Santa and Reindeer Ornaments

 Merry Christmas in July!

It's a great time to start making decorations or gifts for Christmas!  Here's a little set of ornaments that I designed for Herrschners.  It was fun creating all these different characters!  I hope you enjoy them.

Christmas in July Plastic Canvas Designs

Hi Stitchers!

Herrschners has released a few more of my plastic canvas designs, and I can't wait to share them with you.  It's like Christmas in July!

The first is a look through a window at a winter scene:

And, the second set is more Christmas-y - fun ornaments that hold candy canes!

Check them out on Herrschners and have fun stitching!

Etched Mirror Ornaments

Happy Holidays!

I love the holidays and love to decorate in new ways each year.  This month, I'm creating a mirrored ornament with etchall® etching crème and a new product - etchall® stencil spray.

Before I received the etchall® stencil spray, I would have to use an adhesive-backed stencil.  Now, I can use any stencil.  I found some small square and round mirrors at my local JoAnn's craft store.  They come in a wide variety of sizes and are lightweight enough to make into a ornament.

To start, I followed the directions on the back of the stencil spray and sprayed the back of the stencil.  I let it dry and applied it to a square mirror.  I smoothed the stencil down and masked any exposed mirror with masking tape. 

Then, I applied etchall® etching crème with a plastic knife. 

I waited 15 minutes and scraped the crème back into the bottle. (It's re-usable!)  Then, I washed the mirror and patted it dry with paper towels.

Here are my ornaments.  I have added some adhesive jewel strips and a loop of thread.  I also glued  cardstock over the loop to cover the back.

Etched Santa Ornament

Etched Snowman Ornament

Here they are again with the etchall® etching crème and stencil spray that I used in this project.  (I am on the etchall® design team and received these products to use in creating these projects.  And, by the way, I highly recommend them!)

I hope you'll give these quick ornaments a try.  Get the whole family involved!  Have a neighborhood crafting party!  You can find all sorts of small mirrors at your local craft store and the etchall® products on the etchall® website.  Be sure to check out the specials and etchall® is now available on Amazon!

Wishing you very happy holidays and a Merry Christmas!

Word Christmas Tree

Hi Crafty Folk!

I hope you are all enjoying the Advent of Christmas.  Here's a craft I created for JOY Iron-on letters that I want to share with you.

Word Christmas Tree

You can find the easy instructions on the Creating with Joy blog.  This word tree is so much easier and quicker than painting the words!  And, you can use any fonts you like.  Or, change the words to use your favorites.

Have fun decorating!  And, come back soon!  I have a few more Christmas crafts up my crafty sleeves!

Christmas in July: Snowman Ornament

Hi Crafters!

Welcome to Christmas in July!  I can always use a head start on holiday gifts and decorations, so here's a little snowman ornament to start!  These are perfect for a miniature tree.  You could even wear one as a pendant!

When I etched some crystal beads previously, I had some beads left over and I knew I wanted to create a little snowman with them.  These frosted beads were made using etchall® dip 'n etch.  See my post where I made the bracelet to see the process.

Etched Beads

I took two of the etched beads, one smaller than the other and slid them on a two-inch head pin with a silver spacer underneath to keep them on the pin.  Then, I searched through my buttons and found a couple of them for the snowman's hat. Then, I made a loop in the head pin.

Snowman Assembly

To complete the snowman, I painted a simple face with acrylic paints.  I used a toothpick to add dots for the eyes and mouth and a streak for the nose.  Then, I added a short piece of ribbon for the scarf and tied on a loop of embroidery thread for hanging.

Snowman Ornament

I made another snowman with arms.  I added a piece of wire wound around the neck.  Then, I made little loops on the ends. 

Snowman Ornament

Here's a few more ideas for creating your own unique snowman ornament:

• Use beads or bead caps instead of buttons for the hat.
• Add dots of paint for buttons.
• Dress him up more with felt or a bow tie or painted clothes.
• Use yarn, braided embroidery thread or a strip of cloth for the scarf.
• To fit the head bead, use a button with a concave indentation.  Add a little glue between the buttons to hold them in place. 
• Use craft wire instead of a head pin.

Have fun!  It's easy to created this little frosted snowman ornament with etchall® dip 'n etch!

Happy Crafting!

Last Minute Gift Idea

Hi Crafters!

Are you like me - looking for a last minute gift?  I usually make earrings, but this year I made these easy cell phone charms.  They are super quick to make and good for those who don't wear earrings.  And, you can use up bits and pieces of chain, unmatched charms and leftover beads to create them. 

I used a cell phone charm holder as a base, but you could use a key ring or a lobster clasp as a base.  I opened the jump ring on the holder and slid on the ring from a toggle clasp.  Then I attached pieces of chain to the ring with jump rings.  Attach charms, dangles and beads of your choice to the ends of the chain. 

That's all there is to it!  They make a great last minute stocking stuffer or package decoration.  And, you can attach them to anything from a pair of scissors to your purse or zipper or backpack!

Happy Crafting!
Have a great Christmas!
Terry

Nativity Ornament

Hi Crafters!

Happy December and welcome to another round of the Designer Crafts Connection blog hop!  This month we're making handmade gifts.  I'm sure you'll find a wonderful variety of super crafts just in time for the holidays. 

I had my kid crafters over last Friday and this is what we made.  It's my version of a craft stick Nativity Ornament.  You'll find it quick and easy to do and the kids will have fun with it. 

You'll need:
Wood pieces:  14 craft sticks, 2 wooden spoons or medium ovals, small oval, 2 medium circles and one small circle, star
Paint:  brown, yellow, face color, black
Cloth scraps
A small amount of wood fiber
Tacky glue
Twine for hanging loop
Tools:  paintbrush, toothpick, scissors

First, lay out the sticks and cut or snap off to size.  I used Skill Sticks(R) that you can snap apart.  If you use popsicle stitcks, have an adult use a pair of scissors to cut them.  Arrange your sticks to create a point in the center.  I've used ten sticks for the back.

Next, paint the roof and cross beams brown and the star yellow.

Glue the cross beams in place.

Snap or cut off the ends of the roof beams and glue them in place with a small piece of stick under them in the center. 

Cut the ends off the wooden spoons and paint the faces.  I liked the natural wood for the faces, but the eyes will bleed into the wood lines if you don't put a coat of paint on first.  Add the dots for eyes with the end of a toothpick.

Glue the heads onto the bodies.

Cut out rectangles of cloth for the clothing.  For Mary, you'll need a dress and veil.  For the baby, I used a strip of cloth for the swaddling clothes.  For Joseph, I used a piece of plaid flannel.  You could add a head scarf, too.

Wrap and glue the clothes around the figures and glue them in place on the stable.  I used some wood fiber for hay under the Baby Jesus, but you can use crinkled paper or raffia.  Glue on the star.  Add a twine loop for hanging.

Enjoy hopping around the Designer Crafts Connection blogs to see more fun handmade crafting!

Happy Advent!

and

Happy Crafting!

Terry

Christmas Card Stockings

Hello Crafters!

I love kids' crafts and every month I have a group over at my house putting together something fun.  Since this group ranges in ages from about four to thirteen, I try to have a fairly simple craft that the younger ones can make and the older kids can adapt.  They always amaze me with their creativity and they take a little inspiration and run with it!

This craft is a simple one.  I am always looking for a way to use the beautiful cards that we get for Christmas, and this is another way to recycle your cards.

This craft uses the front of a card cut in a simple stocking shape.  You can draw your own keeping it about the size of a card or you can use a cookie cutter.  Cut a back for the stocking using another card, cardstock or construction paper.  Glue them together, punch a hole for hanging and add some yarn or thread to the hole.  They are super quick and very easy. 

To add more decorations, use the borders and message inside the cards.  Add sequins, stickers, stuffing or any leftover trims.  Vary the shape by using any large cookie cutter.  We made puffy star-shaped ornaments also and stuffed them with a bit of polyester stuffing.

Here are a few that I made (they are addictive!).  You can fill them with a few candies, a gift card or small gifts.  Of course, this craft is great for crafters of all ages!

Here is the front and back of one.

Happy Crafting, Everyone!

I hope crafting brings you joy!

All the best of this Holy Season,

Merry Christmas!

Terry

PS.  This craft is featured on FaveCrafts December blog hop!