All stars Christmas tree - 50 makes for Christmas 13/50

This is called the all star Christmas tree because it is made using all the sizes in my star cookie cutters set.

All Star Christmas Tree

I picked up these star shaped cutters from Wilko for less than a pound, I doesn't look like  they are available on line so could be in store only.   I was drawn to them by the colour, my daughter teases me about my love of the colour blue.

Blue star shaped cutters

This is a lovely simple make that you could easily do with children, it used up the final bit of the Das modelling clay I have been working my way through since last year .  Just cut out one star in each of the sizes, put a hole in the middle with a drinking straw and leave for a couple of days to dry out.

Cut out one of each size

Once dried they are ready to be threaded on a string or ribbon, I put a bead in between each star and I cut up an old necklace for this.  The bead sizes are graduated so  I thought this would work with the different sized stars.  It also fits with my philosophy of using up things I already have and I can not tell you the last time this necklace was worn,

Stars and beads ready to be threaded

I used some red and white striped string as I thought it added to the festive flavour.  If I had some red paint I think I might have been tempted to paint the beads but I am quite happy with them in their natural colour.

Using red and white stripped string to hang from the tree

I think they will be a great addition to my Christmas goodies and will be great for filling one of those annoying gaps you always seem to get on real Christmas trees.

All Star Christmas Tree

That completes lucky 13 so just another 37 makes to go to complete my 50 makes for Christmas.



I am really enjoying doing these projects over a period of time as I don't feel like I am rushing through to start the next thing.  Is anyone else working on Christmas projects or is it just me and Santa's Elves?

Decoupage Christmas Ornaments - 50 makes for Christmas 9/50

When I posted this earlier in the month it reminded me that I still had some clay left in the fridge.  I can happily report back that keeping it in a zipped up bag in the fridge has kept it fresh and ready to use.  I would recommend leaving it to come up to room temperature before rolling out, I was a little impatient and it was jolly cold to the touch.

I cut some simple disc with a very small scone cutter that I have never used but looked an ideal size for these little decorations. I left the clay to dry out for a few days and then upgraded them with a little decoupage.  The decoupage idea has been percolating in my head for a while since I saw someone on TV use a paper napkins to decoupage a piece of furniture.

You need to select your napkin design carefully, I was lucky enough to have picked this design up in the January sales which suited this project really well.  Start by separating the layers of the napkin, all you need is the top printed sheet.

I chose to tear around the designs before sticking them onto the discs.  Because the paper is so thin and I am sticking white to white the background kind of melts into the disc.

A bit of red and white twine gives them a great festive touch and they are ready to be hung on a branch.  They would also work as gift tags if you only decoupage on one side.

We seem to have been quite busy over the last few days so it was nice to sit down and do something calming and of course it is another make off the list.  Make number 9, the last of the single figures so just 41 makes left in my 50 makes for Christmas challenge.

When blackboard paint meets air dried clay ornaments! - 50 makes of Christmas 7/50

Last year one of my Christmas makes were these ornaments made with "DAS"air dried clay.  They are incredibly simple to make, just roll out the clay and cut out the shapes using "cookie" cutters. Pop a hole in the top using a straw and leave to dry.  One pack makes loads of ornaments and I still have almost half a pack of Das sitting in my fridge, I guess I should check it is still OK!

Lovely as they are all in white looking simple and stark I wanted to give some of them a bit of a make over so my trusty and seemingly never ending pot of blackboard paint came out again.  Inspired by my first make of the 50 -  dipped gift tags I gave some of them a little dip.

And once a little dip has been done a full immersion followed!

To dry them off I strung a piece of string between two regular size tins with smaller tins sat on top to keep it in place.  Initially I threaded the ornament on the string like I had done with the tags but found this didn't work as well so unfolded paperclips and used them as hooks which did the job pretty well.  For the items that were fully immersed I put them on the hooks and then dipped them in to the paint.

I am really pleased with them, I think it gives a new look to something I already had and I may go up in the loft to find some baubles to see how they would look with a dip.  I did loose a couple that had been rolled very thinly in the first place and they went soft and soggy when they had been dipped.

The eagle eyed amongst you will have spotted a second set of dipped tags, I want to play around with a few embellishments, I will post up the results later.

That is make 7 out of my 50 makes for Christmas just 43 more makes to go!

Have you dipped or painted anything like this? have you double dipped?