Ornaments: Not just for holidays

Christmas may be over, but the fun of making ornaments doesn’t have to be.

My niece and nephew each had an amazing hunting season this year. My niece shot her first turkey and my nephew was able to score two deer on opening day — his first time deer hunting.

I thought giving them each a handmade ornament would be a great way to remember their special days. Even though I gave them to them on Christmas Day, they could certainly be hung all year long, if they desire.

I have to apologize for the quality of the photos … I still haven’t gotten my lights fixed and in all of the Christmas rush, these were the best I could do! Click on the images for a larger look …I started with DIY Ornament Kits from Globecraft & Piccolo, but I left off the back globe so they can hang flat on the wall. I wrote the date and a few words about their special hunting trips on the back of the photos. Wallet-sized photos fit perfectly in these ornaments.

I added a few Piccolos and used a combination of paint, embossing powder and 3D Enamel Gels to cover the ornaments.

Then, I added a few brads from Eyelet Outlet (I just cut the backs off and glued them on).

When all was finished, I applied a thick coat of Glastique to the entire ornament (except the globe) to help seal on the tiny guns and no hunting sign and protect the finishes.

They turned out pretty cute, don’t you think!?

I have another Globecraft & Piccolo project — a cuckoo clock — on their blog today … click here to check it out!

Happy Holidays!

I apologize for being MIA over the past week or so. It seems I got busy making holiday gifts and CHA samples, and neglected my blog!

One of the things I have been working on are special ornaments using products from Globecraft & Piccolo. I have had a few “issues” and so none of them are finished quite yet, but I thought I could share some that are already done and hanging on the tree.

I have been making these ornaments for several months now, but this is the first time I have them hanging on the tree. I put these up randomly, but look at how beautiful they are with the light shining behind them!

This one was made by a friend and given to me the other day. When I noticed how it glowed with the light behind it, I had to photograph it. It is just beautiful!

 

I also have a sneak peek of a new product Globecraft & Piccolo is bringing to CHA in January …

If I don’t get back here before Christmas, have a happy holiday!

Inspired by Christmas

I find inspiration for my creations everywhere. It may come from a magazine ad, a piece of paper or another person’s creation. I have even been known to take inspiration from a tile wall in the bathroom of McDonald’s.

This time, I found inspiration at one of my favorite online stores — One King’s Lane. Here are a few of the ornaments I discovered in their store:

Aren’t they beautiful?

Anyhow, I decided to try my hand at my own glass ornaments … each one is totally different, since I was mostly experimenting, but I think they turned out pretty cool. I started with a box of clear glass ornaments. You will notice there are not 6 — two didn’t survive the experimentation and met their fate in the trash can.

I coated the inside of this one with a very thin layer of Piccolo 3D Enamel Gel. I rotated it several times a day for a few days until it dried and then I added Elizabeth Craft Designs snowflake stickers to it. Isn’t it beautiful!

This one I left clear and added a bit of Faux Snow by Art Glitter to the inside. The stickers are from Elizabeth Craft Designs. I coated them with Glitter Ritz glitter in cool highlight and then colored them with Copics. I love how the translucent design allows you to see through the back side.

For this one, I coated the inside with Adirondack Paint. The large stripes are done by attaching Scor-Tape and then coating it in Art Glitter glitter. The other stripes are freehand with Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive and Art Glitter glitter.

And, last but not least, this one is coated on the inside with Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint. The stars and Season’s Greetings are stickers by Elizabeth Craft Designs. The ribbon is from May Arts. Very simple, but very pretty, don’t you think?

Time Flies Birthday Card

I was so honored to be asked to join Kimberly Congdon’s challenge design team — Scrap It Girl.

Each month, crafters are invited to create a layout, card, altered art or similar project following a theme. At the end of the month, the entries are all looked at and a winner is chosen. They receive a cool selection of products.

This is the first challenge design team I have been on, so I am excited.

For December, the challenge is clocks. I decided to make a card using products from Globecraft & Piccolo and paper from Reminisce.

I used Vintage Photo Distress Ink to ink the card base and then added the paper (the back side of one of the vintage label prints) at an angle to add interest.

I typed the saying and printed it off, then colored it with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

For the clock, I coated the back with Burnt Umber 3D Enamel Gel and the clock parts with 24K Gold Enamel Powder.

Then, I coated the wings with Vintage Copper Enamel Powder.

I wanted them to be more than just the outline of wings, so I placed them on my Non-stick Craft Sheet and filled them with Glastique, also from Globecraft & Piccolo.

Then, while I was at it, I put the clock together and coated it with a layer of Glastique as well.

Once the wings are practically dry (dry to the touch, but still white) I carefully lifted them off the Non-stick Craft Sheet. Notice in the photo below how the Glastique stays with the little wing.

Once they are totally dry, the area between the wings is transparent, but still has a bit of sheen — very similar to a dragonfly’s wings.

Now, you can see the paper through them, but it’s obvious that they are not just a frame.

And here is the final card again … Click on the photos for a larger picture.

I hope you head over to Scrap It Girl and try out the December challenge, too.

And, if you can’t find Globecraft & Piccolo products in your local store, click on the link at the side to shop online.

Handmade Holiday Blog Hop 2012

Welcome to the 2^nd Annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!!

 

Calling all crafters! We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season.

This 3-day Hop includes more than 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all of the thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could create for the holidays, all in one place, during our second-annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!

To sweeten the Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors! Use the Rafflecopter widget on the Clearsnap blog to gain extra entries each day.

You can also gain extra entries by “Liking” Globecraft & Piccolo on Facebook. After you Like Us, return here and tell us you did so for the extra entry.

View the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov. 27, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Each day we’ll be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!

Here’s today’s list …

Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

Hampton Art – http://blog.hamptonart.com/

Graphic45 – http://g45papers.typepad.com/

Fiskateers – www.fiskateers.com/blog

Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/

Tombow USA – http://blog.tombowusa.com/

Authentique Paper http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/

The Twinery – http://www.thetwineryblog.com/

Eileen Hull for Sizzix http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/

Globecraft Memories – http://globecraftmemories.blogspot.com

Diana Gonzalez – Clearsnap – http:// www.arteypoemas.com

Melissa Cash  – Tombow – http://inkclinations.blogspot.com/2012/10/handmade-holiday-blog-hop.html

Monika Wright – The Twinery – http://www.iloveitallwithmonikawright.com/

Gretchen McElveen – Hampton Art – http://gretchenmac.blogspot.com/

Megan Aaron – Clearsnap-  http://thoughtsoftraveling.blogspot.com/

Tania Willis – Fiskateers- http://throughtrialsiambeingpurified.blogspot.com/

Gloria Stengel – Graphic 45 – http://www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com/

Suzanne Austin – Clearsnap – http://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com/

Shellye McDaniel – Authentique Paper – http://paperedcottage.blogspot.com/

Natasha Naranjo Aguirre – Donna Salazar Designs –  http://www.moments-of-tranquility.com

Jen Carter – The Twinery – http://jensinkspot.blogspot.com/

Laura Denison – Graphic 45 – www.lauradenisondesigns.com

Candy Spiegel – Globecraft Memories – https://candyspiegel.wordpress.com/

Cheers to creating gifts from the heart this holiday season!

Happy Hopping!

For my entry I created a snowman wreath. (Click on the photos for a larger view).

I started with a simple grapevine wreath and wrapped Honeydew Baker’s Twine from The Twinery around it. (I tied the ends on the backside around one of the branches to secure it.)

Then I added a large Accent flourish by Globecraft & Piccolo that I covered in 3D Enamel Gel in Metallic Silver. (I also coated some birds in the gel and added them toward the end. I love the swirly tone of the silver.

Next, I created the poinsettias. I used the new die by Tim Holtz/Sizzix and paper from Authentique’s Festive collection. I first added Fired Brick Distress Ink, but that didn’t provide enough contrast, so I added Walnut Stain Distress Ink around the edges.

I then glued the layers together, folded the leaves so they would be dimensional and added Globecraft’s Pure Sparkle Silver Glitter to the centers. Even though I was making a rustic, country snowman wreath, I wanted it to have some of the bling of Christmas!

Then came the snowflakes … I used a sheet of sticky-back paper and punched out the snowflakes with a punch from Fiskars. Then I coated them in Pure Sparkle Silver Glitter. Don’t you love that sparkle and shine!?! The glitter is made up of different-size particles that offer a sparkle closer to that of Mother Nature.

I added another snowflake to the tag that hangs from the bottom. This is made by stamping with Memento Ink in Bamboo Leaves onto kraft cardstock with a stamp by Hampton Art. I used my Crop-A-Dile to add an eyelet to the top.

I wrapped Cappuccino twine around the tag. I secured it in the back with a Power Adhesive Tab from Tombow and then added a scrap of paper to the top to cover the rest of the adhesive. I hung the tag from the wreath with additional twine.

I coated a couple of keys from Globecraft in Vintage Silver Enamel Powder and added them, and a bead from Maya Road, onto the bottom of the wreath. I thought they went well with the “Do Not Open Until Christmas” saying on the tag — especially since I plan to hang this on my front door. (My odd sense of humor!)

Now for the ornament in the center … this is a kit from Globecraft & Piccolo. First, I used a large dauber sponge to paint the inside of the back globe.

I used the same paint to paint the snowman so no brown color shows through when I flock him.

Next, I painted the rim in red paint, the nose with 3D Enamel Gel in orange and the arms with 3D Enamel Gel in Burnt Umber. I also put a bit of Metallic Silver at the base of the snowman to cover up a mistake I made … Then, I used Stampendous Fun Flock to cover the snowman and his hat and scarf. Once dry, I added a tiny black rhinestone eye.

I used Vintage Silver Enamel Powder to cover the rings and then assembled the ornament. To do that, I laid the inner ring down, placed the globe on top and then dry fit the ring. Once I got it where I wanted it, I carefully removed the ring and applied liquid glue right along the edge of the globe. I placed the ring back on top and used binder clips to hold it in place while the glue sets. (You don’t want to leave them on for more than a few minutes because they may mar the surface if left on longer)

Finally, I used Gilded Rose Enamel Powder to color a couple of flourishes, attached them to the front and then strung the ornament in the middle of the wreath.

Thanks for stopping by … I hope I have inspired you to create a wreath of your own!

Enjoy the hop and don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win!