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Saturday 30 November 2013

Luminary - A Christmas decoration

This is a scheduled post, so hopefully it works, as I am enjoying the delights of the fabulous artist that is Finnabair along with my lovely friend Annie.

I have wanted the Tim Holtz Luminary die since I first saw it on a video from the CHA.  I finally got my hands on a couple of die cuts and set about making a start on some Christmas decorations.


To be honest, it is not the easiest die to use when you have stiff, arthritic hands but it looks great as a finished article so I am going to make more to line up on the window sill at Christmas.

This is how it started.


Those who have this die already will appreciate my next comment, I think.  I made the mistake of painting the pieces before I put them together.  I used Distress Paint in Brushed Pewter and gave each piece two coats, front and back.  The second coat was randomly placed to create a more distressed metallic look, which you can see below.  The paint made the pieces a little stiff and folding them was not so easy.


The 'glass' is made from Wendy Vecchi's Clearly for Art, using a technique that Wendy demoed, which is putting a coat of Glue and Seal on the CfA and then when dry, coating it with Ranger Distress Crackle Paint.  I love that 'Jack Frost' look it creates.


To decorate the top I used Tim's Pinecone and Branch die.  The pinecones have been coated with glue and glittered to resemble a light dusting of snow.

To finish off I added a Tim Word Band saying 'good tidings of peace and joy' which I attached with some thin red ribbon and added a couple of bows.

Now, I really must get cracking with making some Christmas cards.  I did buy a few from Jenny (Buttons) who did a Craft Fair last weekend, the cards are absolutely gorgeous, so I have got a lot to live up to!  I also bought the gorgeous Christmas tree Jenny made which you can find here.  How lucky am I?

The old hip is mending slowly, still have to keep the weight off it for another 4 weeks, which is the most frustrating part, but I am being good (for once) and doing what the Doctor orders.........lol.

Thanks for visiting, hope to see you again soon.  Hugs,  Anne xx

49 comments:

  1. I did the same thing Anne, painted and embossed before putting together, it isn't the easiest of things to make when done like this. Still isn't finished actually but when it is I do hope it looks as gorgeous as yours.

    Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

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  2. Oh my word Anne. Your Christmas creation is really beautiful. I just love it and especially to fabulous pine cones. I did use the ones you kindly sent me last year on my book creation. Enjoy your time with Finn. Hugs Rita xxx

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  3. I'm with you, I fell in love the minute I saw this die! I bought it a few weeks ago and it's a fussy one. There's no making sturdy Luminary's. But they are fantastic when done. One of my favourite techniques is the cracked glass and I used it on mine too. Great Christmas decoration. And the addition of the pine cones is fabulous:)'

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  4. Glad you're on the mend and can get out and about a little more. This is a great project and I love the frosty look you've achieved on the windows. Hope you enjoy your crafty day!

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  5. Cute and fantastic christmas decoration . Really i love it this handmade decoration.

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  6. It is a wonderful die - just not sure how much I'd use it. What an absolutely gorgeous Christmas decoration you've made here. The crackled glass effect is perfect.

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  7. This is amazing Anne - I have to confess to not having seen this die - I always feel I'm playing catch up with the fabulous mr Holtz - lol!!!! A row of them will look amazing! I hope you have a wonderful time at the workshop - but I know you will!!! Big Hugs my crafty friend and \i hope you are listening to those doctors! Big hugs rachel xx

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  8. This is stunning Anne, such a fabulous design and gorgeous detailing.
    I hope you are having a good weekend, I am pleased that your hip is healing nicely and that you are following doctors orders!
    hugs Sue xx

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  9. Not seen this die before. You've created a gorgeous decoration with it....can just see them lined up on your windowsill :)x

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  10. this is gorgeous and your pine cones look amazing! love the frosted windows and gorgeous details. take crae and hope you have a wonderful time x hugs trace x

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  11. Gorgeous creation Anne, Love the frosted look & the pine cones are perfect...so pleased to hear your hip is healing & well done for following the doc's orders....Hugs May x x x

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  12. Anne this is gorgeous! I love the frosted glass and the pinecones at the top are fabulous too. Beautiful idea for decorating. Glad you are obeying the Doctor!! Hang in there, so close to the end of healing! Have a wonderful day,
    Hugs Kelly

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  13. Gorgeous luminary, Anne! I love the frosted glass and all the festive decorations! So happy you and your hip are on the mend and keep listening to those doctors, because the obeying is paying off slowly! Hugs and Happy Weekend!

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  14. Fabulous creation with the luminary, Anne - I can just imagine how amazing they'll look all lined up on the sill. I'd heard you made it to Jenny's stall - so happy you gave that wonderful tree a home where it will be truly appreciated.

    I just know you'll be having a fabulous time with Finn - I can't wait to see what you create. Do give my love to Annie too, if you happen to pick this up!

    Very glad to hear you're doing as the doctor says (but creating too!).
    Much love,
    Alison xx

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  15. This is a lovely little Iuminary Anne, it looks quite a fiddle to put together but the finished project was well worth the effort. Love the cool frosty bits on the pine cones and glass. Cant wait to see what you have made with Finnabair. Nice to see you keeping your hands busy crafting whilst you are being good resting your hip. Hope to see you again soon. Hugs Mo x

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  16. This is so lovely Anne and I really like the "frosted glass" - great touch. I'm sure you are having a fabulous time at your workshop - can't wait to see the results. Glad to hear you're doing as you should with the hip and hopefully it will all be worth it. Love, Margie x

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  17. Wow this is gorgeous,love it.x

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  18. You've made such a superb job of this Luminary Anne. The frosted glass and pinecone toppings are so wonderful and I bet it will make the most fabulous decoration. Hope you are having the best time ever this weekend, and that you and Annie come home with pieces which will inspire you to keep pushing those creative boundaries. Huge hugs my special friend. Jenny x

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  19. Gorgeous Anne. I bet a few lined up on your sill, will make it look like a beautiful Christmas village scene. I've seen some videos of the 'clearly for art'. It looks like magic and I love those pinecones, they look so real.
    Glad to hear your hip is healing nicely :o) xx

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  20. Absolutely beautiful - it was worth the hard work. A line of them will look amazing! I am glad you are being good and allowing your hip to get better. Take care! xx

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  21. Lovely to see you creating Anne and glad to hear you are being good. I love your beautiful luminary with the metallic frame and gorgeous frosted glass look. The pine cones are a fabulous addition to the top. I bet you just loved your time with Finn and Annie.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  22. What a beauty Anne! Truly gorgeous piece ( now I want that die! ). Love the frosted glass, your arrangement on top and those pretty bows placed just so. It's perfect! Glad your countdown continues well Anne. I hope you have had a fantastic day with Annie and Finnabair. I'm sure that you received lots of help and love. Nicola x

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  23. I love the cracked glass look Anne and it's great to see you on the mend I hope x enjoy your class x

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  24. This is a brilliant job Anne, they will look amazing in the window lit up! I'm glad you seem to be healing well, but I can guess how frustrating it must be. I hope you have had a wonderful time with Finnabair, family commitments meant I missed out on a workshop with her this year, can't wait to see what you have produced from it! (Thanks for your kind comments on my blog, I can't believe my luck with T H!) love barb x

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  25. Well done Anne this is fabulous, love the metallic look and the frosty windows, the little pine cones are the perfect topper . So glad to hear you made it to the Finnabair workshop, I bet it was fantastic, looking forward to seeing some pics, lucky you with picking up some of Jenny's work. You will have to send one to yourself ! Xx

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  26. This is so beautiful and so charming, Annie! I can just picture them all lined up and brilliant! I'm glad you learned how to make it a little easier with the next ones, but I can still see that each one will be an enormous amount of work ~ but well worth it! It will also help to keep your mind off your hip, which I'm so glad to hear is healing well. Keep up the good work of being a good patient! I hope you had a BLAST at the workshop!! Love, Darnell

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  27. Wow Anne....this is just wonderful. What a great die and I love what you have done. stunning work x still recovering from our busy weekend...but it was such fun x

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  28. Anne
    Due to circumstances outwith your control you were unable to decorate your home for Halloween but here's to you making up for that with your decorations for the festivities as this is outstanding.
    Has a beautiful warmth exuding from it.
    Hope you had the most wonderful weekend.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  29. Beautifully made Anne and such a treasure that you'll bring out each year. Love it!
    jo x

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  30. ooops, I clicked before I had said.... Hope you keep on getting better!
    Jo x

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  31. Anne...I LOVE your Christmasy luminary. It is so pretty! I love the crackled pewter base and the sweet word stick that you've added to the front with the red ribbon. That looks wonderful! I also love the icy windows! It is so funny to see this because I was planning on doing something very similar to this!! I guess great minds think alike, huh? :) That frosty window looks amazing. I also love your pinecones and greenery at the top! Very pretty! Thanks for the sweet comment you left on my blog as well! <3 Candy

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  32. Wow Anne, I really love your luminary..love the way you have 'iced' the windows..gorgeous ! Hope you enjoyed your Finnabair day, hugs Carole Z xx

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  33. This is soo pretty! I love the frost effect. I had no idea that the effect could be created so easily. Thanks for sharing that!

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  34. Thanks for this Anne, I have the die but haven't got round to using it so thanks for sharing the process.
    Pleased the hip is getting better.
    Crafty hugs, Angela x

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  35. How lovely!
    I am glad you are feeling better!

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  36. Morning Anne
    a great project using the Tim Holtz Luminary die
    Did see this die at the NEC, but a bit too much work for me, so glad you have done all the hard work and shared it with everyone

    Glad your hip is on the mend, a big op to have, but will get better each day
    You, me and Angela will have to try and get together for lunch and a natter some time
    big hugs ali x

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  37. That's gorgeous, Anne. It hardly looks like paper at all! Take it easy on the resting/healing, please.

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  38. My goodness...this is stunning! I have never seen this die before...I can see why you want to make more. I popped over to your link for Buttons...oh my, that girl is talented too! You have done a fantastic job on your luminaria.

    Your parcel finally went in the post today. They said it should be there is a week. Sorry it took so long. This was my 3rd trip up there...the first time it was 3 times the price as I had it in a box...repacked it and got back up there and the envelope did not slide through the middle depth slot. Repacked again and finally got it through...
    You will giggle when you see the envelope as I was so sure it would have made it the second time that I had sealed it. Had to slit it open and retrieve an item and so I just taped it shut...with yards of wide packing cello!!!
    Nothing will escape that is for sure.

    Merry Christmas!

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  39. Good afternoon Anne,
    You are maybe not running races at the moment but your sure as heck making some wonderful projects.
    Love, love, love this fantastic Luminarie, the frosted glass and those Pine Cones and just great
    Hope you are feeling OK, stay safe

    Patricia xxx

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  40. Brilliant luminary! Love the foliage on it too! The crackly glass is a wonderful touch! Hope the hip is healing up!

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  41. Thank you for bringing it to show Anne it really is impressive. I thought it was made of metal. I look forward to making one next time we meet
    Lynn xx

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  42. always an inspiration and your post of today is gorgeous
    TFS bibiana

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  43. So beautiful Anne! I love this die and would so like to get my hands on it too. The detail you have put into this make are amazing - even down to those frosted windows. Stunning as ever!
    Hugs, Juliaxx

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  44. My goodness, this is so beautiful. I absolutely loved the Jack Frost! So very realistic. I'm glad you are behaving & resting your hip, recovering as you should. Crafting can wait, (but we do miss you!). Now is the time to watch the youtubes, blog surf when you feel like it, etc. For someone with arthritic hands, a bum hip, you turned out a masterpiece, just as you usually do. This project looks very complex & fiddly, but you definitely made it 'your own', and it's lovely. TFS & so glad you are mending ok. Hugs

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  45. Hi Anne, I hope you're well and enjoyed Finnibair. I love your luminary and I bet they'll look fantastic lined up in your window. Hugs, Chris xx

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  46. Hi Anne, so glad to hear you are on the mend. Love love your piece, gorgeous details. Lucky you buying some of Jenny's cards too. Tracy x

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  47. WAUW this is soooooooooo gorgeous Anne. I absolutely LOVE this lantern, and it´ll look amazing here for christmas.

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