Rustic Wood Slice Ornament

 Happy Holiday Prep!

This is such a fun time of year creating cards and ornaments and finding the perfect gifts for friends and family! Yes, I do buy a lot of gift cards since it's easier to let the grandkids shop for themselves, but I like to add a little something homemade.  I like to add at least one new ornament to my Christmas tree each year.

Here is this year's addition, a rustic wood slice ornament with a woodsy theme.

To create this ornament, I used three die cut trees, one large and two small, a coaster size wood slice, dark green patterned cardstock, glitter paint, a strip of fabric or ribbon and twine.  You'll also need a glue stick and hot glue gun and glue.

The trees were cut using the Eileen Hull's Sizzix Thinlits dies shown above.

The process is very easy.  Cut the trees using a Big Shot or Big Kick or another cutting machine.  Use the glue stick to adhere them to the wood slice with the two smaller trees behind the large tree in the center.  Add glitter paint or snow paint to the edges of the trees with a toothpick and around the bottom of the trees.  Create a bow with the fabric strip and wrap the center with twine.  Glue the bow and a loop to the top of the wood slice.

Have fun decorating and head to the other designers in this blog hop 

https://tryit-likeit.com/12-days-of-christmas-ornaments/

DATE	ARTIST	LINK	WEBSITE
Nov 28	Janet Trieschman	https://tryit-likeit.com/no-sew-fabric-ornament/	https://tryit-likeit.com
Nov 29	Donna Wirthlin	https://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2025/11/12-days-of-christmas-ornament-hop-2025.html	https://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com
Nov 30	Natalie Shaw	https://www.doodlecraftblog.com/2025/11/how-to-make-waterslide-decal-ornaments.html	https://www.doodlecraftblog.com/
Dec 1	Susan Brown	https://sbartist.blogspot.com/2025/11/festive-paper-house-decor-12-days-of.html	https://www.sbartist.com
Dec 2	Michelle James	https://ourcraftymom.com/old-world-santa-ornaments/	https://ourcraftymom.com/
Dec 3	Julie Nyanyo	https://www.sumoftheirstories.com/blog/felt-and-button-star-christmas-ornaments	https://www.sumoftheirstories.com
Dec 4	Christie Troxell	https://ritzyparties.com/12-days-of-christmas-ornaments/	https://Ritzyparties.com
Dec 5	Gail Griffin	https://www.purplehuesandme.com/2025/12/bejeweled-decorative-ornament.html	https://www.purplehuesandme.com
Dec 6	Katie Adams	https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/3d-deer-head-ornament/	thecraftyblogstalker.com
Dec 7	Janet Trieschman	https://tryit-likeit.com/diy-a-modern-alcohol-ink-ornament-for-your-tree/	https://tryit-likeit.com
Dec 8	Terry Ricioli	https://terryriciolidesigns.blogspot.com/2025/12/rustic-wood-slice-ornament.html	terryriciolidesigns.blogspot.com
Dec 9	Janet Trieschman	https://tryit-likeit.com/paper-bead-christmas-tree-ornament/	https://tryit-likeit.com

Button and Ribbon Gift Tags and Cards

 It's time to get ready for the holidays! 

I like to make cards and tags, but to make a few, they need to be simple and quick.  Buttons and ribbons from Gwen Studios are the perfect materials. 

I used purchase card blanks and tags, but you can easily cut out your own. 

For the card, you'll need a card blank, printed paper cut slightly smaller than the card, a saying sticker or stamp and some contrasting paper to back it the saying, buttons and a ribbon bow. You'll also need a glue stick and tacky glue.

                                      

Glue the printed paper to the card blank, the strip across the bottom and add the sticker.  Glue the green buttons in a circle and add the red buttons over the top.  Glue a ribbon to the top.

For the tag, a small piece of torn white cardstock, 3 white buttons (small, medium and large) with two holes, ribbon, red and white baker's twine and small black beads.

With a glue stick, adhere the torn paper to the bottom.  With tacky glue, adhere the buttons.  Before the glue dries, add the twine scarf and poke the black seed beads into the holes.  Thread the ribbon through the hole and tie with an overhand knot.  Cut a small triangle from felt or fabric and glue it to the head.  Add a jewel or button on the hat.  If desired, add snowflakes with a white pen. This would make a cute ornament also.

The buttons and ribbon I used are from Gwen Studios. I receive a supply of buttons and ribbon as part of their design team. You can find Gwen Studios buttons and ribbons at Walmart.com

Christmas buttons

Christmas ribbon

Have fun getting ready for the holidays!

More ideas for the holidays can be found on the Designer Crafts Connection.

Gingerbread Tissue Cover and Coasters

 Hi Stitchers!

Ready for some Christmas designs? These designs from Herrschners have you covered! 

Here are a couple of cute gingerbread designs in pastels for a sweeter, softer look.

Herrschners Gingerbread Village Coasters with Holder Plastic Canvas Kit

Herrschners Gingerbread Village Tissue Box Plastic Canvas Kit

Happy Stitching!

Harvest Garland

 It's that warm and cozy time of year - the time for pumpkins, sweaters and a warm cup of spiced cider or chocolate around a crackling fire. 

I like to decorate at this time of year with the colors of fall and harvest.  Here's a simple garland I created for Gwen Studios this month. 

This garland is super simple to make. Start by cutting lengths of ribbon, felt and fabric to tie onto the garland.

I used a burlap ribbon from Gwen Studios, some orange and brown print fabric and wheat and orange felt. I cut my strips about 1" wide and 5-6" long

You can find Gwen Studios burlap ribbon at Walmart.com.

I used twine for the base of my garland, but you could use ribbon.  Tie a loop in the end of the string and tie on each strip in a simple knot.

Here's the start of the garland. Make it as long as you like and hang with your favorite harvest motifs like pumpkins, corn or scarecrows.

Beside hanging it, you can drape it around your table.

Enjoy the season!

For more designs for fall and Thanksgiving, check out the Designer Crafts Connection blog.

Designer Crafts Connection

(Gwen Studios provided ribbon for this project as part of its compensation for the design team.)

PS Want to know how to make those plaid pumpkins?  See my post: Shirt Sleeve Pumpkins

Creating with Aitoh Origami Papers

 Hi Everyone!

Last April at the NAMTA trade show, I discovered papers from the Aitoh origami paper company.  I ended up talking with the owner, Beth Wild, and she sent me some of their lovely papers to create jewelry.

Here's what I have created so far:

A pair of origami paper earrings...

A couple of kimonos, which I made into necklaces...

Stay tuned for more paper designs using this lovely paper.  Aitoh imports origami paper and also a wonderful Lokta paper from Nepal. They also carry related items like inks, pens, tools and kits.

Mask with Ribbons and Buttons

 Hi Everyone!

Dressing up for Halloween is such fun! Some of my favorite memories of Halloween are creating costumes for myself or for my daughters.  

Today we'll have some fun creating a mask decorated with ribbons and buttons from Gwen Studios.

First, find a simple mask pattern or use a purchased mask.  You can find patterns on Pinterest or draw your own. To create a symmetrical mask, draw half the mask on the fold of a piece of paper.

Trace and cut out your mask from paper, stiff felt or craft foam.  I used some lime green craft foam.

Now you are ready to decorate your mask with ribbons and buttons from Gwen Studios.

Cut 3 lengths of coordinating or contrasting ribbon and glue them in the corners of the mask.  I used hot glue, but you can use a tacky glue.

Glue one larger button over the ends of the ribbon.

Glue more buttons on each corner.   Glue some in the center.  Glue some longer ribbons on the back for ties.

Have fun creating your own unique mask.  This is a great project for a birthday party, Halloween party or scouting group.

You can search and find these ribbons and buttons from Gwen Studios at WalMart.com.  You can also find the ribbons on Amazon or at Michaels.com.  

Look for more designs for fall and Halloween on the Designer Crafts Connection blog.

Aurora Nights and other stitchery

 Hi Friends!

Here's some of my newest designs from Herrschners!

Aurora Nights Wall Hanging

Aurora Nights Tissue Box

Aurora Nights Coasters and Holder

Lighting the Way Wall Hanging

Harvest Recipe Box

Harvest Recipe Box

Lots to stitch and something for everyone is this batch!  See them all at Herrschners under plastic canvas.

Back to School Bulletin Board

 Hi All!

It's that time of year again!  Back to School!  I know most of you are back already, but here's an accessory that will be a fun addition to your student's desk or locker.  

We're going to decorate a bulletin board with Gwen Studios ribbon and buttons. 

 First, make or buy a small bulletin board.  This one is a felt-covered hexagon from the Dollar Store. I chose purple but they come in several colors. 

The board also came with several push pins. With hot glue, I stacked and glued pastel buttons to the top of the push pins.

Then, I tacked lines of ribbon across the board.  You can arrange them in any way you like.  

I made a couple of bows from ribbon and glued them on also.

Here's how it turned out:

Cute and quick and easy!  Slide in photos or other memorabilia from the school year.  

Get your kids together and have them make their own.  It's a good group craft for birthday parties or scout groups, too.  

Find the Gwen Studios ribbon and buttons here: Gwen Studios Buttons at WalMart

You'll be able to see all the varieties available in all their colors at the link.

Gwen Studios 3/8" Grosgrain Ribbon

Decorate all your Back-to-School accessories like organizers and pencil boxes with more Gwen Studios ribbon and buttons!  See more ideas on the Designer Crafts Connection blog.

Christmas Mushrooms

 Hi Everyone!

Mushrooms and gnomes are still trending in needlepoint, so I was asked to design some Christmas Mushrooms this last spring.  

And, here they are!

Here's the wall hanging:

And, the tissue cover:

And, coasters:

Find them on the Herrschners website under plastic canvas.

Happy Stitching Christmas in July!

Tiger Eyes Tissue Box

 Hi Stitchers!

A new design of mine just arrived on the Herrschners website.  It's an upclose view of a tiger peeking through the jungle foliage.

Here's the link to this unique design:  Tiger Eyes Tissue Box.

Have fun stitching!

Red, White and Blue Tassels

 

Hi Crafters!

Today I have some red, white and blue tassels for you.  They're perfect for the upcoming holidays - Flag Day and the Fourth of July. They're so easy to make.  Set up a table for the kids and let them help decorate!

Here's one of the finished tassels:

To create these tassels, use an assortment of Gwen Studios ribbons: Here I have some striped grosgrain and Sweet Shop packages.

Cut 6 - 12" lengths of ribbon for each tassel.  I used the three striped grosgrains, the star ribbon and the blue satin for mine.

Paint some wooden candleholders for the tops of the tassels. These are 1" high painted red.

Fold the ribbons in half and tie a length of thread around the center of the ribbons.  

To create a tassel that flares out, arrange the ribbons crossing in an X and tape down to your surface with masking tape on either side of the center. Slide the thread under the center and tie tightly.

Thread the twine ends through the hole in the candleholder and pull the ribbons into it.

Wrap the candleholder with more of the thread leaving tails.  Slide buttons or beads on the ends of the tails and knot.

To finish the top, slide on buttons and beads, knot a couple of times and knot again for a hanging loop.

Hang the tassels separately or attach them to a garland.

The ribbon and buttons are from Gwen Studios. 

You can find them at Walmart.com.

White buttons

Red buttons

Or:

Michaels.com

Sweet Shop ribbon

Find more patriotic ribbon designs at the Designer Crafts Connection!