Twinkle, Twinkle

This weekend I’ve been having lots of fun creating gifts of Victorian-inspired ornaments, using vintage French postcards I recently purchased in Paris. The finished pieces are small enough to hang on the tree or to send in the mail as very special gifts, yet big enough to decorate the front door as a cheery greeting for holiday guests.

The three ornaments shown in this post were relatively easy to make, but they did take quite a bit of time. Still, they are well worth the effort, and the results are really stunning. I’ll provide a few notes about elements used in each project, just in case you’d like to create something similar.

Because of the complexity of the background behind the two girls in the postcard above, I bordered it in monochromatic, textural layers. The end result is easy to look at, and brings the focus directly to the beautiful faces of the girls. I used embossed scrapbooking paper as the base layer, and scalloped the edges using an antique edge trimmer. The middle layer is metallic gold giftwrap, adhered to card stock. I used ivory satin ribbon, 3/4 inch wide, for a touch of elegance. For accents, I used a vintage pearl button, vintage velvet flower, vintage French newspaper, and a vintage rhinestone cabouchon.

I wanted to create a shadowbox effect for this project. Beginning with double-sided heavyweight paper from my Peppermint Twist Speciality Paper Pad, I cut out a piece that was 3/4 inch larger than the postcard, on all four sides. I scored and then folded it to create the sides of the box. The half-circular fan at the bottom was created by cutting a strip of paper, 1½” by 6” and then edging it with pinking scissors. I folded the paper at 3/16” inch intervals, alternating the direction with each fold. Next, I spread the paper into a fan shape and adhered it to the box using a glue gun. The silver metallic pipe cleaner was curled into a decorative shape and adhered to the top of the box with hot glue.

The frame for this darling image needed to stay informal and playful. I rubberstamped a floral image I designed for Inkadinkado in white ink, then I applied clear glitter. The result is an enchanting, diaphanous layer of sparkly stardust. I used pearl buttons around the perimeter, and adhered each of them with a dab of hot glue. I love their pearly sheen and reflective quality, and they give the ornaments a substantial weight and dimensional feel. For a metallic border accent, I used inexpensive florist’s foil from a local floral supply shop. Sold by the roll, it’s usually double-sided, embossed, and comes in an array of brilliant colors, like this hot pink foil.

Below are a few general paper crafting tips that may be helpful in creating the holiday ornaments in this post and for other holiday crafting projects. Click here to review additional tips for paper crafting.

• When working with vintage paper ephemera, I almost always use color copies of the originals. I scan the originals at 300 dots per inch and print on good quality card stock so that they look and feel just like the real thing! I use Epson Matte Paper Heavyweight paper to get reliable results every time.

• I run all prints, giftwrap and decorative papers through my Xyron and then adhere them to heavyweight archival cardstock, which provides a more substantial and durable finished product. The finish is very smooth and perfect (difficult to achieve with liquid adhesives).

• I use a glue gun to adhere layers of card stock to each other. I also use a glue gun to add accents like ribbon, flowers, buttons and pipe cleaners. Once the glue is dry, the positioning cannot be changed. The upside is that it won’t fall apart…ever!

• To add dimension between layers, I use foam dots.

• For tiny jewels, I use Adhesive Rhinestones from my Peppermint Twist, Neopolitan, and Maison Collections. Because these rhinestones are already adhesive backed, they’re very easy to use and available in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors.

• For glitter, I prefer the superfine variety, available at many craft stores . I prefer to use superfine glitter because it’s great for small, detailed areas, as well as larger border areas.

• In addition to making the front of your holiday ornament sensational, you can also do something special on the back - cover it with vintage newsprint or decorative paper. Attach a glassine envelope and enclose a note to the recipient. I love the idea of a special message that might not be discovered until some later date.

To view some very creative holiday season projects created with Peppermint Twist, click here.

Have fun, and please send me photos of your own work. I always enjoy seeing what other paper crafters create!

'Tis the season for giving, and this month I'm hosting a giveaway of goodies from my new holiday collection, Peppermint Twist. To enter, simply leave a comment on any post, dated between November 25 and December 10. The winner will be announced on December 11, so that I can mail the prize to arrive well before Christmas. Happy Holidays!!

Comments

[Paris Parfait]

Brenda, you've created such delightful frames for these lovely vintage postcards. Thanks for the tips!

[krissy]

you are so creative and talented! right now im working on my first baby boys scrapbook with the small wonders collection. i cant wait to start my christmas pages using the peppermint collection. THANK YOU!Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! = )

I love the vintage look of these ornaments! Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Kerri N

[Glyniss McDaniel]

I love your ornaments but especially like the bottom one. It is precious. I appreciate the notes you made about creating these. Many times I see wonderful things that I might like to use some element from but have not a clue how they did it. I make things to give to my friends and family so am always looking for new ideas. I have some pictures of my sisters when they were little that would be precious using some of your ideas. I think I will make them and give them to their daughters. Thanks for the inspiration. I absolutely love your collections and have used many of them. I cannot find Peppermint Twist in stock anywhere in San Antonio but I will keep looking! Thanks again.

[Helen Laurini]

You are my favorite. Everytime I am in a store I always look for your products. I just love everything you design and I think I have all of your products. Peppermint twist is just wonderful. Have a Happy Holiday.

[Jennifer Nicholson]

Thank you for all of your beautiful artwork that warms our hearts and tickles our fancy. You have a fresh and light touch that is so inspirational. Jennifer

I had sent a message earlier today, but it may not have gone through. I wanted to be included in your drawing!!

[Anastasia]

These are gorgeous
thank for the tips and instructions!!

[Starr]

The talent you have. the talent you share so readily and effortlessly, make us all feel the beauty of your gifts. You are the Star of the Twinkle Twinkle...I want to come and sit in your studio and just watch you create...and try myself...thank you Brenda for opening the world of the magic of creation and imagination and giving to all of us....

[pam allen]

wow these are great! i will see what i can make i am making trees with the peppermint twist and they are cute! thanks for the giveaway good luck everyone!

[Kathy]

Thanks for the great ideas. These are so cute.

[Anna McGinnis]

In one word I can discribe your ENTIRE collections....GEORGOUS!!!!! I own everything in your Dollhouse collection series. I have a new daughter and cant wait to scrapbook all the pictures I have taken. Keep up with the good work BRENDA!!! We Love you!!

[Tracy]

You've definitely perfected that gorgeous vintage look! So elegant and classy...I love the texture and dimension you bring to every piece. Thanks so much for all you do and share!
Tracy M.*Ü*

[Lorraine]

Thank you for the tutorial - love your cards and hope I can come close to their beauty when I make some for my friends.

[Mary Anne Tucker]

Brenda, I love your entire line of scrapbooking materials. Your style is my style. I have purchased many of your products from QVC and our local craft shops. Love your postcard ornaments.

[Kerri N]

I love the ornaments you made. They are beautiful!

[Regina]

Hi Brenda,
Your ornaments are exquisite! Is it possible for you to share the images on your found postcards? As some type of download? They are really precious!

Thanks for the tips, too. Very helpful!

[Heidi A.]

I just love the 'timeless beauty' of the Victorian era. Thank you for being such an inspiration and encouragement to all of the rest of us! Your work is exquisite!
I can't wait to see what you come out with next! I wish you a warm and wonderful, Blessed Christmas!

[deb]

How wonderful! I would love to receive a goody package from you. I just love the Peppermint Twist collection.. actually I love ALL of your lines! I think the Dollhouse is probably my absolute favorite though!

[Shar]

I just love the paper ornaments. I need a finishing touch for my tree and I think these will be beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration!! Happy Holidays.

[Shar]

I love the paper ornaments. I need a couple finishing touches for me and I think I will use your idea. Thank you for the inspiration!

[Bettie]

Thank you for hosting the Peppermint Twist contest. I LOVE this line. I'm planning to use it to scrapbook my family's Disney trip this past December. It's the perfect combo of fun and whimsy, not to mention colors to work with my Disneyworld at Christmas pics.
Thanks again!
Bettie

[Suzy]

These are so beautiful and poignant. I love them!

Here are a couple of cards I made the Peppermint Twist. I just love the patterns and sparkle - in fact they are too pretty to cover up when I make cards. Thank you for your glorious designs.

Suzy

http://blog.papermonkey.org/index/2007/11/its-a-pink-gree.html

http://blog.papermonkey.org/index/2007/11/paper-too-prett.html

[Rita]

I just finished my first project from Peppermint twist. Three tiny present boxes. My three-year-old grand-daughter loves decorating trees, and I have two small ones. I am organizing ornaments for her to put on them at my house. I saw this incredible packet, and I HAD to have it. I love all of them, and I think I will give some as gifts with small gifts inside. So many ways to use them. You are so incredibly talented, and we are so incredibly lucky to have found you!

[Annette Navarro]

Hi Brenda, you must still be in Paris. I'm impressed your over there and are still scrapbooking and creating. Your ornaments came out beautiful. I have some travel postcards and I'm going to try to make ornaments out of them. What a perfect gift to my friends to remind them of there travels. (Its postcards they sent to me while traveling.) Thank you for sharing all the beautiful pictures of your trip. I told my mom "This is what I would enjoy seeing a
TV special on the travel channel." Every thing you have shared would make a great show. I believe many other people would love it too. Its really inspiring for all levels of art. Of course scrapbooking to be sure. Hope to see Peppermint Twist soon. Can't find it here in my town Antioch CA.
Thank you for a great vacation on your website and may you continue to have a great and blessed time!

[Sue Tonga]

Wow, your ornaments are divine!!