More on my handmade Christmas ornaments!

I finished making 12 of the lovely crepe paper ornaments.  I used three colors, red, green and white.  I really like the way they turned out, but I tried to add glitter to the red ornaments and I don't much care for it.  I think I will have to remake  four new red ones and just leave them plain.

I started making new Santas from paperclay.  The ones I made a couple of years ago are flat.  These will be more dimensional.  I just started them the other day and am anxiously awaiting their drying.  Once they are totally dry, I will begin to paint them and add the ribbon legs with beads for his boots.  I can't wait to see them finished.

I loved the first batch of flat Santas, I will love this batch of 3-D Santas, too.

I'll post pictures as I work on them so you can see what I am doing.  So far, the only thing you need to make these is paperclay, paper clips, a wire cutting tool, a tool for making holes in the bottom to attach the legs, and some paint.  I intend to use dimensional paint to make the beard and mustache, as well as to decorate Santa's hat.  You will also need som thin ribbon for his legs. 

Here he is so far:

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Working on Christmas Tree Ornaments this year!

I am diligently working on making new Christmas Tree ornaments this year.  I hate putting up a tree, but I have managed to convince myself that it is okay if all the ornaments on the tree are handmade.  One year I made snowflakes from toilet paper tubes and glitter (they are so beautiful!!!!), the next year I made Santa ornaments out of paperclay and ribbon.  They were time intensive but worth the effort.  I love hanging these on my tree.  This year I am making crepe paper ornaments to hang.  I am having fun and they are getting done.  I hope to be finished soon, but will go ahead and put up the tree without them for now.  I also have an idea for a garland that will be so beautiful.  May not get that one done this year, but I could start now for next year's tree.

Here are some pics of my work in progress:

I still have to put the glitter on them, but I want to do that after all are made because it will be sooooooo messy.  I'll have to go out to the garage to do that part.  They are pretty cute, huh?

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

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Christmas Craft Ideas - Christmas Angel Ornament

Christmas is less than 2 months away.  It's past time to be doing your shopping, and decoration making.  I found this lovely angel pattern to crochet and felt it would be quick enough to make that I would put it up here for those last minute crafters.  These little angels would really be cute included in your Christmas cards you mail to friends and family far away.  They could be hung on the tree to remind the recipients of you.  I found this pattern on Craft Town and I invite you to visit this site for more wonderful ideas for crafts.
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Christmas Angel Ornament

Designed by Crafts by Starlight
All Rights Reserved


Fill your Tree with hand-made Ornaments! This Christmas Angel is a  simple and easy ornament to make. Great for Gifts especially sending them through the mail for family that are a distance from you.
Materials: Autn Lydia's Classic Crochet thread -Size 10; Red, Green, and white Thread. Hook Size 1.8 mm, and Fabric Stiffener.

Ch = Chain SL = Slip Crochet
SC = Single Crochet HDC= Half Double Crochet
DC = Double Crochet
TR = Treble Crochet
R = Red Thread
G= Green Thread
W= White Thread

Dress
R-Base: Ch 9.
   Row 1: 8 SC, Ch 1, Turn.
   Row 2: *SC, Ch 3, Rep across from, Ch 1, Turn.
G-Row 3: SC across in sc sps, CH 1, Turn.
   Row 4-5: 8 SC, Ch 1, turn.
   Row 6: 1 SC, Dec 1, 4 SC, Dec 1, 1 SC, Ch 1, Turn.
   Row 7: 6 SC, Ch 1, Turn.
R-Row 8: *1 SC, Ch 3, Rep across from *, end with SC, Ch 1, Turn.
   Row 9: SC across in SC sps, CH 1, turn.
G-Row 10: 6 SC across, CH 1, Turn.
   Row 11: * 1 SC, CH 3, Rep across from *, CH 1, Turn.
   Row 12: * 6 SC in CH 3 sp, SL in next SC sp, Rep across from * SC in last sp, CH 1, Turn.
   Row 13: CH 6, SC in 7th SC (not CH) from hook, *CH 5, SK 5 sps, 1 SC in next SC, Rep 2 times      from*, CH 6, SK 6 SC sps, 1 SC, Ch 1, Turn.
   Row 14: 4 SC in CH 6 sp, * Ch 3, 1 SC in next CH SP, Rep 2 times from *, Ch 3, 4 SC in next sp, CH 1, Turn.
   Row 15: SC in 2nd sc from hook, SC, *6 SC in CH 6 sp, SL in SC, Rep 2 times from *, 6 SC in CH 3 sp, 1 SC, SL, CH 1, turn.
   Row 16: SC in 2nd SC from hook, CH 3, SK 2 sps, 1 SC, * CH 5, Sk 5 sps, 1 SC, Rep 2 times from *, CH 3, SK 4 sp, SL in last SC, CH 1, Turn.
   Row 17: In CH 3 SP (1 SC, CH 3 and rep 5 times), * In CH 5 sp (1 SC, CH 3, Rep 7 times) repeat from * 2 times, In Ch 3 sp (1 SC, Ch 3, Rep 5 times) tie off.

Wings
W - Base: Ch 7, Sl to 1st CH made, Ch 1, turn.
   Rnd 1: In CH sp (5 SC, 3 HDC, 1 DC, CH 3, 1 DC, 3 HDC, 5 SC,) SL to 1st SC made, Ch 1, Turn.
   Rnd 2: 6 SC, 4 HDC, in CH 3 sp (3 DC, 1 TR, CH 3, 1 TR, 3 DC), 4 HDC, 6 SC, Sl to 1st sc made, CH 1, Turn.
   Rnd 3: 13 SC, in CH 3 sp (5 SC, CH 2, 5 SC), 13 SC, SL to 1st sc made. Tie off
Repeat Wing 1 more time.

Head
White- Base: Ch 12, SL to 1st CH, CH 1, Turn.
   Rnd 1: 30 SC in CH 12 sp, Ch 1, turn.
   Rnd 2: SC around, Ch 20, Sl in 18th CH from hook. Tie off.

Take all four separate pieces and stiffen with Fabric stiffener and let dry. Take two wings and arrange them touching together at the base and glue the base/bottom of the head on the top part of wings as seen in picture. Then place Christmas Dress on top of the base of wings and glue down. Now you are finished!

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Dove Garland -- From Frugal Family Fun Blog

Here's another quick, last minute Christmas craft you and the kids can make to make your home more festive and ready for the holidays.  I personally love the idea of using something I have on hand to make an ornament, so this is right up my alley.  Visit the Frugal Family Fun Blog for more quick and easy and fun ideas.  While you are there, don't forget to say "Hi!" in the comments.

Emily and I made a pretty dove garland, and it was made using our new favorite art supply — coffee filters! These were so much fun to make!! If you have some coffee filters on hand, you can download our template, and print it out on card stock, to make a dove garland of your own!

Fold 2 or 3 coffee filters in half and line up the pattern so that the belly of the dove is on the crease of the fold. Invite your child over to trace the pattern!

Cut out your doves! Since the filters are thin, you can cut 2 or 3 at a time.

Separate your beautiful birds! They may want to give one another a kiss!

Attach your birds along some string with tape. Ours are in the kitchen, and every time there is a slight breeze, they look like they’re flying!!

Weeeee!!! Fly, doves, fly!!

We have another fun and frugal coffee filter craft coming soon (Clara LOVED it!), so get some coffee filters and craft along with us!

Have fun!!

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Paper Heart Garland

Here is a really neat and quick little craft to decorate your home or office for next to nothing.  I love the ease and simplicity of this craft.  I think you could use this idea to make all kinds of garlands for every holiday!

I found this tutorial on Think Crafts Blog and recommend that you go there to visit and review all of the great craft ideas there.


November 18, 2010 5:01 am GilliancloseAuthor: Gillian Name: Gillian Grimm
Site: http://driedfigsandwoodenspools.blogspot.com/About: Gillian Grimm lives in Charlottesville, Virginia where she balances writing, cooking and crafts with eight chickens, two kids, a dog, a cat and a husband. As the daughter of a Journalist, she grew up all over the United States, switching schools, towns and newspapers every few years and loved every minute of it! She now works as a freelance writer, primarily in the craft industry but with a few forays into travel writing, narrative non-fiction and educational matters. Gillian was recently published in the literary journal the “The Northville Review”. You can find more of Gillian’s work at “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.See Authors Posts (91) Crafts, Green Crafting, Home Decor, Kid's Crafts, Paper Crafts By Kid’s Craft Contributor, Gillian from the blog “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.

Here’s a fun little project that uses up materials you probably have around the house and brings a whole lot of cheer and love! These little garlands are made from newspaper and really nothing more, but the layering and folding of the shapes turns something that usually ending up in the recycling bin into something pretty and charming in no time flat.
Here’s what you need:
Newspaper
Pencil
Scissors
Scrap of cardstock
Sewing machine and notions (including white thread)

1. Cut a heart (or star or whatever shape you like) out of the cardstock. This will serve as your template. It’s important to have the shapes as close to identical as possible, so a template is a must.
2. Trace the template onto the newsprint. You’ll need two shapes for each piece on the garland.
3. Stack two shapes on top of one another, making sure the edges are aligned.

4. Starting at the top of one stack, stitch down the very center of the shape, allow for a few stitches between and then start the next stack.

5. Once you have all your stacks sewn onto the chain, trim the threads at the bottom (the to can be used for hanging) Fold each layer in half along the stitch line, but in opposite directions. So the top halves fold up to meet each other and the bottom pieces fold down to meet each other. This creates a 3D effect.

6. Hang and enjoy!

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No Craft night after all

Image via Wikipedia
We had to cancel the craft outing because one of the participants got sick.  So, no crafting and no pictures.  However, I did get all the supplies together and I will try to work on my ornament in the morning.  If I can muster up the motivation, I will also take pictures along the way.  These are really cute ornaments and I really want to show you how to make them. 


I think these could possibly be used at my workplace because they are made of paper and have no "contraband" items anywhere.  So, sorry that I don't have pics today, but check back tomorrow to see if I get my act together.

Going to a Craft night with friends tomorrow!

Image via WikipediaSince I seem to be in a place where I just can't get myself started, I have been trying to arrange a monthly Craft Night with friends from work.  Well, I finally got everything arranged and we will be meeting for our first crafting experience tomorrow.  I am so excited.  We will be making some Christmas Tree Ornaments with crepe paper and beads.  I will take my camera and hopefully get a tutorial out of the process.  If not, I will at least have some fun pics to post!  I will put those up tomorrow when I get home!

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Christmas craft that is easy and pretty!

I have been talking about getting a monthly craft night set up with some of the nurses I work with for quite a while now.  It seems that finally this event may actually become reality.  We have a place to meet and a tentative date and even some idea of what craft we want to work on.  I hope this happens because I think working as a group will inspire us all to stay motivated and I know it will help me to get going on other projects I have in various stages of completion at home.  This is the perfect time to start a craft group with the holidays fast approaching, so keep your fingers crossed.


In this spirit, here is a quick and easy Christmas ornament that you and the kids can put together in a short period of time.  Enjoy.


Everyone loves personalized gifts for the holidays.  Make these Easy Photo Christmas Ornaments by Fawnda Norman for everyone on your list this year.  They will also look great on your tree!
 
Materials:

• Christmas cards
• Paper Cutter
• Big chunky beads
• Double sided tape
• Wallet size photo (I printed mine on paper)
• Twine or Ribbon
• Exacto Knife

Instructions:

1. Cut your cards in to 3X3 inch squares and group them by color. You need 6 squares for each ornament.
   
   
   
    
2. On the back side of each square find mark the midpoint on each side (at 1.5 inches)
   
   
    
3. Score a diagonal line connecting your midpoints. Do this on each square.
   
   
   
    
4. Fold on your score lines. You should have 6 squares that look like this:
   
   
    
5. Choose two squares to be your top and bottom. Find the middle (I drew lines across from each corner to find mine) and use your Exacto Knife to cut a whole in the center.
   
   
   
    
6. Use your double sided tape to connect your 2 of the corners of 2 of your squares.  This is what the back should look like:
   
   
   
   
   And this is what the front should look like:
   
   
   
    
7. Continue connecting until you have 4 of your squares together that make a "tube".
   
   
   
   
    
8. Choose the bottom and sting your twine or ribbon through the hole and attach onto the bottom of your "tube"
   
   
   
    
9. Pull your twine up through your tube and through your top piece. Connect your top piece to the rest of the ornament.
   
   
    
10. Tie a loop on the top.
    
    
     
11. And tie a bead onto the bottom.
    
    
     
12. cut out your photos (about 2X2 inch square) and attach it to one of the sides.
    
    
     
13. You're done!
    
    

Setting realistic goals for 2010

Image by randihausken via Flickr

With Christmas behind me, I find myself thinking more and more about the new year.  I have never really been much of a resolution type of person, but I do believe in setting yourself goals--kind of a roadmap to get where you want to go.  Granted, sometimes the goals you set are simply unrealistic or unattainable, but at least you have a focus and a direction.

I am thinking more and more about both professional and personal goal setting, which is not the norm.  I usually do the "lose weight, give up bad habits, get more sleep" kind of goals just like everyone else but this year I am thinking more globally.  As a nurse for the last 20+years, I have really just tried to keep my head above water and for me just getting to work on my scheduled days was a great goal.  Now, I find that won't work for me.  If all I want to do is get myselft there, then I need to find something else to be doing with the rest of my life.

Personally, I have just "let things happen" for way too long.  This next year, I would like to feel that I am at least at the helm of my own life.  The years have a habit of getting away from you if you let them--marriage, motherhood, work, social life, etc.  Before you realize it, the time has passed and you have not gotten any of your personal goals accomplished.

So--this year I plan to make some very serious and very detailed goals for myself.  I will break each goal down into monthly parts and break those goals down even further into weekly goals.  Maybe I can actually get something done this next year toward my desire to go to school, get another job, encourage my artistic side, relearn to play and laugh.  I'll try to keep you posted on how I'm doing.  Won't you let me know what you are planning in the New Year?

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Image by Truthout.org via Flickr

Today is finally Christmas and I am so glad it's over.  I worked today and it was a really sad day to spend with my patients.  I am constantly reminded that life is hard and sometimes a simple quirk in time can mean all the difference in the type of life you get to live.

So, today I am very grateful for my life--my family, my work, my health, my pets, my friends,--simply my life.
I know that I am very blessed.  I know that there are people in the world who love me and care about my happiness.  I know that for my age, I am in extremely good health.  I am thankful for it all.

I hope you too will do some internal searching and discover the bounty of your blessings.  May Christmas live in your life all year long. 

Merry Christmas!