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Snowy Scenes and Tombstones for Christmas?!

Filed under Art Projects, Bella Ayers, Featured Artwork, Gifts/Decorations, Giveaways, Newsletters, Rhea Freitag, Tim Holtz

Psst! Miz Bella here! Leslie’s caught a cold so I’m taking over this newsletter!

First off is the “Tag of the Month” by Tim Holtz for December: A wintery, glittery, and frosty Christmas Tag (actually 2!) using lots of fun elements like the Tim Holtz Frosted Sheets (I love the snowy effect by embossing these sheets with the New! Snowfall & Falling Trees Embossing Folder Set), the Christmas Nostalgia Cling Stamp Set, Grungeboard Basics-Plain, and the Movers & Shapers Base Die – Tag and Bookplates. AND the ENTIRE supplies list is On Sale! Here’s the detailed December Tag Tutorial.

Next, Design Team Member Rhea Freitag decided to go a different route with her December Houses and paired the Glitter Houses Add-On Kit with the New! Tim Holtz Artful Dwellings Die Set. It would be awfully cute displayed up on a mantle, don’t you think?


Rhea incorporated all kinds of elements and added lots of layers with different products such as the Christmas Collage 6×6 Paper Pad (also in the Add-On Kit), Gold Zig Zag Dresden Borders, and Muse Tokens.

I think each time you look at Rhea’s Glitter Row Houses you’ll find something you missed the last time you looked at it — all part of the fun of a piece like this! The Label Pulls over the door as Santa’s nameplate is a clever use of it and by layering some of her embellishments Rhea was able to create depth and adornments for her little houses.

Here are the all the embellishments and supplies and you can find more pictures at Rhea’s blog.


I have long wanted a Bathtub Madonna Shrine planted right up in my front yard. Of course, I’d have more luck getting Slim Daddy to get tattooed than I would talking him into putting a shrine in our front yard. WHAT would the neighbors think? So the only way to get one, was to make my own mini-version.

After getting one of the New! Antique Silver Madonna Pendants and looking at the set of Paper Mache Tombstones I thought, hmmm. If I cut an opening in one of these, it would almost look like a bathtub shrine. So I did! When you cut into the tombstone, there is a layer of chipboard inside that works perfectly for lining the sides on the inside of the shrine, so don’t throw it away! Paint it with White Gesso, age it with Deco Art Perfect Crackle and then do a quick wash with Metallic Distress Stain – Antiqued Bronze.

The Antique Ornate Frames are perfect for working with Epoxy Clay to create a “bed” for the pendant.

Add assorted Charms, Paper Roses and then paint here and there with Inka Gold. There you have it. Your own miniature bathtub shrine! And here’s a link if you’d like to see exactly which supplies I used.
 

 Thursday Newsletter Recap And FREE Holiday Gift Box Trims


Don’t Forget Thursday’s Newsletter
with artwork by TWO Design Team Members (And see below for who won that Glitter Houses Giveaway)


There’s a new FREE Gift Kit: Holiday Gift Box Trims! I’ve put together three different little sets of ribbons and shiny bits for making art or for decorating a gift. More info

 

Hooray for the Christmas with Tombstones Giveaway!

Yes, this one is a little odd. But with that beautiful shrine Miz Bella created using the Paper Mache Tombstones, I don’t think they should be relegated to “only” Halloween (not that you guys don’t like to buy Halloween goodies all year ’round!)

First, let’s start with all of these items from Rhea’s Glitter Row Houses (note: that’s a link to the supply list with links and photos):
Glitter Houses Add-On Kit (yep, just one link… but that’s a lot of items!)

Next, these additional goodies from Bella’s Divination Shrine:
– Antique Silver Madonna Pendant
– 3D Skull Charm – Bronze
– Skull Connectors
– Paper Mache Tombstones Set
– Antique Ornate Frames

Then, a set of the Tim Holtz Frosted Sheets (since I’m so enamored of that embossed snow effect). You can see one of the sheets leaning against the tombstone in the upper left of the photo.

To enter the Christmas with Tombstones Giveaway drawing all you have to do is leave a comment BELOW on this blog post TODAY or TOMORROW (the deadline is 11:59 pm PST, MONDAY NIGHT, December 15, 2014).

Don’t forget to leave your (hello! correct) email address, too, so I can contact the winner; your email address does not need to be made public. Note: I’m offering free shipping, too, but only within the USA. International shipping will still apply.

Please be patient! Spammers try to post crap here a lot so comments are moderated. So if you don’t see your post in the comments section, be patient and check back in a few hours before re-posting it, please!

After midnight, I’ll randomly pick the winner (via Random.org). So make sure to check back to see who won! And check your mailbox on Thursday morning for the next Giveaway and Newsletter!

Hey, who won the Glitter Houses Giveaway? That would be Dottie! Please check your email for my message about getting your mailing address.

  
Posted by Leslie, December 14th, 2014

104 responses to “Snowy Scenes and Tombstones for Christmas?!”

  1. LoriSW says:

    A very clever way to get your bathtub shrine!!!! I never would have used tombstones, but that’s why I subscribe to this site. Thanks again for sparking my imagination, ladies of Alpha Stamps. ~Lori

  2. Stacia says:

    Great combo!

  3. Regina Salvador says:

    LOVE that bathtub shrine!

  4. Rise St Arno says:

    I love everything about this.

  5. judy says:

    Wonderful giveaway, would love to win it~

  6. Karen says:

    Viva la giveaway!

  7. oh the things I could do with this!!! this is my favorite giveaway so far…LOVE it!

  8. mary beth says:

    I do love your bathtub shrine. Got to thining about one in the yard and think you should go for it!

  9. Karen N says:

    Who would have thought…Christmas and tombstones! Very creative idea!Would love to win!

  10. marybeth i says:

    Very cute. I love the shrine and the glitter houses!

  11. Amanda Miller says:

    This is WOW!! Love it.

  12. Marilyn H says:

    As always, beautiful projects and a wonderful giveaway.

  13. Emily N. says:

    Love those little tombstones!

  14. Jen R says:

    Tombstones at Christmas? YES!

  15. Holly Day says:

    It’s like a combination of my two favorite holidays!

  16. Birgit says:

    This sounds just great — thanks for the chance! 🙂

  17. Yvette LeBlanc says:

    lovely!

  18. Phoebe Diamond says:

    That would be a hoot to work with.

  19. KIM says:

    Great giveaway.

  20. Carolyn Bowlby says:

    Just perfect.

  21. Lynn Fox says:

    How creative! What fun it would be to win this giveaway!!! Thanks for the chance!

  22. Lou Anne says:

    I love the way the tombstone opened up and had a little shelf inside. I’ve been wanting to create some shrines and you’ve given me some inspiration!

  23. barbara macaskill says:

    Rhea’s Glitter Row Houses is absolutely breath taking!!! I will be back to check this out numerous times so that I am able to absorb every little detail in it!! STUNNING!!
    Love the Madonna Bathtub Shrine also!! I have been wanting to get my hands on some of the shrines for so long!!!
    Another great giveaway and Congratulations Dottie for winning Thursday’s giveaway!!!

  24. barbara macaskill says:

    just in case I win and my email is incorrect here it is: macaskillbarbara@yahoo.com

  25. Barbara says:

    Love the glitter row houses! Such fun to make!

  26. love everything would love to win

  27. Joan says:

    Great giveaway, as always.

  28. Patti says:

    Another wonderful giveaway! I love the images.

  29. Jo says:

    I love this idea!!!!

  30. Mary Mac says:

    Christmas with tombstones! Interesting idea.

  31. Roberta S says:

    Please, oh please, choose me! This is a truly inspired kit–great use of those tombstones!

  32. Jo says:

    Christmas and Halloween – my two favorite holidays! Thanks for the giveaway!!

  33. Karen says:

    Good stuff to create an unusual Christmas/or Halloween project.

  34. angelic says:

    Thanks for the great ideas on using a tombstones for a Christmas project. Thanks for the giveaway.

  35. Gail Gill says:

    I love the way you rethink objects and don’t just see them for what they are, but for what they can be. That shows real imagination.

  36. Deb Neerman says:

    Very cool giveaway … thanks for the chance!

  37. Mary ann Smith says:

    Loving seeing your blog. Would enjoy winning too.

  38. Pam Weiler says:

    A very interesting giveaway, tombstones and Christmas.

  39. Rusty Davis says:

    I always look forward to receiving your emails.

  40. June Sample-Josefiak says:

    What diversity!!

  41. Susan M.L. says:

    Shrines are very popular here in the Southwest, and I have made several; but never thought to use the tombstones. Very clever! Hope Leslie feels much better!

  42. DebR says:

    Love Rhea’s creation and brilliant to cut out the tombstones to create a shrine Miz Bella! Great giveaway, who’d a thunk to combine Christmas and tombstones?!

  43. LeAnn says:

    Loving the Tim Holtz frosted sheets. Very clever use of the tombstones.

  44. Christi Conley says:

    LOVE shrines!!!

  45. michelle says:

    choose me!!!

  46. Diana says:

    Absolutely love the tombstone shrine! And who wouldn’t want a bathtub shrine in their front yard? Christmas/tombstones…my favorites!!!

  47. Pat Houck says:

    I love the idea of making shrines from the tombstones. What a great idea!

  48. Rae Wycoff says:

    Tombstones? Christmas? I love it! Genious!

  49. I to have always wanted a bathtub shine, love this idea for a mini one. Not giving up on the real thing, retirement and Arizona are only a few years away!

  50. Lorna E. says:

    Miz Bella, I love your shrine and this giveaway!

  51. Carmen says:

    Love the Madonna Shrine, and the Glitter Row Houses, Great job ladies! I can’t wait to make one, two, or five to give as tree ornaments…using the tombstones, very clever. Great giveaway!

  52. Lynn says:

    Great set – would love to win it!

  53. Kathy Bumb says:

    Love these tutorials andd all the artwork that is so inspiring

  54. Karen Mallory says:

    Love this project! Great way to incorporate some Halloween supplies into Christmas! 🙂

  55. Pattie Walters says:

    I would love to win anything you offer. I love your website!

  56. Roxanne says:

    great inspiration today! Sure would love to win one of these great stashes! 🙂 Thanks for the chance Alpha Stamps.

  57. Lori Wilczek says:

    Love this giveaway!

  58. coco says:

    Really love this giveaway!!

  59. Brenda Lubrant says:

    I love this shrine and never would have thought of making it out of a tombstone. How clever!! I especially love the Mondonna charms.

  60. Laura says:

    What an awesome idea!

  61. Laura K says:

    Love the shrine! The Glitter Row Houses is also fab – both projects very creative! The Frosted Sheets look very fun to work with, and I would love to win some!

  62. Nancy S says:

    Just love all the goodies!

  63. Dena Cottrell says:

    I would love to win! Thank you.

  64. Debra Gibson says:

    Would so love to win !! Love Alpha Stamp’s !! Merry Christmas !!!!

  65. Lana says:

    I look forward to seeing what goodies you put in your giveaways…you make it so much fun! Thank you Alpha Stamp!

  66. Kim B says:

    Well that’s new, using tombstones for Christmas! I like it.

  67. Paula Sorensen says:

    I am. If fan of the ladies & their workshops.. Loads of lovely ideas!

  68. Orlie Severson says:

    I would be proud to win this give away. love all your projects and blog posts.

  69. Debby Basaraba says:

    Your Shrine “shines”!!!

  70. Arlene Groepper says:

    Wonderful once again!!

  71. Cathy smith says:

    Love the shrine! Great idea!

  72. Blair Lowery says:

    Love the ideas.

  73. Lu L. says:

    I just love how the designers take something and use it for a totally different purpose…like the tombstones! Such creativity!!

  74. Kim Postlewaite says:

    You had me at SHRINE!!! Love, Love, Love!

  75. Sandy says:

    anything that glitters…..

  76. Carol Slowik says:

    Beautiful…

  77. Thalia Kottke says:

    The shrine is fabulous.

  78. Jennie says:

    Fantastic shrine!

  79. Christine V says:

    I think Bella’s ‘divination’ tombstone theme kinda fits Christmas. After all, that’s where everyone’s financial plans, savings accounts, and credit cards will be as of the 26th – dead.

  80. Awesome giveaway – as always.

  81. Cindy Svoboda says:

    Wow, who would of thought. Only someone who thinks outside the box; it is fantastic! Wish I had just a little of your creativity.

  82. Another creative giveaway,you never dissappoint

  83. Linda K says:

    Always such great stuff. Sure would love to win one 🙂

  84. Tammy says:

    I love it

  85. Traci says:

    Okay, count me in-I am not much of a Christmas crafter but would love to make a religious shrine-love it!!

  86. julie m says:

    cool idea. tombstones rock.

  87. Lori D. says:

    Fabulous!

  88. Carrie j says:

    Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

  89. Starqueen says:

    Sometimes the most unlikely pairings work quite well together!! “Christmas tombstones” definitely fits that category😉. Thanks for sharing!

  90. Patti G says:

    Perfect, Christmas and tombstones.

  91. Shannon C. says:

    Can you enter the giveaway if you’ve been put on Santa’s naughty list?

  92. Luanne Shoup says:

    Hmmmm, tombstones, Mixing it up, that’s my trick!

  93. Tabitha Klucking says:

    Halloween’s my fave! Christmas with Tombstones sounds perfect to me!

  94. Darlene says:

    Wow what a great mix of goodies!!

  95. Sheila Rodriguez says:

    Another marvelous grouping!!!

  96. Angie A says:

    You guys never run out of fantastic ideas and giveaways! This website is the best!!

  97. Evleta Gruber says:

    This looks like a cool project. I love tombstone art. Here’s hoping to win!

  98. Dennis Lawrence says:

    I know just the crafty person who would love to have this! Ten days until Christmas everyone!!

  99. Julie F. says:

    Beautiful, love the silvery sparkles all over!

  100. susan higgins says:

    Love this projct

  101. Helen Potter says:

    Lots of inspiration. Love the tombstone

  102. Sokat says:

    Love , love, love this.

  103. Me Pugh says:

    What a lovely collection-tis the season.