| Designing and making your own Coat of Arms is | | | | teacher, he likes golf, fishing and does a |
| an interesting and enjoyable project. The | | | | lot of DIY. A traditional Coat of Arms for |
| Coat of Arms could be for your family or as a | | | | him could be a shield shape divided into four |
| present. It will make a distinctive and | | | | quadrants. The sections could have - |
| original gift. | | | | |
| | | | * A mortar board |
| You can choose whether it will be funny or | | | | |
| more traditional. A Coat of Arms can be an | | | | * Golf clubs |
| unusual leaving present for a co-worker. | | | | |
| | | | * Fisherman |
| The Coat of Arms can be themed to a | | | | |
| particular event or hobby - | | | | * A cross shape made from a hammer and |
| | | | screwdriver |
| Hobby or special interest - golf, fishing, | | | | |
| cooking | | | | For a smaller, less formal one I could use a |
| | | | golf ball shape background with a diagonal |
| Life event - graduation, winning a particular | | | | cross made of a fishing rod and a golf club. |
| contest | | | | There could also be a motto like "Life's too |
| | | | short to work!" or something similar. |
| Humorous - funny episodes in life, the | | | | |
| person's quirks | | | | A good theme for a funny Coat of Arms would |
| | | | be to choose things that represent silly |
| Begin by choosing a background shape for the | | | | episodes in their life. You can really get |
| Coat of Arms. A shield shape is traditional; | | | | creative with your items! |
| however choose a shape that matches the | | | | |
| person it is for. You could have a heart | | | | To make up your Coat of Arms draw in the |
| shaped one for a young girl or for someone | | | | background shape and place your items for a |
| who is getting married. | | | | pleasing result. You could add a motto at |
| | | | the bottom as well. Using computer fonts for |
| Then select the items that will be included | | | | this will ensure that the lettering, and the |
| in the Coat of Arms. This could be very | | | | spacing between the letters, is perfect. |
| simple - for example a couple of crossed | | | | |
| tennis racquets - or fairly elaborate | | | | If you have done this in a computer program |
| depending on your theme. | | | | you could print it out. Remember that most |
| | | | computer inks will fade over time if left in |
| The final size of the Coat of Arms will | | | | the sunlight. |
| restrict the number of items you can include. | | | | |
| A smaller 'letterhead' size Coat of Arms may | | | | Alternatively you could trace and paint the |
| only have one or two things, but one painted | | | | Coat of Arms onto a canvas panel. For a |
| onto a canvas could include a lot more items | | | | larger one you can print out sections of the |
| and extra detail. | | | | Coat of Arms onto several pages of computer |
| | | | paper and join them together. Trace this |
| If you're only using one item it would | | | | onto a canvas panel or stretched canvas and |
| probably be placed centrally. For two items | | | | paint it - I like to use acrylic paints |
| you could place them side by side or one to | | | | because they are water based and quick and |
| the top and the other to the bottom. When a | | | | easy to use. |
| Coat of Arms has four items they are often | | | | |
| placed in the four quadrants which have been | | | | A large Coat of Arms on a stretched canvas is |
| sectioned off with lines. | | | | an impressive gift. |
| | | | |
| Clip art is a handy way to select the | | | | If you have made a family Coat of Arms you |
| different things to include in your Coat of | | | | could add it to your letterhead, or print it |
| Arms. Copy and Paste a range of suitable | | | | onto the front of cards for your own |
| items onto one page and then make your final | | | | personalized stationery. |
| selection from these. | | | | |
| | | | This is a great project that you will enjoy |
| When you are making a Coat of Arms for a | | | | doing either by yourself or with others. Be |
| particular person you can include the things | | | | sure to give it a try. |
| that they like to do. My husband is a | | | | |