Chakra P. Tutorial #4: Love Where You Live

Guest post by Chakra Pennywhistle

1/27/10 Central Tucson: A nice surprise. Someone decorated their wooden fence with paper hearts.

For this last installment, I thought that I would share a personal project that I have been working on. My family and I are actually in the midst of moving across the country from Tucson, AZ to Virginia Beach, VA.

1/6/10 Central Tucson: Old bus yard

The move began just at the beginning of the year and it has been quite the whirlwind. We own our home in Tucson and I have been juggling everything from running Chakra P., to renting our home, to packing all of our belongings. I knew that this was going to be quite the task and from the beginning I made it a goal to try and do something creative for at least a few minutes each day.

1/8/10 Central Tucson: Deanza Drive In Theatre. Recently closed down. Hoping some folks will save it. My little one's first movie.

Inspired by the 365 Project, I decided to take a daily photograph of things that I love and will miss about Tucson. The project has served a couple of functions. It has proven to relieve the stress of the move and has also made me appreciate this city in a way that - looking back - I wish that I was doing it all along.

1/26/10 Central Tucson: Favorite parking spot at a local antique shop.

So I just wanted to share it with all of you in hopes that it might inspire you to get out there and photograph some favorites of your own. I also wanted to note that I am not a photographer and have found out that you don't have to be to enjoy this project.

2/1/10 Central Tucson: St. Mary's Thrift Shop. My grandmother volunteers here and loves every minute of it!

I have been going around town wearing my camera and smiling all the way. I might not take the best photos but they have served that special purpose that only a creative outlet can. So take a good camera, a not-so-good camera, or a cell phone camera and click away! You won't regret it.

1/9/10 Central Tucson: Raging Sage coffee shop parking lot. Every time we park to get coffee, my little girl spots her heart in the power lines.

Chakra P. Tutorial 3: Best Friends Necklace

by Chakra Pennywhistle



Did you ever share a best-friends necklace with your favorite childhood pal? I remember sharing a couple in the past and seeing new ones always brings a smile to my face. For this installment I wanted to share a different take on that idea by making a bf necklace cut from a vintage doily. I have a collection of handmade doilies that I picked up from local thrifts and antique shops. I love the crochet work and like to spot different patterns in each piece. I find that not only can you spot certain patterns, but you can also look at the whole piece in a different way. For example, lots of edges of doilies resemble hearts.


That brings me to this tutorial. Make your best pal a heart-shaped best-friends necklace cut from a vintage doily... It is a lovely shared gift that will make a unique handmade statement.

Supplies:

Vintage doily
2 necklace chains
non-stick surface
Scissors
Toothpicks
Glue (school or craft)
Bowl
Water

Step 1: Cutting
Cut a heart shape out of the doily. You can use the original pattern as a guide. I have included photos of two different patterns. The styles are completely different even by the way they are worn on the chain.


Style 1


Style 2Note: For style 2, you will need to remove a piece of the thread so that the necklace will string through the original loops. See photo below...


Step 2: Stiffening
Mix equal parts glue and water in a mixing bowl. I actually like to use a bit more glue then water. I read that you can also use liquid starch but I prefer glue because it is permanent. Also, I used school glue just because that is what I had on hand. Crafters glue might be even more durable.


Dip your heart in the mixture. Completely submerse it. Once it is soaked, lay it on the nonstick surface and squeeze as much water out as you can without losing the shape.
Tip: I found that if I place the heart on the inner side of the bowl and press, the mixture drips back into the bowl and the heart stays intact.


For style #2 you will need to use a tooth pick to open the loops and clear the glue out of them. This will allow your chain to pass through easily after the heart has dried. Do not leave the toothpicks in while drying. Just use them to clear the glue. Also note that my hearts are cut. Disregard that. You will cut the hearts after they are dry.


Step 3: Drying
Lay the heart on your nonstick surface and let dry for 3 to 4 hours.



Step 4: Cutting
Once the heart is completely dry, cut it in half.


Step 5: Stringing
I have included photos of both styles.

Style 1: Simply string the necklace through one of the holes in the heart.


Style 2: String the chain through the loops of the original pattern.


Step 6: Giving
I made my necklace for my best friend, Ursula. I think that she is pretty wonderful! I am in Tucson, AZ wearing my necklace while Ursula is in Norfolk, Virginia wearing hers.



Chakra Pennywhistle
I hope that you enjoyed this version of a best friends necklace. They are really simple to make and very sweet to give!

Chakra P. Tutorial 2 : Vintage Valentines

by Rikkianne of Chakra Pennywhistle


Not long ago I inherited a box of love letters and Valentine’s Day cards from my great aunt. The box is full of beautiful stationary and cards all from the 1940’s and 50’s. When I was planning these tutorials, I knew that I wanted to use these in one way or another. The more I went through the box the more in awe I was with each and every one. The Valentines are especially wonderful with their vintage graphics and quite humorous and straightforward sayings. I quickly realized that I couldn’t alter them in any way. I think that they should be celebrated for what they are. They should be showcased in a way that they are fully visible yet still protected.

So I wanted to share this extremely simple tutorial of sorts. Basically, all that I did was take the Valentines and frame them. Short and simple with a lasting outcome. I wanted to share this with you so I arranged this tutorial as a way to encourage you to find your very own vintage Valentines. I actually took a trip to my local antique store and photographed a couple of the booths that offer vintage postcards and such. Most antique shops have at least vendor who specializes in vintage paper goods. I encourage you to take a trip to your local shop! It will be fun to see what you can find! After finding a couple of Valentines that speak to you, frame and give them to someone special.

Supplies:

If there are no antique shops in your area, don’t worry. Below is a link to an Etsy search for Vintage Valentine’s.

Vintage Valentines on Etsy

Float Frames: I picked a couple up at Michaels.
Michaels.com

Online Source: Another online source.
PhotoFrames

Process:

Gather your Valentine’s and place them in the frames. Give to a loved one and display. Sweet and simple!

Here are a few of my vintage Valentines.


Float Frames:

Note: If you decide to use frames like the ones below, be aware that they do have a plastic mounting piece on the back. A lot of the Valentine’s are too small to cover it entirely. I combined a Valentine with an envelope to hide the piece.


Magnetic Acrylic Frames:


I hope that you enjoy this and have fun searching for your own vintage love note.

Chakra P. Tutorial: Words as art

Today we are pleased to introduce the first of a few posts featuring D.I.Y.'s (or how-to's) from the talented Rikkianne of Chakra Pennywhistle. Rikkianne as you many of you know, is well-known for her beautiful eco-friendly products from pillows, accessories, and children's wear. She has an amazing eye and style, and a great ear (follow her on blip.fm, we do!). She has some awesome ideas to share here, and we hope you love her first one today, "Words As Art", we think it's an awesome idea to make for Valentine's! Visit Rikkianne at her etsy shop here!

I found this project on the Mint Design blog. Meghan from Mustard and Sage made the loveliest painting for her husband using a Neutral Milk Hotel tune. When her painting popped onto the screen, I had one of those moments where you almost fall out of the chair because you realize how beautiful it is and that you might just be able to do that yourself! That is the reason why I had to share it with you. Be sure to check out Meghan’s process. While mine is a bit different, both tutorials share a simple project that actually says quite a lot.

The hardest part is picking out what to say. I am a music lover and I immediately knew that I would never complete the painting if I had to pick one song. I decided to use a quote that my husband and I have kept close to our hearts for the nine years that we have been together. My quote is taken from a Time Out New York interview with Julia Child. I have kept the clipping for years and this project allowed me to showcase it in the most perfect way.

Supplies:

Artist Paints: I used gouache for my painting. I happened to have some in the studio and tried it out. I liked the effect. It is a bit thicker than acrylic and leaves a more textured/aged look. Acrylic is easier to stamp leaving a smooth print. You can even use an inkpad. I have provided examples of all three styles.

Paint Brush: To apply the paint to the stamp and also nice to have on hand for touch ups.

Foam Letter Stamps: You can find different sets and fonts at your local craft shop.

Stretched Canvas

Pencil / Ruler

Process:

1. Take a ruler and draw a horizontal line across your canvas. This line will be your stamping guide.

2. Paint color on your stamp with the paintbrush. I found that this was easier then dipping the stamp. It makes for a more even print.

3. Place your stamp on the canvas and press.

4. Continue for each word, all the while using your horizontal pencil lines as your guide.

Below are the different stamp effects …

Top: Gouache
Middle: Acrylic
Bottom: Inkpad – Mine was rather old and dry but I think that you can get the gist.

That’s all there is to it! I hope that you enjoy this tutorial. If you decide to make one of your own, please share what your words would be!