{ “Under the Sea” Birthday Party Invitations }

Published by Shai | Filed under Everyday Creativity

For my baby girl’s 1st birthday party, I decided on the theme of “Under the Sea” because I know how she loves the beach - and water in general. With this theme in mind, I started making lists of things to do and buy.

One of the first things that needed to be done was creating the Guest List and the Party Invitations. Always a tough one. I had the additional dilemma of whether to buy invites - or create them myself. I decided on the latter. And, I thought I’d share with you my step-by-step procedure for creating these “Under the Sea”-inspired invitations.

Step One:

After deciding on the theme, the next thing I did was sketch a design for the invites. Since I knew I’m planning to use my gocco machine for the base of the invites, I created my final drawing with a Riso carbon pen.

Step Two:

After creating my drawing, I burned a screen on the gocco machine. And, used ink blocks to separate certain areas, since I knew I wanted to use different inks on the same screen. I then printed on blank white notecards I bought from the local craft shop.

Step Three:

After allowing the prints to dry, I hand painted the design with goauche paints. I used the goauche more like a watercolour here - and allowing the gocco inks to be my guide as outlines.

Step Four:

After the paints are dry, I hand-stamped the main text “Hali’s 1st Birthday Bash” plus the invite text (To, You’re Invited, Date, Time, Place, RSVP) using clear acrylic stamps from my stamp collection. I decided to use Staz On ink (instead of the usual pigment/dye inks), to make sure that it will stamp properly over gocco inks and paint. I did not experiment with the other types of stamp inks because I didn’t have the time. So, I’m not sure if those can actually work.

Step Five:
After the inks are dry, I embellished the invitations with a fabric flower embellishment. Just to add a 3D/textural element to the invitation.

The next steps after these are: Filling out the invitations (To, Date, Time, etc)… and then sending them off, of course.

Oh, and yes, I also created matching envelopes by using the same gocco screen - but only printing part of the design on one side of the envelope.

Note: Everyday Creativity is a new section here, where I wish to share creative ideas and projects that I’ve done for use in my daily life. Instead of turning to store-bought or off-the-shelf items, I like trying to make them more personal by injecting creative touches.

{ Creative Recycling }

Published by Shai | Filed under Crafty Things

Even though I don’t consider myself a ‘greenie’ - I still like to be able to do little things to help make our planet a bit more sustainable. This isn’t an easy thing as a crafter/artist. We’re often consuming things, buying things. So, every little bit of creative recycling is always a good thing.

• Reused Crafts - If you want to get into recycled crafting, this site offers you plenty of ideas.
• Cushion Covers from Fabric Scraps - Karen Cheng also did her own bit of creative recycling when she found herself with excess fabric from another sewing project.
• iHanna’s Blog - This is actually full of artsy craftsy goodness. Lots of recycling ideas - from creating decoupaged second hand trays to creating containers out of used empty tin cans and wallpaper scraps.
• Chopstick Art - Create all sorts of art and craft projects from recycled chopsticks.
• 35 Accessories Made from Recycled Materials - Necklaces, bracelets and more from bottle caps, wires, etc.

The photo you see here is my own contribution to creative recycling. These birthday gifts are all wrapped using recycled or re-purposed materials. The square boxed present, for example, was wrapped with butcher paper that was stamped. Also used a brown paper bag, old ribbons, and old wrapping papers.

Would love to see your own creative recycling projects!

{ Happy New Year: 2008 }

Published by Shai | Filed under Announcements

Here’s wishing you a great and wonderful New Year. May 2008 bring you lots of time, energy, and passion to keep you living a creative life.

{ Try a Zentagle }

Published by Shai | Filed under General Creativity, Doodles and Sketches

Doodling is one creative exercise that I highly recommend. And, if you’re not quite sure about getting ‘doodling inspiration’, then you might want to try learning about the Zentangle. It’s simple, fun, and effective. Definitely a great way to get creative!

{ Blank Art Book Journal: One }

Published by Shai | Filed under Journals, Diaries and Notebooks

As I said some time ago, I have become addicted to creating mini books and albums. And yes, journals. So, I decided to explore the art book journal making process even more. This time, primarily with scrap papers, ephemera or found materials.

And, this is the ONE I ended up with. So, very fun! Will definitely do more of these…

Creating blank art book journals actually inspired me now to create another project. But probably, not yet. Will definitely ponder on the idea some more, though.

Some techniques used here: stamping, hand stitching, paper punching, stapling, cutting and pasting.

Some materials used: clear acrylic stamps, ribbon, embroidery floss, found objects (card, postcards, blank index card, etc), stickers, rice paper, marbled paper

Bound with Zutter BindItAll, o-wire.

Technorati Tags: art books, bind-it-all, binding, bookbinding, journal

{ Today: Mini Art Book Journal }

Published by Shai | Filed under Journals, Diaries and Notebooks, Articles & Projects

Materials: Printed paperbags (folded in half), old cardboard, printed papers, stamps, stickers, ribbons, punched papers and cardstock, paper clips, various embellishments, transparencies

How to Make:
1) Get an old cardboard (just bigger than your paperbags), cover it with patterned paper and embellish. This will be your book’s covers.
2) Get 6 patterned (or plain) paperbags and fold them in half. These are your book’s pages.
3) Punch both covers and pages. Thread ribbons or strings to bind the covers and pages.
4) Start embellishing the pages! Paste journalling bits (you can make your own by stamping journalling stamps on papers).

Optional:
1) Create ‘windows’ on your pages by carefully cutting off part of your paperbags.
2) To hold your pockets close, you can use paper clips.

Let me know if you give this a go!

Technorati Tags: art, art books, bookbinding, mini books, journal

{ DELIGHT: OLW Challenge 13 }

Published by Shai | Filed under Scrapbooking

This is a layout for One Little Word Challenge: Delight.

Details:
DELIGHT (in one another - always)
12 x 12 in.

Text: “Just how wonderful it is to see you both… Delight in one another. Always.”

Used: White cardstock, glitter cardstock, metallic cardstock, craft punches (heart, circles, square, tab file), scrapbooking pen, acrylic stamps, alphabet paper, craft paper, crystal stickers, brads, word sticker, staples

My take:

This is my first attempt at taking up a scrapbooking challenge. I’ve been wondering what it’s like to create a scrapbook layout based on a theme/topic - and, on a deadline.

And, when I found out about this cool blog/community called One Little Word, I immediately subscribed and watched how it all worked. They basically post one word every week, as a prompt to create themed scrapbooking layouts (or mini books, home items, etc). Pretty much similar to what I do with this blog’s Mini Creativity Workshops prompts.

Anyway, after a few weeks of subscribing, I realised that it’s no fun if I just keep reading and watching everyone else create layouts. So, when they posted this week’s word, DELIGHT, I knew I had to take up the challenge. I love the word ‘Delight’ and it just stuck.

I thought of a few ways to approach the challenge. And, in the end I decided to catch up on creating more scrapbook layouts for my kids. Since I haven’t done a 12 x 12 layout in a while. So, here it is.

I had fun. I learned a few things doing this (like how I can print my photos MUCH better in my home printer!)… and it was all good. Definitely happy I did the challenge.

Technorati Tags: challenges, projects, one little word, scrapbooking

{ Inspiration Boards }

Published by Shai | Filed under A Dose of Inspiration

Do you have an inspiration board? If you do, why don’t you share your photos at the Inspiration Boards group at Flickr? Here are some sample boards to inspire your creativity:

www.flickr.com More photos in Inspiration Boards

Technorati Tags: creativity, flickr, ideas, inspiration, projects, inspiration boards

{ Gift Cards: Holiday Giving Idea (Sponsored) }

Published by Shai | Filed under Sponsored Posts

The holiday season is upon us! And, I’m sure decorations, parties, and gifts must be on your mind right now. If not, it probably should be (no one wants last minute shopping!). ;-)  In fact, a holiday ad is on right now on telly as I write this!

Anyway, gift cards probably aren’t the most creative holiday presents. But, sometimes, it isn’t the worst idea either! After all, if it’ll help someone purchase something that they REALLY like to have, then it can be really cool. In fact, if I’ve received holiday gift cards quite happily in the past.

Some ideas that can possibly boost someone’s creativity and holiday spirit include these gift cards from shopping.com: Design Within Reach, Home Shopping Network, Home Depot, Chef’s Resource and The Sharper Image. Just have a look and keep the idea in your holiday shopping list.

Note: This is a sponsored post.

{ Fun with Mini Books }

Published by Shai | Filed under Scrapbooking

Ever since I got a hold of the Zutter Bind-It-All machine, I just fell in love with making my own books, journals and albums. This one is one of my first experiments - an album for my son. It’s a 6×6 album. I used white chipboard (pre-made by Zutter) as covers. It’s coil-bound (via the Zutter machine) with 3/4in. black o-wire.

One cool thing about mini books is that they can be really simple to do. And, it doesn’t take long to complete a project.

You see, one of the things that continue to stop me to scrapbook more often is the daunting idea of filling 12×12 layouts and filling up 20 page albums. Scrapbooking with mini books changed that.

One of the things that I like about creating mini books is that I’m also able to vary the pages a lot. I can use different sizes, shapes, textures… I love being able to use all sorts of labels, tabs, tags and other goodies.

Other materials used here include: acrylic paint, ephemera, buttons, patterned papers, cardstock, stickers, stamps, scrapbooking pen.

Technorati Tags: bind-it-all, binding, bookbinding, mini books, scrapbooking, zutter

{ 10 Kitchen Things That You Can Use in Your Creative Projects }

Published by Shai | Filed under Crafty Things, Notes & Ideas

I love making stuff. And, I like cooking too. So, I guess it’s only natural that I turn to the kitchen every now and then for creative inspiration. Here are 10 things from the kitchen that I use a lot in my creative projects:

1) Plastic wrap - Good for creating painting textures, preserving ink, and protecting finished products.

2) Kitchen Towel - Great for cleaning up mess, soaking liquid, or for creating textures in painting.

3) Bamboo Skewers - For etching, binding books, installation art…

4) Baking Paper - Collage material, for lining baked artwork

5) Plastic Cutlery - Mixing paint, applying paint, creating paint textures (the fork is especially good for this)

6) Paper (or plastic) cups and plates - As an alternative to a palette, to hold paint/water, craft/art assembly

7) Ziplock / Sandwich Bags - For storing art and craft materials, for organising materials, as a protective sleeve for shipping finished work
Paper Bags - For storage, for creating scrapbooking albums, as a ground for paintings and collage

9) Plastic containers - Storage and organisation, as a way to hold water/paint/ink

10) Kitchen Timer - For timing projects

Can you think of other kitchen items that you can use in your creative projects?

Technorati Tags: art, creativity, kitchen, materials, supplies

{ Prints Now Available + a Giveaway! }

Published by Shai | Filed under Print Arts - Gocco - Silkscreen, Announcements

After my first two gocco prints, I decided to make them available online. Check out Studio S over at Etsy.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade ShaiCoggins.etsy.com

To celebrate my Etsy shop launch, I’m doing a print giveaway on my personal blog, as well as discount offer to all blog readers and visitors.

{ Recent Crafty Goodness Purchases }

Published by Shai | Filed under Misc Info

Just wanted to share some crafty and arty things that I’ve purchased recently. Actually, I’m seriously going to have cut down on buying stuff. I’ve been re-stocking art and craft materials like mad lately -

* Bind-It-All and Supplies

One of the things that I’ve been obsessing about a lot for a long time now is making my own books, albums, and journals. I’ve done a handful in the past, but couldn’t quite figure out the best way to do bookbinding. Then, I discovered the Bind-It-All. I knew I had to have it as soon as I found out about it. So, I purchased the binder, the bookbinding tool kit, the book (with tips), some chipboard and cardstock, as well as the coil/wire binding. I’ve been playing with it ever since I got my stash. Will share my projects soon.

Also in this pic: a journalling stamp (clear). All purchased via eBay.

* Gocco Supplies: Stamp Kit Plus

Some new Gocco stuff plus some replenishment items. Purchased from Etsy and NorthwoodStudios.

Learn more about the Gocco in my resources collection. And, a quick documentation of my first experiments with the Gocco. And, my first ever Gocco print.

* Papers and Gouache

‘been wanting to try gouache. And I saw these papers that reminded of school days, so I decided to buy them for a bit of a play. Purchased from local newsagents.

* Misc Crafty Stuff

Pompoms, mats, chipboard tags, buttons… purchased from an Etsy shop.

* Stamps, Stamps and More

Rubberstamping was something I was never really in to. Until recently. And now, I’m so hooked. Badly. I looked at my old (as in years old) stamp collection and I realised that most of them were really unusable. Unless they’re just for playing with my three year old. But, for serious art and craft projects… uh… I needed to update quickly. And, when I got a hold of my first clear stamps (seen here), I was even hooked even worse. I just love clear acrylic stamps. I love that I can buy a set relatively inexpensively. So, now, I’m stocking up. Yes, this isn’t the last of the stamps.

Another thing I’m beginning to collect: Ribbons. I’m not really a ribbon user. But, I thought I’d give it a go. Since I didn’t really have much in my stash, I decided to start my collection with a set.

* Craft Punches and More

Another thing that I never managed to get in the past was craft punches. In fact, I only have two TINY punches (a square and a floral-shaped one). Now, I realised that they’re really, really fab. I especially love the basic geometric shapes. And something I recently learned about - tab punches!

Other things here: distresser/scratcher, rolling word stamp and printed tags. I adore these tags from 7gypsies. Sooooo cool. These are all purchased on eBay.

* Misc Crafty Stuff

Other things I bought: spray adhesive, templates, more stamps, another circle punch, scrapbooking pen, wooden monograms, inks, acrylic block (for the clear stamps), stickers, chalks, and rub-ons…

What about you? What have you arty-crafty stuff have you bought recently?

Technorati Tags: art, binding, bookbinding, craft, craft punches, creativity, bind-it-all, rubberstamping, shopping, stamps, supplies

{ Super Fun Creative Workbook Journal }

Published by Shai | Filed under A Dose of Inspiration

Right now, I’m really loving Two Peas in a Bucket. If you want a blast of creative inspiration, make sure you go and visit it. Even if you don’t consider yourself a scrapbooker. There are plenty of ideas, tips and more in that site. One of the things that I found recently from TwoPeas is this Super Fun Creative Workbook Journal by Maria Grace Abuzman. I haven’t done anything to it yet, but I’ve printed out the free PDF of the workbook journal - and I intend to bind and work on it in the next few days.

Some interesting topics from the workbook journal: Map Out Your Creative Heart, I Say/I Think, Labels… Check out and have a super fun creative time.

Technorati Tags: art, creativity, projects, prompts, workbooks

{ Triptych Painting }

Published by Shai | Filed under General Creativity

Finally finished my first (and only) full painting project for 2007. My first venture in to painting a triptych. I blogged more about the final piece at Shai Coggins. I also blogged about the beginning of this painting’s process in this blog entry.

Technorati Tags: art, painting, triptych