Chipboard Christmas Ornaments

I've got a butt load... A BUTT LOAD!!! of chipboard ornaments to share with you today. So get cosy, and lets look at the wintery goodness.

Instead of using the elements in the new ornament frame sets as a single layered piece, I've used each piece as individual ornaments. I think I might give these sets as holiday gifts. Each set has a different style so it'll be fun to match the personality with the design of these decorative bits.

The first set is woody vintage with muted colours and jute twine.

I've edged them with Twinklets Diamond Dust... because I like to live on the edge and "Danger" is my middle name. Seriously though, this product is crushed glass and you really do need to take care when handling it. But holy heck is it pretty!

I've layered the vintage images with paper cut using Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Decorative Elements “Royal Circle” die, but Alpha Stamps has Chipboard Fleur Doily sets that you could use instead. I like to add a bit of space between the layers by simply using adhesive foam squares.

And instead of filling that framed area with an image, I've created a wreath with a Mini Pine & Berry Garland and Mixed Matte Red, White & Burgundy Berry Sprigs that I've made look frosty with some of the ultra dangerous Diamond Dust.

The next set is sort of a classic Christmas feel. I really like the non-traditional pastel pink and blue and greens of the papers.

Again I've used my trusty die and then just layered the bits with some simple foam squares. Because the ornaments are double sided, this also makes them lovely and chunky.

These particular ornaments remind me of a christmas candy shop.

 I think the chubby bearded guy would approve.

The final set is really sweet and retro.

Again using sort of non-traditional colours... but look at how cheery they are!

I think they're just adorable and would make a darling colourful addition to a swag of greenery or mantle boughs.

 ... although they'd look mighty sweet atop a brightly wrapped present or hanging from a wine bottle too!

Are you ready to make your own chippy ornaments now? Inspired to get your Christmas on? Here's the list of goods:

Juniper Pick - Silver
Mini Pine & Berry Garland*
Mixed Matte Red, White & Burgundy Berry Sprigs
Ornament Frame Set - Bauble
Ornament Frame Set - Round
Ornament Frame Set - Star
Ornament Frame Set Kit - November 2017
Retro Christmas Collage Sheet
Snug in their Beds Collage Sheet
Tiny White Snowflake Buttons
Twinklets Diamond Dust - 3oz Jar
Winter Kids Collage Sheet
2017 Christmas Ornaments Ribbon Set
Lacquered Holly & Berry Picks*
Miniature Pinecone Picks*
Celebrating Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad
Wired Pine Needle Stems*
Flat Back Clear Iridescent Snowflakes

Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Decorative Elements “Royal Circle” die
- alternative, Alpha Stamps Chipboard Fleur Doily

A tiny dancer

I'm not sure what happened to this Altoid tin. It seems, at some point, it had become a pallet, encrusted with a lovely shade of aqua paint. I'm not one to argue with fairies and what sort of objects they want to take up residence in soooo....

A tiny winged dancer has moved in and seems quite happy in her crown topped tin. And really, there's no reason not to be happy with those tiny Multicolor Star Sequins in the background.

The tin is edged with Gold Half-Round Dresden Border, filled with moss, a sprinkling of Flowersoft and natural lavender buds.

Need a wee dancer who delights in mess and glitter? She is available HERE.

Witchy Poos Nos. 9, 10 and 11

Nearing the last of the wee witchy coven. Three more ladies today.

No. 9 - Zara

No. 10 - Helga

No. 11 - Marchesa

All of the witchy poos are is made with a free sculpted paperclay face. Their base is cotton muslin stuffed with fibre and weighted with mung beans. The hair is created with wool roving. They are embellished with scrap fabrics, bits and bobs.

New Full Moon Shrine

I've really been churning out the projects over the past couple of weeks. It's nice to get back to work and it's nicer still to work with glittery things and happy moons.

Usually my moony faces are made with paperclay, but this fellow is made with polymer clay.

The base is a House Shrine Box, the exterior covered with sewing pattern tissue.

Inside there are pit fired clay houses and handmade toadstools atop a mossy lawn.

Moss, moons and mushrooms make for a happy messy maker.

This piece is available in the etsy shop HERE

Witchy Poos Nos. 6, 7 and 8

More coven bitties today!

I'm entertaining so this will be a word lite and image heavy post today!

 No. 6 - Quill

No. 7 - Mabel (who is one of my very favourites and I am seriously thinking of keeping for myself)

No. 8 - "Florence"

Like all of the witchy poos,these are is made with a free sculpted paperclay face. Their base is cotton muslin stuffed with fibre and weighted with mung beans. The hair is created with wool roving. They are embellished with scrap fabrics, bits and bobs.

All available dolls are available HERE

Vintage Christmas Box

We had a teeny bit of snow, the temperatures are flipping cold as heck, and so it's time for the fat dude to make an appearance.

This piece is made using the Tiny Diorama Box from alphastamps.com. The box is quite sturdy and it's a fun size to work with. It's not itty bitty so those who don't work in miniature will undoutedly find it relatively easy to work with.

Some Wired Pine Needle Stem accents the opening of the frame. For some added chilly winter effect I applied some Twinklets Diamond Dust to these berries.

The paper used on the box is Vintage Christmas Snowglobes Scrapbook Paper and the Santa image is from the Snug In Their Beds collage Sheet.

A tiny bit of organza ribbon and addtional glitter to finish it off, and I'm ready to tackle winter (not really... but lets just pretend I've got it together).

All the bits!
Tiny Diorama Box
Wired Pine Needle Stem
Twinklets Diamond Dust
Mixed Matte Red, White & Burgundy Berry Sprigs
Vintage Christmas Snowglobes Scrapbook Paper
Snug In Their Beds collage Sheet
2017 Christmas Ornaments Ribbon Set

MOTHER EFFIN' SNOWBALLS! with tutorial

Today was supposed to be the first snow of the season. Because it's daylight savings and now dark at 2 in the afternoon (not really, but it feels like it) I have no idea if it actually did snow today BUT there's these dudes. The yearly Cheeky Snowballs.

I've been making these guys for nearly 10 years. TEN FREAKING YEARS! They started out as emotional snowballs and transformed into the cheeky variety.

This year I've decided to do a tutorial so people can create their own. The video is available HERE on my YouTube channel. If you create your own, please share on social media and tag me. Seriously, it's appreciated and I totally want to see what you make.

A couple of things I KNOW are going to come up.

1. Can I use a different clay?  

I REALLY recommend you use Creative Paperclay for this project. It's super light weight so your ornament won't drag down the Xmas tree branches. It gives a beautiful finish. There may be a bit of a learning curve if you're used to other materials... but  In my opinion it's absolutely worth $ and time. 

2. It's taking SOOO LONG! Can I speed up the drying?

I prefer to let things dry naturally. There seems to be less warping, and cracking when I let things take their course. Plus, do you really want to put styrofoam in the oven? Nah.

3. Clear glitter?

Never mind fancy stuff, head over to the kids aisle in Micheal's and grab a big ole jar of Creatology "Crystal Clear" glitter. It looks like this...

What is most important is that your glitter of choice is NOT SOLID WHITE. The flecks in this product are transparent. This is important. You want a product that will allow the underlying paint colour to show through. Just look for something transparent or translucent.

4. I can't find tiny eye hooks!

I use teeny tiny eye hooks for hanging on my snowballs. If you can't find any small enough, try the jewellry section of the craft store and look for findings like these Tiny Silver Eye Pins*. Poke a hole with a straight pin, add a dab of glue, and slide it in. They'll work in a pinch.

5. What kind of glue do you use?

I'm using Elmer's School Glue in the tutorial. The better the quality glue you use (i.e. Aleene's Tacky Glue) the more glitter will remain on your snowballs in the long run.

6. Can I (insert other subsitution/method/madness)?

Part of the joy of creating is experimentation. Have an idea? Give it a try! Maybe it'll turn out a bazillion times better than my snow dudes!

NOW GO AND MAKE DEM BALLS!

THE LIST OF SUPPLIES!
- styrofoam balls (2" - 2.5" makes a nice size)
- Creative Paperclay
- white glue
- clear/transparent/translucent glitter
- pink, black paint
- mini eyehooks
- fake snow
- clear gloss medium like Diamond Glaze, Glossy Accents or Dimensional Magic