A Christmas Snow Surprise

For those of you looking for a bit of inspiration in making your Christmas Cards this year, I plan on randomly posting cards I'm making--some are super quick & easy, others will include a variety of techniques.  It's rare that I'll make any two cards the exact same since I tend to recycle a variety of items--but I might repeat a style I really like, technique, or card type.  This is one of those cards themes that I really enjoy playing around with--mostly because I really like the snowy effect.  Though hard to see in this photo, the snow really does glistens in the light, but I didn't use any glitter.  Actually, I made my own imitation snow--it's sturdy enough to stay in one place on the card when moved steadily about, yet when shaken it gives that snow flurry effect before settling back into the drifts (this is some durable faux snow).  Keep reading and I'll explain how I made it.

LoveLee Recipe: 
For the Card:  I used DCWV Holiday Collection Winter Matstack for the background papers...mounted on white CS (cardstock).  I used my Cuttlebug to cut & emboss the frame from green CS before inking the raised areas with Pine Needles Distress ink.  I cut a piece of thin plastic packaging and adhered it behind the frame with Scor-Tape (or any strong dry adhesive).  Using TH Mini Holidays2 stamp set I used Versa-Mark to stamp the snowman & tree images onto the snowflake background paper and heat embossed with CTMH embossing powders.  On the back of the frame I used one layer of mounting foam strips all around the perimeter of the frame making sure to leave no gaps.  I lightly rubbed an embossing buddy (light dusting of baby powder will work too) over the snowflake background, and plastic, before adding the "snow" to the plastic portion of my frame--this keeps the snow from building up static on the plastic.  I removed the backing off the mounting foam, exposing the adhesive, and carefully added the snowflake background to the frame before finally adhering the snow-filled frame to the card base.  Finished off with a blue/silver ribbon, and hand-wrote the message.  And now for my favorite part which involves repurposing, of course--the "Snow"!

For the Faux Snow:  Simply this - take a piece of Styrofoam (the gritty kind) and cut it in half.  Rub the two halves together over a file folder or glitter tray to catch the "snow".  Surprise--that's it!  Easy Peasy!  The possibilities of how you decide to use it are endless; craft projects, in a jar with snowman parts (eyes, nose, scarf, hat, etc.) for a melted snowman, snow globes, cards, and much more.  Isn't this "cool"?!  =)  Okay...it gets better.  Use a prescription bottle, jar, or even a baggie and fill it about 1/2 way with your homemade snow (or with the amount you desire--just leave 1-2" from top).  Add a drop of any color re-inker, close the lid and shake it up for the color to disburse evenly (I start with one drop, and add more as needed).  I used blue re-inker to make some textured water in one of my projects, and batches of greens for wreaths and trees.  Try adding a bit of Diamond Glaze (or Glossy Accents) sparingly to mold it to your projects -- makes great clumpy snow.  And the Styrofoam shavings naturally glisten! 

Try it--I bet you'll be surprised at how many ideas you can come up with.  If you do, leave me a comment with your project link -- I'd love to see it!  Oh--one more tip...when you're working with your faux snow, whatever you do--don't sneeze!

As always, thanks for stopping by! 
Lisa