Last Minute DIY Christmas Craft!

Can I squeeze in another DIY Christmas craft!?

These ornaments are made from air dry clay using stamps, acrylic paint, acrylic gloss, fine glitter, and shimmery thread.

Air dry clay is the next best thing to using actual real clay; but much more accessible and there are some really good ones out there on the market now, so play around with different brands to find the one you like best because they all have different qualities. They are getting the mixes of these air dry clays better and better, and some of them feel as though you are using real clay.

I rolled out the clay first then cut out shapes using Christmas cookie cutters as my guide. I traced around them as I wanted them bigger than the cutters I had, but you could also just use the cutters to cut the shapes if the are the size you want.

I used Christmas-themed stamps and various high-tech-tools like a knitting needle and wooden skewer to make impressions into the clay, then I left them to dry.

Once dry, I coated them with gesso and dried that using a hair dryer. Then a coat of acrylic gloss. You want something shiny that will enable paint to wipe away from later. Dry the gloss. Then use some acrylic paint in you choice of colour and paint all over, getting in all the indents of the decorative elements. Wipe back with a damp rag to reveal the texture and bring out contrast. 

Then once the acrylic paint was dry, I painted a final coat of gloss and sprinkled some fine glitter into the gloss while it was still wet.

Make personalised ornaments using an alphabet stamp set

Add some pretty thread to the top for a hanger, and you're done! 

Check out the video below to see in detail how I made this Christmas decoration craft:

And if you're feeling extra crafty, I also recently made this fox Christmas decoration craft into a tutorial for Alisa Burke. You can find that tutorial here.

Really, I want Christmas to go for a bit longer this year, as I haven't made all the decorations I wanted to! Lucky (!?) the years go fast so next Christmas will be here before I know it!

I hope you enjoyed my last minute DIY Christmas craft!

Jules :)

Make Christmas Decorations: Tutorial for Upcycled Marbled Polymer Clay Christmas Ornaments

Hello Creatives :)

Christmas is coming! If you're feeling like a Christmas craft, you can make these Christmas decorations. This tutorial combines polymer clay, old candle lightbulbs (which no self respecting hoarder, ahem, crafter can throw away), and washi tape. And for those of you who prefer the video format for craft tutorials, you can check out my second-in-my-whole-life-youtube-video! (Making videos is super new to me so I totally welcome feedback :))

Upcycled Polymer Clay Christmas Decorations

You will need:

-Polymer clay in various colours (Sculpey III brand is my pick)
-Old lightbulbs
-Glass or tile work surface
-polymer clay rolling pin (I use an even sided glass)
-Scalpel
-2 Pliers
-Wire
-Washi tape
-Silver leaf (optional)

Make:
Roll a selection of colours into snakes or worms or whatever your chosen word is for rolls of polymer clay :)

Twist them together into a happening party;

And get that party pumping by clumping them into a ball! (Permission to roll eyes now omg, I'm sorry- I will stop!)

Then roll your clay into a log once more, then twist and roll into a ball. Do this a few times (I like to do this around 3 times) and your clay will start to marble. Experiment to see what you like. The more you mix, the more marbled your clay will be. Over mix and your colours will all blend and mix together and you will lose the marbled effect. You will see the marbled effect the clay has once you start rolling it out.

Take your rolling tool, like my high-tech even-sided glass shown here, and start to roll out your clay. This is where you get to see the magic of your marbled polymer clay! Roll it out quite thin, about 1-2mm. It's opaque so you don't need to worry about seeing through the clay, you just want to make sure it's not so thin that holes start to tear into it.

Take one of the lightbulbs and wrap the clay around it, manipulating it and smoothing and pressing as you go. Trim the excess clay and use your fingers smooth and disguise joins. 

If you'd like to use the silver effect, press your clay onto a sheet of the silver leaf, gently sticking the leaf to the clay. Do this once you've first flattened the clay a little, then continue rolling the clay and the silver leaf will start to crack and give that distinct look you see below. Keep rolling until it's thin again.

Wrap around another lightbulb then trim and smooth as above.

Once all smooth and done, bake the lightbulbs in the oven according to the instructions on the pack.

Now to make the hanger. Take a length of wire and make two small loops in the ends using two pairs of pliers helps here. Thread another length of wire through these loops and use that piece to wrap around the base of the lightbulb end.

You then take some pretty washi tape and wrap it around the unsightly lightbulb end to make it pretty! It also doubles up it's purpose by holding the wire in place.

I'm pretty pleased with the outcome of this Christmas craft! You can make them in your own individual colours, and they would make great handmade gifts for the festive season too.

So, if you find yourself with some spare time that you just don't know what to do with, and you have a collection of old lightbulbs like I do, then give making these Christmas decorations a go!

I hope you enjoyed my my DIY Christmas decorations tutorial!

Jules :)

A Late Christmas Post & Update

Helloooo!

I have been very quiet again here, sorry! I thought I'd do a belated Christmas post, showing the decoration I made for Christmas 2017, which is now last year.

Gluten free macadamia & current shortbreads that were a hit! Seriously, healthy food is yummy!

We decided to stay home this year instead of driving here there and everywhere to see family. But, I wasn't getting out of any work as people came to us instead. I kind of forgot about that part! Lucky I have a great Mum who came and helped me with everything, and family members also all brought something to share, which lightened the workload.

For my Christmas display above the table, I placed a plank of wood on top of my hanging Morrocan style light. I used some greenery from the garden and tied it all on securely with string.

I hung felt stars that were previously made for a craft tutorial I did recently. I draped second-hand necklaces around the branches, then twisted some little battery operated lights around it all. 

I had a bag of pearl beads and I set the kids to work threading them and hung them up too. Putting the kids to work makes jobs like these easier, and they love helping me with projects like this. They enjoyed choosing the different colour combinations of the beads.

Christmas was fun and pretty relaxing. Except for the trampoline that a certain delivery company couldn't deliver to us in time, but it all worked out ok, the kids were very happy with what they received Christmas morning, and the trampoline was basically a replacement for the old rusty one we already had in the backyard. We have since received our new trampoline and the kids are very happy!

We had a second round of people over for New Years, and I made my husband fill two buckets with concrete and branches for me to string lights between. I will have to take a photo of that to share.

I have been a little absent lately as our new puppy got very, very sick. I have been dealing with vets and doing lots of research and have a whole protocol of things I am doing for him. We nearly lost him. Twice. He seems to be on the improve now though, so fingers crossed we are through the worst of it and that he will be ok! Here he is enjoying the swing at the local park :) He is a dag :) He had immune mediated polyarthritis, meningitis, and signs pointing to immune mediated thrombocytopenia where basically your platelets are attacked and you start bleeding internally. The arthritis was an immune attack on his own body. He is not 100% as he went through a lot and is now on medication. We suspect his puppy vaccinations were the cause or trigger. It's been an awful experience and a very expensive one too. 

And see my nails in the above photo? We have really got into nail painting these school holidays! Here are some bunny nails I did for my eldest, courtesy of Pinterest searching!

A project I have begun work on is a chicken coop reno!! Here's a sign I have painted for above the front door. We need more nesting boxes and perches so I am going to get Jim to do those, but I have a few plans for doing up the girls' space with a touch of colour. After all, they do need some prettiness to lay their eggs, right!?

Hope you've enjoyed my update. Happy New Year to you all and I'm looking forward to 2018 being a super creative year!

Jules :)

Creative Life Round Up

Hi there! My creative-life-round-up posts are just a round up of random creativity that's happening in my world at the moment. 

Christmas is a-coming! I have just finished this little elf for a special little niece in my life. Her mama has extremely good taste and loves all the same fabrics and colours I do, so basically I made this with her in mind! I got the pattern from Wee Wonderfuls. 

I chose to make the elf on the left, and I used real wool felt for the felt components. Real wool felt is SO much better than the acrylic stuff.

Aren't they just so cute!? I really would like to get this animal pattern and make each of these cute little animals too! They are smoochalicious!! 

Food. Food is always happening here, and no, it's not always this pretty! This was for the girls' birthdays not too long ago. Right now I'm starting my Christmas cooking. My first project was shortbread cookies which I just burned. *Cry*

The husband-man and I recently took a trip... BY OURSELVES... no kids!!! Into Melbs. (Melbourne.) We saw a show, had some dinner, strolled around the streets, saw a couple of celebs, and basically felt like teenagers again. We went on our first dates as youngsters together into the city, so it felt strange to be walking around there for fun again together post having children. We don't often do things without the kids, but I could really get used to more of these outings! I like some of the creative laneways that are covered in art. Should've taken more photos!

Here's a landscape painting I started that is really not my style but was compelled to do it from a photo I took when out walking the dog. I have to say it's quite refreshing trying out a different style and I'm happy with where this small painting is heading. 

And another painting I've started! I had an image in my head of a pegasus painting, it's not turning out quite how I imagined, but I'm happy with it all the same. Maybe I'll have to keep painting pegasus paintings until I get it right!? A whole series perhaps??

And here's a terrarium I made for a good friend!

Hope you enjoyed my latest creative life round up. 

Jules :)

Merry Christmas!

As we lead up to the silly season we wish everyone happy and safe holidays from all of us here in the Madden household!

How many decorations can you add to a reindeer!?

Christmas in Australia is more about sunscreen than snow!

I sincerely thank everyone who has visited me here on my craft/ art blog, and my loyal followers who are always cheering me on.

I look forward to sharing more art, crafts, and creativity in the new year. 

Merry Christmas!

Jules :)

Christmas Present Wrapping Inspiration

If you're a little like me, you've probably left wrapping presents until the last minute! I asked a couple of arty friends for photos, plus gathered some extra inspiration online. 

I think what works is a combination of pretty papers, ribbons/ ties, nice gift tags and some extra decorations. Handmade tags and papers always get a big extra tick from me!

Add some sparkles with glitter or sequins.

I love the eclectic look of this bowerbird style of wrapping by Deb Dorgan

Colourful little gifts with paper designed by Leah Bartholomew

I love the bauble- adding idea by Tijana and the hand painted cards.

Local artist Helen Timbury uses her excess printed papers as wrapping. I love this eco idea and the colour.

Don't lick this paper... even though it looks good enough to eat. Via Laura Blythman

Simple but effective. I like the pine fronds touch. Found at Rachel Pearce

Can you go wrong with a dala horse? Via Veronika Marshall

I hope you enjoyed that line up.

And I hope your Christmas tasks are running to schedule! This week we will be making some gingerbread, a few other dishes for Christmas day, and I will be slowing down with my work and enjoying ourselves a bit. 

Hopefully the ideas have inspired you a little if you feel like getting a bit creative wrapping those last minute pressies.

Jules :)