Christmas Vacation

^^ Image courtesy of: http://www.glow2sleep.co.uk/pirate-string-lights.html

We the crew of the Ebony Oyster will be on leave somewhere in the Caribbean (no exact bearings given for security reasons) 24 December 1712 through 2 January the year of our Lord 1713.

HAPPY SAILS AND MERRY...

mas from all of us aboard the Ebony Oyster!







Look for more exciting small craft warnings in 2013!

Glitter 'n' Tape Pictures

Source: www.sweetpaulmag.com

The Glitterati Guild aboard the Ebony Oyster is back in force this weekend! Cap'n Mad Ellen
strongly suggests saving this small crafty project for the old(er) children.


As you can see crew member Effervescent Ethel ran out of a vital provision: brown glitter for Rudolph's body and tried to make do with a brown crayon-with very limited success.

From the website: 

"I'm a strong beliver that GLITTER makes the world a better place!

You will need:

 -blank folded cards
-thin double sided tape
-glitter (mine is from Tinsel Trading)

1. Apply the tape on the card in any design you want. 2. Sprinkle with glitter, remember you can use more than one color. 3. You're now ready to make someones life very fab.

TIP:

Glass glitter makes all the difference in the world.  Seek some out at your local craft store or online!"

Read more: http://www.sweetpaulmag.com/crafts/sweet-paul-holiday-countdown-day-1-glitter-notecards#ixzz2FSpx8cyF



This was the Cap'n's test piece. We all unanimously agreed (lest we met a swift chop and sudden drop or something to that effect) it was the most beautiful tree we'd ever lain eyes on. 

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Clear Glass Decorated Ornaments

Another successful Effervescent Ethel and Cap'n Mad Ellen crafty collusion!

This craft project is fast and easy. Take clear glass ornaments (your choice
of shape: round ball, heart, etc.) and set out a tray of small craft items out (see suggested list of items below). You can find the clear glass ornaments at any craft mercantile. We found ours at
Michael's craft store for 50% off about a month ago while in port.

Raid that treasure chest!

Remove the metal top on the ornament. Carefully insert some craft items in the ornament. Don't add too much that will weight it down (for example: no anchors, doubloons, etc.). Place the top back on and hang.

Craft items used for this project (but are not limited to):

-feathers
-plastic or glass beads, pearls
-sequins
-(metallic) chenille stems/aka pipe cleaners
-cotton balls (colored ones if you can find them)
-yarn, (metallic) embroidery floss & (metallic) thread
-lace, trim, (curling) ribbon, rickrack
-loose glitter
-small metallic snowflake cut outs (found at the Dollar Tree)
-small pieces of scrap paper, scraps of: tissue, wrapping paper, fabric, music paper, origami, comic strip, etc.
-old jewelry, costume jewelry parts
-pom poms in various sizes
-fake snow
-tinsel
-small seashells/sand
-small buttons

Optional: the metal tops can be brushed with glue and sprinkled with glitter. Let dry.

We really like the look of and were inspired by these DIY decorated glass ornaments:

http://artglitterblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/art-glitter-tree-ornaments-by-jan.html

Christmas-Themed Dioramas and More Matchbox Vignettes

Artwork by crew member and small crafty apprentice Effervescent Ethel with layout and art direction by Cap'n Mad Ellen.

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Book available here: http://www.amazon.com/A-Pirates-Night-Before-Christmas/dp/1402742576/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355434913&sr=8-1&keywords=a+pirate%27s+night+before+christmas

Matchbox Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

Cap'n Mad Ellen: This is 95% complete. As you can see the numbers 1-25 have yet been added. Rubber stamp numbers are expensive and not something I could justify buying. I might look for websites that offer free font uploads and go from there (or as we say on board for various scenarios: cut 'n' paste.) I raided my greeting card stash, jewelry swag (believe you me when I say I have a vast collection of jewelry), dollhouse accessories' stockpile and craft barrel to create this piece. Cap'n's note to self: add flint to grocery list.

Here's an updated photo. After I took the first photo above I went back and changed/fixed/added some things:

From the website link below: 

'Use ordinary grocery-store matchboxes to count down the days till Christmas. Just hot-glue (Cap'n Mad Ellen used craft glue) the tops of empty boxes to one another to form rows (start with nine boxes for the base, and decrease by two until you have a single box). Cut wrapping paper to cover each section; secure with hot glue. Next, hot-glue the rows in a pyramid shape as shown. Use number stamps (available at craft stores) to mark the boxes 1 through 25, then fill with candy and trinkets.'

Read more: DIY Christmas Decorations - Handmade Christmas Decoration Craft Ideas - Country Living

Rudolph the Red Nosed Thumbprint

Easy thumbprint craft project for young recruits and salty dogs! Search on Google/Images
for variations. For example: https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=reindeer+thumbprint+card&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bpcl=39580677&biw=1283&bih=1130&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=7He-ULeFCMGUiALe_YGwCg

This one's called 'Rudolph Loves Clarice'.

Materials used (but not limited to):


-brown paint
-black paint
-pink paint
-white paint
-card stock
-sequins
-googly eyes
-loose glitter, irridescent and red
-black ink pen
-snowflake stickers
-mini pom poms
-red glass sequin

Optional:

-compass
-cutlass
-eye patch

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How do pirates know that they are pirates?

They think, therefore they ARRRR!!!!!

Paper Cone Christmas Tree

http://www.projectsforpreschoolers.com/paper-cone-christmas-trees/

A Junior cabin crew member delighted in
making paper cone Christmas trees yesterday assisted
by the leader of our belòved ship the Ebony Oyster: Cap'n Mad Ellen.

Marbleized Autum Leaves

Source: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-a-marbleized-leaf-centerpiece-180158

 Gale force winds off the Barbary Coast blew these leaves on board ship our ship the Ebony Oyster. The crew believe the leaves possess "magical prope'ties".

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Fingerprint Turkey

Log entry 8 November 1712:

Greetings from the mizzenmast of the Ebony Oyster. Have arrived in port late last evening for provisions-namely: glue, paper products (card stock and similar) and fancy silk trim. Our rum  ribbon supply is dangerously low.

Signed, Paper Monkey

Need:

-paper
-ink pad in various colors
-googly eyes (or small buttons, beans, hole punch paper dots, etc. if you prefer)
-glue

Press your index finger into an ink pad color of your choice to make the turkey's feathers. For the turkey's main body we dipped a thumb in brown paint (didn't have brown ink).

Cut out a wattle, beak, caruncle and feet with scrap pieces of paper. Glue the pieces on the
turkey's main body.

Glue the eyes on the turkey and set the craft aside to dry flat.




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GhooOoooOooosts!

Need another last minute, fast and easy Halloween craft project? I don't remember where I discovered this craft idea or if it's something I conjured up.

Need:


-black construction paper
-white paint
-black paint
-brushes


Directions:

Make a fist. Paint your hand (pinkie side not thumb side) from tip of pinkie all the way down to your wrist.


Place your fist down on black construction paper then carefully raise your fist up and off the paper. Tip: practice a few times on scrap paper first. 


*Add eyes, nose, mouth with black and white paint. We used various sizes of brushes to paint the eyes, nose and mouth. Alternatively, a cotton swab works well as does a toothpick or the handle end of a paint brush.

Set aside to dry flatly (or else the paint will drip down).

*Note: we forgot to flip our ghost picture around 180º and accidentally painted eyes, nose and mouth on the wrong end-giving our friendly ghosts a 50s' pompadour look. Reversing the photo shows the mistake:

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Capt. Jack Aubrey: To wives and sweethearts. 
Officers: To wives and sweethearts. 
Capt. Jack Aubrey: May they never meet. 

Glittery Autumn Leaves

I stole the idea for this incredibly fast and easy craft project from a window display at a daycare.

What you'll need:

-autumn leaves (not too dry or brittle!) 
-glue 
-glitter in your choice of seasonal colors (we used iridescent, gold, lavender and black loose glitter) 
-fishing line or similar to hang or tape to adhere to wall 


To make: 

Brush a thin layer of glue on the clean leaf. Lightly sprinkle 
with a glitter color of your choice. We also used two different colors on one leaf. 

Set aside, lay flat and allow to dry completely.

Leaves can be taped on the back for a wall display or hung with fishing line (or hawser) from the ceiling.

Random Craft Tutorial Generator

With a day's leave I could spend hours clicking away!

http://random-tutorial.com/

Festive Halloween Banner

Notes: you don't have to use rope to tie the fabric...ribbon?


Favorable winds will bring you here for additional photos:

http://www.jandofabrics.com/newsletters/fabric-halloween-banner/

"Let’s face it: Halloween decorations are horrifically addictive, like this awesome fabric Halloween banner! After you scour the shelves at your favorite haunts for Halloween items, grab a ton of Halloween fabric and get busy with the personal touches! Find your favorite fabrics and get started!

Finished product created by CraftaholicsAnonymous! You anonymous crafters can find any fabric at our online store for your future projects!

You will need:
• Halloween theme fabric and a few surprise fabrics: think polka dots, stripes, etc.! Roughly a yard of fabric, depending on how long you want your banner.
• Scissors, pinking shears or rotary cutter
• 90” of pipe cleaners or rope
•  Fray check for a smooth finish at the end of the banner rope

What to do:
• Begin by cutting the fabric, as this will take the longest! The strips in the photo below are 1” x 9”, and there were 140 total.
• Now create the knots by folding the fabric in half (lengthwise) and placing it over a finger, securing it by folding the ends of the strip over the rope and through the loop where the finger is located (this way it will easily slide onto the banner rope).

• After all of the fabric pieces are properly knotted, you can begin to slip them onto the rope and arrange them according to desired thickness. The more pieces of fabric, the more “bunching” you will get. Typically, you want to scrunch them together just enough to hide the rope, but not so much that some of the pieces disappear!

This piece will add festive flair, texture and color to this year’s Halloween décor! Place it on the front door, mantle, use it as a party favor—the options are endless!"

Welcome aboard!

Let's dive right in with the first craft project!


EGG CUP SHIPS

source: http://chiotsrun.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/pumpkin-rouge-vif-detampes-side.jpg via Kaboose


notes to self: skull and crossbone flag

For your next pirate bash, make your very own mini ships as table decoration or even as placecard holders with this fun recycle project from Kaboose!

What you’ll need:

• 3 cardboard egg cups (or open walnut shells)
• Brown acrylic craft paint
• Paintbrush
• ¼ cup modeling clay or play dough
• 6 toothpicks
• 1 sheet white paper
• Scissors
• White craft glue

How to make it:

1. Paint the egg cups inside and out with brown paint. Set aside to dry.
2. Cut sails from white paper. You will need 6 large sails (1.5” x 1”) and 18 small sails (.5” x .75”).
3. Set aside three of the toothpicks for the large sails. Break or cut the other three toothpicks in half, giving you 6 halves.
4. Put a line of glue through the middle of one of the small sails. Place the cut or broken end of one of the toothpick halves onto the glue line.
5. Roll it in the glue to cover both sides, then place another sail on top, sandwiching the two sails together. Flatten the sails together with your fingers and set aside to dry.
6. Repeat step number 5 with each toothpick half and 2 small sails (each).
7. Following the guide in step number 5, make the larger salls. For each large sail you will need a toothpick, 2 small sails and 2 large sails. Glue the small sail to the end of the full toothpick, and then glue the larger sail beneath it, leaving a small gap between the top and bottom sail. Set aside to dry.
8. Roll a small amount of clay in your palm, enough to line the bottom of the egg cup. Place in the egg cup and flatten to cover bottom.
9. Insert open end of large sail into the middle of the clay. Insert two small sails, one on either side of the large sail, into the clay.