Memory Ornament and Candle Holder

I have been going through some therapy - crafting therapy.  I have been busy making some decorations and gifts.  I came up with these 2 items.  

To make something similar, all you need to do is photo copy your picture on tissue paper.  This turned out to be tricky, but I figured out an easy way.  I know that paper products for this purpose are out there but, this is cheap and easy.

Step 1:  you will need your photo, a piece of tissue paper, a piece of copy paper, tape and a copier.

Step 2:  fold the tissue paper over the end of the copy paper and tape.  Flip it over and tape down the tissue on the front side as well.  This will help the tissue not to get stuck in the copier.  Copy.

Step 3:  take your tissue copied image and remove from the copy paper.  Find an object you want to decoupage on; I used an old honey jar.  Find a complimentary paper to go with your item.  You could use pages from an old book, sheet music, tissue paper or I used a paper napkin.  Because my jar had detailed sides, I chose to only cover the back.

Step 4:  brush on the Mod Podge and lay down the image and paper.  Smooth it out with your fingers.

A tip I learned from one of my youngest 4-Hrs....is lay down all the paper first then cover the whole item with the Mod Podge.  I was covering this as I went - it was messy - I noticed Brooke was doing it this way...wow, she is pretty smart!

Step 5:  cover the whole item with Mod Podge and let dry.

I used these same steps to make an ornament.

It helps to hang these to dry - I used a hanger and paper clip.

That is it.  Super easy.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Merry Craftmas!


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God's Word Wednesday

I ran into Dime & Dollar thrift store the other day.   They had all Christmas stock 50% off.  I found a few things, including this book; it was only 0.02.  

I thought, these are all short stories - I could use a little Christmas Spirit - so, I bought it.  Little did I know how much I would like the first story.  "The Story of the Other Wise Man", by:  Henry Van Dyke.  I never heard of this story.  I truly enjoyed it.  I feel that I was meant to find it.  

This story is about another wise man, who sold all that he had for 3 treasures:  a sapphire, ruby and pearl to give to the King.  His plan was to meet up with 3 other wise men in search of the King.  On his journey he faced 3 challenges that lead him to give up these 3 treasures to save another.  I don't want to give it away for those who may not have read it.  Trust me, it is a good story with a great message.  

What I took from this, why I felt it was meant for me, has a lot to do with the passing of my mom.  She was in need of our care for 11 years.  I feel bad about it, but during those years, at times I was mad at my brother (the missionary).  In my mind....he was in an island paradise while I was stuck here making tough decisions about our mom's care.  I know, I'm terrible, but honestly, this is how I felt.  Brace yourself for more honesty....I even might have said "sure, he is down there doing God's work, adding more jewels to his heavenly crown...and I am stuck here..."  I know I'm terrible.

The message behind this story is that even though this other wise man used his treasures to help others, spent years searching for the King, using his talents along the way to do things for others....his message was....that in doing this, he found the King.  Matthew 25: 40 "...verily I say unto thee, Inasmuch as thou hast done it unto the least of these my brethren, thou hast done it unto me."

So, I'm thankful I found this little book, read this short story and found a message for me.   My brother is doing this as well.  Had he not left his life here to do God's work there, these "least of these" might not have heard about Jesus.  I guess, I too was doing this here.  I believe that someone bound to a wheelchair needing daily cares would be a "least of these."

So, I am renewed today in God's word, as this story revealed to me, not only my attitude toward my brother, but the blessing that comes from helping others.  Forgive me as I grow and change.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:
http://www.raisingmightyarrows.net/2013/12/proverbs-31-thursdays-link-3.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:

Repurposed Christmas Wreath

On one of my recent thrift shopping excursions, I came across this set of vintage plastic holly string of lights.  They were in a bag for only $1.49 so I decided to take a chance with it.  They are not perfect as some of the lights are not working so I decided to make a wreath with them.  That way, when they were wound together you wouldn't notice that a few didn't work.

I took an old wire hanger and made a wreath form.  I wound the lights around so that the plug in was at the bottom.

I then took some of the frosted pine cones I made (see link on how to here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2013/12/frosted-pinecones.html  ) and wired them on the wreath.

It was missing something...so I decided to make a felt holly ornament to add.  The link on how to make this is here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2013/12/felt-holly-ornament.html

I liked how it turned out.  Total cost less than $2.  I love to repurpose old things and add new life to them.  Now I will have a "treasure" till the rest of the lights burn out.. :).

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Merry Craftmas!

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Felt Holly Ornament

Felt Holly Ornament

I made this because I needed something for a wreath I was making - that will be the next post.  First I make a holly leaf pattern and traced it on the felt.

I cut them out with pinking shears.  I wanted the leaf to be bendable so I decided to layer a piece of wire between the 2 pieces of felt.

Start by putting the knotted end of the embroidery floss in the inside of the leaf.  Stitch down the piece of wire to secure it.  Then put the other piece on top and do simple cross stitch around the piece of wire.  

I wanted to add a pom pom for the berry.  When I was little we made these with bells in the middle for our ice skates.  I made a form to wind the yarn around.  Just take a piece of cardboard and cut out the middle on both sides.  

Just wrap your yarn around the cardboard.  The more times you go around, the "fatter" the pom pom.  I did 100 wraps around the cardboard.  

Cut another piece of yard like 5" or so and tie it around the bundle in the middle where the cut out parts are.  I pulled the cardboard apart in the middle and pulled the tying yard even tighter. Cut the looped ends.

I tied another piece of yarn to make the pom pom even tighter.  Fluff it up.  

Twist the 2 holly leaves together.  I attached the pom pom to the leaves by sewing a jingle bell in the middle.  

I always look for craft supplies at thrift shops.  This pack of jingle bells were in a bag of supplies for less than $2.  I have found some real vintage treasures this way.

I added mine to a wreath, however, these would make cute ornaments, make several and make a garland or use on the top of your Christmas gift - a gift (ornament) as well as a decoration.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Merry Craftmas!

Frosted Pine Cone Ornament

Frosted pine cone ornament.  Start by making the frosted pine cones see my post on how to here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2013/12/frosted-pinecones.html

Twist wire around the top of the pine cone and make a loop for hanging.  Cut out a few leaves from green felt and some berries from the red felt.  Sew them together along with a jingle bell.

Hot glue this to the top of the pine cone.  You can use these on a tree, in a wreath or as a decoration on top of a gift.  

I like how the entry tree turned out.  Watch for my post tomorrow on how I made the repurposed wreath in this photo.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

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Frosted Pine Cones

I purchased a bag of pine cones, cinnamon sticks and these red and green things.  The whole bag was only $2.99 and it still smelled like cinnamon.

I found this idea in an old book of Christmas ideas I purchased from Dime & Dollar thrift shop.  All you do is take your pine cone and brush it with some Mod Podge.  Roll it into a dish of regular salt or use a spoon to sift over the pine cone until it is completely covered.  Let it dry.  That is it - super simple.  

I made up several of these.  Justine's wedding is coming up and she is having a Winter Wonderland Wedding.  I also made some ornaments with these.  Watch the next post.  

The extras from the bag:  cinnamon sticks and the red and green things I put into one of my crock bowls and used the fabric bow from the bag to tie on the bowl.  

I like the look and I like the ornaments I made even better.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:
http://madeinaday.com/2013/11/20/christmas-holiday-linky-party/