Doodle Wreath

This months challenge at The Paper Funday is as always Anything Goes with a December twist of Holiday Time. This great digi stamp is from Varada Sharma, called Doodle Wreath.

     The larger card was made by fading the image to 50%, then laying the full strength image over the top and turning it 90degrees. Sounds complicated but believe me it's not, I'm not very tech savvy atall, all done in a basic version of Photoshop.

     The faded image I coloured in light green and the darker in dark green, I think it gives it some depth. A little Distress Ink Bundled Sage around the edge helped knock back the bright white. All the berries were coloured with a Christmas Red Stickles.

     A thin mat of red mirri card helps the red berries stand out a little more, this was then mounted on foam on a white card blank.

     The small card was inspired by the way a png image has a black background when viewed in my photo package, I rather liked it for a more masculine card. Again changed in Photoshop with a little tech support from my son, once he explained about a paint bucket symbol it made sense, choose the bucket, choose the colour and click where you want to tip the bucket!

     The berries on this one were coloured with red Liquid Pearls but this time I used plain red card for a mat and a silver peel off greeting to finish it off.

     Digital images are great, you can change the size, orientation and play around with them to achieve different effects. To see what else can be done with them pop over to The Paper Funday and have a look at the DT samples.

I would like to enter these cards in the following challenges:

Winter Wonderland - Anything Christmas Goes

The 12 Months of Christmas - #95 Anything Christmas Goes

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - #623 Anything Christmas

The Holly and Ivy - Anything Christmas

Christmas Mini Journal

 

     This little journal was made using the new Mini Living Hinge from John Next Door. The previous hinge made an A5 journal from an A4 sheet, this one is half the size so it makes a cute little A6 journal from an A5 sheet. 

     There are many options when making books with this hinge, this is just one of them, using it in it's most basic way to just cut a hinge into one piece of covered card and folding it over.

     The cover was made with a sheet of 1mm greyboard, covered both sides with decorative papers from a magazine freebie. This paper was glued onto the greyboard using a PVA glue and a brayer to smooth out any bubbles, before leaving the board to dry overnight weighed down under some books to stop it buckling.

     I have marked the centre of my hinge die on the back using a Sharpie pen, I found it helps me line everything up more easily.

     To encourage the fold I found easing it over a strong cardboard tube helped to prevent any sudden slips resulting in creases and cracks, the tube is from a roll of tinfoil.

     While I was planning the contents I left the folded cover with a couple of large rubber bands round it to hold it while the fibres settled down and got used to their new position.

     

     To put one booklet in the journal I chose to use an envelope type section on the back cover to hold it, this means the booklet can be changed once full without having to discard the whole journal.

     The flaps on the sides were folded over the outside rather than inside to make it easier to slide the booklet in and out, with a bracket style cut to make it look nice and to ease the placing of the booklet. This pocket was then stuck onto the back cover with redline tape.

     To make the booklet I used 10 sheets of copy paper cut in half, giving me 20 leaves. The booklet cover is a piece of double sided scrapbook paper which was nice and firm. I have been shown how to make these booklet by Clove Bindery, it's a great way to make custom sizes with whatever cover you wish, please feel free to pop over and ask Wendy how, she's very helpful.

     Inside the front cover I have added a small wallet for odd little bits like receipts or tickets. The outside is decorated with one of John's baubles dies stuck over a long length of green ribbon, there is double sided tape under the ribbon on both back and front to keep it in place but not on the hinge as it needs to move a little.

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

Jingle Belles - Anything Christmas Goes

Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

International Art & Soul - Ch#148 Winter

The Holly and Ivy - Anything Christmas

Country View - Anything Christmas

Die Cut Divas - Anything Winter or Christmas

Sparkles Forum - #158 Dies and/or Punches

Kraftin' Kimmie - Anything BUT A Card

Mica Magic Northern Lights

     Mica Magic is mica powder in an almost cream like form, a bit like eyeshadow but please do not use it as makeup. It can be applied with a sponge or on your finger, a brush would work but tends to hold onto the powder so you end up using more. The effects you can achieve with this product are many and varied, this one is a Northern Lights background inspired by a You Tube video from Kevin Nakagawa, he used ink pads for his background.

     All but the black came from the new Dawn Aurora pallet and were applied using the reverse of a piece of  Cut N Dry Foam. The back of the foam is quite firm and doesn't bend so it applies the mica perfectly over embossed surfaces as well as smoothly onto flat card, this is a tip I picked up from the talented Dot when using gilding wax.

     Starting with the lightest colour first I added streaks of yellow and lime green in one direction across my white card, building up with darker green and black.

     The white stars were made using a Posca pen held over the card and tapped with the edge of a ruler to make it splatter.

     Once complete the background was buffed gently with a soft cloth to get a subtle shine. The scenic layer was die cut using a die from JND Snow Scenes in black card, then stuck onto the background with redline tape to make sure it didn't fall of the shiny surface. The scenic background was then matted onto a black layer.

     To find a perfect match for the green mat was almost impossible so I made one using the same green Mica Magic used in the background to colour a piece of white card, only the edge needs to be coloured as the rest is covered.

     My green mat was then added to a black card blank, I tried it on white but it didn't look right, with the scenic layer being added with 2mm double sided foam tape to give a little lift.

      All that remained was to add the die cut Silent Night in black, which was actually cut from the centre of the black mat layer, and embellish with a couple of amber gems. I would love to see the Northern Lights but until I do then trying to make them on card will have to do.

      

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

ABC Christmas - W~white/X~xtra special  

The 12 Months of Christmas - #94 Anything Christmas

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - #622 Anything Christmas

Merry Little Christmas - #47 Anything Christmas

The Sisterhood Of Crafters - Anything Christmas

Autumn Butterfly

 

     This months challenge at The Paper Funday is Anything Goes with an optional twist of Autumn Colours. I love the colours of Autumn so I chose to use them on a butterfly.

     The butterfly was stamped using a John Next Door media plate and a selection of dye based inks, the main body of the silhouette being in yellows with a touch of rusty orange around the outside.

     To get the shimmering flowers the inked image had to completely dry then using the same media plate a stencil was laid on top and a generous layer of Versamark was added to the media plate. This was then stamped on top of the coloured shape and dusted with pearl mica powder. A very light spray of an in-expensive hairspray was used to fix the mica.

     To finish of the image panel some silhouette stamps were used with Versafine black ink and then the sentiment was added.

     To get the same shade of orange as a mat layer a plain white layer was coloured but only around the edge that would be seen, then a black mat layer before going onto a white card blank.

     You will see that the card changes with the angel of view, the mica is always there but when it catches the light it really shines.

     Come along and join us at The Paper Funday with your creations this month, we have lots of inspiration to help get you started.

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

Try It On Tuesday - Sparkle and Shine

Sunday Stamps - SSC295 Autumn Bounty     (Top Cup)

Art Impressions - #339 Stencil or Mask

Signs Of Autumn

 

     A new challenge has started at The Paper Funday this morning, this month's twist to our Anything Goes challenge is All About The Candy. I have chosen to stay with an Autumn theme by using one of our sponsor images, Signs Of Autumn by Jan's Digis.

     This digi comes blank or pre coloured, I chose to colour a blank image but used the pre coloured as a guide to help me see where one leaf stopped and another started.

     The blank image was printed four times on smooth white cardstock, this gave me one image to die cut with a rectangle, two to trim and layer, with one left to experiment on. I planned my colours on the play piece and tried out various combinations before colouring my main image with alcohol markers.

     Using foam pads I layered the jar after giving it a little curve and added the leaves on top. A small Thanks stamp added to the bottom makes it a useful little addition to my card stash.

     The main image panel was matted on a dark orange card then a very dark brown before going on a 7x5 Kraft card blank.

     Pop over to The Paper Funday to see all the fabulous inspiration the team have come up with, then come and join us with your project.

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

(PIN)spirational - #294 October

Everybody-Art - #521 Autumn

Shopping Our Stash - #480 Leaf Me Alone

Try It On Tuesday - Autumn     (Top 5)

Use Your Stuff - #468 Autumn/Fall

Thinking Of You

 

     A new challenge at The Paper Funday has begun today, we are an Anything Goes challenge with an optional twist, this month's twist is Thinking Of You.

      My card is quite small at only 4 inches square but it packs a lot of Autumn colour. The leaves were made by using double sided sticky sheets on card, then covering it with gilding flakes, I find this is much easier and faster than using special glue when covering a large area.

      The leaf dies are Vintage Leaves from John Next Door, they have a solid shape and a veined shape to match. Using the gilded card and some black card I cut several leaves to make a small bunch, each leaf has a little shaping so they don't sit completely flat.

      To continue the Autumn theme I have used a Autumn Orange linen card from Crafts Too, which is matted on black and then on to a Kraft card blank.

      A simple sentiment was stamped in black across the top, a small but bright card just to let someone know they are in your thoughts.

      There is a wealth of inspiration over on The Paper Funday challenge, pop over and have a look, then join in the challenge with your own project.

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

Hand Stamped Sentiments - #397 Inspiration 

Get Creative - #115 Fall/Autumn

613 Avenue Create - #202209 Anything Goes/twist-Leaves

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2236 Anything Goes

Love To Craft - #70 Anything Goes

Inspiration Station - #37 Leaves and Autumn Colours

The Paper Funday Friendship

 

     The new challenge at The Paper Funday has begun. It's an Anything Goes challenge with an optional twist, this month's twist is Friendship.

     This card started with a white card blank, embossed with a woodgrain folder, then distressed with brown ink.

     The large circle is cut from a cork sheet, making sure the dies were off centre. Sunflowers always brighten things up so three were made with yellow card, centres coloured with brown pen and then covered with brown and black Flowersoft. A few green leaves tucked in here and there made it look more real.

     Friend was die cut into Kraft card and backed with gold mirri card. The straight end was tucked under the cork ring, a little foam tape underneath the word lifted it up enough for the forked end to sit over the ring.

     A few small glass drops were added to the card for extra interest. Rather simple and thin enough to post as standard, a bright little card to make a friend smile.

     Please drop in to see all the inspiration at The Paper Funday, then come and join us with your creations.

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

Creative Fingers - #236 Anything Goes

Love To Craft - #69 Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - #102 Anything Goes

Paper Funday At The Beach

 

      The new challenge this month at The Paper Funday is anything goes, with an optional twist of A Day At The Beach. I love the beach so I chose to follow the twist with this card.

     I started with a white card blank and taped it to my craft mat with masking tape, so I could keep a white border all the way around the card. Then I stamped the lighthouse image with blue ink and the sentiment block aswell, with the ink left on the stamp I stamped on masking sheet, cut out and covered the block area.

     With the masking sheet and tape in place I used a stencil to make the background. Using a little of the same ink as the stencilling I added some colour to the stamped image, but not very much.

     The masking sheet was removed from the block area and the sentiment was stamped in the same blue ink as the image. Once completely dry the masking tape was removed from the card edges, a simple, flat card was the result.

     Our challenge at The Paper Funday is anything goes but you can follow the twist if it inspires you, please take a look at all the DT inspiration and then join us with your creations.

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

Cardz 4 Guyz - #299 Summer

Gem Of A Craft - Wk14 Anything Goes

Try It On Tuesday - Summer

Living Hinge Pocket Journal

     A simple pocket journal made with envelopes and the new Living Hinge die set from John Next Door. This was a great way to use some of the large stack of 12x12 papers I have in my stash.

    All the envelopes in this journal were made using scrapbook papers but you could easily use ready made envelopes instead, decorating them with stamping or stencils.

     For this journal I made 8 envelopes, joining them together with one length of tape across the middle width on each one, forming a concertina of pockets.

     Each pocket has a white card that slides inside, edged with the bracket die from the set. These could house some favourite photographs from a special occasion making it a tailor made photo album.

     To house these pockets the album was made using 1.5 A4 sheets of 1mm greyboard, covered with scrapbook papers using PVA glue. Once dry the full A4 sheet was die cut down the middle with the Living Hinge, the A5 piece was cut with the Bracket die, then the hinge die allowing enough on the straight side to attach to the large piece. Remember when bending the hinge to use something round as a support underneath so it doesn't fold in the wrong place and leave you with a buckled spine. Both parts were taken outside and given a couple of light coates of spray varnish to seal the paper.

     Using redline tape the bracket flap was attached to the A4 cover to form a wrap round cover, these were then held together with a Velcro type disc under the flap. The Velcro didn't like sticking to the varnished cover very much so I had to add some redline tape to the back of the discs.

     The pockets were placed in the cover and held in place with pegs until I was happy with their placement and the book opened properly, using redline tape they were then stuck in place one side at a time. As the cover is opened the pockets all fan out, you could use more than 8 envelopes to give you a fuller book if you wish.

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

CraftyHazelnut's Patterned Paper - Anything Goes

Love To Scrap - #155 Anything Goes

Crafty Gals Corner - #232 Anything Goes

Get Creative -  #112 At Least Two Patterned Papers

Craft Rocket - #93 Girls

Through The Purple Haze - #193 Anything But Square

Living Hinge Flip Flap Journal

     This has been made with the new Living Hinge die from John Next Door and his older Tag Card die set. Journals are very popular and so very useful, now with this die it's easy to make your own.

     The die is thicker and the 'cutting' edge is deeper so it will go through thicker materials, all you will need to do is work out the best 'sandwich' for your machine.

     The cover was made using an A4, 1mm thick piece of greyboard and two double sided 12x12 papers. The greyboard was coated with PVA glue, then placed on to the scrapbook paper and smoothed down with a clean brayer, this gives a good even pressure all over to stop any air bubbles appearing, repeat for the inside cover. If you use a directional pattern always double check this second cover is the same way up as the first.

     With the chosen outside facing up the die was fixed with tape across the middle of the sheet and run through the machine carefully. Each machine is slightly different so it's a case of gently trying until the correct 'sandwich' is found for a good clean pass, various layers of thin card can be added or removed to reach this, never force the die through.

      To get the even curve across the spine I gently bent it around a strong cardboard tube from the middle of a tin foil roll, this meant it had support as it curved and didn't buckle and fold. Once curved the cover was taken outside and sprayed with a couple of light coates of varnish, this will protect the paper and keep it clean.

     The inside was made using the Large Tag Card die set from May 2020. Each section was cut in a different colour, one that matched the colours in the cover pattern. Shapes to write on were cut in cream for the coloured pages and taupe for the cream page, all edged with Distress Ink and glued in place. For the small square tabs the offcuts from the cover papers were used to keep the continuity of colour and pattern.

     On the last page there is a small envelope to hold little trinkets like ticket stubs or labels, it's covered with another piece of the cover paper for decoration.

     Working out how to glue the pages in took a few minutes, I pegged it in place to see if the book would open correctly before making the final decision. I found that it was best to leave 1.5inches from the spine edge clear of glue, this left enough of the flip flap pages to glue down but also left a free moving area at the spine for the book to fully open without buckling the pages.

     I can honestly say that this was a joy to make and, like most crafters, I have a stash of papers I can now use to make journals for all manner of things. 

      This was made with 1mm greyboard, covered with two sheets of ds paper, it bent with gentle persuasion, I also tried a 1.25mm mount board that did not like to be bent. I think the composition of the board you are bending will make a difference so take a little time to experiment before you use your favourite papers.

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

Crafting Happiness - #124 Anything Goes

Get Creative - #112 At Least Two Patterned Papers

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2223 Anything Goes

Gem Of A Craft - #12 Anything Goes

Crafty Calendar - Anything Goes

Mixed Media Lovers - #14 Anything Goes

Father's Day at The Paper Funday

 

     The new challenge at The Paper Funday begins today. We are an Anything Goes challenge with an optional twist, this month it's Masculine. I chose to make a Father's Day card.

     Using Kraft card I die cut the words with John next Door's individual letter squares, this gave me the chance to lay it out like scrabble tiles.

     I wasn't sure how well the die cut letters would stand up to a woodgrain embossing folder, so I used a ball tool to score the grain lines and a little green ink to highlight them.

     For decoration I have used die cut ivy touched over with a little white ink, a few punched flowerpots and some stamped and cut garden tools. All of these items have had a little shaping so they aren't completely flat.

     On the back of the main panel there is foam tape all around the outer edge but also in between the letters so it doesn't sag. Some of this tape is visible from the outside at an angle so it has been coloured brown with an alcohol ink pen.

     The main panel was stuck onto a satin gold mat layer on a white DL card blank. All the decorations were then added to the card with a strong PVA glue or tiny foam pads.

     With the addition of acetate this could be made into a shaker card for added interest.

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

Shopping Our Stash - #471 Make Mine A Tall One

Try It On Tuesday - For The Man In Your Life

Cold Frame Sunflowers

     John Next Door has some new dies out this week, the box frame, window pane and my favourite, the sunflower. This box frame is similar to a past one but this one is just under 6inches square.

     

     The frame was cut from Kraft card, cutting the straight window panes in the front. For the shelves I die cut the edge of the box frame three times, this gave me the right size to fit inside the frame after a little tweeking on the length. The shelves were made and offered up before gluing to make sure they would fit, I was going to have three but after this step it became two, it didn't look right and the pots wouldn't fit.

     Once the shelves were in place redline tape was added to the back of them and a plain off white watercolour card square was stuck in as the backing panel. Fixing the backing to the shelves was important and stopped it bowing out behind the pots.

     A woodgrain frame was die cut in Kraft card and inked with brown to highlight the pattern, this was then stuck on the front around the window opening.

     A small card stand was also cut in Kraft card ready to go on the back of the box once finished.

     For the pots a small flowerpot punch and some orange card was used, a little ink stippled on the pots knocked back the bright orange and a gentle curve added to give them shape.

     For the foliage I used lots of different dies form John's previous releases, cut in various shades of green and inked up with a variety of colours to make them all look different. The sunflowers were cut in yellow and the centres filled with some flock type granules from stash.

     To get each pot to stand on the shelf a small strip of card was cut and folded to form a little square loop, this loop was stuck to the back of the pot and then each pot was stuck to the shelf with the same loop.

     With all pots in position a tall sunflower was die cut and added to the outside of the frame and the card stand was glued on the back. 

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

Dare 2B Artzy - Flowers

International Art & Soul - #134 Say It With Flowers

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #182 Anything Goes

Gem of A Challenge - Wk11 Anything Goes     (Top 3)

Say Hello To The Wallace Family

 

     This month's optional twist at The Paper Funday is 'Family', this is the Wallace Family by Lavinia Stamps. Did you know a group of hedgehogs is called an 'array'?

     The main image panel was started with a leaf print taken from a media plate onto water colour card. I like smooth card but there is less buckling with watercolour card when using paint or fluid ink.

     Using a stamp press the Wallace family were stamped with Versafine ink three times to get a good coverage.

      A little black pencil under each hog grounds them before a light dusting of Distress Ink across the bottom of the panel adds a hint of green. There is a narrow black mat layer to make the hogs pop but when put over a plain white card blank it didn't look right, so using the same Distress Ink I stamped around the edge of the card blank and blended the edges too.

     The image panel was then put on foam tape before being added to the lightly decorated card blank. A greeting was needed but it had to be something simple. A single layer die cut looked alright but I wanted it raised, this one has no room to add foam pads so I cut it out four times and glued the layers together to form a 'chipboard' like greeting.

     The Paper Funday is an anything goes challenge but we always have an optional twist, this month it's 'family', so pop over and join us with your papercraft creations whether they're family or not.

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

Dream Valley - #269 Four Legged Friends

Simon Says Stamp - Masculine

Critter Crazy - #62 Anything Goes with a Featured Critter

Stamping Sensations - Anything Stamped/option Flora or Fauna

Summer Lantern Birdcage

     The new Summer Lantern from John Next Door is great for small gifts and party decorations. The inserts from the Pop Box die sets also fit this new die giving you even more ways to decorate.

    

     The bird inside the cage was die cut in Shrink Plastic, but like a nitwit I was so keen to shrink it I forgot to colour it first, thank goodness for alcohol markers.

     The wings were stuck on with some very strong glue, then I threaded some nylon twine through the wings ready to be hung in the cage.

     A cage full of flowers would be rather nice too and maybe a little more trimming to make a opening door.

     The cage was cut in silver mirri card, I used the fancy floral die from the new lantern in the roof but used the square grid window from the Christmas Pop Box on the sides. With a rule and a sharp knife I cut some of the bars out of each window to make it look more like a cage.

     Once assembled I cut a square of Kraft card to go on the floor of the cage so it looked a little more like the paper my Mum used to put in the Finches cage many years ago.

     The roof was pulled together with some silver ribbon tied off in a bow, then I added some silver cord so it can be hung up.

     It looked a little bare on top so I added some leaves and a flower with a hint of blue to match the bird.

     There are so many things you can do with this little lantern and being able to use some of the dies you may already have makes it a die set worth having.

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

Through The Craft Room Door - 12th April Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #180 Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts - #449 Wings and Things/Furry Friends

Creative Fingers - #229 Anything Goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2216 Anything Goes

Ares Quilted Leaves

 

     This was made with two new die sets from John Next Door, Vintage Leaves and Ares background die. Die's can be used for embossing as well as cutting as long as you use a silicone mat and the right sandwich of plates for your machine.

     I cut a rectangle of off white card to the required size, then using various Autumn colours I cut the leaves. The leaves were stuck down on the card with a good strong PVA glue and left to dry.

     Once dry I put the background die on top of the card and ran it through the embossing machine. My machine is a little worn so the rollers are slack, for my own machine (Bigshot)I used the following sandwich, from top to bottom.....Cutting plate, die, card, silicone mat, cutting plate, one cereal packet card, base plate (no tab sheets). You will need to try this on scrap to find the ideal sandwich for your machine before you try it on your project.

     Once you have mastered your own machine you can use many different dies to 'quilt' with. This can be very effective if used under the same die cut background as the raised areas fill the gaps and give a perfect 'quilted' look.

     To mat and layer this I used some of the same card used for the leaves, not wanting to use too much of this precious card I gutted the layers, cutting out the middle part that will never be seen and isn't required for support.

     A layer of double sided foam tape around the top card before going onto the bottom layer gave it a little height.

     For the greeting I wanted something raised but this one was too thin for foam tape. The answer was to cut it once in the gold and three more times in white card, then stick them all together with the gold on top, making the greeting stand tall and solid.

     This makes a nice card for a man, still colourful but no flowers, it could be made in shades of blue or green and still be effective.

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

Gem Of A Challenge - #8 Anything Goes

Happy Little Stampers - April Anything Goes with Dies

Craft Rocket - #91 For The Boys/Men

The Male Room - #161 Dry Embossing

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #179 Anything Goes

Allsorts - #671/2 Masculine

Crafty Catz - #590 Anything Goes

Mum's Dragon

 

     This months optional theme at The Paper Funday is April Showers, there's no rain on this one but the flower would make a perfect umbrella. The image is by Lee Holland, it is available as a digi stamp, although this one is an acrylic stamp.

     I stamped with Versafine black ink on smooth white card a couple of times, my colouring is not great so I thought I should have a spare just in case.

     My Mum is Welsh so the dragon had to be red rather than green. I used watercolour pencils and a water brush to colour him in.

     The image panel and mat layer are cut with a notched square die set and mounted on to a dark green card. I kept it all flat as it had to be posted and I didn't want any hiccups to delay it's arrival.

     The Paper Funday is an Anything Goes challenge with an optional twist, so whatever you have made with card or paper is fine with us.

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

613 Avenue Create - #202204 Anything Goes/option April Showers

Send A Smile 4 Kids - Cards for Mum's/Special Ladies

The Fairy and The Unicorn - Anything Fantasy Goes

Crafting Happiness - #122 Anything Goes

A Tree For All Seasons

 

   The new Tree Of Life die set from John Next Door lends itself to much more than card making. I love making 3D projects and this was perfect to use with the Stepped Lantern for a seasonal terrarium.

     

     Using Kraft card I cut four trees and folded each one in half. The next step was to glue the trees together in pairs.

     While the trees were drying I cut the Stepped Lantern in acetate, with a black card base and assembled it.

     To get the tree to stand up and stay strong I added two thin strips of Kraft card to the bottom of the trunk before gluing the two sides together to form a complete tree.

    

     For Spring I die cut lots of pink flowers with one of the dies in the set, shaped them and glued them all over a quarter of the tree. I didn't add leaves as many trees flower before any leaves appear.

     The next section was Summer, a healthy covering of green leaves in several shades, all shaped and glue onto the branches.

     Using the same leaf die I cut lots of leaves in Autumn shades, shaped them and glue them onto the tree.

     For Winter I used some flock and a little Flowersoft, both in white. 

     I cut a base to go inside the lantern and made a slit in the centre. I passed the extra tabs on the bottom of the tree through the slit and glued them on the underside, I also added glue around the trunk on the right side of the base.

     Once the glue was dry and the tree was firm on it's base I inked, with green, the half that was under Spring and Summer. Using some flock and Flowersoft from my stash I decorated the 'ground', adding fallen leaves to Autumn and snow to Winter.

     When the tree and base were dry I gently slid them into the terrarium, gluing the 'ground' to the base. A little check on the tree to tidy up any stray decoration and make sure the inside of the acetate was clean before using a length of cord to seal the top.

     Die cut ivy was then used on the top to add some interest to the outside.

     It was a little fiddly in places but not as complicated as you might think, the main thing is to make sure the tree is standing firmly on it's base, you don't want it falling over once inside the terrarium.

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

A Perfect Time To Craft - #3 Anything Goes

Classic Design - #3 Anything Goes

Daisy Chain - #61 Use Dies

Happy Little Stampers with Dies - Anything Goes with Dies

Love To Craft - #67 Anything Goes

The Four Seasons - Anything Goes Spring

Gem Of A Craft - #6 Anything Goes