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!!!!!