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.

Holiday Sentiments Wire and Crystal Ornament Video Tutorial for Jewel School!

Okee dokee...take two! The video is playing now and all is well! Follow this link to see my latest video tutorial for JTV's Jewel School! I share a fab Artistic Wire and SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Holiday Sentiments ornament, see the Joy ornament above. This is really easy to customize using any words or names you like. You can use thicker wire or larger beads, whatever tickles your fancy, Fancy.

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

Cheers,
Madge

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

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to you and yours! Hope you have a ball! Tee hee.

Love,
Madge (and the incomparable Brini and Mary Ellen!)

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. (You can watch part of the video here!) 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.)

Retrofabulous Christmas Craftabration Project #2! Perky Pixie Ornament!

Retrofabulous Christmas Craftabration Project #2: Perky Pixie Ornament
Copyright Margot Potter 2009

Copyright McCall's Magazine circa 1960s
Copyright Margot Potter 2009

(Click on images to view close up)

Today’s retrofabulosity is courtesy of McCall’s Christmas Make-It Ideas Vol. VIII which is curiously lacking a publishing date. Based on the hair styles and the kitschy crafty deliciousness inside, it appears to be sometime in the late 1960s. There is so much good stuff in this one magazine; I could mine it for inspiration for years to come. Yay! Today’s retrofabulous project is a jaunty little elf made from beads, buttons and tinsel pipe cleaners. Their charming versions are made from lovely felt, pipe cleaners and Styrofoam balls covered with nylon stockings...love them. I’m particularly smitten with the tiny antennae...

I decided to try using beads and bits from my studio. I do love felt so, but I wanted to give it a new spin. I scored these painted wooden face beads in Manhattan, but I’m quite sure you can find similar beads online or at your local craft chains. If not, paint a plain wooden bead yourself, this is a fairly simple series of circles and lines! I would totally sport this as a necklace...seriously. It's that cute! So it falls into the 'ornapendant' category I created last year for sure!

Retrofabulous Perky Pixie Ornament
Copyright 2009 Margot Potter

Materials
30mm wooden face bead (or plain wooden bead you decorate)
1.5” white plastic button
25mm white plastic bead
10mm frosted red Lucite bead (Plaid Fresh)
2 10mm olivine moonglow vintage Lucite beads
7 9mm red moonglow vintage side drilled button Lucite beads
2 19mm olivine Lucite leaves
1 30mm dark olive 3 petal Lucite flower (40mm widest side to side of petals)
2 20mm red vintage (or new) buttons
26 gauge Beadalon German style wire
18 gauge Beadalon Artistic Wire Tinned Copper

Silver tinsel wire

1. Thread a 10” 26 gauge wire over bent in half over the center of a tinsel pipe cleaner.

2. Thread 26 gauge wire into a Lucite flower bead, a white plastic bead, a face bead and into a big button and a final bead. Wrap wire flush to the back and around the bottom of the final bead using pliers to twist and secure. Cut off excess and tuck wire tail into itself.

3. Thread a wire with a red bead and two Lucite leaves. Wrap around the neck area of base. Twist ends, cut off excess and tuck wire into itself.

4. Cut off a 5” segment of tinsel pipe cleaner. Thread a bead on each end and loop wire end with round nose pliers to secure bead. Wrap center of beaded pipe cleaners around neck of base, these are your arms.

5. Thread 6 8mm beads on a 4” section of 26 gauge wire. Wrap wire around waist of base. Use pliers to twist wire, cut off excess and tuck tail under.

6. Thread ends of bottom tinsel into buttons, use pliers to pull wire. Wrap tinsel around itself. These are your legs.

7. Add a wire hook to the top of your ornament and enjoy! (These make fabulous package toppers!)


NOTE:
The vintage Lucite beads were given to me by The Beadin’ Path for use in my design work, the other materials were purchased by me.

Victorian Snow Day Mixed Media Canvas by Margot Potter for iLoveToCreate Teen

(Click on images to view close up)

Victorian Snow Day Mixed Media Canvas
Recycled Teen Craft Idea
Margot Potter for iLoveToCreate Teen
Copyright 2009
'Mom crafted, kid approved!'

I love little canvases, not just for paintings but also for setting off a variety of mixed media art projects. This is one of those “use what you’ve got” ideas. I happen to have a generous stash of old bits and baubles around my studio, but this idea works equally as well with last year’s Christmas card and the trims and broken jewelry bits from your own drawers (or if you’re a teen, ask your mom for some stuff to use here.) If you like this vintage inspired look, you can find Victorian era postcards and old jewelry on eBay and if you don’t care about the condition (which I mostly don’t because I’m using them for my artwork) they can come very affordably. Dover Books has a huge selection of permission free images from this time period. If vintage isn’t your thing, adapt the idea to a more modern style.

I rummaged around my studio drawers for things to adhere to the edges. I had some faded old lace from an Estate Sale, broken rhinestone jewelry, old buttons and a vintage stash of Rick Rack trim. I love this silver, white and red color palette, but you can switch it up however you like. The idea in everything I do is to inspire you to be creative and make it your own. Inspiring you to ‘create without filters™’ is what I’m all about. What a fun project for Mom and teen to work on together and these make absolutely lovely gifts.

Materials
Oval 8"x10" mini canvas
Printed permission free image scanned and sized to fit center of frame (mine was 4.5"x7")
Trim (I used red rick rack)
Accent items (buttons, old jewelry, ribbon...whatever you like)
Flourish stamp
Ranger paint dabber silver
Fabric fusion
Liquid fusion
Tulip dimensional paint silver
Tulip dimensional paint multi glitter
Tulip fashion ultra fine multi glitter

Tools
Scissors
Paper cutter
Sea sponge



1. Select an image for your canvas. If you need to scan and size it, do so, but remember that you can’t copy images that are protected by copyright like thinks in books or magazines. Copyright protection in the US is 100 years, so this Victorian era postcard image is officially permission free. Try Dover books for a great selection of permission free images. The image needs to fit the center of the canvas, so size accordingly.

2. Use a sea sponge to apply a layer of silver paint to the edges of the canvas leaving area where picture will go unpainted. Add a layer of glitter paint to canvas. Sprinkle a thin layer of glitter on top of paints and shake off excess. Allow to dry.

3. Dab the silver paint dabber on the flourish stamp to stamp around edges of frame.

4. Place Fabric fusion glue in four corners of your printed image and adhere carefully to canvas. Run a thin layer of Fabric fusion along the edges of your picture and add fabric trim. Cut off edges as you work to frame the picture.

5. Create a fabric bow and use Liquid Fusion to adhere a decorative element to it. Allow to dry. Glue bow to bottom right edge of frame.

6. Glue buttons to bottom left and top right edge of frame.

7. Glue a recycled jewelry accent to the top left edge of frame.

8. Allow to dry overnight.

Retrofabulous Mixed Media Holiday Necklace

(Click on image to view close up)

The fab folks at EK Success sent me some of their GORGEOUS holiday stamps from the Inkadinkado line to try out. Those of you who follow my work know that I can't stop using my flourish stamp from Inkadinkado and these holiday stamps are sure to become regulars in my work too. The detail on them is AMAZING.

I began by stamping the reindeer clear stamp using jet black archival ink on a nice heavy weight cardstock in a fuchsia pink. (You could use this same idea on tissue or lighter weight paper to make some stunning wrapping paper and then whip up tags with cardstock to match!) I punched out the 2" circles and added accents of silver paint dabber with my favorite flourish and a writing stamp. I like to use stamps as textural elements so I'm not going for neatness on the accent stamps. Let the paint dry before the next step. I painted on some of Traci Bautista's Collage Pauge in Sparkle (just the right amount of glitter) and let it dry and then painted a second coat. I used a paintbrush because I like texture, but you can use a foam brush if you prefer a more even coat. I stuck them back to back with two sided tape runner tape and punched a hole in the top of each one. Then I attached to some of my fav Beadalon Quick Links chain with an array of CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements bicones (EK Success Jolee's Jewels has a great selection) and vintage beads.

.
This is a one of a kind design, the black glass flower beads are vintage and a gift from a friend. I hand picked the striated pink beads from dusty bins of beads at the Paris Flea Market. Luckily I had two larger pink beads to make some swingy earrings.

I think this design definitely fits into my Retrofabulous Christmas craft theme with the pink, black and silver color palette and the swingy circle motif. Therefore it's officially named Retrofabulous Holiday Necklace.

And to think it all starting with one simply divine stamp...

I'm thinking of selling this confection in my Etsy Shoppe...I may need to wear it out first for a test run. But if you're looking for some truly unique vintage beads and findings and one of a kind Madgecentric mixed media creations you really should check my shop out. I'm hoping to get some more retrofabulous goodies in there soon!

xoxo
Madge

Retrofabulous Christmas Craftabration Project #1! Tiny Tinsel Wreath Pin!

Image Copyright 1967 Family Circle Christmas Helps Magazine
Copyright 2009 Margot Potter

I have been devouring the stash of 1960s vintage Christmas mags I scored on eBay recently. There are so many fabulous ideas and so many hilariously kitschy concepts I can’t stop staring at them and making my poor husband look too. OH MY GOD! Look at this one! Hahahah! Wait...look at this one! No, no...this one! Hahahaha! Insert husband eye roll here...

Here’s an ab fab project from a Family Circle publication called Christmas Helps circa 1967. There are a ton of great ideas on this two page mixed media jewelry spread and I promise to share them here soon. This delightful concoction is whipped up with pipe cleaners wrapped with yarn to make some marvelously mod jewelry. I did a more traditional Christmas themed take on the concept with a wired tinsel yarn, a vintage miniature wooden accent and some sparkly CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements. You can find tiny holiday themed items at your local craft store and any beads or buttons or sequins will work here. Liquid Fusion helps secure things together.

(I have a huge yarn stash with some wildly fun fibers. Think of all of the funky things you could make with a wire base wrapped with yarn! I’d love to do a big bib style necklace of connected yarn circles...which is exactly the sort of kooky thing I’d make and never be able to sell for publication. Am I the only gal who likes oversized kitschy jewelry?!)

Tiny Tinsel Wreath Pin
Free Retro Holiday Craft Project
Copyright Margot Potter the The Impatient Crafter™

Materials
Wired tinsel
Miniature holiday accent item (vintage or new)
Crystals, sequins, buttons or other tiny trim
26 gauge Beadalon German Style Wire
Small metal pin back
Liquid Fusion Glue

1. Create a 1.5” circle with your wired tinsel, wrapping one wire end around the end of the circle and continuing to wrap tinsel around the base until you’ve wrapped the entire base. Tuck the wire under after cutting off any excess.

2. Use 26 gauge German style wire to wrap crystals around the tinsel wreath, don’t overdo it or you lose the dimension of your tinsel. When you get to the bottom left side add some Liquid Fusion Glue and wire on your tiny accent element. Finish wrapping crystals and tuck wire into the base after clipping off excess.

3. Use tinsel wire to attach a pin back to the upper back of the wreath after adding some Liquid Fusion glue to secure it.

4. You can make several of these wreaths without the pin backs and do a jaunty necklace or add these to a barrette for a holiday hair accent...

iLoveToCreate Teen Recycled Christmas Cards

iLoveToCreate Recycled Christmas Cards
Teen Holiday Craft Project
Created by Margot Potter for iLoveToCreate
“Mom crafted, kid approved.”

It’s tough to throw pretty holiday cards away, but eventually our coffers get full. Rather than spend beaucoup bucks on new cards, why not upcycle some oldies but goodies? I have a collection of fun vintage cards, but many of them are already used. I love repurposing them in my design work. (You don’t have to use vintage cards, any used holiday cards will do.) You need cards with figural images you can frame with dimensional paint and then cut out in silhouette. It’s easy to give old cards new life with Tulip dimensional paints and glitters! Teens will love this project and it’s a great way to get them excited about upcycling and handmade holidays. Miss Avalon just loved this snowman.

Gather up dimensional paints and glitters and make an afternoon out of creating your own wonderful, heartfelt and handcrafted creations with your teen.

Materials
Used holiday cards with bold figural images
Heavy duty cardstock
Tulip Dimensional Fabric Paint in silver
Tulip Dimensional Fabric Paint with silver glitter
Tulip Fashion Glitter in White Pearl
Ranger Adirondack Pigment stamp pad in snow cap
Small clear snowflake stamp (I used a clear stamp from Inkadinado for EK Success)
Clear stamp base
Scissors
Bone Folder
Paper cutter
Ruler


1. Select a card with a figural image. Select areas you’d like to glitter and spread Tulip dimensional glitter paint thinly across areas with fingertips. Before it dries, sprinkle with Tulip Fashion glitter and shake off excess on scrap paper. Bend paper and dump any excess glitter back into jar.

2. Use Tulip dimensional fabric paint in silver to frame your image. I was envisioning a soldered effect here. Allow card to dry.

3. Cut out figure with scissors.

4. Use a ruler to measure a card background that fits your image with a little excess around the edges. Each card will be unique to the image you select. Cut with a paper cutter or scissors, fold in half and use a bone folder to get a clean crease on the edge of your card.

5. Stamp front of card with pigment pad and snowflake stamp in a repetitive pattern. Before the pigment dries sprinkle a layer of Tulip Fashion Glitter on and shake off on to scrap paper. Dump excess glitter back into jar. Allow to dry.

6. Use foam stickers to attach your image to the front of the card. Cut out and attach the sentiment from the original card inside of your creation.

BONUS IDEA: Take the image off of the foam stickers, punch holes on both sides at the top and add some tinsel wire and VOILA instant Christmas decoration!


Disclosure: Most of the materials used in this project were donated for use in my work.