TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter From Laurieann
Seasonal Crafts.....Christmas
Crafty Tips.....by The Bluebonnet Crafters
Our Featured Artist..... Marinka of Crochethook
Doll Corner.....by Diane Lewis
Crafty Kids.....Seasonal Fun For Kids!
Kitchen Crafts.....Jell-O Turkey Hand and More!
More Crafts......by The Bluebonnet Crafters
Reader Round-up.....Help Out a Fellow Crafter
Announcements.....New Classes, Free Angel Crafts, and More
Contributors.....Please Visit Our Friends!

Letter From Laurieann

The holiday season is here! We have a wonderful selection of fun crafts for you to enjoy.  Please also check out our issue from last year for more Holiday Crafts (link at bottom of page).

Also please check out the announcement about the Web Of Angels and all the free angel crafts that are available.  You can access the Web of Angels from http://CraftyCollege.com

Thank you for reading Crafty Visions Newsletter and please take the time to visit/contact our wonderful contributors.  See you next year <smile>!

Sincerely,

laurieann@ivisions.com

PS

If you want a condensed copy of this newsletter e-mailed to you, send a request to cvnov_dec98@wwvisions.com.

And, if you have not subscribed to this newsletter, please fill out our on-line subscribe form as well as check out past issues of The Crafty Visions Newsletter.

 

Seasonal Crafts
by Bluebonnet Crafters

Countdown to Christmas Wreath
 

Materials:

 

• 18" wreath of your choice
• 24 small gift or wrapped surprises
• 1 gold gift wrapped surprise
• A large bow, color of your choice
• Craft glue or glue gun
• Permanent marker
• Curling ribbon

Wrap each of the surprises in either fabric or paper and tie with the curling ribbon. They can be centered on a square, all the ends pulled up and tied like a pouf. Some can be wrapped as a gift. The more creative you are at this point the better the finished wreath will look.

Set aside the gold surprise. Place the bow at the 12 o'clock position and then glue the 24 gifts spaced evenly around the wreath.

Glue the gold wrapped surprise in the center of the bow.

Beginning the first of December the child is allowed to pick any one of the gifts except the gold one. One surprise a day and on Christmas day they get the gold prize.

This wreath can be hung on a wall or used as a centerpiece on a table.

Another option for an adult party: fill the wreath with party favor type surprises and allow everyone to pick one to take home. Female gifts are wrapped in one color and male gifts in a second color.

# 1. To close the plastic or Latex glove to prevent leakage wrap a rubber band around the wrist area, fold it back and again wrap the rubber band around.

# 2. For a Halloween party use the directions for the Jell-O Hand but substitute fruit or punch for the Jell-O. Freeze the hand solid and use in the punch bowl to keep cold.

# 3. As part of an introduction to your Halloween party a bowl of cold spaghetti that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray and introduced as a bowl of worms to blindfolded guests as they come in makes for some interesting fun.

# 4. When making bath salts place the Epsom salts in the blender and pulse several times to get a finer grind and your bath salts will dissolve quicker.

Our Featured Artist.....

We had planned to ask Marinka for an interview after the Web of Angels was over (her pattern is included there), but this message came through the crochethook list so we decided to borrow it and showcase her this issue instead of next year.

It is just as she wrote it. Enjoy!

I have passed the half century mark in my lifeline and for 97% of that time I have been fascinated by handcrafts, reading about them, watching the creations, and trying to do it myself. At one time or another I have learned the "how to" in crafts as varied as blacksmithing, glass blowing, grafting, millinery, pottery and wine making, as well as all combinations of fiber and needle. All the knowledge gained in the afore mentioned crafts has come in handy one way or the other in my favorite pursuits - crochet and knitting.

I was very fortunate to have had these experiences while living in 11 different countries, where learning the local language was always the primary task. How else could I ask all the questions, what are you making, what is that tool, what are you mixing that with, can you show me, can you show me, can you show me...

I was born in a tiny village, in a small country Slovenija, formerly part of Yugoslavija, however grew up in some of the largest cities in the world. Nevertheless, I have remained a country girl at heart and I long for the day I can retire to some nice acreage with hills and dales (can't you just tell Ontario is flat!), brooks, orchards & gardens and herds of animals.

I am happily married to my first ever blind date (actually we have been together since that first date, but that story belongs on another list!), we have a little one going by the name of Peaches when she's good and Pissy when she ain't , and oh yes I am know simply as Marinka. Actually I am also known as Naninoz, that however only when I am sporting a big, bright red nose - I am a clown.

Mostly I volunteer with shut-ins, occasionally do birthday parties and corporate events, but mostly I enjoy teaching this art. Any other time, overtime included, I can be found at the Bob Rumball Center for the Deaf where I am the Activities and Crafts coordinator in the senior's department. I work with profoundly deaf seniors, ages form 76 to 99, some of whom are blind as well, most with failing health and capacities. Planning activities, outings and craft projects for this bunch has been a challenge, an eye-opener, an incredible learning experience but above all a joy of a job.

I had no experience whatsoever to prepare me for my present work. Seven years ago I was laid off from the position of currency trader in a major banking institution, where I had worked for 19 years.I loved the pressure and craziness of that job, I even enjoyed breaking into the "old boys" network. My scholastic background certainly did not prepare me for that job either. I have degrees in Byzantine Philology and Geopolitics, go figure! .

Marinka includes in her signature file the motto: ~never stop creating love with your hands~

     As the holiday season approaches my mailbox has been filled with catalogs and wish books from every kind of store imaginable.  The toy catalogs have done a superb job of teasing and tempting wide-eyed children with all the new things that Santa could bring.  As I browsed through the pages I fondly remembered the days when I played Santa for my children.   I remember trying to find that perfect toy that would hold their interest for more than a moment. Then as now, the commercials for the toys they begged for promise adventure and fun and many of them make claims of the educational value of their product even though it was a stretch of even my imagination!   We all know what happened to these toys…. It was more fun to wish for them than to possess them!

     When I think about the things my children played with the most it is not surprising that they were things that challenged them or encouraged them to stretch in a new direction.  Toys that teach were always the things I looked for.

     As I browsed through the new toy catalogs it was interesting to see how many craft kits are on the market.  One of the things that was conspicuously missing was good sewing crafts for kids.  It occurred to me that all of us as cloth doll makers had the makings of a wonderful gift for any child.  As schools have cut programs, too many times classes like home economics are a thing of the past. Some children don't get the exposure to things like sewing unless perhaps a benevolent Santa comes their way!

     Putting together a simple sewing kit filled with fabric, stuffing, needles and thread, doll hair or yarn, fabric markers for the face, a simple pattern and a promise of an afternoon to teach the child the basics of sewing a simple doll will be more than just the beginning of a doll.  It will be the beginning of a relationship between you and the new doll maker and the opportunity to watch someone discover their creativity.

     Spending one on one time is the most priceless gift you can shower on any child.  And the feeling of empowerment that comes to a child when they learn a new skill like sewing is something they can never have enough of.

     It's important to think about the age of the child when assembling this sewing kit. For a very young child you may want to include a few pieces of felt. It is easy to work with and it gives wonderful quick results to satisfy short attention spans.  An older child will be able to handle more difficult tasks like a muslin pancake doll.  Draw templates for the patterns using your gingerbread man cookie cutter.  For children ready for more challenge there are many free patterns from past issues of the Crafty Visions Newsletter as well as many free patterns on the Web of Angels that would be wonderful starter patterns to work together on.

     I hope that you can all think of one small person that would be a perfect candidate for a doll kit this holiday.  It's important to share more than our dolls with the next generation. We need to share our joy and skills.

     Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and hope that your homes are filled with cheer!

Sincerely,
Diane Lewis
Sisters and Daughters,
The complete source for cloth-doll makers.
http://www.sistersanddaughters.com

Editor Note: Diane has several free doll patterns available. Patterns include:

The Mistletoe Doll in last year's Holiday issue of Crafty Visions Newsletter (http://wwvisions.com/newsletter/nov_dec97/) and

Angela found on the Web Of Angels (http://sistersanddaughters.com/angel/).
 

Materials:

 

• Poster board, Fun Foam or Lightweight cardboard (small pieces)
• Fine point permanent marker
• One 1 & 1/2" orange pompom.
• One green 1/4" pompom
• 14 yellow pompoms 1/4"
• Craft glue
• A chenille stem
• Green and orange paint, crayons or colored pencils

Cut the poster board, Fun Foam or cardboard in circles 1 & 1/2" in diameter and color them orange on both sides for the pumpkin ring. Lay the chenille stem across the center of the circle and glue in place. Glue the orange pompom over the top of the chenille stems. Dip the green pompom in craft glue and place it on the top of the orange pompom as a pumpkin stem. Cut the chenille stem in half. Take one end of the stem and glue it across the center of the orange cardboard circle. Bring the other end up and glue it beside the first so both ends run across the circle.

For the ear of corn cut three leaf shapes and color them green. Arrange the chenille stems as above across the bottom leaf. Glue the yellow pompoms to look like corn kernels, then glue the two upper leaves along the edge letting the corn peek out in the middle. Use the picture as your guide.
 
 

Materials:

 

• Four 1 & 1/2" brown pompoms
• One 20mm red pompom
• A pair of 16mm wiggle eyes
• Small piece of brown felt
• Small piece of narrow red ribbon
• A jingle bell
• Round top clothespin
• Brown chenille stem
• Brown paint
• Round holder for clothespin
• Craft glue
• Scissors

Paint the clothespin and clothespin holder with the brown paint and allow to dry. Glue the clothespin into the holder. Looking from the front the clothespin will form the legs with an open area between the two of them. Glue the first pompom directly on top of the round end of the clothespin. This forms the top part of your reindeers' head. Glue a second brown pompom half way down that top pompom attaching it to the pompom and the clothespin so it is anchored to both facing forward.

Pompoms number three and four are glued one on each side of the clothespin just below pompom number two. Glue the red pompom in the center of number two brown pompom. Glue the two eyes side by side on pompom one resting against pompom two.

Thread the jingle bell on the ribbon and tie it around the reindeers' neck. The painted clothespin will show at the back of the reindeers' neck, Cut the brown chenille stem in four 3" pieces. Daub glue on the center of one 3" piece. Center the second 3" piece twisting around the first to form an antler. Repeat for the second antler.

From brown felt cut two ears about 1 & 1/2" tall. Glue them above the eyes in the center of the forehead. Glue the antlers on the back of the head positioned behind each ear. Allow to dry thoroughly and then adjust the antlers slightly until they look best to you.
 

Materials:

 

• Blue, red and black construction paper 5 1/2" X 4"
• White typing paper 8" X 11"
• Scissors
• Stick or craft glue
• Colored pencils or crayons
• Iridescent glitter

Fold the blue construction paper in half. Fold the typing paper in half. Run the stick glue in the crease of the blue construction paper and place the fold of the white typing paper into the glue to form your card. Using the picture as a pattern cut out a Snowman shape. Place stick glue around the outside edge of the snowman and place it on the cover of your card. Glue the black hat shape to the snowman's' head. Cut small pieces of black for the eyes, nose, buttons and hat. From the red cut the hat band and the scarf. Using the permanent marker make the mouth.

With crayons or colored pencils in brown and yellow draw the snowman a broom. Looking at the picture you can make a small hill for your snowman by cutting white paper and gluing it in place or use paint to make the snow. Spread the stick glue here and there on the white snow area and sprinkle it with iridescent glitter. You can add bits of snowflakes to the sky area using the stick glue and glitter. Write Happy Holidays in white.

Write a letter to the person receiving the card. In the letter write a gift certificate for a service you will do for that person.

Jell-O Turkey Hand

Materials:

 

• Plastic or Latex glove
• Large pkg. orange Jell-O
• A red gumdrop
• Black jelly bean cut in half
• Lettuce
• Whipped topping
• 2 rubber bands

Mix the Jell-O according to instructions. Fill the plastic or Latex glove with orange Jell-O. Seal the wrists of the plastic or Latex gloves with the rubber bands (see Crafty Tips # 1).

Place the Jello filled hand on a plate in the refrigerator. Refrigerate until firm. When ready to serve cut gently from the wrist down each finger to remove the Jello. Place it on a lettuce leaf with the cut area down. Cut a waddle from the red gumdrop and attach it to your turkeys' head (the thumb of the Jell-O hand). Add the black jelly beans halves for eyes and use whipped topping to make his wings on the hand and the feathers on the other four fingers which is his tail.

Caramel Corn

This is a delicious recipe similar to the commercial candied corn.

Ingredients:

• 2 c. light brown sugar
• 1/2 c. light corn syrup
• 1 c. butter or margarine 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 6 qts. popped corn

Place your popcorn in a bowl large enough to stir well. Butter a large roasting pan or sheet cake pan for oven cooking. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

In a saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, butter, cream of tartar and salt. Boil rapidly on medium high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches 260 degrees. Remove from heat and stir in soda, stirring to mix thoroughly.

Immediately pour over popped corn in a large bowl, stirring until well coated. Place coated popcorn in a large buttered roasting pan or sheet cake pan.

Bake caramel popcorn for 1 hour in a preheated 200 degree oven, stirring 4 or 5 times.

Keep in a tightly covered container. It caramel corn becomes sticky, place in oven again for a while. Makes about 6 quarts.

Party Pockets

These are good to serve at a tree trimming party or after skating party. They can be served hot or cold.

Ingredients:

 

• 3 cups chopped cooked ham or turkey or combination of both
• 1 stalk celery, chopped fine
• 1 small onion, chopped fine
• 1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
• Optional: add 1/4 cup chopped pimiento for color
• 1 can (10 & 1/2 oz.) cream of chicken soup
• 3/4 to 1 cup milk
• 3 cups all purpose biscuit mix
• 1 egg
• 1 tblsp. water
• 1/3 cup dairy sour cream

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix together the meat and the vegetables. Add 1/3 cup of the soup and set aside.

Add milk to the biscuit mix, stir then knead gently. Roll the biscuit dough in two large rectangles. Cut each rectangle into 12 equal pieces. Place 1/12th of the meat mixture in the center of 12 biscuits. Using the water whip with the egg and paint the edges of each biscuit. Place the second biscuit and crimp to seal.

Use the egg wash on the top of each biscuit and bake approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Mix the remainder of the chicken soup with the sour cream and use it as a sauce with these pockets.

Option: substitute the large canned biscuits for the dough.

Rope Cornucopia

This cornucopia can be made any size depending on the material you use and the size of the cardboard cone all the way from small jute for a small individual size to heavy rope for a large centerpiece.
 

• Piece of cardboard rolled to form a cone
• Hot glue, glue sticks and glue gun
• Craft glue
• Fruit and vegetable shaped candies up to real or artificial life sized fruit depending on your size

Beginning at the narrow end of the cone place your rope on the top and then over wrap far enough to anchor the end (no more than an inch is needed). Continue to wrap and glue the rope in place as you cover the cardboard cone toward the front opening gently shape with your hands to give it a more natural look. Trim the front opening of the cone wrapping the last round toward the inside so the end is covered.

You can use crushed newspaper to stuff the cornucopia and hold it in shape. If an individual party favor use a little plastic wrap or white tissue. On the large one add the fresh or artificial fruit. The small ones can be filled with candies wrapped in pieces of plastic wrap and glued to a card with the guests name.

Materials:

 

• 1 sweatshirt, size and color of your choice
• Green fabric paint
• Craft glue
• Iridescent Prisma glitter
• A set of Flora-lites
• Assorted buttons and charms for ornaments.
• Awl

Using the picture as a guide paint the Christmas Tree as shown using the green paint and allow to dry. Glue the buttons and trinkets randomly on the tree.

Arrange the lights on the tree place the holes from the outside to the inside of the sweatshirt (one hole for each light in the Flora-lites package following the directions on the product.

Plastic Canvas Doggy Bag Holder

This little project will hold plastic zipper type bags in your purse providing you with doggie bags whenever needed.

Materials:
 

Colored plastic canvas, two rectangles cut 3" wide X 2 & 3/4" tall (hold sandwich size bags)
Yarn, color of your choice
Plastic needle

Overcast one end of each 2 & 3/4" edge. Following the picture work the Continental stitch for the dog on one rectangle making a reverse Continental stitch for the tail. Place the two together and overcast the remaining three sides. This forms a squeeze holder you can place the zipper bags in.

Optional: Working in white plastic canvas, red yarn around the edge and black for the puppy a single layer can be used as a Christmas tree ornament by adding a hanger loop.
 







Reader Round-up

Some of our readers are trying to round-up the answers to the following questions:
Please submit your questions to laurieann@ivisions.com

????  Hello...I found your site today while trying to locate directions to make a small Christmas tree from a tomato cage and tree garland.  Does this sound familiar?  If you can help, I would be very grateful! ..Bonnie mebe@gte.net

????  I would like to ask do you know where I could find information on
making friendship bracelets out of thread. If you know, please email me.
Thank you very much. jkang@bluewin.ch

????  A few years ago I made some dough ornaments with a friend and would like to make some this year with my kids.  All I remember is we made the dough in my food processor and when they were done we baked the ornaments for a period of time.  I can not find the recipe anywhere.  Please help.  Paula canovaar@enetis.net

????  I am looking for a source for unfinished frames for a 4x6" picture that is flat on the edge and has about a 3" or greater edge.  (They must also be fairly inexpensive, since we will be supplying them to a kindergarten class to paint, put their picture in and take to someone special.) Thanks! joeliburke@erols.com

????  I am looking for a place to buy mini pewter items. Any help greatly appreciated! PeggySue48@aol.com

????  Is there a stiffener made from cornstarch and water use in crochet??? david_clowers@bc.sympatico.ca

????  I am looking for a pattern or instructions to make my own crown to wear for my wedding. I think that this is very romantic. please help if you can. Thank you.  tracy nursemaid@boone.net

????  Can any one tell me where to find, or give to me the pattern for making terra cotta babies. Someone on my  christmas list really wants one. thanks janelle. duke@gte.net

????  For Aussie knitters...
I am in desperate need of a certain wool colour. Run out and item is not finished and  the dye number is out of production. It is a dusty pink made by Patons. Chantal 8 ply Dye lot number:13 Shade number:9632 Please, can anyone help? Institches Institches@hotmail.com

????  I am trying to find out where to buy doll parts and accessories.  Any help.  thank you judy.  judy@agate.net

????  About a year ago I saw a story on TV about a family who made 3D star ornaments from paper. Unfortunately, they never showed how to do it, and I can't remember exactly what they called these stars.  However, I do remember them saying that it was German in origin.  I absolutely loved the way these stars looked on the tree.  Where can I get more information? arocha@jps.net

????  HELP!  Can not find supplier of the poly-fil and/or any other pillow stuffing. Wanting to purchase wholesale.  Contact me at Patricia.M.Acton@am.pnu.com if you have ANY ideas. SKgrappler@aol.com

Please submit your questions to laurieann@ivisions.com



Announcements



Crafty College - New Classes/New Instructors/New Dates -
ALL CLASSES TAUGHT ONLINE!
http://CraftyCollege.com
 

**** Holiday Special! ****

These classes are only $10.00 each!!!
 

• Decorative Cans For Special Occasions
• Ribbons, Roses and Wrappings
• Basic Florals
• Log Cabin Quilt Wall Hanging
• Plaster Ornaments
• Organizing a Kids' Craft Program
• Wedding on a Shoestring
• Beginning Teddy Bear




**** Doll Classes All New Dates! ****
 

• Rosey, A Pin Doll
• Cloth Dollmaking for Everyone!
• Creating Fabulous Footware For Cloth Dolls
• Cloth Dollmaking For Everyone!
• Pattern Making - Costume Design
• Class Title, Instructor
• Pattern Drafting A Cloth Doll
• Doll Hair!
• Cloth Doll Face Painting
• Beginning and Advanced Doll Design
• Pattern Making - Doll Clothing
• "Making Hands"  (FREE!)
• "Shy Kids" (Time-Out  or Pouter Dolls)


For more information and/or to register please go to http://CraftyCollege.com






**** WEB OF ANGELS  ****

Web Of Angels Update - http://CraftyCollege.com

Hello Crafters,

First, we want to thank all the wonderful companies and crafters that provided/sponsored an angel project.  This would not of been possible without their generosity and their willingness to share (for free) their artistic skills.

Next, we want to thank all of you for helping us make the Grand Opening of the Web of Angels such a great success!

 We have over 5,000 hits on the Classroom within the first 48 hours!  With specific angel crafts receiving hundreds of hits (popular ones being accessed over 900 times in the first 48 hours only!)

We have had visitors from all over the world.

Is it over????  NO!!!! - We will keep the Web Of Angels online for the rest of 1998!

Go to http://CraftyCollege.com and click on the Angel Logo to enter the
classroom.



The Doll Net Update
http://TheDollNet.com

Nadia And Her Dolls
 Learn Japanese doll making online!  Also now available a large selection of Rice Paper and Japanese Decorated Eggs!

Fruitfullhands
New Patterns - Includes Many New Holiday Patterns


Click Here To Visit!




Contributors:

• Bluebonnet Crafters

e-mail: bluebonnet@BluebonnetVillage.com
URL: http://www.BluebonnetVillage.com




 
• Diane Lewis, Sisters and Daughters, Inc 
  e-mail: Diane@SistersAndDaughters.com 
  URL: http://SistersAndDaughters.com

 

Thank you for reading the CRAFTY VISIONS NEWSLETTER and a very special thanks to our contributors! We are now accepting  contributions for all our newsletter features. Please send all contributions to Laurieann@ivisions.com

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More Holiday Crafts in our 1997 Seasonal Issue
Click HERE - http://wwvisions.com/newsletter/nov_dec97/

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http://www.wwvisions.com/newsletter/

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