“Victorian Saint Nickolas”

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015

I always make extra special Christmas cards for those extra special friends. The Cotton Press Victorian Saint Nickolas mold has been one of my favorites for years and gets used many times during the Christmas holidays. Coloring him is not difficult but looks like it. Using G45 Christmas cardstock for the card base and one of the versatile Tonic dies made the project go together in a jiffy.  I love these kinds of projects and think you will too.

Supplies:

·        Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits

·        A sunny window

·        Blender, strainer, cello sponges and soft towels

·        Scraps of white (think junk mail, etc.)

·        Cotton Press Victorian Saint Nickolas casting mold

·        Beacon QuickGrip^TM and Beacon ZipDry^TM Adhesive

·        Double sided foam tape

·        Envelopes to fit cards

·        Scor-pal^TM

·        Westcott^TM™ Paper trimmer

·        Die: Tonic Gold^TM US #637E (Dragonfly Frame & Insert set.)

·        Spellbinders^TM Grand Calibur die cutting machine

·        Graphic45^TM Christmas cardstock

·        The Paper Cut™ BS204 Base Green for the frame

·        Pastels, Chalks or powered eye shadow in red, green and brown, applicators

·        Flower Soft™ Ivory or Polar White

Instructions:

1.      Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create one or more of the Saint Nickolas paper casting. (Note: I used the upper part of the mold)

2.      When the castings are dry, color each area with the chalks. (See sample for placement)

3.      Apply ZipDry™ adhesive to the fur cuff, rim of hat and ball of hat.

4.      Sprinkle with the Flower Soft™. (I used Ivory) 

5.      Allow it to dry.

6.      Die cut and emboss a frame for each card from the green cardstock.

7.      Create a 4 ¼ x 5 ½” card from the G45 Christmas cardstock.

Assemble the card:

1.      Center and attach the die cut frame to the center of the card with tiny pieces of foam tape.

2.      Center and attach the Saint Nickolas paper casting inside the frame.

Add a hand written message inside the card. Hand deliver or mail in a padded envelope or shallow box.