I’m so excited that December is here as I can put up my Christmas decorations; I started on Friday and it took me a couple of days to complete this task (grin!). I thought I’d create a page with the help of this deer who seems to be celebrating by decorating his antlers with Christmas baubles too (double grin!).
My idea was to create a snowy silver birch woodland background so I started by applying some torn pieces of white napkin using Liquitex Matte Gel Medium to add some texture. Then I added Brushed Corduroy, Spiced Marmalade and Hickory Smoke Distress Inks like watercolour by applying each ink to an acrylic block and then using a paintbrush to apply them to the page. I then sprinkled some Dark Brown Colourcraft Brusho powder over the top, spritzed with water and watched the powders explode with colour. I dried the page with my heat gun and then I applied a thin layer of PVA glue here and there in order to seal in some of the colour. Once the glue had dried, I applied a thick layer of Pébéo white gesso over the top using a palette knife and used the heat gun again to create some lovely texture as the gesso bubbled under the heat. I emphasised this texture by using Silver Grey, White Sparkle and Apple Green metallic lustres by Craft-T products. I love how the gesso enhanced the background texture and that it looks like silver birch bark covered in snow. Next I ripped some branch and berry images from a napkin and stuck them around the edge of the page using a UHU Stic. With the background completed, I tore some silver Curling Ribbon (that was recycled from a present) into thin strips and then curled it with some scissors. I arranged the red and green baubles which are stickers and tied the strips of ribbon to them as if they were hanging down the page. I fussy cut the red reindeer from an old magazine and as the reindeer had white writing across it I covered it with small pieces of the red paper that I tore from the off cuts and coloured the edges with Crimson, Burgundy and Scarlet Spectrum Aqua markers. I mounted the reindeer image onto a piece of white card and outlined his eyes and nose with a Derwent Graphik marker so they stood out more. He is stuck onto the page using double-sided tape and I wrapped the ribbons around his antlers as I stuck him down so it looked like the baubles were hanging from them; this took a little time as it was quite fiddly. To finish, I added more sparkle to his antlers using some little silver dots and some red and green bells which are from the same sticker set as the baubles.
You may remember the Winter Wonderland Decorations that I made last month. I had a few requests to show them again when I had created my winter window display, so here they are (grin!). As you can see I made a few more of these decorations and trimmed them with lace, and as it’s December they are being displayed with some Christmas decorations too.
They look so magical at night with the fairy lights!
As T Stands for Tuesday I’m sharing my green tea in some new mugs that were bought for us, their design reminded me of the reindeer page (double grin!) – Happy T Day!
Challenges
I’m glad I found out about Challenge Blogs as I enjoy taking part, they provide me with inspiration for my pages and are a wonderful way to meet like minded arty people. Being a new month there are lots of new exciting challenge themes too, so here are the ones I’m joining today:
I’m pleased to join the lovely Sheila from Orange Esmeralda over at Art Journal Journey and her “Let’s Celebrate” challenge with my reindeer celebrating Christmas!
I’m joining the “Christmas” challenge over at Country View Challenges with my Christmas themed page and it was lots of fun also including their option of using reds and greens as part of my page design.
With my snowy reindeer scene I’m also joining in the fun over at A Vintage Journey and their “Winter Wonderland” challenge with my “Art Journaling” and “Mixed-Media” style page as it was created to remember the joy of putting up my Christmas Decorations this year and I used lots of different media to create it.
Being inspired by Chris and the fabulous textured backgrounds that she created for her happy snowman and baubles, I’m also joining the “Torn, Ripped and Burnt” challenge over at PaperArtsy with the torn and heated elements that I used to create my silver birch textured background and happy reindeer with baubles.
I’m also pleased to join the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and their “Anything Goes” challenge.
Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.
Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:
- Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Brushed Corduroy, Spiced Marmalade, Hickory Smoke)
- Colourcraft Brusho Colour (Dark Brown)
- Pébéo White Gesso
- Craf-T Luster Rub-ons Color Kit #4 (Silver Grey, White Sparkle, Apple Green)
- Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Crimson, Burgundy, Scarlet)
- Derwent Graphik Line Marker (Black 0.05mm)
- Poundland (Luxury Napkins 70371)
- Old Magazine
- Bauble Stickers from Charity Shop
- Recycled Curling Ribbon (Silver)
- Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
- UHU Stic
- The Range double-sided foam tape
What a gorgeous journal page! I would love this as a canvas on my wall. That deer with all the baubles is so festive. Love it! An such pretty vignettes. Your home must be beautiful at Christmas time. I know what you mean…decorating takes me a few days as well.
Happy tea Day!
Kate
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Thanks so much Kate! It’s nice to get the Christmas decorations finished, I’m moving onto Christmas baking now …lol 😉. Wishing you a Happy T Day too! J 😊
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Oh I do like your page. You succeeded in making background really look like a birch. 🙂 And I like you new mug. Deer are just right for the season, aren’t they? Happy T day. hugs-Erika
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Thanks very much Erika! I love the way the silver birch background turned out and didn’t really want to cover it up …lol 😉. Yes, I think deer are perfect for the season too! Sending you very Happy T Day wishes! J 😊
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LOVE the deer!! He is gorgeous and festive!
Happy T day!
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Many thanks and wishing you a Happy T Day! J 😊
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A very jolly deer with the ornaments hanging from his antlers. Your window display is very pretty. Love the new mugs. I really like the shape and it’s not too big or too small Happy T Day
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Thank you! This page really makes me smile when I see it …lol 😉. Happy T Day! J 😊
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Your journal page is gorgeous, love the deer. The new mug is beautiful, have fun using it. Enjoy putting up your decorations. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie
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Thanks so much! All of our decorations are up now – phew! I’ve moved onto baking now …lol 😉. Happy T Day! J 😊
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Wonderful page, love the texture in your background.
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Thanks very much for stopping by and your lovely comments 😀. Wishing you a happy new week! J 😊
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A wonderful page Jo, the background is just stunning and the deer looks wonderful peeping through from the baubles! Your home is starting to look very festive, like you, I love December! xxx
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Thanks very much Astrid! I love December too and I’ve put up Christmas decorations in three rooms and the hallway so it’s looking very festive now …lol 😉. Happy December! J 😊
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Your decorated deer is fabulous Jo! I love your pretty decorations too. We just have our advent candle lights up so far, plus my advent candle to burn a number each day. And our daughter left us 24 advent envelopes, containing a photo and message. Missing her so much, but enjoying her Instagram photos and videos 🙂
Hope you have a great week!
Alison xx
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Thank you Alison! The advent envelopes from your daughter is so thoughtful, I bet it’s so exciting opening each one! You must miss her loads and it must be great to have Instagram to stay in touch 😁. I hope you had a lovely weekend and wishing you a happy week! J 😊
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Oh, such a happy deer celebrating Christmas. I do like all the baubles and conifer leaves against the white background. Hickory Smoke Distress Ink! I would buy these inks just for the colour names.
Isn’t it great when we can start decorating for Christmas. I checked out your previous post where you made the white decorations and found that fascinating with so many ideas (I don’t know how I missed it). I’m very impressed with your window display, including the two jolly snowmen. Your reindeer mug is terrific too, I think I want one.
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Thanks so much Sheila! I thought the deer would enjoy joining your celebrations …lol 😉. Glad you like the winter decorations they were fun to make and the reindeer mug is fab, isn’t it 😁. Have a lovely week! J 😊
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What a beautiful page! That was a nice helper – this deer who seems to be celebrating by decorating his antlers with Christmas baubles too! I also love your pretty decorations in front of the window and your reindeer tea cup!
Wish you a happy day! Rike x
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He was such a lovely helper and wanted to join in the celebrations …lol 😉. Thanks so much and wishing you a happy day too! J 😊
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The first thing I thought when you started describing how you wrapped the ribbon around the deer antlers was how long that must have taken you to get those down and make it look like they were holding the ornaments. Then I saw you wrote how fiddly that was and had to agree. It’s a fabulous journal page, full of celebration and joy. You put so much into the background alone, you need to be commended. But the deer and the baubles hanging from his antlers almost overshadow that incredible background. Thanks for sharing it with us at Art Journal Journey. It’s fabulous.
Of course, I think it goes quite well with your beautiful new deer mug, too. It’s simply perfect for T day. Thanks for sharing your green tea, your deer mug, and your AJJ entry with us for T this Tuesday, dear friend.
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Thanks so much! It was a fun page to create and makes me smile when I see the baubles wound around the deers antlers …lol 😉. Wishing you a very Happy T Day! I’m😊
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I forgot to mention it took me two days to get my house decorated for Christmas, too. But mine was because I wasn’t all that motivated, considering I really pared down this year, too.
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I had so much fun decorating whilst listening to Christmas music …lol 😉. Happy T Day! J 😊
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Its a fabulous page Jo, the background looks amazing, but my favourite part just has to be the deer with his decorated antlers. Well worth all the work it must have been to end looking as stunning as this.
I love your new mug with the deer and the photos of you decorations.
Happy T day wishes.
Yvonne xx
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Every time I see it I can just imagine the deer walking into the baubles and getting tangled up …lol 😉. I love the mug too! Sending you Happy T Day wishes! J 😊
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i have a weak spot for deers – and so your journaling page and your mug are just my taste!!
i think i should grasp some deer stamps and stitch for christmassy delight:)
happy t-day!
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Thanks a lot! I love deers too and I do hope you create one of your fabric artworks using your deer stamps, with your stitching they will look so amazing 😁. Happy T Day! J 😊
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I really LOVE your deer with baubles Jo! This amazing background really looks like silver birch bark covered in snow – spectacular! Thank you very much for sharing it with Art Journal Journey!♥♥♥
Your wonderful decoration looks so beautiful and unique and I love your new mug!
Happy T-Day dear Jo!
oxo Susi
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Many thanks dear Susi! I loved creating the snowy silver birch background, I’m glad you like it 😁. Wishing you a Happy T Day! J 😊
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Jo i just think your Christmas decor is lovely my T friend! Thank you for the lovely comments on my owls . 🙂 Hugs! deb
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Thanks so much and you are very welcome, those little Steampunk owls are amazing 😁. Happy T Day! J 😊
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The decorated deer is fun, and it goes perfectly with that great mug. Happy T Tuesday
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Thanks so very much and wishing you a Happy T Tuesday too! J 😊
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Your winter display is just so lovely and I love your reindeer page. and I really Love your mug! Happy Tuesday Kathy
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Many thanks! I love this fun page and it was lovely to be gifted not one but two of these mugs 😁. Happy Tuesday dear Kathy! J 😊
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What a pretty post, Jo! Everything is white, sparkly and wintry looking. I adore your window decor with the beautiful handmade ornaments. The texture on your journal page is awesome! It makes me think of birch trees in winter and a snowy forest with snow on the ground.
You even decorated your wintry mug for the T-party! How thoughtful 😉 Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen
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Thank you Eileen! I thought the mug deserved to be decorated with a bit of bling for Christmas, especially as everything else in my house is …lol 😉. Happy T Day! I’m😊
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Lovely
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Thank you 😁. Hope to see you soon, J 😊
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Thanks for sharing these magical photos! I feel like I’m in a winter wonderland now. Happy T Day to you and the deer. 🦌 🙂☕️
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Wishing you a Happy T Day too (from me and the deer …lol 😉) , many thanks! J 😊
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Your decorated deer made me smile! Love the textured background! No decorating here yet but planning on getting it done at the weekend – we don’t do so much now we are in a flat – your windowsill looks great! Love the new mug! Happy T day! Chrisx
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Thanks very much Chris! I love Christmas and I’m usually counting down the days to the 1st December so I can put my decorations up …lol 😉. Have fun and wishing you a Happy T Day! J 😊
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Your page is wonderful as is your window display!!!
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Thanks a lot 😁. Have a great week! J 😊
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I love your reindeer page. That would be great to hang on the Wall. The ‘birch’ back ground is very beautifully done.
Yes, I remember your decorations. They are so pretty. I’m glad you have shown them in situ.
Happy belated T-Day,
Lisca
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Thank you Lisca 😁. Happy belated T Day too and have lovely week! J 😊
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I love this, it is so gorgeous!!!
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How fun this is, Jo! And it was especially fun and INSPIRING to see how your AJ page came together! The rich texture in the background truly looks like birch bark! What a clever way to use the magazine image of a reindeer! You have altered it beautifully! Great use of the ribbon, too! It looks so festive! I love your beautiful decorations and your mugs are gorgeous! What a wonderful gift! Thank you so much for sharing your artwork with us at A Vintage Journey! Merry Christmas! Hugs!
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Thanks so much! I loved how then birch background turned out and it was fun altering the reindeer too to create my festive scene 😁. It’s always a pleasure joining you at A Vintage Journey and wishing you a very Merry Christmas too! J 😊
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Wow, the layers are fantastic in the background! And I do appreciate the fiddly bits… it was all worth it Jo! Thank you so much for playing with us at Country View Challenges this month!
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Many thanks! The fiddly bits are usually worth it …lol 😉. I enjoyed joining you at Country View Challenges, wishing you a Happy December! J 😊
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Fabulous project !
Corrie x
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Thank you Corrie! It was a fun project to create and I enjoyed joining your “Christmas” challenge over at Country View Challenges 😁. Happy December! J 😊
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awesome page Jo – that stag is fabulous! Thanks for joining us at Countryview challenges! Hugs rachel xx
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