This project took much too long. Mostly because I didn't have the right tools but was too stubborn to go buy them and make it happen. I have wanted to make clay tree ornaments for the past two months but was really inspired when I saw these on A Beautiful mess a few weeks ago.
I shaped white clay (from Crayola) into round disks and then popped holes in the top. It was air-dry clay and took a few days to completely harden. Then I used various black pens to "practice" writing on them and see what worked. Nothing did. Instead of doing what I should have – buy a black paint pen – I covered them in a layer of mod podge which gave them a smooth glossy surface that actually looked better and took the Sharpie pen I was working with.
I am pleased with the gloss but this was probably NOT the idea way to go about this project (buy a paint pen!). I knew from the beginning I wanted to use them to document all the places we have lived together as a couple. I wrote our addresses and the dates of our past apartments (and of course our current townhouse – blurred for privacy) and made up a bunch of extras that I will store with our tree decorations so I can add to the collection as we move.
Really, these are so simple, but meaningful to our family. It will it be pretty cool when we settle into our "forever home" (at least 12 years from now) and have a Christmas tree full of memories of homes past.
And at least I know I'll always have a black Sharpie on hand to add more addresses. 🙂
This is project 17 of 27. I am
attempting to complete 27 craft projects using 27 different
materials before I turn 28 on 02.22.13. You can follow my progress here on the blog or on pinterest. Birthday challenges are my favorite. You can see the 26 Projects I completed while 26 here and the 27 materials I have used so far here.
enJOY it 
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