The Festive Gent comes for a visit

I feel like I should start with an apology for my lack of blogging this Christmas season.  With CHA being moved closer and closer each year to the beginning of January, those of us who create product samples for the show are spending the month of December working away like Santa's elves.  Unfortunately samples can't be shown till Jan when the show starts!  Today I decided I needed to use a few of the precious few hours in the day to create something before the season is over.  I think this might be my favorite project since the Halloween Clock back in September!  Follow along and I will show you what I made!

I started with one of my favorite 6.5 x 9" Michaels wood boards as the foundation for my piece.  I used the 8 x 8" seasonal pack and Multi Medium to cover the board.   I sanded and inked the edges, then set it aside while I created the other pieces for the board.

I gathered a few items to get started - Grungeboard, Kraft-Core, and the Passage Door die.

I used a very light coat of Collage Glue Stick to add the red Kraft-Core Core'dinations cardstock to the Grungeboard.

 Then ran the Grungeboard and die through the Vagabond.  Back at my work table, I cut out the center of the door along the scoreline with a Kraft Knife.

I lifted the cardstock, and used Distress Pant in Black Soot to color the raw Grungeboard.

 I used Matte Medium to adhere the cardstock, making it permanent.

Next up is sanding with the Sanding Grip and inking with Gathered Twigs.

I wanted to add a window to the open spot in the door.  I used a piece of Frosted and and the Texture Fade, Courtyard to create a faux pressed glass look.  It worked like a charm.

I used a little Mushroom Alcohol Ink over the Frosted "glass" and added it to the door.

 I added a piece of Mirrored behind to give it a little shine. 

I cut the Holly portion of the "Holly, Beaded and Snowflake Garland" die to create a swag for the door.
I wanted silver bows though, so I adhered a Foil Tape Sheet to a thin piece of cardstock and ran it through the Vagabond.  Colored with a little Mushroom Alcohol Ink, they are now perfectly vintage.

 I used the foil bows over the green Holly to create a single swag for the door.

I added the swag to the door frame and a Hitch Fastener for a door handle (I changed the color to gold with Alcohol ink).
I also cut the Pediment die from Grungeboard.  I painted it with Distress Paint - Black soot, sanded and distressed the finish, then inked it with Gathered Twigs.

Next up is the sentiment.  I cut letters using the 'Wanted' Decorative Strip die.  My sentiment is long so I cut three sets of letters to get all the vowels.  I sanded the edges with the sanding grip revealing the Kraft-Core underneath.  Love me some Kraft-Core cardstock just for this purpose.

To get the letters straight on the panel I use a piece of Tissue Tape along the top and then lined up the letters along the edge.  Super easy trick.  I used Multi Medium to add the letters - It dries quick and clear, leaving no shine behind!

All lined up!

 I added the door with Wonder Tape and the word HOME.

I used the On The Fence die to cut a fence which I painted with Picket Fence Distress Paint.  Once dry, I inked it with Gathered Twigs to make it look more vintage.

 A little Multi Medium to adhere it to the scene.

 Next up is the Festive Gent - my favorite from the Sizzix Christmas release.
1. I cut the Festive Gent from Grungeboard and painted it black soot.
2. I cut away the shape of the bow (that is part of the wreath die) so I could add the small red bow from the Holly die.
3.  Paint the wreath portion with Peeled Paint Distress Paint, let dry.  Once dry, add Glossy Accents (in a thin layer) and add the Peeled Paint Distress Glitter.
4. Add the Glossy Accented red bow to the wreath.

 A bit of foam tape behind the body, then he can be added to the board.

 One last touch - a house number for the door...of course it will be house 25!  I used the same decorative strip, Wanted to cut Foil numbers.

I also cut another set in black for a shadow and Alcohol Inked the foil in Gold to make it stand out on the Frosted door "glass".

 Just like this.

 And now onto the door.  LOVE it.

 Even though it looks so much better in person, I hope you get the gist of the project.  This may have a lot of die cuts but they were fun to add each one to the panel.  And don't get me started on the Frosted Window!  The Courtyard Texture Folder was the perfect scale for the Passage Door.

Cheers for a great weekend!
now carry on,
paula

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