Showing posts with label hand craft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hand craft. Show all posts

Monday, July 30, 2012

instagram + pinterest = cool wall art

instagram @groovininthesun {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

This simple, pinterest DIY project combines 4x4 prints (taken from my instagram pictures) with basic supplies to create personal wall art. 
Supplies needed: 
20 – 4x4 color prints
16 x 20 canvas frame
Mod Podge glue
Sponge brush
I’m going to be honest here, this was my first time using Mod Podge which is simply, watered-down glue. If you like working with glue (and I do not) this project is for you. I decided to try color copy prints first because they are less expensive than photo prints and I had time to experiment. Line the prints up in a row (4 across, 5 down) until you have it the way you like it. Set those aside in the order of placement. 
Glue your prints individually to the canvas. In theory, the thinner paper should glue easily to the canvas. But the thin paper also makes it easier to form air bubbles. Thank goodness I had extra prints for experimenting with glue application and pressing onto the canvas. Check for air bubbles and let it dry for 20 minutes. Brush a thin coat of Mod Podge on top of the whole canvas (gently rubbing all air bubbles down) and dry for another 30 minutes. Voila!
I said I was going to be honest and truthfully, it turned out mehokay for a simple, DIY project. Beau made one for her college apartment. For myself, the air bubbles were hard to avoid and it bothered me to see them up close.
So, I made another version using high-quality photo prints. You can order photo prints through PostalPix, Printstagram or any photo printer. I didn’t want to wait for prints so I went for the latter. I set my 4x4 pictures on a 4x6 template (standard photo print size) and printed them at a local shop — Walgreens for 19 cents a print. I trimmed each one back to 4x4 and used archival double-stick tape to collage it together. Still inexpensive and done in a day. Either method, it’s a nice way to display your photos. {If you try this, let me know what you think and send me a link to your art :} 
instagram @groovininthesun {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

Saturday, July 23, 2011

How To Be An Artist #12

{flickr}
Be free. There are so many ways I can do this. I may have to post this # more than once. My thoughts immediately went to the summer when we took a family trip to Colorado. Hiking, horse-back-riding, biking, canoeing, floating … and the craziest thing {crazy because I allowed my very young children to do this after our guides assured us it was safe} jumping off a very steep cliff into the cold Colorado River. Jordan, who was 7 at the time, went first. I remember him having all the gusto and lack of fear, running and jumping. Me, panicking. I was waiting in the water and when he surfaced, blood was running from his nose and screaming ensued. From me. The impact caused the nose bleed but Jordan was fine – all smiles and ready to go again. This was FREEDOM and madness. Crazy as it was, we all tried it once, just for the taste of freedom.

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}
Express yourself. I’ve been making these cute Chevron bracelets. Not only does it take me back to my youth, but there’s something very relaxing about making them. Like knitting, it takes patience and a bit of methodical thinking. When you’re done, there’s that satisfaction of creating something out of simple, colored threads. I hope to improve and move on to more complicated pieces like this bracelet. Loving the lucky elephant motif.
Freedom is…
fun thong cookies made with a heart-shaped cookie cutter…
a beautiful, bare back…
visuals that get to the point. :) Stay free.
It started here.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Christmas Crafting

The holiday feeling kicked in when I sorted through my collection of craft items: felt, fabric, ribbons, beads, pearls, sequins and embroidery thread. During two days of watching Gilmore Girls marathon, Beau and I worked our elfin magic to make holiday ornaments for our friends.
We started by making photo transfers on white linen, then cut out all the shapes for the ornaments using colored felt. Simple embellishments were added and everything was handsewn. Viola!
{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

travel book

(Below) My new travel book for our upcoming trip to Europe!

Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved
I make books. I love the tactile feel of handmade books, journaling and collecting of memories. Before I travel or attend a big event, I’ll take time to create a book for the occasion. 

Ren’s books: Japan book; Myrtle Beach; HOW design; and perfect binding. 
Inspired by Patrick Ng and my handboundbooks (two photos above). She is amazingly talented. Check out her books on Etsy.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

New Moon illumination

My friend, Ryan M., sent me a 6” x 13” movie marquee poster sign because he knew I would love it. As a designer and firm believer that you can make anything recyclable into a useable product, I decided this would make a perfect lamp or light. The film looks best if lit from behind. After looking at various lamps, I settled for the simple illumination by candlelight. Thanks Ry!


Supplies: glass jar, double-stick tape and candle

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Eclipse newborn


Inspired by two favorite books, Eclipse and Where the Wild Things Are, I created these baby onesies for a coworker’s baby shower today.

Ren Reiske © Oct. 2009

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Little O

I received this special gift — I call it my “O” necklace — from a dear friend of mine. I wear it often and recently brought it back to Poppy  for a small repair. To my surprise, the jewelry designer Kelly Baldwin, included these delicate earrings for my trouble. Such a sweet, simple gesture, along with beautiful art, I just had to share! More of her designs here .