Pretty Palettes - October

Hi everyone,

This month's Pretty Palettes is all about fall colors.  It's one of my favorite palettes.  Here's the inspiration that Erin chose:

Autumn Hues from Design Seeds

And, here are the beads she selected from Michaels:



Here are the beads I chose.  I went with some warmer golden tones in the beads and used copper wire and findings.

I really liked the twist rectangles, but I went for the amber version instead of the red and gray ones that Erin picked.  I liked the dark red and found that in some painted quartzite.  The the mookiate chips just looked like fall to me and went well with both.  I happened upon the glass rings and they were too interesting to pass up.  So goes bead shopping!  It's a wonder I didn't bring the whole store home with me; I love the new bead aisle at Michaels!

I added a pendant of Tiger Skin glass that I had from a previous project and it picked up the colors in the glass beads and chips.

Woodsy Walk

Here's a close-up of the pendant area so that you can see the colors better. The tiger skin pendant is a nice blend of golds and pinks that blends the other bead colors.

Close-up of Pendant

Here's a look at the necklace on a stand:

Take a look at all the other lovely autumn-inspired jewelry on this month's Pretty Palettes on the Halcraft blog.

Thanks for stopping by,
Terry

Halloween Wreath

Hi Crafters!

It's not too late to make this Halloween wreath.  It's simple and easy and you probably have some of the materials around your house. 

Halloween Wreath

Head over to the Creating with JOY blog for more information about how to put this wreath together.  The little banner has orange letters from JOY SA Inc.  You can find the JOY Iron-On Letters at your local Michaels. 

Another special item on the wreath that I want to mention are the flags used in the banner.  These little recycled, tagboard flags are from Eye Connect Crafts.  They're the perfect size for a small wreath, a card or a scrapbook page.  I also up-cycled a paper bag and made a twisted tree for the wreath.  A few small wood items, some gauze, wiggle eyes and paint complete the wreath.  

Have fun creating your own spooky wreath!

Terry

We're All Ears Blog Hop - October Reveal

Hi Everyone!

Today I'm participating in the Earrings Everyday: We're All Ears blog hop.  I've been looking at it for the last few months, but I haven't been able to get it together and do one more thing.  I'm a day late on this one, but closer than I have been, so here goes!

Here's the inspiration for this month's challenge - a collection of designer looks from a Project Runway designer, Monique Lhullier.  Her combinations of patterns and lace with shiny and matte fabrics are really interesting.  I really like the one shoulder dress design, so I'm designing earrings for that dress.

I have a lot of gunmetal and hematite that I thought would work with this design.  I decided to take hematite diamonds and gunmetal ball pins and create a chain, then added a dark amethyst glass dangle at the bottom.  They brush the shoulder and have a lot of movement due to the swivel effect of the pins. 

Hematite Diamond Dangles

If you haven't discovered the Earrings Everyday website, do take a look.  The artists there are amazing!  And, to see all the wonderful earring designs inspired by these clothing designs, go here.

Thanks for stopping by!
Terry

Jack O' Lantern Ornament

Hi Crafters!
It's fall and everyone is in the mood for holiday decorating!  Here's an ornament for Halloween that will look great hanging on a tree branch or tucked into an arrangement of gourds. 

  I made this Jack O' Lantern Ornament using etchall® dip 'n etch. It's so much fun, you'll want to make several.  

Jack O' Lantern Ornament

Here's my process:

Start with a glass ball ornament and remove the cap.  Fill the ball with water.  Wrap the neck with masking tape to make a holder.  Wrap the top to a bamboo skewer with more tape like this:

Ornament Set-up

Fill an empty, clean plastic container half way with etchall® dip 'n etch.  

etchall® dip 'n etch and a plastic container

Put the ball into the container and rest the skewer on the edge of the container.  Add more etchall® dip 'n etch to cover the ball up to the neck.  Keep it in place with more masking tape if needed.

Ornament in dip 'n etch

Let the etching liquid work for 15 minutes and rinse the ball.  Dump out the water and rest it in on a paper towel to dry.  Return the etchall® dip 'n etch back into its container (It's re-usable!) 

Once the ball is dry on the outside, you are ready to decorate the frosted ball. 

Ready to paint!

I used Americana® paint by DecoArt® in Jack-O'-Lantern orange to paint the ball.  I worked top to bottom center to leave streaks like the lines on a pumpkin.  I only used one coat because I wanted a soft frosted look.  I also pushed the ornament into a scrap of Smoothfoam™ to make it easier to paint the ball.

Painted ornament

I added lines and details with Khaki Tan and Light Cinnamon. Add features with Antique Gold and outline with black paint or a black pen.  Paint the cap brown and tan.

Here's a finished ornament with some pumpkins:

Jack O' Lantern Ornament

Think of all the different faces you can paint on these.  Now, what other characters can you create?  I'd like to try some for Christmas.  Once you have that frosted surface, it's so easy to paint on the ornaments.  

Are you ready to try this?  You can order etchall® dip 'n etch here
When you order, use my discount code TERRYR for a 10% discount!

Happy All Hallows Eve!

Terry

Lace-Up Skull

Hi Crafters!

It's the first Monday of the month and time for another round of crafts from the Designer Crafts Connection!  This month, we're all about Halloween, so get ready for some spookiness!

This month, I'm making a Day of the Dead Skull.  I found the perfect surface - a Lace-Up Skull from Eye Connect Crafts.  Erin has new products that are perfect for Halloween - a spider, cats, a bat and an owl along with the skull.  They're perfect for cards, mixed media or decorating the house.

Here's the Lace-Up Skull:

Lace-Up Skull from Eye Connect Crafts

It's nice and large, so there is lots of surface to embellish, which is the fun part. Here it is out of the package and popped out of the background.

Unfinished Lace-Up Skull

First, I gave it a couple of coats of white acrylic paint.  Then I added color with pens.  To finish, I laced a strip of gauze through the holes and wove the ends under the lacing at the back.  Hang it up as I did here or glue a skewer to the back and add it to a pot of flowers.

Lace-Up Skull

Just a little colorful pen and you have a really fun ornament for your Day of the Dead celebrations!  But, of course, you can add more bling!  Try sequins, jewels or some flowers - so many possibilities!

Here it is on a darker background:

Lace-Up Skull

And, don't forget that the background of the skull holds its own possibilities.  You can use this over and over to draw or stencil more skull outlines.
 

Skull Stencil

Be sure to check out the other great Halloween decorations on the Designer Crafts Connection blog or hop around using the DCC blue button.  We are really enjoying creating for this holiday!  And, stop by Eye Connect Crafts to see the Lace-Up Skull and all the other Lace-Ups and Totem Poppets that Erin has created.

Happy Crafting,

Terry

Welcome Banner

Hi Crafty Friends!

Welcome your friends and family for fall occasions with this easy banner!  It's made with JOY Iron-On letters, burlap ribbon, felt leaves and a little glue, pen and paint.  You can whip one up in a jiffy!

Welcome Banner for Fall

I used a dowel and a couple of spools to hang the banner, but wouldn't it be fun to use a piece of a branch for a natural look?  Or, add a few leaf veins with dimensional paint or embroidery!  Personalize it to suit your taste - that's what creativity is all about!

Here's the link for all the instructions: http://creatingwithjoy.blogspot.com/2015/09/fall-welcome-banner.html

Stop by the Creating with JOY blog for more projects that the design team creates with these fun letters!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Terry

(I received materials and compensation for this project as a member of the JOY design team.)