Happy New Year!!

May the new year bring you lots of good friends, plenty of crafting time, health, peace and love!

Hugs, Suzanne

Merry Christmas!

At Christmastime and always, I am so thankful for the amazing support of friends, family and my O’so faithful customers and fans.  Pennywise Arts is what it is thanks to all of you!

Pennywise Arts designer Julie Imsland created this sparkly Christmas greeting atc with lots of layers.  From the bottom up it goes like this:

2.5” by 3.5” dark blue cardstock base

2.25” by 3.25” light blue cardstock with a white core.  It is embossed with a Cuttlebug snowflake die and then lightly sanded so the white shows through.

Wrap the light blue piece with iridescent fiber and adhere to the dark blue base.

Silver balls were punched for the ornaments with small birds punched and layered onto them with foam tape.

Merry Christmas was stamped onto silver paper which was then covered in O’So Sticky Tape and clear micro beads.

 

I’m wishing you the Merriest of Christmases!

Hugs, Suzanne

Canning Lids In Disguise

My friend Kathi Hall showed me that neat ornaments and gift tags can be created using canning lids as a base.  I really like the weight it adds, it sure makes it hang nice.  I can’t show you the ornament that Kathy did at a shoebox party because I’ve already gifted it but here is my latest:

An image from one of our Christmas collage sheets by Michele Aiello Zendejas of Swing Shift Designs is cut out and the white edges inked with Galaxy Gold Brilliance to tone it down.

A fancy gold embossed napkin was Modge Podged onto a canning lid and trimmed  to fit.  A mixture of bronze, gold and butterscotch micro beads were glued around the inside edge of the lid with a few ivory seed beads sprinkled for good measure.  The image was added with foam pop dots and PWA Bubble beads were glued to the berries on the stocking. This was layered onto cranberry red cardstock.

I found an old plastic doily in my stash o’stuff, and distressed the edges with tan Staz On ink.  I really like the texture and “frill” it contributes.  I glued ribbon behind it for a hanger and added a piece of coordinating cardstock on the back with “To” and “From” stamped on it.  (Not shown)

Kathy found darling red gingham lids at Walmart.  They must be really popular this time of year because I couldn’t find them anywhere.

If you need a quick handmade tag our downloadable collage sheets can be sent to your inbox!  If you are in a hurry be sure to shoot me a quick email after you place your online order so I don’t miss it!  Suzanne@PennywiseArts.com I will be checking for digital orders regularly until the afternoon of Christmas Eve.  Orders placed after 3:00 pm Pacific Time on Saturday won’t be sent until Monday.

We have a lot of really fantastic images to choose from and not just for Christmas!  New Years is just around the corner with Valentines not too far behind.  ;0)

I’m wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!  

Hugs, Suzanne

New Glass Slide Ornaments

Playing around in my craft room this week I created some new glass slide ornaments from our Christmas collage sheets.  I played with different hangers based on ideas from the domino swap as well as the wire wrapping I did on the “Over the river” atc posted on Tuesday of this week.

Left: I cut the ornament hangers into two pieces and wedged the ends between the images that are sandwhiched between the slides.  Plastic slides worked best for putting lumping things inside because they will bend just a little.

Center:  The hanger is created from a piece of 1/4” O’So wrapped over the top from front to back.  Each end touches the glass for a stronger bond.  Bead the inside of the loop before removing the liner to bead the outside.

Right:  Still not a perfected technique but I do like the wire wrapping with the beads that move back and forth.  Getting the loop to land in the middle at the top was harder than I thought it would be, but I don’t have a lot of wire work under my belt yet.

It’s definitely not to late to whip up a few of these yourself!  They take only minutes to do.  Purchase digital collage sheets from our website, print and cut out.  Place between two slides (glass or plastic) then wrap with 1/4” O’So around the edges and fold the excess tape to the front and back to make a frame.  Press into micro beads and you’re done.

Hugs and Happy Beading!   Suzanne

Creative Ways To Hang A Domino

It’s always fun to see the ideas that others come up with for hanging dominos.  Here are some from the PWA domino swap (and a couple creative ones from past years).

A fancy bead glued to the top.

A bead made from rolling clay and poking a straw through it to create the hole.

Pre drilled dominoes from Pennywise Arts.

An ornament hook glued to the back.

 

An eye hook screwed into the top.

Ribbon wrapped tightly around the edges and then cinched up through the center of a flat bead.  The ribbon is then knotted to hold fast.

 

A bead glued to the top.

Several pony beads glued to the top (side) edge.

Ribbon wrapped and tied tightly at the top with a knot.

A band of beaded O’So Sticky on the sides (glue was added so the cord wouldn’t slip out.)

A heart shaped clip bent so the bottom sticks up for a hook to attach to.

Wire poked through the holes and twisted back on itself.

When adding things to the top to use for hangers, be sure to use a super strong glue like epoxy, E6000 or Jewel Tac.  It needs to be able to hold the heavy weight of a domino and not all glues are strong enough.

Hugs!  Suzanne

Pennywise Annual Domino Ornament Swap!

Here’s a big round of applause to everyone who participated in our annual holiday domino ornament swap!  And extra hugs and kisses to our hostess with the mostest, Pam Campbell! 

And without further adieu, the lovely “Winter” themed dominoes of 2011!

Suzanne Glazier Because I didn’t want to cut the arms off of my gingerbread man  I stamped him onto tissue paper and colored it with colored pencils.  Holly and berries were also stamped and colored to fill in white spaces.  

I used Diamond Glaze to attach the tissue to the drilled domino and give it a glossy finish.  Sure Tac glue was used as “frosting” for the waves and ultra fine white opaque micro beads were sprinkled on.Red Stickles (glitter glue) added sparkle to his cheeks and I dipped the bottom edge into a snow medium that was the consistency of marshmallow cream.  (Fun! Ü)

Copper wire was poked through the tissue and into the pre dilled holes of the domino.  The ends were wrapped several times and the middle was twirled around a pencil to make it curly.

Annette Lanker chose images from our collage sheets.  She beaded the top with clear ultra fine micro beads and the sides with a mixture of red, green and gold opaque micro beads.

Debbie Shults sends “Cool Winter Wishes” from Barbie!  Her dom is covered with clear micro beads and the sides have white opaque micro beads and glitter added over 1/4” O’So Sticky Tape.

Julie Imsland colored her little elfish fellow with Copic markers.  The shovel was “fussy cut” to fit into his hand.  This cute little guy is “clear”ing micro bead snow from his sidewalk.

Karen Slusher used sparkly stickers and Diamond Glaze on her doms.  The sides were edged with 1/4” O’So Sticky Tape and silver opaque micro beads.

I can’t tell for sure if Kathi Hall’s domino is embossed or if it might be a napkin applied with Modge Podge.  Either way the effect is pretty and bright!  Kathi edged her design with 1/4” O’So Sticky Tape and masked off a strip in the middle with a rickrack pattern in red and white opaque micro beads.

 

Kathy Bledsoe’s little skater is all bundled up complete with a red micro bead stripe on her sweater.  Kathy’s unique hanging attachment gives the illusion that her domino is drilled through from top to bottom, but it’s not!  So clever!  I will show how each dom is hung in my next post, there are so many good ideas!

Kelli Green uses a holiday collage image coated with a thick clear glaze finish.  The edges are bordered with a mixture of coordinating micro beads to create a frame around the top and sides.

Laura Davis’s adorable snowman is a domino all dressed up for winter.  His hat is made of felt, face is made from tiny seed beads and his scarf is a piece of gingham ribbon wrapped around his neck and secured to the front with glue.  He’s hanging out in a micro bead snow bank edged with glitter glue.

Lori Botkin’s domino has so many creative embellishments!  It jingles from the little bells along the bottom and the miniature Christmas lights are so adorable!  

Melissa Ragsdill’s  little angel is made from two dominoes, one standard and one mini layered on white flower petals.  The head is a painted wooden button and the wings are tipped with SureTac glue and mini micro beads.

Michelle McCarthy’s design sports a cool  penguin.  The face of the domino is colored with markers then embellished with puffy snow and glittery accents.  For the sides, Michelle wrapped the edges with O’So Sticky Tape then tied silver ribbon around it.  The rest of the exposed O’So was dipped into silver and blue opaque micro beads.

 

Pam Campbell made two different designs for her doms.  This snowman is sitting in a sparkly bank of micro beads catching snowflakes.  Clear seed beads and a snowflake charm complete the dangles on the bottom.

 

Sandy Belair’s ornaments have many layers that create a fully textured and dimensional effect.  The doms were inked in a lettuce green color then covered with O’So Sticky Tape.  Red crocheted ribbon was laid onto the O’So and clear micro beads filled in around it. Gems, cording, red opaque micro beads and puffy stickers complete the festive design.

Sherry Schauble created a snowman complete with his own die cut and glittered snowflake.  His Santa hat and scarf are lined with white opaque micro beads and the sides are finished with 1/8” O’So Sticky Tape and blue translucent micro beads.

Thanks to all of you, for making our last swap of the year an excellent one!

Hugs, Suzanne

Snowman Party Favor

I’m hurrying to squeeze in all of the fun things I’ve been working on for Christmas, in case you need easy last minute ideas!

Look at this adorable snowman candy bar dressed up in a sheet of white printer paper and embellished with things you probably already have on hand:  gems, paper, paint, felt.  Do one in just 10 minutes or so or set up a production line and make 10 in under and hour. He looks very similar to Laura Davis’s domino ornament!  I think my snowman needs a bank of micro beads snow along the bottom too!

Hugs and Happy Holidays, Suzanne

To Grandmother’s House We Go

This is one of my all time favorite holiday atcs.  It was simple to make and still makes a really bold statement.

Torn papers are layered to create the base.  Then I cut hearts from O’So Sticky Tape placed onto red cardstock.  The hearts are beaded with red opaque micro beads and added to the card with foam tape.

A few loose seed beads were strung onto wire which was then wrapped around the atc 3 times.  The ends of the wire were curled forward and the whole thing was layered onto a piece of coordinating cardstock to hide the wire in the back.

The stamp I used is from My Sentiments Exactly.  I loved singing that song as a child so that’s what drew me to it.  Ü

A double slit punch was used to make the holes for weaving the ribbon through.  I like this method because it lays flatter than a bow and looks just as nice.

Hugs, Suzanne

Snowy Scene Shaker Ornament

PWA designer Julie Imsland created a totally new and unique idea using two shaker card pouches!

Julie shares her “how to”:

Supplies:

2 – Impression Obsession Oval “Shake It” Shaker Card Pouches from Pennywise Arts

Core’dinations Whitewash Collection Cardstock, Butterchurn

Pennywise Arts- White Opaque Micro Beads, 1/8” O’So Sticky Tape

SureTac Glue

White chipboard scraps

Narrow White Cording

White RickRack Trim

Ek Success™ Alpine Trail Edge Punch

Martha Stewart Crafts™ Frosty Village Edge Punch

Directions:

Make a template for the inside of the shaker by laying an oval shaker pouch face down on a chipboard scrap. With a pencil trace around the small oval face and cut this pattern out inside the pencil line. Check to make sure this template will fit the inside edge of the shaker. Trim as needed.

Cut 1 ½”, 2 ¼”, 2 ¾” strips of the Butterchurn paper in 4” lengths. (Note one side of the paper is pale yellow and the other is white.)

For the snowy scene: Punch 2 narrow and 3 wide strips with the Alpine Trail edge punch. Punch 2 medium strips with the Frosty Village edge punch.

Cut 4 spacers from chipboard scraps. These will be trimmed to be hidden between some of the scene strips to create dimension.

Create layered shaker scene using the oval template as a pattern to mark and trim the sides of each strip, and gradually reduce the height of each layer. Note one side of the paper is pale yellow and the other is white; refer to the list below to know which color should be facing outward.

Layer strips as follows using a tape runner or glue stick to attach the layers:

1. Narrow white trees

2. Chipboard spacer

3. Medium white village

4. Wide yellow trees

5. Chipboard spacer

6. Wide white trees—this is the tallest strip, turn it over and these will be yellow trees

7. Chipboard spacer

8. Wide white trees

9. Medium yellow village

10. Chipboard spacer

11. Narrow white trees

Peel the cover from the adhesive around the outside edge of one of the shaker pouches. Dot the bottom edge of the layered stack with SureTac glue to adhere the stacked snowy scene inside the shaker. Spoon about a teaspoon of white micro beads into the shaker.

Peel the cover from the adhesive of the remaining shaker pouch add a bead of SureTac glue all the way around and carefully stick the two adhesive edges together. Pinch them tightly all around the outside edge to insure not beads will “escape”.

Dot a bit of SureTac glue at the two side and along the bottom of the shaker to secure a narrow cord for hanging the ornament.

Use 1/8” O’So Sticky tape to adhere rick rack around the outside edge of each side of the shaker.

So stunning Julie!   Thanks for sharing!

Hugs, Suzanne

Snowman Domino

After digging through my craft room I finally unearthed one of the dominoes I created for a Pennywise Arts swap.  (Maybe two years ago?)

A regular domino is transformed into a Christmas ornament (or in this case a magnet) with a snowman stamp from Stampin Up!, Staz On black ink and Adirondack markers from Ranger.

The sides are colored silver with a Krylon paint pen and left to dry.  Then 1/4”  O'So Sticky Tape is wrapped around the outside and pressed into clear micro beads.

I sprayed a light spritz of silver glitter spray over the top to look like snowflakes and then sealed it with a thick clear spray glaze.

I just received my package of swapped doms so in the next few days I will have photos of this years Pennywise Arts Yahoo group domino swap. 

Hugs, Suzanne

Holiday Candle Lights

Heavy decorative paper was used to create this festive gift box.  A Scor It tool provides interesting texture lines (hard to see in the photo).

Inside neatly nested are four votive candles.

A template for any glass votive can be made by wrapping it with paper and trimming the edges to fit.  Then the template can be traced directly onto a sheet of O'So Sticky Tape.  All four votives are wrapped with O'So Sticky Tape and embellished using masking techniques.  Save the liners from the O'So Tape to use as release paper masks.  Always put the shiny side down when using release papers.  The other side of the liner is designed to be able to write and draw on and will not release if place onto O'So

Candy Candle: Release paper from the O'So was hand cut into circles and swirls.  First, all the circles are placed shiny side down onto the exposed O'So and the whole votive rolled in Lettuce Translucent micro beads.  Then the circle masks are removed and the swirls put into place in the centers (shiny side down)/  Then White Opaque micro beads are sprinkled into each area.  Finally the swirl masks are removed and Red Opaque micro beads complete the candy centers.

Red Candy Candle:  Decorative paper circles were punched and placed on the the exposed O'So Sticky Tape.  Then the votive rolled in Red Translucent micro beads.  The candy circles were added with foam tape for dimension.

Snowflake Candle:  Snowflakes are punched from the release paper and placed shiny side down onto the exposed O'So Sticky Tape.  A 1/4" strip of liner is put around the top edge of the votive and the candle is rolled into Gold Opaque Micro Beads.  Then the 1/4" strip is removed and the exposed tape is dipped into Lettuce Translucent Micro Beads.  Lastly, the snowflake masks are removed and White Opaque micro beads are sprinkled onto the exposed tape.

Holly Candle:  Holly and berries were hand drawn onto the liner from O'So Sticky Tape, cut out and placed shiny side down onto the exposed tape on the votive.  The candle was then rolled in clear Mini micro beads.  The holly masks were then removed and the leaves cut from the berries.  The berries were then put back, shiny side down.  The holly leaves were beaded with Lettuce Translucent micro beads and then the berries in Red Opaque micro beads.

Finish off the box with ribbons and a gift tag.

May your holidays be bright and sparkly!  

Hugs!
Suzanne