Monday, November 8, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Clay Angel Ornament By: Diana Crick for AMACO
Here's a really cute ornament made from polymer clay. This is from FaveCrafts.com so please visit them to find many other wonderful Christmas crafts tutorials.
Create a polymer clay angel ornament to add a homemade touch to your next Christmas tree.This angels holds red and white candy canes for a bit of holiday color.
Materials:
Create a polymer clay angel ornament to add a homemade touch to your next Christmas tree.This angels holds red and white candy canes for a bit of holiday color.
Materials:
- FIMO® Soft Polymer Clay (2 oz. blocks) — White (2), Cherry Red (1), Flesh Light (1), and Caramel (1)
- AMACO® Polymer Clay Template (I looked everywhere at the AMACO website and could not find this template--however looking at the picture, making this without a template should not be too difficult even for the beginner)
- FIMO® Gloss Lacquer
- Heart-shaped cookie cutters or rubber stamps — 13/4" and 21/4"
- Heart cutters — 3/16" and 1/2"
- Scallop-edged scissors
- Fun Wire™ Pearlized Gold, 24-gauge
- 22-gauge floral wire
- Gold elastic cord
- Powder blush
- Eye pin
- White acrylic paint
- Ball stylus
- AMACO® PolyRoller or Pasta Machine
- Ceramic tile for work surface
- X-Acto® knife
- Club-shaped or flower-shaped canapé cutter (1/2")
- Darning needle
- Small gold beads
- Unlined index cards
- Pearlescent glitter
- Read template instructions and tips. Write the following headings on an index card: Dress; Wing; Collar; Sleeve; Head; Neck, Hand, Feet; Candy Cane; Red Hearts; and Gingerbread Men. Leave a two inch space under each heading to place the clay balls. Tip: If you are going to make lots of angels, laminate the card for re-use.
- Cut the quantity of clay needed for specific ball sizes. This is easy with the template and drawings that come with it. With the White FIMO® Soft make the following size balls: one 11/8" ball for dress, one 11/8" ball for the wing, one 7/8" ball for the collar, two 5/8" balls for the sleeves. With the Flesh Light FIMO® Soft make one 7/8" ball for head and one 5/8" ball for the neck, hand, and feet. For the candy cane make one 5/8" ball with the Cherry Red FIMO® Soft and one 5/8" ball with the White FIMO® Soft. Make one 1/2" ball of Cherry Red FIMO® Soft for the red hearts. For the gingerbread men make one 7/8" ball of the Caramel FIMO® Soft. Place each piece of clay on the card in its place.
- Condition each piece separately by kneading with your hands to soften. Roll into a ball using the template for measuring the diameter and place back on card. Do Flesh Light first, then White, Caramel, and finally, Cherry Red. Wash hands between colors with cool water and soap.
- CANDY CANES: Roll the White ball into a log 4" long using the ruler on the template then cut in half. Repeat with the Cherry Red ball. Twist a red and white log to make cane. Smooth and curve top. Repeat with other red and white logs.
- RED HEARTS: Flatten the Cherry Red ball between your hands into a pancake. Roll out flat and cut lots of 3/16" hearts (you can use the extras in future projects).
- GINGERBREAD MEN: After flattening and rolling Caramel ball, cut lots of club shapes or flowers. If you’re using a club cutter, slice bottom stem to make legs. Make a small hole in each “arm” with a darning needle for threading the elastic cord after baking.
- Pre-bake canes, hearts and gingerbread men for 15 minutes at 265°F (129°C).
- DRESS: Flatten White ball into a pancake a little larger than the heart stamp or cookie cutter then roll out to about 1/8" thick. Press stamp or cutter into clay then cut out with scissors. Top of dress is the point of the heart. Make small box pleat to gather upper part of dress slightly.
- SLEEVE: Roll each White ball into a long cone shape (21/4"). Press fatter end of cone on work surface gently to flatten end. Trim off narrow end so sleeve is 13/4" long. Lay along heart with narrow end at top of dress.
- COLLAR: Flatten White ball into a pancake a little larger than the 13/4" stamp then roll out. Press stamp or cutter into clay then gently lift from work surface and cut out with scallop-edged scissors. Lay heart-shaped collar over dress and shoulders, folding point of heart 3/4" over to back of dress. Press the pre-baked heart in place.
- NECK, HANDS, FEET: Flatten and roll out the Flesh Light ball then cut out four 1/2" hearts. Roll three into three separate balls. Place the fourth underneath the indentation at dress bottom, leaving curves to show as toes. Press dress firmly onto feet. Press one ball down to flatten slightly then press onto collar to form neck. Set the other two balls aside.
- HEAD: Re-roll Flesh Light ball to soften. Push a one inch piece of florist wire into head where it will join the neck. Gently lift the angel and press the head down onto the neck making firm contact. Pierce two holes for eyes. TIP: If you are right-handed, make the left eye first for ease in alignment. Powder cheeks with blush.
- HAIR: Cut ten 21/2" lengths of Pearlized Gold Fun Wire™. Bend each into a “U” shape, cross wires over and pull ends in opposite directions. This will form a loop like a seagull. Hold the middle loop between your thumb and index finger of your left hand. With your right hand, smooth wires down to meet and form bottom of heart. Twist ends together and cut off excess. You only need a 1/4" tail. Make ten or more. Why more? They won’t all be the same size and if you have more, you can choose the five that are most alike. Press them into head, placing the most nearly perfect one on top.
- HALO: Cut a 41/2" length of Pearlized Gold Fun Wire™ and bend it around the bottle of FIMO® lacquer to shape. Draw wire together tightly. Hold wires together and turn bottle, not the wires, to form tail. Trim tail to 1/4" and insert into head about 1/4" back behind the top wire heart. Trim the eye pin to 1/2" and push into head just behind the halo. Turn the opening of the eye pin so that the elastic will thread through from side to side and angel will hang straight.
- WINGS: Follow step 8 for dress, but omit pleat. Press four pre-baked hearts into wing. Lift angel onto wings, placing head in center of heart. Gently press head to make firm contact with wing. Slide X-Acto® knife gently under whole sculpture to ease it off the work surface. Press bottom of wing to make contact with back of collar. Lay angel down.
- HANDS: For gingerbread angel, press a small ball of Flesh Light FIMO® Soft to bottom of each sleeve. Pinch ball at free end to flatten and create fingertips. Twist darning needle into hand to make a hole for threading through garland. For candy cane angel, press a small ball of Flesh Light FIMO® Soft to bottom of each sleeve. Place two candy canes on dress. Lift sleeve across canes to hold them in place. Press hand onto candy cane. Second hand is just like gingerbread angels’, but with no hole.
- Bake angels at 265°F (129°C) for 40 minutes. Turn oven off but leave angels in until they are thoroughly cooled.
- Use White acrylic paint and ball stylus or end of small paint brush to make dots on cheeks, toes, and hands. Decorate gingerbread men as shown in photograph. Re-dip for each dot so they will each be the same size.
- Glaze gingerbread men with FIMO® Gloss Lacquer. When dry, thread them onto gold elastic cord in this order: gold bead, man, two beads, man, two beads, man, last bead. Thread one end of cord up through one hand and the other end up through the other hand. Make an over hand knot in the cord, guiding the knot down close to the top of the hand using the point of the darning needle. Trim excess cord. Thread piece of gold elastic through the eye pin as a hanging loop.
- Sprinkle glitter onto wax paper. Brush back of angel with lacquer and lay the angel down onto the glitter to coat back and hide any imperfections. Let dry; apply another coat of lacquer to seal glitter. NOTE: Never use clear nail polish on polymer clay. Within a few months it will become very sticky.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Televisions are becoming more competitively priced!
This year for Christmas, think about getting that new flat screen television that you always wanted. The prices are gradually declining and now these televisions are within the budget of just about anyone. Amazon offers low prices and great delivery. Check out these bargains.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Christmas Piñatas
Here's a quick and inexpensive tutorial for making Christmas pinatas. Make several and decorate the tree with gifts, or make a group to give as gifts to friends and acquaintances. These look simple and easy, so you have time to make plenty. This also looks like a fun craft to make with the kids!
This was discovered on AllCrafts.com.
I have been wanting to make little papier-mâché Piñatas for such a long time after seeing them on Not Martha, and Christmas seems like the perfect time to make these little balls filled with sweets or toys. They are easy to make with young ones, and fun to find fillings for. Children will enjoy pulling them apart and seeing what’s inside, and everyone will enjoy making them and seeing them hung up around fireplaces, on trees, or clustered on a door or shelf.
With a simple flour and water paste* mixed to a smooth gloopy consistency and papier-mâché strips of tissue paper around semi blown up balloons of about 10-15cm diameter.
Leave a gap around the top as your opening – enough to get goodies inside.
Leave to dry till the case is hard, and then deflate the balloon by pricking it or cutting it with scissors (it won’t pop, but will let air out slowly as it removes itself from the inside of the papier-mâché case).
Once you have the empty shell, you can fill with whatever you like – small bags of sweets, toys, biscuits, glitter or cut out pieces of paper, small puzzles to put together, or even write out your own jokes to tell.
Then take another piece of tissue paper and a length of ribbon and seal the opening with more flour/water paste.
Have fun decorating! Finally add a small tag to the ribbon which says ‘Pull Me’ to help open.
Pull open, and enjoy!
* For those with gluten or wheat allergies, the following alternatives to wheat flour can be used: Tapioca flour, rice flour. Experiment with other flours to see if they work, or alternatively use a white paste with PVA craft glue watered down, however I tried here to limit the amounts of glue being used in the whole project. You may want to add some salt to the paste to prevent mould as well.
This was discovered on AllCrafts.com.
I have been wanting to make little papier-mâché Piñatas for such a long time after seeing them on Not Martha, and Christmas seems like the perfect time to make these little balls filled with sweets or toys. They are easy to make with young ones, and fun to find fillings for. Children will enjoy pulling them apart and seeing what’s inside, and everyone will enjoy making them and seeing them hung up around fireplaces, on trees, or clustered on a door or shelf.
With a simple flour and water paste* mixed to a smooth gloopy consistency and papier-mâché strips of tissue paper around semi blown up balloons of about 10-15cm diameter.
Leave a gap around the top as your opening – enough to get goodies inside.
Leave to dry till the case is hard, and then deflate the balloon by pricking it or cutting it with scissors (it won’t pop, but will let air out slowly as it removes itself from the inside of the papier-mâché case).
Once you have the empty shell, you can fill with whatever you like – small bags of sweets, toys, biscuits, glitter or cut out pieces of paper, small puzzles to put together, or even write out your own jokes to tell.
Then take another piece of tissue paper and a length of ribbon and seal the opening with more flour/water paste.
Have fun decorating! Finally add a small tag to the ribbon which says ‘Pull Me’ to help open.
Pull open, and enjoy!
* For those with gluten or wheat allergies, the following alternatives to wheat flour can be used: Tapioca flour, rice flour. Experiment with other flours to see if they work, or alternatively use a white paste with PVA craft glue watered down, however I tried here to limit the amounts of glue being used in the whole project. You may want to add some salt to the paste to prevent mould as well.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Hot Christmas Toys – Toys”R”Us Announces Latest Toy Trends For Christmas 2010
If you need some help deciding what to buy your kids this year, why not take advice from the number one retailer of toys in the US? Here is their latest trend announcement for Christmas 2010:
Toys”R”Us recently announced the latest toy trends which are expected to dominate kids’ wish lists as well as the purchasing decisions of individuals purchasing gifts during the upcoming Christmas season. These trends and lists were compiled following an extensive review of data regarding the popularity of toys, which were obtained from Toys”R”Us stores throughout the United States as well as from Toys”R”Us stores in over thirty other countries in which the company operates. Amongst the toys that were expected to be popular this season were cute collectibles, 18-inch dolls, as well as train sets, which have recently regained popularity.
Commenting at the release of these latest toy trends, Karen Dodge, who is the Senior Vice President as well as Chief Merchandising Officer of Toys”R”Us, Inc., said: “As the world’s leading global specialty toy retailer, Toys”R”Us has unique insights into the types of toys that are capturing kids’ interests. It’s no surprise that the trends we’ve identified are also reflective of some of this season’s hottest toys, such as Squinkies, Disney Princess & Me dolls and Tomica trains. Understanding what makes a toy magical to a child and will have them saying, ‘WOW,’ on Christmas morning is the first step for parents and gift-givers as they prepare for the holiday shopping season.”
Found at Star Global Tribune
Toys”R”Us recently announced the latest toy trends which are expected to dominate kids’ wish lists as well as the purchasing decisions of individuals purchasing gifts during the upcoming Christmas season. These trends and lists were compiled following an extensive review of data regarding the popularity of toys, which were obtained from Toys”R”Us stores throughout the United States as well as from Toys”R”Us stores in over thirty other countries in which the company operates. Amongst the toys that were expected to be popular this season were cute collectibles, 18-inch dolls, as well as train sets, which have recently regained popularity.
Commenting at the release of these latest toy trends, Karen Dodge, who is the Senior Vice President as well as Chief Merchandising Officer of Toys”R”Us, Inc., said: “As the world’s leading global specialty toy retailer, Toys”R”Us has unique insights into the types of toys that are capturing kids’ interests. It’s no surprise that the trends we’ve identified are also reflective of some of this season’s hottest toys, such as Squinkies, Disney Princess & Me dolls and Tomica trains. Understanding what makes a toy magical to a child and will have them saying, ‘WOW,’ on Christmas morning is the first step for parents and gift-givers as they prepare for the holiday shopping season.”
Found at Star Global Tribune
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Amazon.com: Top 10 Deals in Electronics This Week
Here are the top 10 bargains at Amazon.com
:
Click here to visit the site and find other wonderful Christmas gifts, too.
: and find other wonderful Christmas gifts, too.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Friday's Christmas Crafting -- Two ways to make Christmas Cards
Here's a video to show you a really simple card that you and your children can make to send this year:
Here is another take on the same idea, only this time it requires a little more skill:
Print out the image on the right in a similar manner with heavy paper.
3. Lay the card that has the outline of the tree on a flat surface. Take a ruler and line the edge of it up against the center fold line of the card
4. Use the rounded end of a paper clip (or a ball point pen that has run out of ink) and press it along the dotted line carefully scoring the card all the way from top to bottom. Score all the other dotted lines on the card as well.
5. Cut the card out carefully following the solid, black lines around the edges.
6. Begin to fold the card in half, keeping the outline of the tree on the outside so you can always see it.
7. Fold the card completely in half with the outline of the tree still visible.
8. Carefully cut along the solid black line of the first segment at the top of the tree.
9. Fold the first segment at the top to the tree back against the card, along the dotted line, and crease with your thumb or finger.
10. Put the first segment back in its original position.
11. Open the card like a tent, and push the first segment through to the other side.
12. If you turn the card over, this is what it looks like.
13. Turn the card over again and carefully cut along the solid black line of the second segment at the top of the tree
14. Fold the second segment at the top to the tree back against the card, along the dotted line, and crease with your thumb or finger.
15. Put the second segment back in its original position.
16. Open the card like a tent, and push the second segment through to the other side.
17. If you turn the card over, this is what it looks like.
18. Turn the card back over again and repeat the same process of cutting along the solid black lines, folding the segments and pushing them through to the other side.
When you have done all five segments the card will look like this.
19. Set the Christmas tree card aside and lay the second print out, the backing card, on a flat surface. Take a ruler and line the edge of it up against the center fold line of the backing card and score down the center with your paper clip.
20. Cut the backing card out carefully following the solid, black lines around the edges.
21. Fold the backing card in half with the dotted line on the INSIDE. Set this card aside.
22. Turn over the Christmas Tree card so the dotted outline is visible. Put a thin line of glue along the right side of the card from top to bottom.
23. Put a thin line of glue along the left side of the card from top to bottom.
24. Carefully position the backing card, with the dotted line facing down, on top of the Christmas tree card. Take your time, making sure the edges of both cards match up.
25. Press the cards together, flattening them completely.
26. Turn the card over, carefully close and open it.
Your pop-up Christmas Tree card is ready to be decorated!
Here is another take on the same idea, only this time it requires a little more skill:
How to Make a Christmas Tree Pop up Card (Robert Sabuda Method)
Here are the steps:
Click here to get the image and then print out the full size image on a heavy paper, like card stock or construction paper.
Print out the image on the right in a similar manner with heavy paper.
3. Lay the card that has the outline of the tree on a flat surface. Take a ruler and line the edge of it up against the center fold line of the card
4. Use the rounded end of a paper clip (or a ball point pen that has run out of ink) and press it along the dotted line carefully scoring the card all the way from top to bottom. Score all the other dotted lines on the card as well.
5. Cut the card out carefully following the solid, black lines around the edges.
6. Begin to fold the card in half, keeping the outline of the tree on the outside so you can always see it.
7. Fold the card completely in half with the outline of the tree still visible.
8. Carefully cut along the solid black line of the first segment at the top of the tree.
9. Fold the first segment at the top to the tree back against the card, along the dotted line, and crease with your thumb or finger.
10. Put the first segment back in its original position.
11. Open the card like a tent, and push the first segment through to the other side.
12. If you turn the card over, this is what it looks like.
13. Turn the card over again and carefully cut along the solid black line of the second segment at the top of the tree
14. Fold the second segment at the top to the tree back against the card, along the dotted line, and crease with your thumb or finger.
15. Put the second segment back in its original position.
16. Open the card like a tent, and push the second segment through to the other side.
17. If you turn the card over, this is what it looks like.
18. Turn the card back over again and repeat the same process of cutting along the solid black lines, folding the segments and pushing them through to the other side.
When you have done all five segments the card will look like this.
19. Set the Christmas tree card aside and lay the second print out, the backing card, on a flat surface. Take a ruler and line the edge of it up against the center fold line of the backing card and score down the center with your paper clip.
20. Cut the backing card out carefully following the solid, black lines around the edges.
21. Fold the backing card in half with the dotted line on the INSIDE. Set this card aside.
22. Turn over the Christmas Tree card so the dotted outline is visible. Put a thin line of glue along the right side of the card from top to bottom.
23. Put a thin line of glue along the left side of the card from top to bottom.
24. Carefully position the backing card, with the dotted line facing down, on top of the Christmas tree card. Take your time, making sure the edges of both cards match up.
25. Press the cards together, flattening them completely.
26. Turn the card over, carefully close and open it.
Your pop-up Christmas Tree card is ready to be decorated!
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