More Shaped Tags/Ornaments

These are similar to the homestead crafts we learned in the wilderness in the 1950's when my parents first settled in the north. If we lacked ornaments or cards, we invented our own. It was common to take something from wrapping paper, whether it be a picture or an ornament, and glue it to cardboard from the groceries (anything that was empty was opened up and used for art paper or construction material), glazed over with decoupage or white glue, and glitterized.

I like to to use construction paper for these ornaments, because the color is on both sides. When using scrapbook papers, cut two, with the white sides together, and paste together, to give color on both sides. I used the Polymer or Scribbles paints to outline them, and the candle shape has glitter on the flame. To use them as tags or ornaments, punch or sew a tiny hole in the tops and thread a single piece of metallic embroidery thread to make a loop for each one. I will have the patterns available soon, and a few more ideas. I like year-round ornaments that I can use for all occasions.

I have a few more "word-signs" and some other paper projects that are taking me awhile to invent. It took a long time to draw and cut and re-do these to get the look I wanted. These shapes can be enlarged, and made with felt and other fabrics, like muslin, on which you can embroider or use the polymer liquid puff-paint. They would make interesting rubber stamps, but I have not yet figured out how to make those ;-) To make these more sturdy, use a marbelized card stock in pastels, and do the same amount of outlining and glitter on the backs, as well. It keeps them from buckling.

This is the sort of thing that women can do when their husbands have to be away for long periods of time. One thing I used to do is make a little patchwork pillow or some kind of decorative shaped pillow, each time he was gone, and now I have an interesting collection. Also, I think women at home alone need to develop a reputation for being hospitable and host regular get-togethers to make the days not so lonely and long. It is a great motivation to do nice things to your house.


My daughter and I had enormous pleasure perusing the holiday craft sales all around. This year, they were held in the most obscure and unusual places, and the less promising the premises looked, the better the products were. One place was held in the upper room of a glass factory, where a woman had placed the most wonderful array of Victorian crafts and art.

Another wonderful place was an old single wide trailor, but you would never have known it once you got inside. The proprietors had transformed it into a regal palace, full of wonderful dishes and tea sets and table cloths, fireplaces, and every good thing. Another craft sale was held inside a woman's garage. Again, there was no reminder that is was a garage. She had rugs to walk on, beautiful music playing, and samples of French Market Soup, to eat, which was sold in dried form in bags with measuring scoops. She had her store divided up into themes, and my favorite was the shabby chic section, where women had innovately transformed old furniture and lamps, wall pockets, and every good thing, into something fresh and sweet.

We also visited an old red barn, where a group of women had set up their hand made wares and it was absolutely lovely. These girls have such a feeling for the appearance and appeal of things.

I remember years ago (years and years) when window shopping was so popular, that proprietors sent some employees to window-dressing classes to learn how to create an appealing disply in the windows of shops, to draw people inside. We used to get dressed up and walk in the evenings just to see the window displays. Now, the down town areas have no window displays, and if someone does have something in those windows, it is not facing the street. The shops are not used in the same way as they were in times past, so we are more likely to look at the label on the back of a paint tin, than on a pretty living room display, in the window. This visit to the craft shows this year really made me wish we had window dressing again. The artisans and crafters just seem to get better and better.