On the "Creative Mixed Media" website, they have a posting about using up Gelli print papers you've made but didn't like or didn't know what to do with.

These are just a couple of examples they show. Take a look by clicking on this link -- http://www.createmixedmedia.com/make/gelli-plate-printing-extras-part-2.

It's a 3-part series; this is Part 2. At the bottom of the article, you should see links to Part 1 and Part 3. It's time to bring out those Gelli Plates and inks!



On the Magenta block, Bianca has posted a very artsy card . . .

by Bianca Van Noort, Design Team Magenta

Click on this ink for the posting:

http://www.magentastyle.com/2014/12/happy-birthday-bonne-fete.html

On Sue Clark's Zentangle blog, she shows how she made a couple of watercolor wash zendalas.

by Sue Clark, CZT

by Sue Clark, CZT

Click on this link to Sue's blog and this particular posting:

http://tangledinkart.blogspot.com/2014/11/watercolor-wash-zendalas.html

In answer to Craft Stamper's white ink challenge, my friend Renee Zarate has ten making tags that are very inspiring to me.

by Renee Zarate

This is the link to Renee's blog for this tag:

http://renee-boltonhouse.blogspot.com/2014/12/craft-stamper-white-stamping-challenge.html

This is another posting using the white stamping technique from Renee, this time on kraft paper.

by Renee Zarate

by Renee Zarate

Click on this link for another how-to posting by Renee:

http://renee-boltonhouse.blogspot.com/2014/12/white-stamping-craft-stamper-challenge.html

If you still have your beautiful holiday wrapping paper out, you might want to see how to make a beautiful "snowflake". I've seen these in stores selling for far more than the minimal cost of making it yourself! They use Laura Ashley wallpaper, but I'm sure some of the beautiful decorated papers we work with could be used as well.

by Sarah Feather Designs

Click on this link to the Laura Ashley blog for this posting:

http://blog.lauraashleyusa.com/make-do-wallpaper-snowflakes/

Pan Pastels has an article on their blog discussing fixatives. I found it very informative and I hope you will too.

Click on this link for the blog article:  http://paintdrawblend.com/2014/12/fixatives/

This is a link to helpful tips on using your Micron pen. It's a popular pen at Art 'n Soul for the zentangling aficionados.

http://tanglepatterns.com/2011/06/tips-from-sakura-on-using-their-micron-pens.html

Christmas around the world photos are beautiful to look at. I found these quite some time ago and thought I'd share a few of them.

"Christmas at Kew" Lights at Kew Gardens in London, England
"The Kew Royal Botanic Gardens are the most comprehensive botanical collection on earth."

The National Christmas Tree in Washington DC

Reykjavik, Iceland -- this is where Dianne is right now!
" In iceland, 13 'Yuletide lads' (scruffy Santas) are said to bring gifts to well behaved children during the 13 nights leading up to Christmas."

Rockefeller Center Ice Rink in New York City during the tree lighting ceremony,

Milan, Italy in front of the Doom

I'm hoping one year we will enjoy Christmas with our granddaughters in London so I can see this beautiful display at Kew Gardens. I have been in Washington DC, New York City and Milan during the holiday season and they're all a festival of lights. I can't wait to hear about Dianne's holiday in Reykjavik!

See you soon! Are you prepared to ring in the new year?