November 13th, 2015

Deck that Hall with a Holiday Ball!

‘Tis the season for spherical delights! Every year we love making ornaments and holiday decorations with Smoothfoam. From the cute little 1/2″ balls to the big giant 12″ balls (ahem), Smoothfoam-in-the-round is the perfect surface for every kind of embellishment. Paint them, glitter them, decoupage them, glue them, pin them, carve them, string them and blog about them – and share your link with us!

Add your own holiday ball projects to our neverending link-up any time you like – we’d love to see how you celebrate all things circular with Smoothfoam!

December 26th, 2014

Christmas Kissing Ball

by Anita Scroggins

Good morning everyone, I hope you had a Merry Christmas! Here’s a unique Christmas craft project for you. We always have a kissing ball here at our house, and this year I decided to make one I could use year after year. Learn how to make your own DIY Christmas kissing ball below.

Supplies:
3-3/8″ Smoothfoam Ball
Paper flowers of varying sizes
Wired leaves and decorative berries
1″ gold floral pins
Velvet ribbon
Small stapler
Paper piercer or small awl
Wire cutters
Beacon 3-In-1 Advanced Craft Glue

1. For a hanger, cut a length of ribbon and fold in half; staple the open ends together about 1/2″ from the ends. Spread the two small end pieces apart and pin to the ball using floral pins.

2. Start by stacking two flowers together. Push a floral pin through the center of the flowers then insert the pin into the ball. Continue adding flowers until the ball is covered.
TIP: Start with larger flowers to fill in the background, then add smaller flowers to cover the gaps.

3. Make sprays of leaves and decorative berries. To secure, twist the wires together and wrap one of the wires around the others several times, very close together (this should be very close to the last leaf). Use wire cutters to clip the excess wire.

4. Use a paper piercer to poke a hole in the ball near the ribbon (move any flower petals out of the way). Apply glue in the hole and insert the end of the wires. Repeat for a total of 3 sprays, spacing them evenly around the top of the ball.

5. Shape the leaves in a downward direction.

December 24th, 2014

Steampunk Christmas Ball

by Marilyn Gossett

Supplies:

3″ Smoothfoam ball
Offray ribbons: 1 yard length of 2″ wide sheer gold wire-edge; 1/2 yard length 1/4″ white satin or grosgrain
Decou-Page Gloss Medium
Metallic Lustre wax: Black Shimmer, Copper Kettle
Gold metallic tissue paper
1″ flat paintbrush, small rag
1 metallic gold chenille stem
Self-adhesive rhinestone trim, clear rhinestones
Metal gear charms, metallic beads, gold bead caps
Straight pins, scissors
Glue gun
Fast Grab Tacky Glue
Wood skewer

Instructions:

1. Insert the skewer into the ball to use as a handle for decoupaging.

2. Crumple the tissue paper and spread it out, then tear it into small random pieces. Brush decoupage medium to a small area of the ball and adhere a piece of crumpled tissue paper. Brush more medium to the top of the paper. Repeat until the entire ball is covered. Allow to dry thoroughly.

3. Rub the copper and black Metallic Lustre wax over the surface of the ball with a rag to add extra dimension and shine. Adhere the rhinestone trim around the middle of the ball. Glue and/or pin the other embellishments to the ball as shown.

4. Make a bow with four 2″ loops and two 2-1/2″ tails from the gold ribbon. Trim a V-notch into the end of each tail. Tie the white ribbon around the middle of the bow to secure and glue/pin it to the top of the ball. Tie the white ribbon ends in a knot, leaving a 3″ loop for hanging. Trim the tails at an angle.

Designer tip: Look through your junk drawer to find buttons, beads, old keys, metal washers and gears, etc. These items all lend to the steampunk effect.

Enjoy & have a very Merry Christmas!

December 22nd, 2014

Sweet Little Snowbaby

by Debra Quartermain

I love snowmen and this little snowbaby is super cute and easy to make. I have a collection I add to each winter season. This little one is ideal for a shelf or tablescape, and of course ideal as a gift. With the long winter ahead, this snowbaby will always make you smile! A family of snowbabies adds up to a very cute winter scene. Even just one is pretty darn cute! Thanks for stopping by and Happy Holidays!

You will need:
One 3” Smoothfoam ball
One 4” Smoothfoam goose egg
9” x 12” White Kunin Prestofelt
¼ yard Red Snowflake Kunin Seasonal Felt
2-3/4” and 3-1/2” buttons
8mm black bead
1 chenille stem
4” plastic snowflake
Crystal glitter
Wood skewer, blush, scissors
Fabri-Tac adhesive
Measuring tape, ruler, pencil, wire cutters

1. On the back of the Prestofelt, draw measurements as shown in step 2. Cut along drawn lines.

2. Cut a thin slice off both ends of the egg. Insert a 4″ length of skewer into the narrow end, press the ball on top of the egg and push the pieces together.

3. Clip a ½” fringe along both long sides of the two white felt strips. Peel the paper off of the felt for the head and wrap around the ball. Cut off excess and smooth in place. Repeat for the body piece as shown in Step 3. You will have a few small pleats on both the head and body.

4. Cut the snowflake felt to 9” by 12” for the hat, plus a 4” by 18” piece for the scarf. Mark the center point at one end of the hat piece. Draw a line from each outside corner at bottom to the center point to make a triangle. Cut it out as shown in Step 4.

5. Flip over the hat piece and glue the chenille stem to the center, 3”down from top as shown in Step 5.

6. Fold the hat with the wrong sides together and glue along the back seam. Place on the snowbaby’s head and pull the chenille stem so the hat wrinkles. Trim off the excess stem and glue the hat in place.

7. Fringe the ends of the scarf piece, fold in half and tie it around the neck. Glue in place and add buttons as shown.

8. Glue the plastic snowflake to the bottom of the snowbaby so it will stand up.

December 12th, 2014

Mistletoe Ornament

by Michelle Frae Cummings

Did you know that the custom of kissing under mistletoe comes from England? The original idea was that a berry was to be picked from a sprig of mistletoe before the person could be kissed. So when all the berries had gone, there could be no more kissing!

I have always loved the notion of hanging up mistletoe, but they dry out so fast and then lose their color and charm. So I dreamed up this little beauty and I hope you’ll be inspired to make one for yourself – Merry Christmas!

Materials:

3″ Smoothfoam ball
Bright gold paint
Small red ornament (with a hole all the way through)
Small gold bell
12″ length of 24 gauge red floral wire
Red button
Assorted holly leaves (silk, velvet, organza, etc.)
Plastic holly berry stems
Needle-nose jewelry pliers
Tacky Glue, glitter glue
Straight pins, paint brush
Tiny silver rhinestones
Skewer
Sheer red ribbon

1. Fold the red wire in half and string the bell at the end in the fold.

2. Pinch the wire ends together and string through the red ornament.

3. Paint the Smoothfoam ball bright gold and let dry. Pierce a hole all the way through with a skewer. Use the pliers to widen the hole and add some glue inside, then pull the wire out the other side so the tip of the red ornament fits snugly inside the ball.

4. Poke holes into the bottom of the Smoothfoam ball with the skewer or pliers. Add glue and push in the holly berry stems.

5. While the glue sets, arrange your leaves in the desired order. Thread your wire through the red button and glue the button to the top of the ball. When the glue has set, twist the wire and make a loop. Trim off any excess wire.

6. Starting from the bottom of the ornament, glue on your darkest leaves first and use a pin to hold each in place while they dry.

7. Continue gluing on more leaves until the ball is covered. When the glue is dry, you can remove the pins and glue rhinestones on the leaves to accent.

8. Apply lines of glitter glue along the veins of the leaves. Add some glitter glue around the button and let it dry completely before hanging your ornament with the red ribbon.

December 3rd, 2014

Snowman Door Hanger

by Beth Watson

It seems like we are on a snowman roll this holiday season here on the Smoothfoam blog! I am adding to the collection with my Snowman Door Hanger – a festive and cheery change of pace from a traditional wreath!

Materials:
8″ Smoothfoam half ball
12″ Smoothfoam half ball
1 each – Rainbow ClassicFelt sheets – Orange, Kelly Green
1 yard Rainbow ClassicFelt Red (36″ bolt)
Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue
Colortool Spray Paint – Flat White
Pattiewack Pom-Pom Maker
Buttons – jumbo (2); large (2); medium (6)
Golden Molding Paste
Palette knife, pencil, hot knife cutting tool, scissors, ruler
Jumbo craft stem – black
Green variegated yarn
Pink chalk, cotton swab

1. Overlap the half balls and draw a mark on the 8″ ball and trim away the piece with a hot knife cutting tool. Glue the two half-balls together, holding until set. Let dry completely.

2. Cover the snowman with molding paste, using a palette knife to create texture and let dry. Spray paint him white and let dry. TIP: Design Master Colortool brand is safe for craft foam – some spray paints will melt it, so check the label.

3. Measure and cut a 4″ x 36″ piece of red felt. Tie it around the snowman’s neck, then fringe the ends with scissors. Create rosy cheeks with pink chalk and cotton swab. Thread green yarn through two jumbo buttons, tie in a knot and trim the ends. Glue the buttons, eyes and mouth to the snowman and let dry. Draw and cut two carrot noses from orange felt, glue together, then glue it to his face.

4. Make two 3″ pom-poms with the Pattiewacks tool and green yarn. Measure and cut two 3″ circles of kelly green felt and hot glue the pom-poms to the circles. Curve a black jumbo craft stem to fit on top of his head and glue the pom-poms to either side.

November 30th, 2014

The Smoothfoam Holiday Ball!

by Lisa Fulmer

We’re really excited about the holidays – and even more excited about all the decorating going on! For the whole month of December, we want to celebrate the wonderful holiday decorations you’re crafting up by hosting a fun link-up…the Smoothfoam Holiday Ball.

If you’re making ornaments, garlands, wreaths and more with Smoothfoam balls this holiday season, we want to shine a light on your projects! Even if you’re using another type of ball, we still want to celebrate your superior spherical flair.

All month long, you can add links to your blog posts about the holiday balls you’re crafting with. Click here to get to the link-up, or click on Holiday Ball at the top of our homepage. Happy Holidays!

November 29th, 2014

Jack-in-the-Box Snowman

by Marilyn Gossett

Do you like to upcycle? I have a hard time throwing things in the trash sometimes, or even into the recycle bin! For example – the little Keurig coffee cups after they are used. I know there has got to be a really cool craft project lurking there, but I haven’t taken the time to figure one out yet. The box the cups come in was another story. I used it to complete this Jack-in-the-box Snowman project. It could be any kind of box with a flap, but this one was deep enough and worked nicely. I hope you enjoy making your own DIY snowman decoration!

3″ Smoothfoam ball
Cardstock (I used Snowhaven and matching stickers by Close To My Heart)
Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint – Whisper
Americana Acrylic Paints: Lamp (Ebony) Black, Spiced Pumpkin, Warm White
Americana Decou-Page Medium
2 sheets warm white felt
1-1/2″ scalloped circle paper punch
Chenille stems: one silver metallic, one red metallic, one green
Small jingle bell
Polyester stuffing
Clear glitter
Powder blush
Scissors, wire cutters, paintbrushes, stylus
Wood skewer
Glue gun
Craft glue, spray mount
Click here to download the pattern for the snowman’s body

1. Measure the height of the box. Cut cardstock to fit the box and lid. Adhere papers to the box & lid using the Decou-Page medium, set aside to dry.

2. To make a rosette, cut three 2″ x 12″ strips of cardstock. Accordion fold each piece every half inch. It works best to score them before folding. Glue the two strips together and gather the folds into a circle and glue the edges together. Glue a scalloped punched circle of cardstock to cover the hole in the middle and secure the rosette. Repeat on the opposite side. Make one rosette for the front of the box and another for the snowman’s collar. The glue gun works best for making rosettes.

3. Fold one sheet of felt in half along the long edge. Use my pattern to cut out one side of the snowman’s body and repeat with the other sheet of felt. Glue all the edges of the body together; leaving an opening for the head. Once dry, turn the suit right side out, hiding the seams inside. Lightly fill the body and arms with stuffing.

4. Paint the Smoothfoam ball Whisper Chalky White. Poke the skewer into the pilot hold at one end as a handle to hold while painting. Once the ball is dry, paint black dots for the eyes and mouth. Rub blush on the cheeks with your finger. Highlight the eyes and mouth with tiny white dots. Allow to dry.

5. Remove the skewer and paint 2″ of the pointed tip orange. When dry, cut off the tip of the skewer and push into the face for his nose. Replace the remaining part of the skewer back into the pilot hole and set aside.

6. Pierce a small hole in the center of one rosette and poke the skewered head through the rosette and neck opening into the stuffed body. Spritz a little spray mount and sprinkly glitter to the head, rosette collar and body. Shake off excess. Place the snowman in the box with the arms extended as shown.

7. To make a crank handle, bend the silver metallic stem in two. Shape it into a handle and glue the jingle bell onto the bent end. Make a pilot hole in the middle of a 1″ circle of cardstock. Push the ends of the stem 1/2″ to the back side of the circle and bend out like a brad. Glue to the side of the box. Glue the second rosette to the front of the box and embellish with die-cut sentiments.

8. To make a halo for his head, loosely twist the red metallic stem around the green stem. Make a circle to fit around his head and twist the ends together to secure and glue it to his head. Glue another piece of green stem to the collar for added decoration.

9. Embellish the snowman with stickers for the mittens, buttons on front, and sentiments. TIP: Use your diecutting machine or paper punches to cut embellishments if you don’t have the stickers. Rubber stamps will work for the sayings.

Now enjoy an adorable Christmas DIY snowman decoration that can stay out through January! Create your own snowman in a box today!

November 26th, 2014

Vintage Snowman Ornament

by Anita Scroggins

I want to share a fun ornament I made using Smoothfoam balls. I’m trying to get ahead of the game this year with my Christmas prep, and I have been busy making ornaments. This cute snowman is one of my favorites – I love the vintage vibe he has going on.

Supplies:
1-3/4″ Smoothfoam Ball
2-1/2″ Smoothfoam Ball
Whit craft paint. paintbrush
Glitter Mod Podge
Ribbon, buttons, rick-rack, paper flower,
Molding paste, glitter
Embroidery floss
Rub-on or clear sticker (face)
Pearl-head pin, small wood dowel
Craft glue

1. Paint the balls with white craft paint, then a coat of Glitter Mod Podge. Slice the tiniest bit off one side of each ball, then glue them together using a wood dowel in between.

2. Apply a rub-on/sticker for the face (top smaller ball) and glue buttons on the bottom larger ball.

3. Wrap a ribbon around the neck of the snowman, using a pearl-head pin to hold it in place.

4. Stack buttons together to make a hat, add a small bit of rick-rack around the brim; add molding paste on the top and brim of the hat to look like snow, sprinkle with glitter while wet. When dry add a small flower. Pin a loop of floss into the top of his head, then glue the hat on top so the floss loop comes up on either side for hanging.

November 21st, 2014

Stylish Craft Foam Projects – a new book and a giveaway!

by Lisa Fulmer

I’m so excited to announce the release of my second craft project book – Stylish Craft Foam Projects. It’s only 48 pages, but it’s jam-packed with 17 projects plus lots of tips and techniques for working with both Smoothfoam™ and Styrofoam™.

Everything you need to know about both kinds of craft foam is here – how to work with each type to create gorgeous home and party décor. I think you’ll love putting your own spin on each project!

The photography and graphics inside are really great, too – the design team at Fox Chapel Publishing is top notch! I also wanted to share my acknowledgements from the back of the book, which involve my “yo yo, foamie!” family right here on the Smoothfoam blog.

The designers on our Creativity Team inspire me every single day – they develop so many new and wonderful ways to work with Smoothfoam each week. I’m also thankful for the support from the Ohlsson’s and everyone at Plasteel Corporation – it’s always so nice to work with a family-owned business! And for reals, I would have never been able to say yes to my publisher about writing this book without the support and encouragement from Julie McGuffee – our Creativity Team’s smooth and fearless leader!

Enter to win your own signed copy of the book along with some fabulous Smoothfoam shapes. Three winners will be selected!!

Be sure to share the projects you make with Smoothfoam on Facebook or Twitter so we can show them off and celebrate your work!
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