouette portrait | Halle's Hobbies

    This is the reason I hadn’t gotten the hang of it.  The sticky grid plastic that holds your substrate was so darn sticky that anything I tried to peel off after cutting ripped completely apart.

    silhouette portrait | Halle's Hobbies

    I was so frustrated that I set the machine aside and didn’t touch it for at least 8 months. At Mr. G’s prompting, I took it back out and gave it another whirl. He had plans for it if I wasn’t going to use it….something about laser cutting. HMMM…that might be interesting too.

    I had to figure out a way to make the plastic grid less sticky. I stuck and restuck a flour sack dishcloth to it over and over until it was more tacky than sticky.

    silhouette portrait | Halle's Hobbies

    It worked! I was able to lift the images from the plastic with tearing them. I did find, however, that the paper at the edge that is compressed by the rollers of the machine still tends to tear. I just have to keep that in mind.

    Remember what I said about creating your own images. The Love cutout is my handwriting. Cool huh!?!  I’ll definitely be sharing more about this new tool as I continue to explore the possibilities.