Yes it’s that time of year again when we cast our thoughts to the season of good cheer and what do we do?… we panic!  But fear not. Calling all organised crafters to dust off that Christmas crafty stash and take a deep breath. The fabulous deep dish universal dies from Tattered Lace are back! So to the sewists, mixed media artists and card makers these are for you. I have been asked to make samples featuring two dies (stag and tree).Today’s mixed media extravaganza is the first of 5 projects which will hopefully  show the versatility of the product and provide a little Christmas inspiration along the way.

Project 1.- mixed media canvas:

This project is really fun. If you like being up to your elbows in crafty goodness this is for you! It’s all about colour and texture. The main features here are the stag and tree dies.In addition to these I’m suggesting a number of products including some additional TL dies but a project of this nature will always be unique so use whatever you have to build up he layers.

I’m suggesting the following:

 

 

You will also need an A4 canvas;scrap paper and card; an MDF tall tree and star and inspirational words printed on to craft card and foam pads.I know it seems alot but basically you need:

• Dies;
• Materials to create texture;
• colouring products;
• paste and adhesives.

Whatever you have, add your own twist.

Like with most crafting projects experimentation plays a major part.I began by cutting various materials. I tried 3 mm balsa wood, hessian and stretch cotton fabric. I cut the main balsa wood items twice. I embossed the top layer and stuck together.I then painted the wood with white gesso and set to one side.

Next to prepare the canvas:

To begin I took some paper and card and ripped uneven shapes and stuck to the canvas.I then die cut some texture shapes in white card and stuck down. Some to create a shadow and a medalian shape for the top. I placed some hessian down one side and some lace diagonally accross the canvas. I then stuck down the hessian trees and covered everything in mod podge.

 

It looks quite nice like this but I was inspired by the colour of the tree fabric so I needed to keep the texture and neutralise the colour.The canvas was therefore covered with white gesso. Scary I know!

Now for the colour:

I cut a circle mask and inked towards to top on golden shades. I also added gold stardust paint. I then inked around the circle in gradually warmer tones of pink peach and red.The fabric trees were laid out and stuck down.

I added orange and red gilding polish to acheive depth and shine.

Using a trellis die cut I added texture with gold and white paste.

When the paste was dry I embossed and inked strips of card and added these to the canvas.  I then highlighted parts of the canvas in green distress ink.I also scribbled sketched accents to the trees and backgtound with alcohol marker and stuck a strip of pearls across the canvas.

Then the colouring of the main elements:

Using the same colour inks and pens adding highlights using stickles and 3D paste and glitter.

These were arranged and stuck down adding dried moss, jip, berries, wooden flowers and cord tied in a bow.

Finally the word messages were added raised on black foam pads.

The Gallery:

That was a mega play!