Kellso Collage

Happy ‘Thanks’-giving

To be thankful implies that we are saying ‘Thank You’…  Instead of the gifts, let’s focus on the Giver of every good thing!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jenna

Submitted…for your approval

Here it is, my first Design Team submission for Mystic Paper!  MP has been selling great antique bottles, and I wanted to give people a little inspiration…

These beautiful winter-themed papers are from Webster’s Pages, and they were all lovely.  The pastel colors were a bit of a challenge, as was finding wintery-type pictures of my Arizona family!  But, despite our red sweaters in the pics, I think it turned out OK.  The pictures are of our trip to the Kellso’s ranch last December at the annual Prescott tree lighting ceremony.  I used the theme ‘Give Yourself’ with these particular photos, hoping that special times together, during the holidays and always, are what influence my kids, more than presents and celebrations!

TECHNIQUE TUTORIAL:  I love the ’speckled’ look of the letters in ‘Give Yourself’, and it was so easy to do!  After cutting out the letters, I turned each letter over onto a Distress Ink pad, and, using the lid of the ink pad, pressed down gently onto the letter.

The chipboard (used for the stand), bottles, beeswax, ribbon, ink, and papers are all available at Mystic Paper!

Spoon Pendant How-to

Last month, I hosted a craft party at my house, and I promised a tutorial on how to make these spoon pendants.  I have seen these made with resin, which dries crystal clear and is very strong, but very smelly and takes 24 hours to dry.  However, I needed these done in less than an hour!  UTEE (Ultra-thick embossing enamel) to the rescue!  Here is the quick version of the directions:

1. Trim and bend spoons.  I bought the spoons already ‘halved’, and most of them were the right length.  If you were to buy antique spoons, trimming them would not be difficult.  I had to trim one spoon just a bit-I sawed it a few times with Matt’s hacksaw, then was able to bend the spoon with pliers and it snapped right off!  The best method I found for bending the spoons is to use 2 pliers, one at the center of the handle, one bending the end of the handle, moving closer and closer to the base.  Make sure it curves enough to keep a chain with in the loop, and WEAR GLOVES!!

2. On a flat top stove, lay a strip of tinfoil half on, half off of the burner.  Do not turn on…yet.2.  The materials-To decorate your spoon, you can use anything that is not heat sensitive.  I gave my guests options such as stained glass, glass beads, watch gears, glitter, and alphabet letters!  Many just added their choices randomly, my cousin Missy turned a watch hand and some stained glass into a flower-stunning!

3.   Once your spoon is decorated, scoop some UTEE to a slight ‘dome’ into the spoon.

4.  Place the spoon on the tinfoil above the burner.  Use metalic items, such as screws, to balance your spoon if necessary.  You want to be sure that the ‘butt’ of the spoon is touching the tinfoil, but you don’t want your UTEE to spill out the front of the spoon!   Sometimes, the spoon will begin to wobble once the heat is turned on-just us a kitchen tool to still it, and it will be fine!

5.  Turn on the burner to medium heat.  As the UTEE begins to melt, lower the heat.

6.  Once the UTEE is melted (goes from white to clear and smooth), slide the spoon off the burner using the far end of the tinfoil (the end of the strip of tinfoil that is NOT on the burner.)  Leave spoon for several minutes until set and cool.

First DT order of business…

I have received my first assignment and paper pack as a Design team member of Mystic Paper!  I had a chance to meet fellow DT members Surina and Holly, as well as our fearless leader, Patty.  I did not have a chance to meet fellow team member Sherri, am excited to see what she comes up with-her class samples are all so beautiful!  Each of us received Christmas paper, and not a moment too soon.  Can you believe how quickly the season has come upon us?

Truth be told, I have already completed my project and am ready to turn it in this week, but I will make you wait a day or two to see what I made.  What would you make with this pretty, pastel Christmas paper?