Christmas, the most magical time of the year

It surely is, the most magical time of the year.

Every year I try to make a little something special just for me for Christmas to add to my Christmas collection.

I started with an 8" x 10" canvas and removed the canvas fabric itself from the frame.

Using a mixture of 13 Arts gesso, plastic filler powder and matt white paint I painted my frame, both sides. I didn't measure quantities. I just scooped a little out of the three containers and mixed it altogether until I was happy with the consistency.

I wasn't overly concerned about being neat and tidy and smooth whilst applying my mixture.

I spread it on with the help of a paint brush and a plastic spatula.

A little closer look.

Lots of texture, it's quite thick when I apply it.

Now it's a waiting game for it to dry.

Sometimes I leave the frame to dry overnight, sometimes I am a little more impatient and just have to get out the heat gun to assist in the drying time.

Whilst my frame is drying I normally sort through my Christmas embellishments and decorations.

I've glued an assortment of strung bells from the top right hand side of my frame.

I've adhered a variety of pine cones and baubles.

I've glued some Christmas greenery, some red berries and some white baubles.

You can also see two small red stars.

These wee stars are Darice paper mache stars

- they did have gold thread attached to them so that they could be hung.

I painted gesso over them and after the gesso had dried, I sprayed them with Prima Color Bloom - Carmine Red spray mist - note, this is strong, rich and vibrant in colour and everything it touches will be red - this includes white kitchen tiles, t-shirts, benches ... I mean everything.

I know this, trust me on this one.

Straight after spraying with mist I sprinkled glitter on the top of them and pegged them up to dry.

Once dry, I then snipped the gold thread off my stars.

Here's a side view now of my frame and you can see the texture from the 13 Arts mixture I applied.

Gives it an uneven look and it adds a little character.

A few more close up photos.

and just one more

When I had adhered all my bits and pieces, I then grabbed a paint brush and randomly applied Aleene's True Snow not only on the embellishments but around the frame and on the ribbon.

I love this stuff.