Sunday, April 04, 2010

Technique of the Week #14 - Crayola Model Magic Embellishments

Project hours: 36 hours
Design and materials: 3 hours
Execution: 33 hours
I was shown this technique by Pokey Bolton, editor of Quilting Arts, at a Make It University make n take class about 2 years ago, and have never tried it.  
Playing with Crayola Model Magic is addictive, because once you open your pack, you sorta have to use it because it will dry up and cannot be resealed.  I opened my pack in the evening and rolled out thin sheets on the stuff and pressed various rubber stamps into the surface.  Right out of the package, the foamy clay stuff will stick to your rubber stamps, so what I did was roll out the foam so it was nice and smooth, and let it dry to form a  bit of a skin, for about 10 minutes, and then pressed my stamps in.  I also rubbed the palm of my hand over the stamp before I did, transferring some of the oils on my skin onto the stamp to help prevent sticking.  You then have to let this stuff dry, I chose to do so overnight.
The next day, I painted the surfaces of the foamy shapes with various paints, and rubbed on some metallics for that extra shine and luster.  The neat part is that this stuff is super soft and can be sewn through.  I chose to use a hand sewing technique, because I felt the machine might put too much pressure and tear the thin foam surfaces I had created. I was really happy with the embellishments I made, and with enough stamps or other fun things to push into the foam, I can see making more stuff to stick to quilts in the future.

8 comments:

ConundrumChum said...

Thanks for updating all your techniques. I enjoy reading them. I want to mention that Model Magic breaks easily. We have many kid projects that are missing pieces.

Jackie said...

I am hooked, I love your techniques, and I just signed up to follow you... love it...

jackie

Ann In Fallbrook, CA said...

I love your modeling clay technique. A package of this stuff is still sitting unopened on a shelf because I was unsure as to how to use it. No more!

Norma Schlager said...

These have a wonderful metallic look to them. Very interesting!

Judy Ferguson said...

Thanks for going through all these steps for your techniques. I have tried the clay and like it also, I have not tried that tissue paper exercise. But I have used colored tissue on a project with PVC glue. I saw the painting on batting segment on QA. Yours looks good.

Grace said...

Wow, love the dedication to your techniques journey and the pieces you've created. By year's end you'll have enough for a one woman show to showcase all your hard work. Congrats!

Grace said...

Wow, love the dedication to your techniques journey and the pieces you've create this far. You are sure to have enough for a solo show by year's end at this rate. Congrats!

Carolyn B said...

Definitely want to try this - I've tried to use PaperClay but found it difficult to work with. (Could just be me, of course :o)