On my online workbook this week: A Very Merry Dark chocolate Velvet Texture of Yore, Tall and Trendy Christmas Cheer

Dear

This week's inspiration is letting in light... and lightness.

My tip for you this week is all about creating sturdy designs... that look impossibly light. Be careful not to craft a heavy and tight tree. It should look like the leaves simply swirled down and settled magically into a tree shape.

The best way to achieve this is to fit the leaf that you want to add lightly against the shape. Notice all the places where it touches? Add only the smallest drop of glue to those places. Do not smooth the leaf down. Simply hold the leaf for the glue to set and allow it to float as naturally as possible. This means that towards the end of the tree shape you will have to play around a bit and find the perfect leaf to settle into the perfect space. The easiest way is to gently separate the stack of dried leaves into two halves. Now you can see the shape of the leaves you have left over to work with at a glance.

It takes a bit of maneuvering but if at all possible glue the leaves at three places. Even if it is just the tiniest drop of glue. This way the shape will be robust with small pockets so that you will even be able to add the fairy lights and flowers without anything coming undone.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine

ps: As a Christmas surprise there will be a lot more for you to look at each week from now to just after New Year's Eve. This week's design has two new Tutorials. Make sure to scroll down and have a look at the starlight garland Tutorial.