Handmade Holiday Blog Hop

Holiday Greetings!

(a little early, but Holiday Greetings none-the-less)

Welcome to my contribution to the 

2ND ANNUAL HANDMADE HOLIDAYS BLOG HOP

 

Calling all crafters! 

We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to

 show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. 

This 3 day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner.

 Explore all of the thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could create for the holidays, 

all in one place, during our second annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!

 

To sweeten the Hop, we’re offering a gift for you!

 For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win 

a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors! 

Use the Rafflecopter Widget on the Clearsnap blog to gain extra entries each day: http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

And,

  Authentique Paper will be giving away FOUR of the 6x6 paper pad bundles of

Original, Festive, Lovely and Peaceful

I'm so very thrilled to have you visiting my blog today.  

I have been teasing my fellow Authentique Design Team gals

with a peek at the newest man in my life...now I get to show him 

off to the world!

 But before we get started...

**You should be arriving here from Suzanne Austin's Blog**

I have an entire list for today's hop at the bottom of this post.

Alrighty, are you ready to meet him?

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I give you...Mr. Peaceful Snow

Mr. Snow is the most handsome snowman made from not much more than paper mache, 

 Authentique Paper's Peaceful Collection, bits of ribbon, trim and old buttons! 

 While cruising the Christmas Crafts aisle at Hobby Lobby, my search was

for items to construct the perfect snowman...he was sitting in my mind's eye just waiting to be born ;)

 I picked up a wine-bottle-style paper mache box (for the body) 

 and an elegantly shaped paper mache ornament (for the head and hat).

I removed the bottom finial from the ornament and ended up using the 

tip for the nose after painting it a bright pumpkin orange.

For the eyes I simply punched two small 1/4" circles and placed them on with foam dots.

I cut 3/4" strips from Peaceful's "Warmth" Paper and applied it to the

rounded part of the ornament with Mod Podge.  

**(be sure to overlap your pieces just a bit)**

Because of the sharp curves in certain places (see above), 

I found it best to fold the strips lengthwise before attaching.

After the Mod Podge was completely dry, I added a coating of 

crystal fine glitter to the paper.

His top hat was painted black with an acrylic paint and then edged

with a pretty black trim that I had in my stash.

Next, I took one full sheet of the Peaceful "Warmth" Paper and covered

the paper mache base. Because there was quite a large gap where the two 

ends of the paper didn't meet, I made a placket from Peaceful's "Chill" Paper. 

 This same paper also acted as the collar for the lid of the round box. 

 A pretty velvet rick rack trim edged both sides of the placket 

and the base of the collar.  

After attaching Mr. Snow's head to the base, I took a piece of

cream-colored chenille stem and glued it in place at the bottom of 

the head.  This helped to hide the uneven edges of the paper strips.

I must admit that coming up with an idea for the arms gave me quite a fit...

yes a FIT....... :)

I started out thinking sticks.  Way too spindly looking for Mr. Snow and his girth!  

I harkened back to the recent "napkin holder" that I made 

using Authentique's Thankful Collection. 

By taking a 4x4 square of the "Cozy" Paper, I created a cone and glued

into place.  You will want to make two of these of course.

Glitter before attaching to the body 

(Insert the pointed end just under the 'collar')

Hands?

I used a 2.5" Styrofoam ball and cut it in half.  

After glittering, I tucked it into the opening of the cone.  

You will want to use a very thick craft glue for this especially.

(I use Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue)

 To the center of his placket:  a beautiful cardstock sticker from the 

Peaceful Details 12x12 Sticker Sheet.

I added a few felt snowflakes with black button centers.

For the "snow" banner, I simply used a label tag punch and folded the

top around a length of baker's twine.  The alpha sticker letters can be found on 

the Peaceful Elements 12x8 Sticker Sheet. 

After tying bows at the ends of the baker twine, I pinned it to the 

styrofoam hands with large corsage-style straight pins.

Voila!

 Now, admit it...he's just a doll, isn't he?

ahhh, I love my new Mr. Snow ♥

Thank you so much for letting me share my excitement for him with you!
I would like to also thank Authentique Paper for allowing me to
create with their beautiful papers and to all of the manufactures who have
so generously given in the spirit of all things handmade.

If you have any questions about this project, please feel free to email me:

shellye819@aol.com

**Time now for Natasha Naranjo Aguirre's Blog**

Enjoy...and may you have a beautiful handmade holiday!

Order of today's blog hop:
 Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com
Hampton Art - http://blog.hamptonart.com/
Graphic45 – http://g45papers.typepad.com/
Fiskateers - www.fiskateers.com/blog
Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/
Tombow USA – http://blog.tombowusa.com/
Authentique Paper http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/
The Twinery - http://www.thetwineryblog.com/
Eileen Hull for Sizzix http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/
Globecraft Memories – http://globecraftmemories.blogspot.com
Diana Gonzalez – Clearsnap – http:// www.arteypoemas.com
Monika Wright – The Twinery - http://www.iloveitallwithmonikawright.com/
Gretchen McElveen - Hampton Art - http://gretchenmac.blogspot.com/
Megan Aaron – Clearsnap-  http://thoughtsoftraveling.blogspot.com/
Tania Willis – Fiskateers- http://throughtrialsiambeingpurified.blogspot.com/
Gloria Stengel – Graphic 45 - http://www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com/
Suzanne Austin – Clearsnap - http://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com/
Shellye McDaniel – Authentique Paper - http://paperedcottage.blogspot.com/
Natasha Naranjo Aguirre – Donna Salazar Designs -  http://www.moments-of-tranquility.com
Jen Carter – The Twinery - http://jensinkspot.blogspot.com/
Laura Denison – Graphic 45 - www.lauradenisondesigns.com
Candy Spiegel – Globecraft Memories - http://candyspiegel.wordpress.com/