Felt Snowflake Ornaments

I wanted to share another quick and easy ornament for the tree.

It can also be used as a package topper.

I love to cut all the felt circles and then lay them next to my spot on the couch.  

I find the stitching relaxing while I am watching tv.

This little guy just uses some felt, stuffing, cotton crochet thread, and an old button.

Stitch the snowflake design on one circle.

Sew on the button.

Blanket stitch the two circles together.

Before completely closing the opening, add a little stuffing.

Then finish closing and tie off.

Add another loop of string to hang it.

You can do a bunch of the same design or do all different snowflakes.

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DIY Polka Dot Cards

I love polka dots.

They can be whimsical and fun.

They can be quiet and understated.

Today we are going with whimsical and fun.

Grab your paper scraps and some paper punches and let's get busy...

I bought some pretty cards that were nubby and polka-dotted on clearance.

I got out some glue, paper punches and rhinestones and had a blast.

I kept mine pretty plain but you could personalize them with birthday wishes or any other sentiment...

Any small punch will work...

What if you don't have polka dot cards?

No worries...

Make your own.

Use a one inch circle punch to punch out circles from scraps.

I eye-balled the placement but you could pencil in a grid if you like things precise.

Then use pop dots to add your shapes.

I used birds here...

  

And butterflies here.

I love these cards.

They are easy and fun.

I hope you try out  making some as well.

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Quick Winter Greeting Cards

I love making my own cards.

My designs are not usually complex.

I love simple and clean.

I wanted to share two cards that are perfect for this time of year.

Just simple winter greetings.

Start with your card base.

I usually just cut an 8 1/2 x 11 inch piece of card stock in half and fold it.

The bases I used here are prescored and a bit smaller.

I got them around 25 years ago at my favorite surplus store.

Does that make them vintage?

Next cut a piece of patterned paper the same size as the card.

Carefully rip out the bottom left corner.

Take out enough of a piece for your stamped greeting to show in its entirety. 

I like my tear to show the white under the design.

Glue the patterned paper to the front using your favorite adhesive.

Stamp your greeting.

I love Stazon inks. 

 They don't run if the card gets wet.

Punch a couple shapes using a paper punch.

Here I used a snowflake.

Glue on the centers.

I added a clear plastic half round on top.

You could do glitter, buttons, brads or anything else your heart desires.

This basic format can be used for any occasion.

You can make a couple dozen in an evening.

I still prefer a card in the mail to an email...

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Polymer Clay Ornaments

I love polymer clay.

It takes me back to playing with play doh when I was a kid.

I wanted to make some simple Christmas ornaments for our open house.

I took a trip to the craft store and got a few new cookie cutters and a big box of Sculpey Original clay.

I like how soft it is.

I rolled out the clay and cut a few shapes.

I used some letter stampers to add a few words.

Ok.  Here is where I had a glitch.

In the winter, sometimes my toaster oven singes things if it is very cold outside.

That happened here.

They are no longer the snowy white I wanted.

Some got quite singed.

Ouch!

So I thought I would add some crackle and paint.

Always follow the directions on the product.

I did not seal these first as instructed so the crackle could not slide around and crackle.

It did leave some subtle texture.

Next I used some DecoArt Chalky finish paint.

That stuff covers a lot of mishaps.

Once they were dry, I scuffed each one with a sanding block for a primitive look.

I love the way they turned out despite all the issues...

You can tell these have the subtle texture from the crackle glaze.

It left them just a little bumpy.

These would be really easy to do with kids.

And they would last longer than traditional salt dough ornaments.

I love that about Sculpey.

They don't get damp and moldy.

Mice and critters do not nibble on them in your attic.

They are durable and seldom break.

They look great!

I do love the way they turned out but they are not what I planned when I started the project.

That happens to me often....

Sigh...

I just roll with it.

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Linking up with these great blogs.