Regal Christmas Crown and Gift Giving with Petaloo

Over my years of gift giving I have learned that a) Men love socks b) Children appreciate money and candy c) Every woman should have a crown. Don't get me wrong. There are giftees who do not fit within these generalizations... but these prezzies are more often appreciated than not.

I've been on a total crown kick this year. I love making them. I love wearing them. There's something magical that happens when someone dons a bit of fancy royal headwear. The wearer will smile, giggle and immediately begin to act regally! It's a wonderful transformation.

I think crowns are amazing gifts. With a bit of paper and some pretty blooms you can say "You are so special and important you deserve a crown!" and encourage silliness and joviality at the same time. They are something totally frivolous but symbolize esteem, importance and beauty.

I've listed my supplies below, but if you're going to make a crown for someone you admire try to create one that suits them and celebrates their personal tastes and flair. I'd wager it makes them feel pretty good :)

Supplies:

Botanica Chantilly-VelvHydrangeas 1272
Botanica Petites 1101
Botanica Sugared Berrys Clusters 1132
Embellishment Brads Shades of Green 1920

Jolie Gold Floral Scrapbook Paper
Authentique Faith - Reverent Scrapbook Paper
A Gilded Life - Petite Monarch Crown Long Die 

Elf Book Box House with Graphic 45

Inspired by my fellow team member Yumi’s amazing little suitcases I decided to create my own little travel case. 

I converted a  Staples Book Box into a little suitcase, then created a homey elf house within. 

I’ve used a mash-up of three different collections for this piece: 'Cats & Dogs', 'Away with me', and 'Night Before Christmas'. 

The interior features a fireplace, complete with screen and pipecleaner flames, Christmas cards on the mantle, tree, gifts and more. 

The little wire loveseat even has tiny cushions made from Graphic 45 fabric!

Supply list: 

Raining Cats and Dogs 
> Raining Cats and Dogs
> Well Bred
> Pitter-patter
> Cats Meow
> Precious Pets
> Playful Pals
Raining Cats & Dogs 4x6 & 3x4 Journaling & Ephemera Cards
Come Away With Me > Pleasure 
TripTwas the Night Before Christmas 6x6 Solids & Patterns
Graphic 45 fabric
Staples 
Book Box
Ornate Metal Keys
Ornate Metal Key Holes
Stamped Metal Brads
Miniature Wooden Fire Place
Mini Pine & Berry Garland
Miniature Garden Bench
Retro Bottle Brush Tree
Assorted Wooden Cube Blocks
Black ribbon
Box Latches
Beads
Thermoweb Decorative Photo Corners • Kraft

Upcycled Yule Luminary for Tresors de Luxe

Tomorrow is Yule and the official kick off to my family's holiday festivities. In the Northern hemisphere this date marks the first day of winter, and the return of the sun. Our days begin to lengthen, light takes over darkness, and we celebrate with food, drink, fire, laughter and light.

I spied some pretty luminaries on pinterest and thought they'd be a perfect addition to our celebrations. Remember that winter womderland jar I posted this week? This is its kin. I've upcycled this one into a lantern. It can be filled with a candle or (for those especially safety conscience) a string of holiday lights. 

**NOTE: If using a candle, your lid must remain OFF while the candle is lit**

I podged some light tissue paper on the outside of my jar to give it a softer 'glow'. I applied some White Venice Bridal Lace Trim LA-050 around the top. I've used a Tresors de Luxe lace with a triangular pattern, a little reminiscent of Christmas Trees around the base.

Gussy up the lid and you have a beautiful holiday luminary, perfect for any celebration :)

Regifted Christmas Jar

Last year I received a number of these jars filled with candy. The candy is long gone but the jars are still kicking about my kitchen. When Alpha Stamps announced their House Ornament Kit for December I thought I'd create a fun little wonderland to re-gift the jar.

The wide mouth of the jar made it easy to slip over the contents. There's quite a bit going on in there! Bottle brush trees, a house, Santa... there's even a snowman tucked in the side :)

Note: How the heck have I been missing out on Stickles? Glitter that stays put?!?! I have a feeling you'll be seeing a lot more projects using that glorious stuff from me.

Anyway, this may not be the most sophisticated project. But it sure was fun to make and I don't think the recipient will mind the 'regifting' one bit.

Supplies:
Large mouth glass jar
House Ornament Kit

Glitter Houses Add-On Kit

Retro Bottle Brush Tree Set - Green 

Diamond Stickles 

Star Tinsel* 

Double Dot Vintage Wild Berry Scrapbook Paper
Jute twine

White glitter
Buttons

Time to Flourish Calendar box with Graphic 45

Graphic 45 is posting an absolute extravaganza of tutorials and gift ideas for the holidays on their blog. This week it's calendars, and today you'll find this calendar box that I created with Time to Flourish.

This calendar box is deceptively easy to create. I simply combined matching monthly elements from the Time to Floruish 8” pad and embellished with tags, stickers and chipboard. 

You can be as elaborate or simple as you please with your embellishments. 

The mixed media box is decorated with papers from Raining Cats and Dogs but any neutral papers from Graphic 45 could be used in their place.

Supply List

Metal Clothespins

Ornate Metal Key Holes

Mixed Media 5x5 Box-Kraft

Time to Flourish 6x6 Patterns & Solids Pad

Time to Flourish 8x8 Pad

Time to Flourish Decorative Stickers

Time to Flourish Journaling Chipboard

Time to Flourish Decorative Chipboard

Time to Flourish Banners

Well Bred

Mischievous Menagerie

Raining Cats and Dogs 6x6 Patterns & Solids Pad

To make your own follow this Snapguide Tutorial

Altered rusty tart tins

I stayed up very late and completed a slew of the rusty altered tins I've been working on. The caption link will go to the etsy listing for each tin.

Altered Tart Tin - A rusty hanging thing-a-ma-bob

Altered Tart Tin - A rusty hanging thing-a-ma-bob

Altered Tart Tin - A rusty hanging thing-a-ma-bob

Altered Tart Tin - A rusty hanging thing-a-ma-bob 

Altered Tart Tin - A rusty hanging thing-a-ma-bob

Altered Tart Tin - A rusty hanging thing-a-ma-bob

I'm really pleased with how these came out and think I'll need to pick up a whole whack of little tins next time I see them at the grocery shop :)

And the crowniness continues

STILL on my crown kick... and these won't be the last :P They really are a joy to make.

Again I've used the A Gilded Life - Petite Monarch Crown Long Die to create the pointy cut bit. If you're attempting to make your own with this die and having problems like tearing, try these Double Dot Vintage papers. These seem to work particularly well.

Above I've embellished with Petaloo Botanica blooms and a length of Star Tinsel

And the second head topper with a big vintage brooch and some large star tinsel I spied in the holiday aisle of my grocery store!

Paper present toppers with Petaloo & Graphic 45

I've created this little set of doo-dads with Graphic 45's Twas the Night Before Christmas and Petaloo's "Victorian Children" Vintage Dazzlers. They would look adorable with a bit of string as ornaments, but I will be using these to embellish my holiday gift wrap.

Making these was oh so simple too! Simply cut narrow lengths of paper and acordian fold them. Fan them out to create the round shape, using hot glue to hold in place. For the 'star' effect I simply clipped a folded corner on an angle... as you would a paper snowflake.

A Graphic 45 tag, a Botanica Berry cluster and a Burlap Trim bow and it's ready to gussy up a gift!

While it's fun to add a bazillion blooms to projects, sometimes just one or two little flowers is all you need.

I really do like how cheery and festive these are and I think they'll be a big hit with the people on my holiday list :)

Chantilly-VelvHydrangeas 1272Burlap Trims 1483Berry Clusters - 1104
Vintage Dazzlers - Victorian Children 1420-112
Graphic 45's Twas the Night Before Christmas
Twas the Night Before Christmas Chipboard Tags

Be sure to check out all of the great projects on the petaloo blog

GUMDROPS!

Very quick post because I made gumdrops today and was so thrilled with them I made a second batch.

I saw THIS recipe for gumdrops on pinterest ages ago and wanted to give it a try. It didn't make the holiday treat list last year but this year I made it a priority.

You can hop over to the Bakerella post for the recipe but here are a few 'tips' that you may find helpful.

1. Use a bigger pot than you think you'll need. The mixture bubbles up when cooking. I was THIS CLOSE to boiling over a couple of times. Thank the kitchen gods that did not happen.

2. I lined my containers with plastic wrap. I think it helped contain the mess and made removing the jelly easier. This stuff is STICKY.

3. Sugar coat everything. Did I mention this stuff is STICKY? I spread a layer of sugar on top of the jelly before cutting. I cut the jelly into slices then pulled the slice away from the plastic wrap and immediately put the jelly strip in sugar to coat it. Then I cut the strip into squares and coated in sugar again. I also sprinkled my final surface with sugar. You will use a lot of sugar.

4. If you prefer stronger flavours add more extract. I messed up and added twice as much flavouring as called for... it wasn't over powering at all.

Can not wait to gobble these up :)

Making rusty bits

While grocery shopping last week I saw some little tart tins, 4 for $2. They were bright and shiny and I had an immediate urge to rust them up! I've only tried rusting a few times, so I am no expert but I'll give you a rundown on the process I used.

Make sure your item is clean and free of grease. Even oil from your fingers can disrupt the process.

Put a healthy dose of vinegar and a good sprinkling of coarse sea salt (regular table salt is ok too) in a shallow glass dish. Place your item in the dish and sort of splash the liquid all over. Leave it for an hour or so, then turn the item over and splosh that salt and vinegar all over it again. Do this a few times, then leave overnight. My tins were tarnished, but not rusted at this point. Note: If you look at the sides of the tart tins below, you will see a shiny band. This should give you some idea of how much liquid I used.

The next day I added hydrogen peroxide to the vinegar/salt mix. This time I brushed the liquid on and let it dry, brushed more on, let it dry... and so on until I achieved the desired effect. The ones pictured below have about 4 coats of the solution and were left to 'age' overnight. Note: You can also use a spray bottle to apply the solution. 

A few words about the process. Safety first. You might want to wear gloves, and avoid getting the solution near your eyes, nose or mouth. Over the counter hydrogen peroxide is generally pretty safe BUT even domestic-strength solutions can cause irritation to the eyes, mucous membranes and skin... so be careful! DON'T add other ingredients if you aren't sure it's safe. Heaven forbid you start some kind of chemical reaction in your kitchen! Keep your area clean and make sure it does not come in contact with items you do not want to be rusted.

And there you have it! Instant old ;)

Media Box Wonderland for Graphic 45

I love the Graphic 45 Mixed Media boxes. They are just the right size, the little window is sweet as can be, and the inside depth is practically perfect for little dioramas (which I love to make!)

For this wee box I've embellished with G45's Twas the Night Before Christmas, which is a lot of fun with charming classic holiday graphics.

I’ve added a slew of chunky white glitter on just about every surface but kept the edges clean to ensure that the box closure could still function.

Last winter went on for an eternity so I thought that a winter theme (rather than Christmas) would give me an excuse to keep this piece on display for an extended time ;) 

Now let's peek inside!

Annnnnd  here's the complete supply list if you'd like to make your own:

Mixed Media 5x5 Box-Ivory

Shabby Chic Door Pull
Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Keys
Twas the Night Before Christmas
Up on the Housetops
Long Winter's Nap
Twas the Night Before Christmas Chipboard
Twas the Night Before Christmas Stickers
Raining Cats and Dogs 6x6 Patterns & Solids Pad
Glitter
White Acrylic Paint
Retro Bottle Brush Trees
Holly Berry Garland*
Red Stamen
Mini Red Pip Berry Garland
Rusty Star Ornament Set
Ginas design Snowflake Shape Set

Magic Santa Key for Tresors de Luxe

Today I'm sharing this embellished key and tag. This may look like an ordinary key but it has a  secret. It is a Santa key!

Children who do live in fireplace free or chimney-less homes needn't worry about how Santa get's in to leave presents. You see, old keys hold a great deal of magic, and with a little bit of love they are practically perfect for letting Santa in the house. AND because they are magic they don't work for anyone else... so there's no need to worry about gremlins, trolls or robbers using it. 

 

This particular Santa key was created using an inexpensive decorative key, a Graphic 45 Regular Tag Album-Ivory, and embellished with burlap, Tresors de Luxes lace and flower embellishments and then finished off with a sentiment from 12 Days of Christmas.

Supplies:

Pack of 24 Light Pink Fabric Shabby Chic Roses

Rustic Burgandy Shabby Chic EmbellishmentLace Trim in Ivory, Venice LA056 

Ivory Lace Trim LA115

Lace Fabric Trim GL002

Graphic 45 Regular Tag Album-Ivory

Graphic 45 12 Days of Christmas

Decorative key
Burlap ibbon