Marty/Lh Christmas Ornament -- Get Crafty!

[4reeds]

Thanks Shy

Your Pop-Up Card is fantastic - puts my creativity to shame!

[starcrossed]

ShyNo More, I loved your pop up card. And I don't think you used up all you craftiness for the year.

There is just a lot to do around this time of year and sitting down long enough to get any single project done is enough...and you did two projects. Great job!! [img src="lovehammersecards.com/MCorg/smilies/thumbsup.gif"][/IMG]

Origami is not my thing...everything I have tried to make looks like a crumbled piece of paper for the trash I am the worst at this type of craft. ;D

[Cheza]

4reeds, the ornament I will *hopefully* post within the next two days is based on a similar principal, but instead of folding the photos and having them on paper - you print them on transparency film and cut them...then roll them to get them in the neck of the ornament...if you can do it right, it will fit perfectly...if not...trouble. *hehe*

[ShyNoMore]

cheza said:

4reeds, the ornament I will *hopefully* post within the next two days is based on a similar principal, but instead of folding the photos and having them on paper - you print them on transparency film and cut them...then roll them to get them in the neck of the ornament...if you can do it right, it will fit perfectly...if not...trouble. *hehe*

I'm looking forward to seeing this!

[Hoot]

This is a craft I made with my daughter's third grade class. It was a big hit with both the students and the teacher. We made them without adding anything to the middle, but I think they look nice either way. They actually look prettier when you use iridescent beads (they look like they sparkle and they catch the light of the tree), but the kids used up all of my red and white ones yesterday.



Beaded Snowflake Ornament

Materials:
Scissors
Silver tinsel pipe cleaners
Plastic pony beads (iridescent ones are nice for this project)
String, ribbon or yarn (for hanging)

Optional materials:
Pictures or stickers
Glue

Directions:
Cut two pipe cleaners in half so that you have 4 pieces.
Make a cross with two pieces, twist and secure. Now add the other two pieces, twist and secure.
Add beads to each piece of pipe cleaner in the pattern of your choice. Bend the ends of each piece just enough to prevent the beads from falling off.
Add your picture or sticker in the middle, and lay flat allowing the glue time to dry.
Make a loop with the string, ribbon or yarn and secure it to the top by bending the end of the pipe cleaner.

[rockfan]

Very cool ornaments ya'll are making . I had something to make but never got the time to do it .

[ShyNoMore]

That's a great idea, Hoot. I'm going to make a pink one for my friend who is a breast cancer survivor.

I wonder if Marty every imagined that he would have a website featuring crafty instructions. My guess would be NO!

[Hoot]

shymcfan said:

That's a great idea, Hoot. I'm going to make a pink one for my friend who is a breast cancer survivor.

I wonder if Marty every imagined that he would have a website featuring crafty instructions. My guess would be NO!

My guess would be no too.

The pink one for breast cancer is a great idea! There are also different color tinsel pipe cleaners, if you didn't want to go with silver (I know they have gold). And there are so many different kinds of beads to choose from...especially if you have something specific in mind. I had just bought the bags of multi-color beads, as I was trying to appeal to the whole classroom.

[ShyNoMore]

Okay, I didn't have any pipe cleaners, and I tried using floral wire but I couldn't get it into the shape of a star. So I just made a ribbon shape instead. I think she will like it. Thanks for the inspiration, Hoot!

[starcrossed]

shymcfan said:

That's a great idea, Hoot. I'm going to make a pink one for my friend who is a breast cancer survivor.

I wonder if Marty every imagined that he would have a website featuring crafty instructions. My guess would be NO!

What? Crafting is cool. Right? Going to my safe and happy place... ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Cheza]

I had some trouble getting photos of the ornaments I made...but I'm going to post what I got...they will at least give you a general idea of the finished product. I cannot claim ownership of this project - it's something I saw on a Christmas special on HGTV (I think it was Carol Duvall's) a number of years ago. I made one modification and that was using frosted glass spray to spray the back half of the ornament - otherwise you have to be looking at the ornament at a certain point to see the image because it is really like a photo suspended in a bubble. I'm still working on some ideas to solve that issue and make the ornament elements visible from all sides.

Transparency film ornament

Materials:
Glass ornament (or you might could use plastic...I just never have) purchased at your local craft store. You can use whichever size you like - see instructions for explanation.

Tweezers

Transparency Film for Printer

Computer and Printer

Glass Cutter

Scissors

Cardboard

Marker


Instructions:

1. This is the hardest step of all, but it is also the most important. I have never been able to find a glass cutter that I can use to cut the ornament in half horizontally (I've tried three - if anyone finds one that they can do this with and NOT break the ornament in the process please let me know). The first step is to do that (this is why my ornaments turn out to be a bit more trial and error). You then sit the cut piece on the cardboard and use the marker to trace around it. This creates your pattern for the transparency you will insert in the ornament later. Cut out the circle you drew - you will trace it onto your transparency later.

2. Select photos on your computer that you would like to use on the transparencies. I have a Kodak camera, so I usually print mine in the 6-up Wallet setting under "print at home" because I use the average size balls (that come 12 in a box at Hobby Lobby). You also want to consider the layout of the pic. I was going to make one with Kyle's Christmas poster, but realized I would have to shrink it down more to do so because it is so close up.

3. Print the photos on the transparency film. Be sure you load the film as the package instructs you to do - or you'll end up with runny ink and a mess. If your printer has setup modifications for transparency - it will also help to change the settings to that. I print on transparencies using the "better" quality. I personally can't tell much difference with the "best" setting and it uses more ink.

4. After your transparency has dried, take your cardboard pattern and lay it on top of the photo - taking care to get it centered. I also advise that you turn the transparency over so you are doing your tracing and cutting on the backside (not where it printed - because you could scratch it up if you're not careful).

5. Cut out your circle.

6. With great care (you don't want to scratch it up), roll the circle horizontally (from the left to right of your pic as it should be when standing in the ornament) tightly. Then push it through the neck on the ornament. If the pattern is the correct size, it will unfurl and lock in place. Sometimes the tweezers must be used for a little finessing. Just be sure you use a light touch or you could scratch the transparency (or worse) break the ornament if you're using glass.

7. Replace the ornament cap and hang it on your tree! I finish mine off with a bit of ribbon as a hanger.

Here are the ornaments I made...two with pics of Marty by Anthony Fiore and the third from one of the Hammers' publicity pics.

Marty in his fedora:


Marty with the guitars in the background:


The Lovehammers all lit up:


The Lovehammers sans lights:

[HY]

Those look really great, Cheza! You say you cut one of the ornaments? Is that just to get the size for the cut-out?

[Cheza]

Yes, it's just to get the size for the cut out.

[4reeds]

Very nice Cheza

The ornaments I used from Michaels Crafts were plastic - I wonder if you could cut those easier...

Steph

[Cheza]

4reeds said:

Very nice Cheza

The ornaments I used from Michaels Crafts were plastic - I wonder if you could cut those easier...

Steph

You might be able to cut them. Sadly, there's not a Michaels within about four hours of here. So, Hobby Lobby is my place. However, if you should try it and it works - let me know! I may take a trip to Little Rock sometime and I know there's a Michaels there!

Remember to cut the ornament horizontally ladies

Peace.

[starcrossed]

These are great idea's. I need to go to the craft store after the holidays and stock up on things.

[Ceeje]

Here's an ornament that can be easily made. I haven't made it yet, but I thought I'd go ahead and post it.

A decoupage ornament.

Supplies:

- Styrofoam balls
- Decoupage glue (also called "Modge Podge")
- paint brush (small artist kind)
- Martyt/Lh pictures.
- piece of ribbon (to hang it by)
- straight pin

Use the artist brush to put the glue on the ball. Place the Marty/Lh picture on the ball and cover with the decoupage glue. (The glue will dry clear.) Cover the ball completely with pictures, so that none of the white Styrofoam shows. After the glue dries, use the ribbon and the straight pin to make a loop to hang it by.


I'll try to make one tonight and post a picture.

[ShyNoMore]

Those turned out great, Cheza! I look forward to seeing your's as well, Ceeje.

[cfbj01]

Really nice ornaments Cheza! I think if I hung Marty/Lovehammers ornaments on the tree my husband and sons would really think I had gone crazy. Maybe next year I could make some and sneak them on.

[Cheza]

cfbj01 said:

Really nice ornaments Cheza! I think if I hung Marty/Lovehammers ornaments on the tree my husband and sons would really think I had gone crazy. Maybe next year I could make some and sneak them on.

Thanks! Maybe we all need a little Marty & LH tree...tucked somewhere special in the house...just for us