Double Sided Christmas Ornament

Designed by Susan Johnson

Inspired by Robin Beam

 Supplies:

                        Jumbo Double Sided Circle Pendant Trays™

                        Gluefoil™, Streuter Technologies, streuter.com

                        Gluefilm™, Streuter Technologies

                        Cuttlebug™, Winter Jelly Emboss Folders, Provo Craft, provocraft.com

                        Grungeboard™ Plain, Tim Holtz™ Idea-ology, timholtzonline.com

                        Adirondack Ink Metal Mixative Copper Adirondack® rangerink.com

                        Acrylic Paint Dabbers, Ranger Industries,

                        Craft Iron, Clover, clover-usa.com

                        Fine grit sandpaper

                        High Gloss Acrylic Varnish, Liquitex, liquitex.com

                        Ribbon

                        Paintbrush

                        Towel

Directions:

Preparing the Pendant Artwork:

1.       Create a template for the bed of the pendant using scrap cardstock. Hint: ink rim of pendant, press onto paper to use as a template, trimming until it fits into pendant snugly.

2.       Turn on Craft Iron to medium setting. Cut plain Grungeboard and Gluefoil to the same size (cut to specific size of pendant or with a larger piece to make multiple pendants).

3.       Layer glue side of Gluefoil to Grungeboard. Place iron to Gluefoil; do not move the iron around, as it will cause the foil to move around.

4.       Pick up iron; make sure the foil stays inline with the Grungeboard. Press down with towel or scrap paper, allowing the glue to cure and bond to Grungeboard.

5.       Place Gluefoil/Grungeboard “sandwich” into embossing folder; move to area of embossed pattern that would look best in pendant. Emboss with Cuttlebug. Repeat the above steps for the other side of the pendant.

6.       Trim as needed so foil will fit into pendant; sand edges. Note: some pendants are deeper than others. With a deeper pendant, cut a second piece of Grungeboard and glue with a piece of Gluefilm cut to size. With the foil fitting flush with the edge of the pendant, it will look even more “finished”!

Adirondack Paint Dabbers and Stickles Glitter Glue

1.       Shake paints to mix properly. Dab paint onto Craft Sheet and paint in image with Water brush. Paint background first, then details. Make sure there is not too much water on brush, as the paint will tend to bead onto the foil surface.

2.       Let dry. If needed, add a second coat as necessary.

3.       When completely dry, lightly sand surface to allow some of the paint to rub off and create a vintage or distressed effect.

4.       Dab distressed surface with Brown, Black Paint or White and allow to dry.

5.       Mist towel with water and rub off excess black, brown or white paint to further age.

6.       Use Stickles Glitter Glue to create an extra sparkle.

Paint metal surface with 1-2 coats of Acrylic Varnish. This will prevent paint or alcohol ink from coming off the surface.

Adirondack Alcohol Ink

1.       Place Copper Alcohol Inks onto piece of Blending Foam (this reduces any “lint” that is left onto inked surface). Tap onto Jumbo Double Sided Circle Pendant Tray and let dry. Add layers of Alcohol Inks as necessary until desired color is achieved.

Putting it all Together!

1.       Cut Gluefilm to size of pendant bed.

2.       With heat tool or craft iron, heat pendant. Carefully place Gluefilm into bottom of pendant. The heated metal will melt the glue.

3.       Immediately (and carefully) place artwork into pendant, pressing down to create a solid bond between the glue and Grungeboard bottom layer.

4.       Tie ribbon on loop and then add an ornament hook and add to your Christmas tree.

Christmas Tree Centerpiece
Created by Susan Johnson

Prepare for the Holiday Season with this beautiful,

easy-to-make centerpiece!

  Supplies:

12" Flora Craft Styrofoam Cone

Amate Lime Green Flat Paper (2 -2x12" or 1-16x24")

1" Straight Pins

Paper Cutter

Scissors

4 feet 1" Red Organdy Ribbon

Directions:

1. Trim Amate Line Green Flat Paper in the following strips:

            45 - 1" x 3"

            45 - 1" x 2"

            45 - 1/2" x 2"

            75 - 1/2" x1  1/2"

            45 - 1/2" x 1"

            8   - 1/2" x 6"

    Tip: Be sure to keep the paper strips in order as listed above. This will help when applying the strips to the cone. The amount you cut is approximate. Depending on your spacing, you may need more or fewer.

2. Using your fingers, take all the strips except the 1/2" x 6" and roll them into a circle. You can roll them around a pencil if you want to but, I found it just as easy to roll them with my fingers.

3. Take the 1/2" x 6" strips and roll the ends towards the center.

4. Start about 1 1/2' from the bottom of the cone and attach your first strip of  1" x3" paper with a straight pin. Attach the pin on the upper left corner of the strip.
5. Next you will attach your second strip of paper. Place the pin in the upper left corner of the strip and over the upper right corner of your first strip. Continue to do the same with the remaining 1" x 3 " strips to make 3 rows. Each time you add a row you will make the spacing in between each row a little closer together. 

6. With strips 1" x 2" and 1/2" x 2" you will follow same directions as mentioned in number 4 and 5.  

     Tip: When switching to the 1/2" strips, place the straight pin in the top center of the strip, making each strip touch but not overlapping. This will save your finger tips from being sore.

7. With the 1/2" x 1 1/2" strips you will follow steps 4 and 5 except adding 6 rows.

8. With the 1/2" x 1" strips you will again follow steps 4 and 5.

9. At this point if I felt like I had any holes I added 1/2" x 1" strips in to fill the hole.

10. With a 1/2" x 6" strip, place a straight pin in the center and attach it to the top of the cone. Now you will fold the ends over the cone and attach a straight pin on each side.

11. With the next 1/2" x 6" strip, make a cross over your first strip and attach straight pins to each side. With this one and the remaining ones I did not add a straight pin to the center. 

12. Cut the Red Organdy Ribbon in half.

13. Take one piece of ribbon and tie a bow in the center. Set aside.

14.  Using the remaining ribbon, find center, place a straight pin in center and attach it to the top of the cone.

15. Place a pin in the center of the bow and attach to the top of the cone.

16. Take the tails of the ribbon and attach ramdomly to the cone.