Tanpola Articles Directory

The high-handled flower basket of our grandmother’s time is seldom seen nowadays except in pictures. It has gone the way of the old- fashioned bouquet with short-stemmed flowers tightly bound together. In gathering masses of long-stemmed roses from our gardens we shall find a tray-shaped basket more convenient.

Green Openwork Basket for Violets

Materials:
24 30-inch pieces of No. 1 rattan,
2 weavers of No. 2 rattan,
An iridescent glass bowl.

Nothing could be more harmonious than the cool green of this open-meshed basket enclosing an iridescent glass bowl filled with violets. The basket is dainty, yet very simply made.

The arrangement of spokes in the usual sixteen-spoke centre is followed, except that there are six spokes in each of the four groups, instead of four, and the weaver follows three times around these groups before they are separated into threes. Ten rows of under-and-over weaving, according to the Indian method, for an even number of spokes, make a slightly rounded bottom. The edge is bound off, and each group of spokes having been wet until pliable, is brought under the next group on the right, over the next, under the next, over the next, under the next and outside.

The mat-shaped basket is then moulded up between the hands into a bowl shape, like the openwork candy basket in “How to Make Baskets.” The spokes are drawn in or out and the top pressed closely in until it fits the glass bowl. This process will take time and patience, for the edge of the basket should be even and on a line with the edge of the bowl. When this is accomplished the basket is turned upside down and a pliable weaver doubled around one of the groups of ends is woven in pairing for two rows to form part of a base. This should be done carefully so as not to draw the ends too close together and make the finishing of the base difficult. Each group of ends is then brought over the next two groups, on the left and inside the base, which completes it.

In order to get the silvery green colour for this basket, it is not soaked in the alum mordant before dyeing, but simply wet in clear water. The directions for green dye with indigo and bark extract may be used, but before dyeing it the colour should be tried on bits of rattan.

Buy the 77 page ebook More Baskets and How to Make Them at http://shopping.directorygold.com/zen/descriptions/lf/basket_weaving.htm to learn more on how to make and weave baskets.

Creating scrapbook page layouts is a great way to unwind, relax and be creative. If you are new to scrapbooking then it is important to have the basic tools to get you started.

Entering a store and asking the owner what tools you need could prove expensive, you will soon find yourself investing in things you probably do not need.

There are some basic tools you will need if you are going to start creating scrapbook page layouts, here I have put together a list and explanation of some of the items you will need and use on a daily basis.

Fancy edges scissors or craft scissors - These scissors are a wonderful tool to use when creating scrapbook page layouts. They come in a variety of designs and can be used to create fancy boarders and edges with paper.

Craft punches - craft punches can be used to create embellishments as well as a decorative edge to paper projects. Punches come a huge variety of shapes and sizes and can be purchased with ease from any craft store. It is wise to keep your craft punches sharp to ensure a clean crisp cut. You can sharpen your punches by occasionally punching through foil and if you have difficulty applying enough pressure to punch through the paper you may also need to purchase a punch aid.

Tweezers - tweezers a great for lifting and holding small and delicate items such as beads or gems. You can also use your tweezers to apply embellishments to your scrapbook page layouts.

Glue - To attach any material to your scrapbook page layout will require some form of glue. There are different types of glue for different materials such as sticky dots, glue sticks, silicone, glue pens, double sided tape and spray glue. Always ensure the glue is acid free before using it on your scrapbook page layouts.

Decorative materials - To jazz up any scrapbook page you will need some form of decorative materials such as, pencils, chalks, embossing powders, glitter, peel off stickers, ready made embellishments different types of patterned and printed paper.

Scrapbook - You will need a scrapbook to store all your finished pages in. scrapbooks come in a huge range of themes and colors to suit any occasion. You can also purchase refill pages if you run out of space.

If you are creating your first scrapbook page layout then try to keep things simple. Have a look on the internet and get some ideas by looking at other peoples scrapbook pages.

Once you have finished your first page I guarantee you will have the bug to create more and once you are more confident you can then invest in more intermediate products to use on your scrapbook pages.

Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in scrapbook ideas providing you with excellent tips and ideas for creating stunning scrapbook page layouts. Vicki also specializes in card making
http://www.vickisscrapbookideas.com
http://www.vickiscardmakingideas.com

Whether you are new to scrapbooking or have been putting your scrapbook ideas into practice for a while, every keen scrapbooking enthusiast welcomes new ideas, tips and techniques so I am going to share a few of mine with you.

Attaching Ribbon To Your Scrapbook Ideas:-

Ribbon is a beautiful way to accessorize a scrapbook page. It gives the page a three dimensional look and there are thousands of colors, designs and sizes of ribbon so you are sure to find something to suit the project you are working on.

There are many ways to use ribbon with your scrapbook ideas including ribbon glue which is especially made to adhere ribbon to paper. You could also use eyelets or brads, again these come in a huge variety of shapes and colors.

Attaching ribbon using staples is also a visually impressive way of embellishing your scrapbook ideas. You can use peel off pens or permanent markers to change the color of the staples helping to coordinate them with your scrapbook pages.

Using Chipboard For Scrapbook Ideas:-

Chipboard is a lot like cardboard but generally it is slightly thicker than cardstock but thinner than cardboard. If you are using chipboard for your scrapbook ideas always check the packaging or use an acid test pen to ensure it is acid free as quite often it is not.

The most common way to use chipboard with any of your scrapbook ideas is to cover it with paper. Cut the chipboard to the size and shape you require then trace the chipboard to the backside of your chosen paper. Simply cut the paper out and adhere to the chipboard. Because the sides will still be showing you can use ink, paint or pens to color the edges.

Using Flat Or Wrinkled Paper For Your Scrapbook Ideas:-

If your scrapbook page layout is depicts an old era then distressing a piece of paper to use as a background is a really effective way to give an aged look. To distress or ‘age’ a piece of scrapbook paper begin by crumpling it up then flattening it out. Brush an ink pad over the raised surface to give a distressed look. You can purchase specialist distress ink that will work really well but generally any ink will do but some may just need longer to dry.

If you need to flatten a piece of paper to use for your scrapbook ideas the best way is to use an iron on a low setting with no steam. I would recommend you also place a piece of scrapbook paper on top for extra protection.

Tips For Framing Photos:-

Most people matt and layer photos before adding them to a scrapbook page. Matt and layering is basically a technique where you build up layers of paper sticking one on top of the other to form a frame. There are many other ways to frame a photo including using ribbon, photo corners, photo turns, large brackets and ready made metal frames.

How To Attach Pictures For Your Scrapbook Ideas Without Causing Damage :-

If you are creating a scrapbook page layout and using an original photo that you do not want to cut, stick or damage in anyway there are a few simple techniques to add the picture to your scrapbook page without causing any damage.

The easiest way is to use photo corners however if you want a really effective way try making an envelope and placing the picture inside. Keep the envelope open so the photo can be seen, you can embellish the envelope to match your scrapbook page.

When putting together any scrapbook ideas every crafter will stumble upon new ways and techniques and it is always a good idea to share these ideas with other keen scrapbookers by joining a community or forum, you never no, you may find the answer to a problem that has been bugging you for ages.

Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in scrapbook ideas providing you with excellent tips and ideas for creating stunning scrapbook page layouts. Vicki also specializes in card making
http://www.vickisscrapbookideas.com
http://www.vickiscardmakingideas.com

Perhaps you thought of getting a new tall ship model lately, if so, you might have given some consideration to building one. The choice of whether to build or buy does not even take into concern the type of ship you are looking to get and that will be left to your preference.

In any case, there are several issues to dwell on when making such a choice. Factors that must be accounted for include such things as the quality of the materials being used, the cost of materials and supplies, the amount of time needed to build a ship and the quality of workmanship that you wish the ship to be. All of these concerns should be addressed before making your decision to get started.

Things you will need

Patience will be your primary tool. Most model ships will have a considerably large number of exceptionally small pieces. This fact will become quite glaringly obvious with a tall ship model. There will be a ton of tiny cannons, rigging material, a dozen sails, and literally thousands of small pieces of wooden planks.

Because you have decided to build your model tall ship, you might at well get started buying some of the other items that will be needed. You will need several types of tools to build your new model ship. The list will generally include a generous amount of various woods, such as teak, oak, or poplar, a few hobby saws, a large supply of hobby knives, sandpaper, small files, glue, any paints that will be needed, and do not forget the ship kit or detailed plans, in case your building the ship from scratch.

Now that you have the basic tools, you would want to look into several good books on model building, assuming you have not already bought those as well. Most books can be found at your local hobby shop, if you have access to one. If not, the internet is your friend and these can be ordered through an online bookstore, such as Amazon. Luckily there is also an extensive amount of information that is freely obtainable on the web as well.

If you are building your new tall ship model from a kit, then you may get off easy on building a ton of small parts. The ability to build your own parts will come in handy should you lose any parts, or if you simply make a decision to alter the ship in some way. If you are not building the ship from a kit, then building those small parts will be a fundamental component of your construction effort.

If by some chance you are a beginning model builder, then you may perhaps wish to practice your new skills on some other models before delving into a tall ship model. Building a model ship from scratch will be a very rewarding experience and a great way to better your modeling skills; however, it might not be the best way to develop these abilities for the novice modeler.

Once you have all of your materials, plans and tools, you are ready to get started. Make sure you have lots of room to work, a place to keep it from getting disturbed, and plenty of light. Now you can get to work. Take your time, and do not rush or get overly frazzled at any point. It is now up to you. In the end, this will simply mean that the quality of your model ship will be solely limited by the skills you possess and the amount of time that you are willing to put in to it.

Derek Wood scale model enthusiast that has been building models for 24 years. Specializing in models such as planes, tanks, dioramas, model ships and model trains, he now spends his time helping others enjoy the modeling hobbies. Learn more about model ships at: http://www.ModelShipsOnline.com

Ask any scrapbooking fanatic to define scrapbooking and you will find the answers vary. In general, scrapbooking is a personal hobby with different meanings and brilliant forms. Scrapbooking typically involves hours upon hours of devotion, yet people love spending hours organizing items, trimming papers, coming up with color schemes, and eventually placing items into the scrapbook.

Scrapbooks can be keepsakes to document the birth of a new baby, first homes, family history, or mementos for a first marriage. They can also be a loving tribute to someone who has passed on. Scrapbooks come in all shapes and sizes. For this reason, the items that are used in a scrapbook also vary.

A scrapbook normally contains collections of photographs, newspaper articles, items, journal pages, or other papers that are gathered together in an acid-free keepsake book that can be handed down from generation to generation. Scrapbooks can be simple, but often they grow and expand until they are elaborate displays into an event, person, or area.

Stickers are common, inexpensive items that find their way into scrapbooks. Scrapbooking stickers should be acid-free to prevent yellowing with age. Craft stores will have a wide selection of them. There literally are stickers for everything: holiday themes, baby items, letters, words, flowers, animals, sports, and more.

Scrapbooking stickers can be used to hold articles or photographs in place. They can be used for decorations or to emphasize a point. Scrapbooking stickers are always used to add a whimsical feel to any page in your scrapbook.

Take a photograph of your new bundle of joy. By using stickers, you can take words to form ideas of exactly what your infant was thinking at that moment. A scrunched up face can become a comical tribute to tart foods by adding a few words or images of lemons. Scrapbooking stickers of angels can decorate the edges of a page dedicated to your perfect angel. The options are endless.

Your little leaguer can have a sports page dedication that is decorated with soccer balls, baseballs, or footballs. Often sticker pages sold at scrapbooking stores come in large sheets with numerous images on each sheet. For under $5, you can glamorize any page.

All it takes is a unique idea and a few supplies. Use glittery stickers for your daughter’s first prom. Decorate the page edges in girly images of high heels, prom dresses, tuxedos, and flowers. An incredible event that happens once in a girl’s life then becomes an unforgettable night that can be viewed for years to come.

Create your ideal scrapbook by using stickers. Big or small, fancy or plain, the choice is yours. You can turn an okay scrapbook page into one that truly jumps out of the book and screams, “Wow!”

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as scrapbook stickers at http://www.shop4stickers.com

American Indian beadwork is an art that has been handed down for generations among the different Indian cultures. Their beads were used on moccasins, pipebags, belt bags, used on toy cradles, dolls, and other toys, knife sheaths, and different pieces of clothing. The beadwork varied greatly among the different tribes and individuals but each one was unique in its own way. Each tribe had different colors depending on the dyes available from different plants in the areas in which they lived.

Much of the beadwork and other Indian Pottery and artwork had a meaning behind it and represented something in their lives. Since the American Indians were on the move a lot they could not have breakables of any kind so they would decorate their utensils, blankets, or anything else they could paint, attach beads, carve or decorate in any other way.

They had a gift of imagination and handiwork second to none and there are still many beautiful pieces of artwork made years ago. Some of these can be found on the market for purchase and there are many pieces in museums around the country. To us today, the beadwork is just beautiful pieces of jewelry, etc., but to them they meant much more. it was a way of life for them. It was a way for each one to express themselves. The history of each tribe is a story in itself and it is very interesting to study them.

There is still many people doing beadwork today and many of them are decedents of the American Indians of days gone by but their spirit lives on in their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Beadwork and other works of art that the American Indians did should never die. Hopefully the offspring of the pioneers will continue on with the traditions and artwork.

Back then it was a necessity for survival but today it is just a hobby but it is at least still being utilized. Before beadwork was introduced into the Indians way of life, they used mainly paints made of dyes from different plants and flowers, shell, and porcupine quills. Quillwork was a sacred art of the Native American Plains tribes.

Clothing, utensils and other devices were decorated. It was not until the mid eighteen hundreds that designs began to change. Some of the tribes today who still do beadwork are Pueblo, Five Civilized Tribes, Shoshone, Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapahoe, and many more. Surprisingly enough there is still a lot of beadwork being produced by hand by these tribe’s people. These people are proud and they want their offspring to remember their elders and their traditions from long ago. Beadwork is one way to remind the American Indians of today of who they are and where they came from. It is so thrilling that they have such beautiful art to live on through their heirs.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as unusual glass beads at http://www.unusualglassbeads.com

Choosing a gift for a loved one is very difficult.
You always want to give something they will love and appreciate and something special. The best gift you can give to your near and dear ones, is something made by you, that adds a special touch to the gift, making it exceptional and very personal. One can spend loads of money, to buy a wonderful and expensive gift, but making the gift on your own shows your. It is very difficult to decide what to make.

Making a fruit basket is an excellent option, but most of us do not know how to make a fruit basket.
Making a fruit basket isn’t all that difficult to make as we think it is. Once you have decided which fruits you want to decorate the basket with, half your battle is won. Selecting the fruits can be a bit tricky. You should always carefully pick the fruits, according to their shapes, sizes and colours, in order to make your basket look uniform, colourful and stylish. You should choose a very classy yet colourful basket, to make your gift look grand.

You can either get a cane, straw, wooden, glass or a thick well crafted paper basket. A carefully selected basket will bring out the beauty of the gift. You can arrange the fruits neatly in the basket. You can also use the fruits to make a design or a shape inside the basket. You can then decorate the basket with similar coloured ribbons or streamers. Ribbon can be used on the handle of the basket as well, to make it look very stylish.

If you like you can put a small special gift in between the fruit basket, which will be a surprise for your loved one when they find it. You can also put small notes with every fruit or add a special touch to every item in the basket. Make your gift as innovative and unique as possible. Always stick to a colour scheme, which brings out the beauty of the gift. For instance, red ribbons used on red fruit, like apple, plum, cherries, pomegranate and so on, in a stylish cane basket is a fantastic present. Or you could make an assortment of their favourite fruits, which you know they will definitely love.

After having decorated the basket, you have the choice of wrapping your basket or leaving it open. You can use colourful paper to decorate it. Transparent paper, cellophane paper, handmade paper, butter paper, or thin colourful paper can be used to make it look even more stunning. As a final touch, you can put a bow or a paper made flower or a star on top of the fruit basket. A card can also be attached to the basket, which adds a personal touch. Your friend or your family will definitely appreciate the effort you have put in making the gift.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as custom giftbaskets at http://www.giftbasketsplusmore.com

Gifting your loved one something special made by you is the perfect gift. They will appreciate personal, handmade gifts rather than enormous expensive gifts. Always remember it is the personal touch that makes the gift special and unique. A fruit basket is a perfect gift for your near and dear ones. But most of us drop the idea, because we don’t know where to start or how to make a fruit basket.

Making a fruit basket isn’t all the difficult as it may appear to be. To begin with, you should select the perfect basket. There are many different shapes, sizes and colours of baskets available in the market. Always try to get a big, fancy colourful, basket, which will make the gift look very stylish. The basket can be either made of cane, wood, glass, ceramic glass, thick paper or straw. Make sure the basket is sturdy enough to carry the weight of the fruits.

Once you have decided on the size, colour and shape of the basket, you can buy different colours of cloth or fabric to decorate the basket. You can either stitch it to the basket or stick the fabric with glue on the basket. Using a good fabric can bring out the effect of the basket. You also have the choice of sticking ribbons, streamers, bows, stars, or flowers, on the basket, giving it a yet another personal touch. If you like you can stick to a colour scheme. Colours like either red or green can be used according to your choice. You can buy fruits according to your colour scheme too. If you don’t want any colour scheme you should always try to make the basket as bright and colourful as possible.

Now that you have your ribbon, fabric or cloth, you can stitch or glue it to the basket in whichever way you like. You can also decorate the handle by stitching the fabric and ribbons on it. Sticking streamers can make the basket look very bright and colourful. Once you have your basket ready, you can arrange the fruits in any order you like. Either one kind of fruit or an assortment of fruits can be used in the entire basket. You can decorate the fruits making a design or a pattern. You can put nuts or dry fruits if you like. A special gift or small notes in between the fruits also adds an element of surprise to the receiver.

As a final touch you can cover the basket with either transparent, cellophane, handmade paper. Using colourful paper can make the gift look fantastic. You even have the choice of leaving your basket open. You can tie a small bow, flower or star on the top of the gift. After all making a fruit basket isn’t all the difficult.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as custom giftbaskets at http://www.giftbasketsplusmore.com

A fruit basket is a great gift idea. You can get that wow expression for something so little. You can get ready made ones or your can easily make one yourself if you have some time and a little talent for such and I’ll show you how to make one easily. If you are not so inclined I will suggest a few places where you can pick one.

Now for those of us who’ve chosen to enjoy the pleasure of saying, “I made this specially for you”, here’s how:

You need a basket, bow, fruit, and a good material for lining the basket. All you have to do is line the basket with the material you bought for that. The next step is to arrange the fruit in the basket and place the bow on the handle. You are through. It’s as simple as that.

However, you can take it to another level depending on how imaginative you are. You can try something no one else has done before. It will certainly add to the uniqueness of the gift. You can consider giving the basket a special color that will make folks ask “What kind of fruit basket is that?” Remember, someone always does something first. so don’t be afraid to give reins to your imagination. Here’s a personal idea:

I write out my deepest feelings for the person an then do an embroidery of those words on the lining. Deep words packaged in a unique way will turn an almost insignificant object into a priceless possession. The thought is usually that if anyone took out so much time to make something special, they think I am very special. I guess that’s the feeling we all hope to evoke by our gifts.

Don’t be disturbed if you don’t have the time, you can get one made to your specifications easily. Check around you. We often think we know all we have in our neighborhood. You might be surprised you’ll not have to search for long as gift fruit baskets are becoming more popular as the day goes by.

If you can’t find one around you, check online. There are many sites that make these. They can also send your gift basket to your loved one. This certainly saves you some time. Stand apart from the crowd. Send a surprise. Don’t send flowers the next time, send a fruit basket.

Sending a fruit basket is a great way to show someone close to you that you care about them and are willing to go the extra mile for them. Getting started on making your own gift baskets is now easier than ever before.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as unique gift baskets at http://www.uniquegiftbasketsgalore.com

Deep embossing is a great way to give dimension to your scrapbooking ideas, it gives the opposite effect that embossing powder gives so the image or wording you stamp is indented rather than raised.

You can purchase specialist deep or ‘thick’ embossing power from most scrapbook stores and also online scrapbook stores however I find normal embossing powder works just as well if not better and really makes your scrapbooking ideas come to life.

To affect this technique begin by inking a piece of card. I would recommend thicker card than your standard card stock. Use a versamark inkpad and dab the ink all over the card. It is also a good idea to cut the card to size before you begin.

Once the card is inked sprinkle a layer of embossing powder over the card. Tap any excess powder off (this can be put back into the pot). Next use a heat gun to heat the powder on the card then repeat the process over and over again until you build up a thick layer. Specialist powder may take one or two coats where as normally embossing powder will need five or six layers applied.

While the embossing powder is still hot and looking almost runny from the heat of the heat gun start inking the stamp you have chosen to use with a staz on ink pad. Press the stamp firmly into the heated embossing powder. Leave the stamp in place for a few seconds then gently lift off to reveal your indented stamped image.

This method is great for adding wording and images to your scrapbooking ideas and really makes any scrapbook page layout come alive.

Always think about your scrapbooking ideas before you start so you know what stamps you are going to use. If you do leave the hot embossing powder to long and it sets reheat it and try again

The reason it is best to use a staz on ink pad is because the ink dries quickly and you may find a normal pigment based ink pad smudges or at the very least takes ages to dry.

Using deep embossing or ultra think embossing powder is a great way of creating embellishments and 3d words to add to your scrapbooking ideas and layouts. It may be worth investing in a set of letter stamps so you can create any word or phrase you need to adhere to the page you are working on.

The technique of deep embossing works very well with simple stamp patterns however you may find you will have difficulty obtaining a clear pattern or image when using complex and very detailed stamp images as the fine lines in the stamp pattern may become smudged or blurred using this process. Therefore it is far better to use simple stamp patterns and images when deep embossing.

Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in scrapbook ideas providing you with excellent tips and ideas for creating stunning scrapbook page layouts. Vicki also specializes in card making
http://www.vickisscrapbookideas.com
http://www.vickiscardmakingideas.com