Peace On Earth

Hey everyone...

Today, I'm really excited to be sharing the first of two projects that I've created for the Tim Holtz Inspiration Series using some of the stunning Christmas 2015 products.

As my mind turned to the festive season, I thought how wonderful it would be to create a very special card and gift wrap project using the Feathered Wings die as the main focal point for each item and combining them with the Mini Weathered Snowflakes stamps, Sizzix dies and various idea-ology pieces.

As soon as I saw the Feathered Wings, I immediately knew how I wanted to use them ~ they were a match made in heaven when used with the fabulous Globe die and the sentiment, Peace On Earth!

So to begin with, I applied some Antique Linen and Picket Fence Distress Paint to my craft sheet, spritzed the paint with the water spritzer and then swiped a piece of Mixed Media card through the paints, picking every little bit from my craft sheet. I heat dried the card and then used this to die cut two sets of wings ~ one for the present and one for the card.

I inked each wing with Tea Dye Distress Ink before spritzing all the wings with Perfect Pearls Biscotti Mist ~ heat dry and then ink the edges with a blending tool and Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

For the next stage I wanted to add a hint of gold to the edges and for this, I used a clear embossing ink pad and dabbed lightly around the edge of each wing. I sprinkled Sticky Embossing Powder over the top, gently heated it (do not overheat the powder as it will lose the tackiness) and the using Vintage Shiny Transfer Foil Sheets, pressed these over the top of the sticky areas, to add the gold highlights. Layer the wings up using foam pads. Set aside one set of wings for later.

Die cut the globe from gold Metallic kraft core Core'Dinations card and then trace around the outside of the die cut onto a gold Deco Sheet to create a backing for the globe. Lightly sand over the top of the metallic globe and then attach the globe directly over the top of the glittered Deco Sheet, using foam pads in the central area to create a slight curve.

You now have your wings and globe ready for your card front.

To create the card layers, I applied Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy and Antiqued Bronze Distress Stain to a craft sheet, misted the stain with water and then swiped a piece of Manila card stock, 16 x 14cm through the stains. Heat dry the card thoroughly.

Ink up one of the small stamps from the Mini Weathered Snowflake stamp set with clear embossing ink and repeatedly stamp onto the inked card. Add Sticky Embossing Powder over the top of the ink and heat until tacky. Apply the gold transfer foil over the top of each stamped snowflake to create your background pattern.

Ink the edges of the card and then machine stitch all around.

Cut a piece of the red striped paper from the Yuletide paper stash, 19 x 17cm. Distress the edges of the paper and matt onto the gold metallic kraft core card, leaving a border around the edge. Mount your matted layers onto a kraft card blank, 20 x 18cm. Matt the stamped background card centrally onto your covered card blank using foam pads.

Place the globe at the top of the stamped card using foam pads and then attach the wings to either side, wrapping them around the world.

Apply Peeled Paint and Shabby Shutters Distress ink to your craft sheet, mist with water and then swipe the card through the inks. Use this card to die cut some of the Holiday Greens foliage. Ink the edges of the foliage and add small amounts of Texture Paste to the edges before sprinkling with Distress Glitter. Leave to dry before attaching the pieces in a bough, placing them underneath your world.

Cut a strip of crinkle ribbon and dye with Antique Linen Distress Stain before tying the ribbon into a scruffy bow.

Stamp the Peace On Earth message onto a piece of inked card and cut down to size. Matt onto gold metallic card, leaving a border around the outside and attach the message to a memo pin and pin onto the centre of the bow. Stick one of the Yuletide brads over the top of the knot on the bow.

Take the largest mirrored star and use Mushroom Alcohol Ink to alter the colour. Attach the star at the top of the world.

As a finishing touch, add small red pearls to the foliage to give the appearance of berries and add small dots of Picket Fence Distress Paint over the top.

That completes this very special Christmas card but now we move onto the present and for this I combined Tim's products with vintage jingle bells and items that are readily available to buy or that you probably already have in your home!

To begin with, I cut a piece of plain brown kraft wrapping paper which you can buy in most shops. I then used inked up one of the large stars from the Mini Weathered Snowflake stamp set with Glacier White Ink and stamped a repeat pattern over the entire area of paper.

Heat dry the ink to set it before wrapping your present in the snowflake paper.

I then tied burlap ribbon around my present and secured it with a knot on the front. Thread through some of the gorgeous Metallic Trimmings ribbon, leaving the ends free.

I added the Feathered Wings to my present, together with a scruffy bow tied from crinkle ribbon, a piece of the gorgeous boxwood twine and some decorative bells that I aged with alcohol ink for a more coppery tone.

I then cut a strip of inked card stock, added a gold Gilded Holiday Remnant Rub over the top and added a mirrored star, inked with Mushroom alcohol ink to the end of the strip before attaching the message to my arrangement.

As the finishing touch I added two small charms which if you look closely are actually die cut from shrink plastic using the largest of the Feathered Wings. Heat the plastic with a heat gun, to shrink it down and then with an applicator tool, apply gold mixative alcohol ink over the top before adding small amounts of foil to the edges, using exactly the same technique as on the larger paper wings.

Secure the charms in place using jump rings threaded onto twine and add to your arrangement, together with a scattering of gold sequins.

...and that completes my card and gift wrap project and I really hope this tutorial has inspired you with ideas of how to create some very special cards for loved ones and also how to make your gifts stand out under the Christmas tree this year!

Check Tim's blog daily for continued Christmas inspiration from all the other wonderful designers that have created projects using the seasonal products!

Thanks for stopping by today and thank you as always to Tim, Paula and Mario!

See you soon...Emma x