Sketching Basics

                                                                        

Source: Instructables

Sketching is a great technique of using your ideas and drawing it on paper. You can almost sketch anything in the world you want or even the things that don't even exist. If you focus on thinking creative, than you can turn yourself into a great artist. It is your ability to see things differently than others. Nothing can be achieved easily, and to master the art of sketch something requires patience, practice and time. If you are a beginner always try to start with very simple and basic things. Simple objects such as drawing a circle and then shading it to get an effect of sphere with falling shadow will work. It will help to draw things with free hands more softly and you can get to understand the basic shapes. Then start with drawing the shapeless things such as cotton, cloth or water etc. this will give you all the details that you need to make a professional sketch. You can draw things around you such as flower pot, TV, shoe, utensils etc. these basics things will help you getting more perfect. Once you learn the shapes it's now time to create shadows of objects as it appears in real life. Use various tools for shadow such as: ear buds, cotton etc. simple things around you or even don't hesitate to use your fingers. I am going to share a very good information about the sketching techniques and basics. Click in this link to check more information about this topic.

DIY Rubber Band Necklace

Rubber bands can be used for multiple purposes in different crafts projects. I found a nice way of using rubber bands as a necklace. It really looks nice if you choose good combination of colors. Choose rainbow loom or your fingers to make it as already explained in the blog post of DIY Rubber-band Bracelet. The video that am linking in this post is very helpful and interesting that can show you the whole process to make necklace. Moreover, you can make as many as you want; may be make every single matching with your clothes. This is really interesting projects and even kids like it a lot. When working with kids make sure that they are using it safely. Don't make the necklace too tight or small. Always try to make it big and lose than the neck size. Careful steps should always be taken because we never know what kids are going to do or think. Check this video out and enjoy with the beautiful necklace you'll make.

Try this tutorial and also make some different things from rubber bands. You can make it look pretty by adding some pearls and stones to it or any other things that might look good with this. I want to see your creation. Do like the Facebook Arts & Crafts page and follow us o Twitter. Share your creation with us and stay tuned for more interesting and fantastic tutorials.

Painting With Water Colors-Tips & Tricks

Painting with water colors can be very tricky sometimes if you are dealing with colors for the first time or you have little knowledge about the colors. This part is challenging for number of people and it’s common. However, following simple steps and little more practice and bring good results. 

To start a painting you need to consider different things:

1. Quality of paper: Water colors painting demands good quality of paper because paper matters a lot in any kind of painting. Poor quality paper can shrink in size when the wet color is used on it. It will not yield good results and can ruin all the hard work done to finish a master piece. Thin paper can always tear apart with the use of much water and can even spread the color all over the paper in excess. On the other hand, choose a paper with hard base, thick in size so that it can absorb the color appropriately without spreading the color or tearing the paper.

2. Brand of color: Watercolors comes in different brands and it’s really important for you to try out best quality if you want to put your best in the art work. The best colors that I use for my paintings are the water colors that come in tubes as these can be squeezed out and mixed with water according to required amount.  

3. Brush sizes and shapes: Brushes are the main part of an excellent painting. Try to use good brushes, those may be little expensive but it’s good to buy outstanding one rather regretting on a cheap quality brush. You don't want to lose the hair of cheap brush on your painting, so go with good brush and also wash it gently after use. Use different sized brushes as it will help you in giving better details in painting. 

4. Test color separately: Before starting your master piece try out the colors on separate piece of paper and practice mixing the colors you want. 

5. Use less water: Water can make your color more transparent and less in the thickness. Water should always be added in limit to get the proper and darker shade. Or if you want lighter shade use less water in that case. 

TIP: If you run out of watercolor try to use your color pencils and dip the color pencil lead in the water and rub to get color out of it. 

DIY Rainbow Loom

 Hello friends, today I want to share some pics of rainbow loom and bracelets made by my 9 years old cousin sister. She bought the rainbow loom set last week from Walmart and is really excited about making different stuff from rubber bands. I hope you guys have also tried making bracelets from my previous tutorial. If not it is the time to start your creativity, use different colors of your choice add hangings or some pearls etc. Check out the previous

tutorial for more information.

How to Make Greeting Card at Home

Greeting cards, Birthday Cards, Valentine Day Cards, and Christmas Cards etc. all these cards are good enough to make someone happy and realise how much you love them and care about them. Cards are all time favourite things that we all might have shared with our dear ones. Especially, I am a huge fan of cards, the cards with little pop-ups, music and some cute little accessories on them make me happy and cheerful. I love to make them by my own using buttons, glitter, ribbons and some colored threads, yarn etc.

Photo Credit: Amy Gizienski

 When I was little I used to make cards for my parents and friends, using water colors, crayons, drawing little cartoons and adding glitter. It gave me a pleasure of sharing with other what I made for them, showing my love and respect. If I compare that old time of my childhood with today's time, there's a huge change in trends, designs and execution of cards. These are coming now in 3d, pop-ups, music, some really cute accessories and things like toys, balloons, candies, earrings etc. attached to them. I also use different things to make birthday cards, sorry cards, thank you cards and many more. The best part is to use a stenciled hole puncher. This gives you a great cut on your paper and you really don't need to follow any complicated methods. All you can do is collect the items you want, choose patterned paper and hole punch in the shape of heart, butterfly, doll or any other vintage design and paste it to the base. Add ribbons, buttons and whatever you wish to add to blow up your creativity. May be use printouts of your favourite cartoons or celebrities, even faces of your friends or family members to surprise them and make them feel wonderful. 

Watch this tutorial and learn how to make greeting card by yourself. Also don’t forget to connect with Arts & Crafts blog through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube because I do post really interesting tutorials on crafts on everyday basics. Don’t miss the most beautiful and wonderful ideas and connect right now! I will come back to post more interesting crafts on this blog. So stay connected and keep on checking the blog.

How to Make DIY Crochet Hair Clips

Hair clips are all time favorite accessories of girls. These clips not only look beautiful but make your hair even more attractive and you look pretty. I have all kinds and colors of clips at my place because I simply use it often. Even hair-clips are best to tie up hair when doing any kind of hairstyle. My mom is very good in making DIY crochet projects for me. She is genius and knows everything about knitting, stitching, crochet and more stuff related to this. Last time she made me pretty crochet flowers and those were so cute. My aunt is also a born artist and she knows a lot about crochet. When I visited her place she gave me a packet of hand crafted crochet hair-clips. I was surprised by the clips she made because those were amazingly beautiful. The real thing is that if you know how to knit or even you don't you can still make it with little practice. So get ready for today's tutorial of crochet clips.

For this tutorial you need:

1. Tic Tac pins or Bobby pins

2. Embroidery thread or wool

3. Scissors

4. Buttons etc.

5. Crochet hook 

6. Yarn needle 

7. Glue gun

First of all you need to make a crochet flower of different colors. Then add something of your choice like buttons, purls etc. Now, simply attach it with the clips using fabric glue or by thread. Make as many crochet flowers as you want and use different designs not only flowers. Check the video tutorial to learn fast. 

DIY Bleach T-Shirt

T-shirts are my favorite clothes to wear all the time. These are so comfy and soft and make me feel relaxed every time, anywhere I go. Printed t-shirts are always so cool especially with some written words on them. My brothers are also big fans of graphic t-shirts and I always choose the best for them. I don't like to wear plain t-shirts because I always want to have some sort of print or design on them. However, sometimes it happens that I like some special colored t-shirt that has no print on it and then I buy it without getting much sad. Guess why? That's because I know a very simple method of styling and designing my clothes. Yeah! And today that's what am going to teach you. DESIGNING a t-shirt at home. You just need to follow some simple steps.

     Things you will need:

1. Bleach
2. Water
3. Empty spray bottle
4. Freezer paper
5. Iron
6. Cardboard sheet
7. Design of your choice

First of all choose a plain t-shirt of your own choice and choose a design and print it out. Trace the design on the freezer paper and cut it out nicely. Then you need to put the freezer paper on the t-shirt where ever you want to place the design on. Make sure that you put the freezer paper properly and put the shiny side of the paper facing the t-shirt. 

Next step is to iron the freezer paper on the t-shirt properly and after you are done ironing it, move to the next step. Take an empty spray bottle and fill it with half bleach and little less water. Place a large cardboard sheet under the t-shirt so that back side of t-shirt won't get bleach on. After you set everything, it’s time to spray the solution of bleach on the t-shirt standing little far from it. Leave the t-shirt for 30 minutes and then remove the cardboard and wash it immediately in the washing machine. This will prevent further bleaching of unwanted areas. Here you go! Try it at home and have fun with your old plain t-shirts too. 

DIY Sharpie Coffee Mugs

Sharpie is an amazing thing to use on paper, glass, plastic or anywhere you want. I always use different sharpies for sketching, drawing, coloring etc. because they are permanent, stays longer on surfaces and gives smooth finish. Sharpie comes in different colors and point sizes; I usually prefer fine point to outline something and marker to fill the color. The most amazing thing is that sharpie can be used for many creative ideas and crafts. Design your shoes, bag, belt, notebook, smartphones etc. Keep in mind that once you use it becomes hard to take it off. In today's post I will teach you how to use sharpie on coffee mugs or dishware permanently.

Use Sharpie on coffee mugs and follow a simple procedure so that it stays longer on mug. 

          For this tutorial you need:

1. Sharpies (Oil-based)
2. Coffee Mugs
3. Oven

That's all you need, so simple right? One tip I want to share is that for drawing on dishware you need to have oil-based sharpies. The reason is that sometimes if you use regular sharpie the color goes away from the surface while washing your designed mug in dishwasher. That's why it's really good idea to use oil-based sharpies as it stays permanent. So let us begin with the tutorial; take coffee mug or any dishware of your choice and draw your design on its surface. Use any color of sharpie and draw on it as per your choice. Now, place your mug in the preheated oven at 350 degree and bake it for 30 minutes. That's all you need to do, and you are done. Simple trick right? I have painted and designed many cups because I can draw anything I want; moreover, you can gift it to your dear ones. Put your name on and bake it. You will get a cup with your name or add your wishes for your family and friends. Try it and share it with your friends!

 

Rubber Band Bracelets

 

Hello friends, how's everybody doing in chilling weather? The weather outside is crazy cold and while enjoying hot cup of coffee am going to share an easy craft with you guys. In today's post am going to talk about rubber band bracelets which kids and teenagers love a lot. I think many people already know how to make rubber band bracelets but let me tell you that it comes in different shapes and names. You can use rainbow loom to make as many bracelets you want or you can use your fingers. Sounds simple right? Well it depends on what type of shape you are making i.e. fishtail, hexagonal, snake shape or dragon, just to name a few. Rubber bands are available anywhere, you can get it from Walmart, Michaels, Dollar store or even Target. It just costs about $2 to $5 dollars. To make bracelets you will need some rubber bands and some C or S clips to tie bands at the end. I prefer to make bracelets using my fingers and you also don't need to buy rainbow loom. The fun part is that you can not only make bracelets but can also make number of different things from it.

Use rubber bands to make hair band, necklace, anklets etc. Get as creative as you want. 

I am also adding a quick video tutorial so that you can learn how to make these fun crafts. So enjoy the video and cheers! Click here to check the video.

Don't forget to follow us via social network. See you next time.

          

Water Color Painting

Water Colors are my favorite type of colors because I love the texture, color combination that I get after mixing the colors together. Some people find it hard to handle the wet colors and they also get frustrated how to use brush. Actually, water color painting is an art and technique that if anyone masters, it will become a plus point to their art skills. I also struggled at the beginning understanding the colors and patterns, but by the time I felt comfortable with it. You can check My Art Collection tab in which I have uploaded some of my paintings. Here's my most favorite painting that I personally love a lot.

 

Painting Whites

I got inspiration from Walter Foster's books especially about water color paintings. The books are so amazing that any person can learn to paint from basic to advance level. The two books that I like the most are about Outdoor Scenes and Landscapes. The books provide all the information from gathering materials, beginning with basics to exploring different techniques. 

The color palette that I have used in this painting contains colors: burnt Sienna, Cadmium red light, cerulean blue, cobalt blue, dioxazine violet, permanent magenta, raw sienna, permanent alizarin crimson.

The best tip to paint a landscape is to view the natural scene and take picture of it; this is because the light changes quickly outdoors, which makes it hard to paint all the natural colors, shadows and highlights as they shift. Capturing the light is most important so always check the variations in color of real landscape and picture. Once you understand the hues, variations and saturation, you are ready to paint anything of your interest. So friends, if you are afraid of water color painting, don't be afraid from now. Follow some books of your choice and learn from these every time you wish to paint. One most important thing, do Practice! Practice! and Practice!

All the Best!

Organize Your Room

Hello friends, today I am going to share some very interesting ways of decorating or organizing your room using recycled materials. As you know, we all usually have waste products at home that we simply want to throw in garbage. But you can actually turn those waste materials into your usable things. Yeah! 

Source: How Can I Recycle It

Let me count few of these things to you:

1. Candle Jar
2. Candy Jar
3. Old Coffee Cup
4. Bowls
5. Candle Stands
6. And much more

In this post I am sharing a fantastic video that will help you to learn how to use old candle jars. The tutorial is very easy and you can find the candle jars really very useful from now. In this video you can find how to melt the left over wax in the jar by heating it. I have some different method to get rid of wax. For this I use to put the jar in the refrigerator overnight and when the wax gets solid take it out with the help of spoon handle or screwdriver. Another way is to put the jar in the hot water and completely dip it in the water, let it set; the wax will come off easily.Isn't it easy?  

Materials required for this project:

1. Candle Jar
2. 40w Glue Gun
3. Birdies from any store (from Michaels craft store, Wall-mart, etc.) 
4. Surface cleaner
5. And anything else that you may want to include

Here is the tutorial:

 

 Video by Ann Le (Anneorshine)

I hope you like it. DON'T forget to like and follow!

Thank You