By Donna Mcghie
My prompt for this month’s Powertex article was A Winter’s Tale. The festive season is fast approaching and my mind wandered back to those seemingly halcyon days of Christmas’ past.

Obviously memory plays tricks on us all, but for me, nothing beats a bit of nostalgia at Christmas. I fell in love with the retro look of the Victorian Christmas Rice Papers, the style of the images really made me smile.
However, rather than making me think of all things Victorian, for me they conjure up memories of the early seventies. Lots of gaudy tinsel and Slade blasting out Merry Christmas on Top of the Pops.
I decided to attempt to create a wall plaque that captured some of that seventies atmosphere.
So grab yourself a snowball to drink, (or something non alcoholic from the soda stream if you prefer), and let’s have a bit of festive fun with Powertex.
I deliberately chose to keep this project fairly simplistic and quick to do. The reason being is that most of us are frantically busy on the lead up to Christmas, and don’t have much time to set aside for crafting. Hopefully this little tree can slot in to the timescale somewhere though.
Materials List:
- MDF Christmas Tree Base (I got mine from Hobbycraft)
- Powertex White Fabric Hardener
- Powertex Green Fabric Hardener
- Victorian Christmas Rice Paper
- Stone Art
- Easy Structure
- Acrylic Ink Spray Palm
- Ready Mixed Green Bister
- Easy Varnish
- Powercolor Titanium White
- Biodegradable glitter (optional).
Step 1

Mix together green and white Powertex Fabric Hardener to a pale green colour. Sponge over your tree shape and allow to dry. You can use a hairdryer to speed this process.
Step 2

With a flat brush apply Easy Varnish where you want to place the images. Then gently put them in position and brush over them again with the varnish to seal. Add some more hardener in various places and whilst damp gently dab on some Stone Art.
Step 3

Using a small pallet knife scrape some Easy Structure downwards to give the impression of branches. Blast with a dryer, and then add some Acrylic Spray Ink.
Step 4

Now add more branch shapes with Easy Structure, dry and spray with the Bister.
Step 5

Now mix a small amount of white pigment with easy varnish, load a flat brush, wipe off on paper towel, and gently sweep over your tree segments. Gradually building up the intensity until it looks like snow.
Step 6

A final flourish of glitter and we are done 🙂 I like to use a very fine bio degradable glitter as although we’re going for a seventies vibe, it’s good to use current sensibilities about sustainability.
I decided to add a simple star on the top but obviously if you decide to make one you can bling up your tree with whatever takes your fancy.
That’s my lot for 2019 folks. I have really enjoyed sharing my makes in these articles and have equally enjoyed seeing what you share with us on our Facebook page, so please do pop over and share any of your nostalgic makes.
I’ve been making lots of other festive decorations which you can see on my own Facebook page here.
The other design team members have been busy as well. I particularly love Fiona’s Christmas star from last year.
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone, and here’s hoping you get lots of Powertex goodies in those stockings 🙂