Live Inspired Accordion Book

Live Inspired Accordion Book by Iris Rodriguez

Hello Makers!

I am not a big book maker. I’ve made like a few, but they have been very simple and whimsical. This little accordion book is easy and fun to make. Add motivational phrases or words, or affirmations. Not into the words, then add pictures of your children, relatives. This book is made using the white Makin’s Clay, Mini Geo Cutters and whimsy.

Materials:

Makin's Clay® – White

Makin's®– Mini Geo Cutters
Makin's Professional® Ultimate Clay Machine
DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paint-Peony Pink, Warm White, Orange Canyon
Alphabet Stamps
Scrapbooking paper
Quote/phrase computer print out
Glue

Making the Book Cover

Condition the clay using Makin's Professional® Ultimate Clay Machine®, roll out a sheet of white  clay to the second 2^ththickest setting.

Ensure that the sheet is big enough for the front and back covers of the book.

Stamp a phrase, word, sentiment using a rubber or clay alphabet stamps.

Using the Makin’s® Mini Geo cutter set, stamp images by lightly pressing the cutters into the clay and not cutting through. Cut the book to a desired size; center on the phrase/word. You can also cut the clay after it dries with scissors.

On the second sheet (back cover) stamp images with the Mini Geo cutters, ensure to fill the sheet to the intended book cover size. The clay shrinks a little when dry, recommend cutting the back cover after it dries. 

Allow the book covers to dry for 24 hours. Cut the back cover to desired size.

 Sponge on acrylic paint.

Color in the stamped images and letters with a fine permanent marker. Seal the book covers with polymer clay sealer or polyurethane.

 

Making the Book Pages

Select scrapbooking/designer paper. A single 12x12 inch sheet works well. Or you can paint/stamp a background onto a sheet of watercolor paper. 

Cut a long strips of scrapbooking paper slightly smaller than the book cover, about 1/16 to 1/8 inch smaller. 

Fold the strip in an accordion fashion. Fold the width about 1/16 to 1/8 inch smaller than the cover. Glue strips to lengthen the pages.

Glue one end of the pages onto the front cover. 

Glue the opposite end to the back cover. 

Print or stamp an inspirational phrase unto white cardstock or copy paper, then cut out the words/phrases. Ensure the phrases will fit across the page. 

Glue the phrases with a glue stick; keeps the paper from warping. Vary the grouping and angle of word/phrases on each page to give it variety and whimsy.

 

Now you’re done! Go forth and gift this book to someone who needs inspiration today.

Always Wear Your Invisible Crown Shadowbox Assemblage

Always Wear Your Invisible Crown Shadowbox Assemblage
by Iris Rodriguez

Hello Makers!

I like inspirational quotes. I’ve always thought of a quotes as tiny burst of wisdom wrapped in a phrase; that pack a big punch of sense. So that is why I got inspired to make a little assemblage piece with a quote.

Materials:

Small Shadowbox
Makin's Clay® Red, Brown, Blue, Natural, Yellow, Green, Black
Makin's® 

• Florals Push Mold
• Roller and Cutter Set

Makin's Professional® Cutting Mat
Cardstock Paper
Black Inkpad
Gold Mica Powder
Blue Mica Powder

White Gesso

Blue and White Acrylic Paint

Clear drying adhesive 

Paint brush

Making the Shadowbox

Use a small box, box lid or small shadowbox, I used a lid from a box, measuring 5” x 5”. Paint the box with white gesso and blue acrylic paint.

Making the Bird

To determine roughly how much clay you will need to make the bird, take a small chunk of clay, make a quick teardrop shape and measure it inside the box. Add or break off clay as desired. Then sculpt the bird. I used a picture for reference. The basic idea for sculpting a bird is as follows: 

1. Start out by making a teardrop shape
2. On the pointed part of the teardrop sculpt the tail
3. On the rounded end of the teardrop, shape the head by sculpting a mound upwards
4. On the head, sculpt the mouth, by simply making triangle shape
5. For the eye roll a tiny piece of black clay into a round shape and place on head

6. For the wing, make a teardrop, then flatten with the clay roller

Note:  Fresh clay sticks to fresh clay without additional adhesive.  If needed, moisten clay with a touch of water before adhering, or if preferred, use a clear drying adhesive. 

Making the Crown

To make the crown, roll out a small piece of yellow clay using the clay roller.

Measure the circumference of crown on the bird.

Cut the length and width to size.

Then with a sharp cutting tool, cut out the triangles or zig zag shapes.

To give the crown some bling, dust on some gold mica powder.

Making the Tree and Flowers

To make the tree, roll three different size log shapes of various sizes with brown clay. Always use odd numbers for branches.

Using the logs, measure them inside the box, until the tree shape and size is satisfactory. Then attach the logs (branches together), by blending together with a little water.

To make a bark texture, use the dull size of a cutting tool to make striations.

For the flowers, push the clay into the Floral Push Mold.  The molds are flexible, so you do not have to wait until the clay has dried to remove the elements.  Trim any excess clay from your molded shapes.

To make pink clay, blend Natural or White with Red.

Let all your pieces cure for at least 24 hours.

Putting it all Together

Print the quote on cardstock, or stamp it. The quote looked lonely at the bottom, so I decided to jazz it up with the baroque (swirl) shape from Makin's Clay® Florals Push Mold. I used part of the shape and cut out the rest. I also brushed on some blue Mica Powder.

Assemble and glue all the pieces together.