Monday, December 13, 2010

Give it a try...

 Remember when I posted this last week?  
Well, I decided to try it out. 
Put my own little spin on it.

Report:
Ridiculously easy to make.
Super craft idea for kids too.


This is what I used:
2 sheets of Barcelona paper - Coloma
3 7gypsies Princesca Crystals
7gypsies rubbing - Nomenclature
stapler
string
glue stick
large jump ring
scrap piece of cardstock
ribbon
Alcohol Ink - Lettuce, Gold, Red Pepper (Ranger)

Blending tool with felt pad (Ranger)
Let's get started 
Cut eight 1 1/2”  x 12” strips of paper (this will make ONE ornament)
NOTE: You can adjust these sizes according to the size ornament you want to make.

Cut each set of papers to length -
2 strips 12”
2 strips 10 1/2”
2 strips 9”
2 strips 8” - center piece
1 piece cardstock 1 1/2 x 8"- center piece (you will not see this piece as it will be covered by the 8" strips so it does not matter what color cardstock you use)

1.  Adhere the two 8” pieces of patterned paper on each side of the cardstock strip.  This is your center.
2.  Gather the remaining 6 strips into 2 piles, in descending order.  
3.  Staple 3 strips on each side of the center piece. Then 3 more to the other side.  If you are using a mini attacher, you can staple all papers (both sides) at one time if you like.  But for kids it might be easier to attach one side at a time.
NOTE: It does not matter which side of the paper faces out.  I made one ornament with stripes facing out, then all polka dots facing out, and one with polka dot, stripe, polka dots, Etc.  This one was my favorite because you could see both papers when looking at it.

4.  Use scraps to cover up staples if desired.  I used a page from an old book.
5.  Use Alcohol Ink (Ranger) to color the Princesca crystals.
Choose any color...I am working with Red Pepper, Lettuce, and Gold.  You will also need a blending tool with a felt pad.  You will also need to cover your work surface...I am working on a craft sheet.  Alcohol ink is permanent so make sure to wear an apron or an old t-shirt when playing with the ink.

6.  Add a few drops of ink color to felt pad (a little goes a long way).
7.  Use the blending tool to rub the color onto the crystal.  Super easy to change up the crystals to any color you like.
Princesca crystal before ink
  NOTE: It is much easier to ink the crystal if you remove the jump rings first.
You can stop here or take it one step further to “age the crystal” using the gold color.  Gold is a mixative, which just means you must shake the bottle until you hear the ball inside start to mix the liquid before you use it. 

8.  Squeeze a few drops onto the same pad (or another if you like).  You can pounce or wipe the gold onto the crystal to give it that aged appearance.

The ink dries almost instantly.
Just for fun I added some 7gypsies number rubbings. This is one of my favorites, I think I have already gone through 3 packages of these!
Lets use the color Lettuce on the next one...this time I'll take off the jump rings, much easier getting into all the little spaces.
love that green color
remember to SHAKE the gold mixative.
okay, love the gold overlay too...
 I cut out a simple star shape from chipboard and glittered it on both sides.  I added a large jump ring above the star and then hung the entire star/crystal from a hole I punched in the bottom on the ornament (see below). 

This technique is really quite addicting.  Lets just face it... you are going to want to ink all the crystals in the pack, in fact maybe you need two or three packages...you could really transform an entire chandelier for the holidays! 
(but remember it's permanent on the glass or plastic)
I inked this crystal using just the gold
9.  Punch a hole at the top for a string to hang the ornament and one at the bottom for the crystal.

I hung all three in the kitchen window since it gets the morning light. I used some MM pins I bought a while back.  I just pinned them to the curtain but I am sure you could hang from a push pin into the ceiling but that would have involved a ladder and I didn't want to get one out of the garage.  
gotta love that California sunshine in Dec!

this one is my favorite with the back and forth paper patterns
You could really change these up depending on the paper used...could look darling hanging in a little girls room, funky in a work space or hang plastic creatures from them and hang in a boys room.  Lots of ideas just using the same basic pattern.

I put together a kit to make 3 ornaments.  It has what you need to make the ornaments shown above sans Alcohol Ink.  So if you want to color the crystals you will have to invest a few bucks in a color or two.  Just leave a comment and I will post a winner on Wed morning, 12/15.

 Happy Holidays!

66 comments:

  1. I love any kit by the gypsies. Count me in. Joan

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  2. What a cool give away!! Love this idea.

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  3. That is seriously cool!

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  4. Just love the kit.....Merry Merry
    Helen

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  5. Oooh, super cute. I'm definitely going to try these out. Love 'em.

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  6. Wow, wat a great idea! I need to make them, love it!!!

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  7. Love it! Always looking for projects to do with my granddaughter. Fine motor skills, math, art...what's not to love?

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  8. Really love this idea - they would look great hanging in my window or from my dining room chandelier. thanks for the chance to win.

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  9. Love this idea...and these products! Lettuce alcohol ink is my fav green!

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  10. Love them!
    and would love to win also!
    Happy Holidays!

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  11. I'm definitely going to have to try these whether I win the kit or not. So cute!

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  12. This would look great hanging above my village. Love your ideas.
    Happy Holidays.

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  13. I love this! My daughter is out of school until January 4 so I've been looking for simple ornaments we can make together, and this looks to fit the bill!

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  14. Super cute, Paula! We need to hang out more so some of your creativity can rub off on me! Merry Christmas!

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  15. Your instructions make me think maybe I can do this! I have a window and some California sunshine but...no red and white striped curtains. Merry Christmas!

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  16. Oh, I would love to make these! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  17. Gypsy fun, as usual -- can you add the CA sunshine to the kit?

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  18. So happy and sparkly - love it!!

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  19. I am off to make some right now! Thanks again and again for sharing.

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  20. These are lovely! We are so lucky that you showed us how easy these ornaments are to make and that you did that pesky math! Thank you for the chance to win.

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  21. These are SO beautiful!!! I can hardly wait to attempt this project with my 13 yr old daughter! I LOVE it! Thank you!

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  22. They look great in the window.....I would love to make some.......I hope I win a kit!!!!

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  23. These are spectacular! Would LOVE to win!

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  24. love the ornaments - thanks for the giveaway! happy holidays!

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  25. These are delightful! I can so see them hanging at my window. Thanks for sharing the instructions and the opportunity to win some supplies --my alcohol ink awaits :)

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  26. I would love to try these, you made it look so easy! Thank you so much for a chance to win the supplies!

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  27. I love the picture of them hanging in your window, just beautiful! Oh how I miss that California sun. Thank you for yet another fabulous project Paula!! Merry Christmas to you!!

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  28. I loved these before, but now they're AWESOME!

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  29. Paula,
    Do you every stop creating! Very nice ornaments!!!
    Ann

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  30. LOVE LOVE LOVE it...gettin the stuff ready to do tonight with my 8 year old son....u know ELVIS! Love reading your blog...such good stuff ALL the time.

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  31. Your ornaments are fabulous and I love how simple yet elegant they are. Thank you for sharing your technique. Oh how I miss that Southern California sunshine. It is cold and gray here in Northern California! Happy Holly Jolly Joy...

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  32. Stunning! - roll on the weekend so i can make these...

    Thank you for sharing all your lovely ideas this year, look forward to what you may have in store next year.

    Georgie
    x

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  33. Very cute! I would to make a few of these to hang in my kitchen window.

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  34. Love these. I tried to get my son to let me have some of his comic books when you first posted them but no luck. Maybe I'll get to make some after all if I win.

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  35. wayyyy wayyyy cool .. love the kit and also that california sunshine ... thanks for the chance.

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  36. What a fun project and a cool kit offer, thanks for the chance!

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  37. Oh my gosh they are GORGEOUS... love those crystals too... so pretty...

    Jenny x

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  38. Love everything you make, Paula!!! Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  39. Thank you for sharing, we are having our yearly bunco christmas party on thursday, and we all usually bring a little treasure to give each other, these will be so great to give my bunco gals...

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  40. Hi Paula
    Thanks for sharing the directions. Now will you just show us the top secret things you were working, we won't tell anyone......

    Denise

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  41. ~these look soo fun! love. how you share all your techniques & ideas, love.the inking idea for the crystals! sunshine here in ioway, too, but with below zero windchill... brrrrr. thanx for the warm & cozy projects! makes my ♥heart♥ happy! can hardly wait for the spool kit & do some of the tags {advent ideas!} thanx again
    hugs & blessings, vikki~

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  42. These are so cute! Thanks for sharing!

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  43. Oh sweet...I love these. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  44. Wow. Those are beautiful. And look so easy to make. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  45. Love these!! And love the 7g spin you've put on them! Everything is always better with a little 7g!!

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  46. This looks like a great project and they look wonderful displayed in the window.

    Cindy at drj1s@sti.net

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  47. well done tutorial...way to go gypsy girls!

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  48. Wow, how darling and so simple! I'd love to win this kit and try one just like yours!
    Susan

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  49. What a greate giveaway ;-) Love the idea!!

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  50. Ok..I like yours a lot better! I love the glittered stars and the colored crystals! Such a lovely touch! Thank you for the tutorial!

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  51. OOOOOHHH!!! Love those! Please enter me!!

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  52. Love the festive polka dot paper! My kiddos will love making these. Thanks

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  53. Thanks I've been wanting to know how to make these!

    Angela

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  54. I love all things 2gypsygirls. Great project. Thanks for te opportunity! Happy Holidays!

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  55. What a wondetful tutorial! I think these ornaments are so cool and would love to make them. Thanks for all the great ideas you two post and inspiration throughout the year. Hope you both have very Merry Holidays and Happy New Years!

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  56. you're a genius! yours look even better than the originals. thanks for the chance to win :)

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  57. I am so loving these!!! I think if I have time I will have the grandkids over and we will give it a try. Thanks for showing us how to make these.

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  58. I love this idea! I look forward to trying a funky one! Thank you.
    I adore the kit.

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  59. This is something my kids would love to do

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  60. Beautiful project and very generous kit. Thanks for sharing your creativity.

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  61. I have no idea what rock (boulder) I've been hiding under, but I just found your blog and want to say THANK YOU! Your tutorials are amazing, and I feel totally energized by creativity. Merry Christmas.

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  62. Paula,
    Thanks much for the tutorial. I made two in a heartbeat this morning. They're darling!!! I didn't use the 7g crystals (don't have a lot of them), but I had a bag of vintage chandelier crystals that I used. So cute and so easy to do!!!
    Thanks again,
    Ann

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  63. Beautiful! I dropped everything to make some - here is my go at it:
    http://knittytreasures.blogspot.com/2010/12/vagabond-die-cut-machine.html
    Thanks for sharing!
    bren

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  64. I'm glad I found your beautiful blog. Love the hanging ornament tutorial. Can't wait to try it and put my own little spin on it.
    Thank you,
    Lei

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