Tag Archives: Christmas Crafts

Stamped Wooden Christmas Tree Ornaments

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With a few supplies including wood pieces from Midwest Products (www.midwestproducts.com), such as these 1/2”x1/4” strips and some alphabet stamps, you can easily create these sweet little holiday crafts that are perfect for displaying your favorite sentiment.

I purchased a Balsa Economy Bag from my local Michael’s Crafts and a handsaw to cut and arrange pieces as shown.

Use a firm cutting surface (such as a wood plaque) and gentle pressure to cut small, thin strips of wood for the tree. Use tacky glue to adhere the pieces in place and allow them to dry for an hour or so. Paint the trees in the color of your choice, I chose DecoArt Americana Acrylics in Olive Green for the “branches,” Burnt Umber for the “trunk,” and Snow White for the wood circle.

When the paint is dry, use tiny alphabet stamps and a favorite holiday sentiment of choice to stamp solvent ink on the branches.

Slightly age your branches and wood circle with chalk ink in a coordinating green color tone.

Decorate your Christmas ornaments by gluing tiny rhinestones to the trunk, in between spaces that you have left for the branches.

I also used vintage encyclopedia pages and a sequined embellishment to decorate my circle. Use a toothpick and tacky glue to adhere stones to the edges of the paper.

Don’t forget to paint the back of your trees for a professional finish to your Christmas ornaments.

Wrap silver tinsel around the top and bottom of your trees and trim on the back using scissors so it doesn’t hide the sentiment.

 Add a twine hanger with tacky glue and your inspirational tree ornaments are complete!

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

 

Snowman Pillowcase Stocking

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

This melt-your-heart, super-sized snowman stocking will be the envy of every child on the block – and its made from a pillowcase!

Materials

  • Standard white pillowcase
  • Felt: black, orange, fuchsia, lime green
  • Tulip Caribbean Blue Cool Color Spray
  • Tulip Soft Brushable Fabric Paints: Tropical Green, Turquoise, Hot Pink, Orange Mist
  • Green/white check ribbon, 60” length
  • Black snaps, seven

Tools

  • Foam alphabet stamps
  • Circle templates: 4”, 6”, 8”
  • Cardboard
  • Black permanent marker
  • Iron and pressing surface
  • Freezer paper
  • Aleene’s Thick Designer Tacky Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, paintbrushes, safety pin, newspaper or plastic tablecloth (to protect work surface), masking tape

Directions

Size

20”x30”

Stocking

1. Cover work surface with newspaper or plastic tablecloth. For ground, use tape to mask off about 2” on bottom of pillowcase.

2. For snowman body, draw 4”, 6”, and 8” circles on freezer paper and cut out. Using photo as guide and hot, dry iron, press circles to center of pillowcase, with largest circle on edge of tape.

3. For snow, cut 1” circles from freezer paper. Iron circles around snowman body.

4. Insert cardboard into pillowcase. Spray pillowcase Caribbean Blue, darker at top and lighter at bottom. Let dry. Peel off tape and circles and remove cardboard.

5. Lightly drybrush cheeks Hot Pink. Use marker to draw stick arms and outline snowman and snow.

6. Print and cut out patterns. For scarf pattern, cut various-sized strips from fuchsia felt and adhere to scarf. Adhere hat, nose, and scarf to snowman.

7. For eyes and buttons, make tiny cuts into pillowcase. Attach snaps to pillowcase through cuts.

8. Use sponge scraps to dab paint colors of choice onto foam alphabet stamps. Stamp name across bottom of pillowcase.

9. For hanger, make 1” cut on both sides of seam on open end of pillowcase. Attach safety pin to ribbon and insert through pillowcase casing. Remove pin.

10. Fill pillowcase with gifts. Pull ribbon ends to tighten and tie closed.

Tips

  • Use a hair dryer to speed up drying time when spraying or stamping fabric.
  • For added effect, highlight “snow” areas with crystal glitter paint.

by Mary Ayres

Greetings for the Holidays Card

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Send a little hug for the December holidays, courtesy of this cute ‘n cuddly fellow.

Materials

  • Bazzill Basics Paper Kraft Cardstock
  • Bella Blvd. Christmas Wishes Collection Papers: Borders, North Pole, Candlelight, Cute Cuts
  • Bella Blvd. Christmas Wishes Collection Stickers: Alpha & Bits, Miniatures
  • Cherry Arte Journaling Spot

Tools

  • Open scallop border punch
  • Black journaling pen
  • Adhesives: paper adhesive, foam tape

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, detail scissors, ruler, pencil

Directions

STEP 1

Make 4-1/2”x5-1/4” kraft side-fold card.

STEP 2

Cut green dot paper panel to fit bottom third of card, leaving narrow kraft border visible. Adhere panel to card.

STEP 3

Cut yellow, polka dot, and red strips to cover top two-thirds of card. Use pen to draw faux stitched border around each strip. Overlap and adhere strips to card, leaving same narrow kraft border visible.

STEP 4

Cut 4-1/2”x1” strip from striped side of Cute Cuts paper, being careful not to cut into desired penguin image on opposite side. Border punch bottom long edge and adhere to card over top edge of green dot panel.

STEP 5

Adhere journaling spot to card with foam tape.

STEP 6

Detail cut penguin from Cute Cuts paper; adhere to card with paper adhesive and foam tape.

STEP 7

Adhere sentiment stickers from Miniatures sticker sheet and Alpha & Bits sticker sheet to card with foam tape.

Tip

Replace penguin with another holiday character of choice cut from Cute Cuts paper.

by Kerryn Fry for Bella Blvd. (www.bellablvd.net)

Tabletop Christmas Tree

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The holiday season is in full swing and today I’m sharing a pint-sized Christmas tree full of handcrafted ornaments that will help brighten up any décor or make a wonderful gift for someone special. Using a box of holiday-themed chipboard embellishments as the base for the ornaments makes this project come together in a snap. Here is a view of the front.

I found the 2’-tall tree at a craft store (used a coupon!) and added the red-and-white checked ribbon to the burlap base. Then came the fun part – adding bits of trim, stickers, glitter, buttons, and other embellishments to create the ornaments. A Crop-A-Dile came in handy for punching holes in the chipboard, and assorted twine, thread, and wire was used to create the hangers. Here is a look at the back…

…and a view from the side.

I should warn you that making these little ornaments is so much fun that it’s hard to know when to stop. Here is a closer look at a few of my favorites:

A bit of red glitter glue on the scarf and a few buttons adhered with adhesive dots dressed up this chipboard snowman.

On this ornament, green-and-white baker’s twine was used for the hanger and stickers decorate the front. Brush baby powder or cornstarch over any exposed area of the sticker to neutralize the adhesive (such as the back ends of the December 25 sticker here).

A little bit of glitter can have a big impact. I used it on this ornament, along with a scrap of ribbon, as well as on the sweet gingerbread house below.

Some pieces hardly needed any embellishment – this tree was already glittered and I only added the adhesive gem to the top.

Others were a bit more involved. The tag base for this one was die cut and threaded with ribbon and wire. The front was decorated with a dimensional sticker.

To create the topper, I die cut cardstock and green patterned paper and adhered them together. I added a large white brad behind the “Joy” sticker.

The ends of the brad wrap around the top of the tree to hold it in place.

Now… are you ready for the best part of today’s post? Me & My BIG Ideas has donated a terrific prize package – which includes the chipboard embellishments used to create these ornaments – for one lucky winner. To be entered in the drawing all you need to do is leave a comment on this post and we will announce the winner on December 12, 2012.

Supplies

  • Tabletop tree – Michaels Arts & Crafts
  • Assorted holiday-themed chipboard embellishments, stickers, and patterned papers – Me & My BIG Ideas
  • Small Craft Zots adhesive– Therm O Web
  • Stickles Glitter Glue in assorted colors – Ranger
  • Crop-A-Dile hole punch – We Are Memory Keepers
  • Other: assorted ribbon, trim, wire, buttons, and brads

Until next time… happy crafting!

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

Advent Tree

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Count the days ’til Christmas with this bright and cheery Advent Tree. Simply move a light bulb onto the tree for each day, then add the star at the top on Christmas day to reveal a fully decorated tree!

Materials

  • Craft foam: brown, 1-1/2”x2”; blue, 11-1/2”x18”, two; white, 11-1/2”x18”; green, 11-1/2” x 18”
  • 24 pre-cut craft foam light bulb shapes

Tools

  • Aleene’s Adhesives: Spritz-On Reposition-It! Tacky Glue, Reposition-It! Tacky Glue, FunCraft Foam Glue
  • Markers: black medium-tip; silver metallic

Basic Supplies

scissors, pencil, ruler or yardstick

Directions

Note

Use photo as guide for creating this project.

Advent Tree

1. Print and cut out patterns. Follow directions on patterns.

2. For calendar, use one blue sheet, black marker, and ruler or yardstick to draw four 2-1/4” wide vertical lines. Measure and draw a 3-1/2” wide horizontal line from top edge; measure and draw four 3” wide horizontal lines from first line. Use marker to write in numbers, 1-25. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for foam glue to adhere other blue sheet to top 1/2” of calendar. Use marker to draw a wiggly outline along the side edges of banner.

3. For top, middle, and bottom of banner snowdrifts, cut from width of white foam sheet and cut strips so one long edge is straight and other is a random wave. For top snowdrift, cut foam to measure 2” on left side and 4” on right side. For middle snowdrift, cut waves to measure between 1-3/4” and 2-1/2”. For bottom snowdrift, cut waves to measure between 2-3/4” and 3-1/4”. With Figure 1 on pattern as guide, use black marker for the following: write “Advent Tree” on top snowdrift and draw snowflakes to each side of words; write family’s name on middle snowdrift; write “Christmas Countdown” on bottom snowdrift; outline edges of each snowdrift and around “Christmas Countdown” as shown.

4. To assemble the banner, adhere top snowdrift to top of banner so straight edges are aligned. Adhere middle snowdrift to center of banner at overlap, and bottom snowdrift to bottom of banner so straight edges are aligned.

5. To assemble the tree, center and adhere trunk to top of middle snowdrift. Center and adhere tree pieces to banner, overlapping edges slightly: tree bottom to top of trunk; tree middle to top of tree bottom; tree top to top of tree middle. Adhere tree snow layers to overlapped edges of tree, beginning with first tree snow layer and ending with fourth tree snow layer.

6. Use silver marker to draw bulb threading, to highlight bulbs, and to color in star as shown. Let dry. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to apply tacky reposition glue to back of bulbs and star. Press bulbs onto calendar squares and place star on the 25th. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to apply pump-spray reposition glue to back of entire advent calendar. When dry, banner may be placed where desired without the use of tools or hardware, and removed quickly and easily when the season is over.

Tip

If you are unable to locate pre-cut Christmas light bulb shapes, cut your own from craft foam.

by Barbara Matthiessen

Deck The Halls

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

There’s no time like the present to get started on your holiday gift ideas. Stitch this quick-and easy design on a bag or tea towel for a festive gift.

Materials

  • Charles Craft Ecru Huck Towel with 14-count inset
  • Charles Craft Natural Small Tote with 14-count inset
  • DMC 6-strand Embroidery Floss
  • Kreinik Gold Blending Filament

Tools

  • Needle

Stitch Type

  • Blended Needle: 1 strand floss/2 strands blending filament
  • Cross Stitch: 2 strands

Basic Supplies

scissors

Directions

Size/Stitch Count

Approximate size of finished design: 3-1/2″x5″; stitch count: 50 w x 69 h

Deck the Halls

1. Print pattern and key.

2. Stitch design centered on inset.

by Lois Winston for Charles Craft

Snowman Lawn Greeting

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Let it Snow! This cheery fellow is a fun way to greet your guests during the holidays with wishes for the winter season!

Materials

  • Metal bucket, 10” tall
  • Wooden items: fence post, 54” tall; plaques, 1⁄4” thick, 3”x10”, 3”x12”, 3”x14”
  • Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic Paints: White, Pumpkin, Hydrangea Pink, Black, Opaque Yellow, Opaque Red, Rhythm in Blue
  • Fleece fabric: red, 3⁄4 yard; blue, 1⁄4 yard
  • Yellow rick rack, 5⁄8” wide, 32” length
  • Ribbon: green polka dot grosgrain, 1” wide, 18” length; yellow satin, 1⁄4” wide, 8” lengths, two
  • Buttons: red, white, 1⁄2”; white snowflakes, 3⁄4”, six
  • Artificial greenery, small amount

Tools

  • Delta Stencil Magic Whimsical Dot Alphabet Stencil Mania Stencil
  • Delta Stencil Magic Stamp and Stencil Sponges
  • Delta: Metal Primer, Exterior/Interior Varnish, All-Purpose Sealer
  • Hammer and nails
  • Adhesives: Delta Sobo Glue, masking tape

Basic Supplies

scissors, pencil, paintbrush, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

Follow manufacturer’s instructions to apply sealer to post and primer to bucket. Basecoat post and bucket White, small plaque Opaque Yellow, medium plaque Opaque Red, and large plaque Rhythm ‘N Blue.

STEP 2

For signs, position stencil on plaque; secure with masking tape. Stencil lettering White. Paint White wavy lines around edges and add White dots to Rhythm ‘N Blue sign.

STEP 3

Print pattern. Transfer details to bucket. Paint cheeks Hydrangea Pink and nose Pumpkin. Add Tangerine details to nose and paint eyes and mouth Black. Add White highlight dots to eyes and cheeks.

STEP 4

Follow manufacturer’s instructions to apply varnish to signs and bucket.

STEP 5

For hat, position red fleece around bucket with 1” overlapping at back; glue in place. Roll up 3” to make cuff; glue hat to bucket and rick rack around cuff line. Stuff hat with plastic bags. Gather hat at top; tie green ribbon bow. Thread yellow ribbon through white button; tie bow. Glue button to green bow. For fringe, trim fleece above bow to 4”; cut 1”-wide fringe.

STEP 6

For scarf, tie blue fleece around bucket; knot and spot glue. For fringe, cut 4” slits, 1” apart, in scarf ends. Thread yellow ribbon through red button; knot and tie bow. Glue greenery to face, button to greenery, and snowflake buttons to greenery and scarf.

STEP 7

Using photo as guide, nail signs to post. Adhere bucket onto top of post.

by Cheryl Ball for Delta Technical Coatings, Inc.

 

3D Christmas Ornament

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Create a stunning 3D Christmas ornament for your tree or as a beautiful gift for family and friends.

Materials

  • Heartfelt Creations Frosty Blanket Paper Collection
  • Assorted crystal beads: round, bicone, teardrop, snowflake
  • Fine-gauge silver beading wire
  • Silver ribbon

Tools

  • Heartfelt Creations Petite Poinsettia PreCut Stamp Set
  • Spellbinders Grand Calibur-Die Cutting System and Dies: Spellbinders for Heartfelt Creations Decorative Metal Fixtures, Shapeabilities Layered Poinsettia
  • McGill Paper Blossoms Molding Mat and Tool Kit
  • Opaque white ink pad
  • Crystal glitter glue
  • Fast-drying paper glue

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, scoring board, scissors, ruler, pencil, wire cutters

Directions

STEP 1

Die cut five each of two largest Decorative Metal Fixtures shapes from pale gray patterned paper. Score each shape down exact center and fold in half. For each shape, adhere back half of first piece to back half of next piece and so on until all five shapes are glued together, but leave last two halves open. Let dry.

STEP 2

Stamp following poinsettia images onto burgundy patterned paper using white ink: one #1, one #2, two #3. Die cut with coordinating die templates. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to shape flowers with molding mat and tool.

STEP 3

Cut an 18” length of beading wire. String teardrop bead onto center of wire. Insert both wire ends up through round bead. Adhere smaller die-cut element closed around wire, adding snowflake bead to center of shape before closing. Thread bicone bead onto wire ends, then adhere larger die-cut element closed around wire, adding assorted beads to center of shape before closing.

STEP 4

For ornament hanger, cut 5” ribbon length; knot ends. Wrap beading wire ends around knotted end of hanging loop; trim excess wire.

STEP 5

Tie 4”-wide, double-loop bow around knotted end of hanging loop; spot glue to secure. Layer and adhere poinsettia shapes to bow center. Accent flower center and petal edges with crystal glitter glue; let dry.

Tip

Use a fast-drying liquid adhesive when gluing the die-cut shapes together to form the ornament; use small clamps to hold paper pieces together until dry.

by Angelica Turner for Heartfelt Creations (www.heartfeltcreations.us)

Bubba The Snowman

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Winter is on its way! With a belly full of rice, this adorable snowman is perfect for kids to create as a holiday decoration or thoughtful gift.

Materials

  • Recycled white tube sock
  • Recycled print socks
  • Fleece, in print of choice: 1”x9”
  • Pom-poms
  • Kitty litter or dried rice

Tools

  • Acrylic paints: black, orange
  • Pink powdered blush
  • Thick craft glue or fabric glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, sponge scrap, paintbrush, newspaper (to cover work surface), rubber bands

Directions

Note

Directions are for one snowman.

Snowman

1. Fill tube sock 1/3 full with kitty litter or dried rice. Use rubber band to tie closed. Add more kitty litter or dried rice. Use rubber band to tie closed. (Add more if making three-circle snowman.)

2. For hat, cut foot from recycled print sock. Position top portion of sock (hat) on top of snowman body. Gather and adhere top edge of hat together. Adhere pom-poms to top of hat.

3. On covered work surface, paint nose orange and dot eyes and mouth black. Let dry.

4. For scarf, measure and cut 1”x9” fleece strip. Tie scarf around neck; snip ends to create fringe.

5. Use sponge scrap to lightly blush cheeks pink.

by Florence Tebbets

Ribbon Obsession

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I am a self-confessed ribbon-aholic! I have more ribbon than any crafter has a right to own. I am sure I use ribbon on 95% of my projects and the more ribbon I use, the more I purchase. How can I resist? Ribbon is beautiful. Ribbon comes in many colors. Ribbon is versatile. Ribbon is easy to incorporate into many types of crafting. Look how I used ribbon two ways on the card below.

I created a double bow with two shades of gold ribbon, and I pleated some brown ribbon at the bottom of the card. Nothing jazzes up cards, tags, and scrapbook pages quite like ribbon.

Happy harvest Materials List:

  • Cardstock: American Crafts Coffee, X-Press It White Blending Card
  • Echo Park Paper Co. This & That Charming Collection 6″x6″ Paper Pad
  • Really Reasonable Ribbon Trims: Diamond Satin in Turftan Brown, Old Gold, and Yellow Gold; Natural Hemp
  • Brown button
  • SpellbindersGrand Calibur Die-Cutting System and Nestabilities Dies: Standard Circles SM and LG, Classic Ovals LG, Classic Scalloped Ovals LG, Lacey Ovals
  • Stamps: Taylored Expressions Autumn Wreath
  • Tsukineko Memento Ink Pads: Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa
  • .Too Marker Corp.COPIC Markers
  • Adhesives: 3M Scotch Brand Tape Runner, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Foam Squares, Scor-Pal Scor-Tape, Beacon Adhesives Fabri-tac Glue

One of my favorite places to purchase ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon (www.reasonableribbon.com). They have a unique selection, reasonable prices, fast shipping, and great customer service.

Really Reasonable Ribbon has been meeting the ribbon needs of crafters, wedding planners, rubber stampers, scrapbookers, and the artistic community for over 10 years. We offer great wholesale pricing on full spools of many of our styles, and “really reasonable” discount retail pricing on ribbon by the yard.

Our large selection of ribbon styles includes a variety of colors and widths in grosgrain, organza, gingham, satin, ric rac, twill tape, velvet, bakers twine, jute, and much more.

Here is what the owner, Bonnie Garby, had to say:

I took over as owner of Really Reasonable Ribbon, located in New York, in January 2010, from my good friend Debbie who was ready to retire. I had worked with her for two years prior to becoming the new owner. When I took over the business, I was leaving a job where I was not exactly happy. Since taking over RRR, it has been a pleasure to work for myself. I have been crafting my whole life, starting with rubber stamping in 1995. The ribbon business seemed like a perfect match for me because I get to shop for terrific new ribbon for a living! It is so fun to be surrounded by crafty stuff and call it my job!

Bonnie has graciously donated TWO ribbon assortments from the RRR Ribbon Club to one lucky winner!

To enter your name for this fantastic prize, leave a comment on this post telling us why you love ribbon! We will draw one lucky winner and post the winner’s name on November 19th!

Here is a card I made using the October Ribbon Club selection. These lovely Christmas-themed ribbons and laces are simply stunning.

 MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS MATERIALS LIST:  

  • Cardstock: American Crafts Crimson, Stampin’ Up! Whisper White
  • Authentique Wonder Collection 6″x6″ Paper Pad
  • Really Resonable Ribbon Trims: October Ribbon Club Collection, Christmas Baker’s Twine
  • Papertrey Ink Perfect Match Pure Poppy Button
  • SpellbindersGrand Calibur Die-Cutting System and Dies: Nestabilities Standard Circles SM, Classic Scalloped Circles SM, Classic Rectangles LG, Classic Scalloped Rectangle LG; Shapeabilities Holly Motifs
  • Hampton ArtStamps: Hot Fudge Studio Reindeer, Art Warehosue Holiday Dreams and Wishes
  • Ink Pads: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Rhubarb Stalk; Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Old Paper
  • Sakura of America Star Dust Gelly Roll Pen
  • Adhesives: 3M Scotch Brand Tape Runner, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Foam Squares, Beacon Adhesives Fabri-tac Glue

Please leave a comment here to enter to win this prize! And stop by to visit the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog for more inspiration, blog hops, and challenges!

Many Blessings,

Gloria Stengel from Scraps of Life (www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com)