Alcohol Ink and Gold Leaf Hanukkah Candles

 

Sharing some Hanukkah candles I made for friends. While I'm not Jewish, the Hanukkah story resonates with me as one of perseverance against the odds and a reminder to never give up. Always thrilled when recipients of things I make are happy with them!

Supplies: 

• Plain Tall Jar Candles (Dollar Tree)
• Alcohol Inks
• Gold Leaf and Adhesive
• Gold Adhesive Foil (Cricut)
• Digital Cutting Machine ( I used my Cricut Explore Air 2)
• Mod Podge Matte
• Vinyl Gloves

I ordered a box of alcohol inks from Amazon and selected two shades of blue. Remove the stickers from the candles and clean with alcohol to remove any residue. 

NOTE: Make sure and protect your work surface. I used an empty box. 

This was my first time using alcohol inks so I just winged it. I turned the candles upside down and then started dripping the inks down the candle, alternating the two blues. The ink dries quickly, but just to ensure it was really set, I let them sit for a couple of days after I was all done. 

I decided to seal them so went over them with a coat of Mod Podge Matte. Once that was dry, I applied gold leaf adhesive (Mona Lisa) around the top, then applied gold leaf using a stiff bristled stencil brush. 

Gold leafing is MESSY so I used the same box to catch the excess. 

In Cricut Design Space, I chose a font I liked and sized the word "Hanukkah" to fit the length of the candle, then cut it out using a gold adhesive foil. Then applied to each candle. 

I also made some gift tags for the recipients to use for their own Hanukkah gifts. I love using scraps to make gift tags, so I grabbed coordinating colors along with some sequins and washi tape to embellish. I cut out some dreidels and stars from some of the scraps. 

I cut out the tag bases from blue cardstock, then just went about decorating them. 

Happy Hanukkah to all those celebrating! 

Sharing At:

Hanukkah: Modern and Bright Layered Dreidels

 

Hanukkah starts early this year, beginning at sundown on November 28th, the Sunday following Thanksgiving. So I needed to get some gifts done earlier this year! I'd picked up some deep box frames on one of my Michaels trips and decided they'd be perfect for what I wanted to do! 

Supplies: 

• Deep Box Frames 
• Handmade Paper (JoAnn)
• Foil Cardstock (Michaels)
• Chalk Paint (Folk Art, Michaels)
• Mod Podge Matte
• Digital Cutting Files 
• Digital Cutting Machine
• Coordinating Sequins and Rhinestones

I had this gorgeous handmade paper in my stash from a prior JoAnn's trip that I'd been holding on to for the right inspiration and this was it! 

The picture doesn't do it justice. I knew it would make the perfect background for my project. I pulled out coordinating foil cardstock from my stash (Recollections, from Michaels in bright gold, turquoise, and royal blue) and got to work. 

The first step was to prep the frames. I chose this Home Decor Chalk Paint by Folk Art which goes on smoothly with great coverage and only needed one coat. 

After the paint was dry, I sealed it with a coat of Mod Podge Matte. Then it was time to get to work on the interior. 

I'd downloaded a beautiful Hanukkah set of layered files from Special Heart Studio. You will just need to sign up with your email to get access to a wonderful set of files that Gjoa graciously provides for FREE! It comes with a Menorah and a Dreidel and I used the Dreidel. I downloaded and imported into Cricut Design Space, sized to fit the frames and cut on my Explore Air 2. 

I assembled the different layers of the dreidel using foam squares. 

I used gold for the bottom of each then switched up the turquoise and royal layers for each dreidel. Then using the backing insert from the frames, I Mod Podged the handmade  paper that I'd cut to size. 

After that was good and dry, I mounted the dreidels using Aileene's Turbo Tacky Glue, let that set, then put them in the frames. 

Of course I had to make cards to go with! For these I used a file I had downloaded in Silhouette Studio and then brought into my Cricut Design Space software which is easily done if you make sure you check the SVG box when purchasing your Silhouette image. 

As you can see, I went with the Chevron pattern and in Design Space used the "offset" function to create the layer behind the Chevron. Then I cut those from the foil cardstock as shown, used a spray adhesive to attach the gold top layers, and embellished with coordinating sequins and self adhesive rhinestones. I cut white cardstock 10x7 to make 5x7 cards, then a gold panel 4.75x6.75 to which I added strips of the handmade paper and then mounted the dreidels using foam squares. 

Sharing At: 

Holiday 2020:Paint Poured Hanukkah Ornaments and Cricut Foil Transfer Cards

 

Happy Saturday! This week's BFF Open House link party continues here. 

Hanukkah starts on December 10 and every year I enjoy making a little something for friends. This year I went with a Paint Pour Ornament and coordinated card made using the Cricut Foil Transfer Tool. 

Supplies: 

• Ceramic Disc Ornaments ( Michaels)
• Acrylic Paints in Blues and White
• Artists Loft Paint Pouring Medium ( Michaels)
• Gold Vinyl
• Cricut Foil Transfer Tool
• Coordinating Scrapbook Paper
• Cardstock

For smaller projects, I like using this paint pouring medium by Artists Loft from Michaels. The ratio is 1 part medium to 5 parts paint so a little goes a long way for smaller projects. 

Ignore the pens because originally I thought I was going to do these w/ an alcohol ink technique and darn if my Sharpie wasn't as dry as the desert in which I live! The ornaments are the point here. I picked up a couple of these from Michaels not knowing at the time what I was going to do with them and of course now I'm kicking myself for not buying more because I LOVE THEM. They take the paint really well and aren't explicitly Christmas. 

Clean your ornaments with alcohol to remove any residue, fingerprints etc. Mix your paints with the medium per the instructions on the medium. Now you're ready for your pour! 

I did what's called a clean pour which means pouring each color individually vs a "dirty pour" where you can layer the paints in a cup before pouring. Pandemic takeout has been good for my craft supplies since I re-purpose the containers for craft projects! 

Start with any color, pour a little, then pour the additional colors in them middle as shown until your surface is covered. You want the paint to drip down the sides to continue the pattern. I placed the ornament on an upside down cup to give it drip space. 

Sorry this pic's a little blurry but you can still get the effect of the paints swirling together. This is why the medium is critical; it lets the paints flow so you get the coverage you need. 

I did the "Hanukkah" word in Cricut Design Space and cut from bright gold vinyl and applied to each ornament. To finish, I added a light blue ribbon with a silver bead. 

Card: 

For the card, I used a light blue cardstock, a navy and gold foiled scrapbook paper, gold glitter paper and blue cardstock which I foiled using the Cricut Transfer Tool. To finish, I added mirror gold sequins as shown. 

Wishing everyone celebrating Hanukkah, eight nights of lights, love, and latkes! 

You can check out some of my past Hanukkah projects below: 

Painted Appetizer Plates

Mod Podge Votives

Stencil and Gold Leaf Treat Plate

Hanukkah Card and Gift Tags

Handmade Gifts: Stenciled and Gold Leafed Hanukkah Treat Plate

Hanukkah begins next week and each year I try to make a gift for a special friend to celebrate. This year I went with what I'm calling a Hanukkah Treat Plate that can be used each night to share the goodies of the season. 

Supplies: 

• Clear Dinner Plate ( I got mine at Cost Plus)
• Mod Podge Super Gloss Formula
• Acrylic Paint
• Gold Leaf
• Gold Leafing Glue
• Clear Contact Paper
• Stencil ( I made my own using my Cameo 3 but you could use a ready made stencil)
• Paint brushes and foam applicators

The plate is food safe since everything is done from the underside. You can bake it to "cure" it so the paint won't come off or if you think ahead like I did for once in my crafting life, you can make 21 or so days ahead and it will cure.

Let's get started! 

Clean the underside of your plate with alcohol to make sure you get all the oils store dust etc off and you get good adhesion of your materials. I cut my own menorah stencil using my Silhouette Cameo and contact paper from the dollar tree. This is my favorite stencil material. It cuts great on a digital cutter and you can't beat the price for a roll ( $1).  I also covered the areas I didn't want to paint w/ contact paper. 

Using foam applicators, paint your stencil. I used metallic silver for the menorah and gold for the flames and did 3 coats. 

For this kind of project, you have to reverse your brain because you're building the layers in reverse. So start with the focal image and then do the background. Once I was satisfied w/ the menorah, I added the gold leafing.  Apply the glue per directions ( you'll find this in the fine art section of the craft store) and then apply the leafing. I remind people every time I do a leafing project IT'S MESSY. The gold leaf will fly everywhere as you apply it so be prepared. 

Yes this looks like a hot mess but keep going. Once you're done w/ your leafing ( and clearly I didn't want a perfectly covered plate...I wanted a streaky look) then mix your acrylic paint ( I used Deco Art Navy) with the Mod Podge ( I did 1/2 and 1/2 because I didn't want this part to be opaque) and apply with a flat brush. 

I did this for the whole plate then filled in the center with just plain paint. Sealed the whole thing with a coat of just the Mod Podge. 

NOTE: Mod Podge formula matters! Use the Super Gloss for projects like this. 

Once your plate is dry, flip it over and imagine it filled with chocolate rugelach! 

A few years ago I included some gift tags with my friend's gift and the following year her relatives were asking if she was getting more so I've done them ever since. 

The black and gold foiled paper is my current addiction. Better yet, I got a stack of it ( ok I bought 2 stacks) when Michaels had one of their $5 Hot Buy stack sales. And of course, I made a coordinating card: 

Hanukkah Card and Tags

Ack. I've been without a computer for almost a week which is a lifetime in blogging years. Backup your stuff people because we always think it can't happen to us and then boom, new hard drive. 

In the meantime, made Hanukkah cards and tags for a couple of friends. I'm tickled that the tags I started making a few years ago for one friend get asked about by her relatives "Is she making any this year". 

I've always loved shiny and glittery things so I had a lot of fun working with gold foiled and glitter papers found at Michaels. The foiled papers are a combination of Recollections, Craft Smith, and DCWV stacks. Add to that my weakness when Michaels has their specialty papers 10 for $10 and I'm in paper hoarder heaven. 

For the card, I cut a menorah on my Cameo ( image found in the Silhouette Online Store) and then just hand cut the candles and flames freehand. I double cut the menorah and gave it depth using foam dots by layering one piece atop another. Blue and gold glitter papers were layered on top of a foiled piece. Simple but I am really happy with the outcome. 

For the tags, I just like to play around with bits and pieces with no particular plan. I just want the colors to work with each other so when I package them, they look like a set. 

My signature paper style is tearing things. I just can't not have some ragged edges! 

With freaking out over my computer crash, would  you believe I forgot to take pics of this year's Christmas cards? I did manage to take pics of a set of Christmas tags I made as a gift! Whew. 

Papers used here are from the Traditional Christmas paper pack from Oriental Trading Company along with some of my glitter and foil stash. 

BFF Open House Link Party #133

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I didn't put the party up last night figuring everyone was too pooped to party. So for those of us avoiding the Black Friday craziness, let's heat up some spiced cider and take a look at some features from last week. 

Hanukkah started the night before Thanksgiving. If you still need an idea for the remaining days or want to pin for next year, Doreen at Altered Artworks has a fantastic idea. Hanukkah in a jar!

If you're spending the weekend decorating for Christmas, whip up a few of these tabletop trees to supplement your decor. Very Anthropologie! Details at  Philzendia 

Mason jars are everywhere and they're a wonderful way to package gifts. Whether for food gifts or craft supplies, they come in handy. Dana at This Silly Girl's Life has more. 

Tis the season when you need to whip things up quickly. You'll never guess the secret to these Chocolate Covered Cheesecake Turtle Bites. Head over to DigiScrapBoutique for the recipe. 

Now for this week's party!