Matryoshka Tree {with JoFY and LPC Stamps by Julie Ann Lee}

Hello, it's Julie Ann here, delighted to be back at the PaperArtsy blog. I have a simple Christmas decor project to share, combining Lynne Perrella and JOFY stamps . Recently while I was visiting a trendy little cafe and gift-shop, I noticed some magical, Christmas branches: my creative cogs started to whir! Could I use PaperArtsy products to create something equally magical but not so pricey?

I started with a few twigs gathered on a winter walk, tiny pine cones and an empty glass bottle that had contained Bath Milk - probably from last Christmas! This was my chance to have a go at painting glass with Fresco paint!

 

I was totally bowled over by the coverage! I used a couple of  good coats of Antarctic with a touch of Lin Brown's Hint of Mint, randomly splodged and I painted the branches with layers of Antarctic, Lake Wanaka and just a hint of Limelight for a translucent lichen effect. All it needed for a winter sparkle was a sprinkling of Distress Glitter here and there.

I wanted the snow-flakes to appear to melt into the glass, so I stamped with JOFY Mini07 without a block. I used Lake Wanaka, sponging it onto the stamp with 'Cut-n-Dry' foam and acting quickly - before the paint could dry! With the paint still moist, I sprinkled the bottle with a little Clear Distress Glitter. This frosted effect looks great, but it doesn't show up in photos. 

JOFY Mini07

Time to adorn! I took some Polyshrink Shrink Plastic and lightly sanded it with a 'cross hatch' pattern of strokes. I then applied a diluted coat of Antarctic - if the Fresco is too thick or uneven, it can flake when it's heated. I then drew a drop shape around an image stamped from LPC016 by inking up the stamp with Jet Black Archival and carefully pressing

the paint side down onto the stamp.

 LPC016

I made a number of these 'drops', cutting around the shape I had drawn, punching holes at the top with a Cropodile and then - the magic - heating them with a heat tool until they shrank to drip size dangles. I edged them with Sapphire Treasure Gold and a smear of Glossy Accents, sprinkled with Distress Glitter.

My 'matryoshka tree' takes me back to the blue skies and glittering snow of Christmas 1987 when I was on my honeymoon in Moscow. I do hope you will feel inspired to create a glittering winter tree using Fresco Paints and PaperArtsy stamps. If you don't enjoy working with Shrink Plastic, you could alter little wooden ornaments to hang from the branches!

Julie Ann. 

A huge thanks to Julie Ann from PaperArtsy for this delightful project, what a stunning reminder of your time in Moscow. I think we are all enchanted with nesting dolls, there is something so romantic and ancient about them. The Fresco paints have worked beautifully on the glass and the snowflake stamp make the bottle look etched. 

We would love you to join in with the challenge. If you are inspired to action by any of this month's guests who have blogged in December 2014 then join in and link up your creativity HERE. You might win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. You need to add your link by 17:00 (London time) Dec 31st 2014, the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00, Dec 31st, 2014.