Days 11 and 12

Today is the last day of our 12 Days of Christmas gift exchange! I'm sorry it's over as it's been such fun unwrapping and savoring each little handmade work of art each day. 

I did not post yesterday's gift as we were enroute to Chicago for Christmas.  But this is the beautiful mini 

art quilt I received from Virginia.  The backing is batting and the transferred image is mounted on several cotton fabrics.  Very sweet!

 

And today's (and final) gift is the darling little decorated box from Yooper from Florida.  Yooper was also the organizer of this event - thanks so much Yooper for a wonderful 12 days! 

Surprise - inside the little matchbox were the original matches!  Have you ever seen a prettier box of matches? Every square inch is decorated.

I will not be posting again until next week.  We are spending the holidays in Chicago with all our children and two sons-in-law.  I will leave you with this beautiful image from Magic Moonlight Free Images and wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

See you next week!

Day 10

Tre sent this lovely necklace for Day 10 of the 12 Days of Christmas online gift exchange.  It looks like a soldered slide, but it isn't! It's very lightweight and I'm wondering if it is an acrylic piece or maybe a thin, wooden domino?  I hope she will share how it was made.  This is the front - the tree is stamped and embossed and the background looks like alcohol ink. Very pretty! Thank you Tre!

Day 9

My assigned day was #9 so everyone in the group will open my gift today.  I made paper mache ornaments using embossed art metal from Ten Seconds Studio.

Here you can see all eleven ready to package and mail.

And here is a closeup of one.

These are very simple to make.  First you need to make a pattern of each section of the ornament (I laid lightweight copy paper over the ornament and pressed to find the edges of the section.  Then that was cut out and used as a template for cutting the metal pieces.)

Since the ornament is six-sided and I used both green and gold metal, each ornament needed three gold and three green pieces.  These were then embossed in the Cuttlebug, sanded and adhered to the ornament with tacky tape.  After all pieces were attached, I used a decorative metal wheel to finish the edges and tied a bow to the top.

I hope everyone will like these!

Day 8

This darling banner was the gift I opened today from Renee in CA.  It's so sweet and not humongous so it can be tucked into several small places.  I really love that font.

Tomorrow the group will open my gift and I will then be able to share it here.

Day 7

 Today's gift came from Joan in Washington.  It's a cute little booklet made to hold ATCs (artist trading cards).  The pockets inside are security envelopes!  What a clever book - so useful, too, for showing off some special ATCs.

I am amazed at how different each gift is and there isn't a duplicate in the bunch!

Days 5 and 6

Yesterday was Day 5 of the online Christmas gifties swap and I received this gorgeous necklace from Gloria H.  I love the different size chains, the beads and the metal pendant. Not sure how this was made but it is so pretty!

Jeri, our coordinator and list mom of the online group, was assigned to Day 6, but health issues and recent surgery prevented her from participating.  An unknown "angel" from the group stepped forward and fulfilled her gift commitment to each of us with this beautiful notepad and pen set.  The notepad opens like a gatefold card in the center to reveal the pad below. I love the addition of the tags to the front, hanging over the center.  And the pen is totally encrusted with tiny beads - so beautiful! Thank you to whoever you are!

We're now halfway through - only six more days!

Days 3 and 4

Two more days of swap gifts opened.  This package included seven handmade postcards using digitally altered photographs from Brenda, a fellow Texan.  These are gorgeous photographs and I love how she added appropriate sentiments!

Today's gift was yummy M&Ms presented in this beautiful painted box covered with little paper poinsettias and the cutest little cardinal. Can you see him perched on the top?  Thank you Dee - I LOVE it and the candy is already gone. Yum.

Day 2

Today's gift came from Barbara in Oregon.  The angel ornament was hidden inside the altered Altoid tin which had been torched by a welder to make it look really old and rusty! 

 Here's a closeup of the adorable angel. Can you believe it's made out of a wine cork?  There's glitter and gold leaf on it - a wonderful addition to my Christmas tree!

12 Days of Christmas Begins

Today is the start of a 12 Days of Christmas swap I joined on my online group (AAWA).  I am part of a group of 12 - we were each assigned a number between 1 and 12 to correspond with the day our gift is opened.  Mine was #9 so my gift will be opened on the ninth day (or Dec. 20 since we started on the 12th).  I can't reveal the gifts I made, but here they were a week ago, ready to go postal all over the country.

 And these are the gifts I received, ready to be opened a day at a time. Don't they look cute - it's hard to resist opening them all at once!

#1 gift was presented in such a darling way by Annette, a fellow Texan.  She altered this Altoid tin complete with a ribbon handle.

 And look what is nestled so sweetly inside - an absolutely adorable tiny "snowman in a bottle."  The cotton looks like snow and inside the little bottle are tiny white beads.

Precious!  Many thanks to Annette for Day 1!

Can't wait to open #2...

New Vintage Art class

Next week I will be teaching my latest specialty workshop at The Little Blue House called "Christmas Magic Trinket Tins." The class will be given at two different times: Wed. 6:30-9:30 pm and Fri. 10 am-1 pm.

Come join me in this technique-filled workshop and create this darling altered muffin tin wall-hanging. Each compartment is magically transformed into a tiny shadowbox filled with trinkets and artful treasures. Pictures don't do it justice so stop by The Little Blue House to see it in person! You can also call the store to sign up for class.  But hurry, there are limited seats available.

I hope to see you there!

Little Somethings Workshops

Our workshops this weekend were so successful! We had about 100 women attend one of the five 3-hr. sessions and we taught a total of nine (yes 9!) projects fifteen (yes 15!) times!  It was a blast and we will definitely be making this an annual holiday event at The Little Blue House.

Here are all Santa's helpers between sessions.  We were starting to get a bit tired. From left, me, Lolly, Elaine, Santa, Tracy, Kristyn and Rhonda.

Everyone made this gift bag first so all the other goodies could be carried from room to room as they worked.  Love that glittery paper, especially since it die cuts and embosses really well!

 In the "Rudolph Wrap it Up Room" everyone decorated this cute coffee break tin from Maya Road, a little monogramed notebook for all those holiday lists and a darling organza gift bag using PK Glitz glitter and Wonder Film die cuts.

In Santa's Workshop, cute little penguin treat holders were made - lots of punches were used for this little guy.  And these precious stockings hold a gift card.  We also made adorable little snowmen pins but somehow there isn't a photo of them...

In Mrs. Claus's Kitchen everyone made these great rustic cookie/popcorn/treats sacks from regular kraft lunch sacks.  The bread "belly bands" can be adjusted to fit any size loaf and are made simply with waxed paper, cardstock and pretty patterned paper circles.

 To top it off, Santa made an appearance and was quite the popular fellow as he was in charge of distributing the fabulous goodie bags filled with wonderful products from our many sponsors.  As I said, a good time was had by all!

I'm a Ginger Gem this week!

I just found out that I am one of 7 chosen from the submissions to a recent Gingersnap Creations blog challenge!  The challenge was "Haute Couture."  Read more about it here: http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2010/11/wrap-up-gc77-haute-couture.html

A photo of my project appears on a slide show on their side bar!  This was my first submission to a challenge - they made my day!!

Holiday Classes

I thought I'd share a few of the holiday class projects I created for The Little Blue House.  You can go to the blog to see the entire project lineup and sign up for classes.


First up is a reversible Christmas/Winter banner.  One side uses Fancy Pants holiday papers with small felt stockings between each pennant.  The other side has Bo Bunny winter papers and darling little white batting mittens.  Each pennant has a clear pocket for slipping in photos.

Next is the Folded Tree Canvas, back by popular demand but in different papers.  These are from the gorgeous Graphic 45 holiday line.

Here is the Holiday Wreath which is approximately 20" in diameter.  It's hard to see the detail in this photo, but the projects were already hung when pictures were taken.

This is another vintage tray hanging, similar to the Halloween-themed one I did for the fall classes.  I think I like this one even better than the other!  Love, love, love the Girls' Paperie line of papers.

Published!

The One Pretty Thing website is publishing four of the Little Blue House ornaments!  And one of them is mine - the little snowman hat!  Check it out here.  Mine is the second one, along with Kristyn's, Tracy's and Lolly's.  YEAH!

Little Somethings

1ST ANNUAL LBH LITTLE SOMETHINGS HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS!

Enjoy a Creative Christmas this year! Make plans to join us for the LBH Little Somethings Holiday Workshops! You will create 5+ projects and receive a very Merry Goodie Bag! Cost is $25 a person. You may want to bring your camera with you...Santa may be stopping by!Here are the dates & times: 

Fri. 12/3 10a-1p & 2p-5p 

Sat. 12/4 10a-1p & 2p-5p 

Sun. 12/5 2p-5p 

All you need to bring is one pair of scissors and your Christmas Spirit! We will provide everything else. Please contact the LBH to reserve your spot today at (817) 431-7930...they are filling up fast! 

Here's a sneak peek at one of the projects!

Day 12 - Final Ornament

Yesterday was the final day for the Little Blue House 12 Days of Ornament Extravaganza.  For the last day, Elaine made a three-dimensional tree topper out of Ten Seconds Studio art metal. Isn't it beautiful?

The directions on how to make this for your own tree is on our blog HERE.  While you're there, leave a comment - you might just be the lucky winner of this gorgeous ornament/topper.

It has been so much fun creating these ornaments and sharing them with our blog readers. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

Check out our blog for our next grand adventure coming next weekend: The Little Blue House First Annual Little Somethings Holiday Workshops, Dec. 3, 4 and 5.  Here's the info:

"Little Somethings" Holiday  Workshops!

Enjoy a Creative Christmas this year! Make plans to join us for the LBH Little Somethings Holiday Workshops! You will create 5+ Little Something projects and receive a very Merry Goodie Bag! Cost is $25 a person. You may want to bring your camera with you...Santa will be stopping by!  Here are the dates & times: Fri. 12/3 10a-1p & 2p-5p  Sat. 12/4 10a-1p & 2p-5p  Sun. 12/5 2p-5p All you need to bring is one pair of scissors and your Christmas Spirit! We will provide everything else. Please contact the LBH to reserve your spot at (817) 431-7930... limited seating - they are filling up fast! Introducing our "Little Something" Corporate Sponsors: Bella Blvd Bazzill Helmar Plaid Pink Paislee Maya Road Crafty Secrets P K Glitz Crate Paper The Little Blue House Each person attending this magical event will receive a "Little Something" from our corporate sponsors!...Sure hope you've been nice this year (and not naughty) because Santa will be passing out these wonderful goodie bags to you!  Come join us! I promise you will  have a holly jolly good time!

Day 11

Next-to-last day of ornaments from The Little Blue House!  Today's ornament was created by Trisha who is our soldering teacher and soldering queen! If it doesn't move, she will try to solder it.

She used a test tube, domino, art metal and ribbon and lace to make this darling and unique ornament.  An added bonus is you can use the tube to present a tiny gift or candies.  Check out the complete tutorial on the LBH blog (see link above) and comment on the post for a chance to win this ornament.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Day 10 Ornament

How cute is this little mini-canvas ornament made by Rhonda?  I love the crackle paint background she used.  Her complete tutorial is on the Little Blue House blog here.  You can't see the hanger, but it's made with wire attached to two upholstery tacks on the top of the canvas frame and the curled wire ends add a whimsical touch.  Be sure to leave a comment there - you might win this little canvas!

Only two more days of ornaments!  Keep checking the blog daily so you won't miss a one.  Have you been making some of your own?  If so, you'll have a headstart on your tree decorations this year.

Days 8 and 9

I have two ornaments to share today!  Here is the lovely "paper quilted" ornament Tracy shared on The Little Blue House blog yesterday for Day 8 of the Ornament Extravaganza.  She used a circle paper mache ornament as the base and added gorgeous Graphic 45 Christmas papers.  The center is a darling paper rosette.

Below is the tag ornament I made for today, Day 9.  I started with a plain manilla shipping tag and covered the front with embossed Ten Seconds Studio Poison Ivy art metal.  The back is covered with a beautiful print from the Father Christmas line of Pink Paislee. The vintage image is also from one of the papers of that line.  The stamp sentiment is from a Girls Paperie Tinsel and Twig clear stamp set and both velvet ribbons are from Maya Road.

Check out the complete instructions on the Little Blue House blog here and leave a comment.  You just might win this lovely tag!

Haute Couture

I love reading challenge blogs and seeing the submissions, but I never seem to get around to creating a project to submit myself.  This month over at Gingersnap Creations, one of the challenges is "Haute Couture" and I immediately thought of this double-page "tip-in" spread I made for a collaborative altered book with an online group.  The theme for the book was "Paris" and I was assigned the pages for haute couture/fashion.

These pages are a combination of collage, stamping, fabric,  vintage lace, ribbons, pearls, scrapbook papers, a sewing pattern tissue flower and even a little garter hook embellishing an Internet image.  It was a fun project to create and I love the colors and mix of textures.

So, for the first time ever, I am submitting this project for the Gingersnap Creations November challenge.  Check out more information on this challenge as well as the many other challenges on the Gingersnap Creations blog HERE.

Day 7 - Felt, paper and fabric, oh my!

How cute is the latest Little Blue House ornament, made by Lolly!

She used the Sizzix Tim Holtz scalloped border die as well as the Sizzix ornament die.  Both can be ordered from the LBH as we are now an authorized Sizzix order center!  Check out today's post HERE for the complete tutorial to make this adorable ornament.  And be sure to comment so you will have a chance to win this cutie.

We're halfway there!

This is day 6 of The Little Blue House 12 Days of Ornaments.  Elaine made this adorable ornament.

This is made with three scalloped circles of Girls' Paperie Tinsel and Twig paper - beautiful!  Check out the LBH blog for instructions and more photos.  There's also a version made with plain circles.  This would make a cute placeholder for your holiday table and the recipient could take home a sweet little favor.

Are you following along on the blog?  There's still six more ornaments to come.

Another LBH Ornament

Look at this beautiful ornament that was made by Rhonda over at The Little Blue House.

She used another of the "naked" paper mache ornaments that we carry and covered each section with coordinating papers from the Father Christmas line of Pink Paislee.  Check out more photos and a tutorial over on the LBH blog and leave a comment to win the ornament.

We're not quite halfway through our 12 Days of Christmas Ornament Extravaganza - still seven more fabulous ornaments to come and more chances to win one of these lovelies!

Day 4 Ornament

Kristyn posted her adorable snowflake ornament on the Little Blue House blog today.  Isn't it precious?

You can read the complete instructions HERE.  There's also a photo of the other side where she centered a photo - a great idea for personalizing the ornament and making it double-sided at the same time!

And congratulations to Jennifer who won my ornament from yesterday. She came by the LBH today to claim it and it made me feel good to see her excitement at winning!

Stay tuned for more ornaments - we'll be posting one a day until Thanksgiving. Be sure to visit the LBH blog, leave a comment and you might win your own handmade ornament.

Day 3 of the 12 Days of Ornament Extravaganza

Today is my turn for posting an ornament for the 12 Days of Ornament Extravaganza at The Little Blue House.   I made this cute little snowman hat ornament.  I used an empty ribbon spool, covered it with black felt and added some beautiful scalloped velvet ribbon, a handmade doily and a tiny paper poinsettia (all available at the LBH of course!).  It could also be made from scratch using chipboard.

Check out the full tutorial on the LBH blog and be sure to comment.  One lucky person will win one of the two ornaments I made!  Are you feeling lucky?  While you're there, be sure to look at the past two posts for two more great ornament ideas and check in daily from now til Thanksgiving for the remaining ornaments.