Silent Night

Just handed this over so can now share it here

Intended as a Christmas decoration that I hope will become an heirloom

Will keep the story behind it brief ...

Last year Richard started to learn to play the violin

I joked that I would like him to play me Silent Night at Christmas

He did

Then after daddy died I asked each of the boys for their memories of Grandad

Richard's memory was Grandad's party piece each Christmas 

 - singing Silent Night very fast indeed

Always used to make us laugh

Then, totally and utterly inspired by the violin altered by the wonderful Annette Smyth I knew what I wanted to do

Managed to get a split and broken violin from ebay

VERY stressful as I had to bid on it - but I won!!!!

Managed to find a teeny-weeny little music box (just the bit that makes the noise, not a whole complete music box) that played Silent Night

And hubby fitted this inside for me - just leaving the little key on the outside

Then I set about altering it

Had many meltdowns

Put it away in the cupboard more times than I can count

Trouble was I did not want it too flowery and more *S*N*O*W*flakey

But could not find the sort of S*N*OW*flakes I really wanted 

So had to admit defeat and add in flowers

Kept the colours cool and icy

It is nothing like I wanted it to be and I am disappointed in it

But my intention was always for the sentiment behind it to be greater than anything so all is well

*****

Three coats of gesso

Adding gesso to the embellishments

Then layers and layers and layers of colours

Lindy's Stamp Gang spray inks / Finnabair's Art Alchemy acrylic paints and Finn's waxes

Until I decided it was never going to be as I hoped and called it a day

PRODUCTS USED:
Art Basics 
 Heavy White Gesso
Modelling Paste
Soft Matte Gel
Heavy Body Gel
Claritystamp
 *S*N*O*W*flake Stencil
Ranger Distress Spray Stain 
 Chipped Sapphire
Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Spray 
Frozen Jack Frost/Time Travel Teal/Afternoon Delight Denim/
Frosted Lilac Violet/Frosted Forget-me-not
Perfect Pearls Mists
 Mint/Blue Patina
Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint
Opal Magic Pink-blue
Opal Magic Violet-green
Metallique - Deep Waters/White Pearl
Sparks - Magical Pond/Iris Potion
Art Alchemy 
Opal Magic Wax Turquoise Satin/Blue Velvet
Metallique Wax - Old Silver
Art Ingredients
Glass Glitter - Midnight Blue

Thanks for this have to go to Annette - I was blown away by her violin when I saw it and was totally inspired

Enough so to want to do another one

But for now, this was for Richard in memory of his Grandad