Paper Ball Ornament with Rose

I have always loved making my own ornaments.  I have made many over the years. They have been different colours and styles but all made by me and sometimes my children. I feel a real christmas tree always looks best decorated with ornaments that have been made with love. I will try to share a few of my favourites that are easy enough to make you can get the children involved.

To make these, I started with a styrofoam ball that I purchased from my local dollarstore. I took a piece of paper ribbon and made a hanging loop. I then used a straight pin (from my sewing box) to pin the loop to the ball. If it seems loose add a dap of tacky glue to secure.

The next step is to take old book pages and rip them into small pieces. I like to use the bits that are left over from other paper projects. Using a small foam brush and mod podge, glue the pieces to the ball. When the ball is covered in paper, go over it with more mod lodge to make sure it is wet. Holding the ball over a paper plate and coat with glitter. Hang to dry overnight.

To finish it off, make a small bow with the paper ribbon and attach using hot glue. Add a small paper rose to the middle if desired. Instructions for the rose are HERE.

If you would like to purchase one already made, check out my Etsy shop HERE to see if I have any in stock.

December Already?

December is a month that always seems to take me by surprise. For most of the year it is always in the distance but then it is suddenly December and it goes by so quickly.  Already it is the third and there is so much that needs to be done!

Lucky for me my darling husband saw paperwhites at the store a few weeks back and bought some for me. Thanks to some houseguests, I was able to get motivated to plant them. They are starting to grow now and by Christmas will be in full bloom. Paperwhites are definitely one of my favourite things about the season.  They are very fragrant and look so elegant, standing tall all green and white.

My children love our Santa advent calendar (bought from Ikea a few years back). They don't even want a candy treat inside, just a secret message that hopefully leads to a fun activity. I've been recycling the same messages but they don't seem to mind. The joy on their faces as they take turns reading the messages is another of my favourite things.

Living away from family means that the first week of December is Christmas card writing time. I like to include the girls school photo as most people on my list we don't see often.  This year I thought, well why don't I make them? I'm not 'working' so I should have lots of time. Well, they are almost ready to be mailed out (tomorrow fingers crossed). I decided to make the folded paper page trees that I had made into ornaments for the sale. Instead of adding a hanger I glued it to a kraft paper card that I had stamped with snowflakes. Very simple and fun to make. For a select few, I've included an ornament inside.

Well, I better go finish these off and start getting the house cleaned up.  We don't have a tree up yet and you can't have Christmas without a tree!

Evergreen Artisan Market

The Evergreen Artisan Market is only a week away! I have been extremely busy designing and building my display, and making product to fill it.  Since this is to be my first time selling my crafts I have little idea of what will sell. So I am trying to have a variety of things at different price points.  One of the hard things for me is to know when to stop. I have lots of ideas in my head but there is definitely no time to make all of them.  

My crafts have taken over my house.  Things are very messy but with the show getting closer I hope to shift my focus to finishing projects and cleaning up.  Everything needs to be packed up so it can be taken to the Rawlinson Center to set up next Friday.  Wow, November 7th is coming fast. 

Here are a few pictures of more products and a peek at the display I have set-up in my dining room.  This is not how things will be at the show but it gives you an idea of what I've been working on. If you are on FaceBook and/or Instagram follow me there for updates from the Evergreen Artisan Market. 

Product Photos

I've been busy designing my booth for the Evergreen Artisan Market. I've have a lot of ideas but time and money are going to play important roles.  I'm happy with how things are going but I'm going to have to try to be more productive over the next few weeks. The sale is only a month away!

The fireplace is pretty much done (just needs some dusting).  I hope to post some pics this week.

I put together a few promotional photos for the sale today.  What do you think?

Latest Wreath

I'm so excited about having my application accepted for a booth at this years Evergreen Artisan Market. It is to be held on November 7, 2014 here in town at the Rawlinson Center.  This will be my first craft show so I've been quite busy making my rolled paper roses.  To add some variety, I decided to experiment with adding colour. I decided on a teal watercolour paint to liven things up.  So what do you think? I think I love it!