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