Friday, May 8, 2009

Pinwheels and Clouds 101

Pinwheels are as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4!



Please keep in mind that for the pinwheel above, I cut 2 squares from the same paper and adhered them together so that the same pattern would be on both sides. However, for the purpose of instructions I did not....it is easier to show you with one side plain. Having contrasting colors or patterns make fun pinwheels too! I suggest that you use paper and not cardstock as you will have a more difficult getting a nice crease with the thicker cardstock.




Step 1: Decide on the size pinwheel you'd like to make. Cut paper down to a square. For the example I was making a pinwheel for Tilda. So, I cut it down to 1 inch x 1 inch. You can make it whatever size you'd like, as long as it is a perfect square. Then take your ruler and very lightly draw a line from one corner to the opposite corner. Repeat for the other 2 corners so that you have an X.





Step 2: Cut along the lines from each corner. But not all the way to the center (otherwise you will be left with 4 triangles!)









Step 3: Take the left corner of each triangle and fold it towards the middle. (if making a "real pinwheel": do not fold it....just "Roll" it)
Do this with all 4 Triangles.








Step 4: Punch a hole in the middle. Insert Brad. Use Glue Dot to sick on to tooth pick or wire.

DONE.






...CLOUDS....CLOUDS.....CLOUDS....

My friends Mary and Peggy (who are sisters) are always finding new things. New to me anyhow! Maybe I just don't pay enough attention when I go the the LSS...or maybe I don't see the potential of an item until Mary and Peggy are using it and raving about it. I don't know...but they always have something new. This past weekend, among other goodies...they were all about using a cloud maker for behind their images. And the clouds looked good too. Not cheezy. so they took out their little templates with handles and different shapes and impressed us.



When I got home and was finishing up my Patriotic Tilda card and was wishing I had used the template to put behind my Tilda. I NEED a cloud maker too! Then I thought....uh hello?! Kerry you have oodles of scallop punches and Nesties....why not cut a cloud out of cardstock and just use a sponge to apply the ink???? DUH!
So I used my largest OVAL Nestabilities Die to cut out the cardstock. I use the largest because that had the widest scallops.

Then starting at the top of your cardstock and working your way down you sponge over the oval scallops to form your sky and clouds. The oval really just acts as a mask to keep your clouds white. You do need to be careful when sponging close to the main image and not have her covered in ink clouds. It is important that you start at the top and work your way down. And make sure to stagger the oval so that you don't have straight rows or columns of same sized clouds.






I don't know if these instructions for pinwheels and clouds helped you or confused you! LOL! But after you try them, you will realize how simple they are! These are types of things that are so simple it seems so obvious...and you wonder why it took you so long to think of this before! LOL!


If you give either of these a try leave a link in the comments of this post so that I can drop by and admire your work!

Have a Fantabulous weekend!!


29 comments:

Ila said...

These are both Fabulous tutorials...I have been thinking about making a pinwheel for Tilda....am I lucky or what??...Thanks for sharing!!...Hugs, Ila

Moni said...

Graet tutorial! Have a nice day! Hugs, moni

Cami said...

Thank you for these wonderful tutorials, Kerry! Very well written and the photos are excellent. I need to go make my "cloud stencil" now. Hugs, Cami

Donnas Den said...

Kerry,

This information was excellent. It's amazing how we can get drawn into thinking we need a new gadget when most people have what they need already.

Great ideas.

Donna

Jacque said...

Gosh, Kerry, thanks a bunch for a couple of neat tutorials!! I really like the cloud one and can't wait to try it...Hugs..Jacque

Stefanie said...

Very cool Kerry! I'm going to have to try the cloud thing!

Pia said...

Thanks Kerry! I am going to try both of these. You may need to send me a scalloped oval though!

Stef H said...

WOW! Thanks so much for the tut on the pinwheel. Now I defintely know how to make one. As for the clouds great job.

Hugs,

Peggy said...

OMG...Rule for next time...NO CAMERAS! What a great idea for the clouds. I would have never thought of that. I can't live without my template.

The pinwheels are so cute. I will need to try this instead of a flower on the card. OOOHHH!! I love new ideas!!!! Thanks!!

Helen said...

Awesome! I would have never thought to use either! I can't wait to try them tonight!

Lisa Somerville said...

Great tip for making clouds!

Jessica G. said...

Wow -- two great techniques in one blog post! Thanks, Kerry; I'll definitely give both of them a try!!

Michelle Quinno said...

Great idea on the scalloped punch!! Thanks!

Mary and Peggy are the best, aren't they? They're the technique queens!

Lorie said...

Oh, Kerry...you are SO smart! I love the cloud idea and the pinwheels are FUN! Great job!

Denise said...

Ooo!! Your clouds look so cool! Would you be so kind as to share a clearer picture of the card you used it on? I can't wait to try this!

Unknown said...

Its amazing what we can use to make things tht just never occur to us. TFS!

Mary C said...

Kerry you definitely have a way with words. You explained both tutorials perfectly. I could have done without the picture though!!!
I am off to try the pinwheel! thanks for sharing.

Cheri said...

Ooooooo! Thanks for the tip for clouds! I wanted clouds for an image recently and ended up sponging because I couldn't figure how to do it. Now I know! =D

Anonymous said...

Great tutorial. Your cards are killer! I actually use a piece of cardstock that I cut with my scallop scissors (the only time I ever use them, can't cut straight to save my life..lol) Will be playing with the pinwheel idea next week for sure.
Great job!
Christine
http://pawsitivelystampin.wordpress.com

MarieL said...

Great tutorials Kerry. Thanks for coming up with the cloud one. What a fantastic idea.

Elena said...

Thank you so much for sharing you WONDERFUL tutorial, Kerry! You are very-very talented crafter!!!
I am sure that I will use your tutorial for clouds now! Thank you so much!

Kathy W said...

thanks for tutorial and great clouds idea! you are super clever and have great Mother's day.

Linda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Linda said...

Thank you for the tutorials....your cards are very cute.
Here is the link to my pinwheel card.

http://cardchallengesandmore.blogspot.com/2009/05/three-clovers-design-challenge.html

Judi said...

Hi thanks so much for the tutorial about the clouds, you make it sound so easy I can't wait to give it a try.

Judi xx

NikkiM said...

Awesome cloud idea - thanks for sharing. Looove the beefcake BTW ;)

Sheri said...

O..M..Gosh...Kerry! I cannot wait to try my hands at clund-making. Either this is a fantastic tutorial....or you are really good at making things look easy! :D Thanks so much!

Katie Cotton said...

fun idea! I actually have a cloud maker that i rarely use... with a handle and all. But i love the effect of the smaller clouds made with the scallops. I'll have to try it!

Sharri said...

Hi Kerry,
Thank you for the pinwheel tutorial!
I wanted to share that I use a piece of acetate and my decorative scissor's, the cloud one, to make my cloud templates. I like the scallops on the scissors for sponging clouds better than the scalloped nesties or paper punches.

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