8 pointed paper star Christmas ornament

here is a pattern for an 8 pointed Christmas star.  It measures just over 5" wide/tall.  You can enlarge or reduce it to make the size you want.

Score all the fold lines on the star points.

I ran the star points through an embossing folder.  I should have pre-folded the pieces before embossing them....

This is the first star point folded.  the two top folds go under, the two bottom folds fold forward.

glue the folded under tabs to the bottom of the base.  Glue them one at a time and make sure they hug the base along the sides.

Here is what the first star point looks like glued to the base.  Working to the right of the first star point, glue the rest of them down as follows (always going to the right).

glue the left side tab down as shown.

Turn the star over to the front.  Make sure the new star point is above the tab from the previous star point.   Put glue on the tab and glue the new star point to it.

You'll need to hold it for a minute until the glue dries.

Turn it over and glue the second tab to the back side, making sure that the tabs fit up next to the base.

Two points done!  Follow the same order for gluing the tabs down as you used for the second petal.

The last petal...

Glue one side of the bottom tabs down.  Then glue the top down to the tabs on either side.  Then glue the other bottom tab down.

self gripping tweezers are helpful here... = )

All done!  Glue a bead or button or something in the center to cover up the hole in the middle.

country afghan square

So, I found this fabulous afghan on Pinterest but there was no diagram.  

                                       Here is what I came up with.  It's not exact but it's close. = )

and here's the diagram:

new twist on tatting technique

 I don't know what this is called but I came up with an easier way to do it... = )  Please forgive my lack of technical terms... hopefully it's understandable anyway!

                                                Start by tatting the stitches up to the ring...

                                       Next, lay a cro-tat hook over the top of the tatting needle
                                                (you need to know how to cro-tat to do this)

                                              Tat the stitches of the ring onto the cro-tat hook.

                                                 Here's how I hold the needle and the hook ...

    When the stitches are complete for the ring, draw a loop of yarn through the stitches and pull the loops snug.

              Yarn over and draw the hook through both loops on the hook.  ( a crochet chain stitch)

Carefully remove the cro-tat hook and slip the tatting needle through the loop.

Tat the rest of the stitches for the remainder of the length..

Draw the tatting needle through to complete the length.

I hope this is helpful!

paper reindeer

Paper Reindeer 

The Silhouette cut file for these reindeer can be purchased here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1059576558/reindeer-cut-file?ref=shop_home_active_4

tatted bookmark

tatted Christmas wreath ornament

Here is a Christmas ornament wreath I am making for Christmas this year...

Create a Kingdom - creative writing/art exercise

This is the latest project for my kids..  They have 6 weeks to complete it then present it to everyone. = )