Quilling tips

As I had mentioned in my previous blog, I learned all about quilling from the net. I made few cards which were given in person, so no worry about the paper getting quashed. But for cards which I had to send by post??? I had inquired a quiller about how she makes the papers stiff and she said she applied varnish.

So I got an aerosol spray which was good, but the application was messy. The flowers got stuck to the board and I had difficulty in dislodging them. So I tried picture varnish, this was pretty good but didn't give the glossy finish. I read about Touchwood varnish, and tried. Oh My! Did it give glossy finish? Yes! but the papers lost their natural color. White became yellowish... :(

Oh well! I thought I will try clear varnish, but alas! the papers became too transparent and the feel was not good. 
 

Applied clear varnish, but you can see the leaves are too stiff and sticking together.

 

 After all these trials, I feel Camel picture varnish or a nail top coat ( top coat??? Yeah, it is too good but gets dry too quickly that I have to work without a fan... Whew!) are the best. If it is a bigger area, like the bamboo vase, I could play with the aerosol spray. 

I also tried without varnish or top coat, with the birthday card I made for my son. But few swirls got quashed since I had to send it by courier. I still feel pretty bad cos I had made the card with lots of care. :(

I am going to try a coat with Fevicol for earrings. Hope it works out well.

A hectic November continues....

A birthday card and a couple of earrings I made for my son's friend.

 

Had a hectic trip to attend a marriage and back just before my husband's birthday. I had to do something special for him and here is what I came up with.

X-mas cards,

Christmas bells are ringing and I am on to making few cards..... 

To my dearest son....

This special day brings back
Memories of your childhood
Which I cherish fondly and
Makes me feel proud that
You are my son.

It's my son, Abhilash's B'day. I am taken back 25 years back, the day he was born, a bonny baby, and his childhood. Every mother wants her child to be best, and I too was the same. May be in that quest and desire I might have been harsh. I was a young mother and immature, so dearest son pardon me if I have given you some bad memories, my reprimand was all with good intention.

As a child, he was enthusiastic and eager to participate in all kind of activities, let it be an extempore or a fancy dress or recitation, he was always ready. Winning never mattered, but he won anyway in almost all. 

He has been a driving force behind my achievements. He gave me final push to master cycling at the age of  40, supported to work as a teacher, a big fan and driving force behind my quilling. 

A strong willed and enthusiastic young man, I am so proud that he is my son. I couldn't have asked for more, I just have three words - God Bless Him. Love You dearest.

A special card for him.....A flip card! My first one!

The front view

The flipped view

Back side of the card.

Quilled flowers on bamboo

I have been a bit busy lately, of course, quilling.  Here is what I did.

I had a piece of bamboo stem which, I felt, could be used as a Flower vase to hold dry flowers, and also it would give a natural and rustic look. I got it painted black, but didn't know how to decorate it. Once I started quilling, I thought why not decorate with quilled flowers and with black background, I could use bright colors. Here is the final flower vase.