Anchors Away!

After a busy show season, I decided to play with something in my studio other than canvases.  I pulled out my stash of clay and formed some fun bowls and ornaments.

Here is one such bowl.  I stamped an anchor into the center.

I took my Deco Arts Media fluid acrylic paint in Cerulean blue and painted a light coat.

After it dried, I took the Deco Arts Antiquing Cream and rubbed it into the bowl.

Oooh I just love the look and feel it gave the bowl!

On the back/bottom of the bowl, I took the same color blue and used Carolyn Dube's Diamond Wave stencil from StencilGirl Products and some deli paper to create a lovely pattern.

I sealed the bowl with a high shine acrylic sealer and it's ready for gift giving.

If you enjoyed this tutorial, be sure to check my other free tutorials on my blog page above or at

  Kirsten Reed Designs or just follow me on Bloglovin' and get them delivered to your inbox!

Got Scraps?

Well, I must say I originally wanted to call this post Scrappy Balls....but decided against.  Every time I say that phrase I start singing the Adam Sandler Lunchlady song and where he says "sloppy Joes" I say "scrappy balls"!!

Oh...I am so easily amused.

Anyway, I love to upcycle and  find new uses for old things especially those things deemed "trash".

Here are a few ways to take your craft trash and turn it into treasure and make a few cute ornaments in the process!!

Easy Idea #1

You know all those pieces of lace, ribbon, etc you trimmed off your sewing project, or package you wrapped?  Save those tidbits and shove them into a glass ball for a festive little ornament with hidden treasure!

For  Ideas #2 & #3, I used these balls (pictured below).

Easy Idea #2

If you paint like I do, keep those palettes with your "leftover paint".  Tear the paper into pieces and decoupage your balls!  I mean, make a lovely festive ornament! :)

I finished it off by rolling in glitter and tying a bow at the top.

Easy Idea #3

Scrap fabric?  Not enough to make something out of...just tear into strips and glue on to a ball for a lovely handmade ornament!

What do you think?  I love these festive balls - for hanging on the tree or tying to a package!