Hello there! This is Mable here, with my first post on the PPS UAE Blog! I am a calligrapher and card maker and I will be sharing some unique projects with you, combining my love for calligraphy and crafting. Every year as November approaches my mind automatically goes into holiday preparation mode. While all the stores are full of holiday décor and Christmas trees, I go on the lookout for crafty ideas to ring in the holiday spirit. It has become a tradition for me to make decorations and greeting cards.
So for this months theme of “Anything Goes” I’m going to share a step by step tutorial of a hand lettered Christmas shaker ornament which is going to be our family greeting card for this year! The bonus is these ornaments will also become a part of my Christmas decorations! Yay for multitasking craft projects! The icing on the cake was this beautiful Memory Box snowflake die that was a part of my November DT Kit!
Let’s dive in…
The supplies used are:
- Memory box Stitched Snowflake Circle Frame Die
- Finetec Moiree palette
- Emboss It Pens
- Kuretake Hikkei Brush Pen
- White, Enchanted Gold and Gold Embossing powder
- Colored cardstock and watercolor paper
- Glossy accents
- Distress Inks
- Beads
All these supplies are available in the PPS UAE store – I will link them below.
Process
Step 1. To start off, I prepared all the elements of the ornament i.e. I die cut the snowflake frame out of cardstock (2 pieces) and matching craft foam (2 pieces).
Step 2. Next, measure the frame and cut out circles from watercolor paper (2 pieces) and clear plastic (1 piece) – I used clear binder file covers for the clear plastic.
Step 3. To add a background color to the ornament, dab some pigment from a distress ink pad on to a sheet protector – I used Mowed Lawn and Evergreen Bough. Next, I made a wash in a spray bottle with water and Copper Moirée from the Finetec Moirée Pallette. I usually save the water in which I wash brushes and nibs after using Finetec Paints. That paint is too gorgeous to waste! Spray this wash over the distress ink and place a watercolor paper circle over it to pick up the ink. The finetec moirée adds a lovely metallic sheen to the background. Repeat this step to make two circles with the colored background. Let them air dry or speed dry with a heat gun.
Step 4. Letter festive words like “Joy”, “Love”, “Peace”, “Hope” on the watercolor background with the Ranger Emboss It pen – I used the clear pen. Cover with mix of Enchanted Gold embossing powder and white Embossing Powder (I used a mix of 2 parts White to 1-part Enchanted Gold)– dust off excess and brush off stray powder. Heat set the embossing powder and let it cool. Write out a sentiment on the other watercolor circle with a black Kuretake Hikkei Brush Pen.
Step 5. Assemble the ornament by gluing the layers with Glossy Accents in the following order:
TIP – wait for every layer to dry before adding the next to ensure neatness
- a. glue together the 2 foam frame die cuts – carefully align the snowflake frame
- b. clear plastic circle
- c. cardstock frame
- d. check the alignment of the frame with the embossed word and turn over the frame
- e. drop in beads and sequins into the cavity
- f. place the watercolor emboss circle – facing down to seal the shaker
Step 6. Now that the shaker is part is ready –we can complete the back of the ornament
- Add a loop of ribbon at the top of the ornament
- place the water color circle with hand lettered sentiment facing up
- top it with the snowflake frame
- Add some embellishments like pearls or diamonds to the snowflakes for some added glimmer
Step 7. Your personalized tree ornament is ready to share with family and friends. I followed the same process to make more ornaments of different colors. To make the tree, I taped ribbon in the shape of a tree to the wall and stuck the ornaments to create a unique wall decoration.
I hope you like the project. Thanks for stopping by.
Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Mable
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Here are the things you need to know, to join this month’s challenge:
- Create a project with the theme “Anything Goes”.
- Upload your project images to the challenge photo album “November 2017: Anything Goes” on the PPS Group Facebook page(not on the main feed).
Challenge winner will receive a prize pack worth AED50.
