2019 #19 Cute Christmas Critter with ETS {by Lauren Hatwell }

2019 Topic 19: Cute Critters

What is it???? Lauren up to her usual tricks of course ... making something new out of something unexpected ... how does that mind of hers work? Well, read on, and maybe you'll get an insight! I was going to say she's gone a bit batty, but in this case it's dotty !! A dotty critter!  ~ Leandra

Hi everyone, it's Lauren here with you today, and I'd like to share with you a Christmas critter I made using Tracy Scott's amazing stamps. Much as I love all the amazing characters invented by all the very talented PaperArtsy designers, it's always fun to mix things up a bit and create new critters. Tracy's stamps are perfect for this because she uses so many useful shapes and elements.  I can always see so many different ideas in them and believe me when I say there are loads in there; but, for today, I thought I would stick with something festive.

Honestly, that flower from ETS08 has always been the "ZZ Top" flower in my head. 

I could see a face and a beard as soon as I looked at it. Sometimes it's just THERE and you can't ignore it! LOL!!! I've been waiting and WAITING to do something with it so this topic is a GIFT!

I have learned over time that the least stressful way to get those Christmas makes done and dusted is to pick themes, batch make and break down larger tasks to make them more manageable. Keeping it simple is the key and this little guy is about as easy to make as you can get. I made several as toppers so that I can add them to whatever project I like. 

Ooh! I do love a bit of repeat stamping. That little row of "hats" just makes me SO happy! I used the dotty circle and bauble top stamps from ETS13 for the body and hat. 

I adore this new Red Lipstick paint and because I used it on lovely white Regular Smoothy card.

It only took two thin coats of paint to get a nice even finish. I used a touch of Nougat Fresco Finish Paint on Santa's face and then mixed a dab of red to add a healthy blush to the end of his nose and just above his eyes.

A bit of cutting out in front of the telly can be quite relaxing and, as all the shapes are very simple, it honestly only took me about an hour to cut out all the bits I wanted, which was enough for 12 Santa toppers.

Once I had a nice collection of Christmas Critter toppers, I used them to make a batch of cards and a set of tree decorations/tags. 

For a very quick card background I used these gorgeous small mandala stencils (PS111) which make absolutely beautiful looking icicle patterns. 

I sponged them using a mixture of Blue Oyster Fresco Finish Paint and Satin Glaze to get a nice graduated and subtle finish. Using a glaze helps reduce the opacity of an opaque colour.

Then it was just a case of adding a sentiment. Believe from ETS05 is perfect. 

Again, three simple steps (four if you count sticking on the sequins - they were vital!) and I've got a nice batch of cards ready to go out to my nearest and dearest.

To make the tree decorations, I stuck a curtain weight (a small coin or washer would do the job just as well) to the back of the topper with hot glue (though Ranger's Glossy Accents would also work nicely) and then stuck the whole topper to a piece of felt using fabric glue. The weight makes the bauble hang nicely on the tree and the felt ensures everything is nice and neat at the back if the decoration spins round. Once the glue is dry, you can cut neatly around the whole topper with fabric scissors; easy! You could also attach a brooch pin for a festive badge.

So, why not take another look at your stamps and see what you can find. Once you start you will find so many different things... I really love the way the different stamp sets just keep on giving. There is treasure in those older releases and I find myself going back to them time and again.

Lauren x

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