Getting Ready for Saturday!

So here's a wrap-up post before the party on Saturday!

Two Ornament Projects:   Vintage Inspired Bell Jar ornaments and Upcycled Quilt Ornaments

What to Bring:

        

     

• minimum $10 donation for Joy's House scholarship fund (cash or check)
• shoe box or similar to safely store creations as the glue dries or you move from room to room
• good sharp scissors for cutting shapes in quilts and regular misc.

If you already have----- this stuff can come in handy!
(if not - don't worry - you can borrow from me or some other nice person)

• sharp embroidery needles, thimble, needle threader - whatever you use
• I pack a tool caddy full of my general crafting tools - various scissors, exacto knife, needle nose or jewelry pliers, wire cutters, straight edge, tweezers, bone folder, a few small artist brushes, foam brushes...

Will supply plenty of:

• glue
• decorative papers and chipboard and old cards to recycle
• rick rack trim for bell jars
• plastic bell jars with beads for the top
• glitter (various)
• letter beads and various beads
• tiny pine cones
• white craft paint (for snow scenes)
• epsom salt for snow inside the bell jars
• templates for tiny houses
• templates for tiny cone trees
• templates for quilt ornaments
• tiny seed beads for quilt ornaments
• newer buttons for quilt ornaments
• 3 different old damaged quilts
• kitchen twine
• embroidery thread
• toothpicks - for applying glue to small things
• wild assortment of trinkets and stuff to make scenes

Check out just some of the fun stuff in store for you :)

If you can donate or share- 

• buttons
• embroidery thread
• little holiday trinkets or mini bottle brush trees
• old Christmas cards to recycle

Finally, there will be food and snacks provided - if you would like to bring an appetizer or cookies or something that is much appreciated!

BYOB - Bring your own beverage if you have something special you would like.

And remember this party is generally for those over 21 years of age as alcoholic drinks will be present.

2013 - Party Project #2 - Ready to Recycle

We are taking a break from recycling felted wool sweaters this year - but don't freak out.....this is still a recycling/salvage project.





INSTEAD-------
Think Anthropologie-esque.  (that's a store, it's not misspelled ;)

My friend, Dede, started it by asking "What can I make out of this damaged quilt my grandmother made?"

So old, beat up, damaged quilts it is!!!!!!! I finally located and purchased two.  This one on ebay (complete with vintage staining :) is old, old, old.

this snow white one that's unraveling- thanks to Amy B.

Remember now - think Anthropologie- esque

We are cutting them up - a little bit of embroidery stitching, a nice button, a little kitchen twine and

VOILA!

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black thread, vintage button, interesting intersection of fabrics

rips and tears with vintage buttons

green thread on left, red thread on right

very  pale blue on top, tiny red dots on bottom, red thread and old button

medium blue on top, pale blue to right bottom and white with pale red pattern on left bottom, blue thread and old button

Tree shapes so far, maybe mittens, stocking, and/or heart shapes are in our future too?  Or make a bunch and string together for a garland?  As long as we cut carefully, these quilts will provide a large number of ornaments.


So what to bring for project #2:

• sharp scissors (cutting through layers of fabric here)
• your own sharp embroidery needle if you have it (needle threader, thimble - whatever you like to use)
• only if you have them:  buttons or an old damaged quilt would look good cut up and turned into ornaments

 

That's all for now - I will probably do one more summary post before the party.  Can't wait to see you all there!!!!

Project #1 more Pics!!!!!

Okay - I can't stop myself!  there are so many possibilities for these bell jar ornaments!!!!!

Here are a couple with no snow:

Tree with seed bead ornaments (I had to use tweezers) some presents under the tree and cutey red polka dots even on the rickrack.

So elegant - silver bead ornaments on the bottle brush tree, tiny silver glittered pine cones and Joyeux Noel spelled out in the letter beads and threaded on jute twine with some baby silver rickrack.  I have plenty of tiny pine cones and a big bag of letter beads.

How about something a little more modern and minimalist?  

Remember our cone trees from last year?  I used my shrink ray and how cute are these mini ones?  The words on the wire spell "winter hush" and the colors are green and aqua.  No need for vintage shopping on this one.  

Tiny house made from winter village greeting card with a sprinkle of flaky glitter on the roof, tiny bottle brush tree also with flaky glitter, a sprinkle of snow and baby white rick rack- so simple

This house had birch tree themed designed I embellished with some diamond dust accents on the roof, tiny white tree ---- lovely.

Now for something completely different.......

T-Rex with a Santa hat getting ready for a bummer of an ice age.

Stegosaurus has his Santa hat and some glittery foliage to eat - she is bringing the bling with red glitter.

Ha Ha - the ideas just keep coming!!!! I can't wait to see what you all make!!

Craft Party 2013 - Project #1

Party on craft peeps!  December 2013 is almost upon us .......... so that means it's time to get your crafty on!

This first project I have chosen for the craft party seriously needs a drum roll.

Ashlee at My So Called Crafty Life IS.....(wait for it)..........a genius....

Of course I found this on Pinterest a while ago and it was love at first site.  This project immediately reminded me of some ornaments Grandma Frances had on her tree that I swear she made out of empty clear pill bottles (she worked in a doctor's office).  If you are veteran of the craft party - then you know I love kitsch and I love little scenes (like the box dioramas, little cardboard houses, and little matchbox hidden compartment ornaments - all from craft parties past).

In fact as I finished assembling the first of these beta tester sample ornaments with my good friend, Gretchen, we could hardly stand it ........BECAUSE THEY ARE SO STINKING CUTE!!!!!!

And the best part is you can customize it to what YOU like.  These samples below are very retro and kitschy but I am also working on some more modern clean lines and more traditional vintage.  I'm officially addicted.

So without further ado,  here you have it-
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Vintage Inspired Bell Jar Ornaments 
- from Ashlee's DIY instructions at My So Called Crafty Life (click on that link to see her original versions)

so I am busy collecting cute little stuff for you to use - but remember if you really want something really specific...........bring it.  Etsy is a great place to check for specific vintage miniatures.  Lots of these are vintage cupcake picks.  And if you have extra to share, we will have a sharing table.

I had my mom over last week to beta test this project and check out this cute little carousel inspired ornament with tiny  little carousel animals she had.  Don't you just love the red and white stripes and polka dots!

But fear not on the supply front, there will be all kinds of options from new materials as well as the vintage stuff we can scrounge up.  This is also a great way to showcase a small special ornament or random piece that you may already have.  Check the bottom of the kid's toy bins for little stuff that might work - you can always bling it up with some glitter (like that year we glittered the plastic animals a la Martha!!!!).  Also think small stuff here - 1-2 inches small.  Like little green army man small...

So, what to bring for this ornament?  Glad you asked.   

• Your own good pair of scissors and because we will be working with little stuff if you have a pair of tweezers that might come in handy.
• a shoe box to put your finished crafts in so they can dry undisturbed and you can easily cart them around

Optional:

• specific stuff  - only if you want - we will have stuff here too - for miniatures think small like 1-2 in.
• if you have anything to share or donate- like miniatures to go inside (totally not required)
• I like to bring my own caddy of tools -like multiple sized scissors, wire cutters, needle nosed pliers, tweezers, bone folder, straight edge, small paint brush, and random stuff.  That's just how I roll.

I just made another batch of more traditional, elegant, modern ones - waiting for the glue to dry and I will take some pictures and post.  Until then...

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):

                                          Front                                                                            Back

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.