Snowflake Topiary

(This pic was taken at my friends house, she keeps her winter decor stored in the attic where the temps always fluctuate, so the paint peeled.  If I learn a way to keep this from happening, I let you know.)

This is a centerpiece, I made for a Women's  Brunch.  I found the idea for it in a Gooseberry Christmas Book.  Our brunch took place in January, so we had a "Snow Brunch" instead of a Christmas Tea.  They are easy to make, just time consuming.

Snowflake Topiary

* Stiff felt (or make your own like I did with felt and fabric stiffener)

*Fabric Stiffener (if making your own)

* Glitter glue (I used an opalescent glitter glue)

* Snowflake Pattern (found mine in a craft book)

* Tacky glue or other craft glue

* Dowel Rods (I used about 1/4")

* Terra cotta pot, various sizes (I used 2", 3", 4")

* White and blue paint

* Sealer

* A silver metallic paint pen

* Plaster of paris

* Ribbon

* Sequins or buttons

* Fake snow or Textured Snow paint

*  Glue gun and glue sticks

Paint the base of the pots with several coats of white paint and paint the rims blue.  After they are dry,  write "Let", "It", "Snow", on each pot, one word per pot.  Then seal the pots with an acrylic sealer.  (This may cause some yellowing of the white paint.)  I'm sure there is better sealers now, but at the time I did not know.  Then  stiffen the  felt with fabric stiffener or use stiffened felt (available at most craft stores) and when dry, trace out the snowflakes onto the felt using a pattern. (I found mine in a craft book.)  Cut out the snowflakes, and then cover them in glitter glue to add sparkle.  (This also helps to stiffen the felt even more.)  Paint the dowel rods white.  Then cut the dowel rods at different heights and glue the snowflakes to the top. (I lined up one of the arms of the snowflake with the dowel rod.) Following product instruction, mix, and fill a clay pot with plaster of paris, then insert the dowel rod into it, holding it til it sets.   Repeat for other two pots.  When hardened, paint with white paint.  Then cover with textured snow paint.  Or spread glue over paint and sprinkle fake snow over it, or use a glue gun to add fake snow.  (I did have a little trouble with the fake snow sticking well, so a glue gun might be better.)  Tie a bow out of ribbon and hot glue it just under each snowflake.  Glue a Snowflake sequin or button to the middle of each snowflake, on each side.  (This helps cover up dowel on the back.)         

Here is a close up shot.

 

These were my first ones.  The paint is yellow from the acrylic sealer.  So before sealing I recommend to test it first or find a sealer that does not yellow.  Or forget the sealer if you want a flat , no shine, paint. Or use an outdoor acrylic paint.

 

My Craft Show Purchases

These are the items I bought at the craft show this year.  I saw a lot more things I would have loved to have purchased, but as money is a bit tight this year, I stuck to only using the cash I brought with me.

1.) First pic is of Crayon Bags for two young friends.  Included was a pad of paper, a pencil, a box of 24 crayons, a small toy. $6.00ea.

2.) A Gingerbread Doll. Perfect for my kitchen!    

3.) A pincushion glued on a crystal candlestick. $8.00

4.) Clay Sewing Angel.

5.) A Clay Snow Girl  (Different Artist). I try to collect one from her every year. 

6.) Snowman block (Made from a 2x4), 2, Square snowman head ornies (diff. sizes), Square snowman ornie, Spool snowman ornie. (I like to collect from this artist every year also. 

7.) A small 2-drawer box, 2 ceramic snowflake ornies, painted spindle ornies, santa key, Ginger bread ornie, 3-face circle snowman ornie.

Close-ups.

These bags are about 4"x6" or 4"x8".  Cost was 50 cents ea.  Perfect size for giving or keeping ornaments in.

These are ornament hangers. 75 cents each or 2 @ 75 cents for smaller size.  Made with a thin piece of rusted wire or twisted wire and then a little accent.

These are battery operated candles, dipped in wax, sprinkled with cinnamon.  Candle sticks were $5.50 each  and tea light was $2.25.

So these are what I purchased at the craft show this year.  I think this may be the last show for this year.  I try to catch all of them during the season, but this year I missed most of them.  I hope they can inspire you to make something cool.

                                                                        

Bazaar Tonight!

Tonight is the first day of the largest craft bazaar of the year for our town, here in NE Wyoming.  So I'll be heading their as soon as we eat dinner and my husband goes to work, he's on night shift this weekend.  I'll  let you know if I find anything good.  Last year was a bit of a let down with a few exceptions.  I saw a lot  of framed art work prints.  This is supposed to be a hand-crafted, and juryed show or so I thought.  I also saw tons of jewelery makers.   Too much competition if you ask me.  But on a brighter note, one clay artist came back after about a 5 year absence.  Yeah!  I used to by ornaments from her every year to hang on my own tree and to give as gifts.  I hope she is here again this year.  So, everyone have a goodnight, and I'll let you know what I see! 

Blog Candy

I know it's been awhile since I've posted anything again, but as is this time of year, I'm pretty busy.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at our friends house along with  my in-laws.  Dinner was wonderful!!!

Anyway, I thought I would check on my blog, when I decided to look at some of the blogs I follow (see profile for complete listing).  My friend Christina first introduced me to Pink Cloud * Scrappers , who is giving away some blog candy this month!  There are only a couple of days left so sign up quick.  She also has lots of awesome creative ideas on card making and scrapbooking. Enjoy!!!

What I've Been Up To

Sorry I haven't posted in 2 weeks!!!  I've been really busy.  I've been getting together with friends and crafting!  I love it.  I've never gotten together with friends and made stuff as often as I have in the last two months.  I think it has to be this stamping bug I've had.  Stamping is something even the most uncreative person can do with out much effort and still have great results.  Last Friday I got together with my friend Christina and we just played with our stamps.  I didn't finish my card 'til Sunday night.  Then on Saturday I got together with two other friends, Rebecca and Jessica, and we made some Tile Coasters for gifts.  The Saturday before the women at my church got together for a Salad Luncheon and to make a  Christmas card.  Christina presented the project and showed her Close to My Heart stamp sets and accessories.  I helped out.  It was really nice not to have had to prepare everything myself as I usually end up doing for such get-together's.   I had gotten together with Christina about a week and a half earlier to make sample's for the women to imitate.  Then on Friday, I helped her make sure she didn't forget to bring anything for her presentation.  Unfortunately she became sick that weekend, but pulled everything off and hid it well.  Everyone had a great time!  I want to do it again soon!  The pics are of our women's event at church (even some kids came!) and of two versions of the cards.  Christina's is first, mine is the second one.  It was neat to see some people put there own twist on the cards and not follow the example.  Enjoy!!!     

Angel Card

On Wednesday I got together with my MIL and a friend at my MIL's house to play with our paper and stamping supplies.  This is what I came up with using a stamp set my MIL won at a Card Crop.  The stamps are from Close To My Heart.  I colored the images with chalk, using a very handy chalk eraser to help fix over coloring on the small details.  I used tiny pom poms to get into the small areas.  I also inked around every piece of paper with a brown ink.There is no sentiment on the inside yet, but I may leave it blank to use as a any occasion card.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Cards

This first picture is of a card I found on Ebay. I was looking for ideas for handmade cards. On the inside of the card it had a smaller pumpkin and a flower and said "Thank You". When I saw the thank you I just knew I had to make them for the women and for my in-laws who made meals for my husband and I, (or had us over for a meal or two) after I had my gall bladder removed in early September. So the next pics are of my version and my MIL's version. I made my pumpkin with an oval punch I had. The smaller pumpkin I made using my cat eye inks as a template and tracing around it. I also have on hand a stamp-around wheel stamp from Stampin' Up that I used to make the lines on my pumpkin colored paper. I punched out two of my flowers and the third was a purchased flower. My MIL used papers she already had on hand (checkered paper) and then added some sunflower stickers and some silk flowers. She'll be giving hers out as thanksgiving cards and encouragement cards. I just love how we can see the same idea and put our own spin on it. I apologize to the original creator of this card as I do not know who you are. If you see this, please let me know so I can give you full credit. I tried to find the card again on ebay, just two days after I saw it, but it must have already sold, so I could not get any info on it. Most everyone who received one, has displayed it somewhere in their home cuz it makes such a nice decorative piece. I should try and make one for myself as a decor item also, but for now I have too many other things to do. Thanks and enjoy!!!