Sunday, April 6, 2014

Easter Decorations from Egg Cartons

It’s only right that a holiday so celebrated with eggs should have special decorations made from the empty cartons.
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After being cut, sealed with gesso, painted, and embellished with all sorts of fun little vintage Easter elements, these look nothing like cardboard cartons!
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Last month when my Ya-Yas got together, we made some real beauties together and now I want to spread my wings and teach a small group.
Here’s the plan: I figure I can easily put together kits of materials for several crafters. The skill level is pretty basic, anyone who knows her way around a glue gun should be able to learn the steps. We will make a couple of the easier round style…
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Before taking on the taller Fairy Castle look.
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The taller tower looking style isn’t any harder, it just uses different cuts.
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The finished ornaments are between six and eight inches tall. They are decorated all around and are pretty when viewed from  any side. Crafters won’t need to bring a thing. We will use my stash of  paints, flowers, lace, and other trims along with vintage Easter  “characters” to create three  very special one of a kind ornaments.
I’ll do the “heavy lifting” by cutting the cartons and  doing the prep work with the coats of gesso. They will be ready and waiting for the fun part. Since we will have to spend some time waiting for paint or glue to dry, the project will take several hours. If we start at 9:00-ish, we can be finished by 1:00-ish. I’ll provide mid-morning tea and a little snack and then at noon, I’ll offer a light lunch.
All tools and materials will be provided along with a take home kit of egg carton cuts and copies of the original 1970’s Woman’s Day magazine article where my mother and I first learned to make these. Once the basic techniques are demonstrated, it’s easy to create these tiny treasures for different seasons.The class fee is $50.00. We will complete three ornaments in class and three more will be included in the Take Home Kit.    …You can message me on Facebook or e-mail me at lbjonriver@satx.rr.com

UPDATED INFORMATION  Check back with me in the fall when I will offer Seasonal Projects using the same techniques.  For now there are no openings on Friday 4-11 or Saturday 4-12.


Limping Deer and the Twins

Limping Deer and the Twins
They are still spotted at this time.

Show and Tell Sunday June 15

Flea Market Finds...sounds like my whole house and yard...

Milk Glass Collection

Milk Glass Collection
Who knew that a 25 cent flea market find would unleash such a collecting frenzy? I never pay more than a dollar unless it's a really nice piece. They are great grouped with a single daisy in each.

These used to be inexpensive florist vases in the 50's and 60's. Everyone's Grandmother had bunches.

Mexicana Dishes

Mexicana Dishes
My sister found these for me at Bussy's Flea Market in San Antonio, Texas. I had seen pictures in her Fiesta reference book. Mexicana was also made by Homer Laughlin in the 30's. I had been looking for several years without ever finding even a single piece when she found the set...with a promise to hold it for us, she came running to find me and I bought the entire set...60+ pieces for $50.

Mexicana

Mexicana
I've added to the set over the years, but the price and experience will never match that first amazing find.

Vintage Kitchen Hutch

Vintage Kitchen Hutch
When my hubby found this hutch it was Pepto pink and I was not 100% sure about it. But with a new red back and fresh white paint and refurbished hardware, it became one of my favorite pieces.

Nancy made me save the vine

Nancy made me save the vine
The vine and flowers painted on the inside were in such bad shape that I was ready to remove it all. Nancy -My Crafty Little Page convinced me to keep it and after some touch-up work, I'm glad I listened to her. My husband restores vintage Cushman motorscooters and he tries to make everything "mint" condition again. The Shabby Chic movement came along just in time to keep me from making some terrible mistakes.