12.10.2008

Whimsical Christmas Craft Ideas...

All ideas shown here are from the great people at Better Homes and Gardens Online
~Mini Snow Globe~
Encased in a gift jar and propped on a sugary slope, this frosty fellow makes a cute little display. (Just don't shake!) Use purchased icing to secure flat sides of two snowman sugar cookies; decorate with candies. Place snowman on a mound of icing inside the jar. Add sugar; top with lid.
~Fabric Wreath~
For homespun flair, tie little strips of fabric to a wreath. Frayed edges are part of the charm, which really means no hemming!


~Fruity Topiary~
Covered in sugary orange slices, this zesty tree is ripe for picking. Use wooden picks to secure orange slices to an icing-covered foam cone, then fill gaps with gumdrops or sour cherries. Wrap a garland of miniature marshmallows threaded on kitchen string around the cone, and top with a candy star.

~Snowman Jars~
What You Need:Glass jars or candy jars
White air-dry clay, such as Crayola Model Magic clay
Metallic-colored crafting wire
Wire cutters
Ice pick
Metallic-colored beads
Clear adhesive
Acrylic enamel paints in black and white
Toothpicks
White glass paint
Pencil with round-tip eraser
Assorted ribbon
Instructions:
1. Wash the jar. Let it dry. Avoid touching the areas to be decorated.
2. Shape two or three small balls from clay for each snowman. Press together. Lay jar on its side. Place snowman in position on jar and press gently against glass.
3. Cut and shape wire arms, nose, and hat, if desired. To make a small cone nose, wrap wire around the end of an ice pick. While the clay is still moist, push wire pieces in place. Turn slightly to secure. Push beads into place for buttons. Let clay dry on jars.
4. Remove clay shapes from jar and glue back in place. Let the glue dry.
5. Use a toothpick dipped in paint to add eyes and a mouth.
6. If desired, add polka dots to the candy-jar lids. Dip the eraser end of a pencil into white glass paint and dot onto the surface. Let the paint dry.
7. Tie ribbon bows around the jar tops. Trim the ribbon ends.
************************************************************************
Blessings To You and Yours This Christmas Season

30 comments:

  1. Hi Robin
    Thanks for the wonderful Christmas ideas. I love the Fruity Topiary and the Snowman Jars are gorgeous.
    Best Wishes
    Lindsay-ann

    ReplyDelete
  2. another idea too- if a jar lid breaks- and you want to keep using the glass jar- turn the jar upside down and voila- still looking good *winks*
    I used a glass vase that was gorgeous and couldn't imagine putting it under the sink with the rest of my smaller vases- I turned the vase upside down and it worked like a charm. I will have to take a pis someday!
    I love different size jars. They're fun and practical!
    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Robin,

    Now, if I could only find some free time to try your craft ideas...but, doesn't look like that's going to happen! Maybe next year, right?

    Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas, too! I know you're anticipating the arrival of that precious grandbaby of yours. I pray that your daughter has a smooth delivery...can't wait to hear all about it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Have a wonderful Christmas! I can't wait to hear that Noel is here!!
    Loved the fruit topiary! I never thought of marshmallow garland.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What fabulous Christmas ideas! I can't wait to hear the word that Noel has arrived!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Robin- I love everything!! SO cute! Are you going to make any of these? I will see if I can fit any of them in.. Lori

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Robin,Thank you so much for the wonderful ideas! I love the wreath...so simple and easy! I will have to try it! Blessings, Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Twenty More days! How is Ronnie feeling??

    ReplyDelete
  9. robin, boy do you have some great ideas for crafts. Where do you come up with these things. Also I was looking at some of you earlier posts and I really like the prayer you put in the black box. That's everything in just a few words. Can't get any plainer than that. Also, I wanted to tell you that I still haven't received my stocking yet from Brookside Cottage. It seems it's getting a little late and I probably won't get it, but it is disappointing. Thank you though for putting it together. I will try another swap sometime. Hugs, Tracey

    ReplyDelete
  10. I LOVE the wreath!!! SO festive and so easy!!! THANKS!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. yum,yum,yumm!!!
    Those were SWEET!!

    Monica

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for some great ideas, Robin, but my favorite is the wreath, as it is the most prim. How exciting, another grandbaby. Our daughter & soninlaw are moving to Seattle Dec. 27th. She graduates with her phd from Univ. of Colorado on Dec. 19th and she and Keith are both engineers, so Seattle will be their new home. Maybe we can meet someday when I get out there. Wouldn't that be cool?

    blessings,]
    ~ Pam

    ReplyDelete
  13. What wonderful ideas! I love snowment..any kind will do!

    Those jars are just so sweet!
    -sandy toes

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great ideas, Robin. That's why I love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you so much..I am just freaking out about every little thing..lol.

    Also..I really appreciate you telling me about the salt water..I'm gonna go try that NOW!!

    Awe..I keep watching you countdown to baby Noel...she's almost here, how exciting!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the word whimsical. I love the snow too. How do you do that?

    Everything is so cute and fun. Love the bow wreath too. It sounds like everything is going good over your way. You most certainly get an award for the most Christmas Spirit. Thanks for keeping us all going.

    ReplyDelete
  17. These are some really great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Robin - I can't wait until you have that new grandbaby...looking forward to the millions of pics that I'm sure you'll be posting! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  19. Robin you sure give us plenty of great ideas! Thanks for always sharing. Have a great day! Blessings, Karen

    ReplyDelete
  20. All cute crafts and ideas, but we are wishing the ebst for your grandbaby-to-be. Sounds even cuter to think of such an itty bitty this time of year.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Adorable ideas as usual, Robin. Glad you are taking it slow- probably what we all should be doing these days!! I'm sure you are very excited about the baby- best wishes and God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for these great Christmas craft ideas. My kids will surely love to make their own wreaths at home.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Robin! What great ideas...I like all of them. I want to try the snow in the bottom of a glass jar with something on it...that is simple and yet so amazing looking. Hope you are doing great! Have a lovely week!
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  24. ONe more thing....I love the 3 generations picture....for some reason those kind of pictures really get to me. This one is just precious!
    Blessings,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks so much for sharing these neat ideas. The snowman in the glass jar is just so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ooh, love these ideas-especially the last one!!
    Merry Christmas!!
    Elise

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Robin~
    I love these ideas, and my favorite is the wreath where they tied pieces of fabric onto it. I am going to do this to my wreath this weekend. I am making a tree skirt, so I'll just use some of the leftover fabric for the wreath! Thanks for this great idea! :)

    I hope you have a fabulous weekend! :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love that cookie in a snow globe idea. So cute. I really love that orange tree too! So clever. I am having Christmas at my house this year so hopefully I can do some cute things : )!

    ReplyDelete

Love hearing from you~Sorry but I can no longer take comments from Anonymous due to so much spam~