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Ornaments

“Meowy Christmas” Ornament

By Cindi Bisson

Hot Rod Scrampers

Advanced Scramping Team Designer

This hand-made ornament features rubber stamped images on Makin’s Clay – The No-Bake Polymer Clay.  The clay, as opposed to plain chipboard or plastic, gives you a sturdier and more flexible finished project sure to last for years to come. 

I made this ornament to help us remember the many furry little friends we’ve shared our holidays with over the years.  Each of the cats represents one of our pets. However, I’m already busy on a second version featuring family photos of us decorating our tree last year.  I plan to make one yearly to commemorate each year’s tree trimming fun!

Try adding photos to the squares instead of rubber stamping.  Some photo theme ideas are Baby’s first Christmas, Christmas memories each year, our first Christmas together, etc.  The Makin’s Clay gives you a permanent work surface that you can rely to hold up for years of decorating enjoyment!

Supplies:
Fat Cat rubber stamps (by Cindi Bisson for The Stamping Studio)
Burnt Umber Palette Inkpad (Stewart Superior)
Chipboard
Makin’s Clay Natural color-The Air Dry/No-Bake Clay (Makin’s USA, Inc.)
Holiday patterned paper (Daisy D’s)
Prismacolor Colored Pencils
Twill
Mouse brads (Happy Hammer)
E-6000 Adhesive (Eclectic Products, Inc.)
Craft & Bond Glue (Elmer’s)
Masking tape (3M)
Ruler
Paper trimmer (Fiskars)
Cutter Bee Scissors (EK Success)
Rolling pin or clay/pasta machine

Instructions:

1.   Measure and cut 6 squares all the same size from chipboard.  My squares were approximately 3”.
 

2.   Use masking tape to assemble chipboard squares into a box.

3.   Roll natural Makin’s Clay to approximately 1/8” thickness.
 

4.   Cut into 3” squares (same size as your box panels).

5.   Gently press clay into chipboard sealing seams with fingers.  If fingerprints result, smooth with a wet paintbrush or damp cloth.

6.   Once all sides are covered and seams are sealed, allow to dry according to manufacturer’s directions (approximately 24 hours).

7.   Ink up assorted cat themed stamps with brown permanent ink.  Stamp directly onto clay panels and let dry.
 

8.   Color images with Prismacolor colored pencils as desired.
 

9.   Cut strips of patterned holiday paper to embellish around stamped images as desired. Ink edges of paper pieces with brown inkpad and mount to dry clay.
 

10.  If desired, print text using brown ink onto cardstock; cut out and mount to front of ornament.
 

11.  Cut pieces of coordinating twill to cover seams/edges of your square.  For this project, I did not cover every edge/seam. Mount with E-6000 adhesive.
 

12.  Cut long piece of twill (approximately 10”).  Dovetail/v-notch the ends of the twill.  Add a mouse brad to each end and mount to top corners of cube using E-6000 adhesive.

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