Make a Halloween Witch Ornament

 

Source- http://www.vintageimagecraft.com/

Craft this very-Victorian Halloween Witch Ornament and deck out your Halloween tree in style.

(click here for a larger Halloween Witch Ornament image)

Our Halloween Witch Ornament is inspired by Victorian decorations of the late 19th century. This one has it all; a crafty witch in a pumpkin, woven black braid, and faceted beads. This is a very versatile design, and once you get started, you'll think of a hundred ways to adapt it into ornaments for all occasions.
There are two secrets to the construction.  The first secret is - shhh - foamcore board.  The other secret is printing two mirror-image vintage illustrations for the front and back. We give them to you, ready to be printed, but if you start making your own designs, start with two identical copies of your image and "flip" one of them with your graphics program.

Materials for Halloween Witch Ornament

• 
  
  Vintage images (FREE PDF download).
• Matte photo paper, heavyweight.
• Foamcore board, 3/16" thick, black (see Tips).
• Flat, decorative braid, 1/4" wide, black.
• Small, faceted plastic or glass beads (ours were 6mm orange beads).
• Beading pins (see Tips).
• Craft glue.
• Scissors.
• Craft knife (for cutting foamcore board) (see Tips).
• Self-healing cutting mat. 

Instructions

1. Print the vintage images on matte photo paper.  Trim them carefully with small scissors. Using one cut-out image, trace the shape on the foamcore board. Cut out the shape with a craft knife. Glue the images to each side of the foamcore, aligning the tops of the images carefully. Press them flat and let dry.
2. Cut a 17" length of decorative braid. This will fit around the ornament and leave 7" for a hanging loop at the top. Start at the bottom of the ornament.  Glue and pin the two ends to meet at the bottom.  Work up one side, gluing the braid to the foamcore edge, and pin in place every few inches.  When you get to the top, begin again at the bottom and glue and pin the other side, until the braid meets at the top. Be sure the hanging loop is centered at the top of the ornament. Let the glue dry.
3. Insert a beading pin into a bead, dip the point in craft glue, and insert it into the braided edge, next to the hanging loop. Continue pinning beads around the edge until you reach the other side of the hanging loop.
4. Done with your Halloween Witch Ornament! Now scour your collection of vintage images for likely candidates, and make a batch of Victorian Halloween ornaments (see Tips)!

Tips

• Who knew beading pins existed? We tried using our regular straight pins, but the pin heads were a little small for the holes in the beads. A quick trip to Joann Fabrics and Crafts, and we came home with a box of "beading pins", which are a little shorter than straight pins and the heads are larger.
• Foamcore board, or foam board, is a material constructed of an inner layer of polystyrene foam sandwiched between two layers of heavy paper. We used black (black paper on black foam) but this project will work as well with any color. If you fear that white foamcore might show through the edging braid, color the edge of the foamcore black with marker or paint before you apply the braid.
• Cutting foamcore board is tricky. Do not use scissors, because they will crush the edge as you cut. Use a long-blade craft knife or a micro-saw.
• When looking for other vintage images for these ornaments, here are the qualities you want:
• well-defined shapes are the best, like circles or other geometrics.
• avoid images with words, because when the image is flipped on the back of the ornament, the words will be reversed as well.
• if you find an irregular shaped picture you like, trim it with the background into a circle or oval, or cut out the figure and glue it to a geometric shaped background paper. We did this with a flying witch, and glued it to a yellow full-moon image for a great composite picture. Remember, you can resize any image.
• Go crazy with your beading. We opted for a single row of identical orange beads, but you might vary the size and color of beads for an authentically Victorian look. On the other hand - just the braiding looks great.

Now you have one, lonely Halloween Witch Ornament. For some other Halloween ornament designs, see our Halloween Clown Ornament, Halloween Chenille Figures, and Halloween Pumpkin Ornament!

Up for Sale Now

Corny Trickster
  Email me for pricing .....

Vlaud the Nibbler- Email me for pricing.....

Newbies Coming

First let me say that these photos are not mine they are stock photos from Raven's Haven and Soft in the Head. I am in no way claiming that these are my photos. I am in the process of making these three dollies and some of you are shouting make more Halloween MAN! So without further ado, this is what is to come. If you would like any of these please feel free to contact me and let me know or ask for pricing....The first pic is the Grimleys, then Eleanor witch then Igor...

Flying Bat Pinata

This bat pinata, created using the technique of papier-mache, is creepy enough to be the center of your party decorations. Just be careful after dark; he might swoop down and give you a fright.

Tip: When using black tissue paper, wear gloves and cover your work surface because the dye may run and stain

Paste Layers of Tissue Paper on Balloon


Begin by resting a large balloon on an empty jar (this will prevent the damp tissue from discoloring or sticking to the work surface). Dab diluted craft glue (2 parts glue to 1 part water) on a small section of the balloon, and cover with two full layers of newspaper. For each strip of paper, apply glue and overlap each one slightly before brushing on more glue. After the second layer, tie a long piece of string around center (this will hang your pinata), then continue with 2 more layers of newspaper, followed by black tissue, from the balloon's crown to its knot. Repeat for small balloon (this will become the bat's head), but don't include the string.



Note: This picture is meant to illustrate the technique, but you will be using newspaper and black tissue paper, rather than orange tissue paper, for this project.

Next: Step 2 Hang to Dry

Step 2


Hang to Dry

Using clothespins, hang the tissue-covered large and small balloons from the clothesline by their knots; let dry completely (several hours or overnight).

Step 3


Cut Hole for Candy

Cut a hole in top of body (the large balloon) with utility knife, and save the piece to use for ears. Pop the balloon by making a slit with scissors next to the knot; remove. Cover cut edge with tissue and fill the body with wrapped candy.

Step 4


Assemble the Bat

Pop and remove the balloon from smaller piece. Place small sphere (the head) onto large one (the body). Drape several layers of black tissue paper over the head toward the body and around the neck, brushing with diluted glue until neck is secure. Let dry. Draw or print our bat face template; trace onto white card stock. Cut out features; attach with undiluted glue. Cut ears from reserved piece; glue in place.

Step 5


Make the Wings

Sketch large wing shapes on black poster board, and cut them out. Secure wings to the sides of the bat's body with black duct tape. Paste black tissue paper over the joints to cover the tape. Next, use tape to attach a length of string to the end of each wing. (This will allow you to suspend the wings as if in flight.) Cover the tape with tissue paper. To hang the bat, suspend from body string. Then, tack the two wing strings to the ceiling to make the bat look as if it is flying

Balloons


Jars

Craft glue, by Martha Stewart Crafts, from marthastewartcrafts.com

Black tissue paper, $.89 for 10 sheets, from Create for Less

Medium artist's paintbrush

Clothespins and clothesline

Small scissors, $10, by Martha Stewart Create, from Walmart or marthastewartcrafts.com

Craft knife, $12.99, by Martha Stewart Crafts, from Michaels or marthastewartcrafts.com

String

Candy

White card stock, by Martha Stewart Crafts, from marthastewartcrafts.com

Black poster board

Bat face template

http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf1/1004_batface.pdf

Sooooo

I wanted to have a Christmas open house but that is not going to happen as I am so backed up with Halloween that I will be making it until Easter LOL But I will do special orders on things and maybe get a few pieces done here and there. I also have many swaps and the dolls to get out for the Prim Elegance Magazine soooo busy busy busy.....Somewhere in here I also got to work in kids Halloween costumes too...

I listed 2 newbies on Etsy, their pics are above.....

I now Accept Credit Cards

By Thursday of this week, I will be able to accept credit cards.  Soooo if you have been wanting an item and didn't have a paypal account, now you can send me an email or call me and I will process your order for you over the phone....How cool is that and just in time for the holiday season.

Create Your Own Altered Art in 60 Minutes!

By Tatiana Kuzyk

You can create a beautiful altered art mixed media keepsake in just 60 MINUTES! Whether you want to nurture your inner artist or need a quick, cheap, unique gift idea — play along and follow these simple steps. Above all, you will enjoy making your very own original art piece.

Let's get the FUN started!

Suggested Materials:

Prepare all the materials before beginning your project. Here's the list of what you will need (feel free to use substitutes when it comes to paint colors, product brands, or choice of imagery for your design):

• 4"x4" Ampersand Gessobord (sold in a pack of 4)*
• Background paper (acid free)
• An image for your centerpiece (focal point of the composition) — you may want to use an abstract design, an actual photo, or just an image from a clip art at iCLIPART
• 1' of ribbon of your choice
• 3-5 buttons
• An embellishment or a sticker of your choice for a secondary element of design
• 6" of Mouline (color of your choice) at your local fabric/crafts store
• Golden Soft Gel Semi-Gloss*
• Liquitex Matte Medium*
• Golden Gel Topcoat w/UVLS (Semi-Gloss)*
• Liquitex Raw Umber acrylic paint*
• 1 Flat Brush #6
• Glue Gun
• Exacto Knife

* Available from Dick Blick

Once you have all your supplies lined up, you can set the timer for 60 minutes. Ready. Set. Go!

10 Steps to a Finished Art Work:

Step 1

Paint the sides of the gesso board with Raw Umber using brush #1 and let it dry for couple of minutes.

Step 2

Put the gesso tile-board on the sheet of decorative paper that you'll use for the background. Align the straight edges and cut out the outline of the tile (all four outer edges) using the Exacto Knife.

Step 3

Apply generously Golden Soft Gel (Semi-Gloss) to the surface of the gesso board and place the cutout background paper on top of the gel layer. Make sure the corners have sufficient amount of gel as they tend not to adhere very well. Once the paper is in place, apply a thin amount of Golden Soft Gel to the surface of the paper (it will create a nice flat texture and will add a bit of sheen). It takes between 10-15 minutes for the surface to be dried enough so, you can proceed to the next step.

ARTIST'S TIP! A hair dryer, set on low, will speed up the drying, or you can place your art work near a vent register.

Step 4

Again, apply a generous coat of Golden Soft Gel, this time to the back of your main image, and place it in the slightly off-center position, somewhat to the left on top of the gesso tile ( or you may want to experiment with your own ideas!) Put a light coat of Soft Gel on top of the image. Let it dry for 10 minutes (you may try to use a hair dryer, on low setting, to speed up the drying process).

Create Your Own Altered Art in 60 Minutes!

By Tatiana Kuzyk

(continued from page 1)

Step 5

Measure and cut 4 pieces of ribbon that will serve a borders to your image. Apply a generous amount of Golden Soft Gel to the sides of the image and place each piece of ribbon in their place, gently tap the excess of gel medium out and remove it with your brush. Once in place, use brush #1 to apply two coats of Liquitex Matte Medium to the surface of each piece of ribbon. Let it dry for about ten minutes. Again, a hair dryer SAVES time!

Step 6

Place a sticker or an embellishment directly below the main image. I like to use a colored marker or paint an outline of the embellishment in order to bring out more contrast. I call it a 'POP-UP EFFECT' — as the image pops, or seems to be leaping out of the composition. In this case, I first applied a very thin, watered-down coat of Golden Indian Yellow Hue acrylic paint to the surface of my sticker in order to tone it down. Then I immediately followed with an outline utilizing Golden Raw Umber acrylic paint.

Step 7

This is my FAVORITE part! Let's line up those cute buttons — 3-5 will do it, depending on the size you choose. In the meantime plug in your heating gun. Once you settled on the button combination and placement, thread the Mouline through each one, going through both holes. Using the heating gun attach the buttons to the surface of your artwork (in my example, I placed them to the right of the main image).

Step 8

Now, apply a thin coat of Liquitex Matte Medium with a brush #1 to the Mouline in order to set it in a desired placement. If necessary, cut the loose ends of the Mouline.

Step 9

Apply a generous coat of Golden Gel Topcoat w/UVLS (Semi-Gloss), the BEST UV protection medium around (in my opinion). It will protect your art work from color fading due to the effects of UV radiation over time. This medium dries translucent in under 10 minutes!

Step 10

IT IS DONE. FINISHED. COMPLETE. Congratulations on creating your very own Art Piece! Now, Show it OFF! Give It Away! Enjoy!

© 2009 Tatiana Kuzyk. All rights reserved.

About the Author | More by Tatiana Kuzyk
Tatiana Kuzyk is a self-taught intuitive artist and a spiritual teacher. She is currently working on her Masters Degree in Metaphysics. Tatiana's passion is to help others to bring joy of creative self-expression into a daily life through a conscious engaging of creativity. She will be teaching a workshop on the subject of creativity this fall. Tatiana's blog titled "Thou Shall Live A Creative Life" is at: creativesustenance.blogspot.com.

03/11/09

Get Organized for Halloween, 10 Spooktacular Tips

Ghosts, witches, goblins and black cats . . . yes, it's Halloween once again. Here are 10 tips to ensure this holiday is a fun one for your and your family.

1. Make a List

Make a checklist of everything you'd like to do for Halloween--such as making/getting costumes, having a party, attending a festival, carving a pumpkin, getting some scary books or videos at the library and taking the kids trick-or-treating, safety precautions, and baking pumpkin pie.

2. Decorate for the Season

It's time to pull out your tried-and-true Halloween decorations from year's past. If they're not in one organized place this year, be sure you put them all in one organized place for next year when you're done with them.

3. Find the Festivities

Using the Web and your local newspapers, find out what Halloween festivities are happening in your area. Schedule some outings for your family and enjoy the season. Apple picking, pumpkin picking and hay rides are popular this time of the year.

4. Search Your TV Listings

Search through your TV listing and make a schedule of all Halloween programs and cartoons you wish to watch. If the family can't be together when a particular program is airing, video tape it and watch it together later on.

5. Buy Treats Ahead of Time

Pick up Halloween treats at the supermarket now so you're ready for trick-or-treaters.

6. Organize Treats into Treat Bags

Spend time before Hallowing, placing an assortment of treats into each treat bag (or plastic baggie.) Every trick-or-treater will then get an equal amount of treats.

7. Organize a Halloween Party

If you plan to have a Halloween party at your house, plan for the party ahead of time. Make a list of everything you plan to do, and everyone you wish to invite. Be sure to get the invitations out early. Begin preparing meals and baking before October 31st.

8. Get Ready for Parties You're Attending

If you already have plans to go to a Halloween party elsewhere, determine what you'll need to bring to the party. Will you need to bring food? Find out what dish you'll be bringing, and determine if it can be prepared ahead of time. Need a costume? Begin making one now, or be sure to hit the costume shops early, while you still have time.

9. Send Out Halloween Greetings

Halloween is a great time of year to keep in touch with family and friends. Send Halloween greetings in the mail, or save money and send e-mail greetings.

10. Enjoy the Season

Go outdoors and enjoy the fall foliage. Take a walk in the brisk air. Enjoy your neighbors' Halloween decorations around town. Take some photos for your memory book. After all, this holiday doesn't linger after October 31st--you'll be heading right into the holiday season!

New Dollies and Vintage Items coming

I am going to be getting pics of some new vintage items and new Halloween and everyday dollies for you this weekend. They will be up for sale in my Lemon Poppy Seeds shoppe so make sure you go check it out when you have the chance. I will be putting them up tomorrow around 11 ish or sooner....

Top 90 Etsy Shoppes I am in this one

http://nanasgiftnook.com/something/GiftGuide-FiberArt-Aug09.pdf


or you tube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MY-0Jhb3Ic

My Wsoapp Halloween Swap

So we had a secret swap and I received my pckage yesterday and was soooo excited to see it was from Patrick of Cre8tor's Touch. I just love all the goodies I received.
He gave me one of his bobble head pumpkin men on his OOAK Halloween boxes, one of his shrunken apple head witches on broom, a yankee candle in sage/cinnamon, some plaster of paris candy molds with pics of Halloween for me to paint up, some plaster of paris square plates to use for testing paint colors and such, a HUGE box of chocolates and some homemade Amish Cashew brittle! I am soo spoiled. Thanks bunches Patrick~

History of Witches I Found on Net

"Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog"

"Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing"

"For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and babble"

"Double, double, toil and trouble, Fire burn, and caldron bubble"
William Shakespeare

The Witches' Cauldron*

Witches and Warlocks have had a long history with Halloween. Legends tell of witches gathering twice a year when the seasons changed, on April 30 - the eve of May Day and the other was on the eve of October 31 - All Hallow's Eve.

The witches would gather on these nights, arriving on broomsticks, to celebrate a party hosted by the devil. Superstitions told of witches casting spells on unsuspecting people, transform themselves into different forms and causing other magical mischief.

It was said that to meet a witch you had to put your clothes on wrong side out and you had to walk backwards on Halloween night. Then at midnight you would see a witch.

When the early settlers came to America, they brought along their belief in witches. In American the legends of witches spread and mixed with the beliefs of others, the Native Americans - who also believed in witches, and then later with the black magic beliefs of the African slaves.

The black cat has long been associated with witches. Many superstitions have evolved about cats. It was believed that witches could change into cats. Some people also believed that cats were the spirits of the dead.

One of the best known superstitions is that of the black cat. If a black cat was to cross your path you would have to turn around and go back because many people believe if you continued bad luck would strike you.

see more at

http://www.holidays.net/halloween/witches.htm

*Holidays on the Net has received numerous objections about our presentation of Halloween folklore involving witches. In fairness we present this letter from one of our visitors wishing to address this stereotypi

Repro Vintage Halloween Treats I Found Today

Bought at Pat Catans when I was at home visiting mom.
Witch I got today that son broke in 10 minutes.  Can you see the breaks?  Need some black glitter. Bought at TJ Maxx comes in black and purple.
This was all bought at tueday Morning.  3 shakers, some glitter halloween ornies owl, witch, cat and pumpkin.  2 bobble heads cat and pumpkin, 2 boxes made to look like old books,  and then for Christmas 2 bog white bottle brush trees.
So I went out to TJMaxx and Tuesday Morning and found these wonderful repro Halloween items.  I wanted to show you them all.  Now story today is do not let them sit out with small boys around.  I flipped today!  Totally flipped and went ballistic.  My younger son comes into my office where I have these items on the floor getting ready to put away, he I don't know trips, gets pushed by his brother or something and falls on the black witch breaking the bottom half of her off!  I only had it like 10 minutes before it got broke.  Well I flipped.  Sooo hubby hot glued it and I painted over the break points now I have to find black glitter to cover it up.  I was so mad.  My son just asked me about 5 minutes ago if I forgave him, which I do but i am still mad.  I am having a Malcolm in the Middle Mom moment >:(

Great vintage Halloween Selling Sites

Ok So I soooo bought so much from them yesterday....

http://www.spookshows.com/forsale/forsale.htm

http://www.christmastraditions.com/Themes/HWeen/VintHall/VinHal.htm

Newbies Coming Soon

I have 3 great newbies coming soon.  I hope to get them done before I go back to work if time allows as I am swamped with orders and Etsy is really taken off for me.  Sooooo stay tuned on that end.  

Oh and if you homeschool or have a child from 1st-4th grade, this website offers free printables of worksheets and other fun things http://www.classroomjr.com/

Thought it was kewl.  They have a bunch of Harry Potter stuff.

Found this on Betty Crocker

Make this "spook-tacularly" easy cookie for Halloween parties or treats! Prep Time: 15 min Total Time: 15 min Makes: 32 cookies Sign In to Rate (98) Member Reviews (28)

Not what you're looking for? Try another search:

32	Hershey's® Kisses® milk chocolates, unwrapped
1	package (11 1/2 ounces) fudge-striped shortbread cookies (32)
1	tube (4.25 ounces) orange or red decorating icing

	Print these coupons...
	About Concordance™

1.	Attach 1 chocolate candy to chocolate bottom of each cookie, using decorating icing.
2.	Pipe decorating icing around base of milk chocolate candy.

Special Touch

Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a shallow bowl. Make a face with miniature chocolate chips and decorator candies; top with a Witches' Hat. Quick, eat the witch before she melts!

Substitution

You can use any 1 1/2- to 2 1/2-inch chocolate or chocolate-covered cookies instead of the shortbread cookies.

Nutrition Information:

1 Serving: Calories 95 (Calories from Fat 45 ); Total Fat 5 g (Saturated Fat 4 g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 35 mg; Total Carbohydrate 13 g (Dietary Fiber 1 g); Protein 1 g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 0%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 0%; Iron 0% Exchanges: 1 Fruit; 1 Fat
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Hershey's and Kisses trademarks and associated trade dress are registered trademarks of The Hershey Company.

New Witchies 4 sale

These are all on Etsy and also my website under fall dolls tab and fall dolls cont. tab....