Debby's NYC Christmas Project Completed!

Our whole little group in Rockefeller Center!

The roomies...Heather, Susan, Karen, and me, in front of How To Succeed In Business (I highly recommend it)!

 I decided to take the whole day today and finally finish up my project from Debby Schuh's New York City tour and Tinsel Trading Company class back in November (have I mentioned I had a blast?). True to my form, I did not follow her sample, but made it my own. She gave us SO MUCH ephemera, embellishments, paper, etc., that my mind went into overdrive at several different points along the way. WOW!!! The whole paper line and all the journal cards and ephemera were from October Afternoon's new Holiday Style line. They had not even put this on the market yet at that point. How cool was that? Debby even mentioned that if she did design a Christmas line, it would look just like this. It was hard to choose which to use and which to horde away, as is my usual nature, because every single item was fab.  I have been working on this project here and there since November, just tinkering and trying out new techniques I have learned on bits and pieces of it. I loved Tim's wrinkled up Tissue Wrap background technique so much I tried it here on this background and as you already know on a few tags. So, I found it ironic when I read the Grungy Monday challenge this week to use "Tissue Tape and/or Tissue Wrap". I have already used both on this project, so I will enter it on GM 30, as well as the Sunday Stamper, where there is an "anything you want" challenge. These two challenges did spur me on to finish this up, so I hope this project qualifies for both even though technically it is a Debby kitted project. In any case, I had the best time of my late autumn, made a gorgeous project I am proud of, and met the most wonderful people (several who are now close friends) on that trip. Thank you so much Debby...for every single bit of all of it!!!

The pictures are so not doing this project justice...sorry.

Tissue Wrap background...I love how you can see through it.

 

This is Debby's sample picture.

Supplies:
Paper Used- Holiday Style by October Afternoon; TH Idea-ology Tissue Wrap in Composer and Tissue Tape in Tidings (snowflake)
Stamps Used- TH Collection for Stampers Anonymous in Reindeer Flight (snowflakes)
Coloration Used- TH Distress Inks in Gathered Twigs, Tumbled Glass, and Peeled Paint; TH Distress Crackle Paint in Clear Rock Candy; TH Distress Stickles in Clear Rock Candy, Brushed Pewter, and Peeled Paint; Ranger Stickles in Black Diamonds, Diamond, Green, and Christmas Red; Ranger Inkssentials Crackle Accents
Embellishments Used- Amy Tangerine Thickers in Goodness by American Crafts (Noel); Thickers Eclair by Amercian Crafts (Joy); The Girls Paperie Tinsel & Twig Chipboard Alphabet (Merry Christmas); The Girls Paperie Tinsel & Twig Flower Market Crepe Paper (snowflake flowers); TH Idea-ology Mini Paper Clips; October Afternoon Holiday Style Tin Pins; candy canes, vintage tinsel, holly, and red polka dot ribbon are from my stash
*The rhinestones, all other ribbon, die cuts, glitter, and clothes pins, were given to me by Debby, as well as the 14 3/4 in. x 14 3/4 in. wooden frame.

I really wish these pictures were better. I really need a better camera. It is hard to pick up all the glitter and shine of this project. It doesn't help either that I typically photograph in the late evening after I finish up, when all natural light is gone. Any-who...I hope you get your hands creatively dirty soon!

December ATC Swap

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday weekend! My clan had a wonderful time with family. It is always a special time of year for us...everyone really seems to shine. But, it ended, and alas, the mail came today after its little hiatus, and a small package came for me. My "All White ATC's" from the All Things Tim Yahoo Group monthly swap had arrived. I tore into them as fast as I could, this my last Christmas present. I love them all! I was especially excited to see one that is similar to my own...great minds!

This cutey is from Susan Salyer...who ironically lives pretty close to me, and we've never met...small world! Love this happy Santee!!! Fabulous pattern that sparkles too...beautiful!

This pure white beauty is from Jocelyn Cazier. These sparkly white gears really had me turning! Have you ever noticed that pearls add instant old school class? I'm in love!

And...here is  Donna Jean Eno's beautiful winter white scene! Isn't it funny that we used the same dies, and had polka dot backgrounds? I love it! Her deer is really raised up from the card which really makes it pop. It is so striking!

And...here is mine again.

Thanks again to all the participants and especially to Sandy who does all the work! I look forward to next months theme. If you have not joined in on the fun and you are in the group, why not give it a try? It will be a new year, a new beginning, and a time to try new things! I hope you get your hands creatively dirty soon!