The Queen's Crown with Connie Crystal

My latest project for the Connie Crystal blog is regal.... find out the details on their blog!   http://sparklebycc.com/the-queens-crown/

Feather Tree & Paper Birds

This feather tree with shimmering paper birds was a project originally created last year for my Cindi's Simple Solutions column for the When Creativity Knocks Creative Journal - but I think it would fit right in with the holiday decorating trends I've been spotting this year in the magazines so I'm sharing it again here.

The tree itself came together in less than a half hour.    Based on a decoration my sons made at school several years ago, the simple little birds add a touch of nature along with a bit of sparkle.  

Materials:

Krylon Silver Leafing Pen
Bamboo skewer
Wooden spool
White feathers approximately 4-5” long
The Robin's Nest Calamity Jane patterned paper
Scissors
Glue gun & glue sticks
JudiKins Diamond Glaze and Quicksilver Roxs 
White thread
 

Use the silver leafing pen to color the bamboo skewer and spool.   Hot glue the skewer to center of the spool for base of tree. 




Begin at the bottom of the tree with the largest feathers and hot glue 5 evenly spaced around the bottom of the tree.   Continue upward reducing the size of the feathers slightly by trimming them with scissors.

 








Cut 7 small (approximately 1”) basic side view bird images from patterned paper.    Cut 7 rectangles from patterned paper approximately 1” x 1 1/2”. 

Accordion fold the rectangles at approximately 1/8” intervals.

Cut small slit horizontally in center wing area of each bird.   Slip through folded paper, bend upward and hot glue together to create wings.

Apply Diamond Glaze to back (white) side of birds.  While wet, coat with Quicksilver Roxs.  The chunkier texture of Roxs adds great texture and shine to catch the light on your little birds.

Hot glue white thread loops to back of wings on birds.  Hang from tree.

Cut approximately 5” circle from patterned paper.  Apply thin line of Diamond Glaze around top outside edge and sprinkle with Roxs.  Hot glue spool to center. - Happy Holiday Crafting! - Cindi

Shimmering Candle Balls with Smoothfoam

Give your cakes a pop of colorful shimmer with re-usable, customizable candle balls.   Choose your colors, make up a batch of these fun accessories and you’ll be ready for any celebration!

Materials:

Smoothfoam™ 1” Balls
Plaid® Mod Podge® - Glossy
Tulip® Fashion Glitter™ Assortment - Neons
Scissors, small plates, wax paper
Optional:  alphabet stickers, birthday candles

Instructions:

1. Place approximately 1 tablespoon of desired colors of glitter into separate plates (*Note - amount of glitter needed will depend on desired number of finished balls.)
2. Use fingers (or a small foam brush) to apply a layer of Mod Podge® over entire 1” Smoothfoam™ ball.  
3. Roll in glitter, set on wax paper to dry.
   Repeat until number of desired balls is achieved.  Let dry.
4. When dry, apply another coat of Mod Podge® over glittered balls, and roll again.  Let dry.
5. Repeat a 3rd time.  Let dry.
6. When dry, apply a final coat of glossy Mod Podge® to seal the glitter and prevent it from dropping into the food, and to make it easy to clean the balls with a damp cloth after use.  Let dry.
7. To make holes to insert candles, carefully place tip of scissors through top of ball and rotate slightly.  Once hole has been “started” with scissors, insert a bamboo skewer, end of a clean ink pen, or other item that is approximately the same diameter as the candles you will be using.  Push in approximately 1/4” and remove. 
8. Insert candles, add alphabet stickers to customize a message if desired. 
9. When ready to serve the cake, remove the glittered balls, wipe with a damp cloth and they are ready to use on your next project.  

Follow the Designer Craft Connection Blog Hop button in the right column to see what other fun projects the designer group has created with Smoothfoam™ products!

To enter to win a prize package, leave a comment on favorite projects on the designer's blog and say what you would make with Smoothfoam.  The more often you comment, the more chances you have to win.  All the projects will be posted on Pinterest so readers can comment there too.  The winner will be announced on November 19th.
- Cindi