Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Snowmen and Penguin Ornaments

I'm on vacation and I began creating again. It felt good. I wanted to make something that would produce quick results, so mini Christmas tree ornaments came to mind.
The wintery friends are snuggled up together, warmed by their merry scarves and cheery company.
These are simple to make.

If you want to make them. You will need:
1. Yarn in Black, Winter White (or pure white), & Red
2. Darning needle (in knitting section)
3. One bag of wooden beads w/drilled hole (in peg doll section at craft store)
4. Wood glue
5. Craft paint in black, white and orange (in paint section at craft store)
6. #8 paint brush
7. #0 paint brush
8. blush (the one you use)
9. eye shadow sponge-New

Instructions:
1. Use darning needle to get the yarn through two beads using your thumb to hold a loop at one end of the beads and making a double knot at the opposite end. Look at the ornament to get a visual of the result.
2. Put a dab of glue to keep the knot secure and tight against the bead. Also put glue between the two beads to secure them together and let them dry. Set aside to dry. When it dries cut the tail off the knot.
3. Paint the two beads (bodies) using your #8 brush and white paint. If you are making the penguins, follow up by painting on the black tuxedo.
4. Using your #0 brush and black paint, make dots for the eyes. If you are making the snowmen, then make dots for the button mouth and buttons down his body.
5. Wash your #0 brush with water. Use your clean #0 brush to make the carrot nose and/or beak.
6. Dab the tip of the eye shadow sponge in your blush and apply to the cheeks of your snowman and/or penguin.
7. With your Red yarn gather together 3 strands about 6 inches long. Tie a knot on one end and braid, then tie a knot on the other end. This is the scarf, and you can play with the length.
8. Wrap scarf around the neck gently and hang on your tree.

San Gabriel Mission: Part II

As I mentioned in my previous blog. All the small bells are cracked, thus no longer in use. Only the larger bell is rung. Mass is still held every Sunday at San Gabriel Mission and they host many weddings and Quinceaneras (15th birthday, rite of passage ceremonies in the latin community for young ladies). I love the palm tree shadow reminding everyone we are in sunny California.
This painting was said to be the first Christian painting done in California by a Native American. This is a replica. The original was available for viewing, but we were not allowed to take pictures of it since flash photography messes up the paint.
This was the wine room. Our guide stated that Lucille Ball saw and heard the background of this grape stopping room and was inspired to make one of her most famous episodes of all. Now the room is filled with original equipment used by mission dwellers.
The class.
Me and my baby in front of the Church door.

Fourth Grade Mission Trip

Mission San Gabriel
I was fortunate to go on this field trip with my youngest. It hit me that this was the last missions field trip I would be going on. My baby is growing up. Whaaaah!
Ok, enough self pity, now for some short journaling.
The large bell is the only one still in use because the smaller bells have cracked.
I just loved how the new sprouting ivy is beginning to make its home. I can only image the beautiful canopy it will make in a couple months. The priest cemetery is on the right and church on the left.
There is a small garden in the priest cemetery with this beautiful statue in its midst.
An example of what a native home would look like. I will remember this hut, the next time I wanna complain that our home is too small.
Their outdoor kitchen had several brick and iron pots like this one. This was the only complete example. The others were remnants. Can you envision the many women and girls cooking for all those living in the mission.
The giant clam shells were their wash basins. I think this was their version of double sinks. In the background is an old cart or buggie.
Another clam shell basin. The size can better be appreciated with Eli in front.
What? I know I downloaded more pix. Well, I guess this means part two is a coming.