Craft Wars Inspired: Holiday Sweater Rose Wreath

True Craft Confession: I was pleased as wassail punch with my wreath from last week's episode of Craft Wars!  My tree...well...had some obvious issues, but the wreath was something I'd happily hang in my home.  Yes, there were a few glue strings and boogers, but I don't usually craft at the speed of light.  Glue strings and boogers are fairly easy to avoid or remove when you have the luxury of time. 

With the aforementioned luxury of time on my side, I present my prettier, lump, glue string and booger free, new and improved upcycled sweater wreath for your craftertainment!

Insert holiday trumpet flourish...here.

I love the idea of turning ugly old thrift store sweaters into a fabulous new wreath.  I scored the grey and a black and white striped wool blend sweaters at my Goodwill for $.25 each!  Cha-ching! I actually scored a third black and grey striped sweater, but my daughter snapped that puppy right up as a night shirt.  Bonus!

Without further pomp and circumstance, here's how you can make your own upcycled Craft Wars Inspired Sweater Rose Wreath.  Oh and check out the links at the end of my post to see what the other Craftacular Craft Wars Vets created inspired by last week's episode! 

Instead of using sweater arms for the base like I did on the show, I wrapped off-white yarn around a round wreath form.  I used a saw to cut the wreath in half which made it easier to wrap. To put it back together, some 16 gauge craft wire with Aleene's Foamtastic glue did the trick.

This red pom-pom yarn was recently on clearance at my local Michaels, and it gave a fun, whimsical, candy cane look that I'm totally digging!  Just wrap it around the reassembled wreath working about 1" apart.

You can use the Clover pom-pom maker to make fuzzy yarn pom-pom accents.  I made two, because I loves me some pom-poms, oh yes I do!

Use old sweaters, or get some at Goodwill like I did!  Cut the sweaters into triangular strips and rolled into roses.  Vary the lengths and widths.  A 2' length is a good starting point.

Cut two contrasting leaves as accents.  Hot glue the flowers and leaves into a solid shape and attach that to the lower left side of the wreath.  (Note: If you are using a sweater that might fray, try Aleene's Stop Fraying around the edges.)

Attach the pom-poms on top and bottom of the roses with hot glue.  Aleene's Super Thick Tacky Glue makes quick work of adding button and rhinestone accents.  It dries clear without boogers or strings, huzzah!

Traci Remley turns some old sheet music and cupcake wrappers into a charming vintage inspired wreath.
Nikki McGonigal shows you how to make wine twice as fun with her all season cork wreath!
Lisa Fulmer makes an a dor a ble ornament inspired by the vibrant colors on my holiday tree from the show!
Cheryl Burchett shares a divine postage themed baby announcement for her latest creation, her son Joshua!
Pattye Duffner repurposes some baby blocks as festive ornaments!
Angela Daniels soothes her 'guilt' with a Thank You card wreath!
Andrea Currie turns a truly awful sweater into a truly lovely year round wreath!

Tune into TLC this Tuesday at 8pm EST for a new episode of Craft Wars!  Join us on Twitter at #craftwars for live show tweets!  After the show, Stephen Brown and Nikki McGonigal host a fun show wrap up on Spreecast!

12 Crafts of Christmas! iLoveToCreate Retrofabulous Christmas Craftabration: Upcycled Bingo Card Ornament

"Games People Play" Upcycled Bingo Card Ormament Copyright Margot Potter 2011

iLoveToCreate: Retrofabulous Crafts

Games People Play 

Upcycled Bingo Card Ornament

Margot Potter

"These are...your grandmother's crafts. Ya gotta problem with that?"

I have hoarded gathered lots of little vintage goodies over the years. As I move often, larger items are given away, but the little trinkets and treasures come along for the journey. It is fascinating how these tiny momentoes of days past have survived. Who tossed these dice? Who scooted this little scotty dog around a Monopoly board? These little doo dads, they've seen things. They carry a small piece of history in them. I have always felt like I was born in the wrong era. Vintage things fascinate me. From my first visits to rummage sales to my years of thrift store trolling, to my years of wearing vintage head to toe, I am enamored with and deeply smitten with the past-yet firmly rooted in the present. It's a dichotomy to be sure.

Speaking of presents, variations on this theme make lovely gifts. I have stacks of old BINGO cards, with crisp and clean graphics and they make the perfect background for all sorts of fun collages. In this case, I used old game parts, letter beads, tinsel and more to make a lovely ornament with a truly vintage appeal. Add as much or as little, glitter or no, make this yours...or more aptly...make it suit the recipient. Note that all number elements on this card have something in common...what could it be? Hmmm...

Materials

Vintage or new BINGO card (you could opt to use cardstock and adhere a copy of an old card, buy a repro set or look for these on auction sites, they're fairly easy to find.)
Various small vintage or new game pieces. I used a bingo chip, a Monopoly game piece and dice (Old games are easy to score at thrift stores, flea markets or on auction sites)
Plastic letter beads to spell: "Merry Christmas"
Small chipboard scrapbook pieces 2 5
Wired red tinsel to form hanger
Silver tinsel to decorate top of card
Tiny wooden clothespins to attach tinsel hanger
Wooden star
Tulip Beads in a Bottle crystal color (or Traci Bautista's Collage Pauge Sparkles)
Tulip Metallics 3-d paint silver
Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue
Aleene's Tacky Line Rolls

Tools

Scissors
Tweezers or chain nose pliers
No stick sheet to protect work surface

1. Cut red tinsel long enough to form a large bail on top of card. Mine is 6". Cut smaller tinsel to fit space at top of card where red tinsel attaches at the top.

2. Use Beads in a Bottle in crystal to color the dice, scotty dog, plastic letters, tiny clothes pins and paper elements.

3. Stipple the silver paint on star and paint around edges using foam brush. Allow all elements to dry.

4. Attach silver tinsel to center top of card using Tacky Line roll.

5. Use glue to adhere larger elements.

6. Use glue and tweezers or chain nose pliers to place plastic letters across bottom of card.

7. Attach red tinsel to front top of card on both sides with tiny clothes pins.

Copyright Margot Potter 2011

The Twelve Crafts of Christmas! iLoveToCreate Teen Crafts: Super Cute Santa Mini Canvas

Super Cute Santa Mini Canvas Copyright  Avalon Potter

(Mom here: Ho ho ho!  It's day two of the 12 Crafts of Christmas at The Impatient Crafter blog!  Huzzah!  Miss Avalon made an adorable retrofabulous mini-canvas using a permission free Dover clip art image and some collage elements including an acrylic letter, rubber star stamp and a wooden snowflake.  It's all put together with Aleene's Tacky Glue and made sparkly with Traci Bautista's Sparkles Collage Pauge.  Love, love, love that stuff.  I made my own version with a Victorian era postcard image from my ephemera collection, a vintage bottle cap, some new vintage themed collage elements, stacked stars and a sprig of tinsel.  These are so incredibly fun to make...we got the canvases with coordinating easels at Michael's.  You could glue the canvas to the easel, add some wire and make some super cute artist ornaments!)

Super Cute Santa

Avalon Potter for iLoveToCreate
Teen Crafted, Mom Approved

Recently I was out shopping with my mom when I stumbled upon these miniature easels and canvases. I immediately knew that I had to use them for a project because they were so cute. So I bought two, one for me and one for my mom. Since Christmas is right around the corner I added Santa , a snowflake, and the rest is history. I hope you enjoy it!

Materials

Mini canvas and easel
Permission free sized image (Mine is from Dover Books Holiday Clip Art)
Acrylic letter
Wooden snowflake
Tiny star stamp
Traci Bautista's Collage Pauge
Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue
Scribbles 3D Paint Pens Primary Colors (red)

Tools

Computer with publishing software
Printer
Scissors
Foam brush

Instructions

1. Select a bold image, size to fit canvas on a computer and print.

2. Cut image out with scissors.

3. Take your decoupage medium and paint it on the back of your Santa using foam brush. Put the Santa on the canvas and apply more decoupage medium, on top and all over the canvas. Let dry.

4.While that dries paint your snowflake red. Let dry.

5.Take your letter and attach to the bottom right of your canvas. Apply glue to the back of your snowflake and attach to the top left of your canvas.

6.Use your red paint and little star stamp to stamp the top right and bottom left of your canvas.

7.Enjoy!

Victorian Mini Canvas Copyright Margot Potter 

(So many sparkles, I couldn't get a clear pic!  Go Sparkles Pauge!)

Retrofabulous Christmas Craftabration: YouTube Video with Bonus Gift Card!

Ta da da...da!  Retrofabulous Christmas Craftabration Presents:



It took three days, lots of juicy expletives, edits, edits and more edits and a crew of two and here we are...the latest The Impatient Crafter video. We're a little rusty around here and we only have one camera and mediocre editing software, but hey, we do what we can with what we've got! Plus, it's free people. Free!

Below please find written instructions for the Gift Card. You can get the written instructions for the Retrofabulous Stocking here. Ho, ho, happy holidaze!

Retrofabulous Holiday Gift Card
Copyright 2011 Margot Potter
"These are your grandmother's crafts™" You got a problem with that? 


Materials
Red or other colored card stock
Vintage or new used card with small Christmas icon on back
2 stackable vintage or new buttons, top button needs indent for crystal
Tulip Glam it Up Crystal
Thin decorative ribbon
Grommet
Tiny vintage or new icon image from back of greeting card
Sizzix window gift card die (Unfortunately, they no longer carry this die, so the next best bet is to cut one out yourself and score with a bone folder and use a Fiskars square punch to make a window!)
Aleene's Tacky Sticker Sheets
Aleene's Tacky Glue Dot Singles
Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Tools
Sizzix Big Shot
Fiskars 1" Block Party Squeeze Punch
Fiskars scissors
Crop-a-dile

1.  Use die cutting machine and die to cut a small gift card with tiny window.  Fold in half along the crease.  You can also measure, hand cut, use a bone folder to crease and use a square punch to make the window (You'd need two square punches so the image inside is bigger than the window.)

2.  Use Fiskars 2" square squeeze punch to center and cut image from back of used greeting card to fit inside window. (If you are using two punches, use the 1" size to create your window.)

3. Place back of image on sticker sheet, compress and remove.  Adhere to inside of gift tag, centering image as you'd like it to fit inside of the window.

4. Layer buttons and crystal.  Start with largest button, placing a single glue dot on back and adhering by one of the bottom corners of the window in the tag.  Next add the second button with glue dot on the back.

5. Add a dab of Aleene's Tacky glue inside of the second button, use finger tip to gently pick up and place crystal inside.  Wipe off any excess glue carefully.

6.  Set grommet with Crop-a-dile in upper corner of gift tag.

7.  Attach pre-cut ribbon.

8.  Feel free to stamp the card, add glitter, add more embellishments and make this yours!

ILoveToCreate Teen Crafts: Joyful Christmas Ornament

(Note from Mom: Avalon does it again! Love this sparkly glass ornament using Tulip Fashion glitter and Aleene's Tacky Glue Spray! Check out her latest teen craft project for ILoveToCreate. Am I proud? Does Santa like cookies?!

Uh, yes, yes he does.)

ILovetoCreate: Joyful Christmas Ornament
Avalon Potter
"Teen created, Mom approved."

I thought I would squeeze in one more holiday project because it is one of my favorite seasons. A few years ago my mom took a clear glass Christmas ornament and put crystals inside making a snow globe for your tree. It was one of my favorite projects she ever made, so I thought why not adapt her old project into something new! My project is a clear ornament that you spray wit Aleene's Tacky Spray Glue and coat the inside with Crafty Chica glitter! I enjoyed making these as gifts for my little cousins because it is fun, easy, and you can personalize each ball with different colors and tag to make it special for the person you give it to.

Materials
Clear ornament with opening top (preferably plastic in case of accident)
Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Spray
Tulip Fashion Glitter (green and red or colors of choice)
Colored paper to match glitter
White printer paper
Paper to make funnel
Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue Stick
Ribbon to match color of ball

Tools
Printer
Hole punch
Scissors

Instructions

1. Gather your materials.



2. Open up your ornament and lightly coat the inside with the Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Spray.

3. Make a funnel with a piece of paper and insert the bottom into the opening of the ball.

4. Pour a sufficient amount of the color(s) of glitter you choose into the ball. Feel free to mix colors or choose different colors then I used.


5. Close the ornaments top and shake until the ball is completely coated with sparkles. Shake the excess sparkles out of the ball.

6. Using a font you like print out in large letters the word or name you want as the tag. Use a similar color as the one you used in the ball. If you used two or more colors chose one for the font and another for the colored paper behind it.

7. Cut out the word and cut out your colored sheet of paper a slightly bigger into a rectangular card for the word to sit on.

8. Use your Aleene’s tacky glue stick to glue the word to the colored paper.

9. Punch a hole in the corner of the tag.

10. String some colored ribbon that matches the ball through the hole and tie a knot.

11. Tie onto the top of the ornament in a bow to complete the ornament.

ILovetoCreate Teen Crafts: Blue Christmas Holiday Card

(Here's another fantastic teen craft project from the world's craftiest 12 year 0ld! Yup, I'm a proud mom.)

ILovetoCreate Teen Crafts
Blue Christmas Card
Created by Avalon Potter
"Teen crafted, Mom approved."

This week I wanted to do something that is fun for the person to give and fun for a person to receive. So not only is it a gift for someone else, it's a little gift to you. I decided on a holiday greeting card. You can easily make many of them if you have a time crunch on gifts or you just want to make something simple but nice.

Materials
White Card Stock (or holiday colored)
Blue Card Stock
Tulip Dimensional Fabric Glitter in Crystal Icicle
Foam Dimensional Stickers
Tulip Fashion Graffiti Big Phat Black marker
Large Snowflake Stamp
Aleene's Acid Free Tacky Glue Stick

Tools
Scissors
Paper Cutter
Tulip Sponge Pouncer

1. Cut your white card stock into an 11.5"x5.75" rectangle.

2. Use your marker to color the entire stamp and press down firmly in the middle of the card stock.

3. Re-apply the marker to the stamp two more times and stamp half of the stamp on the card stock in the upper right hand corner and again in the lower left hand corner.

4. Repeat step two on your blue card stock making two snowflakes. Cut the snowflakes to fit in the two empty corners.

5. Put a few dimensional stickers on the bottom of the stamped blue snowflakes and attach them to the two empty corners.

6. Once the ink has dried, take the tulip silver sparkle paint and apply to the blue snowflakes and to the snowflakes on the white card stock.

7. Put a personal message inside of the card by printing it out on the computer, cutting it out to the size and shape you like, and applying to the card using Aleene's Tacky glue stick.

Let the Holiday Festivities Begin! Madge Crafts from the Couch...

I have been sick as a d o double g since Saturday. Avalon got this first and it's just hitting Drew. We got our dang flu shots, but I swear this was the flu. It's settled into my chest, but I'm hoping I'm on the mend now. I have to get back to work! I hate being sick because I get so restless. So, yesterday I worked on the final details of this stocking project. Jewelry Television is presenting these stuffed with gifts to vets at a local VA hospital. I was so pleased to be able to do something to say, "Thank you" to those who have fought for our freedom. I'm also pleased as punch with how this turned out! I have to make one for our mantle now.

I used a scanned and sized Victorian era postcard from my ephemera collection (the card had some damage which I fixed in Photoshop) and printed it on a sticky back fabric sheet. I added glittered accents using Ranger Stickles. Aleene's Super Thick Tacky Glue worked like a charm on the rick rack, ribbon, vintage button and repurposed metal elements. It's amazing what a little creativity can do for a dollar store Christmas stocking!

Until next time...craft on with your bad selves!

Cheers,
Madge

Final Retrofabulous Christmas Craftabration Project for 2009! Tinsel Kicking Vintage Ornament Wreath

Retrofabulous Christmas Craftabration with Madge! Final Project 2009!

Tinsel Kicking Vintage Ornament Wreath
Copyright Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter™ 2009

I hope to start this retrofabulosity earlier next year. There are just far too many good ideas in these magazines to waste! Until then...here’s my final Retrofabulous holiday idea for 2009.

I collect vintage mercury glass ornaments and kitschy holiday decorations and I love the elaborate wreaths people make by hot gluing a ton of them on a Styrofoam or wire wreath base. They go for big bucks on eBay. (Check out this fabulous vintage ornament packed wreath from Junkhound Sally!) I personally don’t want to trap vintage goodies into a wreath forever. They’ve survived this long unscathed! I scored four tinsel garlands on super clearance after last Christmas with this project in mind. Flash forward a year...a trip to the craft store for a Styrofoam wreath and some Styrofoam balls and a gathering of pretty pink ornaments...and SHAZAM!

This wreath kicks some serious tinsel!

I could have added a lot more ornaments, but I like the simple and uncluttered look of this wreath with lots of tinsel poking through and the felty good pop art flowers. (Plus those resin and tinsel beads I scored in NYC worked perfectly!) I remembered this project concept when I saw the tin wreath from McCall’s Christmas Make-it Ideas Volume XI above. This is another 60s craft mag without a date...but based on the preponderance of thick fuzzy yarn pom-poms and the hairstyles I’m guessing late 60s. Frankly, I’d really prefer not to have a razor sharp wreath...so this soft and squishy tinsel garland does the trick! (Oh and note that I’ve worked Floam into another holiday craft project! Hee.)

Oh and...two vintage mercury glass ornaments met an untimely death while working on this project. So show me some love people!Materials
Styrofoam wreath form
4 12 foot long tinsel garland swags
8”x10” sheet hot pink craft felt
8 vintage pink mercury glass ornaments (you can buy these on eBay, but pink is pricey so go for mixed lots and collect the pink as you go, I’m a big fan of Shiny Brites)
9 2” Styrofoam balls
5 20mm and 5 15mm pink plastic beads
Hot pink Floam
18 gauge Beadalon Artistic Wire
2.5” wide silver with holographic glitter wired craft ribbon
6”x7.5” Colorbok chipboard ornament
Ranger paint dabber fuchsia
Ranger paint dabber silver
Floral vine background stamp
2” thick satin ribbon with looped edges
Sparkly pink rick rack trim (mine is vintage, but you can find similar new)
Sizzix Hello Kitty Daisies Die
Aleene’s Quick Dry Tacky Glue
Tools
Sizzix Big Shot
Round nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
Wire cutters
Straight edge item (I used a flat thin plastic ruler)
Non-stick craft sheet

1. Paint the chipboard ornament pink. Allow to dry.


2. Stamp with layers of floral vines in silver. Allow to dry.

3. Glue a stripe of black satin ribbon across center front of ornament. Glue a rick rack trim stripe in the center of the black satin stripe.

4. Cover small foam balls with a thin layer of Floam and quickly remove various segments creating a textured effect. Allow balls to dry overnight on a non-stick craft sheet.



5. Use Big Shot to cut out felt flowers.

6. Use a u-shaped wire to attach one end of a tinsel garland swag to the back of your wreath. (This is kind of like a staple that holds the garland down.)

7. Wrap tinsel around wreath, securing ends with 2-shaped wire segments as you work your way around. Wrap so there are no foam gaps. When you reach the final wrap, tuck that under with another u-shaped wire segment and clip off excess garland.

8. Use looped end 5" wires to slide in 9 Floam balls leaving about 4 inches between each and alternating placement so some are higher and some lower as you work around your wreath. (The chain nose pliers can help you slide the wires in if you get stuck.)

9. Use looped end 5" wires to slide in your beads and flowers; they should be at the same spot as your foam balls but on the opposite side of the width of the wreath.



10. Use u-shaped wires to attach the ornaments to the wreath, in between the foam balls. Leave one area open for your ribbon.

11. Cut off a long section of ribbon and wrap around wreath in open area. Tie into a bow. Cut off any excess ribbon.

12. Hang your chipboard ornament on wired tinsel from the top center of the wreath so it hangs inside.

Check out more retrofabulous vintage ornament wreaths:

Georgia Peachez Flickr

Georgia Peachez Flickr

Georgia Peachez Flicker

Vintage Squirrel

1800 Flowers Blog

Jennifer Perkins

(The adhesive, paints, wire and tools were all donated for use in my work)

Free Holiday Craft Project for iLoveToCreate Teen: Pretty Ribbons Fleece Hat and Glove Set

Pretty Ribbons Embellished Fleece Hat and Glove Set
Margot Potter for iLoveToCreate teen
Free Holiday Craft Project
“Mom crafted, kid approved.”

Need a last minute teen friendly gift idea? We’re big fans of fleece around here and you can score the hats and gloves right now on sale. Why not help your teen customize a set with some easy to create ribbon accents? These would make great (and affordable) gifts for their friends. I have a small collection of vintage ribbons and buttons, but you can find similar items at your local sewing store or on the internet. Tulip fashion crystals and Aleene’s Fabric Fusion glue make it a breeze to whip up this lo-sew project.

Materials
Fleece hat
Fleece gloves
7/8” wide black satin ribbon with looped edges
7/8” wide vintage or new decorative ribbon
1 large and 2 small vintage or new red buttons
Red sewing thread
8 5mm Tulip crystals
Aleene’s Fabric Fusion glue

Tools
Scissors
Embroidery needle (you’ll need a needle that can easily pass through a thick stack of folded ribbon)
Tulip Glam it up Heat tool


1. There are tons of tutorials on the internet for lovely 3-d ribbon flowers and all of them are so complicated I decided there had to be an easier way. So I just folded ribbon around itself 3 times. Begin by folding the ribbon end into the center of a 2 ¾” section of ribbon. Wrap ribbon three times around itself. The folded ribbon sections should be 2 3/4” for the smaller flower and 3” for the larger), hold the center firmly, gently tug the ribbon folds into petals on each side (you’ll move the folds on each side in opposite directions). (See photo.)


2. After you’ve created your simple flower, keep holding the layers together at the center and sew a button in the center tacking all of the layers down. Now you’ve got a super cute ribbon flower.




3. For the larger all black flower, add an extra folded section of ribbon to match the ribbon on the gloves. This functions as a petal. Tack it down with a needle and thread.

4. Apply a generous bead of Fabric Fusion glue to the underside of the flower petals and tack them down. Put something under them inside of the glove and hat to prevent them from sticking the opening together. Allow to dry 2-4 hours. Don’t wash until glue has cured for 24 hours.

5. Use the heat tool to apply the crystal accents to the ribbons. I put one on each petal of the decorative ribbon and one on the decorative ribbon leaf on the black satin flower.

Make it Merry Free Holiday Craft Project Round Robin!

Victorian Snow Day
Put together a mixed media portrait using crafting scraps and this tutorial from Margot Potter.

Cookies in a Jar
Fun article with recipes and gift tags for making cookies in a jar.

Christmas Crackers
Make your own Christmas crackers this year (don't forget to add your favorite terrible joke for an authentic touch)!

Striped Stocking
A stocking knit in two colors on large needles is a quick and easy way to hold gifts for the holiday. Use traditional Christmas colors or make one with stripes of the colors of your favorite sports team.

Crocheted Wire Necklace
If you can string stone nuggets onto wire, and if you can crochet a simple chain stitch, then you can make this pretty necklace. Visit Beading Arts for the instructions!

Stained Glass Votives
Here's a great easy project that's perfect for kids and fun for adults! We spend lots of time making great votive candles, why not dress them up even more with hand made votive holders?

Skating Penguin Cartoon
Add a cute penguin to your holiday cards with this step-by-step drawing tutorial from Helen South.

Lampwork Snowman Earrings
Use a few wire techniques to turn two lampwork snowmen beads into some holiday jewelry. These literally take minutes to make.

Greeting Card Album
Recycle a greeting card and create a holiday album using materials you already have around the house.

Cut Paper Trees
These three dimensional stand up cut paper trees can be used for table decorations or winter scenes. They're cut just like snowflakes from regular paper.

Christmas Tree Seed Bead Earrings
If you're in a pinch for some holiday cheer upon your ears, then these simple seed bead earrings are just the holiday miracle you've been looking for. With just a little wire and a handful of beads, these can be made in just minutes.

Gingerbread Ornaments
When you don't have the fragrance of a real Christmas tree, fake scents just don't do it. Make a batch of these ornaments every few years and hang them from your tree, the scent will last for two or three years!

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

Free Holiday Craft Project Frosty the Floam Man!

(Click on images to view close up)

Frosty the Floam Man
Free Holiday Craft Project
Copyright 2009 Margot Potter

I had to make some on-air samples for a recent QVC appearance featuring the uniquely interesting substance known as Floam. I gathered up three oversized Styrofoam balls (courtesy of the fine folks from FloraCraft), a mini top hat created by my lovely daughter, some annealed iron wire and my collection of vintage buttons (you can buy these by the pound on eBay) and created this charming snowman. He’s currently standing guard in our entryway over a blanket of faux snow being cautiously regarded by our faux crow. I’ve got a thing for snowmen. What can I say?

Here’s how I made him, feel free to improvise with the materials you have on hand.

Materials
3 graduated Styrofoam balls (5”, 6”, 7”)
3 red buttons (vintage or new)
1 green button (vintage or new)
2 black buttons (vintage or new)
7 8mm hematite faceted beads (or other beads)
5 3.5 oz. tubs Floam in white
20 gauge annealed iron wire (or other rusty style dark craft wire or actual sticks)
Red craft felt
Mini Top Hat (black)
Tiny Tinsel Pin
Aleene’s Foamtastic Craft Glue

Tools
Round nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
Memory wire shears (annealed iron will wreck your wire cutters)
Fiskars scissors

1. Cover your Styrofoam balls with Floam. Let them dry on a non-stick silicone craft sheet. It could take a day or two, check the bottoms to adjust any drippy Floam. I made these intentionally lumpy like a real snowman.

2. Cut six 5” sections of annealed wire with memory wire shears. Put three into the center of the largest Styrofoam ball and slide on the second ball. Repeat for the next ball to create your snowman base.

3. Glue buttons as in photo. Glue on beads to form a smile. Allow glue to dry.

4. Cut a long 2.5” strip of red craft felt, repeat. Attach the ends with glue or a safety pin. Use scissors to cut fringe on both exposed ends. Wrap around the snowman’s neck.

5. Attach your mini-top hat (instructions for hat are here or you can buy a pre-made one at the craft store) using a u-shaped segment of annealed iron wire to thread it into the head of the snowman. Add your tiny tinsel pin to the front of the hat.

6. Create wire arms by wrapping a second 3” section of wire around the longer wire arms. Mine are approximately 6” long.

7. If you want your snowman to stand freely, glue him to a thick piece cardboard or wood.

Free Holiday Craft Project for iLoveToCreate Teen: Have Yourself a Twilight Little Christmas Ornament/Pendant

(Click on image to view close up)
Have Yourself a Twilight Little Christmas
Twilight Themed Ornament/Pendant
Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter for iLoveToCreate Teen
“Mom crafted, kid approved.”

I thought we’d escaped the phenomenon of Twilight. Avalon showed no interest in the books at all...until last month. Then suddenly she wanted to read the first one. So we bought it. She read it in one day. Then we got the second book. Alas, she’s hooked. I thought in light of this and the incredible popularity of this series and the films, I’d be remiss as a teen craft designer if I didn’t come up with something Twilight themed.

I have always loved silhouettes. I don’t know what it is about them that I find so intriguing, but I do. I’ve been meaning to work on a silhouette craft project for a few years now, so this seemed like the perfect match. I figured fans of the film would recognize the silhouettes of the actors who play Edward and Bella...and just in case they didn't I added a “Bella & Edward 4-ever” to the other side of the framed images. You are welcome to use the template I’ve made. It’s sized to fit inside a 2”x2” frame and you’ll need to clean up any rough edges when you cut it out. I made the ornament and thought it would be a cute pendant, so I did a variation. It’s the same thing, slightly different.

(Twilight and my designs are under copyright and you absolutely can not take this project and resell it. This is intended for personal use only.)

Ornament Materials
2”x2” gun metal Ranger Memory Glass frame
2 2”x2”Ranger Memory Glass squares
19mm Lucite leaf bead from The Beadin' Path
2mm freshwater pearls
K & Company Brenda Walton Evergreen Designer Mat Pad
Tulip Dimensional Glitter multi
Aleene’s Glass and Bead Slick Surfaces Adhesive
Aleene’s Archival Glue Stick
Liquid Fusion glue
Printed image sized to 2”x2”
The King & Queen Font 9 pt. black “Bella & Edward 4-ever” centered and cut to fit frame
(Similar free fonts available at DaFont.com)
Thin black satin ribbon
Tools
Scissors
Computer
Printer

1. Right click and save image. Print silhouette. Cut out carefully with scissors.

2. Cut out tiny heart from red area of plaid holly paper. Dab a small amount of dimensional glitter on heart and allow to dry.

3. Trace with 2” glass square and cut out plaid holly paper to fit frame.

4. Cut out holly shapes to edge image on both sides of frame. Add a thin layer of dimensional glitter. Allow to dry.

5. Assemble the collage using your glue stick to adhere layers.

6. Print text. Trace with 2” glass square and cut out to fit frame.

7. Place front and back of collage together between layers of glass.

8. Slide into frame.

9. Glue three pearls into a small Lucite leaf with Liquid Fusion glue. Allow to dry.

10. Glue leaf to front left corner of frame with Glass and Bead Glue. Allow to dry.

11. Spread a thin layer of dimensional glitter on frame edge. Allow to dry.

12. Attach a thin satin ribbon to loop at top of frame.

(For the pendant, spread a thin layer of dimensional glitter on cut out image. Shake on a generous amount of Crafty Chica glitter in Be Bop Black. Allow to dry. Insert with text on back as before into frame. Glue a small satin bow to a red button with Liquid Fusion. Allow to dry. Glue button to frame edge with Glass and Bead glue. Spread a thin layer of dimensional glitter around frame edge. Attach to a chain with a 10mm jump ring. All materials used in these designs were given to me to use in my work except for the satin ribbon.)