Paper Decor/Ornaments

I made a few ornaments that were from scrapbook paper... In which I've maybe scrapbooked twice but have over 100 pages of scrapbook paper that I have occasionally used for book making, accents and multimedia projects. As of this time I'm still using ideas from pinterest that I have seen. The sad part is I only post the images and never look at the DIY link of how to and just use trial and error. Only if it is something that I don't know which material it is made out of or how the construction is made, then I take a gander. Yes, I said gander. This was the first thing I saw and said, "I can do that and refuse to pay for it. It may be simple but I have the time and hot glue supplies. Why not?".  Then I saw a little more that I loved even more... therefore these are two of the creations I made. 

So there was this website someone pinned some spiral ornaments on that I started to think about and how simple they were; yet they are so pretty. So I did my own version of that. It took a few tries of stringing it up and how far to squish it down but in the end, I love it. Two pieces wrong side to wrong side and strung it up. Through the bottom pieces in bottom to top order. Then from the top adding each one from the top to the bottom creating the spiral effect. Depends on how thick the strips are and how wide you make them to the size of the ornament. I like the oblong spiral mine created after a few trial and error runs.

Finally, I saw things from Martha Stewart's website that I wanted to create. After years of watching her DIY and home decor shows before tax evasion or what have you, I love that show. And the Bob Vila show in wood working. (one day this summer I hope to accomplish making a wooden rocking chair and a picnic table for my back yard. I can't wait for warm weather- but not until I've had enough snow. Snow withdrawal sucks.) So I created my silver snow fake mantle. You would think living in an old city house with plaster walls there would be some kind of wood burning something. But it looks like from the cellar/basement (barely 6" clearing) that someone removed the chimney that went up through the living room from downstairs. Oh well. You know an art kid improvises what to do to make things work for the things we want to have around the house. -- Minor things that is. I would love a deck and to go into the attic and create more spaces but the house isn't mine.... So I bought a mantle for myself to minimally decorate due to space in the meantime. I got a sign that says SNOW and porcelain candle holders with different cut outs on the side for a steal at Marshall's. I silver foiled the bottoms to make it stand out and fit into the decor (I love silver all year for many different reasons). They ended up perfect. I added the scrapbook paper trees to the mantle and POOF, Christmas was created. Don't mind the crack in the plaster wall.....

After making that work, I made a few more to go on top of the storage space and the christmas santa wine decorations, I was all set. Oh, the candle smells like christmas trees from Glade! I also have the apple cheer scent- sparkling spruce is what the green one is. Trimmed each one with some paint and glitter attached and coated on to the star and it was all perfect. 

I am still continuing the quest of making more holiday art/decorations/crafts to spread the cheer. Sometimes I don't want to give them away due to spending so much time on everything and putting a little of me in there... But its the best way for me to express myself - art. So I will continue to make more. 

December Holiday Crafts

So I always say that I want to blog more, all the time in fact, maybe this time I will. Who knows? On that note, I am crafting and art-ing again which I've never felt so clam at home and in my workspace as I do now. Bones at my feet and music or good company is always around. 

Bones, Tree and I (4months old)

I've been doing holiday things around the home for my sanity and to make the holidays cheery for Rell. I have done the front of the house, no where to the standard of the street I live on apparently. (Like imagine Hampden 34th street here in Baltimore minus the art....) I came home today to find christmas music blaring from my neighbor's front porch. When the house is quiet you can hear it word for word- but they don't play it late apparently. Anyway, the tree is up. Thank goodness I bought a pre-lit tree or that nonsense would not have happened no matter what. (Last year I made a huge deal about having the budget to buy a new big tree after not having one for about 4 years that my friends had a bet to see how long it would take me- or bones- to take it down. It was not long at all.) I waited a few days and spent time with Rell to decorate the tree. By we did this I mean he played/worked on the computer or iPad and talked to me. Believe it or not- I don't like to decorate the tree. People have expectations that I would have a very colorful tree with a lot of ornaments hand made and such. I don't. All silver ornaments and sparkly clear ones. Rather "Blinged" out if you will. (Again, last year the friends bought me colorful ornaments because my tree "wasn't Kate enough".)

Photo used for our X-mas card

Look how Small!

So like I'm attempting to say is I have decorated and have "ELF" quotes running in my head as I sit at my table and think of things I want to make. The list is endless... I did buy Bones one ornament this year which is right above his head. But if you haven't seen...

He's So handsome! (1 Year 4 Months)

A few months ago I wanted to start making hand painted wineglasses. I've done this before but always too last minute and never finished. Before I could run out of time, I was able to paint some things. Then I have this wonderful idea of making candles for the first time. It can't be that hard right? Well, it wasn't! Just made a huge mess in the process. So I created for my secret Santa candles as requested "Apple spicy holiday scent" in tea cups. 

 
 

So after that adventure I was very pleased with my results- and my secret santa person will hopefully be thrilled!   

By the way- Pinterest has nothing on Kate Bolt. For sure, there is nothing they can do on that site that I can not. I guess in a way I'm that person that does things she pins on boards. And this is just the start of everything. On my journey I have pinned a lot to my Ornaments Board.

These are such fancy silver glitter Ornament that I had seen manufactured and then on pinterest. I had everything I needed to complete this task. And- It was super easy and fast. Used permanent Markers and Stick on rihnestones I had laying around from another project. On the inside, I have this tiiiiny glitter that I use for make-up and just poured some acrylic clear coat inside, swirled it around put the glitter in and done! I love it. In looking on Pinterest, I had pinned something  PaperPrincessStudios had made and is selling on etsy. I wonder how her business is going on etsy. I haven't had too much success. Everyone wants something I'm making but will not buy online. Only random strangers.

Its hard to have an online business and be successful at first. I would love to have a "how to" Blog with documenting steps I take to create things. My Etsy page where I sell it. And then, I want a Facebook fan page. I've done Pure Romance before and know what work that entails. I have the drive, but time is not on my side yet. Looking back, I have gone from my original button bracelets to sell, to knit and crocheted hats/scarfs, to jewelry, to sock monkeys and so much more. I'm about to try to sell some of the paintings I have done that every one comments on when they come to my house. Eh, we'll see after christmas how that event goes.... On to more.