A NEW YEAR

I didn’t want to miss saying Happy January First to everyone—even though I didn’t get a chance to get my next mosaic post ready.

So, instead of Mosaics, here’s a quick and easy project! You can use your Snowpeople to populate an entire tabletop village or to add pizazz to a window ledge.

By varying the hats and trims you can create gourd-eous Victorian ladies, cowboys, farmers, fisherfolk, even mermaids.

It’s all in the hat! Make a narrow brim for a bowler, a wide upturned one for a cowboy. A doll’s straw hat denotes a farmer.

What You Need:
Small ornamental gourds (from your garden or your favorite craft shop)
Red and black waterproof markers
White glue
Tiny seed beads
Larger beads for fastening neckties
One square of black stiffened felt
Miniature doll hats
Scraps of ribbon or fabric
Raffia or yarn
1/2” pom poms
A thin nail or metal skewer for piercing gourds
Twigs

What To Do:
Use a skewer or sharp nail to make two holes for arms, then fashion the headgear.

Glue on a store-bought doll hat or make your own as follows: Color around the stem end of the gourd with a black waterproof marker. Vary the amount colored from 1/4” to 1/2”. For each brim, cut a circle of black felt. Cut out a hole in the center to fit individual gourd and slip on.

Use a red marker to draw mouth. Glue on beads for eyes and buttons.

Tie on “scarves” or “neckties”. Glue on bows or bow ties.

When all materials are securely attached to the gourd, poke in twigs for arms.

PHOTO CREDIT:
Photos by Dan Mayers.

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***
Meet Michelle, a mosaic artist with a whimsical streak!

In addition to her mosaic cupcakes, Michelle "bakes" layer cakes, mirrors, clocks, and furniture. Visit her blog or head straight to her gallery of designs. Either way, I think you'll enjoy the trip.