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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

ELEGANT PAPER PUNCH ORNAMENTS (FREE TUTORIALS)...

In my last post I shared with you a simple gift tag using leftovers, scraps of paper and fabric, from other projects...
I am continuing that theme of leftovers in this post by sharing with you how to turn some simple paper punches into elegant ornaments.    Feel free to save or print this tutorial for your personal use.  Enjoy!

Now, let's dip into our leftover bowl and get crafting!
 MATERIALS:

*  Paper Scraps - Make sure the paper you use has some weight to it, I tried some book pages but the paper was too flimsy.  I used some small left over pieces of vintage sheet music. If you use vintage paper make sure it is not brittle.

*  Fabric Scraps

*  Paper Punches - You want a simple shape like a circle, scallop circle or oval, scallop flower, etc.
I used the following punches: Fiskars Large Squeeze Scalloped Oval PunchSlim Punch (Real Estate Sign) by EK Success,  Martha Stewart Christmas Dove Medium Punch by EK Success.

*  Jewelry Making Supplies:  Eye Pins, Jump Rings, and Wire all in matching finish
I used Vintaj brand products, eye pins, jump rings,and wire (These were leftovers from making charms for my daughters wedding favors)

*  Beads in various sizes

*  Misc. Embellishments of your choice

*   Scrap Ribbon for hangers - I used seam binding by ZipperStop, Hug Snug in Winter White

*  Scissor, Wire Cutters, Tweezers, Needle and Thread


*   Glues - Aleene's Tacky Glue, Hot Glue, and Elmer's School Glue

*  Rubber Stamp of your choice and ink of your choice

CHRISTMAS DANGLE ORNAMENT:
 Dangle Top:

*  Using craft punch, punch out 8 paper shapes - I used the Fiskars scallop oval punch
 *  Ink front and back edges of punch outs, stack 6 of them together and set 2 aside
*  Sew down the middle of the stack of six making sure to back stitch to lock thread ends, trim off excess thread ends, separate folded layers
 *  Run a thin bead of tacky glue down the sewn seam and place an eye pin in the glue with the eye extending past the end of the paper punch, repeat on the back seam and allow to dry. 
*  Starting with one seam side of your punch ornament place a very small dot of tacky glue on ends as shown below, making sure to leave middle of punch flaps unglued, press into place.  Flip over and do other seamed side.  Repeat with remaining flaps, you should end up with six sections when you are done
 *  Once dry, use a tweezer to  open up center section of glued flaps, add a dab of tacky glue and glue bead of your choice into the center of the flap, repeat with remaining 5 sections and allow to dry.
 *  Brush each section between beaded flaps with Elmer's glue and sprinkle with glitter, shake off excess, allow to dry.  Once dry add a jump ring to each eye pin.
Dangle Center:

*  Rubber stamp one side of each of the two extra punches  
*  Place glue on unstamped side and  2 head pins with an eye showing past the edge of the punch on opposite ends, sandwich with other extra punch making sure stamped side is out and press into place, allow to dry
*  Embellish and glitter both sides as desired - I used mini craft mirrors, beads, and shabby mini muslin roses (Rose tutorial below)
*  Wire and bead between each completed section, add ribbon to top jump ring to hang ornament
 Shabby Muslin Rosette:

*  Tear a 1/2 inch strip of muslin or fabric of your choice
*  Tie a small knot on one end of strip
*  Fold tail to back of knot and tack in place using a needle and thread
*  Twist tail end of fabric strip and begin to wind around knot, tacking with needle and thread as you go

 *  Continue until you get a diameter of about 1 inch, clip off excess fabric strip leaving a 1/4 inch tail.  tack tail to back of rosette, knot thread and clip
*  Embellish as desired.

Want a more simple version?  Leave off the top dangle as shown below:
 BUTTONCICLE 2.0 Version:

Want a super quick and easy dangle, why not bring back the Buttoncicle, full tutorial found HERE, add a few more beads on top and the center section of the dangle as described above!

JOY BANNER DANGLES:
*  Use two different craft punches, punch out 2 shapes from each punch
*  Rubber stamp a design on one side of each punch out and ink edges
 *  Add eye pins as described above adding jump rings
 *  Tear strips of fabric and glue onto top banner piece, stamp or write the word "JOY" on the top piece of fabric
 *   Wire and Bead, Glitter and Embellish as desired, add ribbon hanger
 In the next post I will show you how to make a beautiful Paper Fringe and Flower Lighted Garland for your tree!

Merry Christmas Crafting!

I am linking up with Funky Junky Interiors

Blessings,
Sandy

Monday, November 28, 2011

YUM! LEFTOVERS OF THE CRAFTY TYPE...

 I trust that all of you who celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday are sufficiently stuffed with turkey and all the trimming and still enjoying the leftovers.  I have been feasting on studio leftovers these past few days and have come up with some simple recipes for easy holiday crafting using up the tidbits from previous projects.
One of the things I do when I am working on a project is to keep a "leftover" bowl near where I am working.  This is where I deposit snipped string, paper or fabric trimmings, ends of ribbon or lace, the odd stray embellishment that I pulled out and was just not quite right for what I was working on, etc.  This is a great place to snag that perfect morsel for embellishing or finishing off a project or to create tags with.  I decided to give myself a challenge and see what I could make using what was in my leftover bowl.
With Christmas just around the corner I thought holiday themed items would make for tasty crafting.  Meager fare but it worked!

CHRISTMAS TREE TAG TUTORIAL:
(Please feel free to save or print this tutorial for your personal use)

MATERIALS:

*  2 inch by 2 inch paper squares, you will need three squares per tree
(I used vintage sheet music, if using vintage paper make sure it is not brittle)
*  Scotch Tape
*  Craft Glue - (I used Aleene's Tacky Glue)
*  Scissors - Regular straight edge and Pinking Shears
*  Chenille Stem
*  Glitter - (I used Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter)
*  Rubber Stamp of your choice
*  Brown Ink or color of your choice
*  Standard Size Shipping Tag
*  Muslin - Torn slightly larger than your shipping tag
*  Scrap Fabric and Lace
*  Misc. Embellishments of your choice

TREE INSTRUCTIONS:

*  Trim paper of your choice into 2 inch by 2 inch squares, three per tree.  A scrapbooking paper trimmer makes this job quick and easy.  Some paper suggestions are sheet music, book pages, wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, even wallpaper.
*  Lay your paper squares in a diamond shape and fold the left corner of your diamond to the center and crease, repeat with the right side, with a pinking shear, trim off excess edge making sure to trim a bit of the front edge off also as shown below:
*  Open up triangles and lay flat, rubber stamp with your choice of stamp and ink.  I used a swirly design and brown ink.
 *  Secure the back of each triangle with a small piece of Scotch Tape.
*  Using the same ink as you stamped your design in, ink all the outside edges of each triangle.
*  Using craft glue cover the front and back tip of one triangle with glue, insert into cone end of another triangle leaving about 1/4 of an inch showing below the first cone, press to secure, repeat with the third cone.  Insert Chenille Stem into bottom cone until it touches the top tip, determine the length of "trunk you want showing and clip with a wire cutter, remove, cover one end with craft glue, reinsert and allow tree to dry.
 *  Embellish and/or glitter tree as you desire.  I covered my tree with Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter and glued a small pearl on the tree top.

TAG INSTRUCTIONS:

*  Tear muslin into rectangles slightly larger than your shipping tag.
*  Lay strips of torn fabric or scrap laces across your muslin backing.  I chose to place mine horizontally but you can also do this vertically or in a random pattern.    You have three options for adhering your fabric strips to your backing:
   *  Use and iron on adhesive following the manufacturers instructions - This is the method I chose to use:
   *  Use a clear drying craft or fabric glue such as Fabri-Tac or Aleene's Tacky Glue
   *  Use a sewing machine to sew them on
Once you have secured your fabric and lace to the backing you are ready to assemble the tag.

TAG ASSEMBLY:

*  Optional Step:  If you are going to do any inking, dyeing, stamping, or embossing to your shipping tag or want to add any kind of decorative paper to the back side, or if using this as a card inscribe your message,  do this before assembly begins.

I inked the edges of my shipping tag, stamped and signed it, then ran it through my Cuttlebug with an embossing folder before assembly.  I also did a simple sewing machine zigzag stitch around the edge of my fabric base:
 *  If you are going to replace the string that comes on the tag with another fiber or ribbon do so now.

*  Using a craft glue, glue fabric backing to front of your shipping tag.
*  Using a craft glue, glue tree in place.
*  Further embellish and trim as desired.  I added a little Christmas message, buttons, a paper ruffle, and a tad of lace.  (Please note you are looking at a wet tag below so you will see some glue spots but they will dry clear, I forgot to have a completed sample to show you!)
These make wonderful gift tags to top your gifts, tree ornaments, or even Christmas cards, just write your Christmas greetings on the back of the tag. 

I hope you are not tired of leftovers because over the next couple of posts I will have more scrappy appetizers to whet your holiday appetite!

I am linking to Funky Junky Interiors
 Have a wonderful day!


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