Wednesday, November 30

Tutorial: Mixed-Media Coaster Ornament

As I said earlier, I'm having problems getting some pictures off of an alternate camera I used yesterday.  Unfortunately, that means that some of the photos for this tutorial won't be included.  Hopefully, I'll be able to explain the directions for those steps without needing photos.

This Mixed-Media Coaster Ornament tutorial will show how to use a cheap, cardboard coaster to make this pretty layered ornament!  Let's get started!!

Step 1: GATHER SUPPLIES
- Cardboard coaster
- White gesso or paint
- Various types of paper
- Fabric
- Lace
- Buttons
- Beads and/or pearls
- Decoupage medium
- Glue

Step 2: PREP COASTER
Paint a thick coat of white gesso or acrylic paint on the front of the coaster to cover the printed design.
You could also trace the coaster on to a piece of white cardstock, cut it out and glue it to the coaster instead of painting it.

Step 3: PREP "SCRAPS"
Tear paper into short strips.
Tear and fray similar size strips of fabric.  For a good tutorial on tearing fabric scroll down towards the bottom of this Quill Cottage post.

Step 4: ADD LAYERS
Add Bass Layers
Decoupage "scraps" onto the coaster randomly, making sure to cover the entire coaster and wrapping the edges around the sides to the back..
Add a couple small pieces of cheesecloth (even though you can't see it in the picture above, it's there).
Using even more decoupage, attach some pieces of lace.
Add Top Decorations
Glue on various sized beads (I used glass pearls and freshwater pearls) and buttons.
Note: I glued my beads in flower patterns to go with the circle-shaped buttons.

Step 5: ADD BACKING
Trace the coaster onto a coordinating color piece of felt.
Cut out the circle, but cut a little bit inside the line so the felt will be slightly smaller than the coaster.
Glue on the back of the coaster.

FINISHED!!

I really love how this ornament turned out even though it is a bit "Grandma-ish"!!  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will try your own version!!

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...

Tutorial: Quick (PB Knock-Off) Bottle Ornament

This post is a day late since I was having camera difficulties.  Don't worry!! You're still going to get today's tutorial too so there will actually be 2 tutorials published today!!  This is the first, and the second will be published a bit later.  Thanks for your patience!! 

I saw this PB ornament on Pinterest last week and just knew I could make my own version!!

Today, I'll show you how to make MY version of this bottle ornament!!


Step 1: GATHER SUPPLIES
- 2"-4" tall glass bottle with cork
- Three 12"-15" lengths of 24-28 gauge wire
- Sheet music
- Small beads
- Needle-nose pliers

 Step 2: "MAKE" WIRE
Make "Knot"
Twist one end of the 3 wires together into a ball.
Twist Wire 
Grip the "knot" with one pair of pliers.
Using another pair of needle-nose pliers, grip the 3 wires about 1" away from the "knot"
Twist the wire to get desired look.
Note: To twist the wire faster, turn both pairs of pliers in opposite directions.  Be careful to not twist too much, because the wire will break at some point!

Step 3: ADD WIRE TO BOTTLE
I drew the diagram below to show how I was able to add the side loops on the bottle.
Add Side Loops to Bottle
Using the diagram above (or your own method) create two loops on the side of the bottle that will attach the bottle to the wire hanger.
Add Top Hanger
Make a loop at the end of your remaining wire.
Attach it to one of the side loops on the bottle.
Create the desired hanger appearance.
Make a loop at that will properly fit into the other side loop.
Clip off any extra wire.

Step 4: FILL BOTTLE
Tear a small part of your sheet music into 2 strips that will fit through the top of the bottle.
Place the 2 strips with the "nice" sides facing out and put the them in the bottle.
Pour the small beads into the bottle.
Note: Make sure you get beads on both sides of the sheet music and even a little in between if possible.

FINISHED!!

Wasn't that super quick and easy?!?  I may be biased but I think my bottle ornament turned out better than the PB one!! hehehe

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

Monday, November 28

Tutorial: Alcohol Inked Glass Ornaments

Rather than making the glittered glass ornaments, today's tutorial is going to show you how to make Alcohol Inked Glass Ornaments!!

I cannot begin to describe how pretty these are in person!!  I wish you could see them!!  As gorgeous as these are, I really thought I'd see projects like this all over Pinterest, but I never saw a single one!!  Maybe this tutorial will start a trend!! hehehe

In the tutorial, I'm going to show you how I made the "drippy" look of the blue ornaments.  At the end, there will be close-up photos of the other designs and I'll explain how I created those too.

This is a pretty long tutorial so lets get started!!

Step 1: GATHER SUPPLIES
- Empty clear glass ornaments
- Alcohol Blending Solution
- Embellishments (ribbon, lace, etc.)
- Glue (I used Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue)
- Aluminum foil & lots of paper towels
Step 2: PREP AREA
Alcohol ink will stain just about anything it touches.  Be sure to properly protect your work area.
Cover your work area with aluminum foil.
Have many, many paper towels on hand.

Step 3: PREP ORNAMENT
Remove metal top and set aside.
Squirt some Alcohol Blending Solution into the ornament.
Swirl the solution so it "washes" the entire inside of the ornament.
Dump out excess solution.
Important: Do not use water!!  Water will cause the alcohol inks to react differently to the glass!!

Step 4: ADD ALCOHOL INK
Put 5-15 drops of alcohol ink inside your ornament.
Swirl ink around the ornament until completely covered.
Note: Depending on the color, the ink may not fully adhere to the glass.  It's okay!!  It will eventually.

Step 5: ADD MIXATIVE
Add a few drops of your mixative.
Swirl around the bottom of the ornament to mix the inks.
Continue adding your primary color alcohol ink and your mixative until you get the color you want.
Swirl the ink mixture around the entire ornament to coat it again.
Note: Again, don't worry if the ink doesn't stick right now!!

Step 6: THICKEN MIXTURE
I found that the best way to get your ink to really stick to the glass is by allowing the ink to thicken.  This step takes a long time!!
Over the course of about 5-15 minutes, allow the alcohol in the ink to evaporate.
Continue to swirl the ink mixture around the entire inside of the ornament and gently blow into the ornament occasionally to help the alcohol evaporate.
When the ink begins to move much slower that before, you know you're ready to move to the next step.

Step 7: CREATE INK DESIGN
Swirl your thickened ink mixture around the bottom half of your ornament.
Once you have an even layer covering the bottom, quickly flip the ornament over.
Allow the ink to drip down the sides.
Note: This next part is pretty tricky!!  Have aluminum foil and/or paper towels under your ornament at all times!!
As soon as the drops begin to reach the opening of the ornament, flip the ornament right-side up so the ink drips in the opposite direction.
Note: If you find that your ink is staying in just one or two large areas, allow the ink to drip back to the bottom and start this step over again.
Again, when the ink starts to collect in bottom, flip it over so the ink goes back up again.
Repeat this process over and over and over and over again until your ink is basically completely dried.
Allow to dry completely.

IMPORTANT NOTE
If you don't like the way your ornament is turning out, don't panic!!  Alcohol inks are extremely forgiving!!
You can always add more ink to your ornament, thicken the mixture again, and start your design over!!
Also, as long as your ink isn't totally dry you can start over at any time by squirting some Alcohol Blending Solution into your ornament and "washing" your ornament again!!

Step 8: DYE ORNAMENT TOPS
Alcohol inks can be used on just about any glossy surface, including metal!!
Add a thin layer of ink to the metal ornament top.
Dab off excess.
Let dry completely.
Put back on glass ornament.

Step 9: EMBELLISH OUTSIDE
Decorate the outside of the ornament using lace, ribbon, cord, gems, etc.

FINISHED!!


Each ornament is so much prettier in person!!  The details that the alcohol inks create are indescribable!!

For each version, you'll want to follow the tutorial above, but stop after you thicken your ink mixture.

OPAQUE VERSION
You can't see through these two ornaments at all!!  They're totally coated in ink!!
Both use the same color inks (Cranberry and Gold), but in different proportions.
- You'll need a lot of ink in order to make these!!  Double, or even triple the number of drops used for each ornament!!
- Once your ink mixture has been thickened, continue "rolling" the ink around the inside of the ornament.
- When you notice that most of your ink has stuck to the sides of the ornament, you can set it down and just let it dry.
- As it dries the ink and the mixative will partially separate giving your ornament a really neat almost-crackle finish!!

LAYERED 2-TONE VERSION
I love how this ornament kinda looks like like a hilly landscape!!  You can image the gold being a sky and the green being hills!!  Believe it or not, that was my intent!!
- Start with your top color (gold in this case).
- Once the ink has thickened "roll" it around the top 3/4 of your ornament as though you were going to make the Opaque Version (above).
- Do not let your ink dry!!
- Once there is a good coat of ink (and it sticks well) add a good bit of your bottom color (green in my ornament).
- Mix the ink with the remnants of your top color by swirling it in the bottom of the ornament.
- Thicken the ink.
Note: This is next part is pretty tricky so go slowly and remember to work your way down!!  If you try to work your way up, you won't up with the neat layered effect!!
- "Roll" the ink around the middle (the equator) of your ornament and then back down to the bottom.
- "Roll" the ink back up toward the "equator", but do not go as high as last time and then "roll" the ink back down to the bottom.
- Repeat this process until your ink has almost completely dried.
- Set the ornament down and let it dry completely.

VERTICAL STRIPES VERSION
This was the first Alcohol Inked Glass Ornament that I made and without the outside embellishments, I really didn't care for it.  However, the stripes are pretty cool!!  Unfortunately, you can see through a good portion of this ornament.
- Start with the ink (red for this ornament), because you're going to want your stripes to be mixative ink.
Note: You can add 1-2 drops of mixative into your ink for coloring purposes.
- Thicken the ink.
- "Roll" the ink around the entire inside of the ornament as though you were going to make the Opaque Version (1st version above).
- Do not let your ink dry!!
- Pour out the remaining ink.
-Put 4-5 drops of your stripe ink (gold mixative in this case) on the inside rim of the ornament.
- Allow the ink to run down the "wall" all the way to the bottom before starting your next stripe.
- For wider stripes, add more drops and "roll" the ink down the "wall" very slowly, allowing the ink to pool as it runs down.
- For more opaque stripes, drip the ink down the "wall" of the ornament, allow the ink to thicken in the very bottom of the ornament and then "roll" the ink back up towards the top and then back down to the bottom.
Note: When the drops first run down the "wall" of the ornament, the alcohol in the ink will remove part of your 1st color.  To reapply the red ink, I allowed the stripes almost completely dry and then I made the same red ink mixture for a second time in the bottom of the ornament.  After it thickened, I just "rolled" it up and down the sides until I was finished.

I must say this has been one of my favorite tutorials so far!!  I really hope everyone likes it and gives this project a try!!  It was so much fun and now I just need more glass ornaments so I can make some more!! 

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

Sunday, November 27

Tutorial: Nifty Egg Ornaments

I had an absolute blast designing and making these Nifty Egg Ornaments for today's tutorial!!  I tried a couple new techniques and activities and really enjoyed it all sooo much!!  I know you will too if you make these ornaments!!

I'm just going to dive right into the tutorial because I'm just so excited to show you this project, plus I know I'm a little late publishing the post!!  Here we go!!


Step 1: GATHER SUPPLIES
- Eggs
- Ephemera
- Decoupage glue/sealer
- Acrylic craft paint
- Cheesecloth
- Buttons
- Decorative embellishments (lace, ribbon, burlap, etc.)
- Tacky glue
- Sharp, pointy tool (awl or knife)

Step 2: BLOW THE EGGS
Using a very sharp pointy object, like an awl or a paring knife, gently tap a tiny hole in the top.
Flip the egg over and tap a 1/4" hole in the bottom.
While holding the egg over a bowl, place your mouth over the top hole and blow like crazy!!  Push all of the egg out of the shell.
Rinse with water.
Drain and let dry completely!! If you don't let your egg drain and dry 100%, it will leak and mess up your project!!

Step 3: DECOUPAGE EPHEMERA
Out of 5 Nifty Egg Ornaments that I made, I covered 3 with paper. The other 2 I just painted.  If you choose to just paint your eggs, skip this step.
Tear Paper
Tear paper into tiny tiny pieces.
Note: I tore my dictionary pages into a combination of shapes including 1/3" squares, 1/4"x1/2" strips, and small triangles.
Decoupage Paper onto Egg
Using a decoupage glue/sealer, cover the egg in book page pieces.
Let dry.

Step 4: PAINT EGG
Age Paper or Paint Egg
If you covered your egg in paper, use watered-down brown acrylic craft paint to age the egg.
If you're just painting your egg, simply paint your egg using 2 coats of the base color using acrylic craft paint (not watered-down).
Add Center Stripe
Paint a 1"-1.5" wide stripe around the center of the egg in the accent color.

Step 5: ADD CHEESECLOTH
This was one of the new techniques I tried and I know that know many of my projects will incorporate cheesecloth!! This stuff is amazing!!
Cut a small piece of cheesecloth.
Determine where you want your cheesecloth to go.
Decoupage the cheesecloth in place.
Note: Before using my cheesecloth on this project, I tea-stained it to give it an older appearance.

Step 6: ADD CENTER PAPER
Tear 1/4"-1/3" wide strips of dark colored paper.
Decoupage them around the center of your painted center stripe.
Note: This layer of paper is so that the next layer will stand out nicely.

Step 7: ADD FOCAL
Glue or decoupage your focal strip around the very center of the egg.
Note: You can use sooo many different things for the focal!!  I used ribbon, lace, sheet music, burlap, and more!!

Step 8: ADD HANGER
Make Hangers
Find buttons that have a concave top to them.
Feed 1/8" satin ribbon through the button holes from back to front.  The front will not show when finished!
Note: I used buttons that matched the painted center stripe.
Attach Hanger
Glue the button, top side down on the very top of your egg.
Let dry.

FINISHED!!

VARIATIONS




I don't mean to brag, but isn't that one of the coolest ornaments ever?!?  I hope you enjoy making these as much as I did!!

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

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