Creating gifts and decor for the holidays

One of the crosses that I created in 2007.

There are many things we can make ourselves that we can share or use to decorate our spaces. We first learn to do this when we are kids in grade school. We learn to make cards, or small Christmas trees. We then move on to creating larger works of art or crafts.

I surround myself with my art as well as that of other artists. I have countless books that I look through to get inspiration from time to time.

During Christmas you see so many things that you'd love to have, but you either don't have the space or the price seems a little rediculous. For me I have to look back and think because I know I can make something that I see for little of nothing. I usually stock up on supplies when I find a bargain so I have most of what I need.

I've always admired the angels that you see, but I'm not going to pay $24.99 or higher for something to use once a year. I thought wouldn't it be great if I designed something that I could just leave up all year round. Then you don't have to worry about where to put something as you have placed something in that spot after Christmas. If of course that is the case then make sure you take photographs and you can remember where everything was the previous year. Then you can make changes accordingly.

If you are going to make a seasonal display here are a few ideas I'd like to share. Take a jar, or grits or oatmeal box and removed the wrapping. Cover it with colorful ribbon or scrapbook paper. Fill it with your favorite candy or flowers. You can also buy some candy canes and put them all the way around and still fill it with other candy or flowers. It's a multifunctional center piece.

Back to the angel. If you take a wine bottle with a long neck you can decorate it with some felt. Depending on if you want it to be only used for Christmas or leave it up all year round pick a color that will work for any season. Felt comes in all different colors and styles. You can even find embossed or glittered felt.
Cur out your wings from cardboard and cover them with felt. You could even do two sets of wings and that way your only changing the wings for the holidays.
Take a doll head or a round wood block and glue it to the top of the wine bottle. Paint or draw on the eyes and mouth. Attach a halo and finish decorating your bottle with some sheer ribbon or fabric. This can also serve as giving you a seasonal look that can be removed after the holidays so that your angel can remain out all year round. You can create arms using colorful pipe cleaners. The possibilities are endless, just use your imagination.

You can also take a wine bottle that has a bowl shape to create the face of a Santa or an elf. After removing the label, put on some squiggly eyes, a beard, mustache and eye brows. Use the long neck at the hat. Cover it with felt and add a pom pom at the top. I've given you the tip now make the idea your own.

How Many Times?

How many times have you walked into a store and saw something that was really interesting, but the price seemed really high. Then you might think to yourself, I wish I could make that myself. As an artist depending on your medium, you might be able to do it. You can even take a course. There are many things I have thought about doing. One is glass blowing, but I can't take being around too much heat. I used to create my own ceramic jewelry and other objects. I have a few pieces I am still working on, but they won't get a final firing. I'm just painting the bisque to give it a natural look. The items range from really small images to large scuptures to hang on the wall or drap over a mantle.

It seems to cost a lot to create art, but usually you can make several projects for the price of just one item.

The next time your out and about, keep a small note pad with you. When you see an item you like. Make notes of what you would need to make the item and compare the price to the materials. If its a sale you can't pass up then go ahead and buy the item if you are going to use it and its not just going to take up space.

Thanks for stopping by and come back again.

Candy Arrangements

If you like candy, but you keep it on hand for guests, why not make decorative arrangements. There are many things that can be done. One can get great candy dishes or one can take jars and make their own. Find a jar with an unusual shape, decorate with ribbons or scrapbook paper and then fill with candy. Another thing that you can do is to make a candy floral arrangement using tootsie pops. Wrap pops individually or a few in colorful tissue paper and then arrange in the jar. They make great gifts for anytime of the year. People love getting gifts that aren't planned and those that are handmade add that personal touch.

Thanks for stopping by, do come back again.

Take care
Open Your Mind
Dlonzo

More with scrapbook paper

The latest in scrapbook paper art. I have several sketches of dancers and I took another drawing and created a silhouette using the colorful scrapbook paper. You can make your own work of art with the right frame and matting. Be creative, cut out butterflies or dragonflies. Create an entire scene cutting out intricate detailed silhouettes using various scrapbook papers and colors. You are only limited by your imagination.

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Scrap Book Paper

ART

Scrap booking is all the rave these days. I feel like those people that say things like, everyone is doing, blah, blah, blah. Of course there are some people that have no clue about this phenomenon.
Scrap books are nothing new, but the concept has changed slightly by creating colorful sheets and books that people don’t have to do as much work. Scrap books can be very simple or very original and artistic.
The possibilities of what you can do with scrap book paper is endless. Here is one project that I created which can be framed and hung on the wall as instant art.



I drew on the opposite side and then cut out the image reverse it and then you can glue it onto another piece of scrapbook paper or anything to create art.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back often. Remember things happen when you believe.

Divas

An early image of the painting, Divas.

Every artist has their way of creating. Sometimes I can create something in a matter or minutes and then there are projects that take years. I’ve been working on a painting called Divas, that is on a piece of canvas measuring 16 x 20. I’m using acrylic paint. It derived from an idea and it took form, but the colors keep changing. I hope to complete the piece by tomorrow night.

When I complete certain projects I reward myself. When I do that, it gives me the incentive to want to create more art.

All artist go through a period of not being able to create, but when you can its one of the most therapeutic things a person can experience. It can be relaxing, and it offers a look into the psyche of the individual creating the art.

Thanks for stopping by, Do come again and why not become a follower of this blog while you’re here. Open Your Mind. Relax, enjoy and believe.

Coming up: More on Road Home, Writing the Levee Board, Keeping my head above water, Can I take a trip? Losing a job, how does one cope?

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Creative Art Project

In the world of art there really aren’t any rules as to what you can do to create something interesting. Art like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Not everyone gets it, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t art.
I wonder how many people throw away their wall clocks when they are no longer working? I came up with an idea to keep the clock if I couldn’t get it to work anymore. If you buy a clock for under $3.00 you don’t want to buy parts that will cost more than it is worth. I’ve turned those wall clocks into frames for photographs and art. You start by pulling the clock apart. The you can cut out a piece of scrapbook paper in the shape of the clocks face. You can then print out a photo from your computer or take a regular photo and center it on the scrapbook paper. Once the photo is in place you can cut a piece of matting or use a piece of cardstock to create matting for the photo. In most cases the photo won’t touch the glass or plastic facing of the clock so you can decorate around the photo as you please. You can do collages or get really creative and frame a flower or a memento that you love.
Once everything is in place, put everything back together and hang up your new creation.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again. Become a follower and know when I make a post.