Black Felt Sugar Skull Ornaments

I picked up some felt squares

at JoAnn's last week.

The Black Friday shoppers had already

cleaned out several colors and it was

only Tuesday!

I wanted to pick up some white or cream for a

base as well as the black, but they were out of stock

at my store that day. 

I do like black with the bright colors

and am happy with the way they turned out.

I started by drawing a pattern on grid paper

and then cutting out the design on cardboard. 

I had a piece laying around that happened to be red. 

As you can see I need a new blade for my razor knife. 

(The right tools make all the difference!)

 I cut enough cardboard templates 

for each ornament, because they were glued inside.

I cut the felt about 1/4" larger than my template

so I could finish the skull off with a blanket stitch. 

I used DMC floss, buttons, beads,

and rhinestones for embellishments. 

They're a lot of fun to make.

I'm still working on several more. The options for

designs are endless!

Love Shrine

This is how my "Love Shrine" started out.

The base is an old Lang Christmas card box.

(Whenever I come across a good strong box, 

I always tuck it away for a future project.)

I designed a fancy asymmetrical frame to go around it, built it

up with some air dry paper clay and cardboard 

designs, and then paper mached the whole thing. 

 Once it thoroughly dried (about 2 days),
I primed it with Zinzer Bullseye 123.

I used assorted acrylic and dimensional paints to create

a primitive design, which I sealed with a gloss medium. 

It's embellished with some cold porcelain clay roses

and rhinestones. 

It's rustic, simple, bright and cheery.

I may need to add some glitter modge podge

to the frame to give it even more pizazz. 

Either way, I "LOVE" it!

Sugar Skull Egg Ornaments

I came across these eggs while digging through

my craft supply box. 

They were a half off "after

the holiday" purchase from Walmart. 

I wish I'd picked up

several dozen. I'm hoping they

carry them again this coming Easter. 

They are so much fun to work with!

I decided to make a sugar skull ornaments with the eggs and 

used my very fine artist markers for the design. 

I finished it off with lace, a flower bead, and beaded straight pin.

Black ribbon was used for the hanging loop and I glued 

all those things together with Tacky Glue. 

The back had to say Feliz Navidad!

After making a "her" I had to make a "him".

I started by making a black hat with a purple rose

and green leaves out of cold porcelain clay and let 

that dry for 24 hours. 

In the meantime, I worked on his face

and back "Feliz Navidad" greeting. 

The hat and ribbon were adhered

with a black beaded straight pin

and Tacky Glue. 

I love the way they turned out and am

anxious to show you some more that I've just finished.

I learned from the first ornament, not to use my artist markers.

While they're great for drawing on paper,

they smeared a bit as I turned the egg in my

hand to work on it. 

With my subsequent ornaments, I used permanent markers
(Bic and Sharpie) as well as Pitt Pens.
They all worked well together and didn't smear. 

Happy Thanksgiving.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday!