On my online workbook this week: A Very Merry Gilded Paper Ornament and Yule Log Trendy Christmas/New Year’s Cheer

Dear

This week's inspiration is 2024... all shiny and new.

My tip for you this week is about a different shiny.

My way of silver (or you can use gold) leafing for floral designs is to make it look more like a luxurious tarnish. As if you polished the surface too much… and wow…now it is silver! It should look as if it was created by nature.

Silver leaf sheets (it is sold in a booklet) are extremely thin sheets of flattened silver. You can also get imitation (aluminum) silver sheets but I find the real silver is thinner and can be brushed to a barely there natural glow. Working with silver leaf is called “gilding”.

The first step to a more natural look is to rip, not try to cut the sections. This gives it a natural edge. And then the best way to get this look is to burnish or remove the silver leaf with a high quality paint brush once the glue is dry. And yes, you can use a fancy silver leaf glue… but I find wood glue works perfectly for my design details because I am not really looking for a smooth mirror-like, bubble free surface. I want it to wrinkle and sparkle. Any water based glue will work.

Buff the extra bits of silver leaf away with a soft but firm brush. The idea is to use the softest brush... the softest pressure... but rather roughly in motion. You want to wiggle away any extra bits of silver so that it looks like it is a random silver tarnish on the surface.

You can seal the surface but I prefer not to add any extra chemicals to my designs. Silver and gold leaf are not considered toxic (there are even some health benefits to using silver leaf) nor damaging to the broader ecosystem so it is a great alternative to glitter.

So if you are looking for an alternative to glitter… give it a try. I would love to hear what you think. And of course see your designs!

Have a fun and flower filled 2024, flower buddies. And thank you for all the smiles and chats in 2023.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine

ps: Phew! As a Festive surprise there was a lot more for you to look at each week. This week's design has no less than three new Tutorials. Make sure to scroll down and have a look at the paper snow flakes, the twig clusters and the yule log.