Oh .... Christmas Tree

Hello again ......

Time to get another December challenge underway.  This time it's the Happy Little Stampers CAS challenge.
The theme for December is ......

That's right ....... all you have to do is pick your favourite technique, or product, you used from the past eleven Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenges.  Please share why it's your favourite, or any tips that you've learnt whilst doing it.

Here's a list of the previous challenges ......

SMOOSHING | EMBOSSING FOLDER STAMPING | FAUX MOTHER OF PEARL

STENCIL MONOPRINT | INLAID DIE-CUTS | GHOSTING | KISSING | MASKINGWATERCOLOUR SPRITZ | EMBOSSING ON VELLUM | METAL/FAUX METAL

One of my favourite techniques is Masking.  I love how you can create depth and the look of layers on your projects just by masking off areas as you work.

You don't need expensive tools or gadgets either ....... simple masking tape or paper will do.
Here's a really simple example of masking ......... using a piece of copier paper with a circle punched out ....

I placed the mask onto a piece of white card, slightly over the edge at one side.  Then using Stormy Sky Distress ink I brushed colour over the circle.

Another thing I like to do when I'm using Distress Ink is to sprinkle water over the ink, let it sit for a couple of seconds, then mop up the excess with a paper towel, removing some of the ink giving a Ghosting effect ....... I like to do this with the mask still in place so my colour doesn't run over the edge.  I think this technique makes the perfect snowy sky look for your Christmas designs.

I stamped my sentiment (from HLS Christmas Joy ...... love this set of stamps from the latest release)

The cute little Christmas Tree is from the same set of stamps (and the little heart too!) ....... simply stamped onto white card, coloured using Distress Inks and fussy cut

I added a touch of glitter to the heart and sprinkled on some Chunky White Embossing Powder (favourite product ..... one of the many!) in the background for an even more snowy look.
The Chunky White is an easy way of adding 'snow' to your designs ..... simply sprinkle onto your project, no need for embossing ink, and then heat gently from UNDERNEATH so that the powder doesn't fly away.

As with all the Happy Little Stampers challenges, the CAS challenge is sponsored by the HLS Store

And the winner will receive a $15 discount voucher to spend in the shop

What are you waiting for ....... happy stamping!

Whilst we're on the subject of trees ..... the Walmsley Christmas tree 2016 is up and decorated.
We went from this last night .......

to this ...... in just a little under four and a half hours!!!!! with the help of Mr Micheal Buble of course!

1000 lights and goodness knows how many baubles ...... and I only broke 2 which was good.

The well loved favourites are on there ..... love this little guy, he came all the way from Germany a few years ago.

And these ....... soooo cute!

And of course this years new additions ....... so pretty

It all got the seal of approval this morning when the little man arrived ..... and the Christmas elf!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day/evening.
This is actually a scheduled post .... by the time this goes live I'm probably well into the Christmas spirit (Cheers!) at the Poker Stars Christmas bash.
Yes ... the party season gets underway this evening, so the Christmas shopping tomorrow will be starting a little late no doubt ....... we'll see how the head is!

Cheerio until next time .......