tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52211665850390652402024-03-05T22:46:16.016-08:00Magical Crafts Crafting for Christmas, Holidays and other CelebrationsMagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-16077002087646710172014-04-19T21:56:00.000-07:002014-04-19T22:15:12.378-07:00Transition to Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thehandcraftedchristmas.blogspot.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKjCcn5QI8WnTGVvPrnXMWKJQ3lWw7EJAmqDBAu1H5aUqGWZ-LXhhX3obRAbKqWM21ehwC1laAC8XM4x_-9q0WmVQtt_J477M4ulhlw_qTwnndR5_-2EJpw09yq9V6qghwBLsQDXBDA-4/s1600/snowflakes-SNOW.gif" height="275" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's a time of transition in my crafty world to focus more clearly on what has always been my number one crafting passion - Christmas. There are lots of new developments on a new <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/christmasismagical"><b>Christmas is Magical Etsy Shop</b></a>, <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/hohoholiday/">Pinterest</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/116005057720115737723/posts">Google+</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christmas/219017691447183">Facebook</a>, and an online Christmas Craft Show concept - a <b><a href="http://magicalchristmas.net/" target="_blank">Magical Christmas Craft Show</a></b> - so welcome to the North Pole. Please come and visit me at my new blog dedicated to Christmas - <b><a href="http://thehandcraftedchristmas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Handcrafted Christmas</a> </b>where I'll soon be caught up on transitioning the Christmas posts. Then it will be all Christmas, all the time, except perhaps when it's another holiday with lots of fun things planned. <a href="http://thehandcraftedchristmas.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/introduction.html">Read more ...</a>MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-71103926254601683672014-01-10T20:28:00.001-08:002014-01-10T20:37:05.630-08:00Simple Recipe for Chunky Knit Headbands<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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The decorations are down - well, for the most part. No doubt I'll be finding the odd little thing for the next few weeks as there always seems to be straggler items that I don't notice because I've been living with them so long. Oh well, the bulk of the work is done so it's time to start getting sorted for this year's projects.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Perhaps because it's been bitterly cold out, or perhaps because there is a big pile of wool in the corner of my office and filling a storage bench that I could use for other things, the first item on my agenda is my wool stash.<br />
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I've never liked wearing hats, but it's too cold these days to go without something a little extra to keep you warm and I just love the wool head bands / ear warmers. (What I don't love is the name as I'm just never sure what to call them, but they seem to be popular and I agree.) So this project is first on the agenda in the knit/crochet section and ideal for using up my bits of wool and fancy yarns.<br />
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To that end, I'm very happpy with my latest recipe for a simple and very effective chunky knit headband. <br />
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<b>The recipe: </b>Number 9.0 needles. 44 stitches. 15 rows. Double rib. What yarns to use in those rows is where the fun is for me.<br />
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This teal example with purple and cobalt accents is knit with Charisma yarn and the faux fur yarn. The result is very very very soft.<br />
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But then I began to experiment with other yarns, and loved the results using 3 strands of Astra in place of the Charisma. In conjunction with the faux fur yarn, that's 4 strands you're knitting with in the main section (I leave the edges faux fur free so as not to tickle), so the result is super thick and warm. Even more colour combinations to play with means extra fun for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVAB6ma_nUjZVmIgTUJdQpnUji2FHq-pY7jxoLa6KT11Wc1Eg4XrW_Z4p3Jue_hUCYdaXiikCWehOZofPqu_j2fz3iO1C2jxbm4YbQKKuTwQtw__eJSLMHGOIJOFzTGFz4ivAiMsYxcu7/s1600/head+bands+065_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVAB6ma_nUjZVmIgTUJdQpnUji2FHq-pY7jxoLa6KT11Wc1Eg4XrW_Z4p3Jue_hUCYdaXiikCWehOZofPqu_j2fz3iO1C2jxbm4YbQKKuTwQtw__eJSLMHGOIJOFzTGFz4ivAiMsYxcu7/s1600/head+bands+065_1.JPG" height="484" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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To really mix it up I've made some wth Charisma (chunky wool) for the edges, switching to the 3 Astra with faux fur yarns for the center. I have a fair amount of certain colours to use up but didn't want to make many identitical, so I thought it was a good opportunity to experiment. For super thick and soft but a little more structure, I now like to include one strand of Astra with the soft Charisma yarn as it gives it just that little bit more oomph.<br />
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And so we're off on stash busting mission #1 with simple knit headbands. Current count = 10.<br />
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<br />MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-3617333635603062242013-12-31T15:33:00.000-08:002013-12-31T15:33:15.070-08:00Turning 50 - Goodbye 2013<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGvHxBBE3BUJ-hpFIFQ3mf3Pqr8oVOpUB2tzzjrg71LGsnzuIUDSzh7XPt8RPXWFdBio2p_IXn1qmQH19b_F8nbwexxY3fROp5dopgPrEBxgMUaW8J1E7JtGoxEvhwfYyQYJD3IoliR-9/s1600/099_7-TWINKLE.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGvHxBBE3BUJ-hpFIFQ3mf3Pqr8oVOpUB2tzzjrg71LGsnzuIUDSzh7XPt8RPXWFdBio2p_IXn1qmQH19b_F8nbwexxY3fROp5dopgPrEBxgMUaW8J1E7JtGoxEvhwfYyQYJD3IoliR-9/s640/099_7-TWINKLE.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">50 Years Old - Before and After</td></tr>
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The last post of 2013, I thought I'd leave you with a little magic. 2013 was a year of turning 50 - many of my friends, myself, OF COURSE Doctor Who, skateboarding, Johnny Depp, Michael Jordan, Brad Pitt, even Martin Luther King Jr's I Have a Dream speech, hypertext, the nanosecond, and the zip code all reached this major milestone - along with my little Christmas tree.<br />
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Every year I adorn my little tree with it's original ornaments and offer it pride of place, but even I had to admit it was looking a tad threadbare. Right, I thought, 50 years, it's time for a little makeover.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New tinsel for the tree</td></tr>
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I wanted to keep the structural integrity of the tree, so I cut lenghs of new tinsel for each branch and then wired them on with thin silver wire. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attaching new tinsel</td></tr>
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I found that the best results for giving the tree it's strength back were to wrap wire tightly the full length of the branch. The tinsel easily pokes out of the wire, so I wrapped very securely.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up with original ornaments</td></tr>
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I did this for each branch separely and then up the 'trunk'of the tree as one. The star was not original and had seen better days so I replaced it with the best I had - until I find something just a little bigger.<br />
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I had a few scraps of tiny bead garland so I added this in red and white and secured the original ornaments more permanently on the tree. I'd hate for them to fall and break, and tempted though I was to make new ornaments with some of my lovely beads, the point of this exercise was to return the tree to it's original magical condition.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reworked tree with new tree skirt.</td></tr>
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This year it went back to it's usual featured position on the mantle, with a new tree skirt as well. I made this in thin crochet cotton like you'd use for doilies, and though the multi-colour choice may seem non-traditional it reminds me very much of some paper garlands and decorations that I LOVED as a child, so it makes sense to me. The border edge is done with faux white yarn which I must say was a little tricky with such a tiny crochet hook - I was glad I didn't have more to do.<br />
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I love my little tree. I've always loved my little tree. But now people can see it a little more like I've always envisioned her. Magical!<br />
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Happy New Year everyone, and all the very best for 2014!<br />
MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-33316692749194845252013-12-30T11:54:00.000-08:002014-04-19T22:00:06.888-07:00Christmas Wrap-Up<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFLu3bCx9hh7f-AGeQZVB_CRmllxpMy_A42yDxHrqXcZbCGQUp-QCRcUnzn0TYLbTeBeWP4mwLtb_V1frC9cFA1ypDE9VM0z7-MfGNhmYG_KG3VcbVTbXZ3J7R8hp7eZzopEsdRwSuikM/w800-h600-no/living+room+4_4-TWINKLE.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twinkle Effect with Google+ Auto Awesome</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas in the Living Room</td></tr>
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Another Christmas has come and gone. I hope yours was wonderful. Due to a nasty ice storm ours was quite a bit more quiet than planned, but as always, I seem to have done too much.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas in the Craft Room</td></tr>
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It doesn't seem to matter when I start to prepare, it is always a last minute rush and panic with not enough time just to relax and enjoy. I am convinced that there are people out there that just take this all in stride with no stress at all so it is one of my life long objectives to achieve this Nirvana.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08LZhT2fUvOBRMe3D-0-cqnhPWY7oM0AqzkFZRclsQoT8w88xB3mWOD7tqrgZjzESCBIXxRWdc0NcbkuZ_Ov8rTzKAudl_CAC8oed0w_Orjzi6Rpb3QxfmmPhwxcS8i5IxE9rNuUJVInH/w800-h600-no/red+tree+5_5-TWINKLE.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08LZhT2fUvOBRMe3D-0-cqnhPWY7oM0AqzkFZRclsQoT8w88xB3mWOD7tqrgZjzESCBIXxRWdc0NcbkuZ_Ov8rTzKAudl_CAC8oed0w_Orjzi6Rpb3QxfmmPhwxcS8i5IxE9rNuUJVInH/w800-h600-no/red+tree+5_5-TWINKLE.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas in my Office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Each year I do try to take steps in this direction. I regularly pass along bits and pieces to friends, family or charity to limit the number of boxes to store, and I try to find more creative ways to put things away out of sight.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC8M4_jOb030HYIEPy-gdVM1pczzCIf5clJWZ6GCPt0PLcj2vINqsjJy8JDZ-iHUGHp8NAOFn0qxqQO7iCobKWDxV4kbCXjUJAFQjvxNpZQ0wuRB44Y7U-UcZj8rdXugkMnokFBrrLuhU/w800-h600-no/living+room+9x_31-TWINKLE.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC8M4_jOb030HYIEPy-gdVM1pczzCIf5clJWZ6GCPt0PLcj2vINqsjJy8JDZ-iHUGHp8NAOFn0qxqQO7iCobKWDxV4kbCXjUJAFQjvxNpZQ0wuRB44Y7U-UcZj8rdXugkMnokFBrrLuhU/w800-h600-no/living+room+9x_31-TWINKLE.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up Christmas Tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Beaded ornament hangers are nearly done for all the ornaments, and in packing things away this year I'm trying to standardize that so I don't spend quite as much time selecting the hanger for each decoration.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda-eqo3p_bjpePq98njyBUO7YaiubeStnEzeEu_WEg_pjEFnN-JEvKGw3RryCqwLVQe8xSEIf9xoIRSxByTozycMibX7gDjYgaVWQ78sBoLLbFvGVgMOsM4LWd5cb9tQefik-oZni_NtA/s1600/living+room+1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda-eqo3p_bjpePq98njyBUO7YaiubeStnEzeEu_WEg_pjEFnN-JEvKGw3RryCqwLVQe8xSEIf9xoIRSxByTozycMibX7gDjYgaVWQ78sBoLLbFvGVgMOsM4LWd5cb9tQefik-oZni_NtA/s640/living+room+1_1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa helps to decorate another tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
No matter what changes I make each year, my Christmas decorations will always be about the trees. I just love Christmas tree decorations as you may have guessed. And, after all, Santa helps out.<br />
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MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-73097667415314216352013-11-24T12:05:00.004-08:002013-11-24T12:09:50.975-08:00There are Beads in these Christmas Stickers!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLonpltLXVhqnOjSWf8RqHb6xJSKUlw6jKCOdpcusdmAxMFnw13it2rqPW7YRQyvE4T_kLhmkXcpgUHQitz3OWwHny7lmDRPBdDNom7Lx6dHXJBPE62Lzst4M6cOZsh6J89YJkxXPDkhfY/s1600/redtag1_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLonpltLXVhqnOjSWf8RqHb6xJSKUlw6jKCOdpcusdmAxMFnw13it2rqPW7YRQyvE4T_kLhmkXcpgUHQitz3OWwHny7lmDRPBdDNom7Lx6dHXJBPE62Lzst4M6cOZsh6J89YJkxXPDkhfY/s640/redtag1_3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Gift Tags with Pop-Up Santa Stickers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Although I have far too many Christmas bits and bobs - well, too many for their space as there could never really be too many, could there? - I just couldn't resist these adorable Pop-Up Christmas Stickers I saw the other day. Lovely vibrant colours and sweet graphics, the piece de resistance is that the puffly little stickers contain tiny shiny beads.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Gift Tags with Pop-Up Snowman Stickers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I've put them together in a simple styling with 3 layers of card stocks and fancy papers. I like the bright colours of the stickers to pop and find they do that best on the white background and the rounded edging on the interior layer seems to make them a little more whimsical.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpXQxRpl5mtiFkh-kAjYbTrYJ7dMJ4vdmkfEM4b7DflBhrmMVN2pHSI_3RKR4MrxXkMM9WyObvf4LXFJUboJ5tJKkhlDb-IZpRAXBr1V_Hx9_w4NzE2dtSKpoueUeSjwpgJK8VT2Si_TI/s1600/greentree3_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpXQxRpl5mtiFkh-kAjYbTrYJ7dMJ4vdmkfEM4b7DflBhrmMVN2pHSI_3RKR4MrxXkMM9WyObvf4LXFJUboJ5tJKkhlDb-IZpRAXBr1V_Hx9_w4NzE2dtSKpoueUeSjwpgJK8VT2Si_TI/s640/greentree3_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Gift Tags with Pop-Up Christmas Tree Stickers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To jazz them up a little more and add something to sparkle I've added a litle row of gem stone embellishments. They're fun to shake - if you're a present shaker type - as the little bids give a rattle.<br />
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Ready to adorn presents which I haven't even thought about buying or making yet let alone wrapping ... have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Mum and Dad's place have over two feet of snow this morning - just trace amounts here - but it won't be long now 'til we're all in a Christmas rush ...<br />
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MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-475507169769030222013-11-22T20:15:00.000-08:002013-11-22T20:21:29.044-08:00Getting Festive in Old Montreal<div style="text-align: right;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Sbwfz93x9OdjTTVixM2evyC7kvg_JSsVIzumkrCPRajgP5jhZJ4tycLNKEVsVvT3jtfQZ9UIqZ4BSPmW2qOA8EFGkAT2VSciKV63G8i4_BsfdWQXDpf7Yirl3EygofuOVH_ENuPGe11n/s1600/montreal52_50.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Sbwfz93x9OdjTTVixM2evyC7kvg_JSsVIzumkrCPRajgP5jhZJ4tycLNKEVsVvT3jtfQZ9UIqZ4BSPmW2qOA8EFGkAT2VSciKV63G8i4_BsfdWQXDpf7Yirl3EygofuOVH_ENuPGe11n/s640/montreal52_50.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
I've been having a lovely time in Old Montreal this week, and they are beginning to decorate for the holiday season. These lovely lit up trees - this one in Place d'Armes between the Maisonneuve Monument and the Notre Dame Basilica - have a dripping motion which is really magical and I would have been able to show you if only it had occurred to me before today (back home now) to use the video setting on my pocket camera. I'm afraid you'll have to use your imagination for this magical effect. as I never think to use video.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDYuaRu_evNZUOSkBIVhsAUnG8923TEE7-ld_NUDLTKXlrhm1NFfYEvjJKatE5FcrugcLWJ0MRZ96YCdON6tg_OTO-UPI1rCgMS75Z1gHoG52Zx7wVgXDAK49tsT25zMOpe1T_KYy9dr8/s1600/montreal58_55.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDYuaRu_evNZUOSkBIVhsAUnG8923TEE7-ld_NUDLTKXlrhm1NFfYEvjJKatE5FcrugcLWJ0MRZ96YCdON6tg_OTO-UPI1rCgMS75Z1gHoG52Zx7wVgXDAK49tsT25zMOpe1T_KYy9dr8/s640/montreal58_55.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maisonneuve Monument with Old Bank of Montreal building in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The beautiful Old Bank Building and others we saw had pretty lit up snowflakes as well as the interior all decked out in lights.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/noel-eternal-in-old-montreal-qc-ruth-hager.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/noel-eternal-in-old-montreal-qc-ruth-hager.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/noel-eternal-in-old-montreal-qc-ruth-hager.html" target="_blank">Photo from fineartamerica.com</a></td></tr>
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And if that's not enough look what was just down the street from the Place d'Armes Hotel - the Noel Eternal Christmas Shop. I bought myself a few little ornaments here as momentos and I plan to embellish them up wtih some pretty beaded hangers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNBOR8aIMXdk5FMQSCnbRM2YbDuuS5E-FlIlyhnrSIcy-YeXS4lyYGHyz-LRXgPSlw_wt0zah8EfuYuqJ5FizuMY7-v3CEOAsPQAqKGXPZhXJbI9G89ayuKLjU9-25GhGyZxWnml4smIm/s1600/montreal33_32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNBOR8aIMXdk5FMQSCnbRM2YbDuuS5E-FlIlyhnrSIcy-YeXS4lyYGHyz-LRXgPSlw_wt0zah8EfuYuqJ5FizuMY7-v3CEOAsPQAqKGXPZhXJbI9G89ayuKLjU9-25GhGyZxWnml4smIm/s640/montreal33_32.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Speaking of embellishment ... look at the interior of the Notre Dame Basilica. Absolutely stunning everywhere you look. The church was dedicated in 1829 and this is how Wikipedia describes it ...<br />
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"The church's Gothic Revival
architecture is among the most dramatic in the world; its interior is
grand and colourful, its ceiling is coloured deep blue and decorated
with golden stars, and the rest of the sanctuary
is a polychrome of blues, azures, reds, purples, silver, and gold. It
is filled with hundreds of intricate wooden carvings and several
religious statues. Unusual for a church, the stained glass windows along the walls of the sanctuary do not depict biblical scenes, but rather scenes from the religious history of Montreal."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsN6VzgRXB7r4DDGDPkuNAWL8tlLE5UFSDTF2jqQpLX322siVXcHwmyLG9U5SmrzFxijUF_wqqBaF8R5JS0D114eDxPqjZ0iX7LIlwVQSR8xGgc2oSvX-dljTdDiEUVrBMKWsSjmGFKSY/s1600/montreal57_54.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsN6VzgRXB7r4DDGDPkuNAWL8tlLE5UFSDTF2jqQpLX322siVXcHwmyLG9U5SmrzFxijUF_wqqBaF8R5JS0D114eDxPqjZ0iX7LIlwVQSR8xGgc2oSvX-dljTdDiEUVrBMKWsSjmGFKSY/s640/montreal57_54.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crepe a la Sonia at Chez Suzette</td></tr>
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There are many great reasons to visit beautiful Old Montreal - among them the crepes! (well the food in general) and the people we met just couldn't have been friendlier. I'd highly recommend it.MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-83798022747908372442013-11-14T10:59:00.000-08:002013-11-14T11:02:11.584-08:00Glittery Snowflakes in Red and Lime Green<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5btN8iR-8QGrc92lqmupIDogSlNELiG8HGdD8LfiCZqnuV30DdVq7ZBOQO-9_A4B6X2etgo7ce3dgyNd6owvkXs3Gdsg61gw6WOIKKepgexW0HG_EPrZtQm2AktxCnxoXdyF8wV20pubN/s1600/Red+Snowflakes+1_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5btN8iR-8QGrc92lqmupIDogSlNELiG8HGdD8LfiCZqnuV30DdVq7ZBOQO-9_A4B6X2etgo7ce3dgyNd6owvkXs3Gdsg61gw6WOIKKepgexW0HG_EPrZtQm2AktxCnxoXdyF8wV20pubN/s640/Red+Snowflakes+1_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glittery Red Snowflakes with Pearls</td></tr>
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We achieved some productivity yesterday, the cats and I, making up a few batches of glittery snowflakes, photography them, packaging them and posting <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/magicaljourneys?section_id=10399713" target="_blank">on Etsy</a>. Aren't these red ones festive? I must say, the cats really aren't much help at these things - quite the opposite - but it's always nice to have their company, even if they do end up sparkling for weeks and helping to spread glitter about the house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZqAtZEYCs0D63OyRGAH3defzxPYm5BsXnYiv2K_TxgyweL6pTOegbYi3D4iXIx_O8KbHVBNDz-oaGT6hvB690DENjliFSEudbVqHXAWzDQ9_S36qX7dGpHVYiTMvnLSo7KUnbyItSKVK/s1600/Green+Snowflake+1_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZqAtZEYCs0D63OyRGAH3defzxPYm5BsXnYiv2K_TxgyweL6pTOegbYi3D4iXIx_O8KbHVBNDz-oaGT6hvB690DENjliFSEudbVqHXAWzDQ9_S36qX7dGpHVYiTMvnLSo7KUnbyItSKVK/s640/Green+Snowflake+1_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glittery Lime Green Snowflakes with Acrylic Faceted Beads</td></tr>
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We finished up all the red snowflakes and started on the green. Lime green is such a jolly colour for Christmas and it works well in almost any colour scenario - even neutral white and gold type trees can stand a pop of green. I find the lime green is one of my more popular offerings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdw-pvcMAtntVjy_Q07yiAl-gnIzmjWZHyrjIstNyoNodMhSA0d8UJJqCEQo0jrMQBWqJY8Qi4n4pQl3C-cd9f6ZpNKUTFeeuvHYL8sSlAh0-uvlCZEL8hkAIPgja-l03poD8ARmW9326/s1600/Green+Snowflake+4_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdw-pvcMAtntVjy_Q07yiAl-gnIzmjWZHyrjIstNyoNodMhSA0d8UJJqCEQo0jrMQBWqJY8Qi4n4pQl3C-cd9f6ZpNKUTFeeuvHYL8sSlAh0-uvlCZEL8hkAIPgja-l03poD8ARmW9326/s640/Green+Snowflake+4_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amaze Balls these are shiny!</td></tr>
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As always, it's all about the beads and these are certainly no exception. Look at these fabulous, huge (24 mm) faceted acylic beads. You get a hint at how shiny and wonderful they are in the reflection on this close up. I've paired them with the clear faceted glass rodelles which give a lot of sparkle when they are hanging.<br />
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For the seed beads I use a combination of 6/0, 8/0 and the tiniest 10/0's. Sometimes it's because I have to (need larger beads next to the large beads with larger holed centers), sometimes it's just because I can (oooh, such pretty colours), but mostly it's because I find the more of the smallest ones you can incorporate the better the strength and solidity of the hanger.<br />
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It would be much quicker work to just use larger seed beads, especially as it's only a percentage of the tiny beads that will actually fit onto the wire and there is a lot of trial and error, but the end result just isn't quite as elegant. I want these to be treasures that will last a lifetime of holiday memories, so I think it's worth the extra effort. At least while I can still see those teeny tiny little seed beads - they seem to get a little smaller every year.<br />
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MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-76457932129295652052013-11-13T11:28:00.000-08:002013-11-13T11:30:50.613-08:00Sonic Screwdriver Beaded Icicle Ornaments<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67ezdeaA8nQAYeZ7umi2foECGUH6qtP6u2eRe92sElxMAeaHAHm2iRRr_qIcS1Ygq_-vZ9Zjzi_kSRmLrCPa-CkdsiMGVkqd38CK7g096r7OwgoqIJM5D08BZ19qt22Ff4UN_2ixXXHJX/s1600/blue1_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67ezdeaA8nQAYeZ7umi2foECGUH6qtP6u2eRe92sElxMAeaHAHm2iRRr_qIcS1Ygq_-vZ9Zjzi_kSRmLrCPa-CkdsiMGVkqd38CK7g096r7OwgoqIJM5D08BZ19qt22Ff4UN_2ixXXHJX/s640/blue1_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Craft Show is over and it is back to the bling. I have been working up more of the beaded icicles on beaded spiral hangers that I love, and this time I've incorporated the rhinestone encrusted beads. Serious bling! Don't the shiny silver beads go lovely with the deep rich colour of these cobalt blue faceted beads?<br />
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It's hard to get the sense of scale with these beaded icicle ornaments - they are quite substantial, and soon when the trees and decorations come out I am looking forward to photographing the ornaments in situ on the Christmas Tree. Maybe it's just me - with Doctor Who on the brain - but these are very reminiscent of a sonic screwdriver - and they're just the right size in your hand. We all know that alien invasions often happen at Christmas time so I'll be all set with these fellas - #SavetheDay<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbj1ME9-1tXDF1qDlZIxLyFhuwBuRaGOyvte5_mY9sCSsnnvEo2K0-tlqxuoE_7l-kiPTCc4EtVBP0PGaj2PsBS0CikENDVndZd9rrPoyF4la0rvYYU-iq3grIRCzp0_6e2O_13mob3WmO/s1600/turquoise4_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbj1ME9-1tXDF1qDlZIxLyFhuwBuRaGOyvte5_mY9sCSsnnvEo2K0-tlqxuoE_7l-kiPTCc4EtVBP0PGaj2PsBS0CikENDVndZd9rrPoyF4la0rvYYU-iq3grIRCzp0_6e2O_13mob3WmO/s640/turquoise4_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Another Winter Wonderland rendition uses the giant 24mm white acrylic beads again, this time with stripy blue and white beads, large faceted turquoise beads and two sizes of the fabulous glitter beads. If I had to pick the bead of 2013 I'd go with these stripy beads as they seem to be hugely popular. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcZ8pq_XqnSYVt8OKAHRrDIJlRXy2zChs4xX0cGcQ0wBsipFXAnnaBGMnO0Ouy-CeYtMOXxPu3aKuCfrEGeMKtLNya97JCsrw5guVW71_Y4jDWL9__fMINXawKVG-fK2TCcOvQy04cCdg/s1600/002_1_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcZ8pq_XqnSYVt8OKAHRrDIJlRXy2zChs4xX0cGcQ0wBsipFXAnnaBGMnO0Ouy-CeYtMOXxPu3aKuCfrEGeMKtLNya97JCsrw5guVW71_Y4jDWL9__fMINXawKVG-fK2TCcOvQy04cCdg/s640/002_1_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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In Craft Show wrap-up news, look who stopped by to check out our Christmas goodies. Yup, they are Santa approved! Business was a little slower than we anticipted but having not done these things before we didn't really have a point of reference. It was a fun day and we're glad we went - met lots of lovely people - but we think the show may have been a titch too early in the calendar for folks to be really ready for Christmas.<br />
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With another show on the 30th of this month, we'll see if the timing makes a difference but I, for one, am not going to think any more about that for a little while. Today, Max (the cat) and I are making red glitter snowflakes. We hope you enjoy your day as much as we will.<br />
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MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-82151011898356907082013-11-07T11:26:00.001-08:002013-11-07T11:30:08.163-08:00Craft Show Dress Rehearsal<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Coco Chanel is famous for saying that before leaving the house, a lady should stop, look in the mirror, and remove one piece of jewelry. Those were different times, of course, but it is in the spirit of Coco Chanel's words that I am stripping back a little bit of what I have on offer for my craft show table this weekend. This, you see, is my dining room table serving as the practice hall for the craft show table dress rehearsal.<br />
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This may seem a little over the top, but I really needed to fuss and finagle about what would go where, what kind of container it would go in, how much I could fit, how many of each thing I could have. It really has been a worthwhile exercise as there just isn't enough space to fit everything. As I am packaging things for the table up for transport, I'm actually removing a few of the things on offer so it doesn't seem quite so cluttered.<br />
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I've added consistent signage which I hope will at least help people see what there is on offer, and beyond that it's a case of rummaging through the selection. I've got Christmas Cards, Christmas Ornaments (of all kinds of variety!), some Beaded Ornament Hangers ... <br />
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... Bracelets, Christmas Earrings, Jewelry Sets, Hats, Scarves, Mini Christmas Trees with Tree Skirts, Wreaths with Plush Toys in them (some musical). Underneath the table there will be a whole lot more!<br />
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Lynn thought it would be a good idea to have some Christmas Trees for ornaments and for interst on the table, so I've got two of those - a wire version that is easier to highlight the ornaments and see through to the customers - and this will hopefully satisfy the "touchy feely" type of shopper, which I have to say, I'm not.<br />
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Well, 48 hours from now the sale will be wrapping up, so it's down to the last things on the to-do list. Items for set up and display on the table are 98% packaged up and ready to go, so the focus now is to package up the "extras", and finish up any outstanding projects of which there is a short list.<br />
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In a bout of total insanity, I have a few new ideas .... we'll see.<br />
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MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-2915543881939700282013-11-03T15:11:00.001-08:002013-11-03T15:11:20.620-08:00Beaded Icicle Ornaments on Beaded Spiral Hooks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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November. Yikes! It's been a busy few days with Halloween and a few birthdays in the mix. As one of the birthdays was hubby's, I had a couple of days off of crafting and I was a cooking dynamo. A chocolate cake with no icing was requested - so that was as easy as could be - but I went on a cooking blitz and have filled the freezer with many of his favourite meals for weeks to come. Marathon cooking sessions on blustery grey days of autumn are almost obligatory, and I must say I enjoyed it tremendously. I know for sure I will enjoy not having to wonder what to make for dinner as things are about to get super busy.<br />
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</tbody></table>
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The dining room table has been completely taken over for craft show dress rehearsal as I fine tune the layout of my space, what will fit, what won't fit, how best to price and display and etc. It's less than a week now. Parts of it look amazing, but I'm still taking it bit by bit. It is choc-a-bloc and in the current version I am using two wire trees to hang ornaments from, as well as sections of the table that will have things in packages. Sooo... I figured I needed to make more ornaments to hang from these trees. Interesting logic isn't it, when I have hundreds of Christmas ornaments, but there you go. That's how this mind works.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-q1UbLWPQ8hfzEkuhQ0jS0jhhnVakh3OiTm07_bdmFOVxuEprAEjhTzMRzJp87mtg-w-S_b5reruYLlT6QVYf5U3uAVMJF4H-RLucqJQ_62rxgQLV7LUDJjrq0hCv9vAIOQAREYmITyFJ/s1600/red2_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-q1UbLWPQ8hfzEkuhQ0jS0jhhnVakh3OiTm07_bdmFOVxuEprAEjhTzMRzJp87mtg-w-S_b5reruYLlT6QVYf5U3uAVMJF4H-RLucqJQ_62rxgQLV7LUDJjrq0hCv9vAIOQAREYmITyFJ/s640/red2_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loads of my favourite beads here! Stripy beads, Glitter beads, Huge faceted beads ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Intending to be for the craft show ... along came the next evolution of the beaded ornament/beaded hanger with the <b>Beaded Icicles on Beaded Spiral Hooks</b>. I have a few new lovely suppliers in the US and in the UK and all sorts of my favourite beads are used here in combination with other beads I've sourced from taking apart inexpensive bracelets and whatever I can find. <br />
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I've worked them up on 5" lengths of coated wire and then I work them directly in to the beaded spiral hooks, so it is an all in one component. These are divine and I love them. The huge white 24mm acrylic beads are like snowballs and they are substantial enough that they will make a big impact on the tree. <br />
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These would be amongst my largest, most deluxe versions of the beaded icicle ornament but I'm looking forward to trying them in a wide variety of styles and they would also look nice with smaller beads. We had icicle lights when I was a little girl so I am particularly fond of the icicle imagery.<br />
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Well, that's it for me and blogging today. Believe it or not there are still empty boughs on my two display trees and I've picked up some other new things today that I think will be festive for Saturdays sale - ahem, <i>instead of these</i>. And ... there's quite a few other jobs so I'll see you later in the week for photos of the completed dress rehearsal display ... wish me luck!<br />
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MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-54517557214868254112013-10-29T01:01:00.000-07:002013-10-29T01:01:03.476-07:00Happy Birthday to my Grandma<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK7-Gf_wxr7BI0UdjbvwZIR5KxWuWIAt5NLeFjYc6MUA4Bxchwa1GyQipZe2SLrjVhgiYnLlOAEfsuMShr9HFMMkkR6V8w8KdF1-K9rBR-kyHApSsPk64RfLLZcAe4KMpylrXvaydGw3j/s1600/grandma-christmas-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK7-Gf_wxr7BI0UdjbvwZIR5KxWuWIAt5NLeFjYc6MUA4Bxchwa1GyQipZe2SLrjVhgiYnLlOAEfsuMShr9HFMMkkR6V8w8KdF1-K9rBR-kyHApSsPk64RfLLZcAe4KMpylrXvaydGw3j/s400/grandma-christmas-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful Grandma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My Grandma would have turned 98 today, and it is the first birthday we are without her. She would likely have recieved as many cards as her years because my Grandma would talk to people and make friends wherever she went. People always remembered her with a staggering amount of birthday and Christmas cards.<br />
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She was an amazing woman to me, and certainly a source of inspiration in the crafty arts for my family. <br />
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Grandma's biggest craft skills were knitting and crochet where her work was pure perfection. She made me such beautiful things throughout my life and it gives me enormous pleasure that some of these things still live on - new like the day they were made - so much so that I have been able to pass them along to friends' children. <br />
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Grandma enjoyed food like she enjoyed life and it would be nice to think that somewhere out there she's having a big birthday feast in celebration. I'll just bet there's ice cream!<br />
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I'll always love you Grandma and feel like you're right here with me. Switching the numbers this year doesn't get us a lot, but happy 89th birthday!MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-48748202432628823732013-10-27T21:31:00.000-07:002013-10-28T00:55:29.771-07:00Multi-Dangle Christmas Earring in Red, White and Green<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATIGTRCG3AL6R5Vy1VoFTpz_W3ws-2EPdj8Umj4ZrzhvnZ5sBuKjWk303h8KD24j6H7j7kVW7TFvMM1GrmPLNNghdn5hKW9riQ6ByY5usMqdLfQmbuKunrPr2DGLNMvo7pc7nzAHHz8xe/s1600/present4_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATIGTRCG3AL6R5Vy1VoFTpz_W3ws-2EPdj8Umj4ZrzhvnZ5sBuKjWk303h8KD24j6H7j7kVW7TFvMM1GrmPLNNghdn5hKW9riQ6ByY5usMqdLfQmbuKunrPr2DGLNMvo7pc7nzAHHz8xe/s640/present4_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Present Earrings in Red, White and Green</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Well, I must say, I tried to be nothing but festive while working on these multi-dangle earrings but quite a few swear words were uttered. Under my breath, and to myself, but nontheless, some frustration. I don't remember it being quite so difficult when I made my first attempt with some <a href="http://magicalcrafts.blogspot.ca/2013/08/halloween-witch-earrings.html" target="_blank">Halloween earrings</a>, but I am still new to the multi-dangle style and to working with jump rings.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgUP2KKouGjoAiPdvqnE5Q-5gbiks0PsPiqfMfvrim2DN28ZA1sGiZ-Do8e71zuIzGxglF1HWIqbHASvZsQQ7C2_HLn0cbpHyNmpx8iRm-9m4jvtpUkt_zX-CH-Sjhyphenhyphen4YDeoylG9sDBMn/s1600/sleigh+rwg+2_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgUP2KKouGjoAiPdvqnE5Q-5gbiks0PsPiqfMfvrim2DN28ZA1sGiZ-Do8e71zuIzGxglF1HWIqbHASvZsQQ7C2_HLn0cbpHyNmpx8iRm-9m4jvtpUkt_zX-CH-Sjhyphenhyphen4YDeoylG9sDBMn/s640/sleigh+rwg+2_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa's Sleigh Earrings in Red, White and Green</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not to mention I'm extraordinarily fussy at times and the bead spacing and alignment when they dangled had to be just so. With all the variety of beads and charms and head pins and eye pins I had it took a few attempts. But in the end, we got there.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitI8o1n4t4Oi6IBi3lEM21mb3CgeFun4sxYo1INZTOVoPyUcyqyMllT5wVL46MThVBjDAekf7AFOi8e66HAuvHAxsRIKJNh3HMEXULVsv0KVO1f7zcmlHsfZw9zDyB4b1H9wJfuH9I3Gl4/s1600/present1_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitI8o1n4t4Oi6IBi3lEM21mb3CgeFun4sxYo1INZTOVoPyUcyqyMllT5wVL46MThVBjDAekf7AFOi8e66HAuvHAxsRIKJNh3HMEXULVsv0KVO1f7zcmlHsfZw9zDyB4b1H9wJfuH9I3Gl4/s640/present1_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I really wanted to work with some of the new beads that I got on Etsy and both of these earring variations feature the long glass tubular beads. Aren't they pretty? Just the thing too when you want something to hang between a charm and focal bead without spreading the lot too wide. <br />
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These Christmas Present earrings also feature lovely little glass heart beads. I bought those in a few other colours as well, so it's time to do some colour variations on these stylings I think ... and then ... more Christmas charms.<br />
<br />MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-25026403882287203162013-10-26T22:09:00.001-07:002013-10-26T22:09:41.721-07:00More Diamond Dangles with Acrylic Paint Splotch Beads<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bWMiLiB1V350YPzMy3IU4BYvlru_23f2SaTLddxTwb51eBzo0V6FBagjTUw6hI_xfuFKAzHVrfa7lB-4WLLp04c22QFqHpcq8hChN-YPBweFuwPrCvg4VGBpRNVELkENTvQS_1F6VdqF/s1600/002_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bWMiLiB1V350YPzMy3IU4BYvlru_23f2SaTLddxTwb51eBzo0V6FBagjTUw6hI_xfuFKAzHVrfa7lB-4WLLp04c22QFqHpcq8hChN-YPBweFuwPrCvg4VGBpRNVELkENTvQS_1F6VdqF/s640/002_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acrylic Paint Splotch Beads in Purple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Back to the Christmas ornaments today. October seems to be flying by, and with Halloween this week and the calendars turning to November (must remember it's husbands birthday!) it's going to be full on Christmas soon and hopefully I'll be busy with sales. Certainly I'll be busy with other things. I've done a few more wreaths for our Craft Show which is now two weeks away and am playing with space layouts to see what's what, so it was time to get back to some Etsy focus. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvuUcJITRQJqVHVWCbGGxSCke-6tcf6RY42wp2wk_IXoZA-xLGo6T0SvuGYgpJeL2hN0yZxWM32Y2JNbGrdLD1iiFzjJRLeNX41MCTabeiiiT0CZ0gITYy44gk5HhS41D4BVa6MDUcyQU/s1600/008_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvuUcJITRQJqVHVWCbGGxSCke-6tcf6RY42wp2wk_IXoZA-xLGo6T0SvuGYgpJeL2hN0yZxWM32Y2JNbGrdLD1iiFzjJRLeNX41MCTabeiiiT0CZ0gITYy44gk5HhS41D4BVa6MDUcyQU/s640/008_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acrylic Paint Splotch Beads in Pale Pink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These icicle style diamond dangles are pretty and the possibilities are endless. I have so many styles of beads that I'm looking forward to playing with. These large acrylic paint splotch beads are really pretty and I made some before in <a href="http://magicalcrafts.blogspot.ca/2013/10/paint-splotch-acrylic-beads-in-diamond.html" target="_blank">red, green and topaz colours</a>. In the interest of focus, today it was the turn of pink and purple, in just the same style.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkm5sqDTblu3tbCWmQoACNM_Ga3PmVQfSJSwk94KpJ-1jre7jzHxN5qLGXKB7Dg13jeDxaf2jMWcmXGGkH3-fSVSBVXBfRTUBbzjN0ng2RsgAnIOAc452yTeKfE88ikJTu5THBe80g68ai/s1600/015_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkm5sqDTblu3tbCWmQoACNM_Ga3PmVQfSJSwk94KpJ-1jre7jzHxN5qLGXKB7Dg13jeDxaf2jMWcmXGGkH3-fSVSBVXBfRTUBbzjN0ng2RsgAnIOAc452yTeKfE88ikJTu5THBe80g68ai/s640/015_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All packaged up now and<a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/magicaljourneys?section_id=10399713" target="_blank"> posted on Etsy</a>, it's time to do some sorting out to get to the paper craft supplies. Hope you enjoy the rest of your week-end!MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-88622187153439540562013-10-23T14:15:00.000-07:002013-10-23T14:18:28.713-07:00Fussy but Royal Beaded Ornament Hooks!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxy6AzyIrz0I9GoSdhLKKSCGjaJzRRsJdG5MSxDTW_oxZJi5tKJlmP684nZ4g0A6Qc1h4gOECjHX6sFub_EqUiJ_o8F7CQO4fY5Kmda-arvegiQdHdi4FnBAMpPE1dfg2CcXOXQL2qE57/s1600/6+silver+blue+1_1_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxy6AzyIrz0I9GoSdhLKKSCGjaJzRRsJdG5MSxDTW_oxZJi5tKJlmP684nZ4g0A6Qc1h4gOECjHX6sFub_EqUiJ_o8F7CQO4fY5Kmda-arvegiQdHdi4FnBAMpPE1dfg2CcXOXQL2qE57/s640/6+silver+blue+1_1_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My beaded ornament hooks are getting fancier and fancier these days. I keep being drawn to these fabulous special beads - in this case more rhinestone bling, in silver - and when I saw these deep midnight blue faceted crystal beads I just couldn't leave them as a bracelet. The colour is so deep and rich and they shine like crazy. I knew they would look great paired with the bright silver gems and the style puts me in mind of the 'royal ring' that once belonged to Diana and now belongs to Kate. I've always loved that ring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXzYrfxk9ESchSe1Oo1Csnx3BrYecSs_PBOaBWXXjPmrOrqqOTCNYCiJfjFMj-N8WaZaKFJ_s3SXO0vZf5tjb3AqPjCHxIpHkySIctXIqp0oE31P_WnEVLA-ZMhbdbn87hzgR0kmyI3f6/s1600/6+silver+blue+3_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXzYrfxk9ESchSe1Oo1Csnx3BrYecSs_PBOaBWXXjPmrOrqqOTCNYCiJfjFMj-N8WaZaKFJ_s3SXO0vZf5tjb3AqPjCHxIpHkySIctXIqp0oE31P_WnEVLA-ZMhbdbn87hzgR0kmyI3f6/s640/6+silver+blue+3_3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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These are the fussiest beaded ornament hooks I've made so far - and the reason is the flat backed claw set 'diamond' gem that I put just above the blue faceted rondelle. Because I <strike>want</strike> need that diamond not to swivel, the tension has to be just right. Too loose and it will swivel and need adjustment to hang just right, too tight and the teeny tiny crystal seed beads will break and it will be too loose again. It can be a tad frustrating and you definitely need to find your groove. Once you get it right, they sit perfectly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOa0uSZ4o7YabbLAGqYvvKr3znDnZu3PP7dI42Lu-lUhjCueEwPjm5vcaDglyVpn-WZupgheIhhyKDMzXF0xqgwEYXVpXlIlWRpkmSy1qUxywKJGJPZzlq1XK8lOIT6awk1Bzsac3zJXn/s1600/6+silver+blue+5_5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOa0uSZ4o7YabbLAGqYvvKr3znDnZu3PP7dI42Lu-lUhjCueEwPjm5vcaDglyVpn-WZupgheIhhyKDMzXF0xqgwEYXVpXlIlWRpkmSy1qUxywKJGJPZzlq1XK8lOIT6awk1Bzsac3zJXn/s640/6+silver+blue+5_5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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I'm certainly no expert yet, having only made the 6 total, but I am not put off. When I bought the deep blue beads as a bracelet at Michaels, I also bought the same in a deep rich purple/burgundy. They don't capture nearly as lovely as they are in the photos as they just seem to shoot beams of all sorts of colours, and playing off the mirror effect of the gem encrusted beads, they're quite spectacular. I keep imagining the burgundy/purple ones with gold accents and the multi-colour gem encrusted beads ... mmmm.<br />
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Oh, if only there were elves to direct. But there aren't, so it's bit by bit for me and I'd better be off to the craft room to do some sorting and then more things for the upcoming craft show.<br />
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More of these is not even on the top 100 list right now and I really need to work on the lower and mid range styles, as well as craft show prep, but I just can't control these feeling fancy moods as I discover more and more lovely beads. If this style is Audrey Hepburn, the other one would be Kate - I might need to work some up after all. Hmmm ... maybe I'll call this style Hollywood Royalty.<br />
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You can see lots more styles and colours of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/magicaljourneys?section_id=12503618" target="_blank">beaded ornament hangers in my Etsy shop</a>.<br />
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MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-76031373163498840982013-10-22T10:23:00.003-07:002013-10-22T10:24:11.977-07:00Santa's Beaded Ornament Hangers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoDG5TlynjK0N5foz9f0yLOQV8HvKeBM7laW8ZvHBW8-15tqURaC-EyQdm0Ye5Hg8SJZVSdddVhEVcDGYmDLP8iFGgEqtir4jbx3ketWoY56caIyzgD94JAoKlQ4ht48gjTQA2d_XzpVa/s1600/rg6+1_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoDG5TlynjK0N5foz9f0yLOQV8HvKeBM7laW8ZvHBW8-15tqURaC-EyQdm0Ye5Hg8SJZVSdddVhEVcDGYmDLP8iFGgEqtir4jbx3ketWoY56caIyzgD94JAoKlQ4ht48gjTQA2d_XzpVa/s640/rg6+1_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa's Beaded Ornament Hooks?</td></tr>
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These - I like to imagine - are the beaded ornament hooks that Santa might have on his tree. They couldn't be any more Christmas-y could they? Bling and shiny in holiday colours of red and green with crystal icy accents, surely these are what Mrs. Claus would choose.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8lJHz5YSV7nzMCw7GO9SIyk-GtPJDmVR3YL7rOlHAH4WwPU_Z8o9kPyT8V0QQSJOVbuNiu7BgvWQcFDWvBztfYM9kkkFSl0cF0M4cHH2NUV1e03UjIfNQwqa8t9JBPls8cgXoZ1FuJR2/s1600/rg2+4_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8lJHz5YSV7nzMCw7GO9SIyk-GtPJDmVR3YL7rOlHAH4WwPU_Z8o9kPyT8V0QQSJOVbuNiu7BgvWQcFDWvBztfYM9kkkFSl0cF0M4cHH2NUV1e03UjIfNQwqa8t9JBPls8cgXoZ1FuJR2/s640/rg2+4_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Mrs. Claus isn't alone, I think I'll be choosing some of these beauties myself. Large 20mm resin beads encrusted with gems in stripes of red and green are just so festive. I added a shiny faceted rondelle in red for a pop more colour, and continued the red and green striping up the hanger portion of the hook.<br />
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Not wanting to take anything away from the beautiful patterning of the bead, my tiny spacer seed beads are clear crystal - almost icy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-DSh6CffvfyDdLLSyGeoKCJMH3EAuKt_9qnDQdMT6bvZcKBfrPpLkL3wp7XyYHtyxYy0XVQiAE_8_XD_50rl3d2TRdYF91hocM_cBqTG11kMiaUCH9AQSis-M_UclDGAq35ESU2WqFAs/s1600/rg6+2_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-DSh6CffvfyDdLLSyGeoKCJMH3EAuKt_9qnDQdMT6bvZcKBfrPpLkL3wp7XyYHtyxYy0XVQiAE_8_XD_50rl3d2TRdYF91hocM_cBqTG11kMiaUCH9AQSis-M_UclDGAq35ESU2WqFAs/s640/rg6+2_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Looking around the internet, I see that beaded ornament hooks are becoming quite popular indeed - and why not? They really enhance the Christmas ornaments and it's like doubling up the trimmings you can can get on your tree.<br />
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All of the other beaded ornament hooks I've seen so far though are different. The predominant style seems to be bendy wire with one or a few focal beads - and they are lovely. True to form though, mine are a little more "intense". I don't want to see wire, I want to see beads. More beads please!<br />
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Even with these super large focal beads in the mix, each one of these little beaded ornament hooks has over 40 beads in it. Not that I have anything against wire, but I'm pretty literal when I say "Beaded Ornament Hangers". Oooh, sparkly.<br />
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You can see lots more styles and colours of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/magicaljourneys?section_id=12503618" target="_blank">beaded ornament hangers in my Etsy shop</a>.<br />
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MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-77621219502578201452013-10-20T19:05:00.001-07:002013-10-20T19:11:59.285-07:00Plush Toy Wreaths<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-LOZjwhxgBfKpJLQu7Uvrv_TeRLAnj7KMVA2fdO0pfzJ-RH0Nr4VcdppFPRyNEy10w7G4_XrGYtsyizfv-SZ5N-UD__Aew8Ct8UkxldPE1I397iv8xWwKNej0RrptwZp-zo9mRwpBMiv/s1600/080_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-LOZjwhxgBfKpJLQu7Uvrv_TeRLAnj7KMVA2fdO0pfzJ-RH0Nr4VcdppFPRyNEy10w7G4_XrGYtsyizfv-SZ5N-UD__Aew8Ct8UkxldPE1I397iv8xWwKNej0RrptwZp-zo9mRwpBMiv/s640/080_3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Here are some of the wreaths I've been working on. Cute little Christmas plush toys are wired into the center to give them an uber-festive look.<br />
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There are Santas ...<br />
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There are Snowmen ...<br />
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I liked the Reindeer so much I did him in a red version and a blue version ...<br />
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And this little guy has an extra surprise - he's musical! They really are super cute and much nicer than I am able to photograph them. If they don't sell well at the Craft Show, they'll at least make our table look festive! And - if we need to draw a crowd - I can always get the musical wreaths singing.<br />
<br />MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-35479736607362647782013-10-18T19:08:00.002-07:002013-10-18T19:12:09.080-07:00Christmas Cards and Wreaths<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TKZV9cnOrVs0GMsKlnhFvg56iK0BdCqsCSwRDa4CaXnQ8Rq8p2er1_D86ohfZ0j_6fGGkiWCPMX9Vv9JtuvLgivuyd87L8i-S-Ct5m8ZJvTVZBF4D1dZKEGFagGmBJC8Z3jusqLwfIQr/s1600/056_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TKZV9cnOrVs0GMsKlnhFvg56iK0BdCqsCSwRDa4CaXnQ8Rq8p2er1_D86ohfZ0j_6fGGkiWCPMX9Vv9JtuvLgivuyd87L8i-S-Ct5m8ZJvTVZBF4D1dZKEGFagGmBJC8Z3jusqLwfIQr/s640/056_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'I Love Snow' Snowman & Snowflake Cards</td></tr>
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I've been making steady progress with my mini trees and their tree skirts, and there is a nice little blizzard of snowflakes ready and put away for the craft show. With the holidays getting closer and the fact that my supply was quickly dwingling, it was finally time to get back to some cards and gift tags.<br />
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I decided to start with some thick chipboard embellishments I had in my supplies. These seemed to take up the most space in my totally jammed box of Christmas bits and bobs, so it seemed an ideal place to begin. I used a similar templates of Christmas papers and a few embellishments here and there, and got 8 made up. It's a start.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ro4CDfNaPzt_y-SN2HsIZhcYuSEaDJjyxYKlb0xLDxjjf2WsaCSl-viu_tPjTQ195FXb9P4G2wI0RJsLSEVBWlIin3sECB7uji_kuS23XGmqiGh7NkOb2Be-ldChNYvq3xeKRg9SUqLF/s1600/019_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ro4CDfNaPzt_y-SN2HsIZhcYuSEaDJjyxYKlb0xLDxjjf2WsaCSl-viu_tPjTQ195FXb9P4G2wI0RJsLSEVBWlIin3sECB7uji_kuS23XGmqiGh7NkOb2Be-ldChNYvq3xeKRg9SUqLF/s640/019_3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plush Santa in a Wreath</td></tr>
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In other news I'm tweaking my wreath designs. I'm sprucing them up, adding a few more ornaments and wiring a Christmas plush character into the center so it sits amongst it all. They are very cute, and hopefully I'll get more of these done this weekend. I've picked up some more plush toys for the center, including some fun musical ones.<br />
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MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-41269825147005945722013-10-16T11:18:00.001-07:002013-10-18T19:13:16.625-07:00Mini Skirts for Mini Trees #2, 3 and 4!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pbOfRXR1y8BvM3gRHE4G1zq_6Up5PuIAka0-K_bneSuMobw9zZcOXlxEkTQOmE1OCKItlVuvxQP6UhSwWseppD1RgM-M0wh3uNxKDxC8gz9KQdN0FKIfVhTorX7NDJHJzjjoVQyvjxMA/s1600/trees234_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pbOfRXR1y8BvM3gRHE4G1zq_6Up5PuIAka0-K_bneSuMobw9zZcOXlxEkTQOmE1OCKItlVuvxQP6UhSwWseppD1RgM-M0wh3uNxKDxC8gz9KQdN0FKIfVhTorX7NDJHJzjjoVQyvjxMA/s640/trees234_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Last week I posted about my <a href="http://magicalcrafts.blogspot.ca/2013/10/mini-skirts-for-mini-trees-1.html" target="_blank">first mini skirt for my mini trees</a>, and this week I am happy to update that three more are complete. There are at least four more to do, if I can manage it, and perhaps more hiding in boxes I haven't yet opened.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHwJaOAouxbxldrkH8pzA3LZ6Zt_9-tVARf-71F-0jWEV4Hlbf8D2oY9D-PAkbf2f24vzexDbU1eyYCOBu53b91h1Fr33kTZhfGSL9bw-N2ccEgRYg8svWGimxKOyexTjmTPKcYTW7fyJ/s1600/049_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHwJaOAouxbxldrkH8pzA3LZ6Zt_9-tVARf-71F-0jWEV4Hlbf8D2oY9D-PAkbf2f24vzexDbU1eyYCOBu53b91h1Fr33kTZhfGSL9bw-N2ccEgRYg8svWGimxKOyexTjmTPKcYTW7fyJ/s640/049_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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For tree skirt #2 I kept things simple. Just one colour for the main body until the fabulous fur trim. This tree has a matching turquoise star, so it really looks Winter Wonderland festive. I reduced the initial increasing of stitches so lies much more flat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc8DhDzlEsPZ4vIrSEXJ5nPuh8SplPvhXvfzEgiGCO6LJCNUNjDXDjsK-cVZ6_pD8b8cTqruRhSQkhn0O1sk2jq2IPht7uYBPoldR938lIVLO0JBomkM3ns3zs4rZKjxGBf3EgUzitHzd/s1600/060_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc8DhDzlEsPZ4vIrSEXJ5nPuh8SplPvhXvfzEgiGCO6LJCNUNjDXDjsK-cVZ6_pD8b8cTqruRhSQkhn0O1sk2jq2IPht7uYBPoldR938lIVLO0JBomkM3ns3zs4rZKjxGBf3EgUzitHzd/s640/060_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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For tree skirt #3, I tried a little more striping of the pattern. Two rows each of green, red, green, red and then the fur trim. Even though these colours are bright and contrasting you virtually lose some of the pattern, so the initial striping doesn't really seem worth it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJGeu70FiHT4FfozDWuKve3O3a7YU6K-6XkQ4F0pfxrDT_9HQyLvpzBZ7aMkRtksuQ2IpGPlPb8gFrP7-ZoxKkZycryOoE9aeMB9tMjJfp6mx9_vK_avyJPEweQzcjsSgvUmId_lhlLs5/s1600/053_1_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJGeu70FiHT4FfozDWuKve3O3a7YU6K-6XkQ4F0pfxrDT_9HQyLvpzBZ7aMkRtksuQ2IpGPlPb8gFrP7-ZoxKkZycryOoE9aeMB9tMjJfp6mx9_vK_avyJPEweQzcjsSgvUmId_lhlLs5/s640/053_1_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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By tree skirt #4 I had found my stride. One simple stripe, and extra white before the faux fur trim to make it look more luxurious. The white I used has a shiny fleck in it so it is nice and sparkly. I did four rows in white (in this case the body colour), 2 red rows for the stripe, 2 white rows and then faux fur trim. The mini tree skirts are only 9 rows, so they really do work up quickly.<br />
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Like my larger tree skirts, these tie up at the back. Because the skirts are so small though, I didn't fuss with my normal method of attaching ties on both sides. I've simply made a length of chain stitches which I thread through either side like shoe laces. I've done two of these to keep it together nice and flat - one goes around the base and the other near the middle. No doubt ribbon would also do the trick just as nicely.<br />
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And now, while I finish my coffee on this rainy day, I'm going to go and enjoy what other people are making at <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.ca/2013/10/work-in-progress-166.html" target="_blank">Tami's Amis Work in Progress Wednesday</a>. <br />
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<br />MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-12175449215627360252013-10-15T11:06:00.000-07:002013-10-15T11:06:37.126-07:00Shiny Silver Snowflakes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnN-ZLXMCj5rhjuzXA7rMD4OCqcOz791RpV2wBjL1YYKNqvwE-zHwFt_At-PO2WlskBLeCk89QRF6fSuiUSzrESZAVb17TJmeJpzNezP5M35ilEMySPjd4E_-RxNtwIt6mwbThaazvzZX/s1600/silver+snowflake+1_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnN-ZLXMCj5rhjuzXA7rMD4OCqcOz791RpV2wBjL1YYKNqvwE-zHwFt_At-PO2WlskBLeCk89QRF6fSuiUSzrESZAVb17TJmeJpzNezP5M35ilEMySPjd4E_-RxNtwIt6mwbThaazvzZX/s640/silver+snowflake+1_3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Wowza, talk about shine and sparkle! Working on these silver snowflakes at my craft room table, with the sun streaming in, I was tempted to put on a pair of sunglasses. En masse, they were almost blinding with their shine, sparkle and close friend glitter. I just love them.<br />
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I found some flat backed gems that worked perfectly to highlight the center of the snowflake, which has a crystal icy look and a bit of silver glitter. I glued these on, leaving them flat for quite some time to dry and they appear to be holding very well.<br />
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For the beaded hanger portion I just had to use these "diva" vintage mercury style silver acrylic beads. I call them Diva beads now, because they insist on being the star of the show - and it is well deserved. They are a beautiful quality bead - no seams, just glorious mirror finish. You can see how reflective they are in this close up. <br />
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I tried a first version of this snowflake with more feature beads,
but neither the Diva beads or I were happy. Simple faceted crystals to
reflect their magnificence was all they needed and I used pretty
frosted white seed beads as spacers so nothing detracts from them.
Continuing up the hanger I used the tiniest of clear crystal seed beads
with little pops of slightly larger opaque white seed beads for that
hint of snow.<br />
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Job done on these and they are <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/magicaljourneys?section_id=10399713" target="_blank">posted on Etsy</a> because I like the way they photographed. Today I hope to make a blizzard more in similar styles for the upcoming Craft Show. I'd really like to clear out the large snowflakes box to make space for other things.<br />
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Along the journey of designing these, I started playing with working the ornaments on to the beaded spiral ornament hooks that I make, but these snowflakes were too large and they would hang too low, so I will have to try that with something else. Oooh, the things to do.<br />
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<br />MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-66568313015436078212013-10-13T13:31:00.000-07:002013-10-13T14:00:53.798-07:00Seussical with Large Diamond Dangles ... & Snowflakes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWn8VcCVaucXDGDgMtUMtl19n7rzoJyCye8QfrEfk9EeYhnwOdlf3szYu1ZW94z7cDOOAyIw3A5lMlWNFA1oUoQpbEL30RcnXd4KrL-umhWMbSbLAsoVYDxkUN7mfpYqjl7-SXPQktDBQ/s1600/greenstripe5_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWn8VcCVaucXDGDgMtUMtl19n7rzoJyCye8QfrEfk9EeYhnwOdlf3szYu1ZW94z7cDOOAyIw3A5lMlWNFA1oUoQpbEL30RcnXd4KrL-umhWMbSbLAsoVYDxkUN7mfpYqjl7-SXPQktDBQ/s640/greenstripe5_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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It's a drizzly day and there is a Doctor Who marathon on television. In short, it's a perfect crafting day. Really with conditions like this I should be working on my Tardis Christmas Ornaments - I got some fabulous charms to work up - but I think those will wait for next week when the End of 10 will air. I`ll need something to distract me from crying through the entire episode.<br />
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Instead, I`m working on these cheerful Seussical style large green diamond dangles. The striped lime green and white acrylic beads I got are perfect in combination with the shiny lime green acrylic diamonds and beads. A clear crystal faceted bead adds even more sparkle. Having tried a few variations with these large acrylic diamonds, these are my favourite so far.<br />
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I`m also working on finishing up some of my larger snowflake ornaments. I`ve embellished these with gems in colours to match the beaded hangers. You know my theory on sparkle and glitter at Christmas - less is just less. <br />
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<br />MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-79959867785300349392013-10-12T19:48:00.003-07:002013-10-12T19:48:54.729-07:00S is for Santa Spiral Beaded Ornament Hooks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Nc65iRWaviPNHxM5-nyC1w2Q6nwuMVNvlqEu-haQtan5PFg6ayZt4RaSF5w1mfiNRUdxs4CrjLXXKxWPqWLsTR-MwVB9v-qeB9TUMAFYk9V5NotzoQYC6kFa9auFizdqPHA31T78aEbg/s1600/053_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Nc65iRWaviPNHxM5-nyC1w2Q6nwuMVNvlqEu-haQtan5PFg6ayZt4RaSF5w1mfiNRUdxs4CrjLXXKxWPqWLsTR-MwVB9v-qeB9TUMAFYk9V5NotzoQYC6kFa9auFizdqPHA31T78aEbg/s640/053_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! This is one of the things on my crafting table today. Spiral beaded ornament hooks are back, and I'm trying to work up a number of variations in some basic colour schemes. My friend Catherine named these "S is for Santa" spiral hooks, and I think that's a perfect name. They are so jolly.<br />
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The subject of beaded ornament hooks at the upcoming craft show is something still to be resolved in my head - and in the space layout for the table. Because I have so many different styles, I find any display attempt looks entirely too busy if I try to offer a little of everything. I'm thinking I shall have to be very selective in my choices - and these swirly style beaded hooks are a great basic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXDdfxcwK11mAR2r8hSE0vSJD2Bf7S4p1ISG_KF3OemaDD85AV_39u_UhwlvDAsI611NpaqBclhyV7-zi9J9cNGyum7pNdhKXWpoaqHTvdSbqArWB50cOiXuLhQMaIVDehBKn1PY68isk/s1600/033_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXDdfxcwK11mAR2r8hSE0vSJD2Bf7S4p1ISG_KF3OemaDD85AV_39u_UhwlvDAsI611NpaqBclhyV7-zi9J9cNGyum7pNdhKXWpoaqHTvdSbqArWB50cOiXuLhQMaIVDehBKn1PY68isk/s640/033_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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As it turns out, quite surprisingly, I didn't have a great deal of these curvy spiral beaded hooks outside of the beaded ornament selections that I put together on my Etsy shop - and I don't want to start breaking those apart for fear it will become too confusing - so I thought I'd better start working some things up specifically for the craft show.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt1lwi6UxIasATm0TlaZ4kh_YKobKv7p_npXOqLKOarCeYe2oeSHvQOymBSQh58N8FlAfnUimOYTXblg27rMhPfb2uKU4FG_QnlU-UvdLFXIGdrAm4TFvDA10oXQZT4qw-qqC604Yw4mu/s1600/022_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt1lwi6UxIasATm0TlaZ4kh_YKobKv7p_npXOqLKOarCeYe2oeSHvQOymBSQh58N8FlAfnUimOYTXblg27rMhPfb2uKU4FG_QnlU-UvdLFXIGdrAm4TFvDA10oXQZT4qw-qqC604Yw4mu/s640/022_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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In other crafting news, I've been busy on my <a href="http://magicaljourneys.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> this week and am now a member of a few Etsy Teams. Looks like it's going to be a lot of fun and hopefully some good learning - I've even done my first treasury list with some <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/treasury/NjA5NTEwN3wyNzI1MDk5NjQw/hot-halloween-finds-in-a-handcrafted?ref=pr_treasury" target="_blank">Halloween items from shops in the A Handcrafted Christmas Team</a>. Woohoo, there's no stopping me now.<br />
<div class="zemanta-related" style="clear: both; margin-top: 20px; overflow: hidden;">
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MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-15484032111654850662013-10-09T00:58:00.001-07:002013-10-18T19:13:16.564-07:00Mini Skirts for Mini Trees #1<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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It's like the Doctor Who Christmas invasion - Christmas trees are everywhere - living room, dining room, craft room, spare bedroom ... they've just sprung up here there and everywhere. In preparation for my upcoming craft show, I'm sprucing up my mini Christmas Trees and editing their ornaments. Each one has such a lot of character with a huge variety of trimmings and garland.<br />
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I was never totally happy with the stars that used to adorn the tops of these trees, so this year I've upgraded to these lovely star tree toppers that I just found. They make such a beautiful improvement, and I found them in several colours.<br />
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The main reason these little trees have taken over the house is that I thought it would be a cute idea to finish them off by making them all their own mini tree skirts. As I've recently found a few balls of the faux fur yarn I like so much, I decided I'd edge them with fun, furry, faux fur trim.<br />
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I've made them following my normal tree skirt pattern so they are made with a slit to wrap around, and fasten with cute little ties. The tree skirt can easily be removed for cleaning, and it gives it a nice miniature look - just like a full size Christmas Tree that has been shrunk down by Christmas magic. Just think how wonderful it would be for your storage requirements if that were actually possible!<br />
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So how does it all come together ... well just like this! Aren't they luxurious and festive? The mini tree skirt totally transforms these little trees.<br />
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I love these types of things for decorating, as everything is wired in place you simply pop it on a desk or side table and instant decoration that looks like you spent ages. <br />
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For these mini skirts I used a thinner wool - Patons Astra - and a smaller hook - 5.5 mm - and found the ideal size to be 9 rows so they shouldn't take too much to do. <br />
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I'm not sure how many I have to complete - there are still several
boxes to go through - or how many I'll actually get through in the next
month with everything else there is to do, but I really love the finished result so one by one I'll do as
many as I can. <br />
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They'll look great on the craft show table if nothing else!<br />
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Now I don't want to alarm anyone, but it's Wednesday already. One good thing about the week flying by though is it's the day to check out what other folks are working on over at <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Tami's Amis</a>. I wonder who else is getting ready for the holidays? <br />
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<br />MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-83488641083525435942013-10-08T21:49:00.001-07:002013-10-08T21:49:24.965-07:00Bright Pink Buttons<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Quick little update today. The weather lately has been absolutely perfect for autumn, and despite the fact my street is full of construction vehicles it has been quiet for a couple of days so I've been taking advantage and doing some work out in the garden. <br />
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<a name='more'></a>Leaves glorious leaves, I really do enjoy the fall and it's nice to get out there and soak up some fresh air and sunshine while we still can.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOhoHJuXgy75xZ1lRcMv4gtICp07ZWrHbjxigCJDatV35H9CMvoYn9UfGhgBH1f4TlPOg9iuh_rX_bFi4z5H1Or-DwgziE6ORr-OdKrYZayotN0QJOByX2miNeJDHnW8QGnrLqJUz_YP_/s1600/080_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOhoHJuXgy75xZ1lRcMv4gtICp07ZWrHbjxigCJDatV35H9CMvoYn9UfGhgBH1f4TlPOg9iuh_rX_bFi4z5H1Or-DwgziE6ORr-OdKrYZayotN0QJOByX2miNeJDHnW8QGnrLqJUz_YP_/s640/080_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Tonight I've been doing a little catch up on photograpy so I can show you another variation in the Button Dangle Ornaments series - this time a vivid bright pink.<br />
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I keep coming home with more and more bags of these fun buttons which contain all sorts of styles and sizes. I'm thinking of using the tiny ones in beaded garland, or different ornament styles, or jewelry, or embellishments, .. or ... so many buttons, so little time, but oh such fun.<br />
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<br />MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-19445977661614920522013-10-06T13:47:00.001-07:002013-10-06T13:52:16.281-07:00Button Dangles in Red and Purple<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7nHI1xKBLqmU2xK4zpUJkCj3Sc_jWSHqDGk-1IylEhFd_GjO06_V2EY3xXYbOGuGtZxW-GCD3juL5ZscR4Wn5kQXby745oEE9GeR323f7Bsr8XcABqY-cDk9hpF1XVXGAK-MIi9cj4zM/s1600/007_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7nHI1xKBLqmU2xK4zpUJkCj3Sc_jWSHqDGk-1IylEhFd_GjO06_V2EY3xXYbOGuGtZxW-GCD3juL5ZscR4Wn5kQXby745oEE9GeR323f7Bsr8XcABqY-cDk9hpF1XVXGAK-MIi9cj4zM/s640/007_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Button Christmas Ornaments</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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For some reason, tins of buttons make me happy. I understand why buttons off clothing I`ve had throughout my life would be a nostalgic thing, or vintage buttons with all their fascinating shapes and details would be an exciting thing - but even modern, bright, random buttons are such happy, cheerful little characters, don't you think?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NbfOnlOm0Pbq8tf0tFqLLK6QV_eyJj8ypRGpkoyGKnioqNcsSsr-S5XYFuqxKlFgWhZjTl5omqAbGxnEZ2OtW-9lRwKK9NHRJCpwudHUUZvIYCygsmd6eFBes5ZLhenP7y7oazVxZn4a/s1600/010_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NbfOnlOm0Pbq8tf0tFqLLK6QV_eyJj8ypRGpkoyGKnioqNcsSsr-S5XYFuqxKlFgWhZjTl5omqAbGxnEZ2OtW-9lRwKK9NHRJCpwudHUUZvIYCygsmd6eFBes5ZLhenP7y7oazVxZn4a/s640/010_3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Red Buttons on Beaded Hangers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've recently dedicated space in the craft room for buttons and I've got a nice collection of many colours for my paper crafts, which I've yet to really play with - but I've got a huge collection of all sorts of shapes and sizes up to these nice large buttons in a few basic colours - Red, Purple, Pink, Green and White.<br />
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A little while ago I made a few batches of <a href="http://magicalcrafts.blogspot.ca/2013/07/button-whimsies-for-christmas-tree.html" target="_blank">Christmas Ornament Button Whimsies</a> - a different style using some of the smaller and mid size beads, but I wanted to have a play at something with these larger buttons. These are in my dangle style so voila the Button Dangle<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgbUb6TtCBfrTJm3SHkaE4OPPvO2FGySY9sU9c0xV6Ra-47_63FzB7zX5Yv2fZzWTuwHZhv_A0LlCBArkuF6zt4S4EWfzlVOGHeH0Xg6EajGjTB24G6v6y6fqiWYhyphenhyphenCm2ObZRSwq08chJ/s1600/018_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgbUb6TtCBfrTJm3SHkaE4OPPvO2FGySY9sU9c0xV6Ra-47_63FzB7zX5Yv2fZzWTuwHZhv_A0LlCBArkuF6zt4S4EWfzlVOGHeH0Xg6EajGjTB24G6v6y6fqiWYhyphenhyphenCm2ObZRSwq08chJ/s640/018_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Purple Buttons on Beaded Hangers</td></tr>
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Beaded using 5" of coated wire, I use large 6/0 seed bead to anchor the button on either side, and the rest of the hanger is beaded with with wooden beads, 10/0, 8/0 and 6/0 seed beads to make a pattern.<br />
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A white pearl just above the button provides a consistent element across many colours, and I like the suggestion of snowdrops dripping from the tree that will result when it hangs from the branch. I wanted to highlight this a little bit so have surrounded it with the tiniest of the beads. It shows much more as emphesis when not against a white background.<br />
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I think they're a lot of fun. Very jolly. Very light. Very durable. Don't take much packing away space. Perfect. Pink, Green and White go on the 'to do' list.<br />
<br />MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5221166585039065240.post-60277939932070877892013-10-03T20:35:00.000-07:002013-10-03T20:38:23.910-07:00Paint Splotch Acrylic Beads in Diamond Dangles<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNtRcGNX9xiy4LcgZb3XGtle9CTfXe_t0fuUBDyKTjGg5qR3HELwZS6bE6qJQ-EVV_YFFz_zw3a81nD17QwECy1_oo0BYE5ZpW5tduJuFHlZtUjV1tgyr3UsNyei3P3rwtsS_mGINvT5y/s1600/topaz5_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNtRcGNX9xiy4LcgZb3XGtle9CTfXe_t0fuUBDyKTjGg5qR3HELwZS6bE6qJQ-EVV_YFFz_zw3a81nD17QwECy1_oo0BYE5ZpW5tduJuFHlZtUjV1tgyr3UsNyei3P3rwtsS_mGINvT5y/s640/topaz5_4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Splotch Acrylic Beads with Cats Eye Shiny Beads</td></tr>
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Here are some more of my selection of fabulous beads. I call them Paint Splotch beads and I have them in a lovely variety of colours. They match so very nicely with these super shiny cats eye like beads that I've used before in my <a href="http://magicalcrafts.blogspot.ca/2013/07/cats-eye-and-pearls-beaded-ornament.html">Cats Eye Beaded Ornament Hangers</a>. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topaz Paint Splotch Bead Icicle Diamond Dangles</td></tr>
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I noticed the other day that my selection of clear crystal diamond dangles was pretty limited so I thought I'd better get on with making some more style and colour variations. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkk68HGDd2zFKEfy-I4WkcMs86j7doXC2v4R0VxG9gR3s4DsZ7RcEIRtgTHQXGMxBZy7GCU6sBDjFscE3pgpsT-p0rY857t5riaE3ADAzAGujowaM9dJ71pDrXxoLwqrLyF1_5TOqCSoG0/s1600/green1_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkk68HGDd2zFKEfy-I4WkcMs86j7doXC2v4R0VxG9gR3s4DsZ7RcEIRtgTHQXGMxBZy7GCU6sBDjFscE3pgpsT-p0rY857t5riaE3ADAzAGujowaM9dJ71pDrXxoLwqrLyF1_5TOqCSoG0/s640/green1_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Paint Splotch Bead Icicle Diamond Dangles</td></tr>
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I really like the combination of the large acrylic paintisplotch beads with the shiny cats eye beads, and I use a smaller focal bead for sparkle accent close to the diamond dangle, and three pearls up the icicle portion to make them look like these diamonds are dripping from the Christmas Tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx5PkVgLDykYrs_iJA_M2PySAP4nvjhKsImvsU9-fW4RD7HyuERpQlm_q-pTFOvyUwWDULfm-btw6ckEs6OzrK47CadSdBLKMnxnPsNM6ccQSqMf30Kq9TRefjgDgzz9J5JRvvw760P_R/s1600/red4_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx5PkVgLDykYrs_iJA_M2PySAP4nvjhKsImvsU9-fW4RD7HyuERpQlm_q-pTFOvyUwWDULfm-btw6ckEs6OzrK47CadSdBLKMnxnPsNM6ccQSqMf30Kq9TRefjgDgzz9J5JRvvw760P_R/s640/red4_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Paint Splotch Bead Icicle Diamond Dangles</td></tr>
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Small silver plated round beads, tiny transulcent gold seed beads in size 10/0, silver lined crystal seed beads in size 8/0 and other 8/0 seed beads in co-ordinating colours complete these icicle diamond dangles. Using the 8/0 and 10/0 seed beads is a little more work than using a size up - 6/0 and 8/0's which you could use - but I find it gives the best overall strength to the piece so it's worth it.<br />
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Onwards and upwards, with just over a month to the big Christmas Craft show and the holiday season looming it's full scale production and packaging around here.<br />
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If you are interested you can see more in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/magicaljourneys?section_id=10399713">Christmas Ornaments Section on Etsy</a>.<br />
<br />MagicalJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411091079027432099noreply@blogger.com1