Category Archives: Christmas Craft

Sleigh Ride Vintage Distress Tag

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Happy New Year! One of my New Year’s resolutions is to get more use out of my stamps that I love but don’t use often enough. I decided to pull out some wintery images to create a vintage tag.

1. Smear blue dye ink on a craft mat or acetate surface.

2. Smear gold metallic Distress Stain near blue ink on same surface.

3. Spritz with water until inks are watery.

4. Drag manila tag through inks until desired coverage is achieved; let dry.

5. Drag seam binding ribbon through inks; let dry.

6. Ink up script stamp with brown dye ink and randomly stamp over surface of tag. Repeat until covered.

7. Cut center from one paper doily. Place doily with open center over a second doily, masking the edges. Ink up damask stamp using brown dye ink and stamp damask through center of open doily; remove doily mask. Lightly sponge stamped doily edges here and there with brown ink. Adhere doily to tag as shown; trim edges.

8. Stamp image of little girls sleighing using brown archival ink onto white cardstock.

9. Smear blue dye ink on craft mat and pick up with waterbrush. Color images using waterbrush and dye ink. Let dry.

10. Shade and color rest of image using watercolor pencils and waterbrush; let dry.

11. Cut out image using detail scissors; adhere image to tag.

12. Stamp sentiment using brown ink. Cut into pieces. Sponge edges using brown dye ink. Adhere sentiment to tag.

13. Attach ribbon and charms to tag.

Products

  • Hero Arts Stamp – Old French Writing
  • Artistic Outpost Stamp – Sleigh Ride
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Stain – Tarnished Brass
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads – Walnut Stain, Peacock Feathers
  • White paper doilies, two
  • Manila tag
  • White cardstock
  • Detail scissors
  • Glue Dots Int’l. Glue Dots
  • White seam binding ribbon
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Idea-ology Baubles Pearls

I hope you get a chance to pull out some of your favorites and sit down to some inky time! Happy Crafting,

Suzanne Czosek from Suzz’s Stamping Spot (www.suzzstampingspot.blogspot.com)

Quick & Easy Holiday Gifts… It’s Never Too Late!

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We all need them, don’t we??? Well, I know you think those “holiday gift-giving times” are over now that Christmas is past… however, you may find that you have a few “forgotten friends” that you had meant to give a gift to and you don’t want to wait ’til next year!!! I thought I would share with one of my “go to, quick & easy” gift ideas:

A Double Chocolate Mint Cocoa Gift Kit

Not only is it festive, but it’s “Winter-themed” vs “Christmas-themed”!!!  As you can see, the ingredients are simple and relatively inexpensive. Two packages of cocoa, a baggie filled with chocolate chips, and four starlight mints… if there are still candy canes available, they make a great addition in place of the mints… but you can get the mints year ’round… so no worries if your local shops are out of candy canes already!

So to begin, you slip all of your kit ingredients into your clear bag. See how cute my mints look all lined up?? ***TIP: Use a bit of adhesive or a glue dot and STICK THEM TO THE COCOA PACKET!!!! :) Keeps ‘em looking all cute and in a line!!!

Once you have placed all your kit ingredients into your bag, seal it up and make a paper topper. To do that, simply cut a piece of cute paper 3″x the width plus 1/4″ of your clear bag. My bag was 6-1/4″ wide, so I cut my paper 3″x6-1/2″. Fold it in half and staple it over the top of the clear bag. Next, the fun part – EMBELLISHING!!!

As you can see, I have used two different types of ribbon here. I first wrapped a length of Ivory Grosgrain around the bottom edge of the paper topper and glued it in place. I then layered on a cute red-printed ribbon from October’s Monthly Ribbon Club Pack and then glued it in place. And then I tied my bow using the Ivory Grosgain again with the help of the handy dandy Bow Easy Tool.

 And you know me and my fetish for embellishments… it was cute with the dual ribbons and the bow but oh why not throw a totally cute Snowman Button from Buttons Galore & More onto the center of the bow for that perfect finishing touch? :) I hope you like this little guy, cause you may be seeing a few more projects with him or his friends over the next few weeks! I mean, Christmas may be past, but we have a WHOLE LOT OF WINTER left for crafting!!!

Happy Holidays to all, and a very Happy New Year, too!

by Keri Lee Sereika (www.pinklemonade.typepad.com)

Festive Holiday Frame

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Capture your Christmas memories with a photo of your family on Christmas day and display in this Festive Holiday Frame. 

 Materials

  • Cardstock or construction paper: red, white
  • Cardboard or chipboard, 8-1/2” square, 3”x8-1/2” strip
  • Christmas day family photo

Tools

  • Craft glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler

Directions

Size

8-1/2″ square

Frame

1. Measure and cut 8-1/2” white paper square. Cut out 3” square in center of frame (for photo opening).

2. Print and cut out patterns.

3. Measure and cut four 2-1/4” red paper squares. Fold squares diagonally in half. Cut star design from squares, placing line on fold, and cutting on dashed lines. Open up design and adhere on corners of white square, leaving 1/4” border on edges.

4. Measure and cut four 2”x3-1/4” red paper rectangles. Adhere rectangles between corner square designs.

5. Measure and cut 3”x9” white paper strip. Fold strip in half lengthwise. Cut four large heart shapes from folded strip, placing line on fold, and cutting on dashed lines. Open up designs and adhere on centers of red paper rectangles. See photo.

6. Measure and cut 2-1/2”x7” red paper strip. Fold strip in half lengthwise. Cut four medium heart shapes from folded strip, following directions above. Adhere medium heart shapes on center of white heart shapes. See photo

7. Measure and cut 2”x4” white paper strip. Fold strip in half lengthwise. Cut four small heart shapes from folded strip, following directions above. Adhere small heart shapes on center of medium heart shapes. See photo.

8. Tape photo inside opening on back of white paper square. Adhere white paper square to 8½” cardboard square.

9. To make easel for frame, cut 3”x8-1/2” cardboard strip. Bend strip 2” from end. Adhere 2” end, aligning top edges, to center back of frame.

Tip

Be sure to date your frame. Continue this as a Christmas tradition each year as you’ll love these precious mementos in year to come.

by Mary Ayres

Last-Minute Christmas Tags

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Happy Christmas Eve! I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday with loved ones. Today, I am sharing a few more ATCs that I created that could easily be transformed into tags for packages or gift bags.

My ATCs were easy to create. I started with a few sheets of patterned paper and some holiday embellishments. I also created a background sheet of snowflakes and words to use as the background of several of my ATCs.

To create background:

1. Stamp snowflakes onto white cardstock using VersaMark ink.

2. Heat emboss snowflakes with clear embossing powder.

3. Sponge blue dye ink over surface. Wipe off excess ink from clear embossing with a dry tissue.

4. Stamp Christmas words over surface using gray ink.

5. Cut background into 2-1/4”x3-1/4” pieces.

To create Angel ATC:

1. Detail cut angel and church from patterned paper. Accent angel wings with glue pen and crystal ultra-fine glitter glue; let dry. Adhere tinsel to halo and dress hem.

2. Cut 2-1/4″x3-1/4″ piece of music paper; sponge edges with pink dye ink. Cut 2-1/2″x3-1/2″ ATC from white cardstock; sponge edges with pink dye ink. Adhere layers together.

3. Stamp sentiment onto white cardstock using black ink. Cut apart sentiment as shown; sponge edges with pink dye ink.

4. Sponge lace trim with pink dye ink. Assemble ATC, adding lace trim and snowflakes in background. Adhere angel to ATC with foam dots; adhere sentiment pieces with foam dots.

To create Little Girl ATC:

1. Detail cut little girl image from patterned paper. Accent dress trim and shoes with glue pen and red ultra-fine glitter; let dry.

2. Detail cut deer from vintage images. Accent bow with glue pen and red ultra-fine glitter; let dry.

3. Stamp sentiment onto white cardstock using red ink pad; cut apart words as shown.

4. Adhere doily to one blue background piece; trim edges flush. Cut 2-1/2″x3-1/2″ ATC from white cardstock. Adhere layers together. Adhere sentiment pieces as shown.

5. Assemble ATC, adding lace along bottom of background. Adhere little girl with foam dots; adhere lace to dress and socks. Adhere deer with foam dots.

6. Make small ribbon bow; adhere bow and gem to girl’s hairbow.

To create Peace & Joy ATC:

1. Cut 2-1/2″x3-1/2″ ATC from white cardstock. Adhere blue background piece. Adhere doily across bottom of card to create “snow”; trim edges flush.

2. Cut “Peace” and “Joy” sticker sentiments from sheet; apply to background as shown.

3. Adhere lace and glitter trim along top and bottom of ATC.

4. Detail cut little girl and dog images from patterned paper. Accent flowers, shoes, dog’s collar, and snow with glue pen and crystal ultra-fine glitter; let dry.

5. Accent fur trim with glue pen and white flocking; let dry.

6. Adhere dimensional snowflake to center of background snowflake.

9. Assemble ATC, adhering girl and dot with foam dots.

Products:

  • Creative Imaginations – Joy Cards
  • Crafty Secrets – Heartwarming Vintage Cuts – Christmastime
  • White paper doily
  • Melissa Frances Embellishments: Silver Snowflakes, Pink Mini Tinsel
  • Trims: red ribbon, white vintage lace (wide, narrow), silver glitter flourish border
  • Stamps: Hero Arts DesignBlock Snowflakes, Silent Night; MemoryBOX Vintage Christmas Words, We Wish
  • Tsukineko VersaMark, StazOn Stone Gray; blue, pink, red, black dye
  • Stampendous Ultra-Fine Glitter: Crystal, Red; Clear Embossing Powder; White Flocking Powder
  • Glue pen
  • Details scissors
  • Heat tool

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Suzanne Czosek from Suzz’s Stamping Spot (www.suzzstampingspot.blogspot.com)

Polar Bear Snowflake Ornament

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Kids love Christmas but awaiting Santa’s arrival can be really difficult. Make the final hours until Santa arrives go by quickly with this fun family activity.

Materials

  • Polymer clay: white, black, assorted colors
  • Paper clip

Tools

  • Pink powdered blush
  • Toothpick
  • Clay-dedicated rolling pin or acrylic brayer
  • Craft knife
  • Oven and parchment-lined baking sheet

Basic Supplies

scissors, black marker, ruler, cotton swab

Directions

Size

4″ tall

Ornament

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

1. On clean work surface, remove clay from packages. To condition, roll clay separately in hands until soft, bending and rolling until pliable. If clay cracks, keep conditioning.

2. Print and cut out pattern.

3. Roll 2” white clay ball. Flatten ball to 1/4” thickness. Use craft knife to cut snowflake from white clay.

4. For head, roll 1/2” white clay ball. For arms, roll two 1/2” clay balls. Press and shape head and arms on one point of snowflake.

5. For ears, roll two small white clay balls. Press ears on head. For nose, roll tiny black clay ball. Press nose on face. For eyes, roll two tiny black balls. Press eyes above nose.

6. For hat, roll 1/2” ball from colored clay of choice. Form ball into triangle shape. Press hat onto head. Roll skinny log and tiny ball from same-color clay. Press log along bottom edge and ball on top of hat.

7. Use toothpick to add paw lines and muzzle line. Add lines on hat. Use cotton swab to apply pink blush on cheeks.

8. For hanger, use scissors to cut paper clip in half. Insert cut ends into back of hat.

9. Position ornament on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake ornament in oven at 225º F for 25 minutes. Let cool.

10. Use black marker to write name, year, or other message on center of snowflake.

by Lori Allberry

Christmas Friend Coasters

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

These adorable Christmas Friend Coasters are sure to spark some holiday spirit. Or, create them as a great last-minute gift idea.

Materials

  • Round cork coasters, 3-3/4”
  • Craft foam: white, black, red
  • Wooden shapes, assorted sizes: circles, teardrops, hearts, triangles
  • White felt, scraps
  • Ribbon, 6” lengths
  • Wiggle eyes, two

Tools

  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints: Lamp Black, Snow White, Flesh Tone, Baby Pink, Primary Yellow, Jack-O’-Lantern Orange
  • Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, paintbrushes, black marker, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

Print and cut out patterns. Cut coaster from craft foam as follows: snowman and polar bear white, Santa red, penguin black.

STEP 2

On covered work surface, paint wooden shapes as follows: polar bear: two circles (ears) white, one circle (muzzle) black, two circles (inner ears) pink; Santa: one circle (face) tan, two teardrops (mustache) white, one circle (nose) pink; penguin: one heart (eyes) white, one triangle (beak) yellow; snowman: teardrop (nose) orange. Let dry.

STEP 3

Adhere cork coaster onto center of craft foam coaster. Using photo as guide, adhere wooden items on coasters.

STEP 4

For Santa, cut beard and freehand cut hair from white felt scrap; adhere onto face. For snowman and Santa, cut mittens from white craft foam. For penguin and polar bear, cut mittens from black craft foam. Adhere mittens on sides of body.

STEP 5

Use black marker to add details and eyes on faces and draw three buttons down center of coasters. Measure and cut 6” ribbon length for each coaster (except Santa). Tie ribbon bow; adhere below head.

Tip

For ease in painting wooden shapes, tape onto newspaper.

by Melony Bradley

 

Vegetable-Stamped Reindeer Towel & Mitts

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Finally, it’s okay to play with your food! You don’t just have to eat your vegetables — use them to stamp cool designs! This set makes the perfect gift for the cook in the family!  

Materials

  • Kitchen towel set: dish towel, oven mitt, pot holder
  • Vegetables, one each: celery stalk; large potato; baby carrots, three
  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints: Milk Chocolate, Mistletoe, True Red, Cool White, Lamp Black
  • Red/white checked ribbon, 3⁄4” wide, 13” lengths, three
  • Gold jingle bells, 5⁄8”, three

Tools

  • Sewing needle and white sewing thread
  • Sponge or paintbrush

Basic Supplies

scissors, toothpick, paper towels, knife, paper plate (palette), newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

How to Stamp with Vegetables

1. Use knife to cut vegetables as desired. Dab cut ends on paper towels to remove excess moisture.

2. Use sponge or paintbrush to dab cut vegetable ends with paint.

3. Press painted side of vegetable onto fabric, applying even pressure. Lift vegetable straight up.

4. Reapply paint as needed. Let dry.

Reindeer Design

1. Cut: potato in half (head); celery stalk into 1-1⁄4” and 3” pieces (antlers); one carrot in half widthwise (nose); one carrot in half lengthwise (ears). Adults, help kids when using knife.

2. Stamp head and ears Milk Chocolate.

3. Stamp antlers above head Mistletoe.

4. Stamp nose below head True Red.

5. Use end of uncut carrot to stamp eyes Lamp Black. Let dry.

6. Use toothpick to dot highlights in eyes and nose Cool White; let dry.

7. Tie ribbon length into bow. Use needle and thread to sew jingle bell to center of bow; secure with knot. Sew bow below reindeer; knot thread ends.

Tips

  • Wipe vegetables clean with a paper towel instead of washing with water. The less moisture in the stamp, the easier it is to absorb the paint.
  • Check out a dollar or discount store for inexpensive kitchen towel sets.
  • For younger kids, use heavy-duty tacky or fabric glue instead of needle and thread to secure bell to bow.

by Mary Ayres

Die-Cut Ticking Fabric Ornaments

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Simple supplies such as red and green ticking fabric purchased at most fabric supply shops lend a charming, rustic feel to handmade ornaments such as these charming stuffed bird ornaments that were cut from a Sizzix BigShot die-cut machine and this beautiful bird die from Brenda Pinnick from Sizzix.

Simply die cut two layers of ticking fabric using the BigShot machine and ticking fabric for each bird ornament.

Fuse red wool felt to webbing and free hand heart shapes with scissors.  Iron in place on front shape.

Use two strands of embroidery floss and cross-stitch edges in place.

For the wing shape, cut a 3” teardrop shape and use it to trace two shapes from natural burlap. Cut the shapes out with scissors.

Use alphabet stamps for a short and sweet sentiment like “joy, “peace” or “noel” and stamp on fused burlap. Cut out sentiment and fuse to one of the burlap wing shapes using an iron and pressing surface. I used tiny alphabet stamps for my sentiments but you can use whatever holiday-themed words you might have on hand.

Sew the muslin in place with black thread and a straight stitch. Place the wrong sides of the wings together and sew 1/4” from ends, leaving a tiny opening for stuffing. Stuff wings with Polyfil Fiberfill Stuffing by Fairfield and sew opening closed.

Repeat this process for the bird. Be careful not to overstuff the bird or it will be difficult to machine sew closed.

Finally adhere the wing to the bird using a fabric glue such as Fabri-Tac by Beacon Adhesives. Embellish bird as desired. I adhered a tiny pebble bead for the eye and added some felt die-cut flowers.

 

The possibilities are endless. These birds look sweet hanging from a mantle or even as a special package tag.

Melony Bradley (www.mel-designs.typepad.com)

Snowman Cocoa Hugger

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

This whimsical snowman can’t wait to wish someone a Merry Christmas with a scrumptious chocolate hug! After all, who doesn’t like a nice warm cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter’s night.

Materials

  • Glass pint jar with lid
  • Craft foam: white, one sheet; brown, green, orange, scraps
  • Fabric of choice, 2”x18”
  • Cocoa mix

Tools

  • EK Success Zig Memory System Millennium Markers: Pink, Blue, Green, Brown
  • Black fine-tip permanent marker
  • Small stencil brushes, four
  • Beacon Adhesives Kid’s Choice! Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, pencil, ruler

Directions

Size

6-1⁄2” tall

Snowman

1. Cut out patterns. Cut craft foam as indicated. (Note: Use long, smooth strokes when cutting foam and turn foam instead of scissors as you cut.) Remove jar lid and trace onto white foam; cut out.

2. Use bullet tip of pens to shade edges of foam. While ink is still wet, use stencil brush to blend and shade toward center. Shade snowman with Blue, nose and trunk with Brown, and tree with Green. Drybrush cheeks with stencil brush and Pink pen.

3. Transfer details to face and lettering to foam circle. Use black marker to draw details. Fill in eyes, draw eyebrows, and outline foam pieces with wiggly lines. Trace over lettering as shown.

4. Adhere foam circle to lid. Adhere nose to snowman and trunk to back of tree. Place rubber band around jar. Position snowman’s arms under rubber band. Slide tree in between snowman’s hands. Spot glue hands to tree using rubber band to secure until glue dries.

5. Tie fabric around neck, knot, and cut fringe at ends. Remove rubber band and fill jar with cocoa mix

Other Options

Use brown craft foam to make a gingerbread jar hugger. Fill with gingerbread mix and a cookie cutter or mulling spices.

by Barbara Matthiessen

Iralamija’s Etsy Shop Christmas Images Winner

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With Christmas just around the corner, it is time to select one lucky winner of two sets of printable Christmas images from Iralamija’s Etsy shop as offered in my 12 Tags for 12-12-12 blog post.

The winner, as selected by Random.org, is: Viktoriya. 

Viktoriya, I will be contacting you by email for your mailing address. I appreciate all your wonderful comments and wish you a wonderful holiday season.

Alice Golden from Golden Moments (www.alicegolden.com)