Much like reindeer, I can’t help myself when it comes to Christmas Trees! And I fell in love with this Christmas Tree for sure.
In addition to a card making class being taught this month at Scrapbook Central Petone, I thought I would outline here some of the extra cards I made using the same Christmas Tree die used in class.
In the class (pictured left), the Echo Park Merry Christmas Tree die set is used, along with a chipboard set from Celebra8. The class covers ink smooshing, textured tissue and heat embossing to create these three bright and fun Christmas cards.
However, I have had a bunch of fun with the Christmas Tree die itself!
The die set includes the tree, a tree trunk, a die that cuts 6 round circles for baubles/ornaments, the star for the top and the Merry Christmas sentiment.
I really like the fun, whimsical shape of the tree, and the font of the Merry Christmas. It really is a great value set to add to your stash.
Firstly, I spent some time creating a couple of background pieces using strips of scrap cardstock from my stash. Whenever I create a card and cut down my inked, heat embossed and stamped panels, I keep the leftover pieces that would normally be thrown away, and store them to be cut into strips for times like this.
Check out how I store these scraps, along with general cardstock organisation ideas.
I pulled out all my green pieces and cut them into strips, about 1/4″ wide.
Using a piece of copy paper or refill paper (anything thin and lightweight), I used some Stick-It adhesive sheets to cover the entire piece with the strips. You could simply cover the same panel with glue, or glue each strip separately. Placing the strips on a diagonal does help alleviate the stress of trying to keep all of the strips straight.
OK, my bright and fun background pieces are ready to be cut down and used for cards. Because I used thin paper, they will die cut perfectly easily.
The plain green cardstock strips are basically of three different widths – 1/2″, 1/4″ and 1/8″ – glued down 2 each, dark to light, top to bottom.
I trimmed it down so I had reasonably even margins on both sides and the bottom and glued it to the top of the card base. I added a couple of pieces of scrap cardstock beneath for that extra dimension.
I cut trees from white cardstock, along with Merry Christmas in white cardstock with a gold glitter one on top. I added gold Nuvo drops to finish.
I cut down the bright striped panel using the mid sized Pinkfresh Studio Elegant Banner – such a pretty shape!
I also cut the stitched larger banner in white to sit behind the green striped panel for gentle added interest. I did lift the green panel with some scrap cardstock for that extra dimension.
I cut three white trees and glued them together. The die set includes the star which I cut from the same gold glitter cardstock used as strips in the background. The sentiment is from Lawn Fawn “Say What Christmas Critters” – used in last year’s Christmas Tag class.
I think this tree is perfect for Christmas Tags – and you know I LOVE tags!
I created a striped background on a smaller piece without the gold glitter and cut the tree from it.
I simply added the tree onto a Lawn Fawn tag, along with a white Merry (stacked three times for dimension), a gold twine bow and a white ribbon on the top for finishing.
I also had some further fun with the tree, in other ways.
This was FUN to do! I wish I took more process pictures, but I will try to explain how I achieved this finish.
I smeared some Rustic Wilderness Oxide ink onto my craft mat and anda dab of white embossing paste. Using my spatula, I mixed the two together to create a green paste.
I glued two die cut trees together (actually the top one was of light green cardstock), added a scrap cardstock temporary handle, and smeared the green paste all over it – I found a solid spatula to be easier to use than a rubber one.
Using my solid plastic/metal spatula, I made flicking motions through the paste to try and mimic the fall of the branches. I added more ink to my paste to add darker colour streaks to my tree branches.
It’s a little hard to see from the photo, but I did add a sprinkle of Nuvo glitter whilst creating the branches, adding a pretty, shimmer to the tree. The glitter does need to be pressed into the paste somewhat to stick, so it’s easier to add this while working with the paste.
I clear heat embossed some Bazzill Pomegranate Splash cardstock with the My Favorite Things Christmas Words background stamp. I then cut three Pinkfresh Studio oval frames from white cardstock, and added them to the front. I slotted one of the leftover oval pieces into the frame and glued the tree inside, I coloured the trunk with brown copic markers.
This is one of those occasions where I am loathe to put anything on the front, as the tree is too pretty to cover up! – but may consider a fine black die cut Merry Christmas when I next delve into my stash.
In this one, you can see I had some fun colouring the die cuts with Copic markers. I also used the cute Echo Park Christmas Reindeer – I am in LOVE with this guy – he will feature in next month’s Christmas Tag class too.
For the background, I simply added white embossing paste over a Celebr8 abstract line stencil, not quite getting out to the edges.
I arranged the elements above a black strip with gold heat embossed sentiment, along wth a couple of cute wee gifts with gold ribbon. And probably went a little overboard with gems!
Not quite last, it turns out trees aren’t just for Christmas!
I went full rainbow here, and inked up each die cut tree with a Distress Ink – Festive Berries Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Prize Ribbon, Salty Ocean and Wilted Violet.
I then clear heat embossed each tree with a fine floral stamp from Carta Bella. You could use any stamp you have in your stack for this. I wiped the ink away with a baby wipe, leaving a resist – the darker ink is trapped beneath the clear embossing, leaving a clear stamped impression.
I arranged four trees along the back, directly onto the card base and three trees to the front row. The three in the front are lifted with a couple of extra die cut trees beneath.
I then added a strip along the bottom with a stamped Happy Birthday and a thin strip of gold glitter cardstock for a nice finish.
Last one, I promise! For today anyway 😀 (Did I mention how much I love this tree??)
These strips are left over from a previous session I had – all coloured with Nuvo shimmer powders.
The background is created just like we did at the beginning, and the tree cut from it. I stamped directly onto the tree with back ink, an MFT sentiment, and a bow made with silver cord. A white ribbon finishes of the top of the tag as well.
If you’ve reached this far, I do thank you! I hope you are inspired to go off and create today too!
For more in-depth information about the best value supplies for your craft table, from cardstock to the handiest tools, check out my Best of the Basics series.
Articles in Best of the Basics Series:
Adhesives Cardstock Ink – Stamping Die Cutting Machines/Trimmers Heat Embossing Colour Handy Tools
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[…] the die sets out. I have previously made projects with the reindeer – you can check out the blog post related to the extra projects from my last class where we inked up tissue and created an array of […]