One Lucky Day: The Magic of Christmas

Hello friends,

I know it's a busy week out there, but I hope you might still consider this project doable in the time before Christmas. I know lots of us have product that we have bought and have not used yet. Me included. In fact I just ordered a Christmas embossing folder from Simon Says Stamp even though I know I won't be using it this year! Good thing Christmas comes around every year!

This project started because I had this idea to use the center cutout from the Facades "house shape" (see red square below) in a unique way. I have never added a cutout to a Vignette like this, but it worked out really well. Let me show you how I did it.

I drilled a hole through the bottom of the cutout, then covered it with black Woodgrain paper. I re-punched the hold with an awl before adding the eyelet.

I say, "adding the eyelet" but I really just used a hammer (NOT on my glass Studio mat) to push the eyelet into the hole I made with the drill.

I wanted a brown woodgrain look so I rubbed the ink pad directly over the black woodgrain (you won't be able to see the color on the black paper) then randomly spread Opaque Crackle Paste over the top. The Distress Ink bleeds through the wet paste giving it a brown color. Now leave it to dry so it can do its thing and crackle!

While waiting for the Crackle Paste to dry, I painted the sides (inside and outside) of my Vignette Display Panel with Rustic Wilderness Distress Paint.

Once the paint was completely dry, I added Christmas Collage Strips to the inside of the Panel. I also added another layer of Collage Medium over the top. I love all the different prints and patterns. They work together seamlessly to make a very cohesive background with ease!

I turned the Display Panel over and added more Collage Strips to the back. The strips fit perfectly on the back, but I did cut one strip so the ladies would be at the top of the tray, not in the bottom half. That's the beauty of the Collage Strips, they can be altered so they fit your purpose!

So the crackle is complete. All along the edge where the Paste was heavier, it has a very fine crackle that really looks like old painted wood. Such a fun technique!

I painted up a few Holiday Bells in different shapes to see which would look best. Once I made my choice, I used a large idea-ology Jump Ring to add the bell to the eyelet.

Next is the Layers ephemera piece that I had in mind for the Etcetera cutout. It fits perfectly! I used 3D Foam Squares to add the ephemera. I also glued two double stacks of bingo chips together to use as risers. If you don't have any bingo chips, then use double or triple stacked Foam Squares. If you use Foam Squares you may need to make 4 separate stacks for stability.

One they are secure, add more Collage Medium.

Then place the cutout on the Display Panel. Let the Collage Medium dry in place before standing the piece up.

Find two poinsettia pieces in the Layers pack. Use Collage Medium to add one bingo chip to each. Let dry.

Add Collage Medium to the back of each bingo chip and add to the panel as shown. The poinsettias should easily slip under the cutout.

While the poinsettias are drying, you can work on all the other parts...

Spray THREE Alpine Trees - 2 small + 1 large with Bundled Sage Spray Stain. Dry with a heat tool, then rough up the branches.

NOTE: I did cut down the back of the large Alpine tree so it can eventually be pushed up (and glued to) the back of the Display Panel.

Add random spots of Opaque Texture Paste to mimic patches of snow.

Add Mica Flakes over the paste. Dry with a heat tool.

Squeeze Mercury Glass Stickles onto deli paper or Studio mat. Pick up the Stickles with your index finger and add to the trees. Use Candied Apple Distress Paint to paint the bases red. Leave to dry.

Once dry, push the large and one small tree together so the branches connect. Set aside.

Use Distress Paint to color a piece from the Figure Stand pack. I chose the wreath but you could also use the deer or the snowflake.

Paint and distress a SMALL Salvaged Figure. I chose Santa since I used the snowman and the toy soldier in a recent project.

Paint the resin figure - leave to dry completely.
Scribble Walnut Stain Distress Crayon on Studio mat. Pick up crayon with a damp brush. Go over figure multiple times to work the crayon into the face features and over body.
Use your index finger to add patches of Glossy Accents over Santa. Sprinkle Rock Candy glitter over the top, then set aside to dry.
Use Collage Medium to add Santa to a Wood Slice. Set aside to dry.

I cut a house using the Sizzix Paper Village die and Distress Watercolor paper. However, the chimney is from the Paper Village 2 set. I think you could make a chimney on your own if you didn't have Paper Village 2 (we're resourceful right?).

That being said, I altered the house making it thinner so that it would fit in the panel. I did that before I glued the house together. When you make the house thinner, you have to make the roof narrower too. My house is 5/8" thick and the roof is 3/4" wide. My roof does not overhang at the back, but sits flush with the back of the house so the house can be pushed up against the back wall.

As you can see in the photo, I mounted the house on a base (not part of the die). You could make a base from heavy paper, but I just used an idea-ology matchbox drawer that I cut in half along the 2" length and then again along the bottom edge so it is about 1/2" high. You can see the difference in the plaid base and an original Matchbox drawer in front. They are the same width but not the same height.

You can see the mechanics better from the back of the house.

I've added two small wood blocks for stability (and an easy way to adhere to the Display Panel).

I've also cut a hole for the lights that I will add later. I should have cut the hole BEFORE I glued the house together but I didn't so the hole is a bit sketchy. I did add velum to the inside of the house to cover the windows. This will diffuse the light coming from the Tiny Lights.

The tiny red paid paper was from a Collage Strip. The words are from the Christmas Sticker Book.

I used Collage Medium to adhere the house to the base. NOTE: It was set crooked on purpose so the house sits flat against the back of the panel and the base is askew.

So next up, we need a hole for the lights to come from the back of the Display Panel. I used a drill and then an awl to smooth out the paper in the hole.

I also used the outside of the Matchbox to hide the Tiny Lights battery pack on the back.

I tried using all the lights and it was just way too bright in the house so I ended up cutting off half the lights (leaving about 10), then winding the string around two fingers. Because I made the hole in the back of the house so big, it was easy to push the lights into the space.

I used both Collage Medium and a bit of hot glue to adhere the house to the Display Panel.

Next, add the trees on the left. Again, I used Collage Medium on the base and hot glue on the back.

Small tree on the right along with Santa and the wreath tucked in the back.

Once the pieces are stable, use a small Palette Knife to add Grit Paste Snowfall. I chose Snowfall because it will give you an icy effect once it's dry. Work your way across the left side, adding the paste all the way into the back. Try not to cover all the red bases.

Remember, if you take away some of the paste, use a wet wipe to rub away an excess paste as best as possible. It will not dry clear.

While the paste is wet, add Mica Flakes and the embellishments - Confections covered in Rock Candy and another red bell. The Mica Flakes really add a lot over the Snowfall Paste. It's like they were meant for each other.

On the right side, repeat the steps to add the Snowfall Paste, Mica Flakes and embellishments.

Printed Green Design Tape was added with Collage Medium (for longevity) around the lip edge of the Display Panel.

And one last thing...

Make a tiny wreath to hang over the door of the house.

I took a silver metallic pipe cleaner and cut off one side the fringe. I wrapped it around a pencil to make the circle and used the needle-nose pliers to close it.

A little Mushroom Alcohol Ink took the edge off the bright silver.