Quilling Letter Y – Mandala Tutorial

Quilling Letter Y – Mandala Tutorial

I have been inspired by beautifully calming mandalas, and decided to apply it to the monogram letter Y. The letter Y is a great letter to try a mandala design with, because it's a somewhat symmetrical.

I show two methods to enlarge your quilled letter patterns. At 200%, your quilled monogram will make a wonderful décor piece on a wall or mantel.

In this tutorial, you'll see how easy it is to mirror your design to maintain consistency.

A viewer asked me to show to figure out a strip's length, so I show how to estimate it based on my drawings.

Let me be clear about this – it's not a magical process! There is much trial and error with every strip! You just don't usually see this messy part.

I prefer using centimetres to measure my strip lengths. I record the length on my drawing, and as I adjust, I erase and re-write the new measurement. I love using my Frixion (Amazon Affiliate link) erasable pens for this!

If you have any methods of mirroring drawings or determining strip lengths, I'd love to know about it!

Take the 7 Day Quilling Curve Challenge

7 Day Quilling Curve Challenge

I have a challenge for you – if you choose to accept it. 

Practice your quilling curves a few minutes a day for 7 days. Compare how you did on day 1 to day 7, and see how you’ve improved.

If you’ve watched any of my other videos and see how I tame my paper to follow curves and want to do the same, then this challenge is for you. Challenge other quillers you know and try practicing together.

Quilling for Beginners without Tools - Basic Shapes

No tools? No problem!

If you've just fallen in love with quilling, have no supplies, and just want to have a taste of quilling before diving in, then this video is made just for you.

Use a round toothpick and whatever paper you have on hand to make basic shapes. Learn how fun it is to create these entrancing pieces.

Of all the crafts I've played with over the years, quilling is the least expensive, yet I can express so much.

Download my template to make your own quilling strips:
http://paperzen.blogspot.ca/2014/06/diy-quilling-strips-tutorial-with-free.html

Download a worksheet and follow along with me as I show you how to make basic shapes in my YouTube video.

After you've dipped your toe into quilling, and you want to take your first steps, I always recommend the Klutz Twirled Paper book because it comes with paper, a slotted tool, glue, and so many fun and fantastic examples of quilling suitable for both boys and girls of any age (especially adult-age!). It was my first book, and still my favorite referral for anyone quilling for the first time.

Quilling Paper Teardrop Earrings and Book Review of "The Art of Quilling Paper Jewelry" by Ann Martin

For years, I've been tempted to make paper jewelry, but for some reason haven't taken the leap. Then along came Ann Martin's book, The Art of Quilling Paper Jewelry, and BAM! You know what that's like right? For me, it's a weakness behind the knees and an impatient twitch of the fingers. Although I don't wear earrings, I know a few people who do, and immediately embarked on a new adventure in paper.

Quilling Letters 101 - Part 6 DIY Quilling Paper Strips and More

I'm often asked about paper, so here's a post that goes into the paper I used for this typography project. I do buy standard quilling paper online, but since buying my digital die cutter (a Silhouette SD first, and now a Cricut Explore Air), I prefer to cut my own for projects with larger arcs and more open areas.

For my first sans serif type project, I decided to use a thicker paper like Canson Mi-Tientes, which is 160 gsm, cut to 1/4" wide. I wanted the thicker paper to hold up better with the open letters and long arcs I planned to be making. This project is much larger than the greeting cards I typically do.

When I do cut the strips, I leave the ends intact on one side, and end up with a comb-like shape. You can download my free DIY quilling strip patterns, for both hand and machine cutting here. I like a comb shape because it keeps all the strips orderly and tidy. They are never fighting in my storage containers.

I also like the Mi-Tientes color selection because there are many shades between them. I wish constantly for more, but I'm at the mercy of my local fine art stores and what they carry. I will lay them all out like this photo and assess if they "go" together. I knew I wanted a bold color like the #507 Violet for the letters to be seen easily, and felt the greens, yellows, and oranges were a good complement.

I usually use the Kemper Tool (meant for pottery) because of the tight coils it makes. However, with the thicker Mi-Tientes paper, it requires more effort to coil. I liked the results of using a thick sewing needle, but it was tiring my hands, since it had no handle. So I ended up using a crochet hook.

Here is a better close up of all three coils.

Here is a better contrast between the coils made with a needle tool vs a crochet hook. Can you see the miniature kinks in the smaller coil? This is the tension I dislike when trying to force the smaller coil on the thicker paper. It's not a big deal, really, and I prefer the smaller coil look overall, but my fingers tell me what they want to do.

Here is a comparison between standard quilling paper (left) and the Mi-Tientes (right), both coiled with my Kemper quilling needle tool. As you can see, the thicker paper can't be forced to be much smaller – I actually tried re-making it a couple times so that my innermost coil could be super tiny (and that's why it looks a bit different from the first few photos).

Another tip for using Mi-Tientes paper is to tear the ends. The green here joins nicely with the yellow because of the taper, where I tore the end.

Here is a close up of the tear from the side.

Here is another example of subtle joining, where the middle green strip nicely disappears.

In contrast, this is what it looks like if you don't tear.

Why didn't I tear these ends? Um, well, you know how those temperamental artist types are... I was really in the flow. I'll live.

After trying to photograph my word, I realize cutting the strips 1/4" was a tad thick. It casts deeper shadows than I prefer. Next time, I'll cut them 1/8" instead. 

I hope this helps you with your own quilling, no matter what paper or tool you choose to use. Please let me know if this impacts your own projects by leaving a comment on my blog!

Quilling the Letter B is easy with my free template!

My beloved glue bottle

My glue bottle died! {sniff, sniff} It was during the photographing of this Quilling 101 series that I accidentally tipped it over, and "snap"! Off with it's head!

Actually, this is the 2nd time it's had a life threatening situation. I accidentally bumped it off the table onto the cement floor, during my Craftsy class filming, and it broke just above the shoulder area. They were SUCH professionals! One person drove to Michael's and another used Crazy glue to re-attach it. Both returned in half an hour, with such earnest expressions on their faces, hoping their solutions would be acceptable – they were so sweet and understood what it meant to me!!! I do have a Quilled Creations Precision Tip Glue Applicator Bottle, 0.5-Ounce bottle as a back up, but to have my beloved bottle die a final death was heart wrenching.

It was bound to happen. I bought it at Michaels in the t-shirt paints aisles (haven't seen it since), and used this bottle for about 10 years. There were 3 nozzles (I found the 3rd one way after this photo was taken), 4 varying wires to unblock the nozzles, and a couple of squeeze bottles - I tossed the packaging long ago, so can't remember all the details now.

And then life went on. I managed to jam the opposite end of my x-acto blade in the residual nozzle plastic and scrape it all out slowly, so I could re-screw onto a new bottle. I felt most comfortable with the nozzle in the middle (not too small, not too large). It turns out the shoulders of the left bottle fit on top of the bottle sold by Quilled Creations, and voila! I have a new best friend.

Why did I choose this path? I kind of like the small size of the Quilled Creations bottle for transportation reasons, and the glue has to travel less to reach the nozzle. I didn't prefer the larger nozzle it came with, and although the cap is a nice idea, I find it in my way when applying glue.

In my first photo, I show a push pin in the nozzle. For some reason, it seems to keep the glue from drying out, and all other items I've shoved in there to prevent clogging seems to rust.

What fine tip glue bottles do you prefer? I was SO grateful to Inna for commenting about Aleene's glue in 2012 and I found out where to buy a replacement for my Kemper quilling tool when it broke, so I'm all ears!

* * * UPDATE * * *

Thanks to MizDenise and her sleuthing husband, she found the same nozzles I stumbled on a decade ago. It's called Small Bottles Tips by Loew Cornell. Thanks so much for sharing that with us MizDenise. I know so many will enjoy the same glue precision I have been having.

Pretty Quilled Cards - 1st Anniversary

One year ago, my book was officially released.

To make that happen, I was inspired by all the kind comments on this blog, which I re-read whenever I needed a boost.

I was given the free hours to write, test, and develop patterns by my hubby, who also had to console me when things didn't work out the way I imagined. I had three awesome quillers by my side, testing and giving feedback along the way. I had friends and family helping and cheering me on as I developed each design or sorted out technical challenges.

After it launched, I had the gracious help of amazing quillers provide reviews. They gave me their precious time and provided their perspective in book reviews. I sweated bullets, wondering how my thoughts and techniques would fare, as I had admired each of them for quite some time.

When I think about this past year and everything that has happened, one word that sums up how I feel is "thanks". I'm so grateful to everyone who helped make the planets line up for me, from my editor who saw my potential to paper enthusiasts all over the world. I'm grateful my friends and family put up with my paper fever and nod along as I prattled on with my passion.

To celebrate this anniversary, I thought I would quill a card to you all, to give you my thanks.

I'm very aware that I haven't been blogging in the last few months. I don't normally talk about personal things on this blog, but feel a need to explain why I've been so quiet lately. I recently changed to a more demanding job and I am also devoting time to a loved one who is ill. My mind has been very preoccupied and it doesn't feel the quiet space it needs to allow papery-goodness to flourish.

To thank all my supporters for the above, my plan is to make this simple word into a tutorial pattern. It would be the same as the others - with templates to show the length, where to glue, and step-by-step photos and tips along the way. I've been making this word again and again, trying different materials and thicknesses until I know what works best.

I look forward to talking about it more when it's ready, and I thank you in advance for your patience as I find the zen to amass all the details.

Quilled Champagne Congratulations, A New Tutorial Pattern!

My friends got engaged and I wanted to quill them something to commemorate the happy occasion. Champagne glasses immediately came to mind and then I wondered what to put around the clinking glasses — confetti and streamers of course!

I think of pink for a rosy congratulations, whether for a graduation or even an invite to "eat, drink, and be merry". The example shown here has the pink dots ready-to-print along with the frame.

For a classic golden hue, great for an anniversary or to give to your spouse, you can choose to hole punch your own paper out of 1/8" (shown here) or 1/16" hole punch.

As you can see, there are two frame options available, and both come with and without pink bubbles, so you can choose whatever you like. Both have a ribbon along to bottom so you can type whatever message you like. After scoring and trimming, your finished card will be 4.5x6.25 inches when folded.

Of course, it's not complete until you've assembled a customized envelope in matching font as well.

As with all my quilling tutorial patterns, you won't need a ruler to measure the strips needed. Simply lay your strip on top and score/fold along the indicated lines. Then follow the illustrations and photos to see how they are easily assembled.

If you'd prefer a different size of card or don't want the frames, it's easy to make a few more pieces of confetti to throw around it. I like gluing my confetti at different angles so it really looks like it's fluttering around.

This latest quilling pattern is available in my Etsy shop (10% coupon code is in the caption below). I hope you have a wonderful weekend full of paper scraps on the floor.

I can finally buy my quilling supplies locally, at Precious Memories! They sold out of my book at my first ever quilling demo the other night. My nervousness was completed dispelled by the enthusiastic attendees.

I'd like to celebrate (pun intended) my achievement with a 10% coupon for my Etsy shop. Just enter CONGRATS10 (expires July 31) during your checkout.

Craft Ideas is hosting a giveaway of my book! 3 lucky winners will receive a copy if they enter before 9/30/2014.