RETURN OF EASY CHRISTMAS GIFTS, ORNIES AND DECORATIONS: Part 2

Greetings dear reader!

Here I am again with more "how to" directions for the ornaments, decorations and gifts featured in this slide show:

In my last post I got as far as the Clothespin Ornament. The next ornie in the slideshow is a

9. YoYo and Button Ornament. Simply gather several fabric yoyos (I can't sew but I DID learn how to make these...and had a few extras after using them for embellishments and such) and a handful of coordinating buttons. Several strands of raffia, and a large needle. Stack 5 or 6 buttons and draw raffia through buttonholes with needle. "Sew" through 2 or 3  fabric yoyos. Another stack of buttons, another 3 yoyos. Finish up with a final stack of buttons and knot the raffia at the bottom of the ornament. Leave a 2 or 3" piece hanging at the bottom, and leave a 3 or 4" piece at the top for hanging. FUN!

10. Counted Cross Stitch Ornie: I did not make this ornament, a friend made it for me. She said she simply followed a pattern for a Christmas tree, then cut out the tree from the cross stitch canvas...leave about 1/16 of the fabric all the way around the tree. Use Fray Check on edges to keep from unraveling. Add a wire and two more cross stitched embellishments at the top of the wire. Tie a raffia bow in center top of wire.

11. Chipboard Box Shaker Ornament: This box originally held chipboard embellishments for scrapbooking pages. I kept the box and will either paint or cover the front of the box with paper and ink (of course!) the edges. Then select a favorite photo or vintage image to glue to inside back of box behind clear "window". Add mica flakes for snow and viola! A shaker ornament for your tree! (I'll post the project when I'm done with it!) It even comes with a ribbon hanger already on the box!

12. Christmas Bingo Card Book: I purchased and downloaded Kathryn Balint's set of vintage bingo cards. These look very old and "ratty" and include Christmas word searches, crossword puzzles, bingo, and other fun Christmas pages. I printed them out on cardstock, but will back each card with a piece of chipboard cut to size. Be sure to use a card for each side of the chipboard! I also printed out some fave vintage images, and will glue one to each card (I'll post the finished product when I'm done!) I backed the vintage santa with chipboard and will add a ribbon to the top and put him in the middle of the book with the top half "hanging outside" the edges of the book. He can then be used as a book mark or tag for a Christmas gift. Add a journaling spot and include a favorite Christmas memory, funny story or photo. When each card is done,  punch holes in the side and bind with 7 gypsies small red binder rings. Add ribbon to rings and you have a wonderful and sturdy memento to leave on the coffee table for friends and family to enjoy!

The rest of the photos are of handmade ornaments that I have purchased at craft fairs and been given as gifts over the years. Some of them look like they'd be pretty easy to make...except for that whole "sewing thing." lol 

If you have any questions about dimensions or anything else for that matter, just leave a comment and I'll get right back to you!  Hope you've enjoyed these holiday ideas! I would be thrilled if you used them to draw family close together over the holidays. More soon!

Peace Out!

Paula Clare

EASY CHRISTMAS GIFTS, ORNIES AND DECORATIONS: Part 1

Greetings, dear reader!

As promised here are the easy "how to" Christmas ornaments, gifts and decorations. Not sure why blogger won't accept my Flip video, but alas, not to be outdone (or rather, undone) I've opted for a slideshow "show n tell" format. You can see the pictures below, and I will include directions here for each in the order of the slideshow...so without further adieu, I give you Paula's Palace of AltAred Art Christmas 2009:

 1. ATC Angel Shrine: Find ATC Shrine Pattern Online. Print on cardstock and fold on lines. Cover back with appropriate background paper (I used snow covered trees for mine). Cover bottom with appropriate paper (I used red brick for mine) Find a vintage image no taller than 3" high. Print on heavy cardstock. Use Stickles glitter paint or a glitter pen to highlight areas on cutout. Stand under tree or punch hole in top and add ribbon for hanging.

2. Blown Glass Schnauzer Ornie (I couldn't resist! Hobby Lobby, 1/2 price! WOOHOO!)

3.Mitten Shadow Box:  Purchase an inexpensive balsa wood box. This one was only 1.99 and measures 8x10 inches. Choose a vintage looking paper for background and outside edges. I chose a Christmas paper from Daisy D's Mistletoe Memories collection...cut to cover back and sides of box. Ink edges with brown ink pad. Sand if desired. Cut from same paper (or different) a single image. Back with cardstock. Ink edges. Set aside. Glue ricrac to outside of box.

Cover 2 Maya Road Chipboard mittens with red felt. Ink edges. Add lace, ruffles, or gathered crepe paper to edges of mittens to create "sleeves". Add a ribbon bow to each mitten. Using a paper piercer or an awl, punch a hole in the top sides of the shadowbox for pipe cleaner "clothesline." Glue a 4" piece of pipe cleaner to each mitten to form a "hanger." Slide mittens onto clothesline and run pipe cleaner clothesline through holes in box. Secure each end by bending "knots" on each side. Pop dot or glue single image to front of box . Sprinkle with mica flakes or coarse glitter for snow.

4. ATC Shrine & Frame Ornie:  Purchase chipboard ATC Shrine (I got mine from Red Lead) and chipboard frame (again from Red Lead). Cover with your favorite Christmas paper. Ink edges. Ink frame in coordinating color. Let dry. Choose a 2.5 x 3.5 vintage photo. Glue to back of frame. Highlight  photo and frame with Stickles or glitter pen. Punch hole in top, add ribbon to hang.

5.  Chipboard Mitten Ornies: These adorable, versatile chipboard shapes come 5 in a set from Maya Road. The top "mitten" has a removable snowflake. I used a small ink pad to color both the mitten and the snowflake. I popped out the snowflake, inked it, then popped it back in once dry. The other mittens were covered with favorite holiday paper. Wrapping paper, glitter, felt or fabric are also possible options. A hole is already punched for you! Simply add a hanger or ribbon to create one ornament, or string several in a row for a festive Christmas banner! Possible 5 letter words are: Jolly, Santa, Merry, Peace, Snowy, Brrrr.

6. Tin O' Goodies: This is an easy, fun gift to give to your crafty friends. In case you hadn't noticed, scrapbook embellishments are expensive...this is a thoughtful, simple, inexpensive way to both destash and help a "sister out". The little tins are easily found at Dollar Stores, Michael's, Hobby Lobby. They are generally used for gift cards, however I have included 3 tickets that say Ho, Ho, Ho, red ric rac, buttons, a Christmas Wreath, Heart, Reindeer, Sleigh, a festive bottlecap, and 3 ATC size images, one which I stamped and colored myself. This is an idea that can be used for holidays throughout the year...just change the embellies to match the holiday!

7. Cinnamon Stick Christmas Tree: This little ornie goes together so quickly you can make enough for your tree AND the  trees of family members! Simply take a long cinnamon stick (easily found during the Christmas holidays) and tie 5 pieces of coordinating fabric to stick, longest at the bottom, (7") shortest at the top (4"). Hot glue buttons on top of each, add a star, and voila! A primitive, yet handmade Christmas ornament for your tree, mantle, or door evergreens!

8. Clothespin Ornament: Here's an ornament to get the kids to gather around the table! You'll need "peg" type clothespins, snippets of greenery (an adult needs to cut these pieces from an artificial bough with wire cutters), buttons, and little unfinished star shapes. Simply slide pieces of greenery into slot of clothespin. Hot glue in place. Glue colorful buttons on top, tie ribbon around "trunk", glue star to top. To place on tree just slide onto branch.

I will complete the list this evening...must get ready to go to work!

Peace, joy and creativity to you!
Paula Clare

COMING SOON TO A KITCHEN NEAR YOU...RETRO MAKEOVER!

Greetings, dear reader!

I wanted to show you some of the FABulous finds purchased from a dear lady in Tennessee...who happens to have the red/aqua kitchen I have always wanted...behold two photos of the kitchen:

AND here are the fab aqua/red goodies purchased from her (mixed with some already acquired goodies):

Gorgeous, yes?

I'm having technical difficulties getting my videos to upload...so I may put up still photos with explanations. Either way, SOMETHING will be up soon...PROMISE!

Hugs and a sugar covered kiss,
Paula Clare

A NEW LOVE...

Greetings, dear reader!

As I am editing the final draft of my Christmas "how to" video, I have fallen absolutely and completely in love with Cath Kidston...here are just a few of the goodies I adore:

 

 

SEWWWWWWWWW adorable!

Vid on the way! Stay tuned!

Paula Clare

SPEAKING MY LANGUAGE...

Greetings, dear reader!

Once again I would like to share with you all the gift of gift giving...I don't know how many of you have read the book "The Five Love Languages", but it was one of THE most influential books in my marriage. My husband and I are SOooooooooo very different on SOOOOoooooo many issues that we needed another way to convey our love to one another...communication was not always easy...or pleasant. BUT, since reading this book, we have discovered each other's love language...and now we "get" what makes the other feel loved. Here are the 5 basic love languages (in no particular order):

1. Acts of Service
2. Quality Time
3. Gifts
4. Physical Affection
5. Words of Affirmation

Knowing your spouse's love language gives you a "secret weapon" in your arsenal of marriage tools. It gives you something to do that you KNOW will ALWAYS speak love to your spouse. How great is THAT?!?!

Needless to say, most couples do NOT speak the same "language." And since we tend to "speak" our "native tongue" we express our love the way WE would like to be loved.

For example, MY love language is gifts...with a quality time component. Meaning, I LOVE to receive gifts that have been thoughtfully and carefully selected...just for ME. One of the BEST GIFTS I've ever received from hubby dear was a little snack cake called a "Banana Flip" (remember those?) In conversation one time, we were talking about our dad's saving us a bit of  their dessert from the lunch box...I mentioned that banana flips were my childhood favorite. One day he came home from work bearing a banana flip! It was wonderful! He's gotten a LOT of mileage out of that one very thoughtful gesture, believe me!

My husband's love language is acts of service. So the best way for ME to express love to him is to cook a meal, clean the house, get the oil changed in the car, etc. Of course, HE is always helping around the house, because that is HIS way of expressing love for me.

I never understood why I would get a "polite" response at Christmas time when he would open gifts I had painstakingly pondered, sought, and purchased. And why he NEVER got me ANYTHING on my list (because my list is NEVER practical). So you see...in the words of "Cool Hand Luke" 'What we have here is a failure to communicate.'"

NOW I know to give him "coupons" for assorted acts of service I can provide for him throughout the year. And HE knows to give ME gifts. Which brings me, (FINALLY) to the point of  this post...here is my PARTIAL (and certainly NOT exhaustive) Christmas list for 2009:

1. Photoshop Elements 8

2.Fuji Instax Instant Camera

3. Diana Lomography Camera

4. A Groovy Retro Clock Radio

5. Vintage DooDads

6. This Adorable "Mo Chapeau"

7. Vintage Aprons

8. Online Classes/Workshops

9. Art Retreat

10. Water Bottle and/or Anything else from this shop!

Christmas Craft Video Soon to Come! Stay tuned!

Paula Clare