Inspired Ideas Christmas 2012

’ Christmas 2012 2

volume 3, no. 2

dear friends, Have you heard of the book

, Unplug the Christmas Machine by Jo Robinson? It’s a marvelous guide to celebrating Christmas. It en courages you to choose wa ys to enjoy the season and avoid all the traps we all fall into this time of year. This year, I am pledging to slow down and enjoy all the wonder of the season. Seeing Christm as through the eyes of my little boy, resisting the hustle and bustle, never missing a kiss under the mistletoe, singin g carols, admiring the twinklin g lights on the tree are all on my list of things to do. Best of all, I will craft some sweet little gifts for loved ones on my list, giv ing a little of my heart with each one. To me, crafting isn’t jus t one more thing on my todo list. It’s my passion. I know it’s the same with you. I ho pe you’ll find time this Christm as to craft something speci al. I hope this issue inspires you to make something gorgeou s.

with love,

12 ................................................ Tin Ornaments 20 .............................................. Retro Stocking 26 .......................................................Tiny Books 32 ............................................... Seedling gifts 36 .....................................Kitschy dish towels 42 ............................... Embroidered gift tags 44 ................................................ Sticker Album 52 ....................................................... Pincushion 56 ............................................... inspired reads 60 ....................... Make Your own Watercolors 68 ..............................................Spool Necklace 74 ................................. Sweet dreams sampler 80 ........................................ Darling headbands 84 .................................................... Powder puff 88 ........................................ little deer heads 92 .............................................. New Year Fairy

Ammmmmmmmm n n n n n leslie brier suzanne duda n n n n Cpppppppp Leslie Brier is a mixed media artist, jewelry designer and freelance graphic designer. She loves to hunt through thrift stores and salvage yards to find items that have been cast off, because they are no longer considered beautiful or useful, and give them a new identity. Leslie lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with her husband, two children and two cavalier King Charles Spaniels.Visit her blog: www.brierdesignstudio.blogspot.com

Suzanne Duda walks the fine line between hoarding and collecting all things vintage, shabby, romantic and feminine. She loves to incorporate these elements into her decorating and art.

A study in contradictions, she loves to travel, but would rather stay home; she is both shy and the life of the party.

Suzanne is a proud mom of two twentysomething kids who have grown up to be her best friends. She lives in Atlanta and writes about life on her blog: www. suzanneduda.typepad.com.

mmmmmmmmmB o o o kerrie more cherie wilson o o o o o o pppppppppD Cherie Wilson has had a heart for teaching art and being a mama for as long as she can remember. She has been serving women and teen girls locally for the last 15 years as well as sharing her blog with an encouraging voice for the healing power of Art.

Currently, she is excited to be working on curriculum with her friend and colleague, Dr. Susan Pauly, PhD. Art journaling, project-minded techniques, and faith-based meditative homework and discussions are just a part of the offerings. They believe in women’s hearts and the issues that are unique to them, and they want to provide interesting and fun art driven avenues to health and wellness for a lifetime!

Cherie’s greatest achievements are her 4 very capable and beautiful daughters, Katie, Cassie, Carly and Anna along with her busy husband, Mike and their silly standard poodle, Trueman. You can visit Cherie at www.humblepiedesigns.blogspot.com

If you were to ask Kerrie what she loves more, reading or crafting, she would have a hard time choosing. Living out in the country, with only three veryfuzzy television channels, her childhood was fueled by trips to the library as well as long afternoons immersed in an eclectic mix of creative projects. As a school librarian, she spends her days helping students navigate the world of information as well as find good books to read. She’s adamant when she says, “I have the greatest job in the world!”

Kerrie is very proud to be part of a book club that has been meeting for fourteen years and recognizes the way that reading inspires kinship. One of her favorite moments is hearing someone say, “Have you read….” and watching everyone scramble for a pen and paper to write down the title. Kerrie considers herself blessed to call northwest Montana her home and marvels each day at the beauty outside her window.

She and her husband recently built a mountain cabin. It is here that she retreats to enjoy nature, get lost in a good book or crochet her heart out. You can take a peek at www.kerriemore.com.

Illustration by Pam Keravuori.

’

inspired ideas Christmas 2012

volume 3, no. 2

Amy Powers .............. Magazine Creator Pam Keravuori .......... Idea Generator Illustrator Word Smith Kerrie More .............. Editor Book reviewer Lorraine Rose ........... Proofreader Cheerleader Validator LETTERS

TO THE

EDITOR & SUBMISSIONS:

Email amy@inspireco.com or send correspondence to: Amy Powers Inspired Ideas 5213 Tulip Leaf Court Centreville VA 20120 Š Copyright 2012 by Inspire Co. LLC All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission of copyright owner. All images contained within have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of all the artists concerned and no responsibility is accepted by the publisher, Inspire Co., for any infringement of copyright or otherwise arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that the projects within this magazine are original.

Please respect the generosity of the artists contributing to this magazine.

Do not reproduce projects featured here for resale. They are for personal use only. Enjoy!

Photo by Suzanne Duda.

you love to make things In fact, you are always making something.

It’s what makes you happiest. You are most inspired by ideas that are fresh, approaches that are ingenious, & designs that are lovely.

Welcome! You are home.

inspired ideas is your magazine.

{crafthappy}

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inspired ideas

ombine costume jewelry and other bits and bobs from Christmas past into vintage ornaments that will become tomorrow’s heirlooms.

C

This is a wonderful way to repurpose vintage Christmas pins that may be broken, single clip-on earrings, or pieces that have a few stones missing. If you choose to use a piece of jewelry that is in good condition, be aware that some vintage jewelry has value to collectors, especially pieces that are signed by the designer.

I have been using resin in my handmade jewelry for the past few years, and I love its versatility. I’ve found that resin has many uses beyond jewelry making. If you’ve always wanted to use resin, this is a great project to try.

by Leslie Brier

Christmas 2012

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You’ll need: • •

• • • • • • • • •

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Tart tins Goodies for the inside including: – Costume jewelry – Cupcake picks – new or vintage.

– Glitter, sequins and trim – Paper ephemera – vintage post cards, wrapping paper, stickers, book pages – Small pearl beads – Vintage Christmas items – plastic figures, holly leaves, nativity figures, etc.

– Vintage paper flowers – Buttons with shanks ICE Resin Mod Podge or gel medium (glossy) Ribbon, rick rack, chain, or pipe cleaners for hanging Small flat paint brush Small metal buckles, if desired Screw punch, drill or Crop-a-dile Watercolor pencils or water colors Wire cutters Wire; 20 or 22 gauge works well

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q

w

Prepare the tart tins.

Punch a hole for hanging in each tart tin using a screw punch, drill or crop-adile. Make sure that the hole is high enough on the wall of the tart tin that the resin won’t flow out later.

Prepare items for the inside of the ornament.

Paper: Any paper that goes into the resin needs to be sealed with Mod Podge. Be sure to coat the back, front, and edges. If the edges aren’t coated, resin can seep in, giving the paper a blotchy appearance. I usually brush on two coats, letting it dry between coats to ensure that all the paper is covered.

Costume jewelry: To make the items lie flat in the tart tin, clip off any excess metal on the back with wire cutters.

Pearl beads: Tiny pearls make a lovely border around the inside of the base of the tin. I string them on a piece of fine wire and form it into a circle. That way, no bead holes will show, and the pearls won’t drift inside the resin once it is poured.

Paper flowers: The flowers I used were a pale yellow. I added color to them using a wet paint brush and a watercolor pencil.

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e

Design the inside of the ornament.

This is the fun part! Layer the items that you have gathered and combine them in interesting ways. Once you have a design that pleases you, use Mod Podge as glue to secure the items inside the tin. This will prevent the items from floating to the top when the resin is poured. If you are using glitter, brush the inside of the ornament with Mod Podge and shake the glitter on top of it. Tap out the excess. As you are designing the ornament be sure that the hole you drilled is at the top, so that it will hang correctly.

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inspired ideas

Christmas 2012

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inspired ideas

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Add resin to the tins.

Protect your work surface with wax paper or heavy trash bags. Make sure the area is free of dust, glitter, pet hair or anything else you don’t want to end up in your ornament. Mix up a minimum of one ounce of ICE Resin by combining equal amounts of Part A and Part B. Stir for at least two minutes. The mixture will become cloudy, and then clear. Once it becomes clear, stir it for another minute, and then let the mixture rest for a minute or two. (Open working time is at least twenty minutes.) Use a wooden stick to drip the resin into the tins. I usually like to keep the resin shallow, and have my items sticking up out of it. You can do quite a few tins with one ounce of resin.

Be sure that your work surface is flat so that the resin is level. Wipe off any drips that get on the outside of the tins. Allow them to sit undisturbed for 24 hours.

t

Add hangers and any additional embellishments.

Ribbon and button hanger: Cut a piece of ribbon approx. 14” long. Slide a button with a shank onto the ribbon. Even up the ends of the ribbon and feed them through the hole in the tin, going from the inside to the outside. Tie an overhand knot at the top with both pieces of ribbon.

Ribbon and buckle hanger: Fold a 14” length of ribbon in half. Poke the folded end of the ribbon through the hole in the ornament and bring it back up over the ribbon to form a lark’s head knot.

Thread the ribbon through a buckle and tie an overhand knot at the top.

The buckle will slide up and down on the ribbon allowing you to adjust it depending on the length of the branch it will adorn.

Chain hanger: Thread approx.

Left: Use a wooden stick to drip the resin into the tins. Be sure your work surface is flat so that the resin is level. Allow ornaments to set for 24 hours.

Christmas 2012

9” of chain through the shank of a button, leaving 4.5 inches on either side. Thread the two chain ends from the inside to the outside of the tin. The button will prevent the chain from sliding out of the hole. Use a jump ring or wire wrap to attach the chain ends, forming a loop for hanging.

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inspired ideas

An Old Fashioned

Stocking

I

love the simplicity and nostalgia of this project. How fun it is to give a sweet little gift in one of these vintageinspired stockings...just like Christmases past! I remember stockings like these filled with candy…but use your imagination. The possibilities are endless! “Specialty mesh” is a little stronger and there are certainly many color options.

So have fun, my friends! I can’t wait to see what you create.

You'll need: •

• • • • •

q

½ yard specialty mesh in your choice of color (I found mine at Jo-Ann’s) Double seam binding in coordinating colors Straight pins to hold placement Sewing machine & threads to match Tacky glue Assorted trims, ribbons and bits to adorn finished stocking

w

Make the template.

I created the template for my stocking out of computer paper to 3 ½ inches at the top opening (including seam allowances) and chose it to be 8 ½ inches long. Feel free to create your own size and shape. Wouldn’t a giant one be so much fun?

Cut out stocking.

Pin your paper template to two layers of the specialty mesh and cut out the shape.

by Cherie Wilson Christmas 2012

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e

Prepare stocking pieces.

Remove paper, reinserting pins in the center of the netting to keep the stocking pieces attached. Pin your seam binding along the edges of the stocking. Be sure to pin both edges inside the seam binding. Start at the top, leaving the top of your stocking open. Be extra careful to get the edges tucked in securely when pinning the seam binding. You don’t want holes in your stockings, right?

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Create a handle.

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Sew!

After you’ve pinned the seam binding all the way around to the other side of the stocking, reserve seam binding for the handle. On my stockings, I left 8 ½ inches for the handle. A larger stocking will require more and a smaller, less.

Use your sewing machine to stitch the seam binding that you have pinned all along the edges.

Continue to sew along the seam binding of the handle. Attaching the end of the seam binding back to where you started.

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➊

➋

➊ Don’t forget to leave trim for the handle! ➋ Sew along the edges,

➌ Christmas 2012

finishing with sewing the binding of the handle together ➌ & ➍ Insert a sleeve of cardboard in the opening before gluing the trim across the top.

➍ 23

y

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Embellish!

Now for some fun embellishments.

When gluing trims along the top of the stocking, be sure to place a piece of thick cardstock in between.

Otherwise, you’ll glue the stocking shut!

Be inspired by all the trims, ribbons and treasures in your stash to create fabulously one-of-a-kind stockings!

inspired ideas

How adorable are these customized paper dolls by our friend Claudine Hellmuth?

We think they’d make a wonderful gift. Claudine provides instructions for you to customize them yourself. Make paper dolls for your whole family! www.etsy.com/shop/ claudinehellmuth Christmas 2012

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e: l siz a u t c A " 1 x 1Âź About

Photograph by Steve Belkowitz, courtesy Quirk Books.

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iinspired in nsp spiirred ed iideas deeas d as

TINY BOOKS With paper odds and ends, you can make miniature books to display on your bookshelves or give to your friends.

You'll need: • • • • • • • • • • • •

1 8-by-53/4-in sheet of office paper Craft knife and cutting mat Ruler 2 13/4-by-11/8-in sheets of decorative paper 1 1-by-11/8-in sheet of scrap paper Foam or cardboard scrap Awl or sturdy pushpin Nylon thread and embroidery needle 1 2-by-11/4-in (at least) piece of thick card stock or thin board Craft glue 1 23/4-by-13/4-in sheet of decorative paper (for the cover) Wax paper scraps (optional)

q

Make the book’s interior

w

Make the endpapers

by folding the 8-by-53/4-inch office paper 3 times. Trim the unfolded edge to 7/8 inch wide. Cut the remaining piece widthwise into 5 sections that are each 7/8 by 11/8 inches; these will be the signatures, or groups of pages in the book. When folded, each signature will have 16 pages, or 8 leaves.

by folding the 2 13/4-by-11/8-inch decorative papers in half, matching the size of the 7/8-by-11/8-inch signatures. These endpapers will attach to the inside of the cover.

From the book Microcrafts: Tiny Treasures to Make and Share Compiled by Margaret McGuire, Alicia Kachmar, Katie Hatz and Friends (Reprinted with permission.)

by Melissa Jacobson Christmas 2012

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e

Make a sewing template (for binding the book) by folding the scrap paper in half to measure 1/2 by 11/8 inches. Open the paper and lay it on foam or cardboard. Using an awl or pushpin, punch 5 holes in the fold.

(Mark the top with a pencil so you know which way is up.) Use the template and the awl to punch 5 holes into the fold of each signature and endpaper. Keep track of the top of each so that the holes align when you sew everything together.

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r

Make the book block

by aligning and sewing together the endpapers and signatures, following the numerical order shown in the diagram (see next page). Note that solid lines indicate stitches outside the folded edge (spine), and dotted lines indicate stitches inside the fold. Knot the thread at the end of the stitches to secure.

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y

Make the cover

by cutting the card stock into 3 pieces to fit the front, spine, and back of the book block. Glue the pieces to the wrong (back) side of the 23/4-by-13/4-inch decorative paper, leaving a very small space between them, as shown. After the glue dries, trim the corners of the paper, leaving enough to fold over the card stock. Apply a small amount of glue around the edges of the paper and fold it over the card stock, tucking the corners in.

Glue the cover

to the endpapers on the outside of the book block.

Press the book under a heavy object (we recommend Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition).

To prevent glue from seeping onto the book’s pages, place wax paper between the inside covers and endpapers.

Christmas 2012

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To add a belly band

, cut a 1/8inch slit 1/4 inch from the bottom edge of a 1/4-by-23/4-inch strip of decorative paper. Wrap the belly band tightly around your finished book, mark where the slit touches the opposite end of the strip, and cut a 1/8-inch slit from the top edge at this point. Now wrap the belly band around your book and slide the two slits into each other to fasten.

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Scale this project up or down to create miniature volumes for your favorite bookworm. These miniature books can easily be turned into wearable art. Simply insert a jump ring or a loop of string into the book end before gluing on the cover.

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inspired ideas

1

hol iday I adore th esde pa ckaging crafting an nd at suppl ies fougie.

Anthropolo els, 1 Sweet gift tlhaeb cute including s, by Rifl e bann er tape Paper Co. rkl es 2 Beads and yspa ckaged beautifull pa in glass tubes lace 3 Ribbon andwo den wound on yo ever spools...can ?ou have enough

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inspired ideas

givethegift ofnature P

lant a tree seedling in a darling teacup and you have a perfectly delightful gift for anyone on your list. You can buy tree seedlings in bulk online (www.greenworldproject.net) and plant them in any container. Please note: Since teacups don’t have a drainage hole, they are not recommended as anything but a temporary container for the seedling.

byAmy Powers

Christmas Ch C h ri r st s ma m s 20 2012 2 12 12

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The seedlings arrive by post wrapped in plastic and with 2� root plugs. Simply plant the seedlings in teacups (try to find cups that are at least 2� deep to accomodate the roots). Attach a tag with instructions to replant the tree as soon as possible in a container with proper drainage.

For best results, you will want to deliver the trees immediately after preparing them, making sure to keep them slightly moist.

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iinspired in sp pirreed d iideas d as de a

The trees are so tiny that it doesn’t take much to add a bit of sparkle.

Crinkle wire makes a fabulous garland. Buttons, beads and charms make sweet ornaments. Add a banner with a Christmas message, such as “Joy” or “Peace”, and you have an adorable gift everyone will appreciate.

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inspired ideas

hodgepodge dish towels veryone needs a happy reminder once in a while, and these dishtowels are just the thing. Block letters and a simple applique technique make these a breeze to make. Use a bright assortment of fabric scraps like vintage feed sacks, happy calicos, and pretty florals and make up a bunch.

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You'll need: • • • • • •

• • •

An assortment of fabrics for the letter applique Therm-O-Web Peel n Stick adhesive sheets Blank flour sack towels or other dish towels to embellish Needle and thread Embroidery hoop Scissors (not your best pair but ones that are sharp enough to cut through fabric) Iron Sewing machine & threads to match Assorted trims such as rick rack, pom pom trim, and ribbons to adorn your finished towel

by Amy Powers Christmas 2012

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q

Cut swatches of fabric.

w

Cut the letters.

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Cut one swatch per letter approximately 1.5” x 2.5” –adjust the size depending on the number of characters. (Fewer characters, such as the LOVE applique, could have larger swatches, while longer quotes will require smaller swatches.) Expose the adhesive of the Therm-O-Web Peel n Stick sheet by peeling back the paper layer with the printed words. Adhere the swatches of fabric to the sheet, being careful not to overlap them.

Use the guide at the end of this article. I chose not to cut out the middle parts of letters, for instance the “O,” for stylistic reasons... but it also makes cutting out so much easier! Since you are cutting through the adhesive of the PeelnStick, your scissors might get gummed up. If this happens, wash your scissors’ edges with hot soapy water. It may be necessary to use a bit of steel wool to remove all of the glue, especially if you cut out many letters.

Adhere the letters

. Iron a crease down the center of the dish towel and use this crease to center the letters. Place them first, adjusting the spacing to fit the whole phrase, or word, nicely, then peel back the adhesive paper and stick each letter in its place.

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Stitch.

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Press each applique

y

I like to use a doubled black thread to sew a simple straight stitch.

I like the contrast of the black thread on the fabric. It unifies unifies the look a bit.

When stitching the applique, use a fine needle with a small eye. Just like with the scissors cutting through the adhesive, the needle might get “gunked up.” The smaller the needle and thread, the easier it will be to pass it through. to melt the adhesive and make the applique permanent. This also helps prevent the fabric from fraying.

Using a sewing machine

or stitch by hand, attach rick rack, pom pom trim or other ribbons to the bottom of the towel.

inspired ideas

Christmas 2012

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Block Letters Use these letters as a guide for cutting your uppercase letters of the alphabet from your swatches of fabric.

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inspired ideas

Upbeat messages on dish towels, such as my favorite quote, “Do small things with great love” (Mother Teresa) and “Think Happy” (shown here) will help put a little cheer in your chores.

Christmas 2012

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embroidered

tags

by Amy Powers

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inspired in nsp pirred d iideas d as de as

Take plain kraft or manila tags and make them more special by adding a homemade touch.

Snowman

Three buttons stacked make an instant snowman. Stitch him a top hat, add a bit of floss tied as a scarf and look how darling! Scatter a few shiny beads around for pretty snow.

Tree Long green stitches become the branches of this Christmas tree. Sew on beads for ornaments, or why not thread beads together to fashion a pretty garland?

Gifts Use double-sided tape to adhere fabric squares to the tag. Sew embroidery floss through the tag, tying it in a pretty bow in the front.

Joy A button makes the perfect “O.” Embroider the letters “J” & “Y” and then simply sew a button between.

Christmas Ch C h rrii stma s t ma st m a s 20 2012 2 0 12 12

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inspired ideas

sticker album W

hen I was a little girl, one of my most cherished posessions was my sticker album. I’d collect and trade all sorts of special stickers with my friends. My favorites were the scratch and sniff ones, followed closely by the sparkly prism stickers. When I tried to find a sticker album for my little boy, I was surprised to find none in the marketplace. I did what every good crafter does in such situations...I made one! Now you can make one too.

by Amy powers

Christmas 2012

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You'll need: • • • • • • • • • • •

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An old hardback book X-Acto knife Straight edge Colorful paper Laminator and laminating plastic Crop-a-dile or hole punch 3 binder rings A small envelope Glue stick Labels Stickers to start the collection

01

Make the covers.

2 0

Cut the inside pages.

Remove the covers from a hardback book using an X-Acto knife and a straight edge. Carefully make your cut at the indention of the covers along the spine. Save the body of the book for another project.

Subtract ½” from the cover’s dimensions to determine the size of your interior pages.

For instance if your cover is 5” x 7”, your interior pages should be cut to 4.5” x 6.5”.

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3 0

Laminate the pages. By laminating the pages, you’ll make it easier for little ones to place and replace the stickers. Follow the directions of your laminating machine. If you don’t have a laminating machine, check with your local copy shop.

4 0

Bind your book.

Create a template with three evenly spaced holes ¼” from the edge. Use this template to punch the holes in the cover and sticker book pages. Line up the holes and feed the binder rings through to create your book.

Christmas 2012

5 0

Add an envelope.

6 0

Label the sections.

Provide a place for extra stickers by adhering an envelope to the inside front cover using a glue stick. Fill with extra stickers.

Create labels to identify categories of sections (see next page for category ideas). Apply the labels for each two page spread. Cut paper 1½” x 1¾”. Fold in half lengthwise to make tabs. Write a category on each of the tabs. Use a glue stick to apply along the outer edges of the pages.

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inspired ideas

j

suggested

sticker

categories 1. My very favorites 2. Sweet treats 3. Animals 4. Characters 5. Under the Sea 6. Holidays 7. Scratch & Sniffs 8. Fuzzies 9. Shinies 10. Glow in the dark 11. Getting around 12. Sports 13. Super Heroes 14. Dinosaurs 15. People

Can you think of more?

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E OV

T

S HI

!

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Jump start your sticker collection with our friend Claudine Hellmuth’s wonderful sticker kit, Sweet Shoppe Stickers, available only at HSN. The set includes fabulous scratch and sniff stickers and comes packaged in a cute little house. Over 1000 stickers in all, on sale now for just $16.95. www.HSN.com

inspired ideas

Photo by Suzanne Duda.

Christmas 2012

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inspired ideas

sew

good very crafter needs a pretty pincushion! With a teacup as its base, this one is as handy as it is pretty. If you’re making a bunch of these, you can replace the embroidered top with lovely fabric, but don’t leave out the adorable tea tag!

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You'll need: • • • • • • • •

Fabric (enough to cut an 8” circle) Scissors Needle and thread Embroidery floss Embroidery hoop Small bit of velvet or felt for heart center Poly-Fil stuffing material Teacup

by Amy Powers

Christmas 2012

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•

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Craft glue

inspired ideas

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cut the fabric. Use a plate or other circular object approximately 8” in diameter as a guide to draw a circle on your fabric and cut it out.

w

e

embroider. Cut a heart from a piece of velvet or felt. Stitch it into place in the middle of your circle. Stitch around the heart using a variety of stitches. (The feather stitch and running stitch are shown in the example.)

r

This would be a fun sort of sampler.

You could try a different stitch for every “circle” around the heart. A great resource for learning new stitches is Mary Corbet's Needle N Thread website (www. needlenthread.com)

t

Sew around the perimeter of the circle using a gathering stitch. Sew the stitch about ¼” from the edge of the fabric using a knotted thread. What we are sewing is basically a yo-yo which we will fill with stuffing material. Once you’ve completed sewing all the way around the circle, pull the thread to cinch. Before you cinch it all the way though, fill it with Poly-Fil stuffing.

Use as much as you can possibly fit. Cinch the circle closed completely and stitch across the circle many times to secure.

Christmas 2012

Glue pincushion. Run a bead of craft glue along the inside rim of the teacup and place the pincushion inside. If the pincushion tries to slip out, put a book over the teacup after you place the pincushion inside until the glue sets.

Add a tea tag. Embroider a heart on a small bit of fabric. To cover the backside of the stitches on the tag, place another small piece of fabric behind the finished embroidery. Using a long thread, start just above the heart− leaving a 3” tail−and sew a running stitch in a small square around the heart. When you get back around to the top of the heart, tie a knot with the tail you left at the beginning of the outline.

Leave a space of about 3” for the tag to dangle from the cup. Using the remaining thread, still attached to the tag, sew a running stitch along the edge of the pincushion. When your stitches meet back up, tie the thread in a knot.

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holiday

reading

After all of the hustle-and-bustle of shopping for gifts, making gifts, and of course, wrapping gifts, I hope you will give yourself the ultimate gift -- a quiet spot, a cup of tea and a good holiday read. The following books are sure to provide a brief escape from the busy season, and each of them will hopefully inspire you to focus on our best Christmas gifts-- simple moments and the loved ones who share them with us. Happy Reading!

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

by Davis Bunn (Thomas Nelson Publishers)

She is wrapped in a quilt on a cold winter day, sipping hot cocoa and listening to Grandmother’s life-stories. Initially, Marissa feels resentful and abandoned when she is left behind to recover from an illness, while the rest of her family enjoys the holiday in Hawaii. Having recently lost her husband, Gran also understands what it means to lonely. Yet, when she pulls out a faded, yellowing picture and begins to tell her stories, Marissa is given the most beautiful holiday gift of all-- the secret of a long-ago Christmas when a small broken community gathered together. It was the Christmas when her heartbroken young grandmother found the love she’d been searching for when she’d crossed the ocean all those years ago. This is a gem of a novel that will prompt you to look around and see what you might do to ease another’s burden during the holidays. It is one that will make you long to sit down and say to someone you love, “Tell me your story.”

by Kerrie More

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Christmas 2012

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When Angels Sing

by Turk Pipkin

The Thirteenth Day of Christmas

by Jason F. Wright

(Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill)

(Shadow Mountain)

As a young boy, Michael Walker loved Christmas with all his heart. Each holiday spent with his beloved grandparents at their house in the mountains was picture-perfect-- complete with falling snow and Christmas carols.

However, when a horrible accident occurs on Christmas, eight-year old Michael spends each following year unable to rekindle any spirit for the holiday season. In fact, he wishes that he could avoid the holiday altogether. Now an adult, Michael is overjoyed at the mysterious turn of events that leads him to the perfect house for his growing family. What he doesn’t realize, however, is that his new neighborhood is a well-known destination for thousands of folks who come to see the elaborate Christmas displays in each and every yard. Will Michael be able to let go of the past in order to create new memories for his hurting son? This magical novel challenges us to believe in miracles while showing us that healing can begin as a result of the kindness of strangers. Perhaps you will shed a tear or two, but you will undoubtedly be smiling through them.

Most children love surprises, especially at Christmas. So, it’s no surprise that Charlee Martin is overjoyed to discover the first of what promises to be thirteen notes and gifts from a mysterious stranger, leading up to Christmas. These special surprises come at a time when there have been far too many unhappy surprises in her life -- such as the loss of her father’s job, moving to a new community and learning how to live paycheck-to-paycheck.

Yet, the most unexpected surprise of all comes on Thanksgiving Day when Charlee is rushed to the hospital and learns just how sick she really is. What makes all of this bearable is the unexpected friendship she has built her new neighbor, a lonely widow with a big heart.

Marva’s warm, welcoming smile, her excellent listening skills, her quirky apron collection, and her love of fresh laundry hung on the clothesline are perhaps just the medicine Charlee will need to get well. This sweet little book will make you wonder, “What does happen on the Thirteenth Day of Christmas?” As a result, you just may be inspired to start a new Christmas tradition of your own!

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craftbook Microcrafts: Tiny Treasures to Make and Share compiled by Margaret McGuire, Alicia Kachmar, Katie Hatz and Friends (Quirk Books)

Take a regular item, make it smaller, and what do you get? Something that’s just plain adorable!

Miniatures have always been popular for their “cute-factor,” and this book is BIG on cute.

Prepare yourself for the dilemma of deciding which of the twenty-five unique projects you will want to make first. Will it be the scrumptious looking candy charms, the adorable little spool dolls, or perhaps the itty-bitty houseplants and terrariums? Whatever you choose to make, you will have something to decorate your dollhouse, give as a gift, wear as jewelry, or simply add some charm to a darling little shelf. Each project comes with simple, easy-to-follow directions as well as diagrams and illustrations that will make craft-time a joy. The photographs are lovely, and the overall feel of the book is a blend of sophisticated whimsy. You will want your own copy of Microcrafts to turn to again-and-again-if for nothing more than to get your daily-dose of cute! We want to extend a big thank you to Quirk Books for sharing the “Book” and “Deer Head” projects from Microcrafts with us for this issue. Go ahead, give them a try, and don’t be surprised if you start dreaming up your own microcraft ideas!

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just add

water make your own watercolors

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ith just a few household ingredients that you probably already have on hand, you can make your own watercolor set! It makes an easy and inexpensive gift, and it’s even one that your children can help you put together. Pair it with a set of the provided drawings (appendix), printed on heavy watercolor paper, and they are the perfect gift for any budding artist.

by Amy powers

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you’ll need: • • • • • • • •

Baking soda White vinegar Light corn syrup Cornstarch Small container for mixing Toothpicks Food colors Divided bead organizer

watercolor recipe Mix 3 tablespoons each of baking soda, corn starch, and white vinegar with 1½ teaspoon light corn syrup. Divide mixture into small mixing containers. Add 5 to 12 drops of food color per cup. Experiment with mixing colors and varying strength to make a variety of colors. Use a toothpick to stir well. Pour each color in a different well of your bead container. Leave the container lids open and allow the paint to dry. It may take up to a few days to dry, depending on the humidity.

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A bead organizer, like this one, makes a perfect container for your watercolor set. Here are some other clever ideas: • Ice trays • Pill organizers • Lids from drink bottles • Egg cartons • Plastic paint palettes

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Print out a set of adorable drawings (provided in appendix) on heavy watercolor paper, pair it with paints, and you have the perfect gift for your little artist. I’ve purposely made the pencil marks light for the printout to resemble true pencil drawings, but you can go over the outlines to make them darker if you prefer.

Trim them to 4.25� x 5.5�. Combine a few nice paintbrushes with your watercolor paint palette and bundle it all up in a cigar box for a wonderful little gift.

inspired ideas

WE’RE LOOKING FOR

inspired ideas We’re always looking for great inspired ideas to feature in our magazine, and we welcome your submissions. We’re really interested in projects that take a fresh approach. We want to stretch the imagination and inspiration of our readers more than ever by showing super-innovative projects. We’re especially interested in projects that are not yet published, even on your own blog, i.e., something folks haven’t seen before. Whether it’s a new take on an old craft, materials used in ingenious ways, or just something so sweet and wonderful that everyone will want to make it...

send us your idea!

We’re currently searching for

Springtime and general crafting ideas.

Send your project pitch to amy@inspireco.com by January 21.

Make your pitch as complete as possible. Include details so we can really “see” your project. Photos are important. Presentation matters. If your project is still in the “idea phase,” send us an inspiration board showing materials, colors, designs, and anything else you think will sell us on your idea.

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oodles of spools necklace Humble little spools make perfect little beads when wound with embroidery loss! Make one for each of your crafty friends!

byAmy Powers

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you'll need: •

Tiny wooden spools (available at most craft stores with the wood shapes) • Embroidery floss in your favorite colors • Beads • Monofillament fishing line (2’ for each necklace) • Clasp & spring jump ring • Craft glue • Super glue • Wood stain marker (optional)

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make the spool beads.

Wind the embroidery floss on the wooden spool. Use a bit of glue to adhere the ends so that they don't unravel.

(Optional: to give the spools a vintage look, color them first with wood stain marker.)

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string the necklace.

It's so easy to make a beaded necklace in this way. Start by tying one end of the fishing line to the clasp with a tight knot.

Leave about a 1 inch tail on the knot.

Thread the beads in an arrangement that pleases you, placing the spools within the pattern.

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finish the necklace.

Tie the spring jump ring to the end of the necklace using a double knot. Be sure to leave a little room (about 1 cm) in the string to allow the beads to drape nicely. Leave an inch long tail on the end of the knot. Dip the tail into super glue, then thread the tail back through the beads. Do the same for the tail at the clasp.

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even easier...

Make the spool beads and thread them on chains from your jewelry box!

Depending on the size of the clasp, you may need to temporarily remove part of the clasp to fit through the spool.

These are an instant gift that any crafty friend will adore.

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oh how sweet!

We think these button candies are so delightful! Paired with a vintage teacup, they make an irresistible gift. Available from Andie’s Specialty Sweets (etsy.com/shop/ andiespecialtysweets) and made by hand from only the finest ingredients. Each of the 50 buttons is unique...just like your own button collection.

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sweet dreams

sampler ere’s an early Christmas gift from me to you! I was inspired one night watching my little boy sleeping sweetly under his quilt. While I’m quite sure there weren’t “visions of sugar plums dancing in his head,” I bet there were some great adventures being played out there.

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This sampler includes a quilt that you will fill in with whatever stitches you like! It’s a fun twist on the gridstyle sampler that I love so much.

I want to share a fun way for transfering the design (included) without having to worry about lightboxes or pencil marks.

by Amy Powers

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A great way to transfer an image for embroidery is to use a product called Super Solvy Water Soluble Stabilizer by Sulky. It’s available by the roll at most fabric stores.

You can either draw a design on the Super Solvy freehand or trace over a design, such as this Sweet Dreams Sampler.

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Now, we’re ready to embroider! Tape the Super Solvy onto your fabric of choice and then place the fabric and Super Solvy together in an embroidery hoop. The combination of the tape and the embroidery hoop should keep the Super Solvy in place while you embroider. As you embroider, the stitches will hold the Super Solvy on as well.

transfer the design.

To trace over a design, simply place the Super Solvy over the drawing (or printout) and tape into place. Tracing directly on the Super Solvy, go over the lines with a Sharpie fine tipped marker. To make it easy to see which lines you’ve gone over (and later which lines you’ve stitched), choose a color Sharpie that will stand out, such as purple. Make sure that you’ve included all of the lines of the drawing before removing the tape.

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embroider your design!

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remove the transfer.

Be careful as you stitch to keep your work away from water since the Super Solvy is water soluble. When you’ve completed the embroidery, it’s time to remove the Super Solvy. Simply fill a basin with warm water and soak the piece overnight. Rinse to remove all residue and lie flat to dry.

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Vintage buckles, paired with velvet ribbons, make a lovely gift topper. To make, simply loop one end of the ribbon through the buckle and use a bit of glue to secure. Wrap the ribbon around the gift, threading the end of the ribbon through the buckle. Look for tiny buckles, also called ribbon slides, with the scrapbook supplies.

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lovely headbands

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hip up these fashionable headbands in no time flat using a few basic supplies.

Customize the colors to create lovely gifts for every girl on your list!

You'll need: •

Plain headband

•

Tacky glue

• 1.5 yards seam binding or other ribbon • Fabric for flower • Needle and thread

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• Button, pearls or beads for flower center • Tulle or other netting fabric

Wrap headbands

with seam binding (or other ribbon). Use a dab of glue at the beginning and end of the wrapping to adhere. Wrap tightly and evenly.

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Cut or tear a strip of fabric 2.5” by 14” long. A torn edge will fray a bit more than the cut edge.

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Fold the fabric strip

in half

lengthwise and iron.

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Sew a gathering stitch

along the crease, stitching through both layers at once. Be sure to knot the end of the thread.

Pull the thread to gather. y Roll gathered fabric to form a flower. u Sew through the flower t

from the outer edges, through the center, and out the other side a few times to hold the flower’s shape.

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Sew a center to the flower.

As you attach the button or beads to the center of the flower, you can sew the flower to the headband. Start with knotted thread from the bottom of the flower. Sew up through the center, through the button or beads, and then back through the flower’s center.

Loop the thread over the headband and repeat sewing through the flower and button many times to secure.

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Try layering two or three flowers. Add a fun layer by tying a bit of tulle around the base of the flower, between the flower and the headband. Likewise, you can tie a bit of ribbon around the base of the button or beads.

Here’s another variation. Instead of tearing the strips, cut scallops along the edge. The scallops will become pretty petals when the fabric is gathered.

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luxury a little

Is there anything that says indulgence like a fluffy powder puff? Presented in a vintage teacup, it is a perfect gift for the girl who has everything.

You'll need: • • • • • •

Faux fur or other superfluffy, soft fabric Needle and thread Poly-fil or other stuffing material Pretty ribbon Pencil Scissors

by Amy Powers Christmas 2012

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Cut an 8� circle

of faux fur by first drawing the circle on the reverse side of the fabric.

Sew a gathering stitch

along the perimeter of the circle, as if you are making a gigantic fluffy yo-yo. Sew the stitch about 1/4" from the edge.

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Pull thread to gather

the circle. Before you cinch it completely, stuff it with Polyfil or other stuffing material.

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Cinch the closing firmly and completely. Sew across the cinched closing many times to secure.

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Sew a ribbon bow

to the

top. Voila!

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Photograph by Steve Belkowitz, courtesy Quirk Books.

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OH, DEER! No miniature deer were harmed in the making of this project! Spruce up any corner of your house with a little woodsy decor. The best part is, this quick and simple sculpture requires nothing but a ball of clay, a scrap of cardboard, and a couple twigs.

You'll need: • • • • • •

• • • •

Printout of plaque template 1/8-inch-thick cardboard or illustration board Craft knife Craft glue Paint or spray paint 1-inch ball of polymer or modeling clay, plus a bit more for ears Ruler Clay tools or toothpick Twigs Magnet, tack, or hook-and-loop tape (for hanging)

From the book Microcrafts: Tiny Treasures to Make and Share Compiled by Margaret McGuire, Alicia Kachmar, Katie Hatz and Friends (Reprinted with permission.)

by Katie Hatz Christmas 2012

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Print the plaque

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Make the ears by forming the leftover clay into 2 1/4-inch blobs.

Flatten each blob into an oval and pinch the end until it resembles an ear. Press the ears onto the head and gently smooth out the seam with your hands. Use clay tools or a toothpick to get into the small spaces and make sure the ears are securely attached.

patterns, below, and cut out the shapes. (Feel free to enlarge if you’d like to make your deer head larger than the ones featured, only 2” tall!) Then trace each shape onto the cardboard and cut out. Glue the smaller piece on top of the larger one. Paint it whatever color you’d like and allow it to dry.

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Make room for the antlers. Use a clay tool or toothpick to press 2 holes (large enough to fit the twigs) about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep into the top of the head.

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the directions on the

Roll the clay ball between your palms until it’s about 2 inches long and tapered at one end. Form it into an S, with one end a little fatter than the other. Flatten the bigger end against a table or other surface—this is where the deer’s neck will attach to the plaque. Sculpt the smaller end into a simple deer-head shape.

Bake according to polymer clay package. Allow to cool.

Then paint the head, if desired.

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Glue the head to the plaque

first and then glue the twig antlers into the holes. Affix a magnet, tack, or hook-and-loop tape to the back of the plaque. Now you’re ready to hang your diminutive deer wherever you need a little cheer.

inspired ideas

Photograph by Pamela Keravuori.

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Happy New Year

Fairy Our family “Grinches the house” on New Year’s Day. I love getting a fresh, clean start to the new year, but I’m always a little sad to see my decorations get packed away. Now, when the Christmas decorations come down, the New Year Fairy goes up, helping to extend the season just a little bit longer.

You'll need: • • • • • • • • • •

8-inch wood or cardboard disk Printouts of head and hands (included) Gold paint Scrapbook paper Alphabet stickers Silver pipe cleaner Ribbon or trim Doll tights and shoes Fiberfill for stuffing Gel medium

• • • • • • • •

Glue Stick or Xyron adhesive Paper cutter Scotch tape Super-sticky red line tape 2 small screw eyes and wire for hanging Decorative edge hole punch Silver or gold doilies German foil paper (optional)

by Leslie Brier Christmas C Ch h rist rii st stma t ma m s 20 2012 2 1 12

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Prepare the board.

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Attach screw eyes to the back of the disk for hanging later. Paint the edges and back of the disk with gold paint. Let dry.

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Prepare the cutouts.

Print out the graphics (page 97) onto heavy card stock or photo paper. I like to use laser prints (color copies) from the local copy shop. Cut out the images, including the center of the clock face.

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Start placing the letters to spell out Happy New Year. The easiest way to do this is to start with the word “new.” Place the E on the center seam and align it with the 3 and the 9 on the clock. Then work outward from the center. Affix the letters with a thin coat of gel medium.

Attach head & hands.

Position the head behind the clock and glue it. Fashion a bow out of a scrap of doily. Attach to the head with a brad. Cover the brad with small medallions of German foil paper. For the hands, Glue the elbow only of the hand on the left.

Glue the right hand to the clock face and wrap the arm around to the back.

Create the clock face.

Cut out two 7.5” circles from contrasting pieces of scrapbook paper. Stack the two pieces on top of each other, and cut them right down the center. You’ll now have four half-circles. Set two aside for another project. Align the other two circles so that the seam is centered on the disk. Adhere with a thin coat of gel medium. Place the clock face over the scrapbook paper layer. Make sure that the seam in the scrapbook paper aligns with the 12 and the 6 on the clock.

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Place the letters.

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Create the wand.

Form a wand from a silver pipe cleaner using the diagram on page 97 as a template. Tape the wand under the fairy’s hand.

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Above: The steps for creating the angel’s wings; Below: A detail of the doll’s darling stocking legs and shoes.

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Create the wings.

Cut two 4.5” by 5.5” rectangles of paper. Use a decorative edge hole punch on one 5.5” side of the wing. Cut out the center of the doily to use as a medallion.

Center the piece that you cut out on the wing and attach with a glue stick or Xyron adhesive.

Accordion fold the wing, making the folds approx. ½” apart. Pinch the bottom of the wing and tape it. Attach to the back of the clock disk. Repeat for the other wing.

Create the legs.

For the legs, stuff a pair of doll stockings with fiberfill and sew the top shut, leaving ½” of fabric at the top.

Place the shoes on the legs. Attach the legs to the back of the board using the red line tape.

Attach the wire.

Attach hanging wire to the screw eyes on the back of the board. Enjoy your fairy!

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Christmas C Ch r i st ri s ttma m a s 20 ma 2012 2 12 2

Print this page at 120% onto cardstock paper.

Cut out all of the graphics, including the center of the clock face. Use the template above to create a wand from silver pipe cleaner.

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inspired find Our friend Beth Holcombe makes beautifullywhimsical vintage ornament wreaths. Be sure to visit her shop on Etsy.com, Bethsbagz, and check her blog for updates (elizabethholcombe.typepad.com).

Photo by Suzanne Duda.

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’ Christmas 2012

volume 3, no. 2

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Please use the print page feature (available from the full screen view of this magazine) to print out the drawings on the following pages for your personal use.

1. Sweet Dreams Sampler Drawing 2. Watercolor Illustrations, 2 pages, 8 total drawings

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look for the spring issue of inspired ideas in March 2013

www.amy-powers.com