Christmas Past

I had so much fun doing this layout! I got to play with some products that I didn't have much experience with. I have very recently fallen in love with Prima's Clear Paintables and Say It In Crystals. Here's a list of the products in this layout:
Prima Clear Paintables - Era 812256
Say It In Crystals - Silver Swirls 522766
American Crafts Christmas paper Up On The Housetop
American Crafts Mini Marks Ginger Font in Red
American Crafts Mini Marks Frosty Accents in Multi Color
American Crafts Galaxy Marker - White
American Crafts Slick Writer - Black
American Crafts Metallic Markers - Silver & Gold
Bazzill Cardstock in Lime Crush
The Paper Company paper in Arctic Gold (used as matting around the tree picture and under the title of the layout)
VersaFine Pigment Ink Pad - Onyx Black (distressing around the pictures)
Petaloo Poinsettias 17302
Petaloo Palette of Petals - Poinsettias & Holly

I really like American Crafts markers. They are so versatile! Most of them you can use in a variety of porjects. I used the Metallic Markers, white Galaxy Markers and the black Slick Writer in this layout. Here's a few tips I discovered while using these markers with the Clear Paintables.
Do all your "painting" on the reverse side of the Clear Paintable. This will ensure that your painting doesn't cover any of the fine details of the Clear Paintable. Notice the part of the clock that I colored. There is a lot of fine detail that would have either been covered by painting on the front or I would have had to spend a lot of time very carefully painting around the fine details. Who has time for that!
Next, when using the Metallic Markers, let the ink dry for several minutes before you proceed with your project. The Metallic Markers will smudge if you try to work with the Clear Paintable before it dries. Remember, this is a sheet of acetate, it's not porous so it can't absorb the ink from the marker like paper will. If you make a mistake and put the Metallic Marker where you don't want it to go you can wipe it off right away and start over.
The Galaxy Markers dry a little quicker so you won't have to wait as long when using those. You can also wipe off any mistakes and start over. However, when you work with the white Galaxy Marker it will go on like invisible ink! It takes a few minutes for the ink to dry and "appear" even on paper. The other colors of Galaxy Markers show up right away and the color is deep and rich and not at all transparent.
The Slick Writers are a little different. The give a beautiful transparent color. The give nice, even color and almost a watercolor paint effect that is really nice. But, make sure when you use these on the Clear Paintables that you are careful (if you want a precise look in your finished project) where you put the color. Once it's down, you're done! You can't wipe the Slick Writers off and start over if you get the color in the wrong place. Having said that, this characteristic holds a distinct advantage for those who want to work more quickly since the ink in the Slick Writers dry almost instantly and are permanent.