Posted by tinkiT on 2006-11-29 02:17:46
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Does it HAVE to be done with your group in 2 hours??? or can you complete most of the work and have 'drying' time??
Something that is fun to do is making clear glass ornaments. Buy some of the clear bulbs from the craft store along with acrylic paints, glitter, and glue. You will also need disposable cups.
Directions.....squeeze paint(s) of choice into bulb, swirl around, and place bulb upside down on cups.
i made these one year, it was a great hit.
have fun!!
Posted by MRSM103 on 2005-03-06 18:38:10
Post Subject: clear glass ornaments
I bought a dozen clear glass ornaments after Christmas to do "something " with. I am terrible at free hand drawing or painting so those are not an option for me. Anybody have any other suggestions? Thanks
Posted by smudgy_cat on 2004-06-23 12:36:18
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I'm in the process of moving and reorganizng, and I've found lots of things that I set aside for christmas crafts. Here's my list of ideas:
-strawberry jam in mason jars (whole new set bought at goodwill for $3)
-glass ornaments, decorated, somehow (any ideas? I have glass paint and acrylic paints, but I did those styles 2 years ago. I also did the melted snowman, so I can't redo that)
-fancy glass ornaments painted with glass paint for people who appreciate things I make
-4 ornaments that have years on them for the little kids in my life. i might do felt and embroider them. I got the supplies last december, but never got around to it.
-raggedy ann dolls from some yardage from joannes
-cute, 1 yard fabric aprons
-flannel pajama pants for sister or parents (serger is being fixed as I type)
-3 batches of different types of lye based soap. this is my easy version of christmas cookies. i make a bunch of batches in summer and then tie them up in bundles in december. this is my generic gift
I don't really do presents for people. I don't do cards either. I keep meaning to, but I never get around to it. The gift giving in my family has gotten insane, and it no longer held joy for me. It was just a 'give me something off my list, and i'll give you something off your list' event that seemed really emotionless to me. Plus, it pissed me off that my handmade gifts were tossed aside and essentially ignored.
Last year, my bf and I made candy for everyone. The idea was good in theory, but hell in practice. We made brittle, truffles, 2 kinds of bark, and haystacks. It sucked, and I'm never repeating it for such a large gift list.
Posted by russian mom on 2005-10-07 21:16:32
Post Subject: christmas ornaments
I have helped my son make ornaments for our family members every year since he was four. They have become family keepsakes, but I am having trouble finding original ideas that a child can handle. We have done the clear glass ornaments with swirled paint in them. We have dried glass-paint and then punches with craft punches to make snowflakes and glued them to the ornaments. We have done glitter (and will never do THAT again...still see it in the carpet). We have painted the ornaments with fake snow and painted on eyes and mouth to make snowmen.
Does anyone have a good idea? We usually make 20-25 (aunts, uncles, cousins, teachers, etc) and so we need to start soon.
Posted by lindastar on 2004-11-28 22:54:22
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i'm having a holiday crafternoon on dec. 5th, and i can't wait to try pumpkin-cream cheese dip (google it and there are a zillion recipies). i'd reccomend a specific one but i haven't tried any yet- just got the suggestion from my sister. i'm also going to do a veggie tray and cupcakes, and everyone else is bringing a snack to share!
i'm also going to have some glass ornaments there with my tons of excess craft supplies (glitter, felt, ribbon, pom poms, etc) so that people can make their own crafternoon '04 ornament. my friend did this last year and i love hanging the one i made on the tree.
Posted by Sewlittletime on 2005-11-27 20:10:25
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Our older son's b-day is on Dec. 1st, so we don't start to decorate until the 2nd.
My mom bought a wreath for me for just $2.97, so I'll be working on decorating that in the next few days. It will hang in my newly painted front porch. : )
I bought a pre-lit x-mas tree last year. I was sick of dealing with strings of lights. We don't do real trees. I can just see my (almost) 4 yr. old playing in the water and zapping himself w/ the electric lights. We used to go cut trees at the farm of this nice Swiss couple before we had kids.
I haven't been able to use my nice glass ornaments since 1993 when we adopted our 1st kitty....and then came the kids.
We always make cutout cookies, and my older son has enjoyed icing and decorating them. This year his little bro can join in on the fun!
Every year is a struggle to figure out where to put our tree, since we have pretty cramped quarters. I've been playing w/ furniture rearranging since I repurposed a bench and an old Lane trunk as seating benches/storage in our living spaces.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting out and seeing decorated houses and taking the wee boy to see Santa.
I also have boxes of ornaments for my 2 boys. I'd like to get them each a mini tree to decorate and put in their rooms. We'll see if I get aroudn to it this year!
Posted by bessiemae on 2005-11-27 10:55:18
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Christmas with the Monkey Boys is now in High Gear.
We read the Jean Shepherd "Christmas Story" and watch the dvd at least a zillion times! Like others, we also imbibe in shmaltzy clay-mation marathons of "Drummer Boy" and various Santa movies.
We cut down our Christmas tree at the tree farm behind us. There is just something so cool and family fun about bundling up, saw in hand and traipsing through mucky or snowy farm land to find the perfect imperfect tree (crooked trunks and missing branches r us!), cut it down, haul it at least a half mile, and then secure it to the top of the Craptastic minivan. We rationalize this annual excursion and expense by claiming the cash stays in our local economy and it ensures more green space and fewer developments.
About 5yrs ago, to coincide with the arrival of a Lab puppy, we stopped using the fancy glass ornaments and started making our own. Paper chains. Popcorn garland. Recycled cards. Juice can lids. Clothes pin snowflakes. Glitter dipped pinecones. Scandinavian hearts. Our only caveat is that we use nothing fragile, in case the dogs tip the tree.
We bake lots of cookies and give them away. Consume way too many. Bake doggie treats for the many pups on our street.
Eat several crates of clementines and swill egg nog.
This year, we're making fleece blankies to give to the lone homeless shelter in our rural area. Donating various coats and outerwear, as well.
Kids both have Christmas Concerts- one for Cello Boy and some freaky weird Holiday hoo-ha for the younger. We all cram into the unheated auditorium, wet boots, tired siblings, and indigestion from hurriedly inhaled dinner to watch our kid sing off- key Culturally Sensitive holiday songs no one's ever heard, complete with goofy hand gestures. Awesome good time!
I got up at 4AM to be at Mega Retailer for the 5AM opening on Black Friday. It's a tradition and I refuse to even begin my shopping until then. Keeps me in budget. 4:30 AM, in line with Gal Pal, sipping a Poor Man's Mocha Latte (instant coffee with instant hot cocoa mix) in a travel mug, 8 degrees F in predawn dark,and shuffling in the Lake Effect snow to get my Star Wars Ultimate Light Saber kit for $21, because "Santa can do anything". Armed with cell phones and military precision, we were in and out in less than 36 minutes.
One of our favorite traditions is the Christmas Eve gingerbread house. Every year we would make a gingerbread house the long afternoon of Christmas Eve. Leave the creation on the dining room table and attend the Children's Service at church. Every year, No, No Bad Dog would eat it. No, No, Bad Dog passed into "doggie heaven", but we continue the Ginger bread house tradition.
We check out the lights and the Christkindl market in Akron, and do a bit of ice skating.
We do make some of our gifts, but not all. And we try to buy from other crafters.
