Great Holiday and Christmas Magazine: BHG Holiday Crafts 2010 A+++

I picked up this magazine a few days ago at our local grocery store. Better Homes and Gardens published the 2010 Holiday Crafts issue for $5.99. It is filled with some great Christmas ideas and gifts for the entire year. There are many “re-use” patterns and crafts. I think this is one my favorite magazines of all time. I scanned a few of their "completed" items to show you that this is a great inspiration generator. Next time you are at the store you should thumb through it. Have a great week.

Winter Wonderland 2- 12”x12” Christmas Jingle Scrapbook Page Layout Swap

I believe that a favorite past time of mine is doing “crafty” swaps. Once again, on the Cricut Message board (MB) I hosted a swap where you choose a Christmas Jingle song and then create a 2- 12”x12” Scrapbook page Layouts of a specific chorus in the song. I forgot the name of my song, so I wrote down “In the Meadows You can build a snowman…” I went to print out the words in the song and realized that the song name was actually “Winter Wonderland.” I used Cricut’s “A Child’s Year” and “Christmas Cheer” carts and a Martha Stewart (MS) snowflake punch. For added depth I used some “crystal” stickles, bling, brads, ribbon and fibers, not to mention adhesives , foam and Cat’s Eye Chalk ink. I love how my pages turned out. There is something very tranquil with a blue and white color palet.

Victorian Cameo Vintage Lace Pillow Ornaments

As many of you know, I love the Victorian era. I recently got into polymer clay and make my own Victorian cameos and other things. Well I put my vintage lace, polymer clay, tassles, fabric and sewing machine to work today and made these 2 ornaments. Love them and can't wait to put them on my tree. Another use for my cameos.

Altered Wooden Wildlife Deer Hunting Ornament

Wooden Wildlife Deer Ornament

              I come from a family of very dedicated and determined hunters, who take their “game” seriously. A few rules of the family are: No wedding during hunting season, Plan on hunting almost every day. I never know what to buy or make for someone that is so passionate about their hobby, sport, collections and others. A few years ago, I started a trend or tradition of making a Christmas ornament for each of my brothers, mom, in-laws and a few friends. I try to cater to their likes.
            Well, I went to Michaels and found these unpainted wooden shapes: oval, square, angel, heart, snowman, and many others. I picked up a dozen of the unpainted oval pieces since they were 6 for $1.00. When I got home, I asked my husband to drill a tiny hole near the top of each piece so that I could run string or ribbon through. I then took out my stamps that had wildlife on it from StampinUp! and my ink. I layered the various colors of ink and images onto the wood, and created a subtle and peaceful looking ornament. On the back, I attached a piece of cream cardstock and signed my name and added a few leaves. I used a water based sealer to seal the ink. These were such a hit with the family that I continue to add to their collection each year and they never know what creature or design they will get.

Twilight's Famous Santa: Waylon Forge ATC

Twilight’s Famous Santa: Waylon Forge ATC

          I decided that it was time to pay homage and respect to the lesser known characters throughout the Twilight series books and movies. My first inspiration comes from a scene in the movie Twilight when Bella first comes back into town. Charlie, a single bachelor father with limited cooking skills, introduced his daughter to the finer things in life by going to the small Forks café that becomes a character in itself. As the waitress serves Bella her veggie platter a grubby sort of guy that looks like he may drink a little lurks behind her eager to get his chance to talk to Bella. He introduces himself as Waylon Forge, a guy who played Santa for years. Jokes are made at his expense but he is a good sport about it and adds a little humor to the conversation after being called: Butt Crack Santa. He jokes about the fact that the kids like those little bottles… It truly takes a character much courage to make a joke about himself. As you can see in the ATC of Waylon Forge, I found a picture of his face, enlarged it to the size I needed and cut it to fit the scene of the Santa I had found through many pages of clip art. The Scene with Santa has him lounging on a hammock, soaking in the sun’s rays while holding a mixed cocktail. I then took a glitter glue with tiny snowflakes in it and placed a layer on the card to make it “sparkle.” I decided to add a silver pine tree brad to give the illusion that even though he was at the beach, he entertained at all times.