Gnomemade Christmas Tree

     This card was inspired by two friends, it was Jenny's idea to make a tree with these stamps and Val's amazing hand sewn gnome that really set the colour scheme, thank you ladies.

     I started by stamping each of the six gnomes on to Stix2 masking sheet and cutting them out. Then I stamped the centre gnome, masked him and stamped his two friends beside him.

     The piece of card I stamped on was quite large so I had plenty of room to play around with the images. I continued to stamp and mask until all six gnomes had been used and my tree shape was formed.

     I left the card for a while to make sure that all the ink was completely dry before I removed the masks, I knew it was likely that anything was still wet I would smudge it and have to start all over again.

     There were a few tiny gaps in the stamping where I hadn't got the mask exactly right, this was put right with a black micron pen.     

     To colour the image I used alcohol markers, with having spare card around the image I was able to try out the pens to make sure I was happy with the shade I'd chosen.

     I added a tiny bell to the top of each hat by sewing through the card. This did make matting and layering a little tricky because of the lumps, but it all worked out and meant my thread was all hidden.

     To add the greeting I die cut various phrases and chopped them about until I got 'gnomemas', I wanted something a bit different for this card.

     I shall have a play and make some variations using these cute little gnomes, as they can be any colour a gnome is not just for Christmas.

Materials List   (available from your local craft shop)
CTJJ143 - Gnomes by Two Jays

S57268 - Masking sheet

S57262 - 3D PVA Glue from Stix2

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - Anything Christmas

Send a Smile For Kids - Happy Holidays/Anything Goes

Colour Crazy Craft - Anything Coloured

Craft Rocket - Christmas/Winter

Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Family and Friends

The 12 Months of Christmas - #71 For The Boys

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas