It's November!
Since Thanksgiving is just around the corner, I thought I'd try something new. This month, I'm working hard at being thankful for things. I don't know about you, but it's so easy for me to start wishing I had more or wishing I was someone else doing something else.
I really don't like feeling this way. So this month I'm figuring out ways to shoot those thoughts down (Katniss Everdeen style, of course).
So let's begin this journey with a crapt that will (hopefully) help me to be more thankful. This week's crapt is a container which will hold our daily record of things we're thankful for. Inspired by this
awesome post, I made my own batik-style paper and used it to cover the container.
Materials:
- empty and clean oatmeal container <-- crap!
- scissors
- exacto knife
- crayons
- paper bag (or any paper)
- craft paint (black and other)
- sponge brush
- paper towel
- Mod Podge (or any other glue)
Directions:
Step 1: Cut out an opening on the top of your container.
Step 2: Measure and cut out two sheets of paper. One sheet will cover the top of your container. The other will cover the container's sides. (Note: I just used a paper bag. For the most part this worked just fine. But you'll notice that my final colors just aren't
that bright. I think using white paper probably would have worked better.)
Step 3: Draw your design with crayon. Be sure to press hard and cover your entire sheet with crayon. This process will take a long time and your fingers and wrists may get sore. (Ok, I admit. I've got weak wrists and had to take several breaks.)
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Here I drew the design and then had to go back and color in the background too |
Step 4: Mix your black craft paint with a bit of water.
Step 5: Crumple your entire drawing. (The crumpled bits will allow your black paint to adhere in interesting ways.)
Step 6: Cover your work area with scrap paper. It's going to get messy.
Step 7: Begin batiking! Using your foam brush, brush black paint over your drawing. Then, before the paint dries, use a paper towel to wipe the paint off. Repeat this painting and wiping process until you've painted and wiped your entire drawing.
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As you can see, crumpling the paper added lovely black lines. Also, I forgot to color in parts of the paper, resulting in black areas near the paper towel. |
Now I probably don't need to tell you this... but try your best to not touch the paint. Otherwise you'll end up with lovely hands like mine...
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Does this make me a real artist? |
Step 7: Let your paper dry. (It won't take very long.)
Step 8: Glue your paper onto your container. I found my design to be rather dark, so I painted a green heart to lighten everything up.
Step 9: Create mini "I'm thankful" sheets.
I've placed the container, sheets of paper, and a pencil near our television. Every day hubby and I are going to record at least one thing that we're thankful for and place it in the container. Hopefully this act of recording daily blessings will help grow a spirit of thankfulness in us.
Do you have any nice ways for living a contented life?