Test Tube Necklace/Ornamants

Just a quick peek today...

I love turning test tubes into wearable art or ornaments.....

How easy and fun are those?

Thanks for stopping by....

Craft Lightning Valentine's Edition

One of my favorite things to be a part of is the Craft Lightning Challenges.

Today I am tickled to be a part of the Valentine Edition.

I made these sweet love rocks.

Let's gather some supplies.

It is bitter cold here so some of my photos had to be done inside where the lighting is not as good...

You will need:

rocks

paint brushes

paints

paint markers

paper plate

You can gather rocks from outside or buy a bag from the craft store or the hardware store.

I have some rocks from the craft store and some from the yard.

Wash them and allow them to dry thoroughly.

Paint your designs right on the rocks.

I like to do the larger parts of my designs with paint and then the details with paint markers.

You can personalize them.

I made this sweet little collection in about a half hour.

I plan to do a few sweet art abandonments with these...

Have you heard of art abandonment?

Artists all over the world are making beautiful things and leaving them places for others to find and enjoy.

You can leave them in a public place like a restaurant, hotel, park, shopping center, etc.

There are groups you can join.

I belong to this one on facebook.

You can print tags found on the page and add them to your abandoned piece.  

That way, the person that finds the art can comment on it.

I have some plans for these...

The local radiation center.

Parking lots.

On the ground outside a variety of stores.

Because everyone can use a little extra love....

Thanks for stopping by...

Primitive Blush

Since it is still February, I am going to share another piece with reds and pinks.

This necklace incorporates beads with different colors and finishes than I usually use.

I like to experiment with pieces that feel a little outside my comfort zone.

The pale pastels in this necklace are not my traditional palette.

Now, the waxed linen cord knotting is totally me. 

I find knotting the cord very meditative.  

It is one of my favorite things to do while watching tv.

I will say, this piece has some of my favorite beads styles.

I am crazy for those flattened disks in any size, shape, color and texture.

I also love the heart on the left side.

The back of the necklace has lots of variety.

Lots of pinks, yet the deeper colors keep it from being too sweet.

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these blogs.

Primitive Polymer Love Necklace

I wanted to share another of my favorite clay pieces today.

I know Valentine's Day has passed but I always think of February as the month of hearts.

This polymer clay piece is fun pinks and reds.

It is not too sweet though.

I love making my own steel clasps.

I love forming them and pounding them to work harden them.

  They suit my primitive pieces so well.

And they work really well.

I love texture and great finishes.  

The crackled finish makes these pieces look like ceramics or stone.

I love that.

Sculpey clay is my very favorite to work with.  

I prefer clay that condiditons easily.

Sculpey clays are perfect for that.

I am so happy when there is clay in my hands and a tray full of pieces ready to be cooked.

Thanks for stopping by...

                                            Linking up with these blogs.

Simple Sweet Valentine Gift Bags

I made some valentine bags for my daughter's friends.

They are a wholesome, outdoorsy bunch so I wanted the bags to be simple and natural.

I am pleased with the results...

I wanted them each to be unique but I stuck to just a few punches and materials.

Changing the paper colors or adding a paper doily changes the look just enough...

A feather from the chickens is a great natural touch.

My nephew had this tree punch and I have been in love with it forever. 

When he moved, he gave it to me...

Thank you!

I love the heart arrow.

It starts with a twig and two punched hearts.

I punched the holes in the bag and slid the stick in place before splitting a real feather and gluing on the fletchings.

I love how it turned out.

This one is just a heart on a stick...

This one was a variation on the arrow but with a heart for fletchings this time.

The paper fletchings were easier to glue than the real feather.

I love the double twigs as a bag closure.

Even the back of this one is cool where the twigs cross.

Here is a heart rose...

A couple more of those tree punches....

These subtle shades are my favorite....

Last, but not least, there are the owls...

Each is slightly different.

The first one is this little guy where his beak is actually formed by trimming the bag.

I think he's my favorite.

I hope everyone likes their little treats...

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these great blogs...

Guest Contributor At Plucky's Second Thought

Check out my Peas in a Pod necklace over at Plucky's Second Thought.

You can find a quick tutorial.

It would make a fast and fun gift for someone for Valentine's Day.

Tell Jess I sent you.

Thanks for stopping by....

Grubby Primitive Hearts for Your Valentine's Day

I think most people have a defining style...

Contemporary...

Modern....

Primitive...

Country...

Cottage chic...

Funky....

Up cycled...

When you see their work, you know immediately that it is them.

I am not sure if this is true of me.

I like all the styles listed above and make things that fit all of those categories.

My daughter describes what we do as "eclectic".

I think she nailed it...

So today I wanted to share these sweet primitive hearts for Valentine's day.

I have made them for years but I still love them.

I start with inexpensive muslin.

Draw your desired heart shape on a piece of card stock.

Cut it out.

Trace the shape on a doubled piece of muslin.

I usually do a whole bunch at the same time.

Use your sewing machine to sew the shape.

Leave about an inch open to stuff it.

Cut out the heart and turn it right side out.

Stuff it with polyfil.

Hand sew the opening closed.

Then comes the fun part.

Paint the fabric with latex or acrylic paint.

I like to buy oops paint wherever they mix paint. 

 This used to be very inexpensive.

That is no longer true in my area.

It is still cheaper than having your paint mixed and if you find a color you like, you are lucky...

While the heart is still wet, roll it in a pan of ground cinnamon.

Set it to dry.

Once it is dry, brush off the loose cinnamon.

Add a little homespun strip and embellish.

I like to use naturals: cinnamon sticks and rose hips are favorites.

Then you can fill a bowl or send them in an envelope as a sweet surprise for someone you love.

You can also paint them with other colors before you roll them in cinnamon like the brown one below.

A little primitive love for you this winter day...

Thanks for stopping by....

Guest Post over at Plucky's Second Thought...

I am fortunate enough to be a guest contributor over at Plucky's Second Thought.

You check out my newest post over there now.

It is a tutorial for this sweet polymer clay necklace  just in time for Valentine's Day.

Pop over to check it out and tell Jess I sent you...

Thanks for stopping by...

Sweet Felt Winter Ornaments

It is time for another ornament.

These are fun because they are perfect for now with Valentine's Day coming up or you can use them later.

You need:

two pieces of felt

Embroidery floss or crochet thread

a needle

 and some poly-fil stuffing

a hot glue gun and glue sticks

Cut out two shapes that are the same for the front and the back.

I used circles and hearts.

Blanket stitch them together but before you finish them, add a bit of stuffing.

Then stitch closed.

To make the rose, use one piece of felt.

I use a sheet purchased at the craft store.

Round off the corners with scissors.

Then make a very huge spiral by cutting the felt and staying about 3/4 inch away from the edge.

Continue to go around and around until you get to the center.

I like to make my lines a little wavy to add more interest to the flower petals.

Once done, start in the center of the felt and begin to roll it.

 

Continue to hold and roll it.

  You can add a drop of hot glue every so often if you wish.

Keep rolling until you have used all the felt. 

Glue the end firmly in place.

Then just glue the rose to the front of the ornament.

For the hanging loop, I just use the needle to add a piece of thread through the top of the ornament and tie it in a loop.

You can do any color combination that appeals to you.

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these great blogs...