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Adding Realism with Paper - by DeeinNJ
(November 2005)Hello, everyone!
Although it’s chilly outside in some parts of the country, I’m going to discuss how I used some woven paper to add realism to my Barbie Cali Girl Hawaiian Hotel. Yes, colder weather translates nicely into the perfect opportunity for a tropical getaway! I liked the Cali Girl Hawaiian Hotel pieces as props for my photos and displays, but I wanted to make it look more realistic. It’s still a work in progress, but for today’s discussion, I have enough done to share.
First I masked off the walls of the hotel with plastic grocery bags and masking tape and spray painted the corner shelf brown (the lower portion of the shelf is removable, so that makes painting it easy. Then, I used woven paper to cover the door fronts to give them a more realistic look. I just measured and cut pieces and applied them with glue. Notice I also made a new photo frame for the wall. I used velcro dots on the back so I can change the art whenever I want. I hope to transform the floor to tile someday.
I used the same techniques to give the patio set a new look. I painted it brown, then used the paper to make the seats look woven.
And, I did the same with the bed, putting the woven paper in the center of the head and footboards after painting it brown from the original yellow color.
This woven paper can be used for a number of other purposes.
• I cut a long narrow strip and used it to edge the table of the Guava Gulch Tiki bar.
• You could cut long thin pieces and incorporate them into a folding screen (one of my favorite projects !) or easier yet, just fold it up and make a screen instantly.
• Because these papers are sold in large sheets, you can use it to cover walls in a diorama or as flooring for your tea room, sushi bar, tiki bar, etc. Or make mini area rugs or mats by edging them with ribbon or decorative tape.
• I like to keep it rolled, then I unroll it and stand it up behind my sets to create free standing walls that you can move or rearrange. Notice the straw-look walls behind the bed in the shot above.
• Attach textured paper to painted or stained blocks of wood or painted playline furniture for coffee or end tables, benches, etc. Add a glass top for elegance. How about on the front of an armoire?
There are many projects for which this and other exotic and asian papers can be used. To get your creative juices flowing, I’ve included a link to a place that sells exotic papers and other bookmaking supplies. The paper I used for this project is called Basho or woven bamboo. Check it out! And, as always, don’t forget to share what you make with all of us. Inquiring Divas want to know!
