Craft Barn Calendar Challenge. . . . . . .

I've decided to join in the Craft Barn Callendar Challenge this week and hopefully, if I can manage it, for the next 12 weeks!

Every week that you enter will result in a 15% discount for online shopping at the Craft Barn - for that week only. If you enter all 12 weeks you will qualify for entry into a draw for a 'big' prize! It's a no brainer really isn't it?

The theme to be included this week is the use of vellum - I'll try not to groan but it's not my favourite crafting material! That's probably why I've made minimum use of it I suppose. . . . . . . .

I've got a couple of those little white calendars and I've decided to make one calendar 'page' per month rather than 12 calendars. I did briefly consider printing out my own but time is tight enough without adding that pressure! (I know it doesn't take too long but I'm opting out to save time!).

I've chosen to use a theme which is relevant for January. I've used a snowflake theme and an icy blue and brown colour scheme.

Here's month #1:

I promise you that this page sparkles brilliantly but you wouldn't know it from this photo!

Some snowflakes were die cut, inked, stamped with script and small snowflakes then decorated with a modest amount of distress stickles dry glitter (gorgeous stuff and I might turn into a glitter girl!).
I used a washer to re-enforce the hole at the top of the page - it was coloured with alcohol ink first to tone in. I got this fab idea from the hugely talented Mel aka The Yorkshire Fox and did say I'd like to borrow it one day - if you don't know Mel, take a minute to visit her blog as you're in for a real treat!

The numbers were die cut twice: once in vellum and once in thick card. The card numbers were painted with distress crackle paint. The vellum numbers were embossed in a folder then inked with matching distress - I liked this effect and decided that was enough vellum for me!! I chose a folder which matched the pattern created by the two layers of tape used - this is explained under the next photo.

Part of the background incorporates some mesh tape covered with metal tape and then coloured with alcohol inks in a toning shade. I like the little extra texture you get from this addition.

The background was created with distress ink and stamping with the same colours to build up quite a clean, simple look. I then went in heavy on the edges with some walnut distress to grunge things up a little.

When I removed the January sheet from the calendar, I had to unpick the stitching. That left me with little holes which were unsightly. I considered faux stitching but in the end chose to use a hand stitch with silver thread to improve the look - must be mad!
You get a vague idea of the sparkle in this photo but I've failed to capture it all I'm afraid - you'll just have to use your imagination!

So that's one down and only eleven to go! Better get thinking and trying to second guess the next theme!

Thanks for reading/looking down this far - it's much appreciated.