Woodlands & Tinsel Twine

'Tis the season!!  This has snuck up on me, anyone else feel that way?  All of a sudden is Christmastime and next its 2015 and whaaa?? How did this happen??

Our family is doing Christmas very simply this year and that feels very good to me.  Several of us do handmade Christmas and a Simple Christmas makes more time for that.  I've always considered the gift wrapping of gifts under the tree as part of our Christmas decoration.  Simple Christmas makes it possible to create really unique, artful and personal packaging for the simple offerings for friends & family.

The Woodlands & Tinsel Twine challenge is found on page 60 of Tim's book.  I created a tag for this challenge.  I used a vintage photo from Tim's Merriment Paper Stash of a Christmas parade.  This float features Santa and a whole bunch of children, but only one is looking at the camera.  This little girl was the most interesting face to me and I wanted to feature her, even above Santa!!

I used Adirondack Pearl Paint Dabber on the photo on all the areas I wanted to fade or recede, so as to highlight my little girl.  I just dabbed on some paint and then rubbed it with my finger.  I used Stabilo All Pencil around the little girls head and then blended that out with water to create a shadow around her and bring her forward.

I sprayed the Woodlands tree with Iced Spruce and Peeled Paint Distress Spray Stain.  Are you IN LOVE with these sprays??  I want to drink them, which might make me sick, but also might infuse me with limitless creativity.  Mmmmmm.....  what to choose??

A couple of details:   I used some dots of Liquid Pearls on my trim to create faux pearls.  I love little touches like this that create tiny interest, but add to the piece overall.   This stuff is sort of slow to dry, but worth it.

This was an idea that I had that almost worked.    Liquid Pearls is a dimensional pearlescent paint.  I thought if it was dimensional, I could use it to pop out tiny cut out elements.  I should have let it dry a little first, tho.  These little cut out words flattened out the paint.  Next time, I'll let it dry a little and then lay down the  embellishment on top.

I was at a Whole Foods in the bulk bins (LOVE those bins) and saw these little paper bags.  The guy said I could have a couple of extra bags (do you LOVE people who give you paper??) so I used one to attach my tag.  That's the pretty packaging that will wait under the tree until Christmas morning.

This challenge is sponsored by Inspiration Emporium.  Seriously, these guys are so generous with their bi-weekly $50 gift certificate for a random CC3C winner.  You should give them some love by doing a little shopping when you need some CC3C stash.  Why not?  'Tis the season.

The Curiosity Crew choice will receive this amazing prize pack donated by Tim Holtz Hizzelf, how cool is that??

Any questions about how to be eligible for these awesome prizes?  Check out Lovely Lady Linda Ledbetter's blog for all the deets.  Kneed knowledge of Tim's techniques or products to create with for challenges?  Check here to get your very own Tim-signed copy of Compendium of Curiosities III.  And last, but not least, be sure and leave a comment on all Curiosity Crew blogs to maintain your eligibility to win a CC3C prize for the AWESOME art you'll be entering.  We can't wait to see it!  Go for it!  YOU are an artist!