Get Creative for Winter Holidays

So I decided to pull out my favorite tool - Sizzix Big Shot and dies, to play around with some ideas for gift giving and decorating.

Boxes for little packages of goodies can be made from the wonderful variety of Sizzix dies.  Here are just two ideas.  Both can hold special treats from your kitchen or small handmade items for giving.  Each are closed with simple ribbons and embellished with holiday designs using other Sizzix dies.

Three ornaments were created using more Sizzix dies.  The shapes were cut from purchased glitter cardstock and adhesive backed glittered foam sheets at a local craft store.  Three tree shapes are cut from the green foam.  Carefully they are placed together to form a Christmas tree.  A hanging cord was added while assembling the tree.  Wrap the small trunk with a piece of ribbon.  Glue on an assortment of tiny buttons for decorations.

 An ornament shape is cut from the red glitter foam.  Adhere the two shapes together, begin at the bottom and before completing, stuff a few cotton balls into the widest are of the shape to give it a rounded look, then continue to seal the edges.  If the adhesive does not hold you can add glue to seal the edge.  Tie a bow onto the shape, add a hanging cord and finish with a simple button shape glued to the front.  I added little touches of DecoArt Snow Tex to the button.

The white bird was cut from glittered, crimped card stock.  Glue the shape together and adding a hanging cord and the wings. The bottom of the bird was left open slightly and stuffed with a few cotton balls.  Make a small dot for eyes with paint, add a simple ribbon around the neck.  Glue the bird onto a small clipping of a twig.

Each of these ornaments can be tied onto a package  as a decoration and extra little gift.  Simple handmade ideas for gifting and giving during the holiday season.

Designer Craft Connection Challenge - Smoothfoam™

NOTE: I must first apologize for being a bit late to the posting for this challenge.  There was a human error of forgetfulness of equipment needed to get this post complete for the Saturday date while away with family.

The product for this challenge is Smoothfoam™.  Here is a link to the products website: www.smoothfoam.com and a Pinterest link here: http://pinterest.com/plasteel/michael-s-smoothfoam/ 

I look forward to experimenting with this product in other ways then the ideas I will share with you here.

Here is an ornament using one of the Smoothfoam™ balls.  I would recommend the 3" or 4" size.  I used an apple corer to form a hole into the ball. Tapered pieces of scrap fabric were cut to be glued around the lower two-thirds of the ball. The "petals" from pinecones  were glued around the top one-third of the ball.  Insert a hanger of gold fine cording to the center top.  Brown moss was glued into the open center at the top and a small amount into the hole at the front.  Wire a little bird to a short twig and glue to the front of the ornament.  Two ribbon streamers are place at the top.  Dab a small amount of DecoArt Snow-Tex to the tips of the pinecone petals and twig.

A simple ribbon wreath can be made by cutting out the center of a 12" disc.  Measure about 1" to 1 1/2" from the edge and use a serrated knife or desired cutting tool.  Tie 5/8" wide ribbons of choice around the Smoothfoam™ring.  Clip a "V" into the ends of each ribbon. Use a short sequin pins to add snowflake sequins around the front of the wreath in the "white" spaces between the ribbons.  Form a bow from ribbons and attach with a pin.  Add a wire hanger to the back top for hanging.

Not to waste materials, I took the leftover disc and cut another ring in the same way as above to make a candle ring.  I took thin, white quilt batting and cut it into a 1" strip.  This was wrapped around the ring, gluing it onto the ring as it is wrapped.  Coat the surface of the ring with DecoArt Snow-Tex. NOTE: Do not cover bottom. Two coats may be needed.  Allow the finish to dray well.  Top the surface with DecoArt Crystal Craft Twinkle Glitter paint.  When the glitter paint is dry, glue snowflake sequins all over the ring with Beacon Gem Tac and onto a pillar candle.

NOTE: Waste nothing - from the small leftover piece check out the small candle holder in the previous post.

There is a "giveaway" for this challenge of a kit to make a snowman with some extras.  To enter to win leave a comment on the blog of the designer whose project(s) you like.  The more often you comment the more chances you have to win.  You can also make comments on the Pinterest site.  The winner will be announced on Novermber 19th on the Designer Craft Connection Facebook page.

Designer Craft Connection November Edition - Thank You's

The "tricks and treats" are over and before we start being "merry" and "happy" we will be  giving "thanks".  This brings me to the theme of this months DCC blog hop ideas - saying Thank You.

Of course a "thank you" card or note is the first way to go, so I created a note card with an extra little something.

Stamping a simple, embossed message on a blank note card, adding coordinating blocks of papers as a background to attached a fabric, flower brooch is a special way to give thanks for any reason. The brooch was made from stiffened fabric for the flower, handmade paper leaves, a button and Sizzix dies.

The Thanksgiving holiday is approaching.  We will all probably be having gatherings or attending gathering with family and acquaintances. I created a small little gift to give to a hostess or guests.

Use a simple votive holder and decorate as desired and place a "Be Thankful" Yankee Candle inside.

This version, a length of ribbon was glued around the bottom of the glass and then buttons were added.  Another length of ribbon was added with a bow at the center.  These would be easy to make and use as part of a table setting or give to guests as they leave.

For the second version, I used a small circle of Smoothfoam™.  A circle was cut to fit the votive holder.  The foam was wrapped with 1/2" wide strip of fabric.  "Petals" from pinecones were glued around the top of the foam ring and around the side.  To give it a finished look a length of jute cording was added along the bottom and a thin gold cord adds a bit of glitz.

NOTE: Use the same idea but change the color scheme for all elements used for a different holiday or occasion.

Hope you enjoy these fairly simple and sweet ways to say "Thank You".