Vicki's Rockin' Ornaments!

First off, let me be the first to wish all of you a wonderful and scrappy New Year! The Design Team is totally stoked about 2010, and we thought that we would start things off with a bang! This year we are dedicated to bringing you the latest and greatest of what the scrapbooking world has to offer. Its going to be a crazy trip, and we hope that you will take it with us!

So, check back early and often as the projects will be flying and we don't want you to miss a minute of what the Cutters Creek Design Team has to offer.

To kick things off, Vicki has created these fun ornaments using her Design Studio and the Tags, Bags and Boxes, Storybook and George Cartridges. She also grabbed some images using SCAL for the finishing touches! The results are fun, funky ornaments that would be unique and beautiful on any tree or the perfect accent to a beautifully wrapped present!

Here's how she did it:

"First, using Design Studio, I sized and cut the shadow box from Tags, Bags, Boxes & More on my Cricut out of chipboard. (I can share the cut file if desired...but I don't know the right way to label these.) I used Pressure High, Blade 6, Speed 3, Multi-Cut 2 on regular thin chipboard. Next, I made a frame using Storybook and George in Design Studio. The scalloped edge is a solid shape, and the center is 'burped' out of the object using a rectangle from George, welded to the scalloped shape.

Next, I used SCAL and some free SVG files to cut the themed objects that fit in the shadow box - one that is adhered to the back of the shadow box and one that is hung between the shadow box and the frame. These are cut on the cricut, using the same settings as above. In the example shown, for my music theme, I used a treble clef for the hanging object, and an instrument for the back showcased piece. You can just as easily pick objects from cartridges you own - matching your theme. I suggest making the hanging object about 1.5 to 2 inches in length, and the back 'showcased' object at least 3 inches, but no bigger than 3.5 inches.

Now that all the pieces are cut, it's time to decorate them! These pieces can be colored using regular markers, Tim Holtz Paint Daubers, Pebbles Chalks, or any other kind of materials. I like to use silver for the back of the shadow box and scalloped frame. The other pieces can match the color of your theme.

Next, using Stickles, Blings, Shimmerz or glitter, 'bling' the scalloped frame, the hanging object and the showcased object (if desired). In the example photos, the saxophone player was for a boy, so I didn't glitter that piece - but the violin was for a girl so I used super-blingy glitter! When using Stickles, allow plenty of time for the piece to dry! If you are using glitter - make sure to have a Glitter Cloth handy - because this little piece of magic fabric does a wonderful job of cleaning up after a glittery mess!

While waiting for your paint and or glitter to dry, cut the paper to line the inside of your shadowbox. Using paper of your choice/theme - cut the SAME shadow box design from Design Studio on patterned paper. In this example, the item being 'showcased' is a musical instrument, so I used music themed paper. Hint - FOLD the shadowbox and the paper separately before gluing them together. After all the folds are made with a bone folder or Scor-Pal, glue the patterned paper to the chipboard using Zip Dry glue.

Now it's time to assemble the ornament.

First, glue the sides of the shadowbox together using strong glue. I used my hot glue gun, but any strong quick-dry glue will work. Next, using a thin piece of ribbon or fishing line, 'hang' the object from the front of the shadowbox. I used hot glue to hold down the edges of the ribbon. Next, using 3D Foam Squares, adhere the showcased piece to the back inside of the shadow box. I created the ornament hanger by using the same ribbon and creating a hanging 'loop' of ribbon, glueing the ends to the top of the box. Now, attach the scalloped frame to the front of the shadow box, again using a strong, quick dry glue. Finally, hide all the folding tabs and hanging ribbons by gluing a piece of 3/4 inch ribbon around the outside frame of the shadowbox.

I gave these ornaments as gifts to teenagers - the girls loved the bling and the guys loved the 'personalization' of an instrument they love. I could just have easily done flowers, cartoon characters, school objects...the possibilities are endless! I recommend storing these in zip-close sandwich bags - which keeps the glitter from going all over everything when transporting them."

If you have any questions for Vicki about her funky little project, just ask! She or another member of the Design Team will be happy to get back with you.

All of the products for this project can be purchased at Cutters Creek!

Thank you Vicki for sharing your awesome work we look forward to seeing much much more in 2010!