4 - Charmed, I'm sure Ü

Remember when wine glass charms became all the rage. Well there is still something about them that I adore. Perhaps it's the small, cuteness factor, or perhaps it's actually the functionality of them. In thinking about projects for the upcoming Lockhart stamp release I knew that I had to use these Itty Bitty Grapes to make one wee charm. Then the question was what to package them in. I have had these tins sitting on my shelves for some time now and have never gotten around to using them, so I figured there is no time like the "present" - LOL! Man does my head do strange things to my writing skills when stuffed to the gills - I am just so not funny - ha! ha!

OK - so I had a dickens of a time getting a decent photo of this little ensemble!!! The glass, the sparkles, the see through container lid - well needless to say I just couldn't get one with all in focus in the time I had alloted myself to complete this project, but isn't it just charming??? teehee

I began by stamping on the lid of the round magnetic container. Yep, you heard me correctly - this little container has a magnetic backing and comes with a little divider in it that I just pulled out for today's project. You can store bellies in it, or whatever. I thought wouldn't it be perfect to keep your charms within arms reach attached to your fridge door?!?

I began by placing a lid topped with paper under the clear surface of the container lid to support the acetate window. I then inked my stamp with Palette Noir ink. I love how Palette ink will stick to most anything - glass, plastic, wood, you name it. I then picked the lid up and colored the image from the back side using Copic markers. By coloring on the back side it doesn't mess with the ink of the stamped image. Tricky, nicky :D To color this image I used colors R27, R89, YG03, G85 and G99 (in these colors are hints of good things yet to come - don't go looking for all the colors we girls have been using just yet, but they will be here soon. Did you hear that Copic? :D) When coloring on acetate, glass, acrylics or any other see-through material you will find that the darker colors work much better. Experiment and see what it is that appeals to you.

Then I blinged the tin by adding oodles of Fresh Grass and Hydrangea Dew Drops. Inside I punched a piece of glittery felt and attached to the bottom of the container.

One can not have a charm container without charms, so I proceeded to pull out an old favorite. With Lucky Squirrel shrink plastic you need to sand it in opposite directions and preferably on both sides. If you only sand one side then it may curl back on itself and stick. For these little projects I just use scraps that I have dropped back in my shrink plastic folder - quick and easy! Once again I stamped on translucent shrink plastic using Palette Noir ink. I did it twice because I wanted to experiment with Copic markers as well as use my old stand-by, Prismacolor Color Pencils.

This is the part that I find REALLY confusing - I thought for certain I would have a muddied ink mess when I used the Copics to color in the grapes. As you can see for yourself they are just fine. It could be that I heat set the ink after stamping on the shrink plastic from afar so as to not "shrink the plastic", or perhaps it could be that I did stay within the lines for the most part. I did get daring on the leaves and curly-q though and they seem to be just fine. I have not been able to take a decent picture of these charms now that they have been shrunk. The big difference in appearance is that the Copic charm has a glossy sheen to it, whereas the Prismacolor one is matte. I was tickled with this concept being that now you have a choice, depending on the look you prefer.

After you finish coloring use a 1/8" Fiskars hand punch to punch a circle up by the curly-q. Then cut out your charm as shown below. The addition of this circle allows you to easily attach a jump ring to your completed charm.

As I heat the plastic I use my paper piercer to hold it in place. Otherwise I end up on my knees under my table looking for my long lost itty bitty beauty. Pictured is the matte charm - it was just a little easier to capture in a photograph.

Now on to some fun! I noticed today that all of a sudden my views jumped way up and thought to myself, I'm thinking that some blog candy might just be what they are looking for Ü... So I would love for you to post one thing about this year that has been special in your life, oh yeah - you can tell me how fabulous my project is as well - LOL! On Friday, November 30th I will then use the Random Number Generator to select a winner. So would you like to know what you can receive? The winner of this post will receive these. Yes, that's right - I "heart" you all!

P.S. The Nestabilities have arrived :D :D :D - here's to hoping that we have enough to last through the weekend!

Comments

[Kathi]

I am grateful that my dh survived his second open heart surgery and is enjoying good health once again.

[Sue]

I'm a brand-new visitor to your blog - looks like I've stumbled onto something WONDERFUL!! Thanks for sharing a great project (I love all things tiny, so this is right up my alley)

The best thing this year has been discovering an endless supply of creative inspiration among Internet groups and bloggers, as well as the formation of some great new friendships. Sappy, but true - I move so often that maintaining face-to-face friendships is difficult, so I'm truly grateful for a way to make friends with similar interests, without geographical limits.

[liannallama]

you're right! It is a great project and I love the details you show for us!

My kitty is sick, but this year he outlived the vet's predictions, so it is special to spend extra time with him.

[mcbetty]

This year has been a CHARM for me with the discovery of so many wonderful tools and equipment to use in stamping ... Copics, Nestabilities, art, blogs ....... life is gorgeous!

[Kaye W.]

What cool charms! Makes me wish I drank wine! Love your blog and all that you do, keep up the good work!

[Melissa]

I am so impressed! I just got this link from Trudee's blog, so I may be too late for the drawing, but I wanted to be sure to tell you that this is a great resource!

[Carolynn]

Amazing idea...gotta try that... One thing that is special about this year? I started stamping! I love this hobby and have fallen hook, line and sinker...thanks for enabling ;o).

[dini]

As we're getting ready to come home on furlough after 2-1/2 years overseas, I'm really thankful for some great cross-cultural friendships. Look forward to the break from the strain of living in a foreign culture...but will be so glad also to come back next year after our time at home.

Great giveaway, and I'm loving your project!

Dina

[Tammy]

Cute, cute projects!! I am thankful for the time I have been able to spend with a friend of our family. She was diagnosed with incurable cancer this week. A somber holiday season for us, but thankful for the times we have had..........

Tammy

[Linda Webb]

Thanks Ellen for your wonderful creations and blog candy too. I have always wanted to try the nestabilities but I need to save some $$ first.

I am thankful everyday to still have my parents and family in my life. After my Dad had a stroke 4 years ago thinks changed in a big way. But he is still with us and I can still share are family times together.

[chriss blagrave]

What wonderful gifts these would make. I haven't worked with the shrink plastic in a few years, but your project is very interesting.
I discovered blogs only this year, I am so impressed with so many of them and inspired that I am seriously considering the same. Thanks for all of your great details all of the time. You really share and enable us!

[Jean L]

Thank you for the information on the little charms. Wish there was more time before the holidays to try something else new.
You are so kind to share your talents with others. I have just found your site and can't wait to look more.

[Sharon (notimetostamp)]

Oh, I love your project!!!! I find these home decor type projects so much fun all the time, and this one is just so lovely!!!! How creative!!! Special this year -- well, it's always a blessing when my family is all healthy and safe and I'm so thankful for that!!! It's also been a blessing to me, on a personal level, that I've been able to spend so much time stamping and creating this year, and that my DH is actually tolerating it quite well - LOL!!! Great blog candy -- someone will surely be lucky to receive it!!! Thanks much for the chance to win!!!!

[cassandra]

The most special thing for me this year is the birth of my son. I never saw myself as the mothering type and therefore never planned on having children. God thought differently and in January I had a little boy. Even though I was deathly afraid up to the very SECOND that I had him and doubted that I would even be able to love him - the minute they brought him to me I just fell in love and couldn't imagine not having him. I still didn't know what to do with him, but boy did I love him! This year has been one of big changes and I've been learning all that mother stuff. He is the best surprise that I've ever received!

[Angi]

Love your awesome ideas, Ellen! I hope you're feeling better soon...we all hate being sick..ewww. (Hugs) What I'm most grateful for this year is that I have a terrific family and friends who I wouldn't know what to do without. Thanks for the anniversary blog giveaway!

[Ellen]

Hi, Ellen! I want a chance to win them, but I don't know how to leave a message on yesterday's post! I'm feeling dumb! Will this work? smile - Big smile. Thanks, Jan (janmcnamara)

Your in Jan :D

[Kelly]

An elegant, classy project! Thanks for sharing your talents with us, Ellen. :) I'm thankful, as always, for my family and friends...they've kept me sane this year throughout great upheavals at work. Couldn't have made it without them!

[Jan]

Hi, Ellen! I just love your stuff- you are one talented lady. I live in Northern (near Alaska) BC, Canada, and one day I plan to visit your store! Jan

[Cathrine]

So glad to see you posting again! You have such great projects. I'm grateful for my family, especially my wonderful and supportive DH.

[cecili]

looking forward to the sale!

[Dorothy]

These are absolutely amazing charms. I absolutely love your tutorial and I may just try something like this myself. Nifty little gifts that will please the peanut gallery. Thanks for the great blog! Love those giveaways too! Merry Christmas! Dorothy Freber

[Melissa Flieg]

I think the project is great Ellen. This year was special because my husband and I went to Las Vegas for a week alone and left our 3 girls (7, 6 & 3) with their grandparents. It was a great trip and was so nice to have a vacation alone for a change.

[Debi Pippin]

Ellen this is a great project as I am an avid beader as well as a stamper. These would make such cute gifts wrapped with a bottle of wine and glasses. Youre so smart!

The best thing that happened this year is my step daughter got married and my daughter got engaged and is planning her wedding. I am helping with invitations and the wedding dress. We went a few weeks ago and bought her dress. Brought tears to my eyes just to see her so happy.

Love the nestibles set that you are giving away.... sure would go great with our wedding planning being that they are hearts... Love is in the Air!
Thanks Debi Pippin
canoemom@tampabay.rr.com

[Kristi]

One thing special in my life this year - moving near my nephews and spending time with them :)

Thank you for your wonderful projects, blog and products!!
Kristi

[Donna Mc]

Hi Ellen! I love all your projects! The wine charms are super cute...perfect for holiday entertaining! The most special part of this year was moving to a new house. We were a little nervous for our sons, but they adapted beautifully and have made new friends. One of my sons had to start a new school but he transitioned well. Yay!