What are Artist Trading Cards (ATCs)?

So you want to know what Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) are?

My personal definition of ATCs is that they are a fun way to share a piece of yourself with friends, family, and future acquaintances. The ATCs that I have done have involved some amount of quilling, so for me an ATC is a way to share what I am passionate about. You too can share your passion, an art form, medium, quote, dream, or craft that you love.

Now for the official definition as taken from Wikipedia:

Artist Trading Cards are individual art miniatures which pass hand to hand. Some sources have credited M. Vänçi Stirnemann, who began trading sessions in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1997, as popularizing ATCs in the modern era, although modern ATC's can be traced back to portrait miniatures and to a kind of business card popular with Impressionistic era artists.^[1]

The official size of an Artist Trading Card is 2.5 in x 3.5 in (6.4 cm x 8.9 cm). Think of baseball trading cards and the idea is the same. The orientation can be either vertical or horizontal and I have created them both ways.

Some form of cardstock usually is the base of the ATC but any material can be used. Think of polymer clay, thin balsa wood or metal to give you some alternative ideas.

From what I have seen and read, the only thing they have to be is 2.5 in x 3.5 in (6.4 cm x 8.9 cm). Everything else is up to you!

Some ideas for your ATCs:

• If you draw, sketch a design on your card blank
• Paint with acrylic or oils or watercolors
• Scrap a shabby chic design
• Take the "altered" approach and alter your trading card
• Decoupage your trading card

Controversy
Yes, even with Artist Trading Cards there is controversy. The generally accepted approach is that they are to be "traded, not sold"

So the controversy arises when some artists sell theirs. I personally have only given mine away. That is because I love to share what I do with others, and this is a small way for me to connect with people and share quilling.

So this is all about what ATCs are. Click Here and for instructions to make my One World, One Heart ATC that I made for Lisa Oceandreamer (refer to the picture).



There are plenty of places to go to trade your ATCs online, just look for swaps online and you can find one of your own.

If you are interested in a swap, let me know... I'd love to do one.

Enjoy!
Antonella :-)

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, Artist Trading Card, ATC, OWOH, childrens crafts

Read More

Wow! Wonderful Gifts

I am just beside myself with happiness! I have been so fortunate to receive both of my One World, One Heart gifts.

A special thanks to Sherry and Latharia for their special gifts.

Sherry, Esprit d'Art , she sent me her Heart of the Soul collage. She is so beautiful, I wish I could do more than share a picture. I couldn't wait to open her up and meet her. She will have a special place in my work room so that she can inspire me. There is a quote that I really love to read "People will love you for the honesty within your soul" what a beautiful thought. She will inspire me to think positive happy thoughts!

Latharia, Loquacity of Latharia, gave me a bunch of goodies as my special secret prize. She sent me clear alphabet stamps, a mini scrapbook, gel pens, maple leaf brads (perfect for a fall layout I am thinking of), and some holiday stickers. I am so excited.

This has been such a fun and wonderful experience.

Many Thanks,
Antonella :-)

Read More

Free Pattern Quilling Artist Trading Card

I promised that I would share the pattern for the One World, One Heart Artist Trading Card (ATC) that I made for Lisa Oceandreamer.

For this ATC I used a variety of techniques and I also played with fonts. I think that my passions run from Paper (being top of the list) to fonts running a close second. Of course, these are outside of the real-life people in my life - lol.

This was a one of a kind ATC as I was making it as a gift for Lisa as hostess of the One World, One Heart blogging event. She really went above and beyond and I can only imagine all the work she put in to keep up with all the requests to join the event.

Many of my projects involve the use of a product called PowerPoint. This is a Microsoft product that allows me to play with objects and place them where I want. I created the text One World One Heart in a font called Scriptina, http://desktoppub.about.com/library/fonts/hs/uc_scriptina.htm, there are a variety of places you can download it, this is just one of them.

I like this font because it has a very thin line and flows well (it even works on vellum). This is what I did:

• I placed the text as though I had stamped it all over my 2.5 in x 3.5 in (6.5 cm x 8.9 cm) trading card area.
• I let the text run over the side of the trading card area because I knew that I was going to crop it later.
• I printed it on a white cardstock, so I added a translucent pink to the area that would be cropped.
• The other thing that I did was to use different shades of pink and red so that the center text would really stand out. You can see this if you look at the picture.

Then I printed it out and cropped it so that it was 2 in by 3 in (5 cm x 7.6 cm). I did this because I mounted it on a glistening pink color cardstock.

I inked all of the sides with a rose colored stamp pad to give it that shabby chic appearance. What can I say, I like inking the edges of my papers.

Now I was ready for the quilling, and I have been really into scrolls lately and so I used double scrolls and heart scrolls.

• 6 - 3 in (7.6 cm) White Double Scrolls
• 3 - 3 in (7.6 cm) Red Heart Scrolls
• 1 - 3 in (7.6 cm) Green V-scroll
• 1 - 1.5 in (3.8 cm) Green shaped Teardrop
• 1 - 1.5 in (3.8 cm) Green strip for the stem

• My favorite thing about the double scrolls is that if you arrange them in a certain way, they join together to make a heart. Like ornamental ironwork. So I used this to my advantage, playing on the "heart" theme of the event.
  
  
• I arranged 2 pairs of double scrolls this way creating 2 "Hearts with a flourish"
  
  
• I arranged 2 Heart-scrolls with the pointed ends touching and then took the remaining 2 double scrolls and glued them to either side. I then added a rhinestone in the center.
  
  
• The final element I added was a heart flower. For this I added a Heart-Scroll wrapped with a V-Scroll and then placed a strip of green quilling paper and added a shaped teardrop for the leaf.

I hope that this inspires you to try making one of your own Artist Trading Cards.

Enjoy!

Copyright for Personal Use Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, Artist Trading Card, ATC, OWOH, childrens crafts, free quilling pattern, free ATC pattern

Read More

Free Quilling Instructions Double Scroll

Scrolls, scrolls, and more scrolls.... I really love scrolls!

They add a delicate touch to any design that you may have. Today I will share with you the Double Scroll.

The instructions are simple. To make the double scroll:

• Take a strip of quilling paper
• Fold it nearly in half, leave about 1/8 in (.3 cm) between the tips of the folded paper.
• Condition both ends of the strip such that each end is curved in the same direction.
• Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin.
• Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper.
• Roll the paper toward the fold starting with the shorter side.
  
• They should both the rolled in the same direction on the same side so that you end up with 2 scrolls (one on top of the other).

See the picture for guidance. There are many fun designs you can make with this shape!

Enjoy!
Copyright for Personal Use Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling pattern, quilling double scroll, free pattern, childrens crafts

Read More

Pink Artist Parade of Squares

This is for all those suffering from breast cancer and those who know people who are. Monica from "Girl Gone Thread Wild" I am attaching her words here, because she says it best:

"the pink artist"

is a community of artists joining together
to create one joint art doll to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
When doll is complete, it will be mailed in to Art Doll Quarterly™
before finally being auctioned off on eBay at a later date.
ALL PROCEEDS WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT CHARITY.

Everyone is being asked to create a 2x2 inch square that must be on a cloth/fabric base because all of the squares are going to be sewn together. Click here to see the squares that she has received so far.

If you want to participate, please visit here to find out details and offer to send in your square (or squares if you have the time).

All squares have to be mailed to her by March 1st.

I hope you give this a try!

Technorati Tags: pink artist, pink artist parade of squares

Read More

Rhondamum's Giveaway

WOW!!!! I am loving this... Here is another giveaway from a very talented Rhonda. Please stop by her post to find out all the details and don't forget to leave a message!

Stay tuned, I will plan another giveaway in March.

Enjoy!
Antonella :-)

Technorati Tags: giveaway, free gift

Read More

WINNERS One World One Heart

Happy Valentines Day!

Ok, now for the OWOH giveaway.... DRUM ROLL PLEASE.....

Special Thank You Gift For our Hostess, Lisa (Heart of the Nest)...

And the Winners are:

The Quilled Heart in a frame: This Girl Remembers Such a delicate little heart. Hope you enjoy it. Stay tuned, I will post the pattern/instructions for how to make this soon (have to run to work now).



The Santa Ornament: Susie (Creative Rainbows) - If you would like him in a frame instead, please let me know and I can do that for you as well. He is truly adorable, the picture really doesn't do him justice. A version of him will be attending the North American Quilling Guild's Annual Meeting in Rhode Island this May.


I wish I could do something for everyone... Just need more time... :-)

Congratulations to all the winners and special Thanks to everyone who participated. If you are a winner, I will attempt to contact you. Please, please also contact me (you can send an email through my profile here) and send me your snail mail information.

I will make a trip to the post office on Saturday (if I don't hear from you by then, I will mail it out as soon as I can... I package up the quilling to prevent it from being squished in the mail).

This has been so much fun, and utterly exhausting. I am only sorry that I wasn't able to get to everyone to enter all the contests. Next time I will start earlier so that I don't miss out on visiting everyone. I still have to go back and add all these new blogs to my links section - they are all worth visiting again and again.

I promise that I will do more of these giveaways going forward...

Thank you for the opportunity to participate!

Many Hugs and Wishes,
Antonella

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, OWOH, free gift, One World One Heart

Read More

Free Quilling Heart Pattern

This is a very special heart for me. It has been published in the 2008 Accord Quilling-A-Day Calendar.

This pattern is great to use for Valentines Day, Wedding Cards, Anniversaries, any love filled moment or occasion. I have decided to use this pattern as my inspiration piece for the One World, One Heart blogging extravaganza. I say the inspiration, because I will post tomorrow the pattern for the actual giveaway.

I am including this pattern from the calendar here on my blog so that you can easily find it. The bonus is that I will also be sharing some helpful hints that were not included in the calendar.

First, I need to start by saying that there are certain shapes that I absolutely love to use, and the S-scroll shape is definitely one of those shapes. Please click here for the instructions to make the S-scroll shape.

I think you can see by the picture... I think that they make for such a light, elegant look to your quilled design. The only problem I have found with the S-scrolls is because they are so airy, there is not much glue surface area so you have to be careful with these designs. If you can attach your S-scroll to another shape that is always helpful as you now have an additional anchor point in your work.

To make the heart shape do the following (please use the picture for placement):

• 14 - 3 in (7.62 cm) S-Scrolls – Arrange in heart shape.


• For a perfect heart shape every time, Draw, cut, or punch out the heart shape and use this shape as your heart pattern.


• Look closely at the top and bottom of the heart where the 2 sides meet, I found that the nicest look and shape for the heart happen when you connect/glue the S-scrolls such that they are facing eachother and you glue the bottom.

Embellishments for the Heart. I chose to use Heart Coils to add to the "LOVE" theme (the best part is that you can change the shapes and create a completely unique design):

First Heart Embellishment Arrangement:

• 3- 3 in (7.62 cm) White Heart shaped coils


• 2 - 1 in (2.54 cm) Green Spirals


• Note: I have cut the 1/8 inch (.3cm) quilling strip in half, when creating the spirals for a more delicate look. You can also use 1/16 in (.15 cm) wide paper if you have some.


• I placed the hearts at the top of the heart where it dips in the center.


• I thought this made it look like the heart was a delicate necklace with the hearts as the pendant.


• I have to share with you that I don't like the color green I selected. I had new paper that I wanted to use, but I would definitely go with a deeper green than this.

Second Heart Embellishment arrangement:

• 4- 3 in (7.62 cm) White Heart shaped coils


• 2 - 1 in (2.54 cm) Green Spirals


• Note: I have cut the 1/8 inch (.3cm) quilling strip in half, when creating the spirals for a more delicate look. You can also use 1/16 in (.15 cm) wide paper if you have some.


• These hearts I arranged on the top, right side of the heart for some added interest.

Here is a variation I made and framed to show you how you might modify the original design to create something similar, yet uniquely your own. :-)




Please have fun with this pattern/design. Feel free to share with me what you have created.

Enjoy!
Copyright for Personal Use Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling pattern, valentine quilling, free pattern, naqg, childrens crafts, quilling heart

Read More

Free Quilling Instructions Spiral Shapes

To continue my lesson on the basic shapes, these instructions are for the Spiral Shapes. You can click here if you have questions about cutting your own paper quilling strips.

The picture shows the basic spiral shapes, please click on the picture to see a larger image with more detail. I will explain how to make the following shapes: Loose Scroll / Open Coil, S-Scroll, C-Scroll, Heart Scroll / Open Heart, and Spiral shapes.

All of the shapes in the attached picture were made using 4" (10.2 cm) pieces of quilling paper in the 1/8" (.3 cm) width.

General Tips:
With these Scroll shapes, since you are not gluing the ends, it is not necessary that you tear the end. Often times, if it is a shape where the end is visible, I will cut the end at an angle so that it tapers. Otherwise, tearing or cutting produce similar effects as the end is in the center of the shape and is generally not visible.

Before we go too far, I wanted to talk about something that you will hear quillers (or any paper artist) talk about and may not know what the reference means. The term is called "conditioning the paper." The best way I can explain this to you is to make you think about what you do to ribbon on a present. With that in mind, you take your finger nail and run it along the end of your quilling paper. The end result is a strip that begins to curve. You can get the same effect by using your needle tool or a pin. The reason you want to do this is that it loosens the fibers in the paper and makes it easier to shape. By looking at the way the paper curls you can also see the natural curve of the paper.

Loose Scroll / Open Coil

• Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
• Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
• Keep an even tension. For this shape do not pull as tightly, keep a looser tension so that the shape will open up when pulled off the tool
• Keep the edges of the wound paper as even as possible. This prevents creating a little pop-up in the center of your shape. Some people will call this a belly or a tornado.
• When you get to the end of your strip, pull the coil off the tool. If using the slotted tool, it is easier if you turn the slotted tool approximately 1/4 turn in the opposite direction before pulling the paper off.
• After pulling the paper off, let the coil open up.
• Do not glue the end, leave it open.
• This shape is actually kind of neat to use - it gives a very loose look to many patterns that you might use the loose coil for, and if you use your imagination think of waves, clouds, even musical notes, so many options... just with changing the length of the coil

S-Scroll

• This shape gets its name because it looks like an "S" when finished
• For this shape condition both ends of the strip such that one end is curved one direction and the other end is curved in the other direction (creating a loose S shape)
• Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
• Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
• Roll the paper in toward the center starting at one end and then moving to the other end once you reach the approximate middle of the strip
• Remember, to roll each end of the strip in opposite directions
• This creates a shape where both ends are approximately the same size, this can be changed by making one end smaller than the other simply by changing how far down the strip each end is rolled.
• Play around with this to see the difference it can make.

C-Scroll

• This shape gets its name because it looks like a "C" when finished
• For this shape condition both ends of the strip such that each end is curved in the same direction (creating a loose C shape)
• Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
• Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
• Roll the paper in toward the center starting at one end and then moving to the other end once you reach the approximate middle of the strip
• Remember, to roll each end of the strip in the same direction / toward eachother
• This creates a shape where both ends are approximately the same size, this can be changed by making one end smaller than the other simply by changing how far down the strip each end is rolled.
• Play around with this to see the difference it can make.

Heart Scroll / Open Heart

• Take the quilling paper and fold it in half
• Next, condition the paper the same way as for a C-Scroll by conditioning both ends of the strip such that each end is curved in the same direction, since the paper is folded this creates a loose V-shape
• Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
• Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
• Roll the paper in toward the center starting at one end and then moving to the other end once you reach the approximate middle of the strip
• Remember, to roll each end of the strip in the same direction / toward each other
• Roll until you get to the bottom, or the fold and then start rolling the other end. Now adjust the heart to the size you want by pulling the coils

Spiral shape

• To make this shape a needle tool, dowel, knitting needle or some such tool to create the spiral shape.
• A trick is to moisten the end of the strip, either by using a moist towel or sponge.
• Take the quilling strip and wrap it around the selected tool.
• Start at the tip and continue to wrap up the length of the tool.
• When approaching the end or handle, start sliding the paper off of the front of the tool so that you can continue to wrap the spiral shape until you reach the end of your quilling strip.
• A neat use is to take very long strips (by attaching them end to end) and outline a photo - not an easy task to keep it even when using long strips

Enjoy!
Copyright for Personal Use Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling instructions, free instructions, naqg, childrens crafts

Read More

One World, One Heart

UPDATE: This giveaway is closed. Click Here for the WINNERS.

Hello Again Everyone,


My friend Toni from the 3 AM Designs blog shared this neat event with me. I am very excited about joining in.

The One World, One Heart is an annual event hosted by Lisa Oceandreamer, this is the second year she has hosted this event! What a fun way to get to see some of the really neat blogs that are out there. Please go to Lisa's blog for information about this event and how you can add your blog. In Lisa's own words, this what it is about:

It is a blog-wide giveaway event. The original idea behind this was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way. Last years event had nearly 100 participants and many connections were made because of it......friendships that are still going strong.

The idea is that every blog will give away one item to a lucky blog reader. This is how it works:

• All you have to do is make a comment on this post and give me some way to get in touch with you (your email or your blog).
  
• You have until February 13th to post your comment (I am EST, so post before midnight EST)
• I will pick a name from those entered (probably have my son select a name from a hat)
• I will then post an entry on my blog to let everyone know who the lucky winner is
• This is open to anyone (I will even sent internationally)
• Here is a picture of the inspiration for my free gift, this is a pattern that you can find in the 2008 Accord Quilling Calendar. If interested in making this beauty, here is the free quilling pattern:
  
  
  
  Update: I have been busily creating my One World, One Heart free gift. See my new picture next to my inspiration piece to see the gift I am giving away. This is the same basic pattern, updated a bit. It is framed in a 4x4 frame. All quilling is done by hand. When I post the winner, I will also post instructions to make this beauty.


Update... There are definitely more than 50 posts, so I am also giving away this Santa ornament.

• 
  Good Luck Everyone!

I can't wait to see all the blogs out there.



Enjoy!
Copyright for Personal Use Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, one world one heart

Read More

Free Rice for those in need

One of the many blogs I've visited through the OWOH giveaway had this on her site, ParusCircle, and I thought I would share it with you.

There is a site called "Free Rice" there is a word with a list of choices and you click on the answer that best defines the word, for each word you get right, the United Nations will donate 20 grains of rice to help stop world hunger. Please stop by and give it a shot, and see how good your vocabulary really is.

The website is called Free Rice, http://www.freerice.com/

Enjoy!

Read More

OWOH Such Fun!

I wanted to share with everyone how much FUN I am having with the One World, One Heart blogging extravaganza.

I have been traipsing through blog-land and getting to see some of the most beautiful blogs and things. If you haven't given this a try, please join in the fun. Most bloggers, such as myself, are offering a chance to win our giveaways to anyone who asks to have their name entered (whether they have a blog or not).

So what do you have to lose? Just jump right in and enter your name and walk around the world by visiting all these neat blogs.

Enjoy!
Antonella :-)

Technorati Tags: OWOH, One World One Heart

Read More

February Quilling Patterns

Welcome to the February 2008 Accord Quilling Calendar Pattern Listing

I am providing you a list of all the patterns and the name of the artist who graciously allowed Accord to print them.

February 2008 Accord Calendar Projects

• 1, 2, & 3 - "I Love You" Bouquet in a Basket (Artist: Virginia Alexander)
• 4 - Bleeding Hearts (Artist: Jim Miller)
• 5 - Umbrella (Artist: Marcia Morath)
• 6 - Filigree Heart (Artist: Sheryl Scott, www.simplyelegantcreations.net)
• 7 - Flowers of Love (Artist: Antonella DeFalco, www.squidoo.com.quilling)
• 8 - Pennsylvania Dutch Design (Artist: Cathy Schlim)
• 9/10 - Hearts and Flowers Inspiration Piece (Artist: Patricia Caputo, www.whimsiquills.com)
• 11 - I Love You (Artist: Fredricka Whitman)
• 12 - Fancy Heart (Artist: Suzzy Howard)
• 13 - Tuxedo Heart (Artist: Toni Jarvis, www.3amdesigns.blogspot.com)
  
• 14 - Strawberry Heart (Artist: Anne T. Pfahler, www.picturetrail.com/quiller1111)
• 15 - Stacked Hearts (Artist: Toni Jarvis, www.3amdesigns.blogspot.com)
• 16/17 - Fringed Flower Garland (Artist: Sheryl Scott, www.simplyelegantcreations.net)
• 18 - Strawberries in Bloom (Artist: Kay Charles)
• 19 - Heart Flowers (Artist: Patricia Caputo, www.whimsiquills.com)
• 20 - Two-Tone Flower (Artist: Holly Miller)
• 21 - Clover (Artist: Donna Nicholson)
• 22 - Ring Coil Flower (Artist: Patricia Caputo, www.whimsiquills.com)
• 23/24 - Flower Swag (Artist: Susan Harl Custer)
• 25 - Floral Spray (Artist: Holly Miller)
• 26 - Fuchsia (Artist: Cathy Schlim)
• 27 - Black-eyed Susan (Artist: Donna Nicholson)
• 28 - White Flower Border (Artist: Lucy Djunaedi)
• 29 - Spring Daffodil (Artist: Cathy Schlim)

Enjoy!
Copyright for Personal Use Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling pattern, naqg, childrens crafts

Read More

Free Quilling Instructions Coil Shapes

There have been many questions about making the basic quilling shapes that I have received lately, so I thought that I would revisit the basic coil shapes here. You can click here if you have questions about cutting your own paper strips.

You can click on the picture to see a larger image of the basic coil shapes. I will explain how to create the following shapes: Tight Coil/Tight Roll/Peg, Loose Coil, Teardrop/Raindrop, Marquise/Marquis/Eye Shape, and Heart. These were all made with 4 in (10.2 cm) strips in 1/8 in (.3 cm) wide paper.




Some helpful hints:

• Use a ruler to measure the length of your strip to get uniform lengths.
• It is generally recommended that you tear instead of cutting your paper. The reason for this is that the tearing creates a feathered edge that blends and is not as noticeable as a cut line.
• When making a shape that you pinch, try to pinch at the point where the piece is glued and/or try to align the glued portion to where you join two or more quilled elements.
• Always begin your quilling by first conditioning the paper. This is done by running your fingernail or needle tool or similar along the end of the strip. The paper will begin to curl as the fibers are broken down.
• White glue is best, before all of the choices with the growth of paper crafting, elmers glue was used and those quilled beauties are still glued together.

Tight Coil/Tight Roll/Peg Shape

• This shape is called by many names in different patterns, so I have listed the more common ones
• Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
• Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
• Keep an even tension, pulling the paper as tight as possible. You want the final shape to be very tight.
• Keep the edges of the wound paper as even as possible. This prevents creating a little pop-up in the center of your shape. Some people will call this a belly or a tornado.
• When you get to the end of your strip, pull the coil off the tool. If using the slotted tool, it is easier if you turn the slotted tool approximately 1/4 turn in the opposite direction before pulling the paper off.
• Carefully glue the end of the paper, using just a small amount (dab) of glue.

Loose Coil Shape

• Place the quilling paper in the slot at the very top of your slotted tool or at the top of your needle tool or corsage pin
• Holding the loose end of the paper in one hand and your tool in the other hand, begin turning the your tool gently pulling the paper
• Keep an even tension. For this shape do not pull as tightly, keep a looser tension so that the shape will open up when pulled off the tool
• Keep the edges of the wound paper as even as possible. This prevents creating a little pop-up in the center of your shape. Some people will call this a belly or a tornado.
• When you get to the end of your strip, pull the coil off the tool. If using the slotted tool, it is easier if you turn the slotted tool approximately 1/4 turn in the opposite direction before pulling the paper off.
• After pulling the paper off, let the coil open up
• Carefully glue the end of the paper, using just a small amount (dab) of glue.

Teardrop/Raindrop Shape

• Start with the Loose Coil and pinch the glued end, creating a point on one side and leaving a rounded end opposite the point
• When pinching use thumb and index finger

Marquise/Marquis/Eye Shape

• Start with the Loose Coil and pinch both the glued end and the opposite end of the coil
• Pinch one end then the other while holding the pinched ends one in each hand. This helps to create a more even shape.

Heart Shape

• Start with the Loose Coil and pinch the glued end creating a point
• While holding the pointed end in one hand, press the rounded end in with a fingernail.
• This creates and indentation creating the heart shape.

I hope you find this helpful and this will encourage you to try quilling.

Enjoy!
Copyright for personal use Antonella DeFalco

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling instructions, free instructions, naqg, childrens crafts

Read More