It's 2012

Good-bye 2011

Hello 2012

Sharing the Love of Christmas Trees

Life gets to busy, and this year I slowed it down with some holiday crafting. Shortly after Thanksgiving my daughter and I added a table in the kitchen so we could craft all through the holiday season.  I picked up some inspiration to make a Christmas Trees, which has developed into a full blown passion.  The best part of having a craft table in the kitchen is I can stop and work on a tree in between making cookies, addressing Christmas Cards, etc.

Red Bird Christmas

Snow Angel Christmas

    Silver & Snow

  Sparkle of Christmas

                                                                    

These are ornaments or table decorations, starting on the table: 1) Burlap Sparkle 2) Seuss Christmas

3) Shimmers of Green 4) Feathers of Pink 5) Little Sparkle 

Southern Charm

Hope you are enjoying every moment of the holiday season with the people you love. Time to work on my gingerbread trees and bake some more cookies.  Wishing you and your family a Happy Holiday.

With Artistic Flair
Susan

Christmas Tree Tutorial

CHRISTMAS TREE TUTORIAL

This will be my first tutorial for 2011, and this project is so easy I know you'll want to make your own Christmas Tree.  Supplies you will need:  Poster board, hot glue gun, Mod Podge, acrylic paints, lace, trims, beads, flowers.  I have accumulated a variety of trims over the years.  When shopping I find its best to create a small goodie bag of trim, don't forget to check out both the wedding section as well as the children's bead section, you will save money this way.  

Step 1:  Make your cone with your poster board. Tape, staple or hot glue it together.  Next you will paint your base any color you like using acrylic paints, I selected to paint my gold.

Step 2:  Add your base layer of fabric, trim, or lace.  I purchased this lace just recently at a garage sale and used it as my base layer.   Layer your lace on to the poster board with Mod Podge and allow to dry completely.  I let mine dry over night before going on to the next step.  

Step 3:  Begin with the wide trim at the top and wrap it down the tree, I then added the beaded trim . Next a small strand of pearls, and lastly the large beads.  These large beads were in the children's section, I just cut them off the strand and hot glued those babies on.  

Step 4:  To create my tree topper I selected flowers from the bridal section, hot glued them into the hole at the top of my cone.  

TA DA, the completed Christmas Tree

This tree stands about 19 inches tall but you can make yours any size you'd like using different colors,  trims, beads, pearls, etc.  


Please send me pictures of the ones you make and leave a comment.
xxx
Susan

Custom Cards

I just love making cards, and these are just some of the latest.

Have a wonderful week.

xxx susan

Time Flys When You Are Playing

Where has the time gone, in my last post I was preparing for Petal Pushers Grand Opening which was a huge success.  My friend and store owner Glenna and Suzan the floral designer put on a great party supported by their family, friends and the community.   You find will my aprons, christmas ornaments, birdhouses, cards and 1 lantern for sale in the store.

 holiday hostess aprons

 my cards are in the box on the table

 holiday hostess aprons and my decorated/lettered birdhouse

decorative / lettered birdhouse in an arrangement

yes, that's my lantern hanging in the front of the store.  

My life is busy and I'm loving every minute of it!! 

 Next on my list to prepare for is the Boone County Artist Showcase. 

Your Creative Friend

Susan

News and Updates

It is my great pleasure to announce you will be able to purchase my cards, ornaments and aprons at Petal Pushers in Crescent Springs, KY.  If you live in the area please stop by for the Grand Opening, it would be great to see you.

  

I have been working on a new lantern idea, a simple design using my calligraphy, canvas, free motion stitching, FW ink, etc. My next step is to purchase the light fixture to see if I need to add any additional holes for light to shine through.    

Painting and lettering on the canvas.

Place holes in the canvas

Added fabric to wooden ring

Sewing bead to the bottom

Adding flowers

Added beads, rhinestones

Still needed to find a really large bead for the twine to go through

That's it, please leave a comment and have a wonderful day.

Susan

I was inspired to make this piece shortly after 9/11 for a calligraphy class I was taking at the time.  I
remember those who lost their lives, the families that survived this tragedy, and those who continue to fight for our freedom every day.  I love my country.

Create with Love.
Susan