Thursday, December 19, 2013

Free Tutorials for some Winter Fun

 It's winter again and, in many parts of the country it's snow time. 

Growing up in northeast Missouri, as a kid, I loved the snow. Chilly, fun, and, overnight, without a noise it would blanket the world in white.  I'll never forget getting up in the morning to a scene that had changed completely overnight.

The trees were wearing white bonnets, bushes became round white balls around the yard, my wagon took on the shape of a carriage, a poofy big round ball with wheels, and small plants looked like all the 'whack a moles' were sticking their heads out from under the ground at once.

To a kid, it was clean, fun magic. Plus, the warmth felt after coming inside from making a snowman was heavenly.

But, since we could not play outdoors for long in the cold, and there was no TV, arts and crafts were our primary indoor fun.
  • We painted with Prang watercolors, 
  • Cut construction paper shapes, but never with granny's good scissors)
  • Used flour and water paste to construct little Christmas and snow scenes
  • Colored with Crayolas, and 
  • Created beautiful paper snowflakes from any piece of clean white paper that we could find.
  • And..... If there was hot chocolate, all the better!


Today I'm sharing two of my favorite "grown up" snowy projects and one Christmas tree earring project.

To download PDF file click here: Winter Birdhouse:
Above left: A simple, inexpensive wood birdhouse from Hobby Lobby painted using chilly colors sets the background for this fun outdoor scene. The Snowman, cardinal and snowflakes were created using polymer clay molded parts from ---

This single page downloadable PDF tutorial 
Designed by Jane Linn


To download PDF click here: Fun in the Snow Winter switch plate
A switch plate from Wal-Mart covered in glittery blue polymer clay with a fun scene of a snowman and snow puppy playing in the snowfall will bring the cool and fun of winter inside. 

Included in this three page tutorial are free instructions for making "Faux Knit" a technique I developed in the late 80's for my line of PenniBears for sweaters, scarves and stocking caps. Like the birdhouse, this switch plate project uses molded parts
  from  PJ017 Let it Snow! mold.

To download PDF click here: Christmas Tree Earrings: 
Last year's polymer clay Christmas Tree earrings are now a free tutorial. Quick and easy to make, require no molds, these earrings are light and easy to wear.

The three page tutorial outlines step by step in full color on how to make, bake and assemble them. The only polymer clay needed is translucent. You'll also need ultra fine glitter, green PearlEx powder, circle cutters in four or five sizes and your favorite clay tools.

If desired you may eliminate the green PearlEx powder. The resulting may be a more sparkling effect. To be sure bake a small sample of your translucent clay with glitter only to decide which you like best.

One friend made a bunch of these and sold them at bazaars during the holidays.

May you have a wonderful Christmas and may you always stay safe and warm this winter (and maybe have a cup of hot chocolate). 

Yours, Penni Jo





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