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

I entered these challenges:

Addicted to CAS-#3 ends 12/28

Memas Crafts ends 12/29
Dillybeans Challenge-ornament-ends 12/27
Cupcake Inspirations ends Jan 4

For tomorrow's post I will have an Origami ornament complete with instructions for you. See you then!