The Glitter of Christmas...

Gather up some friends and/or family and have fun with this simple DIY project, creating glitter ornaments and gift tags for the holiday season!

Be sure to treat everyone to a mug of hot chocolate topped with marshmallow and a candy cane before you start! It's sure to put everyone in a festive mood!

Well, Spotty says we've lingered over hot chocolate long enough and it's now time to get to work! (Any photos can be enlarged if you want to see more detail.)

This is a great way to recycle old Christmas cards that you've received, or the few that are left in the box after you've sent your sout. (I cringe when I think of all the beautiful ones I've thrown out over the years!)

I think these two chickadees are perfect for this project.

And I think I can get two out of this beautiful card (I'm just using a small frame to see what I want to cut out). I definitely want the dad and boy decorating the tree as well as the mom and baby sitting next to the nativity set... So let's start cutting these cards!

Once you have your card designs cut out, it's time to make them fabulously sparkly! First, brush Folk Art Gems Diamonds over the entire design (this gives a subtle glitter); while wet, sprinkle Twinklets Diamond Dust over the areas where you want incredible texture and glitter (for this project, more is better in my book!). I painted this angel with Gems Diamonds, and then sprinkled a generous amount of Diamond Dust on her wings... Hold the card sideways and tap the excess Diamond Dust back into the jar (use a paper plate or lid under the jar to catch any spill over so you can easily put it back into the jar when you're done).

Then set them aside to dry. This little chickadee got full coverage of both Gems Diamonds and Diamond Dust for an all over sparkle... I love how he came out!!

I wish the camera truly captured how glittery these cards actually are...

Just imagine how these ornaments will sparkle and shine with the reflection of your Christmas tree lights!

Oh, good - they're all dry. Now it's time to punch or poke holes into the cards and attach hangers if you're planning to use them as ornaments or gift tags. My ornaments are very simple, but you could get really creative and add trims or buttons or whatever your heart desires..

Done!! Since I don't have our Christmas tree up yet, I hung them from some bare branches to show you the finished product. I hope you enjoy this fun & simple project!

Donna