Make Jane Austen Christmas Decorations with Terri Heinz

I recently discovered Terri Heinz's lovely blog, Artful Affirmations. Here she presents and discusses her lovely collection of china and teacups, all gorgeously photographed. Terri is a talented artisan as well as photographer, and the chronicle of her journey towards creating a stunning Jane Austen themed Christmas tree was as visually delightful as it was creatively inspiring. She has graciously agreed to share her story here, along with her photographs and crafting hints for creating your own Austen inspired trimmings. I will allow her to continue in her own words.

For many years I have enjoyed the writings of the incredible Jane Austen. Several years ago I was lucky enough to travel around England and visit some of the places of her life. I was delighted and inspired by the displays at the Jane Austen Center and the Chawton Cottage house, and profoundly moved standing next to her writing desk and her resting place in Winchester Cathedral. Her writings speak to me of humanity. Her novels so aptly named! Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion! Her books are always nearby.

The first ornament I made from some old tart tins.The print behind is from Pride and Prejudice. You can view the video tutorial for bleaching and dying bottle brush trees on my blog.

All you need is a small tin, a round of music or print to lightly glue in the back, then a small bottle brush tree is glued to the base with a stronger glue, or glue gun glue. The festive pipe cleaner is adhered the same way around the edges. Use a bow with long tails to secure upside down at the top of the tin and tie the tails to make a loop for hanging. Finish off with a little glitter. This ornament has a very simple fanned cardstock cockade and a silver glitter medallion behind an image that could be Jane....at least I found it under the heading of "Images of Jane Austen". It is backed with text that is a copy of a letter Jane wrote to her brother.

This vintage inspired stocking ornament was made simply with off white felt and a blanket stitch in light teal embroidery floss for the edging. I filled it with rolls of music, other vintage scrap paper and a page from an unusable Jane Austen novel I found in the throwaway pile at the library. I topped the stocking with a bit of lace, a ribbon matching the stitching on the edges, some snowflakes and rhinestones with a bit of Christmas foliage. The final added touch is a generous sprinkling of mica flakes and fine white glitter from Martha Stewart adhered by some spray adhesive. You can use white glue if you water it down a little and then brush it on the stocking. Go lightly though as you do not want the glue to be too thick. This cameo ornament was made with two prism glasses (you could use glass slides) that sandwich the picture of Jane and the backing statement. I used a stamp purchased at Chawton house several years ago. If it is hard to find one now, try using a cameo image you can find online searching for "Jane Austen cameo image". I added the "Merry Christmas" to it using photoshop and the Jane Austen font. Oxford Impresssions has a Jane Austen stamp set that has a similar cameo stamp in it. Place the two images between the glass, tucking the short tails of the loop at top and the bead dangle at the bottom between the papers. (To make the bead dangle I slipped several beads and bead caps on a 2'' headpin, then created a simple loop at the top. Thread three strands of embroidery floss through your loop and tie, then cut about 1'' long tail to tuck between the images between the glass.) To secure the glass together, lay a line of clear glitter glue like Stickles around the edge to seal it, but not enough to seep towards the images. In the words of Jane Austen, "I sincerely hope that your Christmas may abound in the gaieties which that season generally brings..." and I wish you plenty of holiday enJoyment, making your own Jane Austen ornaments.

These trimmings (and more!) are from Terri's fabulous blog, Artful Affirmations and are used here with her permission. Visit us again next month as we feature more of Terri's Jane Austen inspired creations as well as her tips for perfectly wrapped Austen inspired gifts.

I began making things with paper since I could hold a pair of scissors in my little hands. Since then I have added all kinds of creative processes including writing, sewing, mixed media art, jewelry art, and have had more joyful moments  than I could have ever imagined. Reading has been a favorite pastime since I was a young teen. Jane has drawn me into her wonderful worlds many afternoons and evenings. She inspired me to visit England and I am lucky to have returned many times. Tea is also a favorite of mine, and I have shared many online tea times with other tea loving bloggers around the world. Creative Workshops hosts two artful classes I teach, and there are many free video tutorials on my blog, Artful Affirmations. Creating art, sharing art, and meeting artful others all over the world has enriched my life.

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