Best Tools for Painting Dala Horses and Wood Carvings

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For prepping your project

Wood Filler


Sanding



Good quality brushes



Acrylic Paint

I tend to stick with Craft Smart brand acrylic paints. Some colors are better than others (less watery, you have to do fewer coats).


Varnish top coat for sealing your paint job.





Have any tips to share with us? Feel free to comment below!

To try your hand at painting a horse like the one above, you can get an unfinished version on etsy here:
 

8 Tips for Painting Swedish Dala Horses or Any Wood Carving

What makes me such an expert at painting wood carvings? Nothing actually! I consider myself an amateur at painting, my dad coaxed me into painting his carvings and I'm still learning and picking up tips along the way.

Maybe tips from someone trying to still figure it all out are more useful to someone who's also still learning? To an experienced painter I'm sure all of this is common sense.

8 Share Worthy Tidbits I Picked Up:
1. Get some good brushes. Not those cheep crappy ones for kids, or you'll end up with bristles on your paint job.
Check out my post on recommended tools here.

2. Make sure you have a smooth surface. Sand and use wood filler and sand again if need be.
For your basecoat(s), paint in the direction of the wood grain. So let's say we're painting this lovely Dala Horse... If the horse is standing on it's legs, you'll paint up and down. Maybe this is common sense to you if you've ever painted a wooden fence or watched Karate Kid ("Paint up! Paint down!").

3. Do thin layers and let them dry in between so you don't get big globs of paint collecting at the belly or feet. With white, you will probably need to do a couple coats.

4. My system with the horses is to hold the horse by the head, paint the body then put it down on its feet and carefully paint the head. Or you might want to let it dry before you can paint the head so it doesn't topple over and ruin the paint on the body. Besides you won't be able to get under the chin if you've set him down on his feet.

5. The details are the difficult part. I can't really help you with the traditional kurbits stuff. I try, but I am nothing like the wizards that make the Dala horses over in Sweden. My solution has been to make my own zany details. Like painting zebra stripes. Or polka dots. Dots are very easy. You can even use the end of your paint brush to dab the spots on there. You could use stencils, too.

6. Don't worry about messing up with paint. If you do - just let it dry and paint right over it! If you do it too many times and the paint starts to build up, you could sand it off, but be careful sanding the chiseled face - you want to keep those angled features sharp, not rounded & dull.

7. For your details - sketch your design on paper before trying it on the horse. Also, after you've done your solid coat, you can plot your details out with some chalk or a pencil, then paint over that.
Practice makes perfect!

8. Also, youtube is a very resourceful place to look for how-to videos. I don't think they have anything about painting dala horses, but you could look up painting in general or they might have wood craft painting tutorials. Not sure. I hope this was of some help!

Have any tips to share with us? Feel free to comment below!

To try your hand at painting a horse like the one above, you can get an unfinished version on etsy here:

11 Must-Have Mock-Up Materials for Print Graphic Designers

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I'm not an expert graphic designer by any stretch, but thought it might be helpful for another new artist out there aimlessly surfing that lonely world wide web, just getting started on their career...

Here's a list of necessities from someone who's recently been there!

But let me make a short story long, first. When I started my first job as a print graphic designer, I didn't have a formal education or any training in the field. I knew some of the programs from dabbling, when I worked in marketing / communications, but I had never done paper mock-ups before. I had never used a straight edge ruler at the same time as an X-acto to get a nice straight cut. I didn't know what the supplies were even called or what you used them for, or what I might even need to buy if I had to do these mock-ups at home. Some friendly coworkers took me under their wing and showed me the ropes (probably with their eyes bulging out of their heads as they thought "how did she get hired?") So fret not like I fretted. Everything will work out. Practice makes perfect! Now I actually think twice before reaching for a scissor as I twirl my X-Acto like a baton after having made thousands of mockups.

So here is the long-awaited list of tools, supplies, necessities that are essential to my little mock-up zone in my home office:

1. X-acto Knife. Do your writer's bump a favor and get the ergonomic handle if you will be doing a lot of cutting. Or get the regular knife and use some of those foamy pencil thingies.

2. X-acto Replacement Blades. They wear out quicker than stone-washed jorts on a white water rafting trip! I don't know what that means either, I just thought it was fun to write.

3. Straight Edge Ruler

4. Double-sided Tape

5. 3M Positionable Mounting Adhesive*****

*****We used to use rubber cement or spray mount until I got pregnant and I was worried about health hazards. I was so excited to find this! Hey, all you graphic artists out there, especially the soon-to-be mothers, you should all stop using that toxic crap! Use this easy to use fume-free stuff

6. Self-healing Cutting Surface. They come in various sizes.

7. Bone Folder / Scorer. I use the back/dull side of my X-Acto blade most times, but I think the real pros use these.

8. Hole punches (if doing packaging a Euro-slot can be invaluable, I'm pretty good at freehanding these, but a punch is quicker)

9. Rounded corner cutter. You can round the corners manually, but just like with #8 - this is faster & neater.

10. Backing boards. I believe they're also called mat boards or mounting boards. In the art departments where I worked, we carried black or white.
  

11. Foam Board or Foam Core. In the art departments where I worked, we carried black or white for these too.

13 Alternate Uses for the Sizzix BigZ Die - Gingerbread by Tim Holtz

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I was in a store one day and saw a Sizzix Big Kick in periwinkle (my favorite Crayola color as a kid, so I fell for it - hook, line and sinker). I had no idea what it did other than that it seemed to be related to card making crafts / scrapbooking from the pictures on the box. Intrigued, and being an arts and crafts fan, I bought it.

Scrapbooking and cardmaking was not something I'd really delved into before (other than an embarrassing attempt years ago, at wedding invitations, which I hope no one still has a copy of).

There is so much to learn about scrapbooking, paper crafts and these embossing / die cutting machines!

Since getting it, I've read the manual, have been scoping "the goog" for project ideas and of course have been watching numerous YouTube tutorials.

I've discovered that (even though Sizzix sometimes doesn't mention this, probably incase it breaks your machine) you can cut and emboss THIN, thin metals possibly 24-30 gauge in this machine. I watched some Youtubes on how to up-cycle soda cans (or beer cans!) with Sizzix dies and embossing folders.

When I first bought it I was a little disappointed that mine didn't include any dies or folders. You see, I'm such a typical frugal Swede. But I really wanted to use this craft-tastic machine for something, so I went back out and bought a Sizzix BigZ Die - Gingerbread by Tim Holtz and a couple embossing folders. I could not stop cranking that handle, chortling while churning out gingerbread cookies in cardstock, felt and tin. It's positively addictive. But to get my money's worth, I thought to myself I'll have to come up with some alternative creative uses for these.

It took me some research to finally figure out how to properly use the embossing folders, but more on that some other day...

Now I want to share with you some of the alternative uses I thought of for the gingerbread shape.

With some minor additions you can create:
1. Monkey
2. Bear (Panda, Polarbear)
3. Rabbit
4. Frog - ribbit!

5. Lion

6. Person (nurse, doctor... the possibilities are endless!)

7. Christmas People (Swedish Tomte / Santa or Swedish S:t Lucia Girl)

And just to make this list of 13 extra spooky - some Halloween themed ideas!
8. Skeleton
9. Monster
10. Alien
11. Zombie
12. Devil
13. Voodoo Doll

Can you think of any others? Share in the comments below! Also, let me know if there's any interest in seeing pictures of these "alternative gingies". I sewed a few of them already and have quick sketches of others.

I told you I'm addicted to churning that Sizzix Big Kick handle, right?

Well, I made soooo many gingerbread man diecuts, that I decided to put them in my etsy shop. And you can buy all those lovingly churned felt die cuts here, in many different colors if you want to try these crafts out and you don't have a die cutting machine / gingerbread die.

There are also cardstock versions here.










And I intend to add my up-cycled coke can ones to the shop. But don't say I didn't warn you about the sharpness of some of the edges! Just like with getting paper cuts, you could catch these the wrong way and snag your skin.

3 Brilliant Breastfeeding Benefits of Breast Shells

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In the hospital, one of the nurses mentioned breast shells to help with baby's latching issues. Once home, I ordered some (I looked in a few stores and it seems nobody stocks them).

I was pleasantly surprised to find their benefits are threefold:

1) If you have inverted / small nipples, it will help make them "protrude" a bit more to make an easier latch for baby

2) Allow the nipples to air out and protect them from friction against your bra

3) Help contain the milk that trickles out on the opposite breast during feeding or pumping (a good alternative to the disposable breast pads). You can use the milk (safe to drink only if you store it immediately)

*One bad thing about these is I didn't feel comfortable going out in public with them because, well... they didn't look normal. Kind of pointy, like they were designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier.

9 Useful Breastfeeding Products, Resources and Tips

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You see moms in the mall nursing their babies and it looks like the easiest, most natural thing ever. I never even put any thought into it until I was pregnant. That was when I heard how challenging nursing could be. I didn't know what I could do to prepare myself for it, and maybe there isn't. There are classes, books etc., but maybe it's a case of "learning by doing" and it's easier for some than others.

Did you know that high-pitched sounds (like a crying baby) can make your milk leak? Or that when you feed or pump on one side, you leak out the other? I didn't, until discovering spots on my shirt! Also the shower can bring on the waterworks... What surprised you about breastfeeding? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

1. Breastfeeding Classes, Organizations & Online Resources 
I remember telling a non-mother about how difficult it was and she said "yeah, I heard of a lot of moms here having trouble, but I've never heard of women back home in Venezuela having issues". That's probably because until you're actually going through it yourself, you don't seem hear about it. Breastfeeding issues happen across the globe - in fact there's an international organization called "La Leche League" built up around the subject.

In hindsight I definitely should have signed up for a breastfeeding class while I was pregnant. I'm sure they inform you about difficulties that can arise, how you can avoid / recover from them and tell you all about the helpful products out there. Most hospitals with Delivery Rooms probably offer breastfeeding classes for expectant mothers, and many also offer post-partum lactation support groups.

2. Get Rest & Focus on Breastfeeding!
If you could, I'd recommend to spend the first few weeks in bed trying to nurse pretty much 24-7. Don't try to get up, cook, clean, do laundry, play hostess to company. You can do that in later weeks/months. You only have a short window of time to get the breastfeeding established. The added bonus is that, if you're in bed, hopefully visitors will feel awkward about staying too long! 

3. Breast Shells & Nipple Shields for the Super Breastfeeder!
The nurses in the hospital kept saying that they were going to bring me breast shells because my baby was not able to successfully latch on, but they forgot about me. This is where that birth coach would have come in handy!

One lactation consultant recommended I get a nipple shield (not to be confused with the above mentioned breast shells!) as well for the latching problems, so I did, and it worked. It was also good for avoiding soreness.

4. Some Sort of Nipple Ointment
Because nipples can get quite sore from all those failed attempts to latch properly! After having baby number two, I found out about APNO (All Purpose Nipple Ointment), which worked much better than any other cream, salve or ointment I tried. Sorry, I don't have a link to it, because you have to get a prescription from your OB! Warning: it's expensive. I think I spent $75 for the smallest tube (I should add I haven't used it up yet after almost 8 months, because you only need it in the newborn stage. Possibly you'll use a little bit of it later if you're unlucky enough to be suffering from blocked milk ducts, mastitis or owning a Medela Pump in Style).

People swear by Lanolin ointment but it has done nothing for me. Try it, can't hurt! Your hospital may give you free samples in the recovery room. 

I was optimistic about Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple balm, since I found their other balm to be a gift from heaven, but I was mildly disappointed the "Earth... Nipple Balm" wasn't a miracle cream - it wasn't much better (except in ease of applying it) than Lanolin (I found Lanolin to be very thick, difficult to even squeeze out of the tube). 
I've hear of people using coconut oil, too. 

5. Nursing Bras
If you're staying at home most of the time, I found that I didn't need too many nursing bras with underwire. The most comfortable and convenient thing is regular Hanes cotton sports bras and nursing tanks. The stretchy spandex sports bras I used to wear to the gym made me really sweaty while holding a little furnace! 

6. Nursing Pads

Like I mentioned above, when you're lactating from one boob, the other follows. That's why you need nursing pads, so you don't get milk stains on your shirt.

The reusable nursing pads were so-so, I soaked through on occasion. But they're also more breathable than disposables, an important feature so you don't get sore nipples. I found the TL Care Organic Cotton Nursing Pads, Natural, 6 Count  to be better than the Avent brand reusable nursing pads. However, you can see the bulky outline on your shirt.

More discrete are the disposable nursing pads and they didn't leak either, but I ran through them so quickly I felt it to be more economical to use reusable nursing pads when I was just hanging out around the house.

7. Ice Packs
You will need ice packs whether you are dealing with milk coming in, oversupply, weaning, or blocked milk ducts.

8. Propping Pillows 
A boppy pillow was convenient, but not necessary. You could use regular pillows or blankets to wedge under your arms or under baby.

9. Supplements and Some Other Bonus Tips
With my first baby I had low milk supply in the beginning and I don't know if it was the constant effort that finally paid off or the fact that I gorged myself on lactation cookies (with brewers yeast - I'll post a recipe someday), this mama's milk tea, and that I finally broke down and bought an electric pump and used it on turbo speed. When she was 1 month old I actually developed an oversupply of milk! That lead to problems like overactive letdown and engorgement, so don't do that - take it slow!

When I started my first baby on solid food at 6 months, I increased her solid food portions too fast. Of course that meant baby wasn't as hungry at the breast - not draining as much as previously and I got clogged milk ducts, then one evolved into mastitis. Not fun! I'd say that was almost as painful as natural childbirth! Remember to really gradually increase the solid food portions.

However, blocked milk ducts and blisters may have been caused by sleeping on my stomach, being run down, not feeding baby on a rigid schedule, wearing a bra with underwire, improper latch, baby being lip-tied... Who knows, maybe the causes all ganged up on me and gave me a giant sucker punch in the boob?

With second baby I developed chronic clogged ducts again. Yayayayayay! Yay! One nurse suggested getting some Lecithin pills, which she said is supposed to break up the fatty particles in the milk so it can easier travel through the ducts? I'm not 100% believer in supplements, but figured it can't hurt! It's mainly sunflower oil.

Tip from my big sis that I kept in mind: Remember to nurse in different positions, so you don't develop blocked ducts. Also if your baby gets used to only feeding when you are laying down, it could be inconvenient when not at home base.

4 Breast Pump Reviews

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This is one of those post that is written to my first-time pregnant self, I wish I could send it back in time to that clueless lady! That way I'd be prepared before the baby arrived, instead of wading through piles of products, discovering what personally did and did not work for us. Maybe some mom-to-be out there can benefit from my ramblings...

If you disagree or have anything to add, I'd love to hear from you in the comments!

I didn't buy an electric pump immediately after my first baby was born, because my insurance at the time was only going to pay $20 something towards a pump and I wasn't sure if it was going to be worth the additional investment. The $20 didn't even cover this pump:

Avent Hand Pump

It is squeaky. But the rubber padding on it is comfortable and supposedly massages the milk ducts for more efficient expression.

Avent Double Electric Pump

This is the one I ended up investing in and I don't regret it. Well, this one is the most similar to what I have at least - they discontinued the Isis (maybe because of the name?) I found this brand to be pretty comfortable, also has the aforementioned comfortable rubber padded cups. The motor makes a little noise but not obnoxious, would definitely wake someone sharing the bedroom though, if they're a light sleeper.

Another good thing about the Avent electric pump is that you can "program" this pump to go as slow as you want.

Double feature of the breast pump was perhaps unnecessary unless you purchase the "hands-free" bra (because you're going to get awfully bored holding pumps in both hands! Ok, there is Tv, I guess...). However, I don't think the single electronic pump was that much cheaper. So get the bra if you're going to be pumping a lot.

Now doesn't that model look oddly seductive and sultry?

The electric pump helped increase my milk supply almost immediately, so that my baby didn't need formula anymore after a month or so. In fact I increased my milk supply to the point that I got painfully engorged, developed oversupply (I had a hard time finding time to deal with the excess milk), overactive letdown (not fun, so don't put the machine on turbo speed, like I did!).


The above 4 oz. "classic" bottles it came with had some weird conversion attachment, I think they added that because people were complaining about the leaking.


You can attach the above regular "natural" Avent 8 oz. bottles to the pump.

Medela Hand Pump

We got this one from the hospital. It was ok, connects to the standard size bottle and nipples. It was convenient to have a more portable version to bring on excursions. It doesn't have that rubber padding. Not as noisy as the Avent hand pump. The great thing about hand pumps is that you can make them go as slow as you need and they do the job. But invest in an electric pump if you will be pumping a lot.


Medela Double Electric Pump

I refer to this as my medieval torture device. Soooo painful! Someone suggested I may have the wrong size attachment. Maybe. I think it has more to do with the pumping speed, it goes from turbo-uncomfortable to nipple chafing warp speed. I got this for free through my insurance with the second baby, thanks to the affordable healthcare act, and chose it because they didn't have that many options they'd cover and I had quite a few Medela bottles already. That's the only reason I kept using it - because I already had the bottles. What I'd do to "hack it" was to try to barely attach the air hose thing, so it wouldn't suction too hard. Or use one side, while leaving it on turbo speed but keep the second pump away from the other breast, that made it a bit less intense.