Today I thought I would start yet another blog! I never thought to create one using my name. Much to my surprise, when I did a name availability search, I found out it was free! Yes!
I decided this might be the place to record my personal, creative daily adventures. I might just choose this venue for recording the things that move me creatively at any given time. Will I post regularly? I don't know. Knowing me, probably not. I haven't even been working in my physical creative journal very regularly in the past few months. Maybe this will be easier.
And so today, Larissa, my dear art sister, challenged me to create a garland for my tree (or for wherever else I chose to display it!)
She graciously handed me a plate loaded with popcorn, dried orange segments (with rind), rowan berries, catoni astor berries, acrylic thread and a needle.
I hesitated and then thought, why not. I still remember a lovely little ornament she created a few years ago. She'd managed to feature a dried, small sunflower at the bottom, berries and felt balls that she'd dyed and created. I still have it and admire it often!
And so, my brain started working. Suddenly I thought, let's gather more things!
It began with my gathering some tiny pine cones from the front yard's spruce trees.
Then I found myself wanting to make a little ornament from a rolled, tied and cut foil and plastic chocolate wrapper.
Next, I wanted to create those paper rolled beads.
I sat down at the computer and search for paper rolled buttons. That showed up with nothing! And then I stumbled upon something with paper rolled beads/necklaces. That was it! I'll post a link that I found here on how to make those. (Very addictive little project once you know what you are doing! I'd tried some ideas on my own, and two things made a world of difference!
http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2009/07/recycling-crafts-rolled-paper-beads-and-necklaces.html
1. Using a brush to roll it around (I was trying to roll it up on itself with very poor results!)
2. Using glue on the inside to help it stick and stay together.
Other things I added. I used markers to colour the white paper red so that I would have better Christmas reds for the garland.
I am using some raffia to tie into the garland as well as a more natural looking ribbon element.
So if you have some time, and want to make your own Christmas garland, give it a try!
Enjoy!
