{Mixed Media Tutorial} Quick And Easy Paper Christmas Stockings That Sparkle And Shine

Hello Everyone! Today is my day to share some Christmas and Holiday Inspiration with you for my December mixed media tutorial here on the STAMPlorations blog! Now, if you are like me, even though I am SUPER busy this time of year, I still want to be able to make something personal and pretty and  sparkly for my table or my gifts, but also I need to be able to whip it off fast and if small hands can help, even better! So I am sharing these cute and glittery and QUICK paper Christmas stockings I created from a package of stocking-shaped cut outs I found at my LDS (local dollar store).

First I used my Tim Holtz distress stains to color in the cardboard cutouts... you can't get much quicker than that and they were dry and ready to embellish in less than two minutes.

Then, using several of my ARTplorations stencils (which I will list below) and a wonderful glittery product from Art Anthology called Dimensional Crystal, I added patterns to the stocking FRONTS.

I used colors that looked good against the stained backgrounds and just mixed it up, not thinking too much but going with what "felt good".

I like this product because it gives great texture using only the tiniest bit of it and it dries incredibly fast - AND it Glitters - you gotta love THAT!

Dark colors on light backgrounds or light colors on dark backgrounds, you just can't go wrong with this lovely goop!

While I was waiting for the fronts to dry, I then created patterns on the "backs" of the stockings by rubbing some pigment ink in soft pastel colors using a sponge applicator, heat setting the ink, and then using my distress stains over top. The ink acted as a resist to the stains and created these lovely, subtle patterns and I had coordinating stocking backs in just a few minutes.

Once the fronts had dried I added lots and lots of dollar store stick-on bling. (You really cannot have too much bling this time of year!)

And then I assembled my stocking , cutting off the tops of the backs and gluing the backs to the fronts to create a thin pocket in which you can slide a gift card, a lottery ticket or a candy cane.

If you add a ribbon to the side it can be hung on a tree or used as a gift tag. Or if you add a name to the front it will make a wonderful, glittery place card at your Holiday table. And the best part is if you create the base stocking ahead of time, little hands can help you decorate with all that stick-on bling.

So I hope you enjoyed my Christmas tutorial today and that I gave you an idea or two for your holiday preparations this year.

Happy Crafting!


Lynne Mizera, Mixed Media Artist

STAMPlorations products used on this project:

      

Retro Circles | Stars Align | Holly Background | Dots and Dashes