Mini Ornaments

Last week I spent an afternoon making these fun, fast (and how adorable are they?!) mini ornaments. I had a box full of the little charms in different shapes and sizes that I got from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. They pair perfectly with so many of the stamps from my RubberMoon collection!

They're easy to make and assemble. I began by stamping whatever image I wanted on white cardstock. I decorated the images and cut the cardstock to fit the charms. I glued the cardstock to the base of the charm and then glued on the top piece of the charm.

Next, I made a puddle of glue on my craft mat and dipped the top of the charm in it and then dipped it in glitter. Just like frosting a donut and putting sprinkles on top! (Mmmm.... donuts....)

Finally, I added Diamond Glaze to the inside to make it look shiny and glass. One thing to note is that I used StazOn ink for the stamping and coloring. I did this because the Diamond Glaze will make water based inks run.

When everything was dry, I added a little bow and a string for danglin'. Ta Da! Christmas magic. I'll use these to decorate my tiny 18" tree or to add to packages for a little extra present.

Here they are up close (but keep in mind that the largest is only about 1 1/4 x 1 3/4").

Supply List

RubberMoon Stamps

Tiny Elf
Eluvphant
Plain Tree
New Moon
Sprinkles Cube

Other Supplies

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Wooden Charms
StazOn Ink
Stickles Glitter Glue
Glitter
Judkins Diamond Glaze
Ribbon
Silver Cord

Halloween Coasters

What do you do when you need a fast and easy handmade gift? You grab the 3" art squares from Inchie Arts and make a set of coasters!

These are ridiculously simple to make. Yes, they'll (hopefully) get used and abused and eventually tossed, but for an inexpensive gift that shows some craft-y effort, it's worth it. Not everything we artsy-craftsy people make is mean to be a timeless heirloom.

I began with the art square and stamped both the pumpkin and the sentiment using StazOn black ink. I used StazOn because it is a solvent based ink and won't run when wet cups and glasses are set on the coasters. I colored in the pumpkin using Sharpies - again, I chose those because they don't run when they get wet either.

To finish them off, I sponge-swiped StazOn Pumpkin (of course, what else?) colored ink around the edges. All told, the whole project took me about 15 minutes. Of course, the pumpkin bread I made to accompany them took a little bit longer, but some things can't be rushed. Plus, the house smelled great while I was crafting.

Where will your imagination take you? Happy crafting!

RubberMoon Products Used:
Art Squares from Inchie Arts
Happy Halloween
Blue Ribbon Pumpkin

Origami Gift Boxes by Martice Smith II

Hi! Martice here, reminding you: it's about that time, friends! The holidays are right around the corner and people are getting ready for gift-giving.

I've always loved a beautifully hand-made gift...who doesn't?! Especially when the gift comes from someone who cherishes YOU just as much as the gift they are giving.

Today, I'm sharing what's on my desk: Origami Gift Boxes!! These are super easy ("last-minute-gifts") to make and I love making them because each part is hand-crafted + I can embellish them however I want.



No two will ever be the same and as a bonus to me, folding paper can be a great stress reliever...especially around this time of year!



I folded several sheets of 12x12 inch scrapbook paper to create these one-of-a-kind origami gift boxes. Some are commercially printed sheets but I adore the gelli printed ones I created myself, so of course I had to use them too.

For the happy snowman box, I applied a string of silver Craft Twinkles Glitter Paint (DecoArt) along all four edges of the lid, after I did all the folding.



Black gesso, is now, one of my 'go-to' mediums when I'm working with anything that has glitter on it. The black gesso (DecoArt) dries to an opaque, matte finish and I love the smooth consistency. It's a perfect contrasting element to use with any glitter or sparkly sprays because it allows the glitter to take center stage and shine, shine, shine!

I sprayed White irRESISTible Colored Texture Spray and Sheer Shimmer Spritz in Sparkle (both from Imagine Crafts) on a piece of lightweight paper that I had dry brushed with black gesso. I was excited to learn that the irRESISTible Colored Texture Spray dries very quick AND has incredible texture!



This paper was used to line the insides of the origami gift boxes. How extravagant!

The box's base was made from collaged magazine pages and covered with tracing paper I painted Lipstick red. I like how the layering of these two papers interact with each other: the text gives a contemporary edge while the soft transparency of the tracing paper keeps it toned down yet allows some energy to still be present.

Another box is created from my stash of gelli prints. I added my graffiti script with a Micron brush pen.

The inside is lined with sparkly paper and commercial scrapbook paper.

Tags were made with recycled cardstock from product packaging. I used the Tags & Labels stencil (Americana Mixed Media), threaded mini jingle bells and glass berry beads on the embroidery floss for some festive charm.


To complete my Origami Gift Boxes, I stamped Snowmen w/ Scarf in Onyx Black onto the white tag. Look how much fun he's having in the snow! I love the snow and can't wait to jump in it myself!

Snowmen w/ Scarf stamp

 

 A smaller piece of the sparkly paper was folded to create a pull tab for the lid and glued on top of the embroidery floss.

I hope this project has encouraged you to present your gifts in a more personalized way.



Do you like gifting hand-made items to your friends and family?



Happy holidays!

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Products used:

RubberMoon Stamp: 
ge2747 - snowmen w/scarve

Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts:
White irRESISTible Colored Texture Spray, Sheer Shimmer Spritz - Sparkle, VersaFine Archival Instant Dry Pigment Ink - Onyx Black

DecoArt Products:
Black Gesso, Craft Twinkles Glitter Paint Writer, Bahama Blue
(Americana Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paints: Chartreuse & Lipstick)

Stencil:
Tags & Labels (Americana Mixed Media)

Other:
"Snowman Sam" and "Black & White Sketchy Ornate" 12x12 inch scrapbook paper (The Paper Studio), Selection of gelli printed papers, White cardstock, embroidery floss, glass berry beads