Seasonal Wreath for May Arts

Come join me to learn how to make a simple wreath that you can change out the decor for with the change of the seasons, with great help using the gorgeous Graphic 45 Places in Time papers. 

I found it very hard to source a wreath form here in Ireland, so I borrowed an idea that Royal Ribbonista Karen Baker used for her gorgeous Nature Walk Wreath and made my own from some large pizza boxes that I got some scrap goodies delivered in, recycling at its best! I used a plate to trace the circle and then cut out the center and I layered two cardboard bases together. 

I wrapped 4 Inch Burlap / Wired Ribbon around the wreath form to make a great burlap base.

I used the gorgeous 2.5 Inch Sheer / Frayed / Flowers / Wired Ribbon in ivory to build up my wreath. Where I knew I was going to have my interchangeable decorative motif I put several flowers together, then a spaced the others out a few inches apart for the rest of the wreath.  I hot glued all the flowers into place.

 I then took 5 inch strips of the beautiful 3/4 Inch Lace / Pearl Center Ribbon and glued them into place between the frayed flowers.

 

For my final addition for my wreath I made some super simple burlap flowers simply by wrapping and twisting 1.5 Inch Faux Burlap / Wired Ribbon. 

Since these ribbons are wired they held together perfectly till I was able to hot glue them into place between the frayed flowers. The wreath base is now finished!!

For each of my different seasonal centerpieces I tied a large bow using various colored 1.5 Inch Woven Chevron Striped Ribbon / Wired and used my Graphic 45 Places in Time Collection for all the gorgeous image collaging. I simply assembled them together and glued the bow to the front of the decor piece. I used a piece of burlap twine attached to the back of each of my themed motifs. To switch them out simply tie them around the wreath base!!

Reindeer Ornaments featuring Molossi Chipboard

I bought these glittery reindeer ornaments before I received my DT pack from Molossi for December. How perfect were these reindeer name chipboards for making these cute ornaments even more special!!

I simply added some vintage seam binding banners and inked the chipboard red with my Brick Wall Distress Ink. Easy Peasy and so effective!! My girls have claimed some of these and will attach the others to some presents!!

Brown Paper Packages for May Arts

I just love May Arts Ribbons and I wanted to use them this year to dress up some of my Christmas packages!!!  There is no need for step by step instructions for this project. I just used the great new Elastic Ribbon in brown (465-58-33) and wrapped a length around my packages, using some hot glue to join the ends together.  After that I simply cut lengths of my favorite ribbons and layered them. I added an ornament to each package and tied them all together around the elastic ribbon. I love the look of the brown paper and simple doilies and the layered gorgeousness of the ribbons.  You can glue all the layers to each other, or you can do like I did for my crafty friends, aside from the elastic ribbon, I simply layered the beautiful lengths of ribbons. When you untie the bow you can take the gorgeous pieces of ribbon (and the doilies and kraft paper wrapping for that matter) you can use those on craft projects, a beautiful package and some extra goodies, how great is that!! The ornament can be hung right up on the tree as part of your gift as well. For those that like the look of the package decoration, they can also simply slip them off their own gift and reuse them on a package they were giving as well!

For this first package I started with a few doilies from my stash, slipped my Elastic Ribbon over the package, then began my decor with a base of the gorgeous 2.5 Wired Burlap Ribbon.  Then I chose the gorgeous 1.5 Inch Woven Chevron Striped Ribbon / Wired in red (443-15-14). I then took the gorgeous 5/8 Inch Burlap Center Stitch Ribbon in red (463-58-14) and some gorgeous 2.5 Inch Sheer / Frayed / Flowers / Wired Ribbon in ivory (393-25-09).  I used the String Burlap Ribbon in Ivory (SM-09) on my handmade and stamped ornament and tied the whole package together with the String Ribbon in Natural (SM-10).

For this next lovely package I started with a large doily background, then slipped my Elastic Ribbon on again so I could build up my package decoration.  I again used the 2.5 Wired Burlap Ribbon for my base. Next I chose the beautiful 1.5 Inch Woven Stripes Ribbon in olive green (454-15-16) and some fun 1/2 Inch Pom Pom String in antique gold (462-32). I then put a snowflake ornament I purchased on top and used the 1/4 inch Twill Ribbon w/ Chevron Stripes in champagne (382-14-02) to tie them all together.

For my final package I again used a doily as a base, then slipped on the Elastic Ribbon and used the 2.5 Wired Burlap Ribbon. My next layer features the 1.5 Inch Natural Burlap/Stripe Edge/Wired Ribbon and then again I used the  5/8 Inch Burlap Center Stitch Ribbon in red. I added a lovely glittery reindeer ornament and then tied all the layers together with the 1.5 Inch Solid Wrinkled Ribbon in ivory (EA-09).

I hope you have enjoyed these simple ideas for package decor and if you are a ribbon lover like me the receiving is just as fun as the making!!!

Shrink Plastic Jewelry Set for Creative Expressions

Here is a fun project that looks like it may be hard, but really, all you need is some shrink plastic, some gorgeous stamps and some Stazon ink! The hardest part is fitting on the jewelry findings!!

I chose to use the Henna Petals stamp for this project, just beautiful!! I stamped the design three times on Clear Shrink Plastic. For the earrings I cut the circles smaller not using the whole of the pattern. I used the full design for the pendant. I think inked the other side of the shrink plastic with Pool and Citrus alcohol inks.

After the jewelry pieces were stamped, cut out and inked, I used my heat gun to shrink the plastic and then my Tim Holtz Drill Punch to make the holes for the jewelry.

 

Vintage Santa Card for Visible Image

Just a quick and simple card for today with a vintage touch, my usual style of cards! I stamped the lovely Small Vintage Santa onto a Labels 4 diecut. I then inked the background with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. I layered this over a gorgeous snowy paper I had in my stash, added some lace, pearls and a fun red bow then topped it with a wooden snowflake. I used the gorgeous new Believe stamp as my sentiment.

I love how this vintagey card turned out and I hope you enjoyed looking! If you like any of these yummy stamps, simply click on the link or image to head to the shop.

This month's challenge at Visible Image is "Christmas". 

Show us your Christmas creations using a Visible Image stamp, and you have a chance to win a £30 gift voucher towards the Visible Image store! The top 3 chosen by the team receive a blinkie. 

You can enter HERE!

Join us over at our fan page on Facebook or join our GROUP!

This month if you load a Visible Image project you've created in the group,

you also have a chance at the £30 prize, you have to be in it to win it though,

so I hope you have a look at the site and get some stamps and join in.

   

My December Daily!

I've never done a December Daily before but wanted to give it a try! It is a little bit different from the norm. Mine is a mini that is kept inside a large 8x8 matchbox style box from Graphic 45. The papers I used were also Graphic 45's 12 Days of Christmas. This week I wanted to highlight the dies and embossing folders that I used on the box and mini cover inside and later this month I will show the inside of the mini with a few shots from this season's Christmas to remember!

I did a lot of fussy cutting of the embossed images for the cover, including Champagne and Holly for the holly leaves, Poinsettia Lullaby for the partridge and poinsettia, and Early One Morning for the lovely Christmas tree on the inside cover of the mini.

I used two gorgeous flourish dies from the Sophia collection: Stella and Oscar.

I love the extra detail that embossed image add to my vignette I have created and how the flourishes add to the design. I am so excited to have this a new piece of decor for years to come. I loved adding the little scene to the front of the box and the dancing scene on the cover of the mini.

Thanks so much for visiting today, I hope you like the project!! 

  

Couture Creations products used

CO723606 - Wrapped in Joy: Champagne and Holly
CO723592 - Wrapped in Joy: Poinsettia Lullaby

CO723600 - Wrapped in Joy: Early One Morning Folder

CO723483 - Sophia: Stella
CO723475 - Sophia: Oscar

Winner of my PaperHaus Blog Hop RAK!

Congratulations Sarah Lynch!!! Please email me at cathioneill@gmail.com with your mailing address so I can post this out to you before Christmas!!  Thanks so much for your support and I hope you continue to visit!!