The Magic Pumpkins of Oz

"Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me."- Wizard of Oz


"A shooting star, Toto. A shooting star!-Return to Oz
 
Magic Pumpkins of Oz are pumpkin wand sticks I created as a tribute to the 75th Anniversary of the Wizard of Oz, the book; Return to Oz, Halloween, Wizards and Pumpkin Picking.

Starting today through October 31, I will periodically be posting fun and whimsical Wizard of Oz type projects to celebrate 75 years of the classic movie, in addition to other themes such as Halloween, Wonderland, Cupie and Lisa Kettell Designs projects.

As for this project its extremely easy to create and a perfect recycled project using leftover paper straws and crepe paper streamers from a party, last years harvest floral picks or fruit picks of choice, scrapbook paper, floral wire and glue, that's it.




Materials

• Paper straws, navy blue, Aardvark Straws
• Pumpkin floral pick, Nicole Crafts
• Crepe paper streamers, blue green color, lime green color
• Oz scrapbook paper, Graphic 45
• Scrapbook paper, Crate Paper
• Glitter scrapbook paper, AcMoore
• Floral wire, white
• Star punch
• Glue/Tools; hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, scissors 

 Directions For Wand Base

1. Insert stem of pumpkin floral pick into the opening of paper straw, hot glue in place.
2. Punch stars from glitter paper using a star punch of choice.

 
 Directions For Wizard Hat

1. Cut a 5 inch by 5 inch square from scrapbook paper of choice.
2. Now cut square in 1/2 for a triangle shape.
3. Roll the ends of the triangle in to form a cone, secure with hot glue.

 Directions For Finishing the Wand

1. Attach the wizard hat to the top center of the pumpkin wand.
2. Cut a 12 inch piece of crepe paper from streamer, fold in 1/2, attach to hat base, repeat until desired amount of crepe paper fullness is reached.
3. Cut a piece from the Oz scrapbook paper, attach to hat base, tilting slightly for a whimsical effect.
4. Insert floral wire to the hat point, secure with hot glue, wrap around hat, secure with hot glue at base, twist ends for more whimsy.
5. Randomly attach the punched stars around the floral wire with hot glue.

 
Now your wands are ready to spread some magic and if you are lucky they might just transport you to wonderland.

Tips/Tricks

• Visit my You Tube channel to learn how to pleat, fold and crimp crepe paper for embellishing.
• You can use all types of fruit picks for this project to works for any season, like apples, pears, strawberries, large cherries, plums, lemons, limes, or gourds, all will work for this kind of project.
• Use discarded toys, vintage cake toppers, plastic novelties to make fun wands for kids or parties.
• Insert floral flowers, mistletoe and more in red or green paper straws for holiday decorating or table toppers.
• If you aren't a hot glue lover, try using a thick glue of your choice.

Hope you enjoyed the magic,
Have a wonderful Saturday!
xoxo
Lisa

Below is a list of my top 25 favorite products and manufacturers at this years Winter CHA 2012 show in Anaheim, CA.

1.Ruby Rock-It www.rubyrock-it.com
2.Graphic 45 www.g45papers.com
3.Hemptique www.hemptique.net
4.Vintaj www.vintaj.com
5.Beacon Adhesives www.beaconadhesives.com
6.Scrap Perfect www.scraperfect.com
7.Plaid www.plaidonline.com
8.Ranger www.rangerink.com
9.Ellison/Sizzix www.ellison.com
10.Colorbox/Clearsnap/Donna Salazar www.clearsnapinc.com
11.Basic Grey www.basicgrey.com
12.Kaiser Craft www.kaisercraft.net
13.EK Success:Martha Stewart and French General www.eksuccessbrands.com
14.Glitter Dust www.thermoweb.com
15.October Afternoon www.octoberafternoon.com
16.Offray Ribbon-Sports Line
17.Best Creations www.bestcreation.us
18.Zutter www.zutterproducts.com
19.Walter Kunze Dresden's www.walterkunze.com
20.Globe Craft Memories www.globecraftmemories.com

Today I am showcasing No.2: Graphic 45, I have been a fan of Graphic 45 papers for awhile, every year I wait to see what they come up with next, and I am never disappointed, they always produce a creative line. At CHA, if you are trying to locate them, just look for their famous clock tower that sits at the top of their edgy, fun booth, always lined w/pottery barn vintage style black shelving which are brimming with the latest projects and decor using their beautiful papers.

This year was no exception with another series of fabulous papers which have eye candy written all over it. Take a look at inside their booth and their new series of papers:
Love this collection:Too Cute or what?I so love this frame, isn't it adorable?Several years back I wrote and illustrated a children's story called: "Snuffy and the Flying Pig", a cute little story about a flying pig named Snuffy and his friends, when I saw this line I nearly melted!Now who do you know that loves dolls? Any hints....LOL, I'd say me! LOL:I want this doll too...It was like walking through stages of time inside their booth and the girls were super nice as always, look at their fabulous outfits so 1920's vintage:I hope you enjoyed your journey and the new products from the amazing Graphic 45, another must have for 2012!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

CHA Day 3, Part 1
After a fabulous dinner at Buca's, it was time to rest up for another full day at CHA, Day 3! This time we started at the fabric's section, and I instantly spotted this knitted tree at the Caron booth, how clever is this? I could now see knitted trees, tree cozies and coffee cup cozies, so inspiring. After strolling through this area of the show, Mom and I came upon so new goodies over at Kaiser Craft, notice is a theme? More trees, and fun owls, there was a lot of tree, owl, bird, birdcage and nature themes revolving around the show, in addition to paper/doll, travel, ballooning, steampunk and and sweet shoppe themes!Look who I ran into while strolling around to Ruby Rocket: the amazing Rachel!An here we are for the make/take at Ruby Rocket, it doesn't get better then this!Everything about Ruby Rock-it makes my heart sing!How happy am I surrounded by these Ruby Rock-It Papers. I want everything!The Make and Take:
After the fabulous make/take and time at Ruby Rock-it, we headed over to visit Zutter:I'll be mentioning zutter in the top 25 CHA products list! Now its off to another fave company Graphic 45, who always does a nice job!I'll be back with more Graphic 45 in the top 25 showcase of my faves from CHA this week! After Graphic 45 I ran into more friends again:Then I found the fab staff at Random House/Crown/Watson Guptnill and saw my work in Sherri's Book:this made my day, love it, with my baseball cuff and technique, I really enjoyed looking at the books coming out from them this year. Now its time for more Steampunk:
With Stampers Anonymous!And Anna Griffin:And Crate Paper: Now back to my next job: Teaching another Make and Take: Then I ran into the amazing Debby Shuh who will be in NYC teaching in May at the ink spot!and now my friends at Ellison/Sizzix:I see a super hero badge being made in the background:and with the greatest guys at the show, whose happier then me? :-)And with my girls at my publishers: Quarry Books: and two of us live in the Long Valley, NJ area, and here we are in California, lol!and with Crafty Chica Cathy: and with my buddy Julie:After the show, Mom and I headed over to Roy's Hawaiian Grill for Dinner with our NJ crew aka the Tiara Chronicles!What a way to spend your last night in Anaheim, a great dinner with the most amazing of friends! Such a happy time, Tomorrow we will be leaving to head back to NJ! Stay tuned for that post and the top 25 CHA fave highlights Posts!
xoxo
Lisa!