Photo card ornament

One of my favorite things to receive during the holidays are the family photo Christmas cards.
I love seeing how the families change and the kids grow during the year. These are too special to discard after the season is over, so I have saved them through out the years with the intention of coming up with something creative to do with them. This year I decided to make an ornament out of them and "re-gift" them to the family that sent them to me. I think this is one gift that's okay to re-gift and the family won't mind receiving back this year.

Supplies needed: One photo cardTwo pieces of glass "I used scrap glass from an old frame"Scalloped copper tapeJump ringsRibbonBeads, loop pins, bead caps, silver ball beads

Wrapping your ornament

First step is to make sure you CLEAN the glass really well with alcohol rub before sandwiching the card between the two pieces of glass.I prefer to use alcohol rub instead of glass cleaner because it doesn't streak and does a great job of removing the grime. I peel back the tape and start wrapping the edge of my ornament.After wrapping the entire ornament with copper tape, I used a popsicle stick to smooth the edges down and remove any air bubbles trapped between the tape and glass.(If you need more detail on foil wrapping look under soldering tips on my blog)

When done this is what your ornament should look like.

Then it's time to plug the old soldering iron in and start soldering. I do the four sides first then the front and back of the ornament.After tinning the whole ornament I go back and add a thick layer of solder to enhance the scallops.(If you need more detail on soldering look under soldering tips on my blog)

Next step is to add the jump rings! I added two to the top to run ribbon through and three to the bottom so I can add some beads and bling.(If you need more detail on adding jump rings look under soldering tips on my blog)

I started my bead chain by adding a silver ball, bead cap, bead, bead cap, and another silver ball. Then I looped the opening closed. I continued this until I had twelve done.

Connect all of the beads together in two groups of five and one group of two. Then connect the two groups of five to the bottom of your ornament "creating a swag effect". Next I added the group of two to the center ring and added a little bling to the end of them. This way it dangles and adds a little sparkle

After adding a little ribbon you have a one of a kind handmade gift your friends are sure to love!

Here are a few other ornaments I created for family and friends this holiday season.

Welcome Summer blog hoppers!

You should have arrived here from Janell Blog (http://janellscreations.blogspot.com/) if so you are on the right path, if not please click on the link http://scrapersdelight.blogspot.com/ to start at the beginning as we'd hate you to miss out any letters. I hope you are inspired by my project and are enjoying the blog hop so far, when you are ready please hop over to Leslie blog at http://www.lesliekcreations.blogspot.com/ and continue the fun.


I decided to do a Dress form pin cushion as my Summer project. This had to be one of the easiest projects I have done. I chose a beach theme, but think of the possibilities..... You could do anything with this girl.

Supplies used:

Muslin (for dress form & sash)
Wooden spool
Wood dowel
Wooden sun (from Hobby Lobby)
Making memories (buttercup paint)
Perfect pearls (mandarin)
Sand
Small sea shells
Adirondack ink (wildflower)
Flourish stamps
small letter stamp
Stick pins
Two Summer charms
Ric rac and ribbon

1. Cut muslin dress form front and back. mark darts with an air erase pen. Stitch darts. Iron darts toward center.

2. Stitch dress form front to back with 1/4" seam allowance. Leave opening on bottom as shown. Trim points and clip curves. Turn dress form right side out.

3. Assemble dress form base glue dowel into spool, paint and add paper and ribbon.

4. Paint the sun base and glue a light coat of sand to the center. Let dry and then lightly dust with Perfect pearls "mandarin" an add the micro beads around the edge. When finish glue the spool to the center of your base.

.5. With flourish stamp add decorative markings to front of dress form. I also stamped the sash and added some perfect peals to highlight it.

6. Stuff top half of form firmly. Insert dress form onto dowel and continue stuffing. Place a little glue around dowel to hold in place firmly. Add finial to the top of your dowel and glue it in place.

7. Start arranging and gluing sea shells around the base. Then stitch your sash and charms to the dress form.

8. Lastly I glued little shells to the stick pins.

Happy Summer hopping :) Next stop is Leslie.

Bind it all WINNER!

We have a winner and it is Redonna! Congratulations!!! Redonna please send me your info so I can get this out to you. The winner was chosen by Randon.org
Thank you to everyone who joined or left a comment :)

Skull Appreciation Day blog hop

Hello smudged and inked blog hoppers!

As the old saying goes "I decided to kill two birds with one stone"! I needed to make an altered paint can for a friends birthday and she just so happens to LOVE skulls. I must admit that I am addicted to altering these cans and I am considering a self help program. So if anyone knows of a good "paint can addiction 101 class" please feel free to forward the information.

Hopefully she will like and enjoy it the can:)


Supply list;
Autumn Leaves - Clear Stamps by Rhonna Farrer - Flourishes
12x12 Creative Imaginations - Caution Girl Collection - Paper - Cherry and Skull Paper
12x12 Random stripped paper from my stash
Ranger ink- acrylic paint dabber- snow cap
Ranger ink- acrylic paint dabber- pitch black
Heidi Swapp - Chipboard Alphabet - White
Mod Podge- glossy
White felt (used to make skull and cross bones)
Embroidery floss (two different colors)
Buttons- three
Various ribbons that coordinate with your paper




Altered paint can


1. Remove the handle from the can. (this will makes it a lot easier in the long run when adding your paper and embellishing).

2. Cut two pieces of card stock, patterned paper or fabric 7 1/4 x 10 3/4. This will leave you some overlap at the seams and a small gap at the top and bottom. You can easily split the 7 1/4 measurement in half if you want to use 2 different papers to cover the can.

3. Place a mark about 1 1/2 inches down from the top of your paper and use a 1" circle punch to cut out holes for the handles.

4. Once the paper is cut and the handle holes punched, you can stamp, ink, sew, draw or right on the paper before it is adhered to the can.

5. Adhere your paper to the can.

a. If the paper is lightweight, you can use double sided tape (I like Terrifically Tacky Tape) to attach the paper along the seams. I just run one piece of 1" wise tape up each side of the can, right under the handle.

b. If you're using heavy weight cardstock, or if you want your can to be a bit more durable, you'll need to use Mod Podge or some other decoupage medium. If you use a wet adhesive like Mod Podge. Use a foam brush to apply the paste to the can and then place the paper. I like to slather on another coat of Mod Podge over the paper. You can do this tidily or really sloppy, depending on the look you're trying to achieve. I usually allow it to dry over night before adding embellishments.

6. To create top or bottom borders, or a horizontal stripe around the middle of the can, cut a strip or paper or a ribbon and adhere with double sided tape.

7.I use a compass set at 2 5/8 inches to yield a circle with 5 1/4" diameter. (Be warned, when I used a compass I had an ugly flashback to geometry class.....). Again, adhere the paper to the top of the can with double sided tape or Mod Podge.

8. Once the surface is dry, you're free to embellish your can as you wish.

9. Replace the handle of the can.

10. Tie ribbons or add beads around the handle and decorate finish off by adding a paint key.

***Become a follower or leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win a bind it all and accessories. I will announce the winner on Thursday June 8th.*** You can scroll down for more details and pictures of the blog candy

Off to the next blog you go! Enjoy Dawns creations :)

Here is the complete list in case you have got lost along the way.

Terra

Tori

Alison

Kelli

Jane

Alex

Judi

Kathi

Steph

Lisa

Feddie

Heather

Kapree

Susan

Dianne

Barb Foster

JenniLynne

Teri

Cyndi

Pamela

Prissy

Trisha

Dawn

Lady Brayton

Donna

Black Dragon

Paulette

Creepy Glowbugg

Susan’s Crafty Chaos

Andrea

Helen

Kate

Fiona

Sugar

Linda

Dragonfly Jane

Debbie

Operation write home blog hop

Missing you card celebrating Memorial day


I wanted make a card using a military photo of my grandfather. I thought using his photo would be a nice way to honor his memory.
I have posted two different looks for this card by adding or changing one thing.

Supplies used
K and Company - Americana collection- Glitter Pillow Stickers- Stars
Paper Studio - Patriotic collage 12X12
The Girls Paperie - on holiday "Vintage travel" 12X12
Red & Blue card stock 12x12
flower soft - Peel off sticker 306 - Silver
Tim Holtz - die- Paper rosette
Silver German glass glitter "90 grit"
Glitz teeny alphabet "cream'

*I started by adhering all of the patterned papers (see list above) to my card base which is 5X7

*Using flower soft peel off stickers #306 - Silver, and attaching the strips around each piece of paper "creating a border".

*The final step was to add the photograph and K and Company Americana collection "glitter pillow stickers". Easy as can be!



I removed the rosette and attached the soldered ornament to the front of the card for a different look. The ornament makes a nice little gift on the card.
Become a follower or leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win a bind it all and accessories. I will announce the winner on Thursday June 8th.

Happy hopping, http://stamperstouch.blogspot.com/

Blog Candy!

Become a follower or leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win a bind it all and accessories. Prize package is worth over $100 and includes; Bind it all, 5 wire sets, and Zutter corner rounder. Limited to U.S residents only
Winner will be announced on Thursday June 8th.

Have a fantastic day!

Memorial day ornament

Memorial day soldered ornament

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to solder! So I decided create an ornament using a military picture of my grandfather Miriam Ferguson Ellis for Memorial Day.
When my Mom got a look at it she loved it..... Needless to say I no longer possess it because she took it home. Lol

Supplies used
Vintage photo
K and Company - Americana collection- Glitter Pillow Stickers- Stars
Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Muse tokens "courageous"
16 gauge silver craft wire
Navy blue rhinestones
Copper foil tape
Lead free solder

Become a follower and leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win a bind it all and accessories. I will announce the winner on Thursday June 8th.

Velveeta box part four

Here is my finished altered Velveeta box for Paper Cowgirls! It took me a little longer to bring it to life but I am happy with the way it turned out.


I decided to solder the roof of the birdhouse, perch, and door "opening". I also used vintage looking lace to trimmed the eaves out.


The rest of the house I covered in pieces of scrap paper and then soldered the house to the branch. By soldering it I made sure this little abode isn't going anywhere. Lol



Keep your fingers crossed that it does well in the auction on Saturday, June 11th. You can visit http://papercowgirl.blogspot.com/ for more information on the event.

Velveeta box part three

What's up Crafty friends! Here comes part three of the Paper Cowgirl Velveeta challenge so grab the Elmer's and follow me into The Trishlicious Art Studio or as Andy calls it the "Shrek room".



I found these fun little plastic eggs after Easter at Hobby Lobby for 80% off. I paid under a quarter for a bag of 25!
But the best thing about these are they are an extremely hard dense plastic.



The drawback to the great pricing was they look like Easter eggs and since this isn't an Easter project I needed to change that.
I had originally planned on soldering them but decided that my project needed some bling so I ended up covering them with vintage German glass glitter 90 grit.
Just rolled the little guys in good old fashioned Elmer's glue and dipped them in the bag. Looking at these little puppies now you'd never know they were .01 each now would you?


After the egg's turned out looking like a million bucks I couldn't just stick them in a plain old nest now could I?
But before I get to the next part let me assure you that I spoke with our Minister and he ASSURED me I will not be going to hell for this next part. So I am officially going on record as saying..... If you have a problem with this I am giving you his email and you can take it up with him. I bought a box of church hymnals at an estate sale for a .25 each! I bought four books and they are a nice vintage yellow with the pages falling out so I think of it as recycling them or "spreading the gospel".
Back to the nest.... I cut some thin strips of a blessing and curled them around a chop stick (creating little curly Q's) and filled the nest with them.




Then I arranged the eggs, and bingo I have this sweet little birds nest.
Only one more part to go before I assemble this box and ship it off to the gals over at Paper Cowgirls.

Velveeta box part two

Woot, woot.... Welcome back for part two of the Paper Cowgirl Velveeta challenge.

Let me start by saying I finally needed something that I did not have in my art studio :( So I had to get dressed, put on my shoes, brush my hair and grab the car keys and venture a whole fifteen steps to the front yard for that one of a kind, most excellent of all found.............

No peep's your eyes are not deceiving you it is a STICK!
Now I bet your wondering what I did with this little gem of a find?




Why, what else would you do with a stick but solder it. Lol

Let me tell you soldering a stick isn't as easy as you would think. It took me about an hour and a half to two hours to solder this stick.
The most difficult part was getting in between the branches and making sure ever inch of the branch was covered with solder.


Here is a close up of the branches. I will have part three up this weekend and I will give you a little hint (It cost me .25 for 25 and I used 3 at a cost of .01 each). Yes.... I spent a whole three cents on part three!

Velveeta Cheese box Paper Cowgirl challenge and auction!

Over at The Paper Cowgirl swap blog they are hosting a Velveeta cheese box challenge and I am happy to be participating in it.
The money raised at the auction goes to the Tina Wright memorial art scholarship fund. For those of you who didn't know Tina she was a very talented altered artist and solderer who was an inspiration to me. Tina was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in September 2009. Tina lost her battle to cancer on January 3, 2010 at the age of 44.


The challenge is to make something out of a Velveeta Cheese box. It can be anything decorative or utilitarian. The main rule is that the bottom of the box (brown corrugated part) must retain it's form so that it will still be recognizable as a Velveeta box. You can cut holes in it, or take it apart and reassemble as long as it keeps its shape and appropriate size. The lid can be used or not, but can be cut up to use in any way. The lid should be incorporated into the design, not as a separate item.

I have decided to break this up into four different parts because I plan on going (OVER THE TOP) with my design! I am not going to detail my vision for the Velveeta box right now, but I will tell you that I dreamt the idea. Now this isn't the first time I have had a dream about a project, believe it or not it happens a lot. That is why I keep a note pad on my night stand so I can jot things down when one gets my attention. Sometimes the ideas are a hit and sometimes they are just plain CRAZY!



Part one: The box

First thing I did was cover the cheese box with balsa wood. I did this for two reasons; One being I have TONS of balsa wood left over from building Architectural models for various jobs. I have so much that I could give Hobby Lobby a run for their money in the wood department. Two being the box was too soft as it was to withstand the moisture and the weight of the next step.



After letting the balsa veneer dry I started to mosaic the box with vintage broken china. Some of the pieces I used on this project were very special to me because they were pieces from a broken plate of my grandmother Edith's china. A few other pieces were from a bowl that belonged to my husband Andy's grandmother Nadine. I used a popsicle stick to spread the mastic "then adhered my tiles".



I let the mastic dry overnight before moving on to grouting it. As I was digging around the craft dump (other wise known as the massive walk in closet that not only holds my world but isn't organized ) I found three different shades of neutral grout. So I decided to mix them and create my own one of a kind grout color. Using once again my handy dandy popsicle stick to spread the grout a section at a time.


I took the box outside and let it set for about 10 to 15 minutes to give the grout a chance to dry and set. Then I took a paper towel and "buffet the excess grout off" leaving a nice smooth finish.


Part two should be up if a few days so check back to see the "CRAZY" part of this project. After seeing it you will be asking yourself "what the h*ll" is she doing? lol

Tools for Soldering

Though primarily used for stained glass work, glass soldering can also be used to create unique glass jewelry and decorative items. Much of the method mirrors that used for metal solder work, but here is a basic explanation of the technique and tools needed to solder glass pendants.

To begin, you'll need a few tools used by stained glass artists. Most glass suppliers carry what you'll need, and luckily, most of the basic tools aren't very expensive. The Crafty Scrapper, Hobby Lobby, and The little Blue house are great resources for supplies.

Tools, Equipment, and Supplies for Glass Soldering:

Soldering iron and stand: Soldering irons are similar to the type of torch you might use for metal soldering, but instead of a flame, the end of the iron is heated through electricity. While it may not get as hot as a flame torch, it still gets pretty hot though, so it's a good idea to also purchase a stand to hold it. Most stands include a small sponge, which is kept damp and used to clean the end of the iron.

Copper foil: You can buy this by the roll. Foil comes in a number of widths and designs (such as scalloped) and has an adhesive back, so you can just peel off the back and stick it to the edges of your glass pieces.

Non-lead solder: Normally, you'll purchase your solder on a roll. There are a lot of different types of solder, but what is important to remember is that for jewelry, you don't want to use lead solder since it will probably be touching someone's skin. If you were actually making stained glass or maybe creating other types of glass pieces that were not to be worn as jewelry, then regular lead solder would probably be fine to use. It really depends. Some stained glass artists prefer to use non-lead solder no matter what.

Flux: Just as with metal jewelry soldering, you cover the areas you plan to solder with flux.

Brush: A small, inexpensive paint brush is perfect for adding your flux.

Burnisher: You need something to burnish your copper foil against the glass. I just use a wooden dowel or even a pencil or pen to do this. I use a popsicle/craft stick stick

Soldering basics

1. To begin with, you need to find a well ventilated work area. I usually have the ceiling fan going in my craft room or open a window.

2. Then set up your tools. You'll need to plug in your soldering iron and soak your solder stand sponge with water.

3. Take your copper foil tape, peal off the back (only as far as you are wrapping ). Wrap it around the piece of glass you wish to solder. The foil is very easy to manipulate, so just trim off any excess with scissors. (You can use an x-acto knife to even up any uneven areas)

4. Burnish the copper around the glass. This simply means to take something, such as a popsicle stick, and rub it against the copper foil so that it is as smooth and even as possible.

5. Set your piece of glass to be soldering in front on you, making sure it is on either a tile or a non-stick metal cookie sheet .

6. Use a small paint brush and brush your flux on all of the copper.

7. Now, take your roll of solder (remember it should be lead free for jewelry), and unroll a little of the solder.

8. In one hand, hold the end of the solder over the foil you just added to the glass piece, and in the other hand, hold your soldering iron.

9. Now comes the tricky part. You want to simultaneously hold the tip of the iron against the tip of the solder and move around the copper on your glass piece. Depending on the thickness and size of your glass, you may have to do one side and then the other side of the glass.

10. To add a jump ring or bale to your piece (remember you can solder metal to metal so you can use copper wire or silver too), just rest it up against the area you'd like it to adhere to on your copper foil, and drip some solder onto the area creating a "mountain". Then using a pair of hemostats to hold your jump ring solder the ring to the "mountain". Don't forget to flux your jump ring.

With a little practice, you will be a pro before you know it.

Saddle up ladies and gentlemen because Paper Cow Girls is coming to town!

I am happy to announce I will be teaching at this years Paper Cowgirl art retreat! It is such an honor to be teaching with so many talented ladies. If you're not familiar with Paper Cowgirls I suggest you visit their blog and check out the amazing classes at: http://papercowgirl.blogspot.com/
Paper Cowgirl art retreat: June 11 thru 12, 2011