Christmas: DIY Acrylic Ornaments

 

I had so much fun with these easy to make ornaments! I found these plain acrylic disc ornaments at Michaels and they were a must get! They can be painted, papered, or as shown here, are the perfect surface for vinyl. 

Supplies:

• Acrylic Disc Ornaments (Michaels)
• Assorted Vinyl and Transfer Tape
• Assorted Beads
• Snowflake Ornament Hooks (Walmart)
• Misc Jewelry Supplies (Jump Rings, Head Pins, Pliers)
• Design
• Digital Cutter (Cricut, Silhouette, etc. )

NOTE: This project assumes a digital cutting machine and familiarity with applying vinyl but you could use a die cutter to cut the images or cut images using an X-Acto knife. 

The ornaments come 18 pieces to a package. Regular price is $9.99 w/out sale or coupon. I used Cricut Glitter Vinyl and a metallic turquoise vinyl I had in my stash. The images I used were various ones I had in my collection. 

First step is to size your images to fit the ornaments. These are 3 inches in diameter so you want to size your image slightly smaller. Then cut and weed your vinyl. Set aside and prepare your surface. 

I used glass cleaner and paper towels but you could also use alcohol to clean them. You want to make sure you remove any residue plus you want a clean surface! Then apply the transfer tape and apply your image to the ornament. 

Once you've positioned your vinyl then use your scraping tool to apply. Remove transfer tape. Now it's time to embellish! 

I added some iridescent rhinestones to the trees on these, and some black ones on the gnome. 

I picked up these cute snowmen beads at JoAnn's when they were having a great sale. They were perfect for the turquoise. I also found these snowflake ornament hangers at Walmart. I wish I'd bought more! I strung the bead onto a head pin, closed, then  used a large jump ring to attach the ornament hanger to the ornament and a smaller jump ring to attach the bead. Same process for the others shown using coordinating beads. 

And there you are! 

One of my friends did a Krampus tree this year so I had to make her an ornament for it! 

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Christmas Decor: Layered Christmas Stocking

 

"It's the most wonderful of the year" also the busiest but definitely fun! As a Maker, it's definitely my favorite. And another favorite this making season continues to be layered cut files that so many Makers keep coming up with and sharing, I can hardly keep up! For this project I used one from a collection of Layered Ornaments from one of my favorite creators, Kimberly from Sweet Red Poppy. Whether you sew, do papercrafts or just love pretty things, you really need to check out her blog! 

NOTE: This project assumes familiarity with how to use your machine's software. 

Supplies: 

• Layered SVG Files (I used the stocking from this collection by Sweet Red Poppy)
• Cutting Machine (I used my Cricut Explore 2. These also work for Silhouette)
• Gold Foil, Cream, Silver Glitter cardstock (All, Recollections from Michaels)
• Background Paper ( I used sheets from the White Christmas stack, Michaels)
• Display Case Frames (Michaels)
• Foam Dots
• Embellishments (I used Wood Stars from Dollar Tree)

For the smaller stocking, I used a silver display case frame from my stash. I pick these up whenever they're a buy one get one at Michaels. The 8x8 frames come 3 to a package and the 12x12 come two to a package so when they're a BOGO it's a great deal! For the 12x12, I thought I had silver but alas, no so to the craft paints! Here's where what some might call a craft fail, I prefer to call a happy accident! I took the frame apart since I was going to paint it. Set the glass and insert aside. 

You might think I used a crackle medium. Nope! I took out some silver chalk paint and apparently it's a wee bit old and had separated. Oops. I stirred and shook it but when I applied it it crackled itself! While I thought I was going to go with a solid silver finish, as I watched this happen I was actually quite happy. Ergo, happy accident! 

The next step was to prepare my layers. The stocking comes in five layers but I wanted it simpler so I hid two of the layers and used the ones shown sized to 6 inches tall for the smaller stocking and 10 inches for the larger. 

Once you've sized your layers, cut them on your machine. Here are my completed and cut layers. 

Once you have all of your layers assemble using foam dots/squares/tape. For the top layer I cut the squares in half to fit the more narrow border. 

Working from the back of your layers, place the foam squares around the cutout, then flip and attach to your base layer. Repeat with the top layer. 

The reason I only did three of the layers is because I'd chosen a star background paper and was excited to use these wood stars I found at the Dollar Tree ( once again..."why didn't I buy more of these?!") because I went back and gone, baby, gone. I put small drops of glue (Ranger, Glossy Accents) on the back and applied to the stockings as shown. 

Squeal! I instantly fell in love with this White Christmas Hot Buy stack at Michaels. This week (11/21-11/27) they're my favorite...buy one get two free so get thee to a Michaels if you are looking for some pretty holiday scrapbook paper. I chose the paper I wanted for my background and cut one sheet to fit the 8x8 and trimmed the other to fit the 12x12 and then adhered to the inside of the frame back using double sided tape. Then I adhered the stocking using more double sided tape and assembled the frames. 

I am so happy with how they turned out! The color combinations are endless. I am so addicted to these beautiful and intricate layered files. 

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Christmas Doodles

I've mentioned before that coloring is not as relaxing to me as doodling so I've been busy doodling this December. Practicing my video skills to improve upon in the New Year! 

Rustic and Glam: Layered and Gold Leaf Christmas Slat Sign

This is  a sponsored post. Materials were provided to me. Project idea and comments are mine. 

The team at Oriental Trading Company provided me an opportunity to play with some of their great products to come up with a Christmas project and needless to say I had too much fun. 

I created this layered piece using a plain slat board , a wood tree shape , a plain frame and Christmas themed scrapbook paper but the most fun part of this piece was the gold leafing! Foil and shiny is so popular right now ( wouldn't matter if it wasn't, I love shiny things). I also love marrying the most basic and  rustic supplies and the glam (for example, my Christmas tree includes Swarovski crystal ornaments and a tree topper made using a toilet paper roll). 

Here's what I started with: 

Plain Slat Sign

Unfinished Christmas Tree

Traditional Christmas Scrapbook Paper Pack

Gold Foil Leaf

DIY Unfinished Frames

Acrylic Craft Paints

Gold Leaf Sizing ( I used Mona Lisa brand I had on hand)

The unfinished tree is actually meant to stand up but since I never use things as intended, I glued the stand to the back of the tree to give it some dimension. 

I painted the sign using black craft paint and then dry brushed it with cream paint. I did the same for the unfinished frame. 

I traced the tree onto a piece of the scrapbook paper , cut out, and used Mod Podge to apply it to the tree. Once dry, I lightly sanded the edges.  

I cut the "Love Peace Joy" sentiment with my Silhouette from gold glitter vinyl  and applied it to a slat board piece I had in my stash ( also painted black and dry brushed cream. 

Now for the fun part! If you've never worked with gold leaf before don't be intimidated. Do be prepared that it's messy. It's like glitter and once you start to brush it off it gets everywhere so plan accordingly or plan to walk around picking tiny flakes of leafing off of yourself. But, there's nothing like it so it's worth it. 

You need a good glue and I've had success using Mod Podge or PVA glue but really you should use a glue made for gold leaf which is what I used.  I didn't want complete coverage so I just randomly dabbed my glue here and there. It sets up in about 30 min. 

You can see here the random way I did the gold leafing. When your glue is set you lay a sheet of the leafing on top and then use a stiff brush ( stencil brushes work well) to pounce it onto the glue. It will adhere to wherever the glue was and then pieces of it will break away. I save my excess to use for other projects. 

I did the same to the frameand then used more of the scrapbook paper under the glass as shown and cut a gold glitter vinyl reindeer to go on top of the glass. Once all my pieces were ready I glued them to the sign and done. 

Stay tuned! I will have a couple more projects using the supplies I received!

Dollar Tree Tree Topper

I decided I wanted a new Christmas Tree Topper this year for no reason other than I did, and makers make right? 

I was originally looking for the kind that have the coil thingy and went to Dollar Tree looking for one to use as a base but they didn't have any. But, makers make right? We also have to adapt and improvise so that's what I did. 

Supplies: 

• 2 Gold Glittered Dollar Tree Star Ornaments (Large)
• Toilet Paper roll...yep...toilet paper roll
• Gold duct tape 
• Gold and Black glitter vinyl (scraps in stash)
• Large bottle cap ( I had in my stash )
• Gold wire
• Hot glue and glue gun

Cost: $2 since I had everything on hand except the Star Ornaments

I covered the  toilet paper roll with duct tape. Using my Silhouette I cut the gold glitter vinyl to fit inside bottlecap and cut the number "25" from black glitter vinyl.  The number works especially well this year since we celebrated our 25th Anniversary earlier in the year but obviously also works for the date of Christmas! 

Now in the spirit of radical honesty, this part didn't go totally as planned. If you look really closely at the bottlecap, you can see the grid lines from the transfer tape because I layered the numbers after I put the circle of vinyl inside the bottlecap. I should have done this before I put the circle in the bottlecap which would have made it easier to get the transfer tape off. At least that's what I'm telling myself. So since I couldn't get the transfer tape off without screwing up my numbers and a lot of swearing, I left the transfer tape on and it looks like ledger paper or something. At least that's what I'm telling myself! 

I marked the toilet paper roll where I was going to glue the stars ( front and back) but to make this contraption sturdier, I used some jewelry wire to secure the two stars together at the top and right and left sides. Then I glued my oopsy bottlecap to the front and done. 

Since I'm just taking down Thanksgiving and we won't get our tree until Friday, I can't show it to you atop a tree but here it is atop the mantle. 

This was my Thanksgiving mantle which I never posted so "Happy After Thanksgiving"!  I update my chalkboard for each holiday but I'm kinda thinking I'll leave this sentiment through Christmas since PhD boy ( man...he's a man...but that doesn't sound the same) comes home on Friday for a month!!! Not that I'm excited or anything. 

I've been practicing my lettering too! 

BFF Open House Link Party #237: Merry Christmas !

Merry Christmas Eve all! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. Ready or not, here we are. Opening up the party early. Here are some things you may still have time to squeeze in ( or definitely pin for next year) .

I love all things paper...fom detailed patterns to the simplicity of brown paper. The guys at Crafty Lumberjacks used kraft paper and paint to make this wonderful wrapping paper. I keep a roll of brown kraft paper in my craft room and use it for everything. The simple elegance of this idea is so lovely! 

In keeping with a simple, rustic, yet elegant theme, Mich in LA has a fantastic ornament stand that can be made from garden wire! Love the snowflake she has hanging on this one! 

Whether for a last minute gift or to have extras on hand for guests, Heather at Woods of Bell Trees has a great way to dress up cork coasters. These could be done in so many ways...not just for Christmas. 

I think these would still count as cookies for Santa if you left out Oreo cookie cake pops don't you? Check out Logan Can for the how to . 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Tagmania: Pretty and Practical Gifting

Being addicted to paper as I am, I hate to see any beautiful papers go to waste. So I've had a lot of fun making gift tags to give as gifts figuring who can't use more gift tags this time of year? I know I've wrapped many a present and then realized I had no way to personalize it / indicate the recipient. 

This is one of those things that the more you make, the more you want to make! 

Simple process: 

• Gift tags (you can buy packages of ready made tags or cut your own. I cut mine using my Silhouette)
• Paper scraps
• Random embellishments : rhinestones, washi tape, punched shapes buttons, etc. ( this is a great way to use up onsie twosie leftovers)

These are some I made for a Hanukkah gift. I cut the dreidels using my Silhouette, randomly covered them w/ embossing ink and then embossed with gold embossing powder. 

One friend of mine decorates her tree in bright greens, pinks, purples so I coordinated these tags around those colors. To embellish I used punched glitter stars, snowflakes, sequins, and glitter ribbon and had some Japanese Mizuhiki cord in my stash that coordinated. 

Tip: I apply the papers slightly wider than the tag and then trim the edges all at once so they're uniform. 

I used the same idea for these in black, white and green, using white Mizuhiki cord on some. 

After seeing these, Mr. Chocolate asked "where are our tags" so guess what I'm working on ? 

Christmas Mantle : Black and White Tree Makeover

I made over my mantle decorations this year, going with a black , white and gold theme w/ accents of red. 

Waste not want not so I try to repurpose pieces I already have which is what I did with these black and white felt trees. They used to be these from a few years ago: 

which were fun and I still liked them but was tired of them. 

I'd pinned the tinsel to the tree ( see thinking ahead to when I might want to rip them apart!) so removing it was easy. I created a pattern for my felt freehand on a piece of scrap paper and then cut out a bunch of shapes in black and white felt. I started off counting them. That ended quickly. 

These trees are a little more permanent since I hot glued the felt pieces to the styrofoam cone.  Working from the bottom up, glue one color around the cone then offset your pieces and glue the next color around the cone. Continue until your cone is covered. 

Slightly more work than the tinsel trees but only slightly. 

They fit right in on my mantle with a black and white Father Christmas I painted years ago, and my mantle focal of a chalkboard sign I also  made this year. 

The chalkboard sign was made from a pre-cut piece of plywood from Home Depot, painted with chalkboard paint  and bordered with gold glitter paint ( Martha Stewart). 

The right side of the mantle contains a large vase filled with pinecones I've picked up on walks, birch and glittered branches left over from my Thanksgiving mantle and filled in with silver and gold balls. 

Vintage bottle brush and live  mini cedar trees in antique cordial glasses finish out the mantle along with collectible ornaments.