Making Split Cakes

I have another face painting one for you today... yippee!!!

A lot of face painter's out there will tell you it can get quite expensive buying split cakes, as they can cost more then the single colour face paint's themselves. So today I am going to show you how you can make split cakes out of the colours you already have.

If your reading this this thinking 'what do cakes have to do with anything?' I don't blame you, I was the same when I first heard about split cakes. Basically a split cake is 2 or more colours pushed together in a single pot so you can pick up all the colours in a single stroke of your brush. 

You will need:

• Face Paints (colours you want in your cake)
• A Pot
• Knife / Artists Spatula
• Ruler
• Paper
• Tissue (to clean knife)

First of all you want to pick out what colours you want to use. Try to pick colours that blend well together as they will blend together a little on the brush.

Next you  want to measure out your pot, you can either use a new pot of an old face paint pot that you have used all of the paint out of, baring in mind round ones are harder to fit the paint into.

Using a ruler and paper, either draw around your pot or mark out the outline. This will become the template for cutting out the paint to size.

The potsI am using are just ones I have collected from my uncle, I think they had chocolates in but they have been washed, and it doesn't matter that they don't have a lid as I don't find they need one. 

Once you have your template, you need to mark out on your paint where you need to cut. I just use the tip on my spatula to put little dents in as the paint is soft.

Now you need to cut down into the paint, be gentle as sometimes the paint can break and crack. Make sure you go over each cut a couple of times to make sure it is cut all the way down. 

Then you need to price it out with the knife or spatula and transfer it to the new pot. Don't worry if it breaks because you can just mold it back together in the new pot.

Now do the same with the other colours until your split cake is completed. Remember to wipe off your knife or spatula between colours with a tissue. 

...And here is the end result! 

I know there are a few cracks in the orange, but they will fade out after the 2 or 3 uses. So, not as neat as the shop bought ones but its a lot cheaper, means you can pick out your own colours and order they go in and you get the same results so these are all round winners for me!

Hope this helped :)

Stay Inspired

Amy

xxx

Accordion Pocket

Hello!

Today I have making some accordion pockets to go in scrapbooks I am making, so I thought I would show you how to make them.

The one I will be showing you is one I am making to go on the inside cover of a scrapbook but I have also made another one this morning with file tabs in to keep in my handbag, all I did was cover the back with paper too so it didn't look messy. 

You will need:

• C5 Sized Envelopes
• 6''x 6'' Decorative Papers
• Paper Cutter / Ruler & Scissors
• Scoring Tool
• Adhesive (Double sided tape is easiest for this)
• Magnets (Optional)

I am using magnets for my closure but you can use any type of closure you want. These also look really cute with the string closure.

First you need to cut your envelopes at 4 1/2'' from the bottom, like in the picture.

You can cut as many envelopes as you want, but you want at least 4 otherwise there isn't enough stability and it might rip when you open it. I am doing 5 today.

Next you need to stick all of your envelopes together to create an accordion. I find that double sided tape works the best as it gives you straight lines so your pocket opens neatly. Place the tape on pockets as I'v shown in the picture, making sure to leave about an inch at either side. Line all your envelopes up together making sure the openings are all at the top.

Using the top part from one of the envelopes, seal it shut and from this edge you want to score at 2'' and then at 2 1/4''. This will give you enough depth for up to approximately 8 envelopes with photos in. If you are wanting it deeper just change the score line. So, instead of 1/4'' between, you could but 1/2''. Then on the open edge, cut diagonally down from the score line. This will make the finished pocket look neater.

Now you can stick the flap you just made on to the back of the pocket. Make sure to line it up with the edges of your pocket so you don't end up with a wonky flap.

If you are using magnets, you want to stick them on now so you can hide the tape under the decorative paper. I just use duct tape to secure my magnets on, because it is quick and strong enough that they won't be pulled off when I go to open the pocket. Make sure your magnets line up and that the positive side of one is to the negative side of the other, otherwise you won't be able to close your pocket.

Now you just need to add you decorative paper. The piece on the flap is 6''x 1 3/4'' and the larger piece is 6''x 41/4''. I also add a piece on the inside of the flap to hide the magnet which is also 6''x 1 3/4''. If you covering the back you will need a piece that is 6''x 4 1/4''.

Then add any embellishments you like and voilà! 

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and get creative with it. 

Stay Inspired

Amy

xxx

5 Easy Face Painting designs

Hello again!

Face painting is a fun way to entertain the kids all year round. Whether its dress up day at school and you can't find a costume, or its summer holidays and they're complaining they're bored every 5 minutes (trust me, I know how it feels). It can be a saviour at Halloween and birthday parties, and you don't need to be an artist, you just need some imagination... and some face paints.

I wrote a blog post about starting out with face painting and all of the supplies you will need, but if you are just doing it to entertain the kids, you may just want to buy 3 - 5 colours depending on what designs you want to paint, I would definitely recommend black though, as black is used in almost every design out there to outline and add detail. 

If you want to read that post, the link is here:
http://libidascreations.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/thinking-of-face-painting.html

I have put together 5 easy designs for you to try out and give you some inspiration.

Clockwise from top left: Pirate, Elsa Crown, Spider web eye, Flowers and finally, a Tiger.

I know some of them look a bit complicated but they are all done using basic techniques. Here's how I did them...

Pirate: 

• Cover the whole forehead in with red, either with a sponge or a brush, doesn't really matter which. Add two little trail bits down one side to create the knot.
• Next draw an eye patch around one eye and fill in with black.
• Outline the bottom of the head scarf with black using a thin brush and draw a circle above your two trail pieces, this will create your knot and then outline the trails.
• Don't forget to add the strings from the eye patch leading up diagonally as if they are tucking under the head scarf.

Optional:

• Draw a thin red line on the cheek and draw little black lines over to look like stitches over a scar. 
• Then draw a mustache on the top lip.
• For extra effect, you can add black or white dots randomly to the head scarf to make it stand out a bit more.

Elsa Crown: (Frozen)

Try to keep this design as symmetrical as you can.

• First draw a blue diamond in the middle of the forehead.
• Using a yellow or a gold, paint a line curving down each side making sure to meet at top and bottom.
• Then from the bottom point, draw an arch over each eyebrow. 
• Add a curved point shape to each side of the center bit and triangles on both sides.

Optional:

• Using white paint, add some flicks with your brush, down from the center of the crown and from each eye.
• You could also try adding dots of different sizes randomly to the design to create some interest and make it look more detailed.

Spider Web Eye:

• Sponge on whatever background colour you would like, covering one eye completely. Extend the colour out towards the hairline, going up diagonally and out along the cheek.
• Let the base colour dry. Then add black lines down the outer edge of the face, all aiming towards the nose. Make sure to bring the top line down onto the top of the nose and the bottom line almost meeting the nose, and both ending in a thin point.
• Now just add curved lines between these to make it look like a spiderweb.

Optional:

• You could add a little spider to your design by doing two dots and flick 8 little legs out from them.

I know my spider in the picture looks rubbish, but my cat rubbed against my arm as I was doing it and I couldn't be bothered wiping it off and starting it again.

Flowers:

• First you need to paint the flowers. You do this by loading up your brush with whatever colour you want and placing the point on the skin. Now keeping the point of the brush in the center, push down outwards 5 times going round in a circle to create the petals. Should look like this...

• Don't forget about the dot in the middle to finish off each flower. You can do as many flowers as you like in as many different colours.
• Next, load your brush with green and add lines between the flowers to look like they are on a vine. try to make it curve a little to look more natural.
• Then with the green still, add some leaves onto the vine just like you did the flower petals but instead of doing 5 just do 1 for each leave.

Optional:

• You can add some dots in any colour randomly around flowers to create a bit more interest or try adding a bit of glitter for some sparkle.

Tiger:

• Sponge white onto both eyes, making sure to take the colour up above the eyebrow at an angle and end in points at either side of the forehead.
• Now sponge Orange between the white on the forehead, taking it down the nose and across under each eye going about half way down the cheek.
• Outline the white areas with thin black lines.
• Add a heart shape to the end of the nose in black.
• Then just add some lines from the outer edges aiming into the middle of the design to create the tiger stripes.

Optional:

• Add three little dots at each side of the top lip and three lines to represent the tigers whiskers.

So, I hope you have fun trying out these designs and feel free to experiment and change them to suit your style. 

Stay Inspired

Amy

xxx

Face Painting - Practicing

Hello again!


I wanted to talk to you more about face painting. The other day I posted about starting off face painting and what essentials you needed to buy to get you started. Here is a link to that post:

http://libidascreations.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/thinking-of-face-painting.html

And I hope that post got you thinking about starting face painting because it is a really fun hobby and you have the potential to earn a little extra money from it if you decide to. But, before you get to that stage, you need to practice!

So whether you practice on yourself or some victim out there who doesn't know it yet, you need to get some designs done and it helps to practice. I know it comes without saying that the more you practice, the better you will get, but there are other benefits to come from it too. Such as, say if you have a design, the first couple of times you paint this design you will probably need a picture or drawing for reference, but, if you practice it, you will find that after a few times you won't need a reference anymore because you've practiced it and you know how to paint it without the reference. 

When I first started, I used Google images a lot by just searching 'face painting designs' and trying to copy from the images that came up. Now though, when I'm doing new designs, I also use Pinterest and YouTube for ideas and references. Usually I will start by copying the image or video once to see if I can do the design (trust me, for some of them it seems like you need to go through art college first), but also to see roughly how much paint is used as this all plays a part when it comes to pricing. 

Once I have copied the design once, I will take a photo and I draw out onto a template my own version of it. Like this... 

As you can see with this design I haven't changed too much as it is a simple design anyway. I just took some of the dots away and I've added some glitter, I have also replaced the snowflake in the center with just some simple flicks as I was trying to keep it simple. I have done this because I do charge for my face painting and I was trying to keep this one within a price range, which is with some of my cheaper designs. 

So, once I have drawn out my version of the design, I then paint out my design. While I am doing this, I make sure to time how long it takes as this adds to the pricing too (obviously designs that take longer will cost more).

This is my design painted out...

There is glitter on the dots under the eyes and on the blue diamond but you can't really see it in this photo. 

This is how I came up with a lot of my designs when I first started and I still use this method now for some of them. But the more designs you do, and the more you face paint, you will come up with your own style and methods that suit you. Sometimes I just sit down with a face template and draw whatever comes into mind. 

So, I hope this will help you come up with some designs of your own and remember... you have to practice!


Stay Inspired
Amy
xxx

Matchbox DIY

Hello!

Today I have a matchbox tutorial for you.I know there are tutorials out there already but they all seem to be videos which a lot of people out there can't keep up with including me!
I get sick of having to stop and start the video every 30 seconds and then I lose track of what I'm suppose to be doing.
So I thought I would make a tutorial myself that you can follow at your own speed. This one will have a lot of photos but I've tried to make it easy to follow and I will even show you how to make a bow at the end. :)

You will need:

• 2 x A4 card (2 colours)
• Glue
• Scoring tool
• Scissors
• Envelope Punch Board
• Gems / Diamontes

First to create the box tray, you will need to cut one piece of card stock to 6'' x 6''. Then you need the envelope punch board and punch at 2'' on one side and score down the guide. Rotate your card 90 degrees and punch at 3'' and score. Rotate again and punch at 2'' and score. Rotate again and punch at 3'' and score. Your card should look like this...

Next you want to line up each of those score lines that meet the edge of the page with the pointy bit that comes out of the punch. Punch and score at each of these points. Here's a picture to help you line up your score lines.

You should end up with a rectangle in the middle, with two large flaps at either side and two small flaps at the top and bottom. On one of the small flaps, you need to fold the first score line and punch a notch in the center of that fold to create the little pull hole so you can open and close the box.

Now you need to fold all of your score lines and also makes another fold by folding the triangle into the rectangle as pictured below...

Once you have done this on all four sides your card should look something like this... 

If you look at your card, you will notice that in between each triangle there is a little square in each corner. You need to cut down one side of each of these squares. These squares with become little glue tabs to keep your box together. 

Now you have finished with all the cutting and scoring on this part, it needs to be all stuck together so apply glue to the triangles and between score lines and fold into center of box making sure to secure the squares inside the long edges of the box as shown... 

Now this part is optional, you are going to make a base for your box tray to make it look a bit neater. If you are putting tissue paper in or anything like that, I wouldn't bother with this bit as the bottom will be covered anyway.

To make the base, you need to cut out a piece to 2 1/4'' x 3 1/2'' and simply glue to the bottom of your box tray. 

Now that's the hard part over, now you just need to make the wrap around bit to slide your box into. All you need to do for this part is cut a piece of card to 6 3/4'' x 3 3/4''. Score at 1 1/4'', 2'', 4 3/8'' and 5 1/8''.
Fold along all of these score lines to make it easier to wrap around your box. Then add a line of glue to one end and fix to the opposite end. Sometimes its easier to do around your box. 

Now you can either leave it plain like this or you can embellish with whatever you like. I am going to put a bow on mine and I will show you how to make one that's fits perfectly using the envelope punch board again.

You need to cut a piece of card to 1'' x 71/8''. Punch each end using the envelope punch board to make it look like the ends of ribbon. 

Now you need to punch down each side at 1 1/2'' and 3 1/2'' then flip it over and punch each side again at 1 1/2''. It should look something like this... 

Curl the two sections in the middle with a pencil or a bone folder to help bend them like a ribbon. 

Now add a small amount of glue into the center of the bow and if you are using patterned paper, the glue needs to go on the back. Bend the other two thin sections to meet up to the middle making sure you bend the ends out again. It should look like this...

Apply some glue on the back of your bow and stick it to the top of your box. I have added 3 pearl gems into the middle of my bow but you can put anything there from diamontes to a small embellishment or even add a tag if it is a gift. 

You can use these match boxes for anything from gifts to storage for paperclips and little things like that, even advent calenders with 24 of them glued together.
I will post a blog one day showing you all the different things I have made with these matchboxes to give you some inspiration. 

Hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and find it easy to follow and have fun making matchboxes!

Thank you so much and if you have any requests or help with anything just comment below and I will try my best to help. :)


Stay Inspired
Amy
xxx

No Cut Gift Bag

Hello!

The other day I made some bath bombs for a friend a work and I wanted a bag or box to put them in for her, to make them look more professional rather than just giving them to her loose. So I've come up with a gift bag that is really easy to make... literally a 3 year old could make one. I've tried to take photos showing how you make it but my photography skills aren't that good so bare with me and I will explain all.

You will need:

• A4 Paper / Card
• Ruler
• Scoring tool (optional, you can just fold)
• Adhesive
• Hole Punch
• Ribbon

First of all, you need to score or fold your paper at 1 3/4'' down each side length ways. And then turn your paper so its horizontal and score or fold at 3/4'' and 4 3/4'' from both directions. You should end up with something looking like this...

Then this bit is slightly tricky to explain but I'm going to try my best. You need to fold in the long side panel and bend it back on itself at the 4 3/4'' fold so the edges of the paper lines up... something like this. And you need to do this on all four score lines.

Now you need to add your adhesive to the long edges of paper and stick down. It doesn't matter if you use wet glue or double sided tape, as long as you don't go over the diagonal score line and you only keep to about 1/2'' from the edge it will still work. 

Now fold those two long panels into the center and bring the two ends up to meet at the top. You can either leave it here and close it with a pretty sticker over the top, or add Velcro to the inside to Velcro it shut. Or you can add some holes with your hold punch and thread a ribbon through and tie it off with a big bow just like I have.

There are so many possibilities with this bag and once you've made a couple and got the hang of it, you can start experimenting with sizes by folding at different measurements like I have. You just have to make sure that where ever you fold on one side is mirrored on the other side, otherwise you end up with a wonky bag! :)

So I hope you have fun with this and go crazy making loads like I did!

Stay Inspired

Amy

xxx