Cinnamon Pink

Glitzy Tussie Mussie Tutorial

I like to create Victorian-style Tussie Mussies as Christmas ornaments. This year I decided to glitz them up and make silver versions. You can also use the Tussie Mussies as gift toppers or party favors. Here is the complete tutorial.

Close-Up Image:

 

Supplies:

Directions:
1. Using a foam brush, cover a small (4 1/2-inch) paper doily with two coats of gesso. Let dry in between coats. Paint both sides of the doily. Next, seal each side of the doily with gloss medium. Let dry. Cut a hole into the center of the doily.

2. Paint another doily with silver craft paint, both sides. When dry, cut a slit into the doily and shape into a cone. Glue into place. Cut a hole into the center of the cone.

3. Cut short lengths of silver berries (from the craft store).

4. Wind a silver pipe cleaner around a chopstick to form a spiral. Make three spirals.

5. Gather berries and spirals into a bouquet - and insert into the silver and white doilies. Bend the doilies down to form a ruffle around the bouquet. For a tighter fit, you can glue the white doily to the underside of the silver doily.

6. Firmly wrap the ends of the bouquet with white florist tape. Cover the tape with silver or white ribbon.

7. Glue a small silver star to the side of the bouquet. Position the berries and spirals into an attractive arrangement. You can use different berries, flowers or pipe cleaners to make a variety of Tussie Mussies.

Shabby Chic Heart Ornament - Tutorial

Here's an easy project to make for the holidays. You can use this shabby chic heart as a tree ornament, gift topper
or napkin holder.

Basic Supplies:

Directions:

1. Cut about an 18" length of copper wire (24 guage).

2. Begin to weave the wire in and out of the sheer ribbon, about a 1/4" from the top of the ribbon. I used a 7/8" wide sheer ribbon. Continue weaving the ribbon until you develop a nice ruffle.

3. Twist the two ends of the wire together - and shape the wired ribbon into a heart.

4. Create a bow from 3/8" wide pink velvet ribbon and secure bow to the tip of the heart with wire.

5. Add a dried rose bud to the velvet ribbon with a small piece of wire.

You can vary the ornament's look with different kinds of sheer ribbon and other tiny decorations.