Snowman Magnet/Pin

Snowman Magnet/Pin

Materials:

Polymer clay: White and orange

2 "E" size black beads

2" 2mm black Neoprene cording

2 10mm red pompoms

Round toothpick

Blush and cotton swab

Glue gun and glue

Round magnet or pin back

Circle template, optional for measure ball size

Instructions:
1. Flatten a 3/4" white ball. For the eyes, press the two black beads into the head. Use a toothpick to indent two squint lines by each eye.

2. For the nose, roll a 7/32" orange ball into an oval and press onto the head under the eyes. For the mouth, use a toothpick to indent 7 holes in the shape of a smile. Use cotton swab to blush cheeks.

3. Bake in a preheated 265 degree oven for 20 minutes and let cool.

4. For the earmuffs, hot glue Neoprene cording and one pompom to one side of the head. Press and hold until the glue has cooled. Do the same with the other side.

5. Hot glue magnet or pin back to the back.

In the words of Ozzy Osbourne, "Mama, I'm comin' home." Tomorrow we fly to the States for a three week visit. I hope to post some during our stay but we will be pretty busy seeing friends and family. Also, can't forget to get our Donatelli's, Chipotle, Panera Breads, chili's... fix. I do miss American food.

I'm interested to see if there will be any reverse culture shock. Will I miss NOT being stared at, not having adolescent boys excitedly come up to me to say "Hi," not being able to understand most of the conversations going on around me? How much has the U.S. changed in five months? Will I remember how to drive after not driving for five months?

Have a wonderful Holiday and I can't wait to see what 2008 brings!

Happy Halloween!

I made this pumpkins for my new Korean friends in honor of Halloween. I also noticed that I have yet to put a tutorial on my blog or website. So here is the first of many to come, enjoy!

Halloween Guy
By Becky Meverden


Materials:
Polymer clay: orange, white, black, brown and green
Round toothpick
Small paintbrush
Stylus
Plastic straw, optional
Circle template, optional for measuring ball sizes

Instructions:
1. Condition clay according to manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Pumpkin: Roll a 7/8” orange ball. Use a toothpick to indent lines around the entire ball. Stem: Use the blunt end of a paintbrush to make a hole in the top of the pumpkin. Roll a ¼” brown ball into a teardrop. Press the widest end of the teardrop against a flat surface to flatten. Use a toothpick to indent lines randomly around and on top of the stem. Press stem into the hole. Leaves: Flatten two 5/32” green balls into teardrops. Indent veins onto each leaf and press leaves onto both sides of the stem. Vine: Roll a 1/8” green ball into a 1/16” diameter log. Use your fingers to coil and press onto pumpkin.

3. Eyes: Flatten two 5/32” white balls into teardrops. Press the narrowest ends together slightly and press onto the pumpkin. Pupils: Roll two 1/16” black balls and press onto each eye. Nose: Roll a 5/32” orange ball into an oval and press onto the head below the eyes. Eyebrows: Use a toothpick to indent. Mouth: Press half of a straw end just under the nose and remove. It leaves a great smile. A toothpick can also be used to indent the mouth. Use a stylus (or toothpick) to indent both ends of the smile.

4. Bake in a preheated 265 degree oven for 30 minutes.