Creative Crafting

I have been married a few years…40 to be precise.  Unfortunately, or fortunately whichever the case maybe, I don’t remember much of that day only through pictures. I don’t have many of my wedding gifts left, but that is what happens over a long period of time.   The one item I do have and I cherish is a decoupaged wedding invitation given to me by my late brother and his wife. I have always loved it and it has always hung in a place of honor in my home.

It is such a simple gift and yet it is the only one that has lasted a lifetime.   Several years ago in another home, we had a small fire and some of my wedding memories were lost in the water and smoke damage so I no longer have the original invitation, only this reminder.  Yes, it is yellow with age, but it is still a reminder of a wonderful day.

To:  All of my readers

From:  The Kraska Family

Our holiday crafting is done for this year, at least I think it is.   I have made all of my tags with embellishments from spare scrapbooking items,  decorated packages with homemade items from polymer clay, the house is done, I think. Each friend and family member received their handmade Christmas cards (I hope).  So I am done!  For now.

I have a lot of ideas for next year and hope to post some of the more successful ones here.

Thanks for supporting my blog and have a safe and happy holiday season!

Share this:

Ribbon Candy has always been a Holiday staple as far as I am concerned.  So this year when I found a way to make decorations out of polymer to look like ribbon candy, I couldn’t wait to try it.

I am using these on the tree, to decorate packages and a bowl of “fake” ones on the table in a candy dish.  I have no small children coming to my house, so I don’t have to watch for anyone wanting to eat them!

Click on picture for more instructions

Share this:

So much for my 21 days of Christmas Crafting…my only excuse is shopping.

Design by Marie Redmond

Last year around this time I was just starting my exploration of Polymer Clay. I knew from the start that this was something I would enjoy for years to come. One of my favorite aspects of clay is the miniature scenes, characters, and villages one can make. I like doing things in a small size.

I ran across this on my favorite Polymer Clay site Sculptey.com. The complete instructions for this and other crafts are there for both novices and experienced alike.

Happy Holidays!

Share this:

Here is a fun and easy craft for the kids to make for either grandparents, teachers, or friends.

The pavers might be hard to find this time of year, but you can use the same principle and use Styrofoam forms and use it as a window decoration instead.

Use your imagination…isn’t that why we craft?

Materials

* Keyhole-shaped paver (available at many home improvement stores) *
* Paintbrush
* White and black acrylic paint
* Orange modeling clay
* Superglue

* Fleece
* Pipe cleaner
* Two 1 1/2-inch pom-poms
* Rubber band
* Felt

Instructions

1.Rinse off the paver to remove any loose bits of dirt or cement. Paint it white and let it dry. If needed, apply a second coat and let it dry completely. (if using Syrofoam cover it with white felt or white cotton)

Polymer Clay will not be left out of this holiday craft run.

This cute little guy was so easy to make, a child could do it. I am going to give you a link to a site that I use quite often for my ideas. Normally I would write down the instruction and then put them on here, but they have everything laid out so nice and simple. I figure it would be better just to send my readers there.

Santa Penguin

But be sure and come back for more ideas on holiday crafting right up until Santa time!

Happy Holidays

Share this:

I like crafts that use items I have laying around the house collecting dust.   The odd vase is a perfect example.   This particular idea could be used for many different seasons not just the Christmas holidays.

I made mine from some silk poinsettas I had laying around from years gone by, went out to the yard and clipped some branches off the pines trees (they needed trimming anyway) and gathered some pine cones.

Again, I am sorry I don’t have a picture of the one I made.  The camera is still on the blitz.  I have one on my Santa’s list, hopefully Santa will remember I really need one!

Make a vase filled with evergreens more stunning by covering it with fresh flowers. Remove the heads from roses or other seasonal flowers and then hot-glue them to a glass vase or other vessel.

Here is the second day of my crafting countdown. Enjoy!

Straightforward red pillars play into the peppermint scene when decorated with polka-dot ribbon or candy-cane sticks. Heavy-duty double-stick tape adheres the embellishments to the candles.

I love candles at Christmas; who doesn’t? Candles add a warmth to the season like no other decoration. No matter where or how you use them these are a economical addition to any holiday decor.

I did make these, but the picture is not mine. My camera is having trouble taking pictures, so I gave it a holiday.

I made some with holiday ribbon and some holly leaves from the craft store. They turned out beautiful and no one will notice they are handmade, and if someone does then take it as a compliment to your wonderful craftsmenship (is that a word? It should be!)

What You Need

• Pillar candles