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Painted Clay Ornaments

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How to make and paint clay ornaments:

What you will need: Oven-bake clay (Sculpey), corn starch, wet-dry sand paper, wax paper, cookie cutters and stamps (for decor),  acrylic paint and gloss, paint brushes and sponges

When I originally decided to make ornaments, I thought about painting pre-made pieces, but that seemed far too structured. Instead, I researched different types of clay to figure out how to make them on my own! For the ornaments used in this post, I used Sculpey oven-bake clay, but there are great air dry options as well. I was drawn to the Sculpey clay because it stays malleable until you bake it, so there is no risk of drying out your clay while you work! I have a feeling that I will be using this clay for many crafts to come, so stay tuned!

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Before starting this project, I lined a cookie sheet with wax paper, and added cornstarch to keep the clay from sticking to the wax and the stamps used. I used my hands to flatten the clay since it is easy to work with, but for my next batch I bought a fondant frosting roller to make the thickness (about 1/8 inch) more uniform. Once the clay was prepped, I cut out my desired ornament shape with a cookie cutter.

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I then used stamps to emboss my design into the clay. You can use doilies and other objects to create cool designs and textures as well! I then created a hole in the top for ribbon with the sharp tip of one of my clay tools. Make sure that you don’t make the hole too close to the edge!

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I baked the ornaments according to the directions on the box, which for Sculpey clay is 225 degrees for 15 minutes per 1/4 inch of thickness. I kept them in the oven for close to 15 minutes, though, even though the ornaments were thinner. Just make sure to keep an eye on them, as the clay can brown if left in the oven for too long.

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Once the ornaments were baked, I let them cool completely before using my wet-dry sandpaper to even the surface. I started with 400 grit sandpaper, but I would recommend starting with an even lower grit (more grainy) to really smooth the surface of your ornament. I just bought 320 grit paper to use on my next batch and plan to work up to 1000 grit for extra shine.

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Once sanded, my ornament was ready for painting! On the Christmas tree ornament, I applied a thick layer of paint in the crevices of the letters, and then wiped the rest with a damp paper towel to create a stained look.

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Note that if you want to remove the paint completely, you can use alcohol to do so. After this layer had dried, I added another thin coat of paint to the ornament and used a painting sponge to create texture and remove brush strokes.IMG_9452 - Version 2

For the snowflake ornament, I applied thick silver acrylic paint to the entire ornament and let it dry. Next, I used a thin paintbrush to apply the white paint in the crevices of the stamped numbers. After this dried, I applied a second coat of silver paint to the entire ornament with a painting sponge, leaving the crevices white and the remainder of the ornament silver.

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Sculpey comes in several colors, so if you have small detail that you would rather not paint, you can always buy the color you desire. Or, you can sand and buff the ornaments to a high shine and leave them as it! I let this paint sit for a little over 24 hours, and then applied an acrylic glaze to strengthen the surface and add additional gloss.

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You can also mix a little paint with the gloss to add color and gloss in just one step – so many options! Regardless of which method you use, let the ornaments dry overnight and tie on your ribbon for the perfect gift, or hang them front and center on your own tree!

Mason Jar Treats

How to make mason jar treats:

What you will need: mason jars (wide-mouth pint size), saucepan, tongs, cake mix, decorations of your choice

I was first introduced to the idea of making cakes in mason jars when my friend was sending care packages to her husband overseas. I thought they were such a cute idea, and if done correctly, cake baked in mason jars can last for weeks!

To start, I thoroughly cleaned the mason jars and lids with hot water and a lot of soap  and set them aside to dry. I used wide-mouth mason jars to make it easier to get the cake out, but you can also use regular jars if you plan to eat the cake right out of the jar.

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While the jars were drying, I took out my recipe, preheated the oven, and prepared the cake! I baked a carrot cake for these jars, but any homemade or boxed cake or bread recipe should work. Once the cake batter was ready and the jars were completely dry, I sprayed the inside of each jar with PAM so that the cake wouldn’t stick to the walls, and dispersed the batter evenly across 8 jars. I filled each one about half full, but my cakes only filled about 3/4 of the jar when baked so feel free to add more batter if you have it!

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I set my timer for 25 minutes, less than the time recommended in the recipe, so that I could check on the cakes to see how they were progressing. While the cakes were baking, I started to boil water in a saucepan on the stove. Once the water was boiling, I placed all of the inner discs of the lids into the water to sterilize them and to soften the wax sealant. I made sure the button on top of the discs was popped out before sterilizing them, as these pop in as the jars seal.

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I continued to check on the cakes using toothpicks, and took them out of the oven when the toothpicks came out clean. Using tongs, I took a disc out of the saucepan, dried each side on a towel, and placed it on a mason jar, carefully screwing the lid on top using two oven mitts (the jar and lid will be hot!). I repeated this with each mason jar, and waited for them to seal. One by one, as the jars cooled, the tops of the jars popped in, sealing the cakes. Be patient – it takes about 15 to 20 minutes for the jars to cool enough to seal.IMG_8628Once the cakes had sealed and were fully cooled, I decorated them! I wrapped bubble wrap around each jar and sent them to my boyfriend and his brother for their birthday. It was a great way to give them homemade treats from 3,000 miles away, and their friends even helped out and had cream cheese frosting ingredients ready in the fridge! Success!

Painted Tins

How to paint and decorate tins:

What you will need: plain tins, acrylic paint, paint brushes, paint sponges, acrylic sealer (optional)

When I decided to make toffee for friends and family last Christmas, I couldn’t find any Christmas tins that I liked, so I decided to paint my own! The woman helping me at the Container Store gave me a sideways glance as I passed up the entire wall of Christmas tins for plain ones, but I was already on a mission. Tins can be re-used for so many things, so why not add a personal touch? Before I started, I washed all of the tins with soap and water to remove any dust and to allow the paint to adhere better to the metal.

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Once the tins were dry, I got to work! I painted only the top of the tins so that the paint was not close to the toffee and so that it wouldn’t chip when the lid was taken on and off. To start, I painted a thick layer of red paint with a paint brush. After letting the paint dry, I painted another layer for a more opaque finish, and then I used a craft sponge across the fresh layer of paint to give it texture.

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Before adding the design, I let the paint set for a couple of hours (overnight works too!) so that the red paint did not blend with the white snowflake. I used two coats of white paint to make the snowflake pop, and left the tins to dry for a couple of days before using them.

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You can also spray an acrylic sealer to help set the paint and avoid scratches in the paint. Line your tins with parchment paper, add your favorite Christmas cookies (or salted almond toffee!), and get ready to spread Christmas cheer!

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Crafty Christmas Cheer!

Thanksgiving is over, and Christmas season is officially in full force! There are so many things I love about Christmas – decorating the house, spending time with loved ones, baking festive treats… the list goes on! Christmas is not the most wonderful time of year, however, to be gallivanting through mall parking lots. For those who braved Black Friday and have presents wrapped and under the tree, bravo! For the rest of us, the thought of having only two weekends left before Christmas elicits both excitement and anxiety. Don’t stress! If you are looking for thoughtful gift ideas that are sure to be a hit with anyone on your list, you have come to the right place.

Whether you are sending presents across the country or spreading Christmas cheer to your neighbors, follow the steps below to add a little TLC to any gift this holiday season.

CLAY ORNAMENTS

What better way to spread Christmas cheer than with a homemade Christmas ornament!? Use cookie cutters and stamps to personalize the ornaments, and finish the design with paint and a glaze. These ornaments make great gifts on their own, or they can be attached to the bow of any present as a gift tag. Either way, they are sure to be hanging front and center on the tree in no time!

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Baked goods always make great gifts around the holidays. Spice up your favorite cake or bread recipe by trading in your pyrex dish for mason jars! Baking treats in these jars will preserve them longer, so they can be enjoyed by loved ones near or far. Decorate the jars with bows or tie an ornament around the cap for an added festive touch!

PAINTED TINS

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Last Christmas, I found an amazing toffee recipe online, and knew that it would make the perfect gift for my family and friends. Although there are a plethora of Christmas tins available in any craft store, I thought it would be fun to paint them myself! Whether you are making cookies, toffee, or just want to use the tin as a gift box, a painted tin can be the perfect way to personalize your gift and add a homemade touch.

Fall Festivities!

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It is finally starting to feel like fall in Southern California – better late than never I suppose! Although trees are already lit and on display at the mall and Christmas decorations have taken over all craft store seasonal sections, I am not quite ready to trade in my pumpkin spice lattes for egg nog. I would be lying if I said I hadn’t started my Christmas shopping or that I’m not excited for new Lifetime movies to debut, but there are still plenty of fall festivities (and crafts!) to look forward to before St. Nick takes over. Thanksgiving is still two weeks away, after all!  Over the next couple of weeks, friends will gather for Friendsgivings, Turkey Trots will be organized across the nation, and we will feast and celebrate all that we have to be thankful for with loved ones on Thanksgiving. My point? There is a lot of fall left to enjoy – although my disposition may be far from enjoyable as I am trotting on Thanksgiving morning…

Whether you are just trying to hold on to these last couple weeks of fall, hosting a fall feast, or actually in the big leagues throwing a full Thanksgiving gathering (terrifying), the decorations below can be the perfect addition to your next fall get together!

PUMPKIN VASE

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Why use a boring vase for your centerpiece when you can use a pumpkin!? To make this flower arrangement, I cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin and cleaned out the inside, as if prepping it for carving. I made sure that the bottom was flat, and arranged the flower bouquet in a mason jar of water which I then placed in the pumpkin. Yet another great use for mason jars! I cut the stems fairly short so that only the flowers emerged from the pumpkin, and tied ribbon around the pumpkins to add a little more flair to the table.

FESTIVE FALL WREATH

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I really think that party decor starts at the porch, so I decided to create this fall-themed wreath for the front door! I used burlap and thick fall ribbon (on sale at Michael’s) instead of deco mesh, giving the wreath a more structured look. I even bought a few fall garlands with fake leaves and berries that I glued to the wreath, and I used the extras as additional accent decor on the mantle and tables.

PUMPKIN POTPOURRI

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Potpourri can be a great way to add an aromatic accent to your fall centerpiece. No scented candles needed! For these jars, I found fall-inspired potpourri with a cinnamon-based scent and added wood shred, burlap, and twine for a rustic touch!