Face Painting Template

My daughter's face painting ideas.

    Today my eldest decided that she was going to be a face painter when she grows up. What an epic idea!

    As a fun weekend project I suggested she create a folio of face painting ideas. Being that we were out of printer ink I created a face stencil that can be used many times over. 

    For those who like this idea, and have plenty of printer ink I have created for you a printable template (see below) for coming up with face painting ideas. I look forward to seeing the designs you come up with - include a link in comments below.

Printing spec: Scale to fit on A4

    Alternatively if you want to create a reusable face stencil simply create a copy of the below stencil. Ensure you use relatively strong card and cut out using a sharp art knife.

© Melissa Gaggiano

DIY Silly Critters

Silly Critters
© Melissa Gaggiano

    I created a doll that could be made by people who believe they can’t sew. There is no right or wrong way to make a silly critter. In fact the aim is to make each critter as unique as possible. Go ahead and change placement of facial features, cut out strange shapes to make the eyes and ears. Go wild with this one.

Materials
· Scrap fabric
· Scrap felt
· Needle & thread/sewing machine/ or craft glue
· Scissors
· Doll filler

Steps
1. Using scrap fabric, cut out two body pieces*.

2. Using scrap felt, cut out ears*, chest, eyes, pupils, mouth and bottom. Design your own mouth shape and use any eye shape you want.

3. Pin chest piece to lower half of one body piece [this will become front of the doll. Stitch the chest piece to front of body. At this point you can hand sew, use a machine or simply glue it on.

4. Sew on or glue the pupils to the eyes.

5. Consider placement of eyes and mouth to front of doll – go crazy, make it unique. Sew/glue these pieces to front of doll.

6. Now for the ears. Bring the two body pieces together – wrong sides together. Slip the two ears in between the body pieces – you choose the placement and pin into position.

7. Sew/glue along the edges of the doll, but keep the bottom open for filling.

8. Now you can stuff the doll with filling.

9. At this point you have two options. [i] Sew/glue straight along the bottom to close the silly critter. Or [ii] Pin the bottom piece into the remaining opening, lining up the edges and hand sewing the silly critter closed. This bottom that will allow the silly critter to stand upright by itself.

* You have two different body and ear options to choose from.

Small Critters pattern
© Melissa Gaggiano
Print to scale on A4 paper.

Pocket Doll

Melissa Gaggiano doll design

    This pocket size doll is something I whipped together on a whim. Initially I wanted to use a printed iron on transfer, but since I was on short supply of materials, I simply traced the lines and went over them with my sewing machine.

    This is a good project for people who want to make a doll but aren't confident sewers.

Materials

• Scrap fabric
• Iron on transfer paper

Steps

1. Print out the reverse illustration onto iron on transfer paper.
2. Set up iron, press paper illustration to fabric applying instructions that come with transfer paper.
3. Cut out front and back fabric pattern pieces along broken line. 
4. Pin the front and back pattern pieces together and sew around outline, with a 5 MM seam allowance. Keep an opening at top of the head.
5. Take your scissors and make little snips around the outer edge [curves and corners]. Careful not to cut the seam lines you have just sewn.
6. Turn the doll inside out [this is why we keep an opening in the head].
7. Stuff the doll with filler [you know the fluffy stuff].
8. Sew the head shut either with sewing machine or by hand.
9. Now play with your doll or put it in your pocket.

Melissa Gaggiano illustration

Melissa Gaggiano illustration
Back pattern piece

Melissa Gaggiano illustration
Front pattern piece
Use this reverse image if you are using a print iron on transfer

Boxing Kangaroos - Paper Craft

Expo 88: Japanese paper craft

    Okay, so who remembers Expo 88? I do. Of course it is certainly difficult to forget as I have so much memorabilia to remind me of the event.
    There were many pavilions representing different nations from around the world. My most favourite being the Japanese pavilion. There were pretty Japanese representatives, gardens, origami [with an Australian theme], plus a cute mobile robot that stamped your pavilion passport.
    One of the pieces of memorabilia that I have left over from this event is this kangaroo paper craft toy, which you can download and keep for a rainy day. I made this paper toy when I was a kids and it was a lot of fun [and kept me busy].

Note: I recommend printing onto medium-heavy paper. Or alternatively printing on regular paper, and then gluing to cardboard.

Penny Paper Doll

    I have only just finished making a paper doll. Her name is Penny and you can download and print her for free.

    I recommend printing onto a thick paper so Penny will stand up after you cut her out [if not, print onto regular paper then glue to cardboard before cutting. Cut as close to her body as possible, and cut along the line near her feet. Wrap this rectangular section into a cylinder shape and tape the edges together.

    Additional enhancements: I kept the skin clear, so that it can be coloured in to be any tone you like.

Illustraiton by Melissa Gaggiano.

Illustraiton by Melissa Gaggiano.

Illustraiton by Melissa Gaggiano.

Illustraiton by Melissa Gaggiano.