Final Update for Christmas Craft Party 2012

Five days to go!
Working on the flat star ornaments!  Here are two I have finished (once again pictures are not good but you get the general idea):

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We are stamping on painted wood.  So check through your stamps for anything that might work - especially if you have number and letter sets. 

The one below has a sepia toned photo of Dexter that I printed from my inkjet printer, sealed with some acrylic spray and modpodged.  If you want to do a photo like this - I would recommend a 3x5 size because you want it to cover the whole star.  The stars are about 3x3in. Just remember that it is a star shape so some parts will be cut out.

                                      Front                                                           Back

I'm sticking with these simple colors for the party.  Off white, black, silver, pearl, crystal, some matte gold.

So final summary of stuff to bring (if you have it, can share it, or want it specifically):

• hot glue gun and appropriate glue sticks
• felted wool sweaters (especially cream and green)
• rubber stamps (especially alphabet sets)
• cereal box cardboard or posterboard larger than 8in on the shortest flat side
• scissors that you can use on cereal box cardboard
• scissors for paper or fabric (if you have separate scissors)  
• alternative covering materials for cone trees like decorator fabric (see previous ideas)
• a shoe box or something to keep your star ornaments in while they are drying
• photo images printed on paper min 3x3in to decoupage on the star
• BYOB

 or just show up - there will be plenty of stuff to make :)  See you on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


        

Update on Craft Party 2012

Now that I have been working on the projects and searching for materials, I have a few updates to the previous post:

Cone Trees - My little forest is growing!  This picture is not very good  - all I've got is my iphone camera right now.

From left to right:  pine cone petals with white snow and glitter painted on, green felted wool scraps, cream felted wool, green felted wool leaves, brown paper bag (thinking about spraying with matte gold) and little white rocks.

• If you are collecting cereal box weight cardboard - then if you measure the flat rectangle make sure the shortest side is 8 in or longer  - better if 12in or 16in. Then we can make three different heights - 8", 12" and 16". You will learn the technique - so you can make larger cones at home if you so desire.
• I am deep in the hunt for the covering materials.  If you have felted wool sweaters - desirable colors:  cream, white, green, red, pink, pastel blue.  Remember they should be at least 90% wool - then wash in the machine with hot water and dry on hot to shrink and felt them up.   I scored a few cashmere today at Goodwill.

• Yarn covered cone tree I just made - I am loving this.  It makes me want to get out my pinecone elves.
• If you have pinecones - make sure they are sap free.  Otherwise we have a big mess.  If you have collected them outside - you need to heat them in the oven to kill any passengers.
• If you want to cover with fabric like in the tutorial I referenced in the last post - thicker fabric like for drapes or upholstery is preferred as it will be easier to get it to glue flat without wrinkles.  Since the recent prices I saw for decorator fabric are ridiculous - go to Goodwill and look for widow treatments, table cloths, bed spreads -etc.  Sometimes then come with cool trim (ie tassels) bonus!
• The link for the fabric covered cones also had ideas for bases to under the cones to add height.  These were mostly candle sticks, wine glasses etc.  Something with a pedestal.  Look in your stuff or get creative.

Green peppermints from Kenneth Brown Designs

  Yarn wrapped from iVillage

Burlap and twine from Uncommon Designs

  Pink glittery wool trees from Cherished Vintage

Craft Party 2012 - Reboot!

 
   

Calling all you crafty foxes!  Plans are in full swing for my 13th annual spreading of the crafty joy of Christmas.  My new theme is simplify.  There are two projects this year with plenty of options for customizing to your personal taste.  Just imagine colors, trims and themes that make you happy.

See below for our project details, materials to save or look for, and tools to bring.


Project #1:  Flat Star Ornaments - inspired by the talented artists behind Reloved Rubbish

I love the simple black and cream with silver, pearl and crystal accents.  I think this would work great using a copy of a black and white family photo modpodged over the wood.  What a great gift this could make for family members!  These stars could even be resized and hung in the window.

For this you might need some needle nose pliers if you have them - or if you have your own embellishments  - bring it on.  I have a bunch of left over chandelier crystal dangles and large beads.

Project #2:  Covered Cone Trees

There are versions of these all over the stores.  I've been wanting to do these for years - but styrofoam forms are too expensive for such a large group.  Thanks to the resourceful and thrifty solutions of The Creativity Exchange and Shauna Mailloux we are in business using posterboard and cereal boxes. 

for my serious pre-planners, things to think about ahead of time:

• Where do I plan to display this?
• How tall do I want it to be?  Do I want a star or additional topper?
• What size should the base be in order to fit in the space? (some mantels or shelves can be narrow)
• What kinds of materials do I prefer for covering?
• Do I want to set it on a base for more of a topiary look? (think vintage candlestick or pedastal dish or dowel rod and a container)
• If the underlying cardboard will show even a little - consider what color to paint it or cover with a colored paper.

Or just come and learn how to make one - and then take that knowledge home and go crazy with creativity!


Covering choices that will be provided include:

• felted wool from my stash
• yarn
• paper (wall paper, craft paper, brown paper)
• dried beans and peas
• some pine cones

If you want to bring something else - ideas for materials to cover: tinsel garland, white feathers, jute cord, ribbon, trim, petals from pinecones, fabric, feather boa, large sequins - be creative and find something to reuse

Official List of What to Bring (if you already have it):

• scissors that you can use on cereal box cardboard
• scissors for paper or fabric (if you have separate scissors)
• cereal box cardboard or posterboard out of the recycling
• hot glue gun and glue sticks that fit it
• extra embellishments for star ornaments (beads tinsel etc) if you want
• alternative covering materials for cone trees (see ideas above) if you want
• a shoe box or something to keep your star ornaments in while they are drying
• needle nose pliers if you have them
• BYOB

Check back again for changes or additional information.