A Merry Mixed-Media Christmas Project

I could never be one of those people who has a picture-perfect Christmas tree. I've tried to color-coordinate everything in the past, and I always disliked those trees. They were missing all the mismatched, handmade ornaments I grew up with. They didn't have ornaments with stories attached to them. Mainly, they didn't have heart.

I've slowly been working on making ornaments to give our tree a more personal touch. When I saw these little 3 x 3 inch canvases in The Shoppe, I knew they'd make perfect ornaments. My mind was spinning with all the ideas I had. I could simply paint one and write our favorite memories from this past year. I could also hand-letter our names on another. I ultimately decided to create a couple mixed-media pieces to hang from the branches.

A Merry Mixed-Media Christmas Project Instructions:

1. I began by painting both canvases with a layer of white paint. While it was still wet, I used my fingers to rub in some light blue paint. I then randomly added touches of gray paint with a sponge brush.
2. On one canvas, I used the Ranger Ink Blending Tool to apply red paint through a Chevron stencil. I then added Coffee Splotches with the blending tool and gray paint. On the other, I stamped a design with Fired Brick Distress Ink.
3. On each canvas, I rubbed metallic gray PanPastels along the edge. I also added just a touch of torn washi tape to add some depth and layering.
4. To finish, I stamped a holiday word on each canvas using foam stamps and gray acrylic paint. Finally, I strung wire through a staple that was on the back of the canvas so I could easily hang them.
5. While I had my supplies out, I decided to also alter a mini clipboard to hold my holiday shopping list. I followed the same process as on the canvases, using Punchinella as the stencil.