Make a Christmas Ornament with Smoothfoam and The Robin's Nest

I am excited to be taking part in this Holiday Ornament Blog Hop sponsored by Smoothfoam and the Robin's Nest!

There are quite a few Designers participating, so be sure to hop on over to the Robin's Nest Blog for a complete list of projects and links!

My project today was inspired by my Gran, my maternal Grandmother, who was extremely crafty!

 

I started out by covering a Smoothfoam Ball 3" with Ranger Ink's Glue & Seal (this product was great for this project because the container has a small brush built in to the lid, so I was able to work in small areas) then sprinkled iridescent white glitter all over and let dry.  When working with Smoothfoam Balls I will insert a pencil or stylus into the small opening in the center of the ball to use as a handle.

 

I laid out several patterns of the Dew Drops from the Robin's Nest, which are small plastic gems that come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, on a piece of white paper before I attached them to the ball.

 

Working in small areas, I kept attaching the Dew Drops to the Ball and then the patterns just starting flowing and soon my entire Ball was covered - in less than an hour!

 



My Pick N Place Pencil from KOOL TAK was perfect tool for this project.  It looks like an ordinary white pencil, but when you sharpen it the point is sticky.  This stickiness aids in picking up small items like the Dew Drops, so you can get accurate placement on your project.  I finished by tying a loop and a bow in some red organza ribbon and gluing it inside the small opening in the center of the ball.


 

Above are a few of the vintage ornaments that my Gran made in the 60's and 70's with foam shapes, straight pins, beads, sequins and trims.  They have always been amazing works of art to me and I treasure them dearly.  She was definitely one crafty lady!

 

Leave a comment here on my blog to be entered for a chance to win a great prize package of crafty goodies from Smoothfoam and The Robin's Nest and enter on each blog you visit in the hop!

 

Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth

 



Cre8Time to make a Fall Banner

I enjoy year round beautiful weather, living in SW Florida, but the one season that I truly miss is FALL!  The crisp air, the apple cider and especially the leaves changing color!

I found these giant Fall Leaves at Michael's and thought they would make a great base for a banner.  While messing around working through the creative process, I noticed a chipboard letter laying on top of one of the leaves and I thought - silhouette!  So, I simply traced each of my chipboard letters on to the silk leaf and cut it out with my craft knife.  I then tied a seam binding ribbon dyed a burnt orange color around each of the stems.

 

 

This entire project only took about 8 minutes to complete, so what can you CRE8TE in 8 MINUTES?  Visit the Cre8Time Movement on Facebook or on the Web and reclaim your Cre8tivity!  I DID!

 

Thanks for stopping by! -Beth



Thankful Turkey Mason Jar Craft

Welcome to the Designer Crafts Connection first Monday in November blog hop!

This month's theme is thank you gifts. 

My Mom loves Thanksgiving and gathers all of the family and friends around.  Our tradition is that right before dinner everyone shares what he or she is most thankful for, so I have created a Thankful Turkey Mason Jar Craft.  Now everyone can also write down their thankful memories and Mom can keep them from year to year.



Materials:
Mason Jar
3" Smoothfoam Ball
Echo Park collection kit & decorative brads - Fall Reflections by Lori Whitlock
Americana paint by DecoArt - Dark Chocolate
Xyron Mega Runner - 1/2" by 100'
Aleene's Original Tacky Glue from I Love to Create
Scissors, pencil, serrated knife, paint brush, plain paper, black self adhesive half pearls, metallic pens and Ribbon - 1" wide gold organza 20" long.

Here's how I made it:

1.  Insert pencil in the Smoothfoam ball and paint with dark chocolate, then set aside to dry.  Draw a feather shape on plain paper, cut out and trace on each paper in collection pack.  Cut out, fold in half and cut slits down the outside edge.  Trace and cut out a 6" circle from brown decorative paper.

2.  Cut 1/2" from Smoothfoam ball and glue flat surface to lid of mason jar, set aside to dry.  Attach feathers to circle in a fan pattern with Xyron Mega Runner.  Cut triangle for beak from mustard decorative paper and waddle from burgundy decorative paper, then attach with Xyron Mega Runner. Attach black pearls as eyes.

3.  Decorate jar, back and front of feathers with stickers from the Echo Park collection kit.  Tie ribbon around lid of mason jar and attach decorative brad with Aleene's Tacky Glue.  attach feathers to back of mason jar with Aleene's Tacky Glue, lay down on flat surface and allow to dry overnight.

4.  Cut 1" wide strips of paper from the ivory decorative papers.  Write thankful thoughts on papers with names and dates, then place in mason jar.

This is a quick and easy craft that you can make with your children to start a Thanksgiving tradition of thankfulness that will become keepsake for years to come!



Now you can HOP around to see what the other Designers have created with a THANKFUL theme in mind - I can't wait to see the creativity!  Just click the HOP BACK and HOP FORWARD buttons in the DCC icon on the right hand side of my toolbar!



You can also check out the HANDMADE HOLIDAYS BLOG HOP hosted by Jennifer Priest of Hydrangea Hippo that happened this past weekend!  Great Holiday crafting inspiration and ideas from a few of my crafty Friends as well as some great crafty Businesses - like SMOOTHFOAM!

Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth