Jolly Happy Christmas *Wreath*

Hello all you lovely Crafters. I've been feeling pretty rotten over the past couple of weeks with a flu like virus which I can't seem to shake off, so this Friday's blog has been pulled out of the bag (literally..!)

Using Christmas Tree shapes and scraps saved from a previous project already coloured using Promarkers a Christmas Wreath has been created using Sweet Dixie Jolly Happy Christmas Stamps. From Personal Impressions these stamps are from Lindsay Masons 2016 Christmas releases.

Using a 6" card I matt and layered using traditional gold and red card, a zig zag stitch has been sewn onto the red pearlized card to add some interest. I created a ring template by simply drawing round two glass jars of differing sizes making sure the central aperture was big enough to accommodate the sentiment. As you can see the dimensions of the wreath template are clearly written for you to see.

The wreath is made up of 12 Christmas Trees all cut around  2/3rds of the way up from the bottom. There is no need to measure this as there is almost a clear line for you 

to follow on the stamped image.

The 12 trees are layered around the ring template using foam pads, I added flat back pearls to embellish but you could be quite opulent with your embellishments. 

The completed Wreath ring is then applied centrally to the card using foam pads.

As you can see the effect is quite raised and I'm sure it would make a great Table Candle holder, unfortunately I didn't have the right size candle to try.

Thank you for sharing your time, have a wonderful weekend.

Creative Hugs from Tracey xxx

Peace Dove

Designed by Sue Dix, Sweet Dixie Peace Dove stamps from Personal Impressions are so intricate, I wanted to see if the detail would still be kept using Gilding Flakes. 

A 5" MDF Tag was painted in Black Gesso  when dry the Large Dove

 image was stamped onto the tag using IndigoBlu FlitterGlue.

IndigoBlu Manchester Tart Gilding Flakes a beautiful mixture of coppery, silver & gold tones was applied to the stamped image with Champagne coloured Gem Stones 

added to give dimension.

I coloured the Peace Dove using Posca Pens giving an almost Folk Art look in contrast 

with the Black background.

The Peace Sentiment also from the Peace Dove stamp set was stamped and applied in the same way.

Gilding wax was added to the outer edge of the tag and a co-ordinating bow with gemstone.

Creating a most colourful addition to your Christmas decorations I hope you agree...?

Creative Hugs from Tracey xx

Chalkboard Christmas.

Last Christmas I created projects very similar to these. 

Using Sweet Dixie *Christmas spent with Family* stamp set Designed by Lindsay Mason from Personal Impressions, I have replicated previous makes.

*Christmas Spent With Family*

Using an MDF tag painted in Black Gesso and sanded back I stamped the sentiment using White VersaCraft and heat embossed with Sweet Dixie Glacier White Ultra Fine embossing powder.

Trying to achieve the chalk board effect I did not use an anti static bag hoping the MDF would attract the odd speckle of embossing powder. From the picture below you can see that it does just that.

The Holly leaves did not fit onto the tag without obscuring the wording.

It is possible to get a negative print of an image if you stamp onto tissue paper. 

As tissue paper is absorbent the ink sinks easily into it, making the reverse side 

a negative image to the stamp. 

Doing this allowed me to fit the Holly Leaves onto the Chalkboard tag perfectly. 

The Holly has been scruffy coloured using Derwent colour soft pencils, cut out and adhered onto the tag using Mat Mod Podge.

Taken from Lindsay's Christmas Tweets Stamp set

I embossed both top and bottom of the tag to replicate snowfall and added 

flat back red pearls to create realistic berries. 

These tags can be Tree ornaments, or maybe add a magnetic strip to the back to create a magnet, either would make a great stocking filler.

A Tag shaped Christmas card has been made in the same way,

 this one displays two of the seven sentiments within the set.

These are very effective Christmas makes but the concept could be carried on 

all year round with minor adaptations. 

Thank you for sharing your time with me, I hope you have been inspired.

Creative Hugs from Tracey xx