How to make your own glitter ornaments using reinkers.

As with many of the things I create I cannot take full credit for this idea either. I saw this for the first time last year on another blog. I wish I could remember where so I could give credit but I read so many craft blogs I really have no idea where I saw it originally. 

This is a fun an easy way to create custom glitter ornaments

in any color you want.

The possibilities are truly endless. 

Here is what you need:

• Clear Glass Ornaments 
• CTMH Re-Inker in your favorite colors
• Prisma Glitter
• Funnel
• Paper Towels
• Opaque White Stazon Ink
• Small stamps and clear blocks
• Toilet Paper Tube

Remove hanger from ornament. Fill with 30 drops of re-inker in the color of your choice. Remember that the re-inker is very concentrated so colors will be darker that when stamping with the inks. You may need more or less depending on the size of your ornament. 

 Roll ornament in a circular motion with your hands 

to swirl the ink evenly over the entire inside. 

Be sure neck of ornament is facing down and you have paper towels

over your work surface to catch any drips.

Continue rolling and swirling until ink has covered entire 

inside surface including the neck. A toilet paper tube cut into thirds makes a perfect stand for your ornaments 

while you are working on them.

The ornament shown has an opal type finish.

Clear ornaments are available in truly clear or with the opal finish. 

Both varieties work well for this technique. 

I have a couple of the non opal ones shown below.

Using a funnel, add about a teaspoon of prisma glitter. 

This works best when done immediately while ink is still wet.

 Hold a small piece of paper towel over the opening and shake well until glitter covers the entire inside surface.

 

This is what your glittered ornament will look like.

Dump any extra glitter into a small cup and save for another project. The glitter will be tinted so do not try and dump it back into the original container, but I ended up with some fun

multi colored glitter to use later.

You COULD stop here and have a plain glittered ball. 

But it is even more fun to decorate the outside too.

 

I used Stazon Opaque White ink and a small snowflake from the Snow Flurries set. Stamping on the round surface of the ornament takes practice so have some stazon cleaner on hand to remove any smears or smudges.

It was hard to get a good picture of the stamped image with the light reflecting off the glass but you can kind of see it here.

Here are three ornaments I did in about 10 minutes time. The colors I used are from left to right Lagoon, Pacifica and Pear. The Lagoon one on the left was done with the opalized ornament and the Pacifica and Pear are plain clear, just so you can see the difference.

Allow them to dry several hours or overnight 

before reattaching the hanger. 

So what color will you try? There are SIXTY Close To My Heart colors to choose from so you can make these ornaments to match any decor.

To order prisma glitter or re-inkers click on the link to my website on the right sidebar. 

Enjoy!

Got Gift Cards??

This is a repost of a tutorial I did on my old blog from November 2009.

I hope it comes in handy again this year.

Everyone loves a gift card. They are great to give and to receive. What I don't love is the tacky packaging most of them come in. Here is a way to dress up your gift cards and make them much more presentable and fun.

Follow my little tutorial to learn how to make your own.

Pop Up Pocket Gift Card Holder

Supplies-
Card Base- cut 2 of cardstock measuring 7” x 4 1/4"
Pattern 1 – 2 ½ “ x 4” (front), 2 ½” x 4 ¼” (pocket cover)
Pattern 2 – 2” x 4” (front), 1 ½” x 6” (reverse side for flap)
Flap – 1 ¾ “ x 6” cut from cardstock
Inside stamped image - 1 5/8” x 1 5/8”
Image frame–1 ¾” x 1 ¾” of coordinating colored cardstock
Strong adhesive – I use what I call “red line tape” but it goes by several names.
Corner rounder
Stampin Up word window punch
Circle punch

Score both card base pieces at 4 1/4”.

Fold flaps towards inside of card. Use the red line tape to hold the two flap pieces together on three sides

with the top remaining open. Attach the 2 ½” x 4” piece of patterned paper on the front side of the pocket close to the open edge. There will be a small space between the edge of the paper and the fold. Use a circle punch to punch a half circle out of the top of the pocket through the patterned paper and both layers of cardstock. This makes it easier to remove the gift card from the pocket.

Stamp desired image on the 1 ¾” x 1 ¾” white cardstock. Back with the 1 5/8” x 1 5/8” of coordinating colored cardstock and attach to pocket front. Stamp desired sentiment to the right of the gift card pocket. Add two pieces of patterned paper as background on front of card. I use the Stampin Up word window punch for the slot and punch through all layers about ¼ “ from the edge. If you don’t have the punch cut a 1 5/8” slot through all layers using a craft knife.

To make the flap closure, center the 1 ½” x 6” piece of patterned paper onto the 1 ¾” x 6” strip of cardstock and ink the edges. Round the corners of one end. Score through both layers at 4 ¼ from the straight edge. Insert the rounded corners through the slot and line up the score line with the edge of the card. Add adhesive from score line to straight edge and press firmly to back of card.
Complete the gift card holder by adding stamped images and embellishments of your choice.

I used the Ms. Holiday Cheer stamp set from CTMH. I think this is a perfect way to present a gift card to your favorite shopaholic.
All papers, inks, stamps and embellishments are from Close to My Heart. To get them visit my website.

Washer Necklace Tutorial

I just realized that Christmas is less than two months away! Since I am a big crafter and my budget is VERY tight this year I am always looking for easy and inexpensive gift ideas. I have seen these on several blogs and on the Splitcoast Stampers and the CTMH message boards for a while. I am not sure who to credit the original idea to but it was a good one. This weekend I decided to make some of these beauties for an upcoming craft fair and for Holiday gifts. They were quick and easy and very inexpensive to make!

This is a picture of my first batch of washer necklaces.

I found a few different tutorials online but I didn't follow any 

of them exactly so here is my own little tutorial to show you what I did. Please excuse the pictures that may not be extra clear, it is hard to get good pictures with one hand inside at night.

This is what you will need ~

• Washers (found at your local hardware store in different sizes for just pennies)
• Scraps of Scrapbook paper
• Circle punches
• Scissors
• Craft Knife
• Finishing Files from CTMH or emery board/sanding block
• Liquid Glass, Glossy Accents, Diamond Glaze or Crystal Effects (same stuff just made by different companies)
• Silver Spacer bead
• Cording
• Clasp
• Jewelry pliers

Start by punching circles using circle punches is sizes closest to the sizes of your washers. If you don't have circle punches then you can always trace the washers and cut them out by hand. For a double sided necklace use two coordinating papers.

 

  If you are doing a double sided necklace like the one I am showing here it doesn't really matter which side of the washer you use. For a one sided necklace be sure to adhere the paper to the flat side of the washer leaving the softer beveled side to be close to the skin when worn. Using the Liquid Glass (or your brand) apply a light layer to the washer and spread evenly using a small paint brush or even your finger. Add the paper circle and set aside paper side down to dry for 5-10 minutes.

If your circle punch is not exactly the size of the washer use scissors or a
craft knife cut the circle even with the sides of the washer.

 Use the round finishing file to punch through the paper covering the center hole and
file in a downward motion (not back and forth as that may tear the paper)
around the center hole to remove the paper or use a craft knife to cut out the center hole.

Repeat for second side if doing a two sided necklace. Once the paper is adhered and dry use the finishing files to sand any rough edges or excess paper around the outside or in the inside hole.
The CTMH finishing files are perfect for getting into the center holes.
Use a sanding block or emery board to sand the outside edges as well.

At this point you can add gems or pearls if you want them (see photo above). I didn't add any to this sample necklace. 

Now comes the fun part. Use the Liquid Glass and apply a generous coat covering the entire washer. If you have added gems or pearls go right over the top of them. Set aside for at least 24 hours without touching until completely dry. If you are doing double sided you will need to wait the full 24 hours before applying the Liquid Glass to the second side and then set aside for an additional 24 hours until both sides are dry.

To finish off your necklace cut a 36 inch piece of cord in the color of your choice. Cording is available from most craft stores in a variety or colors, materials and thicknesses. Here I am using satin cording I found in the ribbon section of Hobby Lobby. Fold the cord in half. Put the center loop down over the front of your washer covering the hole. Pull the ends up and over the top edge and back around through the hole in the washer and the loop of cord. Pull tight. 

Add silver spacer bead (or any other bead with a hole large enough) over 

both cord ends and push towards washer.

Using both sections of cord together tie a simple knot above the bead to hold it in place.

To make an adjustable length overlap top of necklace by about 6 inches. Tie ends over each other making square knots, one on each side. Knots can then be slid closer together for a longer necklace or farther apart for a shorter one.

There are also clasps available that easily pinch over the edges of the cord using jewelry pliers available at most craft stores. Here is a pic of one of the styles I have used. 

Here is the finished project. A double sided washer necklace!

Special Tip: After taking these pics I used my hair straightener to straighten out the cord. 

Worked like a charm!

These were super simple and I love how they came out. 

Try it for yourself, or if you are interested you can always buy one of mine. Special orders gladly accepted.