Snowmen and Bottlebrush Trees are a few of my favorite things

It doesn't get much better in my book than snowmen and bottlebrush trees.  When I was sent some Soft Fallen Snow embossing powder from Emerald Creek Crafts I knew I wanted to make a beautiful bottlebrush tree with it.

I used a Tim Holtz woodland tree and dyed it with glimmer mist and Iced Spruce Distress Spray.  Once my tree was dry I used Picket Fence Paint on the branches.  While the branches were wet I sprinkled them with the embossing powder.  I gently heated the powder.  Don't over heat or the tree with start to smoke! I just might have done that, maybe...  I kept layering on the embossing powder until I was happy with the coverage.  

I glued on vintage mercury glass beads and topped the tree with Mirrored Stars.

I set my tree aside to work on my snowman.  The snowman is made out of Activa Premier Clay.  I have a tutorial on how to make the snowmen here.  

His little hat is the topper from an old ornament top, a plastic Christmas light cover, a jingle bell, some tinsel, and tiny plastic Christmas lights.  His scarf is ribbon from Tim Holtz.  

Once he was finished I glued the large tree and the snowman to the tart tin.  

I added a couple tiny trees to balance out the scene.  Some teeny presents and snow complete this winter scene.  

Our Creative Corner Wish Upon a Star Challenge

Mixed Media Monthly Silver and Gold

Simon Says Stamp Hoping for a winter wonderland

Emerald Creek Dares Wishing You a Merry Christmas

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family! 

Jess

Winter Wishes Clock

This vintage snowman has been needing a home and I decided to put him back in the Christmas woods.

 MME Noel paper was a perfect backdrop for this winter scene.  The bottle brush trees were dressed up with glitter and vintage mercury glass beads.  A layer of mica snow coats the bottom.

Some tinsel and wire snowflakes complete the interior.

I felt like the back needed to be dressed up on this one.  The plain black felt too harsh.

Craft Hoarders Anonymous-celebrate-season

Try it on Tuesday Christmas is Coming

Frilly and Funkie Vintage Christmas

Unruly Paper Arts 12 days of Christmas Link Up Party

What have you been crafting?

Jess

12 tags of 2014 August- The Muse Speaks

Tim Holtz has posted his tag for August.  He encouraged us just to play and let the creative muse speak to you.

My muse was loud today.  I used Peacock Feathers, Pickled Raspberry, and Scattered Straw distress stains.  I sprayed them on the tag to get big bursts of color and runny drips.  I ran my Scattered Straw ink around the entire tag to fill in the blanks. 

I adore this stamp from Dina Wakley.  I think it is one of my favorites.  She just looks bad ass.  I stamped her in Archival Ink.  I added a bit of washi tape to the side to add some more layers.  

The crown was made with mica and there is a tiny compass on it to always guide her in the right direction.  The paint circles were made using black acrylic and white Distress Paint.  You can see a tiny bit of stenciling up here too.  The blue wooden circle is a game piece (I have no idea what game it came from) with a remnant rub sentiment.  

I used texture paste through my Dyan stencil on top of the washi tape and a bit more in the bottom corner.  

I dipped my paint brush into my Distress Paint and flicked it all over the tag.  I roughed up the edges and then ran Black Soot Distress Ink all around.  The soda top "j" reminds me that this tag is for me! 

I colored the brads using white embossing powder that had a drop of alcohol ink in it.  I didn't want them to be glossy so after I heated them I smashed them into my craft sheet.  Once they were cool I ran Black Soot ink on top.  

The crinkle ribbon was colored with the three Distress Stains and stenciled using Black Soot.  

I know this is totally different from what Tim produced, but this is what my muse said to do!

I hope you enjoy it.

I am also entering this into Mixed Media Monthly Challenge- Stencils and Paste and A Vintage Journey's- Stain it.

What have you been crafting?

Jess