Heather Powers of the Art Bead Scene hosts an Ornament Blog Hop every year! I try to participate, and though it's last minute (story I'll tell you about another day) here I am!
I made an owl based on a tutorial from Heather at Humblebeads. I have dabbled in polymer and taken two classes with Christine Damm (who is the most generous person and enthusiastic teacher) but never made a 3-D item (aside from a heart that I really liked that sold!). So it was time!
I made the polymer owl and painted it. I tried to crackle it, and wasn't thrilled, so I baked it again to heat set the paint. Big mistake. Or so I thought. After I took it out of the oven, it was gummy. But I let it sit for a while, and it got less gummy. So when it was not gummy anymore, I sealed it with Renaissance Wax. And then it got gummy again. But just for a little bit. And now it's not. I don't know if it will last, but at least I finished it, right? I used three felted beads I bought from someone who packages them in cute little glass test tube vials, but can't remember who! And finally finished it with a handmade, copper wire ornament hanger. I may embellish it, I think it need some blue beads!
So there you have my ornament for this year. I think I really like it. I'm trying to make another owl and I burned it. Ugh. I'll try again tomorrow, it's already 1:30 and I have too many irons in the fire right now!
Here's a recipe for Cinnamon Ornaments - the one you see below is ours! You may have made these with your children when they were young - I think they are so cute! You can replace some of the cinnamon with other spices, too, like nutmeg, cloves, allspice, etc.
Cinnamon Ornament
3/4 cup applesauce
1 bottle (4.1 ounces) McCormick Ground Cinnamon
Mix applesauce with cinnamon in a small bowl to form a stiff dough. Using about 1/4 of the dough, roll a ball to 1/4 inch thickness between 2 sheet of plastic wrap. Peel off top sheet, and use cookie cutter to cut dough. Make a hole in the top of the ornament with a drinking straw. Place ornaments on a baking sheet and bake for 2 1/2 hours at 200 degrees; place on a rack to cool. OR carefully lay ornaments on a flat rack to dry at room temp. for 1 to 2 days or until thoroughly dry, turning occasionally. Insert ribbon through holes to hang. This recipe from McCormick.
Here's a recipe for Cinnamon Ornaments - the one you see below is ours! You may have made these with your children when they were young - I think they are so cute! You can replace some of the cinnamon with other spices, too, like nutmeg, cloves, allspice, etc.
Cinnamon Ornament
3/4 cup applesauce
1 bottle (4.1 ounces) McCormick Ground Cinnamon
Mix applesauce with cinnamon in a small bowl to form a stiff dough. Using about 1/4 of the dough, roll a ball to 1/4 inch thickness between 2 sheet of plastic wrap. Peel off top sheet, and use cookie cutter to cut dough. Make a hole in the top of the ornament with a drinking straw. Place ornaments on a baking sheet and bake for 2 1/2 hours at 200 degrees; place on a rack to cool. OR carefully lay ornaments on a flat rack to dry at room temp. for 1 to 2 days or until thoroughly dry, turning occasionally. Insert ribbon through holes to hang. This recipe from McCormick.
Comments
Susan
LadyFlowersbySusan
Happy Christmas!