Thing-a-Day 2012 - #10 3-D Paper Ball Ornaments

3-D Paper Ball Ornaments

I found the instructions for this ornament here. I think the all white style is my favorite. I want to make some more of these in all kinds of sizes. I also want to try making a large one out of clear plastic or vellum and then insert a small, low watt light bulb inside to hang as a pendant light. I think that could be amazing!

Journaling Me: Hobbies

This is the post #1 for my year-long Journaling Me Project. I will be randomly selecting a question from a jar full of journaling strips and recording my stories for future generations to enjoy. Many of the questions can be found here. I also added a few questions pulled from this book. So here we go!


What are some of your hobbies right now?

I have a zillion hobbies right now! Okay, not really a zillion, but I do have quite a few and a few more I'd like to give a try! The list:  reading, scrapbooking, sewing, embroidering by hand, knitting, crochet, photography, making dreads, and various other crafty things. Even origami!

mosaic by BigHugeLabs
LtoR Row 1: Hand-embroidered victorian crazy quilt for Kate; Hand-embroidered Tudor cuff for Tudor gown; scrapbook layout J and trains; me taking a picture of me; dreads for E
Row 2: Snow White dress for Kate; Temari gift; scrapbook layout K's freckles; ATC trade, Temari gift
Row 3: Halloween 2008; Halloweeen 2007; Me in natural look dreads; red petticoat for Tudor gown; photography challege of hands - baby Kate
Row 4: Chad's new scarf; Hand-embroidered victorian crazy quilt for Connor; fav book; camera book; hand-embroidered forepart skirt for Tudor gown project
Row 5: fav book; crafting paints; crocheted roses; me reading; mini origami project

Temari toys

I am in love with the Japanese art of Temari! I just can't get enough of it!

I found a book at the library about Temari and since I love embroidery on a flat surface, I thought it'd be a fun challenge on a spherical surface. I was so right. It is a bit of a challenge, but once you have an understanding of how the needle positions work, it's so much fun! And even better yet - it's a great way to use up scraps! Anyone who knows me knows that I don't like waste. So all those bags of fabric scraps are now going into these lovely Temari balls! And anytime I find bits of yarn at the thrift shops I grab that up too. The yarn gets wrapped around the cloth to form the ball. Then the final layer is thread. Once the ball is covered, I mark the pattern points and get going!

These 2 are full size - about 10.5" circumfrence. In the back of the book the author states that Temari can be made on any scale. So I gave it a shot and made some mini-Temari as ornaments for the christmas tree.

They turned out really cute. They came out around 4" circ. I made them as a set to give as a gift. That's why they're not on my tree. I'll make some more later for me!  My next attempt will be even smaller! I want to see if I can make a set of earrings!

Yes. I'm just a little bit obsessed.