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Party on…

Party season is still with us so these coasters might prove useful as they can be used as place settings as well as coasters…

Cloth Star Coaster
Designed by Kathleen Hauck

 

Tools:
1827109 Awl, 9 cm
1802913 Soft-Cut Premium Line Scissors, 21 cm, Black/Blue
1802730 Aluminium Ruler, 30 cm

Materials:
1054001 Glitter Foam Sheet, 200 x 300 x 2 mm, White
3464725 Red Chalkboard Fabric, Self-Adhesive, 25 cm x 2 m
1906010 Acryl opak Marker, Thin Point, 3 ml, White
3465100 Chalk, White, 10 sticks.

In addition: Template, Pencil

 

(1) Cut out the larger star from the template and transfer it onto the back of the Glitter foam rubber with the awl. Cut out the star.

Cut out the smaller star from the template and transfer it to the back of the chalkboard fabric with the pencil. Cut out the star.

Note: If the foam rubber star is cut out, please check once again whether the fabric star is transferred correctly. Otherwise, it may happen that the chalkboard star is reversed and does not fit on the foam star.

(2) Peel the backing from the back of the fabric and glue the red star in the centre of the white foam rubber star. Using the ruler and the white opaque marker start drawing another star parallel to the cut edge of the red star. (As per the small star on the template with the line petering out into dashes and dots.) Leave to dry. Then write down the guest’s name with blackboard chalk.

You can view and download the Star template here: Star Template

Note: The lines that were drawn with the opaque marker are waterproof after drying, so they can not be wiped away. The name, which was written in chalk, can be wiped off with a damp cloth and changed at any time.

 

You’ll find Efco’s range of chalkboard fabrics in the current Trends 2018 Catalogue.

Party Glass Charms

If you’re planning a party for New Year’s Eve then these little wine glass charms might come in very handy…

Shrink Plastic Champagne Glass Charms
Designed by Kathleen Hauck

Tools:
1830081 Protective Tube Set for Pliers for Aluminium Wire, ø 3.2/4.8/6.4/6.4 mm x 10 cm, 4 parts
1801908 Jewellery Pliers, 12 cm
1801905 Wire Cutters, 11 cm
1802907 Craft Scissors round, 13 cm, Assorted Colours
1801800 Revolving Punch, 6 Holes, 20 cm
1802730 Aluminium Ruler, 30 cm
1881606 Flat Paintbrush, Size 6 / 6.3 mm
9311433 Mixing Palette, 6 parts, 24 x 19 cm
1879900 Paintbrush Washing Container, Plastic, 16 x 16 x H 8.5 cm

Materials:
1051901 Shrink Plastic, Matt, 20 x 30 cm, 3 Stk., Transparent
4511274 Clear Stamps, Good Luck, A7, 74 x 105 mm, 11 parts
4510903 Acrylic Block with Recessed Grip, 76 x 100 x 15 mm
4510999 Stamping Mat, 21 x 14.5 cm x 5 mm, Black
4512089 Stazon Ink Pad, 6 x 9.5 cm, Black
4512100 Stazon Stamp Cleaner, 56 ml
1796016 XXL Oval Punch, 63 x 45 mm
1988624 Staedler Watercolour Pencils , 24 Stk.
9316903 Clear Varnish, Matt, 50 ml
2226061 Anodized Aluminium Wire, ø 2 mm,  5 m / ~ 42g, Light Green

In addition: Paper Towel, Baking Paper, Oven, Template

1. First position the desired clear stamp on the acrylic block. Ink up the stamp and then stamp on the smooth side of the shrink plastic. In this way different stamp on the shrink film. Allow to dry briefly.

Use the oval punch to punch the motifs out. Colour the motif on the rough, matt back with the watercolor pencils.

2. Make a hole in the ovals with the largest circle of revolving punch.

Place the shrink plastic with the coloured side up on baking paper and heat in an oven (preheated to 120°C) for about 2 to 3 minutes. Keep an eye on it whilst it shrinks. When shrinking in the oven, the shrink plastic bends first and then straightens again. Then it can be taken out and allowed to cool.

Paint the charms on the rough back with clear matt varnish, so that the watercolor pencils are fixed and can no longer rub off. Allow to dry briefly.

Tip: If the shrink plastic is slightly curved after shrinking, it can be gently flattened or slightly weighted immediately after removal from the oven.

3. Then cut a 35 cm piece of aluminum wire. Cut off 2 pieces of white protective tube and pull over the jewellery pliers. Use the jewellery pliers to bend the aluminum wire into a spiral at each end. (See template – You can view and download it here: Template.)

Curl another short piece of aluminum wire into a jump ring. Thread a shrink plastic charm onto this jump ring. Then close the jump ring and thread it so that the shrink plastic hangs between the rings. Wrap the aluminum wire around a champagne glass stalk and cross the rings in such a way that the shrink film charm hangs between the rings.

 

 

Dreaming of a Wight Christmas…

Efco have a range of festive Christmas themed Pappart available for decoration. It can be decorated in various ways with assorted paints and mediums. Here’s one idea for this cute Christmas Wight…

He’s been painted with acrylics using a dry brushing technique…

It’s a very simple but effective method to colour Pappart!

To see Efco’s full range of Pappart check out the Pappart/Wood Catalogue.
You’ll also find more in the Autumn/Winter Trends Catalogue.

 

 

Starry starry night…

Triangle Frame with Starshine Effect Foil

Designed by Kathleen Hauck

Tools:
1802730 Aluminium Ruler, 30 cm
1802510 Soft-Cut Premium Knife inc. 2 blades, 9 mm
1802526 Comfortline Cutting Mat DIN A3
1802911 Soft-Cut Premium Line Scissors, 15 cm, black/blue
1880420 Flat Synthetic Paint brushes, Gr. 20 / 19 mm
9311433 Mixing Palette, 6 parts, 24 x 19 cm
1879900 Paintbrush Washing Container, plastic, 16 x 16 x H 8.5 cm
1823105 Plastic Spatula, 17 – 19 cm, 5 parts
1804101 Hot Glue Gun, 20 W, for ø 7.4 mm

Materials:
1790019 Punch S, Star, 15 mm
1791019 Punch M, Star, 24 x 23 mm
1793019 Punch L, Star, 35 mm
1549901 My Colors Cardstock, 30.6 x 30.6 cm, 216 g/m², Snowbound
2630698 Pointed Triangle Frame 15 x 30 x 7 cm
6000901 FolkArt Acrylic Paint, 59 ml, wicker white
9316002 Deko-Snow with Glitter effect, 150 g
1000402 Starshine Effect Foil, diffused translucent, 50 x 35 cm / 0.33 mm
1520606 Tacky Special Double-sided Tape, 6 mm x 10 m, transparent
2689111 LED Fairy Lights, warm white inc. Battery, 10 LEDs, white / copper wire

In addition: Pencil

1. Place the triangle frame on the textured side of the white paper and trace around the inner and outer frame with the pencil.

Use each star punch to punch one star out of the rest of the paper. These stars will serve as a template. Use the templates to draw any number of stars within the inner triangle, always some distance from each other and the inner frame.

Cut out the frame along the outer line and cut out the stars as well.

2. Prime the complete triangle frame with white acrylic paint and leave to dry. Then apply the Deko-Snow paste with a spatula to the outside edges of the frame. Leave to dry.

3. Stick double-sided tape around the edges of the paper triangle on the textured side. Stick the paper triangle to the Starshine sheet. Cut out the Starshine following the the edges of the paper triangle. Use double-sided tape around the edges of the Starshine triangle to stick it to the triangle frame. Glue the fairy lights inside the back of the triangle frame using the hot glue gun.

 

You’ll find the PappArt triangle frames and Starshine Effect Foil in the current Trends Autumn/Winter 2017 Catalogue and the Deko-Snow range is on page 630 in the Paints Section of the Main Catalogue.

To view Efco’s full range of Pappart including their large selection of Christmas themed items please see the PappArt Section.

Beton Star Advent Wreath

Beton Star Advent Wreath

Designed by Kathleen Hauck

Tools:
1880420 Synthetic Flat Paintbrush Gr. 20
1879900 Paintbrush Washing Container, 16×16 x H 8.5 cm
1802730 Aluminium Ruler, 30 cm
1802911 Soft-Cut Premium Line Scissors, 15 cm, black/blue
1802200 Safety Glasses, 15.8 x 5 cm, clear

Materials:
1014905 Polystyrene Star, 50 mm, 6 Stk.
1014908 Polystyrene Star, 83 mm, 4 Stk.
1014911 Polystyrene Star, 115 mm, 2 Stk.
9317901 Easy Beton Paste, 350 g, grey
9317903 Easy Beton Paste, 350 g, cement grey
9500005 Star Mould, 3-parts
9319601 Beton Premium for Casting, 1.5 kg

In addition: 4 candles, aluminium foil, adhesive strips, protective gloves, protective mask, mixing container and old spoon/stick for mixing the Beton, scales

1. Paint any number of polystyrene stars with light and/or dark Easy Beton paste. Leave to dry.

2. Cut four 7cm wide strips of aluminium foil. Wrap a piece of foil around the bottom of a candle leaving about 1cm overhanging. Fix it with a piece of adhesive tape. Fold the excess foil around the bottom of the candle and fix in position with 2 pieces of tape, crossing each other underneath. Carefully remove the aluminium foil sleeve from the candle.

Repeat for the other three candles.

3. Mix about 900g of concrete powder with 126g of water in a mixing bowl and stir well for 3 minutes. Let the concrete rest for 2-3 minutes so that the air can escape. Then fill the big star mould with the concrete mass. Carefully put a forefinger in one of the foil candle sleeves and press it into the still soft concrete. Do the same with the other 3 aluminium foil sleeves.

The star can be removed from the mould after 24 hours. Remove the aluminium foil sleeves and insert the candles into the holes.

 

You will find Efco’s modelling and casting range of Beton and some of their moulds in the current Trends Autumn/Winter 2017 Catalogue. For more moulds check out the Technical Hobbies Catalogue.

Efcolor Enamelled Heart

Efcolor enamelling is lots of fun and much cheaper to do than traditional enamelling. Using resin based powders rather than ground glass you don’t need a kiln to fire your pieces. They can be heated in a conventional kitchen oven or better still on the purpose designed Efcolor Tealight Stove.

Because they are fired at such a low temperature (150ºC) you can enamel items other than copper e.g. ceramics, wood, aluminium, stone, glass, papier mâché. You can also combine other elements with them such as Swarovski crystals, rubs ons, rubber stamping, acrylic paints, even Distress crayons and embossing powders/crystals. You can create unique handmade jewellery and other items which make great presents for family and friends all year round but especially at Christmas. For instance this enamelled heart pendant is simple and easy to make but looks very luxurious…

Materials needed:
99 194 61 – Copper Heart Pendant 27 x 27 mm
93 717 06 – Efcolor Stove (or Domestic Oven)
93 700 29 – Dark Red Efcolor Powder
93 700 01 – White Efcolor Powder
93 703 91 – Silver Glitter Efcolor Powder
93 701 28 – Transparent Red Efcolor Powder
10 254 29 – Silver Lined Dark Red Indian Beads ø2.2mm
18 024 07 – Flat Nose Pliers
18 024 05 – Wire Cutters
In Addition:
Copper Tiger Tail Beading Wire
Copper Jump Ring and Clasp

Instructions:

1. Lightly sand the copper heart and cover with a layer of dark red Efcolor powder. Place the blank on the stove until the powder has melted creating a smooth glossy enamelled surface.

2. When cool, cover the top edges with white Efcolor, fading out as you move down the heart.

3. Before reheating the blank, cover the white Efcolor with a little silver glitter Efcolor, again focusing most across the top of the heart allowing it to thin out towards the bottom.

4. Place the blank back on the tealight stove until the powder has melted leaving you with a concentration of silver glitter at the top with hints of white fading out towards dark red at the bottom.

5. When cool, cover the blank with a thin layer of transparent red Efcolor and replace on the stove to melt the powder.

6. Take two lengths of beading wire and thread them with the dark red Indian beads. Attach the clasp at the ends and use a jump ring to attach the pendant when cool.

Matchbox Advent Calendar

Christmas is only 7 weeks away but it’s not too late to create your own advent calendar. Here’s a simple but effective and easy to make idea created by Tanja Kunz…

Materials:
1643511 Matchbox, 110 x 60 x 20 mm, white
1643505 Matchbox, 53 x 36 x 15 mm, white
1626550 Froggi Universal Glue, without solvent
4657720 Décopatch® Sheet, 30 x 40 cm, black white
4657710 Décopatch® Sheet, 30 x 40 cm, white black
4650018 Paperpatch® Glue/Varnish
1988506 Pigment Liner, 6 Stk, black
1880714 Gussow China Bristled Brush, flat, Gr. 14 / 12 mm
1549933 My Colors Cardstock, 30.6 x 30.6 cm, Coral Rose
1549901 My Colors Cardstock, 30.6 x 30.6 cm, Snowbound
1549989 My Colors Cardstock, 30.6 x 30.6 cm, Black Magic
1791008 Punch M, Rectangle, 22 x 12 mm
1790008 Punch S, Rectangle, 14 x 8 mm
1789919 Punch XS, Star, 9 mm
1793001 Punch L, Square 1-1/2 Inch, 26 mm
1795001 Punch 3XL, Square 3 Inch, 53 mm
1802532 Comfortline Scissors

In addition: Pencil, Water Container with water, Paper towel


1. Place the Decopatch paper face down on your work surface. Position different sized matchboxes on it, trace around them and cut out the paper. Coat the boxes bit by bit with Decopatch adhesive, pressing the paper in position and brush over with more adhesive. Leave to dry.

2. Use punches to cut the stars, windows, doors and roofs from the cardstock, cutting them to size where necessary.

3. Finally, glue the card pieces to the boxes with universal glue and draw numbers from 1 to 24 with the Pigment liner.

To view Efco’s full range of craft punches check out the Everything for Paper section of the main catalogue and for their range of Decopatch papers see the Decopatch catalogue both of which are available to view here.

Rustic wood veneer lampshade

With everyone getting more eco-friendly these days Efco’s wood veneer and cork products open up possibilities for creating more natural designs such as this wood veneer lampshade…

Wood Veneer Woven Lampshade
Designed by Kathleen Hauck

Tools:
1802913 – Soft Cut Premium Line Scissors
1802730 – Aluminium Ruler
1802521 – Knife with Professional Blade
1802526 – Craft Mat
1804102 – Hot Glue Gun 55 W for ø 11.2mm
1805005 – Glue Sticks

Materials:
2213015 – Lampshade frame, round 15cm/ø 15cm
2002201 – Waxed Cotton Cord, ø 1mm, 100m, white
3480120 – Wood Veneer, 20cm x 1.25cm, natural
2690000 – Electric Light Holder with switch

Additional: pencil, bulb

1. Cut 12 pieces of waxed cotton cord approx. 40cm long. Wrap a piece of cord in the middle between two struts of the frame and tie a knot. Then tie a piece of cord in the middle between the first cord and a strut. Repeat for the other side of the first cord. Trim the excess cords. Repeat around the lampshade frame so that you end up with 3 cords even distributed between all the struts.

2. Cut a 50cm long piece of wood veneer. Cut two 3cm wide strips and six 2cm wide strips from this piece. Starting with a 3cm wide strip, position the end behind one of the struts. Weave the strip in and out of the cotton cords and struts. Due to the even number of struts/cords (16), the wood veneer strip will end up exactly at the beginning (i.e. behind a strut). Glue the end of the strip to the beginning (behind the strut) using a hot glue gun. Continue in the same way with a 2cm wide strip, except make sure that it begins in front of the strut rather than behind. Continue in the same vein with three more 2cm wide strips and finally a 3cm wide strip, alternating where you start i.e. in front or behind a strut.

3. Use the hot glue gun to stick the two remaining 2cm strips around the top and bottom of the frame to hide it. Attach the electric light holder to the frame and insert the bulb.

Festive Lantern

With Christmas fast approaching the festive season is upon us so why not try these multicoloured Creaflexx Lanterns with Starshine Foil created by Kathleen Hauck

Tools:
1802730 Aluminium Ruler 30 cm
1802510 Soft-Cut Premium Knife inc. 2 blades, 9 mm
1802526 Comfortline Cutting Mat DIN A3
1802913 Soft-Cut Premium Line Scissors, 21 cm, black/blue
1880420 Flat Paintbrush Synthetic Hair, Gr. 20 / 19 mm
1879900 Paintbrush Water Container, Plastic
9311433 Mixing Palette, 6-parts, 24 x 19 cm
1803901 Heat Gun, 230 Volt / 300 W
1827009 Awl, 9 cm
1801903 Combi Pliers, 12 cm

Materials:
3400002 Creaflexx, adhesive coated on one side, 50 x 75 cm / 1 mm, white
6832007 Martha Steward Acrylic Satin, 59 ml, Granny Smith
6832003 Martha Steward Acrylic Satin, 59 ml, Scottish Highlands
6832016 Martha Steward Acrylic Satin, 59 ml, Surf
6832019 Martha Steward Acrylic Satin, 59 ml, Greek Tile
2002257 Waxed Cotton Cord, ø 1 mm, Light Turquoise
2002261 Waxed Cotton Cord, ø 1 mm, Light Green
1177235 Soccer Buttons, Varicoloured
1405548 Wooden Beads, 8 mm / ø 2.3 mm, 25 g / ~ 118 Stk., blue mix
1405561 Wooden Beads, 8 mm / ø 2.3 mm, 25 g / ~ 118 Stk., green mix
1000402 Starshine Foil, milky transparent, 50 x 35 cm / 0.33 mm
1520606 Tacky Special Double-sided Tape, 6 mm x 10 m, transparent
2689110 LED Fairy Lights, Warm White inc. Battery, 10 LED‘s, White/Silver wire
1621600 Wire Lantern Handles, 19 cm / ø 1 mm
1621501 Lantern Rod with Wire, 60 cm

In addition: template, pencil, painting pad, thin cotton gloves, heat resistant pad

1. Transfer the lantern pattern (as shown) onto the Creaflexx and cut it out. Cut the openings with a craft knife. Basecoat the lantern with the dark green acrylic and leave to dry slightly. Then apply the other three acrylic paints randomly by picking up a little paint with the brush, dabbing it onto the paint palette and then brushing irregular, different coloured strokes on top of the dark green. Leave to dry.

2. Take a Creaflexx frame and on two juxtaposed sides use the awl to make holes in the centre at 8cm, 9cm, 10cm, 11cm and 12cm. (Push the awl 1-2 cm through the Creaflexx as you need to make sure the holes are large enough so that the thread can be easily threaded through.)

Cut five 40cm pieces of green cotton cord. Thread a length of cord through each hole in one side of the frame to the centre of the cord. Fold the cords in two, tying a knot in each close to the frame edge. Thread 2-3 wooden beads from the green bead mix on the end of the strings with an occasional football button. Tie a knot in the cords after threading each bead, varying the height as you go. Repeat with the turquoise cotton cord and the blue bead mix for the other side of the frame.

Repeat for the second frame.

3. Place the large lantern coloured side down. Heat the taps with the heat gun and bend them upwards at a right angle. Keep them in position with a ruler until the Creaflexx starts to cool down and retain its shape (2-3 minutes). Then heat one side of the lantern and bend it up at a right angle. Hold it in position until it cools down. Repeat for the other side. Heat the sides with tabs, bending them around the upright sides, sticking the tabs to the outside of the frame. (As long as the Creaflexx is warm the adhesive will stick and then hold when cold.)

Heat a frame from Step 2 and stick it to one side of the lantern with the beads hanging down on the two closed sides. Heat the second frame and stick it to the other side of the lantern.

Note: We recommend wearing thin cotton gloves when working wth Creaflexx as the glue can become very hot when heated.

4. Heat and roll up the inner part of the frame (approx. 15 x 15 cm of Creaflexx) to form a 15cm long tube. Loosely wrap the fairy lights around the Creaflexx roll and insert the battery compartment inside the tube. Place the lantern on one side and heat this side from the centre with the heat gun. Press the roll in position in the lantern.

5. Cut out two 19 x 19 cm pieces from the star shine foil. Stick Tacky double-sided tape around the edges of the glossy side of the foils and then stick them to the inside of the lantern.

Use the awl to pierce a hole through the tip of the lantern, front and back. Put a wooden bead on one side of the lantern wire. Bend the wire at about 3 cm and thread it through one of the holes before bending it upwards and sliding the wooden bead down over the end. Repeat for the other side of the lantern wire before attaching the lantern rod.

 

Check out the Trends Autumn/Winter 2017 catalogue for Creaflexx and Starshine Foil.

Pumpkin Table Runner

Tyvek is a versatile product as it can be sewn or glued and doesn’t rip easily. Not only does it make it ideal for kite making but also for party table runners, especially themed children’s parties!

Get ready for Halloween with this spooky Pumpkin Table Runner designed by Kathleen Hauck…

Tools:
1802913 Soft-Cut Premium Line Scissors, 21 cm, black/blue
1802523 Comfortline Scalpel inc. 5 blades
1802526 Comfortline Cutting Mat, DIN A3, printed both sides
1802730 Aluminium Ruler, 30 cm
1812100 Lino and Wood Cutting Tool Set
1813100 Roller, 60 mm
1813300 Roller, 120 mm

Materials:
1600515 Tyvek Soft – DuPont, 70 x 100 cm, 44 g / m², white
1797010 Punch 4XL, Circle 3.5 Inch, 88 mm
Papier Offcut eg: 1549901 My Colors Cardstock snowbound
1851004 Lino Sheet, DIN A4, 3.2 mm
6000938 FolkArt Acrylic Paint, 59 ml, licorice
1055189 Foam Sheet, 300 x 450 x 2 mm, black
4550028 iZINK Textilfarbe, dalhia

In addition: a large sheet of paper, scrap paper, carbon paper, template, pencil, old lid

1. Cut the Tyvek in two lengthways so you have two 35 x 100 cm pieces. Cover your work surface and place a strip of Tyvek on it. Cut out 6 circles from the paper offcut and spread them over the Tyvek strip. Shake the textile spray before test spraying onto the scrap paper. Then spray the Tyvek table runner with the orange textile spray, paying particular attention to where the circles are. Leave to dry.

Tip: Tyvek can be sewn or glued together with contact adhesive if the table runner is too short.

2. Cut a piece of lino approx 26 x 7 cm. (Do this by cutting the lino upper surface with a scalpel. Then bend it in two to break it, cutting the woven back with the scalpel.) Place the carbon paper on the lino with the template on top. Trace the design with the pencil.

NB: The picture on the lino must always be a mirror image of the final design print. This is especially important to note when text is used.

3. Lino printing is a high-pressure process. This means that everything that remains on the lino’s surface will be visible when printing whilst everything that is cut away will not.

Cut out the contours of the pumpkins with the V shaped cutting blade. Use a slightly wider cutting tool to cut out the eyes, nose and mouth of the pumpkins. Then remove the lino surface around the pumpkins using the wide blade. Since the blades are very sharp, you should always work away from your body.

Tip: If the lino is too hard heat the surface with a hair dryer. When the lino is warm it becomes softer and easer to work with.

4. Place the foam sheet underneath the table runner wherever you want to stamp. Squeeze a little black acrylic paint onto the old lid and work it onto the small roller. Use the roller to cover the lino pumpkin design with a generous coat of paint. Position the lino face down on the table runner where you want to print the pumpkins. Use the clean large roller to slowly roll over the back of the lino, applying even pressure. Carefully lift the lino and re-ink it before printing your next image. Repeat as may times as desired. Then leave to dry.

You can download the template from Efco’s German website. (Clicking the link will open up another window with the German version of this project and you’ll find the template at the bottom of the page.)

Efco’s range of Tyvek products can be seen on Page 92 of the Basics Catalogue.