Posts filed under ‘Crafts’
4 Types of Home-Made Ornaments Using Decoupage, Dough, Clay, & Fabric
This year our church is decorating the church tree with home-made ornaments. We want ornaments from the kiddos as well as from the adults. Coming up with ornament prototypes for the Sunday school PreK’s through 5th graders has been a blast.
Over Thanksgiving break I spent 3 days with my daughter, Elizabeth. 3 of my nieces also stayed with her. For a majority of that time we made ornaments. We covered Elizabeth’s tree with home-made ornaments and we each got to take some home.
Below are the types of ornaments the church kiddos, my nieces, my daughter, and I made. NOTE: The clay, decoupage, and dough ornaments were sealed with Krylon crystal clear spray finish.
- This stain glass look-alike and single-colour ball were made using smallish pieces of tissue paper dipped in liquid starch. The tissue covered the gold balls quite nicely.
- The Cinnamon Salt Dough Star (more info below) was made with tissue decoupage and puffy paint.
- 2 Cups Flour
- 1 Cup Cinnamon
- 1 Cup Salt
- 1 1/2 Cups Warm Water
You can cover the cooked dough with glitter or puffy paint! See the tissue-decoupaged ornament peeking through just off-center?
This star was painted with white paint to look like frosting. Then I covered the “frosting” with cake sprinkles.
The Cinnamon Salt Dough does well with acrylic paint.
(1) Aren’t Patrick and Pooh cute?
(2) The bright blue shows up nicely on the tree. The red/white candy cane is explained down below.
(3) Ninjas look good on the tree too.
(1) The foil-lined cookie sheet is full of our baked projects.
(2) My son made the snowman on the right. He wasn’t shy about being the only male.
(1) Kate’s snowman is small, about 4 inches tall and reminds me of The Snowman.
(2) Em’s snowman is BIG about 7 inches tall. Love those blue eyes.
(3) Sammi made a snowman too. I am not showing her art because some are presents and at this moment I cannot remember which ones are. So best not to post any.
- 6 Ways to Decommercialize Christmas
- A Charlie Brown Christmas Quiz
- Decorations Can be Emotional Bombs
- How to Make a Christmas Card Wreath for $2
- Traditions: Getting Past the Meaningless to Find the Meaning
Like this:
How to Make a Christmas Card Wreath for $2.00
Christmas cards are too meaningful and too pretty to NOT enjoy all season long.
How do you normally display your Christmas cards? I’ve taped them to the wall, stood them up on top of my entertainment center, feathered them in a big bowl, and lined them on twine.
An internet search showed how people are displaying their cards . . .
- on a vertical ribbon
- from garland
- hanging from a yardstick with clothespins
- turn them into a crocheted greeting bowl
- a branch tree holds them nicely
I recently saw this cork photo wreath and thought THIS is what I’ll do with my cards this year!
But I wanted to do so with a smaller budget. I visited The Dollar Tree to see what would be good substitutes for a roll of cork liner and a cardboard circle (both can be found at any craft store).
My $2 idea is one foam board (20″x30″) and one 16″ wreath (any kind would do since it’ll be covered).
Additional Supplies You’ll Need
- Adhesive to stick wreath to foam board (hot glue, tacky glue, wood glue)
- “Adhesive” to attach cards to wreath (tacks, hot glue, tacky glue, double-sided tape, or scrapbook adhesive pop dots)
- Pen and scissors
- 15-20 Christmas cards
Directions
- 4. Cut out the foam circle by cutting along the lines you’ve drawn.
- This is the wrong side of the wreath.
- 5. Attaching foam to the wreath. Glue the wreath to the foam circle using the adhesive of your choice. I used wood glue and put books on top until the glue was dry. I did this in the evening and it was dry the next morning.
- NOTE: Be sure to have glue dry in this upside-down position. Otherwise the glue will run through the vines of the wreath. Yes, I learned the hard way.
- 6. Gather Christmas cards you want to display. Lay out your 15-20 Christmas cards and arrange them in a pleasing pattern on top of the foam board. Attach the cards using tacks, sticky pop dots, double-sided tape, or hot glue.
- I used the sticky pop dots. On average I used 3 dots per card.
- NOTE: I used some of the pop dots to close the cards. I did not want them swinging open every time I opened/shut the door.
7. Hang up your wreath. My wreath is in my bedroom hanging from an over-the-door hanger.
Related Posts . . .
- 6 Ways to Decommercialize Christmas
- 10 Creative, Clutter-free Ideas for Displaying Christmas Cards (Apartment Therapy; lovely photos)
- Christmas Table of Contents from Fruitfulwords
- Christmas Card Display Ideas from Modern Country Style
Like this:
Afghan Check Up
I am making slow progress on the afghan. For 3 of the past 4 weeks my shoulder has been very painful on account of tendonitis. So not much knitting went on. But I am making strides to accomplishing goals I set for these last months of 2010.
How are your goals? What do you hope to finish before 2010 is a memory?
Friday’s Favourite’s – 10/29/2010
Here are five things for which I am grateful for this last week in October. To share your own list or to read what other’s wrote go here. Thanks again to Susanne from Living to Tell the Story for this ongoing meme. It “makes” me stop, think, and write about five blessings from the past week.
- Unexpected Trip. If you find a penny, check to see which side is up. If heads, you will have unexpected company. If tails, you’ll go on an unexpected trip. This week I found a penny with tails. And yes, I did go on an unexpected trip. I was able to spend two evenings and a day with my daughter. Her new place is very posh, comfy and roomy. She even has space to share her studio with an artist friend, Celeste. We talked, ate good food (which she cooked) and walked down to a nearby school where students give massages. DD’s treat. It is very apparent that she is verra verra happy in her new digs, job, and circle of friends. I am verra verra grateful for these blessings that have come her way.
- Companionship. Last Sunday the women’s ministry team gathered for a potluck lunch. These ladies are all unique and add something special to the team ministry and dynamic. Each woman is full of grace and I like being around them – a lot! They teach me, love me and like me. I am always better for having been around them. Thanks Marsha, LaRee and Barbie.
- Creativity. After lunch we did one of my favorite things. We crafted. Cutting, mod-podging,
and glueing went on. The results were retro-looking clock magnets. We’ll attach a calendar of dates to the back so women can easily find out what’s happening in the next 6 months or so. - Retreat Planning. I went over to Debbie’s house for dinner and to talk about Women’s Retreat June 10-12, 2011. It was fun to visit with Debbie and her roomies over a delicious dinner. I even got to use a cool instrument that checked my blood level though my fingertip. (My O2 levels are normal. Whew!) Debbie is usually the one who handles the music portion of retreat. I shared with Debbie the direction I thought retreat would be going. I am grateful to get a jump-start on Retreat.
- Group and Grace. I am part of a Wednesday night small group of women. We are reading a book by Lisa Harper titled Untamed. The main point I digested all week was God’s grace for me. Not a new concept, but one that I need to and want to keep coming back to again and again. I reminded myself that I see and experience His majestic grace in various places and in various mediums: stargazing, at the ocean, cuddling a baby, witnessing two people reconcile, watching certain movies and hearing certain songs (to name a few). Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin is one such song. I am forever grateful for God’s grace and love for me.
Afghan Check Up – Oh, Bother!
I’ve been on a knitting roll since the first picture here. I usually knit while watching a movie and the room is a little on the dark side. Now that I look at this afghan in the bright light of the flash, do you see what I see?
I have been knitting with two different colours. Oh, bother.
Do you think the two variations are close enough? Or should I unknit this and start over?
Afghan is 4 Inches Long
One of my goals for this year is to finish my afghan. It matches the colors in my office and will be so snuggly warm for when it is finally blustery and cool.
This is the first picture. Today it is 4 inches long. I will give a progress report/picture the last day of each month.
Your Turn
What project are you working on? … Will you finish it this year? … Come back at the end of the month and give us a progress report. Or send a photo and I’ll post it.
Related posts
November 20 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude
I’m grateful for creativity and those who encourage me in this endeavor. Colette is the encourager in this case. She graciously had me over and showed me how to use a cricut & cuddlebug. Look closely at the envelope. It is embossed “Thank you.”
I had an awesome time learning and visiting. Thanks, Colette, for your generous and fun personality.
One class I took at Western Seminary was “Loving God and Others.” We learned that we need to be emotionally, spiritually, and physically sound in order to love well.
Under spiritually I have the following sentences in my notes:
“In what areas are you creative? Are you taking time to express your creativity? You need 2-4 hours of this weekly!!! Are you using your creativity for immoral or destructive purposes?”
In some mysterious way using our creativity connects us to God. That is true for me. But I have been sadly negligent in allowing myself to create on a weekly basis. Since my schedule is more sane now, I will regularly engage in this activity that rejuvenates me and connects me with God.
What creative project(s) are you working on? How does using your creativity make you feel?
Previous Photos from November’s Photo-a Day.
- Day 1 Photo: Christmas Tree with Broken, Tangled Lights
- Day 2 Photo: Birthday Boy
- Day 3 Photo: Mums at the Church Entrance
- Day 4 Photo: Simple Technology
- Day 5 Photo: Mystery Ice Cream Gift
- Day 6 Photo: Rocking Godson
- Day 7 Photo: Spontaneous Friends
- Day 8 Photo: Children’s Influence
- Day 9 Photo: Shoebox Gifts
- Day 10 Photo: Changing the Woman in the Mirror
- Day 11 Photo: Devoted Sisters
- Day 12 Photo: Prayer Calmed Me 4 This
- Day 13 Photo: Gratitude on the Internet
- Day 14 Photo: Chip’s Sweater
- Day 15 Photo: Stop
- Day 16 Photo: Faithful Workers
- Day 17 Photo: Necessary Books
- Day 18 Photo: Friends & No-Knead Bread
- Day 19 Photo: Beauty & Those Who Create It
Other Related Posts:
- 20 Things I’m Grateful For
- Turn Up The Music Song Inspires Thankful List of 20
- 2 Ways I Fed My Creative Side & What I Learned (January)
- 2 Ways I Fed My Creative Side (February)
- Hostess Gift for Tea Party
- Two More Tea Wallets
- 14 Crafty Things I Wish I Could Do This Weekend
- What’s the Name of This Quilt Block?
- Choosing 2 Express Gratitude During November
- Feeling Full On Gratitude
- We Cannot Be Grateful Without Being Thoughtful
P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able to read other participants on this thankful journey.
Two More Tea Wallets
I made three more tea wallets last weekend. I’ll show two of them here.
Like these? They aren’t hard to make. Go here for instructions to sew your own. 
. The third is a pressie. After its been given I’ll show it off. Go here to see pictures of others I’ve made.
14 Things I Wish I Could Do This Weekend
Wouldn’t it be awesome to spend the whole 3 day weekend crafting? What follows is a list of 14 things I’d do if my to-do list was empty. Let me know if you want to make any of these too. Let’s make a date and craft a while.
- Cut out squares for a blue jeans quilt for my son. Brooke Reynolds from inchmark made a quilt for her son out of his father’s old work shirts. I love that idea too. Go here to see her post which includes pictures and tips.
- Make a trash bag for my car. This one hangs from the headrest. Chica and Jo have step-by-step directions on their blog. Go here for the directions. Do you think this could be a good bed treat for retreat some year? Or maybe I’ll make these as Christmas pressies.
- Sew a snuggly for one (all) of the babies at church. Both my kiddos slept better when they were swaddled nice and tight. Lotta Jansdotter created this pattern. Go here to download it.
- Reinforce my tissue patterns so they’ll keep longer. Go here to Christine Sews to find the directions.
- Sew a Bitty Bug Pincushion. I have a tomato pincushion which is functional but NOT cute. This idea is functional and CUTE. And I want one. Here are the directions at Goody Goody by Lauren.
- Lauren also has a pattern and directions for a matyroshka tooth fairy pillow. Let me know when you make one. I just printed out the pattern and I am sooo tempted, but I must focus on what’s already on the to-do list.
- This might be my request for virtual quilting bee , a block o’ string pattern. Rachel Griffith from p.s. i quilt gives step-by-step instructions here. She says this is a super easy method!
- Make a fabric corsage for me. These would be cute to give out at Mother’s Day. Leigh Ann describes her idea here. Check out the rest of her blog, the object project for lots of ideas.
- Brew a better cup of coffee. McAuliflower at Brownie Points gives 7 tricks on how to enhance the flavor of coffee. I don’t drink/make a lot of coffee so my coffee -making skills are negligible. These tips just might make me a popular barista in my crowd.
- Quilt a fabric tic-tac-toe game. Amy from During Quiet Time fashioned this nine patch pattern into a cool game. Go here for the directions.
- Improve my health. One habit at a time. Dr. Nicole at Kitchen Table Medicine writes many of the articles at this site. On one post she lists 14 habits that when followed will make a big difference in our health. I’m checking into the flaxseed idea.
- Take an online knitting class to make socks. Go here for the instructions.
- Scrapbook. Go here for 12 ideas presented by Shimelle.
- Create sparkle strawberries. These would make a wonderful snack or addition to a breakfast meal. Be Different…Act Normal give the details and picture here.
So, what’s on your list of things you’d do this weekend if you could?
What’s the Name of This Quilt Block?
I came across 49 quilt blocks while going through some stuff in the garage. I hand sewed these when we lived in England (about 1988-1993). Every year all the mums of the local playgroup would sew up these blocks. One talented quilting mum put them all together and then quilted it. The finished quilt was raffled off to earn funds for the playgroup.
Do you know the name of the block?
The scottie dog material is leftover from a dress I made for my daughter when she was about 7. I even made a little doggie pin from the material. The red velvet middle is from a Christmas dress for my daughter I found at a thrift store when she was a toddler.
How should I put this quilt together? Like the below picture? Or should I outline each flower with a solid color?
I had forgotten all about these blocks. I enjoyed basting the material to the paper octogon pattern. Then deciding which pieces to put together to make a complete flower was a challenge. When I look at some of the blocks now, I wonder what I was thinking! Evidently my taste has changed.
It was hard for me to just sit and watch TV. I liked to have a project in hand like this one or cross stitch.
I’ve never put a quilt together before, so any information is welcome.
