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Oct 18 2009

Quilling with Kids — Ms. Pumpkin Head

Published by under Quilling Inspiration,Quilling with Kids

My youngest daughter would tell you she is craft-challenged when it comes to the actual execution of a project, but she is as crafty as they come and has great ideas.  The other day we were discussing Halloween and she suggested that I quill a face for a pumpkin.  I’m thinking, “OK, I can quill some yellow triangles for eyes ….,” which didn’t seem too exciting so I put that idea away. 
 
quilling-pumpkin-headWhen Jen asked me if I had made the pumpkin yet, I knew I needed to take another look at the possibilities.  And then it hit me — I could quill real features for the pumpkin, just like a Mr. Potato Head!

 

I used a tiny gourd-type pumpkin found at the grocery store.  There is no pattern since you would have to adjust the quilling shapes to fit whatever size pumpkin you had, but here is a list of the coils I used:
 
  • Eyes:  Tight coils starting with black for the pupil, then blue for the iris, and finishing with white.  The eyelashes are fringed from a 3/8″ wide strip.
  • Nose:  Teardrop
  • Mouth:  Two half-circles on top with one large half circle on the bottom.  Glue them together and pinch the sides.
  • Ears:  Two curved teardrops; larger on top, smaller on the bottom.
 
I accessorized this stylish Miss with jump rings for earrings and a blue bow tied to her stem to match her eyes.  I glued the features directly to the pumpkin using Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue, but any strong, thick glue should do fine.
 
This would be a great project to do with children.  If you need further inspiration, simply surf the Internet for additional photos of decorated pumpkins.  Turn your pumpkin into a scary monster with jagged teeth or a beautiful princess with a crown.  You could color your pumpkin first with markers before gluing on the features if you’d like.  The possibilities are endless.  Just pull out your quilling papers and let your imagination go wild!
 
Quilling Tip:  The idea isn’t just for pumpkins.  You can quill faces for all sorts of fruits and vegetables.  How about a yellow squash bird or an eggplant clown with a big red nose?  This is one time when it is fine if children play with their food.
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May 15 2009

Five Basic Quilling Coils

Published by under Quilling How-To

Coils are the building blocks of most quilling patterns.  They can be made in all shapes and sizes, but the one thing all coils have in common is that after the strip is rolled, the loose end of the paper is glued to itself. 
 
basic-coils6Tight Coil:  Using your quilling tool of choice, roll your strip of paper tightly, being sure to keep the paper aligned as you roll.  Place a small dab of glue at the end of the strip, glue to the roll, and hold until set.  Remove the tool.
Loose Coil:  Roll a strip into a tight coil.  Remove the tool and allow the roll to uncoil.  Glue the loose end of the paper to the coil.
Teardrop:  Make a loose coil.  Hold the coil between the index fingers and thumbs of both hands.  Using one hand, pinch your finger and thumb together catching the paper and forming a point.  Leave the other end rounded.
Marquise:  Make a loose coil.  Hold the coil between the index fingers and thumbs of both hands.  Instead of pinching the paper with one hand to form the teardrop, pinch the paper with both hands at the same time, leaving the center of the coil round.  
Pressed Heart:  Make a loose coil and pinch it into a teardrop.  With your fingernail or toothpick, indent the center of the round end to form a heart shape.
 
Next time, I’ll show you how to make the basic quilling scrolls. 
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