Sunday, December 22, 2013

“Always winter but never Christmas.”

Fans of the C.S. Lewis story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, will perhaps recognize this quote. The land of Narnia is under the spell of the White Witch and has been locked in ice and snow for years, always in a state of winter but Christmas never comes. I've created a Christmas project that features a snow scene with the lamppost from Lantern Waste (read The Magician's Newphew to find out how it came to be!) And as we shall find out, Christmas does come at last to Narnia…


The trees are from Tim Holtz and I sprayed them with Pine Needles Distress Stain to color them. I also liberally sprinkled them with dry Rock Candy Glitter to frost them up. I love that glitter! The ground I formed from air dry clay. After the clay was dry I spread a layer of gesso on it to glue the trees etc. down as well as the fake snow I sprinkled over everything.


On the sides of the glass windows I stamped some snowflakes using StazOn Cotton White ink. StazOn solvent ink is good for stamping on metal, glass and other slick surfaces. When it was dry, I dabbed on a bit of Rock Candy Stickles to give it some sparkle. The Father Christmas tag tells the part of the story where he finally arrives in Narnia. The front of the tag flips up and an excerpt from the book is there:

Some of the pictures of Father Christmas in our world make him look only funny and jolly. But now that the children actually stood looking at him they didn’t find it quite like that. He was so big, and so glad, and so real, that they all became quite still. They felt very glad, but also solemn.

“I’ve come at last,” said he. “She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last. Aslan is on the move. The Witch’s magic is weakening.”

 And Lucy felt running through her that deep shiver of gladness which you only get if you are being solemn and still. 



I stamped the Father Christmas image in archival ink and then "watercolored" it using Distress reinkers and pads plus some Picket Fence Distress Stain for the hair and beard. The stamp is an older Inkadinkado one that I've had for a long time.

The top of the lantern is embellished with a whole bunch of different Sizzix diecuts…


…snowflakes (cut from vellum), pinecones and lots of greenery. I first hot glued a bit of acrylic stuffing around the top of the lantern so I'd have a base to support the pieces as I glued them on.

Christmas is almost upon us and I hope that you have had a chance to enjoy the joy and wonder of this season. Let Christmas come into your heart and God's love thaw any icy parts that are there. He sent a baby to save us all and show us the extent of his love:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

I hope that you feel His love, peace and blessing this week. Merry Christmas!!!

Most of the supplies I used to create this project can be found at Inspiration Emporium. Follow the links below and use my code JUICE to save 10% if you go shopping. Thanks!



2 comments:

  1. So fun ... love all the Tim goodness going on ... just beautiful !!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lisa, this came out gorgeous! I have yet to play with my die, think I will give it a shot, thx for inspiring me!
    Ivette

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I appreciate it!