Many of us have at some time or the other satiated our artistic desires by coloring using the ‘paint with numbers’ concept. We have fond remembrances of the time spent filling up various shapes with colors. All we needed to know was the color that corresponded to a particular number and following that code we could conjure up beautiful paintings that would befit a professional artist.
As kids these paintings were available in most shops and came with a small packet of required colors. One knew the end result that one needed to get by looking at the completed picture on the box. Variations of this bundle of entertainment arrived and kids were required to just dip their brushes in plain water and run them over the page to get the desired effect of a jungle, an animal or a portrait The amazement for this magic, however, lasts for a few months before the kids grow out of it.
This concept goes a long way to the 1950’s when it was not considered only child’s play but was taken more seriously. People enrolled in classes to learn the art of painting by numbers and it was considered a hobby in itself. Many people redid famous paintings that had complicated set of numbers and professionally framed these pieces of art for everyone to see.
Since these pictures were so popular, many people used to earn their living by creating these number paintings. It obviously must have been a very interesting and fun filled way of making profit. It was also a good past time for those who did not have any artistic prowess but wanted to create something of their own.
Due to the training ground that these number pictures provided some of these creators moved on to become full artists in their own rights and others continued to provide people the ability to adorn their homes with personally created paintings. Paintings such as these give you the reassurance that the masterpiece that you are trying to replicate will look considerably similar to the original and not turn into a nightmare.
A negative of these number paintings was the fact that these did not allow for creativity to flow. One was restricted to painting between the lines and following a certain color code. But creative dudes changed that too by not following the codes to the ‘t’ and putting in their individual stamp.
It is surprising that in spite of being so simplistic in nature it became a rage!
January 3rd, 2008
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Scrapbooks are an ideal way to preserve memories and retrieve them for later reference or use. They allow for a trip down memory lane without struggling about what someone had said on a particular even or what you were wearing on your first prom party. These fun books keep precious memories safe and tucked away in a corner till the time you are ready to revisit or share them with someone. By including our thoughts in a scrapbook, not only can you hold memories for a long time but can also utilize your current time in doing something creative and meaningful.
Given the options that are there in the market today, getting started with the process can sweep you over. Craft stores have a bundle of varied products to offer starting from complete kits that include the works, stickers, colorful paper, a wide range of colored markers, paint and glitters. To top it all there will be choices that you may need to make on the kind of book you want to use for your cherished memories.
But there is no need to worry about such decisions since you definitely need not buy all the products available in the shop to start. You could start with a simple book in which to stick pictures and pen down your thoughts or choose an album. You could also choose a scrapbook designed specially for the purpose that may have various themes and sections to aid the process. The one thing that you do want to make sure about before deciding on the book is that it should be sturdy and should be able to stand the test of time. For eternal safekeeping today there are digital options for scrapbooks and you could download a scrapbook template and even load it on your personal web page to share.
Beyond the book, you should choose a few from the various options that you have to get you started. If you feel that you would like to add more aspects to your scrapbook, you can always come back to the craft store again. Some questions that you need to ask yourself before getting started are how you will personalize the book and how you will preserve the images. Personalizing the scrapbook is an easy task since all that you need to do is be yourself and choose the accessories that you like. However, while deciding to preserve your memories ensure that you use acid free paper to keep it safe from bugs.
January 1st, 2008
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Birthday cards are a way of telling people that they are fondly remembered during their special day. Many stores are devoted only to birthday cards and people spend hours in the aisles trying to select the perfect birthday card for their friends or relatives. Over time, birthday cards have become more specialized and there are special cards for mothers, fathers, sons, daughter and even aunts and uncles. You have birthday cards for the best friend, bosses and practically anyone whom you may ever want to give a card to.
But the limitation of these cards is that they may not replicate your emotions exactly and you may have to settle for emotions that the card manufacturer decides. A customized card has its own pleasure for the giver and the receiver and is a joy to be held preciously forever.
To be able to create your own customized card you need to choose between two options that are available. You could choose to visit some of the Internet sites that allow you to create your own birthday cards. You are expected to upload the image that you want to use and then you can choose from among various options to decorate the card. There are various frames and borders and writing styles that the card will offer. Some even give you options of the words that you may want to add in text. After you have customized your card, the company asks you to confirm it and sends the card to you or directly to the recipient as instructed.
The disadvantage of using this method is that you need to be careful while uploading images and ensure that the image is not distorted. Some sites allow only a certain file type to be uploaded. You also need to be careful about the size and dimensions of the image that you send. The card needs to be prepared well in time so that you can receive it to review and sign. If you send the card directly without reviewing or signing, then it may loose its personal touch and may also be distorted if you have not uploaded the image correctly.
The other method that you can use to create a customized card is to use a computer program to create a birthday card and print it at home itself. This would involve buying some software that allows you to do it. Adobe has many products that you can use. If you plan to use the software only for cards, then a small program will suit you well and may not cost you as much as some of the larger software options can.
The problem with creating a card at home is only that the one time cost is higher and you need computer ink and good quality card paper to be able to print it. The method you choose depends on your personal preference and should take these aspects into account.
December 30th, 2007
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Crafts, cards |
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