Thursday, January 3, 2013

The last Christmas projects

 
 
Making these lovely little beaded icicles became addictive.  I started making them the week after Thanksgiving and I ended up making eight of them!  I gave two as gifts and the rest graced our tree.  I've mentioned before that I've made the majority of the ornaments on our family tree over the last 40 years.  Decorating the tree is like a trip down memory lane, and I have to say it's my favorite thing to do.  These icicles are a variation of spiral rope, which for me is an addictive stitch anyway.  I really love doing it.  They use size 8's for the core and 11's and 3mm fire polished crystals for the spiral.  I used the column pendant bead from Swarovski as the drop.  I then made hangers for them out of 18 gauge artistic wire.  If I had colored artistic wire to match I wrapped some around the hanger. 
 
 
Close up of the hanger with the wire wrapping.
 
 
 
Another project that I finished in time for gift giving was a box that I wanted to make for my dear friend Kathy.  Last year I had made myself a cigar box covered with beautiful seasonal papers.  I knew Kathy loved the boxes and so I wanted to make her one.  Here is the box I made.
 
 
 
 
I had so much fun making this box.  I started with a gift box that I had.  It was a sturdy box and it was easy to cover with seasonal papers.  I used die cuts and paper embellishments on the top and painted wooden balls for feet.  I'm happy to say that she was pleased, and loved opening it to find it full of Lindt chocolate truffles!  We both love chocolate! 
 
 
I'll end this post with some close ups of the box.  Thanks for stopping by. 
 
inside  bottom.
side and feet.
 
the top.



 





6 comments:

  1. Hi Maryanne,
    Beautiful ornaments and a beautiful box. That is a very special gift and filled with chocolate to boot!
    Therese

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ok, now you've got me wanting to make icicles! Those are gorgeous! And I also have a stash of cigar boxes waiting on me....fun times!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, so much eye candy here! Your beaded crystal icicles are drop dead gorgeous - what a treasure for your Christmas tree! And your box is sensational too. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Hugs,
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the icicles! Mine is still hanging for the winter. Kathy's box turned out really nicely, I'm glad you had fun doing it :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, those icicles are just stunning - they look so professional - I really need to learn how to do that! And what a fabulous box - a beautiful present even without the chocolates!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a beautiful box....a true treasure! I love those icicles!!! You even adorned the hangars! Love that idea!

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from you! Let me know you've been visiting.