Dot & Whimsy

Holiday Greetings!

(a little early, but Holiday Greetings none-the-less)

Welcome to my contribution to the 

And,

I have an entire list for today's hop at the bottom of this post.

Alrighty, are you ready to meet him?

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Mr. Snow is the most handsome snowman made from not much more than paper mache, 

 Authentique Paper's Peaceful Collection, bits of ribbon, trim and old buttons! 

 While cruising the Christmas Crafts aisle at Hobby Lobby, my search was

for items to construct the perfect snowman...he was sitting in my mind's eye just waiting to be born ;)

 I picked up a wine-bottle-style paper mache box (for the body) 

 and an elegantly shaped paper mache ornament (for the head and hat).

I removed the bottom finial from the ornament and ended up using the 

tip for the nose after painting it a bright pumpkin orange.

For the eyes I simply punched two small 1/4" circles and placed them on with foam dots.

I cut 3/4" strips from Peaceful's "Warmth" Paper and applied it to the

rounded part of the ornament with Mod Podge.  

Because of the sharp curves in certain places (see above), 

I found it best to fold the strips lengthwise before attaching.

After the Mod Podge was completely dry, I added a coating of 

crystal fine glitter to the paper.

His top hat was painted black with an acrylic paint and then edged

with a pretty black trim that I had in my stash.

Next, I took one full sheet of the Peaceful "Warmth" Paper and covered

the paper mache base. Because there was quite a large gap where the two 

ends of the paper didn't meet, I made a placket from Peaceful's "Chill" Paper. 

 This same paper also acted as the collar for the lid of the round box. 

 A pretty velvet rick rack trim edged both sides of the placket 

and the base of the collar.  

After attaching Mr. Snow's head to the base, I took a piece of

cream-colored chenille stem and glued it in place at the bottom of 

the head.  This helped to hide the uneven edges of the paper strips.

I must admit that coming up with an idea for the arms gave me quite a fit...

yes a FIT....... :)

I started out thinking sticks.  Way too spindly looking for Mr. Snow and his girth!  

I harkened back to the recent "napkin holder" that I made 

using Authentique's Thankful Collection. 

By taking a 4x4 square of the "Cozy" Paper, I created a cone and glued

into place.  You will want to make two of these of course.

Glitter before attaching to the body 

(Insert the pointed end just under the 'collar')

I used a 2.5" Styrofoam ball and cut it in half.  

After glittering, I tucked it into the opening of the cone.  

You will want to use a very thick craft glue for this especially.

(I use Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue)

 To the center of his placket:  a beautiful cardstock sticker from the 

Peaceful Details 12x12 Sticker Sheet.

I added a few felt snowflakes with black button centers.

For the "snow" banner, I simply used a label tag punch and folded the

top around a length of baker's twine.  The alpha sticker letters can be found on 

the Peaceful Elements 12x8 Sticker Sheet. 

After tying bows at the ends of the baker twine, I pinned it to the 

styrofoam hands with large corsage-style straight pins.

Voila!

 Now, admit it...he's just a doll, isn't he?

ahhh, I love my new Mr. Snow ♥

Thank you so much for letting me share my excitement for him with you!
I would like to also thank Authentique Paper for allowing me to
create with their beautiful papers and to all of the manufactures who have
so generously given in the spirit of all things handmade.

If you have any questions about this project, please feel free to email me:

Enjoy...and may you have a beautiful handmade holiday!

Order of today's blog hop:
 Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com
Hampton Art - http://blog.hamptonart.com/
Graphic45 – http://g45papers.typepad.com/
Fiskateers - www.fiskateers.com/blog
Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/
Tombow USA – http://blog.tombowusa.com/
Authentique Paper http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/
The Twinery - http://www.thetwineryblog.com/
Eileen Hull for Sizzix http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/
Globecraft Memories – http://globecraftmemories.blogspot.com
Diana Gonzalez – Clearsnap – http:// www.arteypoemas.com
Monika Wright – The Twinery - http://www.iloveitallwithmonikawright.com/
Gretchen McElveen - Hampton Art - http://gretchenmac.blogspot.com/
Megan Aaron – Clearsnap-  http://thoughtsoftraveling.blogspot.com/
Tania Willis – Fiskateers- http://throughtrialsiambeingpurified.blogspot.com/
Gloria Stengel – Graphic 45 - http://www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com/
Suzanne Austin – Clearsnap - http://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com/
Shellye McDaniel – Authentique Paper - http://paperedcottage.blogspot.com/
Natasha Naranjo Aguirre – Donna Salazar Designs -  http://www.moments-of-tranquility.com
Jen Carter – The Twinery - http://jensinkspot.blogspot.com/
Laura Denison – Graphic 45 - www.lauradenisondesigns.com
Candy Spiegel – Globecraft Memories - http://candyspiegel.wordpress.com/ 

The October Sketches are now up at 

This month, Authentique is featuring one of the newest 

collections, Peaceful.  Peaceful is the perfect adjective for the

winter-themed cardstock papers and stickers.  It reminds me of

a fresh snowfall and a late day's winter sky...peaceful indeed!

Below we have this month's card & layout sketch.  I've chosen

to go the card route again this time around :)

I think this feathered friend is just beautiful!  I just him from one of the papers, distressed
the edge a bit and then embellished with a soft velvet ric-rak.  After punching the
snowflakes from one of the Peaceful papers, I glittered each one, attached to the
card front with foam dots and lastly tied on a large button.

 If you have some time and would like to participate in the
October Sketch Challenge, please do!
There is a prize-pack involved to a lucky winner :)
Check out the details and see inspiration from the Design Team here!

I'm back blogging tomorrow with my first project for
The Paper Bakery
See you then...Good Night!