Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Let There Be Snow

Hi Everyone! I hope you're ready for a really fun challenge on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog where our theme this week is, Let There Be Snow. I had so much fun with this challenge deciding to try something new and not knowing how it would turn out. I created a background using die cuts that I had left over from previous projects and I'm thrilled with the results. Join me below for a step-by-step photo tutorial. I hope you find some useful inspiration and join us in this fun holiday challenge.

To create the top panel, I place several snowflake die cuts on top of a 4-1/2" x 6-1/2" sheet of Neenah Solar White 110 lb. card stock. I chose this paper instead of watercolor paper because I knew it would break down in a way that would add to my background. Stick with me here and you'll see what I'm talking about, trust me.  :)

Make sure you're in an open area with your desk clear and free of anything you don't want to get sprayed or you can do this inside an open box to contain the spray. I hold the distress spray about 12 inches above the panel and spray it trying to apply a light mist. It's okay if there are a few splotches, it only adds to the character.

I then remove the snowflake die cuts.

I want to lighten the panel, so I scoop some Dina Wakley white gesso onto a craft sheet and apply it onto a brayer with a back and forth motion.

Roll the gesso on with the brayer making sure to use light strokes.

Next, wipe the panel very gently with a baby wipe. Let that dry before applying the next coat of gesso.

Apply another coat of gesso with a brayer using very light stokes. Continue the process until you are happy with the amount of coverage that lightens the panel. See where some of the paper has peeled away leaving a darker color in some areas? This is the effect from using the Neenah card stock instead of watercolor paper.

After the panel is completely dry, I distress the edges with a Prima Distressing Tool.

I ink the edges of the distressed panel with Hickory Smoke Distress Ink.

I cut 5 of the small Tammy Tutterow Frayed Posies form them using the McGill Flower Shaping Tool Kit. After the petals are shaped, I spray them with Brushed Pewter Distress Spray Stain. I apply the spray so that it looks splotchey because I want darker and lighter areas of the color on the petals. This can be achieved by pushing the spray nozzle half way and then stopping. If you would rather they be a smooth pewter color, push the spray nozzle all the way to the bottom so the stain comes out in an even mist.

To assemble the flower, I adhere one petal on top of the other in an offset pattern with hot glue. I adhere one petal to another one at a time.

I cut some Tim Holtz Mini Holiday Greens out of green card stock and ink the edges with Forest Moss Distress Ink. I adhere the flower, some holiday berries from my stash and the mini greenery along the left corner and along the edges of my panel.

The theme is "Let There Be Snow", so I want to add some "snow" to my project. To do this I use Prima Snowflake Paste. I dabb a little on the berries and top portion of the flower and also on the tips of some of the greenery. This gives the look of falling snow.....at least that's what I'm going for here.

For the bottom panel, I create a simple background that will compliment the top panel. I cut a 5" x 7" piece of Neenah Solar White 110 lb. card stock and spray it with Brushed Pewter Distress Spray Stain.

When the bottom panel is completely dry, I attach the top panel to the bottom panel using 3d foam tape. It's now ready to attach to the card base.

To finish the card, I spray a piece of white card stock with Brushed Pewter Distress Spray Stain and let that completely dry. I then cut the Simon Says Stamp Merry Christmas die from this card stock and adhere it to the card using Ranger Multi Matte Medium.

I hoped you enjoyed seeing the process I used to create my card. Please join us in all the fun and add your project to Simon Says Stamp's Monday Challenge Blog for your chance to win a $50 gift voucher to their amazing store.

For more inspiration, tips and tricks for all types of papercraft creations, follow Simon Says Stamp on:

          

You can find all the following supplies I used to create this project at Simon Says Stamp:

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