the most versatile craft ever
December 15th, 2008
Annalie and I signed up for the Kids Ornament Swap at Full Circle this year. The theme was Winter Wonderland. We had to make eight ornaments, seven to send away and one to keep, and we would get seven different ornaments in return from our swap partners. I mainly signed up because it sounded easy and Annalie LOVES getting mail.
Then after Thanksgiving I went and got sick. Like, coughing-all-night-and-sleeping-all-day sick. I’m still not completely over it, in fact. So instead of coming up with some cute new craft idea, I fell back on an old standard: tin-foil festive.
We made Christmas cards with this craft last year. It was fun for me and Annalie, and I was really happy with how the cards turned out. Then I used the same craft for Valentine’s Day cards.
It’s a fairly easy craft to do, and Annalie is an old hand at it. She painted the foil with Mod Podge (you can also use watered-down white glue). I did the tissue paper, we painted another coat of Mod Podge and then Annalie went to town with the glitter and sequins.
After we let the glue dry for a couple of days, it was time to cut the ornaments out. I explained the winter theme to Annalie, and suggested stars and trees. I asked if she could think of any other winter-y shapes she wanted to do, and she immediately said, “I know, we could cut out the moon! Crescent moons!” I thought that was a fantastic idea.
Hmm. Guess I should’ve wiped that chocolate off her face before I took these photos. Oh well.
After I figured out how to draw a decent-looking crescent moon, I cut out the eight required ornaments plus one more. We dotted quick-drying craft glue on the back of each shape and arranged them on plain white cardstock. I cut the ornaments out and punched holes in them while Annalie threaded each one with white cord.
An artist always signs her work. Annalie carefully signed the back of each ornament before we mailed them off. I hope all our swap partners like them!
We had some extra festive foil left over. I figured we’d make more ornaments, or maybe make some cards to send to Annalie’s playgroup friends. Then I had an idea: magnets! I thought it was a really fun idea, but I wasn’t sure if it would work. I just made one at first. And it looked great.
So we made a whole bunch!
I love this craft. I wonder what else we can make with it!?
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Cuteness! I love the magnet idea too. Your magnets are definitely the cutest of my fridge collection. (Wink, wink.)
Wow I am really impressed at your combined craftiness and you have given me all sorts of ideas for xmas tags. Loved the brand name “Mod Podge” too, not a brand I think we have for sale in the UK but it sounds delectably squishy and glue like. The magnets glitter like pirate treasure.
Have a Happy Christmas and I hope the New Year brings lots of wonderful times for you and your family :)
Oh you guys are so crafty and inspiring. Those magnets turned out awesome!!
Those are darling (both the ornaments and the magnets) – i’ve never heard of that technique before. looks like annalie had a blast! i may try this to make my son’s thank-you notes for after Christmas – it is so pretty! thanks for sharing another great idea and Merry Christmas!
Beth B. (mommy to a busy 5-yr old)
I really like those magnets! Cute idea!!
I know I am supposed to be a grown-up or whatever, but I seriously want one of these ornaments!! How awesome? Plus those magnets! Those magnets are so gorgeous and fun. Please tell me you’re going to put some in your Etsy shop.
I need to learn to be more crafty. I’m totally bookmarking this.
i want to try this! such a cool idea. i loved looking at all the pictures!
OMB those magnets ROCK. I am so making some.
I love all of the crafts! Annalie is just so cute – I especially love the last picture. Her smile is so contagious.
so clever, you are! How do you make the magnets?
I Love Magnets…those are so cool. I second the motion to have those in your Etsy shop!
Annalie looks like a seasoned professional in some of those photos, and too cute!
Such a fun idea and very inspiring for some last minute gifts too. Did you use Hodge Podge to seal the art to the glass?
Thanks Bethany!
Oooooh! That’s fantabulous!
You. Are. AMAZING.
Want to come here and do crafts with MY kids?
Oooo… We are absolutely trying this craft tonight.
Another one that is super easy that I have always loved? The crayon shavings melted between sheet of wax paper. Beautiful and so much fun to shave all those crayons!
Awesome. I love this craft, I remember it from last year and keep forgetting to do it. I am going to make a note of it. Actually I should start a book of crafts I want to do, just to remember them all.
I finally made some magnets recently and loved it, so there are more in the future here too.
I loved that Christmas card last year! It was one of my favourites. =) I am guessing Annalie was the photographer when you were holding all the magnets in your hands? She’s become quite the accomplished photographer! Joy to all of you! > <
wow realy neet :)
I LOVE those magnets!!!! I may have to make some.
Dude, I have to have some of those magnets! What did you cover them with to make them look like bubbles? Some kind of glue?
It’s the bubble rock things from craft stores, right? I’ve made magnets out of them before as well. This looks like a totally fun craft. I may have to try it.
wow! you two got even more glitzy this year! I love your ornaments! and one more sentence to end with exclamation points!!!!