Saturday, November 19, 2011

LBH 12 Days of Ornaments: Day 8

Can you believe there are only four more days of ornaments? 
 It's been so much fun to share these with all of you!
This is  Susan again and I will be sharing a new technique on today's ornament using
Ultra Light Paper Clay, Mod Podge and beautiful napkins.

Christmas Cardinal Ornament
Designed by: Susan Tidwell



Here are the supplies that I used:


 (all available at the LBH of course...we even have these beautiful napkins for you )
4" circle paper mache ornament
ivory or white craft paint and paintbrush
Mod Podge and paintbrush
1 pretty napkin with a design sized to fit ornament
 (most napkins have four similar or identical designs - two will be needed for each ornament)
approx. 4" square of coordinating patterned paper for back (I used Authentique music paper)
Viva Decor Ultra Light Air-Dry Clay
approx. 12" double-ruffled stretch ecru crochet lace (Maya Road)
approx. 12" red or green crepe ribbon (Creative Impressions)
Optional:
red and green inks for edges
red, black and Diamond or gold Stickles
Glossy Accents
additional supplies not shown: scissors, sander, Helmar's 450 glue

Let's get started!
First you will paint the front and sides of the ornament with ivory or white paint. (The back does not need to be painted as it will be covered with paper.)


 Most printed napkins are either 2-ply or 3-ply. Carefully separate the plain layers from the top printed layer.  Roughly tear out two identical designs so the napkin covers the ornament. (I used a cocktail napkin - we have these available in the store if you want to use this particular design.)


Apply Mod Podge to painted side of ornament and place napkin on top, smoothing from the center out to the edges.  The napkin should be larger than the ornament with the excess hanging off sides.


Take a small piece of the paper clay and pinch in hands for a minute to soften. 


Add small bits of the clay to the design you want to highlight, directly over the napkin. If the clay starts to dry out, slightly moisten your fingertip with a bit of water and continue molding. Do not add too much - keep within the design's lines. In the photo above you can see the outer edge of the bird peeking outside the clay.


In this photo you can see the difference between the bird's body and the wing.  I did not add clay to the tail as that hangs over the edge of the ornament and will be trimmed later.


Here is another shot from the side showing the dimension you are building up.


Using a second identical napkin design, lay over the ornament, matching designs.


Apply more Mod Podge over the first napkin and clay.


Smooth out top napkin layer over the ornament, gently "stippling" with the paintbrush and/or using your fingers to fit around the raised areas.  Let dry.


Turn ornament over and trim excess napkin around the edge.


Sand edges for a smooth, finished look. 


Ink edges with green ink if desired.


 Trace back of ornament on backside of desired patterned paper, cut out and decoupage on ornament with Mod Podge.  When dry, sand edges if desired and ink with colored ink of choice.


Using Helmar's 450 glue, adhere double-ruffled crocheted lace around edge of ornament, starting and ending at the top where the hanger is.  Tie a pretty bow at the base of the hanger to cover the ends of lace.

If desired, embellish design with Stickles (red for berries, black for eye and Diamond for leaves) and Glossy Accents (beak).Your Cardinal Ornament is now ready to sing from the branches of your Christmas tree! Enjoy! The pictures hardly do these justice...it's difficult to see the dimension on camera...Stop by the Little Blue House to see just  how gorgeous these Christmas Cardinals really are!

 

As you can see, I made two of these pretties, one for the LBH tree and one for the lucky commenter on today's blog post.   Please share with us your favorite Christmas cookie!  Mine are "Candy Cane Cookies" - my Mom made them every Christmas and they were so popular among our classmates that my brothers and I were always elected to bring them for our school parties. I continued the tradition with my own children and they are now starting to add them to their own holiday baking!

Happy Holidays!
Susan
The WINNER from Day #7 is.....
CATHY GRIGSBY!
Congratulations Cathy! Please contact the LBH to claim your ornament!

11 comments:

  1. I love the colors! We love to make sugar cookies for Christmas.

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  2. Oh Susan you never fail me.. I just love this new technique... makes me missin art group...And what a beautiful ornament

    My favorite holiday cookie is any one I see.. I love all the baking at holiday time....

    Happy Holidays..

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  4. Susan this is beautiful ... now I'll be looking at napkins differently!!

    My Pastor's wife's father used to have a tradition of making his peanut butter cracker chocolate cookies every Christmas for his family. When he passed away I started making them for the family and I enjoy giving them at Christmas. It's a blessing to pass on a family tradition. I named them Montey's cookies!!

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  5. Love the ornament. Brings back fond memories of my mother-in-law and her sister. They both loved feeding and observing the cardinals in their backyards. I make an iced sugar cookie that has sour cream in it. My daughter has always called them ice cream cookies.

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  6. The Cardinal ornament is beautiful. I usd to do some things using mod podge and napkins, never thought to add diminsion. Way to go Susan. Always make Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cup cookies. My son's favorite.

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  7. Just beautiful Susan! Great technique that I can not wait to try out. My mind is already running tally on the plethora of napkins I have leftover from parties...hmmmmm. LOL.

    I have made Christmas cookies with my Grandmother every year for the last 32 years (and I hope for many more)! Of all the ones we make I would have to say it is her Date Nut bundles that I love the most. They just 'smell' like Christmas when baking.

    I just wanted to add a note for you gals as well: I love just this ornament series. The ideas are great. But what I love most is running through all my Christmas memories and traditions and getting to share them with you all. I am SO glad I found the LBH!!

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  8. What a pretty ornament, Susan! I love using napkins...there are so many cute designs to choose from. My favorite Christmas cookie is shortbread, made by my Mom's best friend, Paula. She also makes these mean peanut butter balls that are incredible!

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  9. This is beautiful! And what a clever idea. I love it!

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  10. Love the 3D effect, looks fun. We make cookies that have been in the family for years. They have candied cherries in them. Delicious and.colorful!

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  11. Love that and what a great effect. Thank you.

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