December cheer

Christmas Cheer Journal and

keepsake box 

I love a good journal, and use them all the time, so earlier in 

the year I created this one for Christmas in July. I have 

also taught it around Australia, but now 

will share with you a quick tutorial on how I created it.

I just love to team turquoise and teal together, for me, just add in 

some white snow and it shouts of Christmas 

And of course some glitter and shine, here I have 

used the red beaded trim you can buy at Christmas

simply snip it up it to individual balls. I buy

them in all colours and use them 

year round.

One of the last things I do to my flower cluster is add some faux snow

a mix of gesso and white glitter. I like to add it with a soft 

small brush.

My magnificent jewel is actually an earring that I bought 

really cheaply at $4.00 a pair, it makes a fabulous element to my book.

Always look outside the square for materials.

So first I have added texture, this time with just 

gesso and a stencil as I did not want the texture 

to be too deep and I wanted a softer look than texture paste.

When dry, I spritzed with a little turquoise glimmer mist

and dried it again, then with a fan brush and water

I painted the surface with turquoise inka gold.

Remember they are actually water soluble and a valuable 

paint medium, as well as a rub.

Then I have added some platinum inka gold, just rubbing

in with fingertips. Then to add sparkle

I have painted with a glitter medium.

I have die cut branches and painted with white 

gesso, dry off..

Cover with dimensional magic and sprinkle with micro beads.

When dry I have painted with white gesso again.

This looks like coral or a textured winter branch.

Paint the window arch with white gesso.

Mix up a batch of faux snow, 1 teaspoon of white gesso

and 1 teaspoon of white glitter, then smear all over the window

with a large wooden stick.

The snow flakes, I have painted with white gesso and dried, then

I have painted with platinum inka gold for a neat shine.

Start the layering process, by adhering patterned 

paper into the window (this is Highland Christmas my new paper range 

here)

Add the snowflakes and window frames.

Snip up the branches to include in the cluster at the 

base of the window.

Add poinsettia and metal flower 

Fill out the cluster with some red pip branches cut up

and some green chipboard holly leaves and muslin.

When you are happy with the cluster add

some faux snow to the flowers and branches, and 

add the red earring to the centre of the window.

Keepsake box 

Over the years I have collected a few vintage 

Christmas decorations and they are very precious to me, and 

it occurred to me that to pass them on to my children

they needed to be kept safe in a sturdy box.

So I have used chipboard to decorate an old tin box 

using lots of gel medium to adhere in place.

I wanted to keep it pretty simple in comparison to my 

books and canvases as this has a practical use and I don't 

need things catching or making it hard to store.

Once all the chipboard is in place,  have painted the box with black

gesso and then with graphite inka gold.

Then I have added lots of rhinestones and decoration, which

I have covered with Art Alchemy White gold wax for a pewter

look.

To give it an aged look I have stained it with rust 

alcohol ink, blot off the excess for a vintage rusty look.

Just the ticket to store my vintage ornaments in.

The sweet blown glass mushrooms I purchased at 

an old antique shop in South Australia

when I visited our lovely Jane Tragenza, 

she recommended the store and was right, it had 

everything  !!!

Happy Crafting 

and Merry Christmas to all

See you next year !!