Friday, December 28, 2012

Origami Bell Ornament

Hello Crafters!

Ok, I know I'm a day late but, it took a bit of time to get the diagrams together properly for you.  So, without further adue, here's my completed origami ornament with a few instructions below for you.
Now, don't freak out. This is a lot easier than it looks, just like the last ornament. Here's your supply list:

Supplies:
6x6 Heavy Designer Paper (cardstock weight - core paper not recommended)
Bone Folder
Ribbon
Fishing Line (& a needle for threading)
Embellishments (I used strung beads)
Jewelry Finding (for top)
Ornament Hook
Wet Glue (holds better over time)
Hot Glue

Instructions:
Start by placing your square of paper down on your working surface with the side that will be the inside facing up  I am using green as my inside color and red as my outside color for the purposes of these instructions.

inside facing up
 Next, fold from corner to corner diagonally, unfold, repeat on remaining corners. I like to do this fold first to make sure my paper is perfectly square.  Your folds will look like this:
diagonal fold both directions

Now fold paper in half, unfold, and fold in opposite direction, green to the inside.  Your folds will look like this:
rectangular fold in both directions
When you unfold your paper you will have crease lines (did you use your bone folder?) that look like this:
well creased folds
This step is a little harder but, not much.  Take the bottom right corner and line up the bottom edge to the middle crease on your left.  Do the same to the bottom left corner making your edges meet in the middle. Your paper should look like this:
red=outside of paper (ornament)
You will need to unfold these folds and do the same fold (unfold after each corner) to the remaining 3 corners of your paper. When you have finished folding and unfolding your crease lines (you are still using your bone folder, right?) your folds should match these:

dashed lines=original folds, gray lines=folds you just made
OK, here's the toughest part.  Push down slightly in the center (against the green side here) where all your original folds meet while at the same time pushing the sides in at the dashed lines between the edge of the paper and the gray creased lines (above).  Here's what it should look like as you are pushing in:
green=inside of ornament, red=outside of ornament
I have eliminated the extra fold lines from the the diagram center , just imagine they are there. Continue to  fold the sides up to meet the center. The inside of your ornament (red folds) may begin to look like this:
you can barely see the green paper on the inside - you may not see it at all on your model
The last fold is to push the two (four) flat sides up to meet in the middle.  Your ornament will look like this:
darker shade of red is the bottom of the ornament protruding down
Lastly, you'll want to add a hanging embellishment (I used strung beads) before using your wet glue to seal the sides together. Give yourself enough fishing line (threaded on your needle) to come up from the bottom of the ornament through the top of the ornament for adding the jewelry finding.  Hot glue the jewelry finding in place (don't get the hot glue on the fishing line or it will melt), add your ornament hook and decorative ribbon.  Add additional embellishments if desired.  Voila! Your ornament is complete.

If you try this or have any questions, leave me a comment.  I would love to know how you did.  Leave me a link if you post it.  You may use my instructions/diagrams for your personal blog only as long as you link back here.  Happy Crafting!

I entered into these challenges:



Wednesday, December 26, 2012

CAS Christmas Ornament

HelloCrafters!
I trust you all had a happy Christmas. We had a nice calm, relaxing day.


So, here's the instructions for the ornament above I promised yesterday. You won't believe how easy this is. Don't let the length of the instructions fool you. I just want you to learn from my mistakes, not yours. (smile)

Supplies:
Clear Christmas bulb
1 Sheet tissue paper or mulberry paper
Embossing buddy (or used dryer sheet)
Embossing ink
Embossing powder
Rubber or acrylic stamp of choice
Elmer's glue (dries clear)
Water (small amount)
Small bowl or tray
Small paint brush
Skewer or stick at least 8" long
Craft foam block (floral) or upside down box
18" Pretty ribbon
Wet wipes
Start by removing the top metal cover on the neck of the blub and set aside. Next, tear the tissue paper (plain or tone on tone print) into about 2" pieces, the more irregular the better. Tip: wet a small paint brush with water to soften the fibers to make it easier to tear. You'll need about 20 pieces, this will vary depending on how you tore your paper. I have also used mulberry paper - the paint brush technique is a must with this type of paper because of the fibers. Do not use scissors to cut paper.  You want the edges to disappear.

You will want to chose one of your torn tissue pieces large enough for the image you have chosen to stamp on. Use your embossing buddy (or a used dryer sheet) to rub across the image area of the tissue before stamping.  Use embossing ink like Versa-Mark or Color Box to stamp your image then pour on your embossing powder, tap off excess and heat.  Be sure you don't overheat, the paper is thin so it will melt pretty fast.  Set the piece aside.

Now work on attaching the remainder of your tissue pieces.  You can use decoupage glue if you like but, I used watered down Elmer's glue that dries clear. You really don't need that much. I don't really have a formula for the mix but, you can start with 2-3 tablespoons of glue and add 1 teaspoon of water in your tray at a time until the glue is thin enough to work with.  Starting at the neck of the bulb, paint an area of the bulb with the glue big enough for the tissue piece and lay it down making sure there is glue under the whole piece. Now lay down some more glue and take the next piece of tissue and overlap slightly onto the first piece of tissue paper. As you go along you will need to put the skewer into the bulb to keep your hands off the glue and to keep from pulling the tissue away, creating air pockets (not good).  Remember, you don't need a lot of glue, just enough to stick everything down.  You will have wrinkles along the way and that's OK, it will just add to the character of your project.

Now take your embossed piece of tissue, add glue to the area you wish to apply it to and lay it down.  Make sure your orientation is correct. You are probably working upside down at this point so keep that in mind when you apply your stamped image. Now apply one last layer of glue over the whole thing and place the skewer in the foam (or poke a hole in the bottom of a box) and let dry several hours. It's best if you don't try to hurry this step with a glue gun because the glue bubbles easily. Put a fan on it if you desire. A fan will allow your project to be dry enough in an hour or so to complete.

To complete the project, carefully trim off any tissue that hangs over the edge of the neck.  Put the metal topper and hanger back on the ornament and squeeze the flutes back together if you separated them. Tie a bow through the hanger and trim edges. Let completely dry before storing or putting on your tree. You could spray the ornament with a shimmer spray but wait for the glue to dry first (the glue will run if you don't).

This is a very simple project. I've done it several times with elementary children.  The worst part is waiting for it to dry.  Really, I don't even mind when my fingers get "icky". I just keep the wet wipes close by. ;-p
For tomorrow's post I will have an Origami ornament complete with instructions for you. See you then!



Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!


Christmas time is a special time of year. I love to bake all kinds of goodies adding that oh so important ingredient, love. While I am baking I reflect on what Christmas really means to me.

With joy I reflect on Christmas past when as a child I saw everything in a different light. And don't we see the that same glimmer of light in our own children's eyes on Christmas day? I dream that in years to come our children will look back on the memories we've made as I do now with the same joy in their hearts.

I pray for peace as I reflect on Christmas present where there is conflict in our nation. I also say a prayer of Thanksgiving that we as a nation have come together as one through our faith in God and each other. Coming together is just the beginning.

As I reflect on Christmas future, I remember its the special things in life that make it mean so much. If we let these precious things go, we lose our hope and love. I hope and pray that no person shall be without the joys, peace, and love that I have come to realize in my life throughout the years.

This Christmas I wish you all love. Love has it's place in everything. So, above all love one another. Enjoy yourselves. These are the good old days you're going to miss in the years ahead. Remember, love is not a matter of counting the years, it's making the years count.

Hope you have had a Blessed Christmas!

P.S. Check back tomorrow for the instructions on how to make the beautiful ornament above.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Let it Snow!

Hello Crafters!
I wanted to make a quick post for you today then I am on to finish all my Christmas preparations.
I chose this card today as we are about to get a major dumping of the white stuff  (4"-8" maybe more) tonight and tomorrow.  Although this is not a new card, it has never before been posted and a good example of a CAS (clean and simple) card. I used SU products most of the way here and have noted the ones that aren't. Here's the supply list:

Cardstock:  going gray, night of navy, bordering blue, whisper white
Ink: bordering blue, (white ink from ?)
Stamps: Lace background (not sure the name of the circle sentiment but it is from SU)
Ribbon: Navy organdy, (& scrap string)
White gel pen (Uniball)
Piercing tool
Scallop punch
Foam tape (3M)

This card is pretty self explanatory so there's no need for explanations.
So, there you have it, a CAS card that probably only took me 10 minutes to make.  This would be a great last minute Christmas card for someone you may have missed.
Thanks for stopping by today.  I plan to have more posts this week so be sure to stop back for a visit. Leave a comment if you like, I would love to hear from you!