That's Life

Monday 4 December 2023

Santa Baby...

Hello friends...

Another week has flown by and here we are in the final month of 2023 and counting down the days until Christmas!

As always, a new week brings a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week our theme is all about Winter Blues and we hope you'll join us and play along!

For my make, I chose to create a project using a very special die set, the adorable Walter! This Tim Holtz set is exclusive to SSS and is available for a limited time only, whilst stocks last and all you need to do is add $25 or more of Tim's branded products into your basket, search for Walter and he will be waddling to you as a FREE gift!

So back to my card, where Walter is all dressed up for Christmas, ready to surprise his Santa Baby and little penguin girlfriend, Winifred and here's how I created this card!

To begin with I made a white card blank measuring 20 x 15cm. I then cut a panel of mixed media heavystock card, slightly smaller in size than my card blank and spritzed this panel with a light misting of water.

To add colour, I used the following sprays:

DISTRESS SPRAY STAINS; Walnut Stain, Speckled Egg, Broken China

OXIDE SPRAYS: Speckled Egg

After spritzing more water over the inks to blend them, I heat dried the card panel and machine stitched a border around the outside. I then applied Grit Paste through the Speckles Layering Stencil, placing it at the top of the card, and only applying the paste so that it stops about half way down. Once dry, I mounted the background onto my card blank, leaving a very narrow border around the outside.

LAYERS

Moving onto the main background and for this I cut a panel of Distress Watercolour card, 17 x 12cm.

I spritzed the card with more water and then applied Mica Stains ~ Snow Flurries, Winter Frost, Shiny Bauble. I spritzed the colours to create a slight graduation of intensity, so that the bottom section will remain mostly white, with just a hint of the spray showing. Allow the colours to blend and then heat dry the surface.

Once again, I machine stitched a border around the edge and then applied more of the Grit Paste through the Speckles Layering Stencil to create the look of snow. I added the paste so that it will align with the paste/snow on the background panel attached to the card blank.

When dry, I matted the panel onto silver metallic kraft card and attached it to my card using foam pads.

TREES

To begin with I coloured a piece of mixed media heavystock card using the following combination:

DISTRESS SPRAY STAINS: RUSTIC WILDERNESS, BUNDLED SAGE, SPECKLED EGG

OXIDE SPRAYS: SPECKLED EGG

MICA STAINS: FROSTED JUNIPER

Once the card was dry and the blend was just right, I used the trees from the Forest Shadows Die Set to cut my two separate images to create the background layer and the foreground. I also cut a second layer of white card, which I used as a drop shadow by adhering this piece behind each of the green layers.

To create the snowy effect on the edges of the trees, I brushed the Embossing Dabber very lightly over the tips and then sprinkled White embossing Powder over the top. Tap away the excess and heat emboss the powder.

Because I wanted to add some glitter and snow, I applied a light coverage of Micro Glaze over the top of each die cut. This will stop any ink turning your snow green and bleeding into the Snowfall Paste, which I added along the bottom of the die cut and to some of the branches.

I allowed for the paste to dry, before drizzling some Glossy Accents over the paste. Working quickly, I sprinkled Mica Flakes and Rock Candy Glitter over the top, tapped away the excess and set this aside to dry...

...and once the pieces are dry enough to handle, I attached them to my card front, placing them across the background, slightly overlapping the edges and creating different heights to each piece by adding foam pads.

WALTER AND WINIFRED THE PENGUINS

Both of these adorable penguins are cut from a combination of Black Heavystock card, White Distress Watercolour Card and Mixed Media Heavystock card. Each of these card surfaces will create different effects and that is why I chose to use this combination.

Once all the pieces are cut, I then painted the accessories with Distress Paints ~ Santa's hat, the scarf, the beaks, feet, bows and glasses.

I also gave each penguin a touch of pink of their cheeks.

After assembling each image, I wanted to add an extra accessory to Winifred, some ear muffs.

These are actually die cut using dies from the Chilly and Freeze, which were the DieCember set from Tim, in 2022! This accessory fits perfectly and I just added some tiny white polka dots and the tiny bow.

Attach each penguin onto the project with foam pads.

SENTIMENT

The sentiment, "It's A Wonderful Life", is from the Sketch Greenery Stampers Anonymous stamp set. I stamped the message with Barn Door Archival Ink, onto a die cut Vintage Label, which I lightly spritzed with the Shiny Baubles Mica Stain, just to give a smattering of colour.

I attached the label underneath the scene with foam pads to add height, and then added two Hardware Heads to either side of the label. Each Hardware Head is painted with Speckled Egg Distress Paint.

FINISHING DETAILS

We're nearly there and all that's left is to add the tiny details of the cloud in the sky and the shining star.

The cloud is cut from watercolour card, using the Sizzix Christmas Cutouts Die Set and inked with Lost Shadow Distress Ink. I attached this to my background with foam pads.

Finally, I added the gold star, cut from gold metallic kraft card using the star die from the Holiday Blocks die set.

I cut two of these layers and then cut each layer in half to create four stars, which I then adhered over the top of one another to make one complete star, which I attached to my panel, adding a silver Metallic Droplet in the centre.

...and that completes my Christmas card, which I hope you love and will make you smile to banish those winter blues!

As always, if you make anything, or if you've been inspired by anything that you've seen here on my blog ~ then please, let me know by tagging me on social media or leaving a comment here and I will be right over to take a look!

Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $25 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today ~ stay safe and keep well.

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous: Sketch Greenery, Speckles Layering Stencil

Tim Holtz for Sizzix: Walter, Forest Shadows, Vintage Labels, Christmas Cutouts, Holiday Blocks, Tim Holtz/Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway

Distress Paints: Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Speckled Egg, Wild Honey, Mustard Seed

Distress Spray Stains: Walnut Stain, Speckled Egg, Rustic Wilderness, Bundled Sage

Distress Oxide Sprays: Speckled Egg,

Distress Inks: Walnut Stain

Mica Sprays: Snow Flurries, Winter Frost, Shiny Bauble, Frosted Juniper

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Hardware Heads, metallic Droplets

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Sizzix Adhesive Sheets, Foam Pads, Barn Door Archival Ink, White Embossing Powder, Embossing Dabber, Mica Flakes, Snowfall Paste

Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock, Metallic Kraft Stash, Black Heavystock, Watercolour Card

Glass Media Mat

Blending Tool

Tim Holtz Paper Trimmer

Heat Gun

***These links are not affiliate links***

Monday 27 November 2023

We Wish You A Merry Christmas....

Happy Monday friends...

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend and ready for the brand new week and, the official start of a Christmas 2023, here on my little blog!

Also, as you all know a Monday brings a new Simon Says Stamp Challenge and this week our theme is all about....TREES! So whether you decide to make something wintery, for Christmas, or just use trees within your makes ~ whatever you decide, the DT hope you'll join us and play along!

For my make, I had decided to make a vintage style Christmas scene, and used the amazing products from Tim Holtz's Christmas idea-ology 2023 release, combined with some older favourites from previous years.

So, let's get started, it's time to introduce you to these two very excited children, who are waiting patiently for Santa's arrival!

To begin with, this project uses the largest sized Rectangular Etcetera Panel and I applied a plaid design from the Christmas Design Tape set, around the edges.

BACKGROUND

For the background, I used Collage Tiles from 2022. You need to get these whilst you can, as sadly didn't come back this year, but I LOVE them so much and have a stash in my craft room, so thought it would be a good idea to use these up on this make, because they made the perfect backdrop. If you can't find any Collage Tiles, then don't worry, just cut up papers to create the same effect on the background.

I arranged and adhered the tiles onto my panel, attaching them with Matte Collage Medium. I then sealed the tiles with a layer of the medium and once the surface was dry, I ran my Walnut Stain Distress Crayon along each of the joins on the panel, blending out the crayon with my fingertip.

Once I was happy with the background, I used the splatter brush to lightly splatter Picket Fence Distress Paint across the surface.

Set the panel to one side to begin work on the next stage.

LEDGE and WINDOW FRAME

For the ledge, I layered and adhered three Pinked Etcetera Trims over one another to form a thick, substantial ledge. I then adhered a straight trim from the Halloween Web Trims across the top of the ledge to form a lip for the paper dolls and trees to stand on.

Once the medium was dry, I applied a good layer of crackle paste over the entire piece. Leave the paste to do it's thing and once the crackles have appeared and the medium is dry, I ran Walnut Stain Distress Crayon over the surface to accentuate the crackles, wiping away any excess so that the white still shows through.

Attach the ledge so that it fits across the width of the panel.

The window frame is from the Christmas Baseboards and Transparencies set and I placed a piece of the acetate, also from this set, behind the window to form a leaded window effect.

I popped the window onto foam pads, before attaching this to one of the pieces in the Christmas Ephemera Pack. This beautiful piece shows a Christmas Tree and just needs to be trimmed down to size to fit behind the window itself.

After sanding the edges of the frame, I applied a coverage of Walnut Stain Crayon, blending out the harsh lines with my fingertips. My window frame is now ready to place onto the panel, and I attached this so that it lines up with the ledge.

To decorate the frame, I added some Snowfall Grit Paste along each of the tiny window panels before adding the top section.

This is made from two of the smallest sized Bracket Etcetera trims and I painted the trims with Candied Apple Distress Paint. I then knocked back the brightness with a little Black Soot Distress Paint. Place the two trims together to form an 'L' shape and attach to the top of the frame.

Underneath the canopy/pelmet, I added some of those gorgeous drippy icicles. These are another item that you need to grab whilst you can, as they didn't make a return this year.

I used two icicles, cutting one of them down so that they fit across the top of my frame and to add the icy look to these pieces, I painted the backs of each piece with Picket Fence Distress Paint.

Once dry, I then flipped them over, and applied some Glossy accents which I smeared over the surface, before sprinkling Rock Candy Glitter over the top.

Allow for these to set before attaching them to the frame, placing them underneath the little Etcetera Trim canopy.

WINDOW FRAME DETAILS

Along the top of the frame, I added two of the smallest sized pinecones and some small die cut holly leaves. On each of the pinecones, I smeared a small amount of Picket Fence Paint, before attaching them to the canopy. I then used Tim's Christmas Minis die set by Sizzix to cut tiny holly leaves from green cardstock, before shaping them and adding them to the arrangement.

To complete the top section, I drizzled some Glossy Accents over the canopy and then sprinkled Mica Flakes, letting them fall where they land, and tapping away the excess flakes.

The final touch to complete the frame is the wreath. This is from the Christmas Wreath Adornments set and I painted them with Distress Paints. I then placed the wreath in the centre of the window, adding a dusting of Rock Candy Glitter over the top.

PAPER DOLLS

The paper dolls that I chose is from the Christmas Layers and Paper Dolls set and I colour tinted the image with Distress Crayons and a waterbrush. I also added some tiny polka dots to the little girl's hat using a white pen.

In the boy's hand I added a Tiny Bell from the Holiday Bells pack. After altering the metal with a little Rust Alcohol Ink, I attached it to a Jump Ring. I then attached this to a small piece of chain and a second jump ring. I then pierced a small hole in th boy's hand and threaded the ring through the hole.

Add foam pads to the back of the paper dolls and place them in the centre of the frame.

CHRISTMAS TREES

Either side of the frame, I used two of the smallest sized Alpine Woodland Trees. Because these trees are slightly thinner than the older style Woodland Tress, they are absolutely perfect to place on the ledge and all that you need to do to make sure they fit snuggly, is cut away some of the sisal branches at the back of the tree.

Once that was done, I started to colour them and began by using the resist technique, something that I've done many times when creating these trees. I just dab a small amount of gesso onto the tips, leave them to dry and then spray them with a combination of Bundled Sage and Iced Spruce Distress Spray Stains.

Remove any excess moisture before drying them with a heat tool, or naturally.

Once my trees were dry, I painted the bases with Candied Apple Distress Paint and then attached Christmas Droplets to each tree.

Finally, I smeared some Glossy Accents onto the tips of each tree, and sprinkled Rock Candy Glitter over them before placing a Mirrored Star on top of each tree.

Attach the trees to the ledge.

WORD BAND

We're nearly there and all that's left is the metal Word Band. I used the "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" banner and altered the metal with Distress Paints and Foundry Wax. I applied a layer of Black Soot Paint over the entire band, allowed it to become tacky and then wiped away any residue. Heat dry and then adde a small amount of Statue Foundry Wax over the metal. Heat set, and then repeat with Sterling Foundry Wax.

I then drizzled Mushroom Alcohol Ink over surface, dabbing away the excess puddles and added a final layer of Statue Foundry Wax to accentuate the lettering.

I attached the band directly to the ledge...

...hammering two tack nails into the holes on either side and bending those nails back with a pair of pliers.

Now for the final touches to complete the project....

I added Hardware Heads to either side of the ledge and then placed a "December 25" Clippings Sticker underneath the word band.

After a dusting of Mica Flakes along the ledge and around the base of the trees, I added an altered Hinge Clip to the top of the panel.

So, that's my project finished and completed for this week and I hope you love what I've made and it's bought the feeling of Christmas into your homes!