What Am I Working On Now?

Hmmm.... what indeed.

Believe it or not, these are reindeer antlers. I recently saw a YouTube DIY where these antlers were made so I was inspired to make some reindeer of my own.

To make the antlers you use hot glue. I didn't have parchment paper to make them on so I used an old silicone baking mat I had. The glue will not stick to either surface and you can peel it up after it hardens. I traced out an antler pattern right onto the silicone with a white gel pen. Then I just added glue and let it set. I flipped mine over when they were solid and put more glue on the backs to make them sturdier.

I will just add glitter as needed when I put my "Glam Deers" together. My Christmas theme this year is going to be Wildlife Forest. So I have paper mache animals hanging on my wall, a deer with antlers, a bear, porcupines and various sisal animals, and about half a dozen pencil trees with various rustic or "farmhouse" type decorations, trucks, etc. I even made a pinecone pencil tree about 3 foot tall to decorate. I even made some little felt animals to hang on one tree with pinecones and berries.

I have a larger deer made and a smaller table deer in buffalo check already done but I wanted to make some fabulous sequined and blinged out little reindeer to give as gifts. I'm doing Dollar Tree gift baskets this year but they needed a personal touch.

It gives me a chance to use some of my beautiful fabric remnants that I've been hoarding for doll clothes. Time to use the stash! I have beautiful velvets and brocades with metallic prints and all kinds of fancy glittered tulle and lame fabrics that I get as remnants in smaller amounts for half price.

Next, I'm going to cut out all the pieces and start putting them together.

Paper Clay Santas

So besides making cards, paper is a wonderful medium for creating all kinds of things. I recently discovered a paper clay that dries almost hard as a rock. It's pretty wonderful stuff for making little gifts like toppers for trinket gift boxes or Christmas ornaments..

I got the free instructions from bhg.com but the page is no longer there. You start with a 1-1/2" styrofoam ball and cut it in half for the body. Attach a 1" ball to the top of it with a toothpick.

Push two short dowel pieces into the bottom for legs and bend florist's wire into arms and stick into each side. Then all you do is cover the shapes with paper clay and smooth it out. When it's dry, you add more details with a little bit more paper clay for facial features, clothing and shoes..

I glued mine to a piece of card to make it stand up. Let the piece dry thoroughly before you paint it. I put mine near a register over night and they are dry by morning. You can put these on a paper mache trinket box and they make wonderful little gifts.

This acrylic paint from the Dollar Tree gives good coverage and has a satin sheen when it dries. I love the texture of it although it only comes in primary colors.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!