'O' Christmas Tree...'O' Christmas Tree...

Hello everyone...

Can you believe we're fast approaching December? Where has this year gone?!?! At the moment, I think I've suddenly gone into panic mode and realised that I need to start thinking about Christmas, there are presents to buy, cards to write, food to prepare and so much more...

But in between all that, we have a brand new challenge starting today over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog and this week it's called ~ "O" Christmas Tree! We would love for you to join us and can't wait to see what you create...

For my project, I made a dimensional home decor piece but it can also be used as a really special gift box or if you don't want to use the box, then why not use the sleigh for a Christmas ornament ~ the choices really are endless!

So, it's time for a brand new challenge and here's how I created this piece...

 

We'll start with the box and for this you can use any old box that you have, it really doesn't matter. For my box, I created a cube from mat board, using a Sizzix die from my stash.

I then painted the box with a coat of gesso before using a blend of Ground Espresso Distress Paint, painted directly onto the surface and heat dried and then dry brushed Tarnished Brass over the top.

Once the paint was thoroughly dry, I then cut panels of paper from the Tidings Paper Stash, inked the edges with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and using Collage Medium to attach them into place, I covered each side in this beautiful mistletoe and berries design.

To create the embellishments, I took a Baroque Frame, painted it with a mix of Turquoise and Steampunk Copper Alchemy Paints to create a tarnished look and then, using a co-ordinating pattern, I attached a piece of paper from the Tidings Paper Stash to the frame. Attach the frame to front of the box.

For the deer, I used one of the Trophy Antler pieces from Tim Holtz. To begin colouring the piece, I removed the antlers and painted those with the Steampunk Copper Paint and then dry brushed the head with a small amount of Frayed Burlap Distress Paint. When the antlers are dry, pop them back into the slots and then attach the head to the centre of the frame.

On the remaining sides of the box, I added some Finnabair knobs.

For the top section which will be the base for the sleigh, I used some cheesecloth and attached this with Collage Medium and then sprinkled glass glitter, mica flakes and Distress Rock Candy Glitter over the top of the cloth to create a subtle sparkle.

I then used a Special Delivery Ephemera piece and attached this to a strip of woodgrain cardstock before securing it onto my box, together with some Bauble Findings. Add a smear of Collage Medium over the Baubles and then sprinkle with glitter.

Now for the sleigh...

To create this sleigh which is freestanding and 3D I used the Tim Holtz Sleighride die by Sizzix.

I began by die cutting two of the Sleigh Ride images from Little Sizzles Mat Board. Cut two pieces of chipboard measuring 1” square and a second piece to measure, 2” x 1”. Prime each of the die cut pieces with Gesso and set aside to dry.

Take one of the sides and the larger piece of cut mat board. Add a small amount of Glossy Accents along the longest edge of the rectangular piece of mat board and attach it to the sleigh. This forms the base and seat on the inside of the sleigh.

Take the square piece of mat board and attach this piece at a slight angle to form the back section of the sleigh. Attach with Glossy Accents applied along the edge of the chipboard.

Attach the final die cut sleigh piece, lining it up so that the die cut pieces are perfectly aligned and level and the sleigh stands freely on it's own. Leave the Glossy Accents to dry completely.

Paint the main body of the sleigh, inside and out using Candied Apple Distress Paint and then use Antiqued Bronze Distress Paint to paint the sleigh gliders. Leave to dry and then using your finger, run a small amount of Antiqued Bronze around the edge of the red section.

Once happy with the colour, use the Black Soot Distress Crayon to create a more worn, vintage look around the edges, blending the colour with a semi-dry wet wipe. To add a little more authenticity to the sleigh, I added some texture paste to the gliders and sprinkled with glitter.

Attach the number 25 Mini Plaquette to the side of the sleigh.

Now for the main part of this project...the tree! I used the largest Woodland tree and spritzed it with Forest Moss Distress Spray Stain and then painted the trunk with Ground Espresso.

Once dry, use your finger to smear small amounts of Glossy Accents over the tips of the branches and then dip into Rock Candy Distress Glitter. To complete my tree, I attached some red and white pearls and also covered these with some of the glitter.

To secure the tree to the sleigh, I wrapped a piece of Christmas jute around both pieces and secured it with a knot.

Attach the finished sleigh to the top of your box at a slight angle...

...and that is my project complete! I hope you love what I created and that you might use some of the ideas for projects of your own...if you do, I'd love to see them so please tag me wherever you know me!

As always if you do need any further inspiration, then you need look no further than our blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz Punches Dies: Sleigh Ride

Distress Paint: Tarnished Brass, Ground Espresso, Antiqued Bronze, Candied Apple, Frayed Burlap

Distress Crayons: Black Soot

Distress Ink: Frayed Burlap

Idea-ology: Baubles, Christmas Jute String, Christmas Time Ephemera, Mini Plaquettes, Trophy Antlers, Baroque Frames, Woodlands Tree and Wreath Set

Surfaces: Tidings paper Stash, Little Sizzles Mat Board

Mediums: Gesso, Collage Medium, Rock Candy Distress Glitter, Texture Paste

Pearl Art Ingredients Glass Glitter
Prima Métallique Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint: Steampunk Copper, Rich Turquoise
Finnabair Mechanicals Mini Knobs

Ranger Craft Sheet

Heat Gun
Cheesecloth, Sizzix Cube die and pearls from my own stash