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

[Wendy L.]

That was a fun project. I love those charms for wine glasses.
My special thing this past year is that my 15 year old dog is still with us. She is showing signs of aging, but still hanging in there.
Thanks for the blog candy offer...I hope I win!!!

[Lisa Dickinson]

So many specials for our family this year...we are blessed with a new baby
Our family had a whirlwind of activities from fifth child being born (high risk preg) to buying land and moving into new home...
Our kids are the 7th generation to live on their family farm which we are grateful to keep the family ties! Not yet a owner of your products hoping to soon!
Lisa

[Ghazal]

Love the charm and the tin, they're great for a gift.
The most special thing in my life is my Family. Without them, I would be lost.
You're blog candy is awesome, thanks for the chance to win.

[MollyK. Barry]

I have two lonely sets of Nestability dies (scalloped ovals and scalloped rectangles) and I just "need" another! Thanks for your generosity! Having my cat to love this year has been special indeed to my life!

[Kiko]

What a cute idea for wine charms! This has been an up and down year for me, and one of the best things is having been able to get back on track to fitness to improve a chronic health issue. I am so humbled and amazed by some of the posts here and I wish each of you an amazing year ahead in 2008!

[Kathyc on SCS]

Hmmm, my daughter has wine charms on her Christmas list..your beautiful project has me thinking!!! Something special this year is that our son graduated from college and landed a great job! It's not only special for him, but a fantasitc milestone for my husband and I....to have put both our wonderful children thru college! Thanks for the chance to win this awesome prize!

[Dawn]

Love the charms.I NEED COPICS!

I became a first time mother this year.I am sure I will never top that special moment for the rest of my life!

[Bethany Paull]

Of course your project is awesome. I really like how you did the beading for the ring. And this year was special, because, for one thing, I got my first design team gig, with Verve Visual. Yippee!

[Desi Wilson]

Thank you Ellen for offering such a great blog treat!! I am absolutely most grateful and thankful to have regained my health. Thank God!!
Desi

[Melanie aka Batgirl]

Great tutorial! one thing special is my kids! they are just getting to an age were they can run and play togther! its so fun!

[Lori Hofferbert]

I love your projects and the inspiration they provide! I am thankful for the good health of my family this year.

[Terry Kropp]

Ellen I am grateful for the very fine examples of artwork in this cardmaking business. But as a beginner I am so overwhelmed with what I NEED to have to duplicate these fine examples! Any thoughts on what to do without breaking the bank!
I am also thankful for my three wonderful sons, one fantastic daughter in law, and three super fine grandsons.

[Jessica S.]

AHHH! What a generous bit o' blog candy you have here. Thank you so much!

This year, I am grateful for my Mum's improved health (after some serious medical issues) and all the blessings that have been provided for my family. That, and the never-ending patience of my DH. It's lovely to be loved!

[Susan C.]

You're wine charms are very clever. I may have to make some of those!! I think the most special part of this year is that my oldest son is a senior this year and is also about to earn his Eagle rank. I just look at him with amazement now when I see the incredible young man he has become. And while half my heart is breaking at the thought of him leaving home soon, the other half is so proud and excited for him and anxious to see him go out on his own and begin the path of his new life!

[Rose Ferguson]

Your charms are really cute as is your little box. I am thankful for my family and my two grandsons plus I found out I am going to be a grandma to a granddaughter next year.

[Joanne]

Love the project!
I am thankful for all the new friends I've made and all of the old and dear friends that I have, and of course my family is the best!
Joanne

[Mary Jane]

I am thankful for my family, but especially for the birth of my daughter in June. Thank you for sharing your projects, ideas and talent on your blog. I love reading it.
Mary Jane

[Pam]

Awesome job as usual! Thanks for sharing the ideas with us!

The best thing that happened to me this year was the reminder that it is not things that matter - it's the people you love & who love you back!!!

[Pam Crandall]

Love the wine charms.
I am thankful that my daughter and I continue to be closer and closer now that she is at college. Who would ever of thought that she would ever have wanted to talk to me soo much. Now I just hope that the same happens when my son goes. They are both very good kids but talking was never their strong point. And P.S. now that my daughter is Greek she does crafts and actually wants my help!
Pam

[Deb Kelley]

Love the wine charms, Ellen! I'm also looking forward to the SU coordinated markers - I don't suppose you expect them in time for the sale??

Many special things have happened this year - too many to single out - it's been a great year for me. I suppose if I had to pick one that I know you won't see in another post, I'd say my new HRT (LOL)!

[MaryBeth]

Great project! The best part of this year is spending time with my nieces and watching them grow into great girls!

[Val]

What a wonderful idea! I love the wine charms...definitely a project to try. One thing special that I did this year was go on a shopping trip with my 2 nieces. It was a great time...very interesting to shop with 2 teenagers, lol.

[Tera]

Great project - I love the shrink paper, haven't done anything with them lately - might have to pull them out again. I am grateful this year for alot of things - for my DH and my kids and the fact that we are all healthy and active (as in nonstop :). I am also Very Thankful that even though my Mom had surgery for breast cancer this oct. - I was able to be with her through it and the cancer was very small (1mm) so she doesn't need chemo or radiation.
Love visiting your site - thanks for all the inspiration!!
Tera

[Sara]

I'm always happy with the time I get to spend with my family.

I really like the project you made though. It goes with what my sis & I were talking about making not that long ago.

[Tammy K]

You always intrigue me by the projects you come up with ~ how do you do it??

My son graduated from High School this past spring. What a special time that was. Even tho I don't like to think I am old enuff to have a child in college.