Peace Tree

Hello friends,

I love the Sizzix vault dies that were released for Christmas this year and I thought, what could I make that isn't a card? I also wanted something that was really festive and that could be used for a decor piece. Anyway, this is what I came up with and I love it. It was fun to make (I love anything I can dip into Rock Candy) and fun to arrange all the pieces. So lets get started so I can show you the process!

So this is how I started. I die cut a bunch of pieces using 2 vault sets (see below) from Distress Watercolor Cardstock. At this point I'm just trying to get the shape of a tree using the die-cut. You will notice that in the end I added another piece of pine and a bow. I also combined the juniper and the berries, but for the most part, these are the main pieces I used.

I used two vault dies: Vault Holiday Classic and Festive Wreath. The majority of the die shapes are from Holiday Classic.

I only used the bow from the Festive Wreath die.

Lets get started with the large Etcetera panel. This one is 6 x 8 1/2", so a bit bigger than the one I used on the Christmas tree panel last week. I chose one of the Backdrop Papers and adhered it to the panel with Collage Medium. I also added a layer of Collage Medium over the top of the plaid paper to seal it. 

Once dry, I used my Walnut Stain Crayon on the edges of the panel.

I wanted a snowy look so I used my Splatter Brush to platter white paint over the surface.

Once the paint was dry, I added l" low tape tape in the shape of a tree.

Before spraying, I laid paper towels over the exposed paper.

I sprayed Hickory Smoke Distress Spritz over the open space.

Then followed with water.

As I was drying the Spritz with the heat tool, I pounced over any puddles of the Spritz.

After removing the tape strips, you can see the tree shape is very shiny over the dark background (sorry about my thumb in the photo, lol).

Now to work on the die cuts -

You can spray any of the pieces the colors you want or you could even watercolor them. I wanted to add Rock Candy Glitter for some texture so I decided to stick with Distress Ink in Peeled Paint and Rustic Wilderness. I did use some Spritz on the greens but it didn't show as much as I wanted because the pieces are so small. One thing I should mention is that I cut three pine pieces (right side), then I cut two of them  into two pieces to get some smaller pine. You can also see I have added Rock Candy Glitter.

This is a combination of two pieces from the same die. One is a juniper and the other a berry branch. Once they were painted I combined them, then added the rock candy.

The poinsettias are my favorite. I was able to spray them with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Ink (dry them). Then spray with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Spritz (dry again). Then I gave them a few hits of Fossilized Amber Spritz (dry again). This combination is so beautiful! The centers were done with Foundry Wax Gilded.

I cut all the pieces from white Distress watercolor cardstock. I didn't want the white showing on the cut edges so I sprayed the word with Black Soot Spray Stain before adding two layers of Gilded Foundry Wax.

Now its time to add all the pieces to the tree. I started with the top and the bottom, then filled in the middle. I used thin foam tape under almost all the pieces to create different levels.

You might be able to see just a little better in this shot. The poinsettias, the bell, the word peace all have thin foam tape underneath. As do some of the greens, like the holly and bits of the pine. I used it as best I could to make the tree more 3-dimensional. I think adding the bow (sprayed with Speckled Egg) over the bell also gave some great dimension.

You may have also noticed in the last photo that I decided to add some gold droplets. I bought these at Hobby Lobby for another project but thought, why not add them to the tree? I could not leave them as is though, so I added a bit of Mushroom Alcohol Ink to make them more vintage looking.

I kept it pretty simple but more could be added if you wanted.

I'm happy with the way it turned out. I think this is a great project since you could use any die that you might already own, use inks that you have on hand and make it whatever size you want to fit your surface!

Now carry on,

paula

Christmas Etcetera Tray

 Hello Friends,

We have been very busy putting together the last kit of the year! Thank you to all who bought one...they are almost gone! Which means I can go back to making Christmas things (and that makes me very happy).

Today's post is all about the Etcetera Tray I created using Etcetera Tiles, both the solid and Cutout Tiles. This really is a easy project and to be honest, I'm ready to make another one!

Lets get started!

First of all the substrate is a large Vignette Tray. It can be covered in any type of Christmas paper.  Here is use the black check pattern that came in the 2022 Christmas Backdrops pack. I liked the black check because it makes the other colors pop.  Also, as a rule I never cover the center of the tray because it will be covered up with the Etcetera Tiles!

I covered the inside of the tray with the black check, then use Design Tape, Trims to cover the lip edge of the Tray.  This dark green tape was perfect with my color scheme.

I cut a scrap piece of cardstock 4 1/2 x 9 1/2" to give myself a template to work on.  The paper will be used when setting up the tiles, then discarded before adhering the tiles to the tray with foam squares.

I also added paper to the outside of the tray...again, this is a paper from the 2022 Backdrops. Also, don't forget about using Ranger products like Crackle Paste or Distress Crayon. Both would look great over the paper once sealed with Collage Medium.

I sorted all the tiles into a basic design of how I thought it might work out. I wanted different levels so I had to make sure that part would work out before I started adding the paper to the tiles.

There are 8 solid tiles and 2 cut out tiles + the shapes from the cutout tiles.  You would need one pack of each: Tiles and Cutout shapes. 

Once the paper was adhered to the tiles using Collage Medium, I was able to start placing them in the tray (still no glue or foam squares yet).

1. HEART - single solid tile with cutout heart on top.

Green paper with layers poinsettia (I had to trim a bit of leaves to get it to fit.)

The heart has been covered with ephemera, vintage lace and a vintage button.

2. CHRISTMAS BANNER - Solid tile with plaid paper

25 Sign is in Ephemera Pack. Added Stickles to the number 25. Foam squares raising it off the surface.

3. HOUSE w/ STAR - double tile (one solid and one with cutout house shape)

Ephemera on solid tile and patterned paper on cutout house shape.

Star from Layers pack.

Green label in ephemera pack with stamped 25 (Stampers Anonymous Department Store stamp set)

4. TILE w/ GIRLS - single tile covered in red woodgrain paper

leaves from Layers pack.

Three girls from Christmas Paper Dolls 2022. Any Paper Doll could be used (or a family photo).

The Paper Dolls are adhered with foam squares.

5. TINY TREE - double tile (woodgrain on one and repeated floral on the other)

Ball Chain glued on with Collage Medium (dries clear)

Confections candy used as a tree base.

Tiny Mirrored Stars and Clipping Sticker from Sticker Book.

6. BELIEVE - single tile with ledger Backdrop paper

Added Slide Frame from Baseboard Pack (foam squares).

Deco Frame (on foam squares) with a flashcard (ephemera pack) slipped inside to make it look like a belt buckle.

7. MERRY AND BRIGHT - single tile with green paper + house cutout shape.

House is covered in Ephemera pieces + 1/4" ribbon and jingle bell with added Rock Candy Glitter.

Merry and Bright (Baseboard pack) cut to fit under house.

8. HEART -  double tile. One solid with ephemera and one heart shape covered in plaid paper .

Poinsettia from Layers Pack.

Vintage lace inside the heart.

Once all the pieces are ready to go, they can be added to the tray using standard foam squares so all tiles are raised up off the tray.  You know with foam squares, you only get one shot so use your template wisely to visualize where the tiles should go.

Hope you will give this EASY project a go!  I think I will e making another one of these using a Display Panel.  I love how easy it is to take the random pieces and marry them together to make something beautiful! Stay tuned for more Christmas related projects!

Now carry on,

paula

Christmas Card File

Hello friends,

Happy to be here today sharing the Christmas Card File I created using Christmas idea-ology.  This is a compartmentalized crafting project.  Meaning that you can create a set of cards each day and at the end of the week, the project will be done. Thats my kind of project!  Lets get started!

BOLD TIDINGS

I created three metallic cards for the box - one for each section.  You can create as many as you wish. These were made with idea-ology Kraftstock Metallic Cardstock.  I have linked two packs below. Either can be used - the 8x8" pack is older, but has the same color red and green metallic cardstock as the new pack.  The new pack is just not padded (meaning there are individual pieces in the pack).

I cut three cards (3 1/8 x 4") and ran them through my Vagabond to cut the Bold Tidings.  I added clear acetate to the back of each card for stability, then wrapped each with twine and tied with a bow.  I used the Tiny Attacher to secure the twine in place. 

Pine Twine was used to create this small wreath - I did cut the Pine Twin on the backside so it would be flat against the card.

PAPER

I am using a pack of idea-ology File Cards.  It comes with 4 styles of cards:

4 pockets

4 folded cards (they open like a book)

4 tabbed cards

4 flat cards

It does not matter the order you make them in - you just want a stack of each at the end.  I also used Distress Heavystock paper to cut more cards (because I had more ideas!)

POCKETS

The pockets were done in two parts.

#1 - Grit-Paste Opaque through a stencil

I used Mini Stencils since the pockets are small (they are linked at the bottom). These are all older stencils so you may have them already in you stash of goods.  Once you have your stencils chosen, just lay it on the stencil and using a palette knife, spread the Grit-Paste Opaque over the stencil.  I did not cover the entire surface of the pocket, just a portion.  Peel the stencil away (put used stencils into water right away) and set aside to dry for at lest 30-40 minutes.  They should be dry to the touch before moving to the next step.

STENCILS USED

Mini stencils set 50

Mini stencils set 31

Mini stencils set 19

MICA STAIN

#2 - Spray each pocket with Mica Stain (shake before use).  I laid it on pretty heavy, drying between coats. You can daub up any excess.  These are the 3 colors I used: Fresh Balsam, Tart Cranberry, and Winter Frost.  Once you are happy with the results, set aside to dry or dry with a heat tool like I did.

TABBED CARDS

These couldn't be easier.  I just used plaid paper from the Christmas Backdrops to cover the Tabbed Cards from the pack, cutting away any excess.

I added red stickers from the red Classic Label sheet + words from the clippings stickers found in the Sticker Book.

I made a mixture of Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and water on my glass mat and quickly pounced each label into the mix then dabbed if off on a paper towel.  It easy to do because the sticker sticks right to your index finger which makes the "dip and dab" record fast.  Then just add them to the tabbed card.

LINEN TAPE CARDS

In the Layers Botanical pack there are flat cards that have botanical images on them.  I cut a Heavystock card the exact same size as each Botanical, then used Linen Tape to make a hinge on the front so they open.

The Linen Tape wraps over the top to create the hinge.  The tape alone is sufficient to secure the back to the front.  I added the sewing just for a bit of texture and detail at the top.

More Clippings stickers from the sticker book.

And even an added Paper Doll.

FLAT CARDS

These are the 4 flat cards that come in the File Card Pack.  They look complex, but I used Christmas Pocket cards so all the collage work is already done for you.  All you have to do is adhere the Pocket Card to the blank card, add a Paper Doll, and a few Clipping Stickers.

I used Distress Crayons to color the Paper Dolls. That red on the coats (above) is Aged Mahogany (my absolute favorite).  I colored directly on the coat, then rub away any excess till I see the detail of the coat again. 

I also used Scrapbook Adhesives THIN foam squares to adhere the Paper Dolls - it gives them just a little lift off the card!

Then added a few detail, like Mirrored Stars and Tiny Clips, then rounded the corners of the cards.

FRINGE CARDS

I cut six more flat cards to match the others.  Two of the cards were used to make Fringe cards. Again, I used Pocket Cards to cover the blank Heavystock.  This time I used Photobooth images that are in the Christmas Paper Doll pack.

We have creme Fringe as part of the Christmas release this year.  I trimmed it down just a bit on both sides of the stitching line.  Then I made a line Gold Mixative about 6" long on my glass mat and pressed the edges of the Fringe into the Gold Mixative (both sizes of the Fringe).  You can dry with a heat tool before determining if you need more or not.  I didn't want to completely cover the Fringe, but just give it a gold edge.  Once I was satisfied, I stitched the Fringe to the top of each card with red thread (by machine).

Don't forget the sentiments.

FLAT CARDS

The last four flat cards are just some random ideas I had.  Three have been covered with the Pocket Cards and the 4th (on the left) was left mostly blank. 

I wanted to add a few eyelets to some cards so I did that here.  

Then just added ribbon or string to each.

I used one of the small Pocket Cards for a journaling spot (the Pocket card is the large red label) and then just added some holly from the Layers Botanical pack, a stamp from the ephemera pack, and a candy strip band.

FOLDED CARDS

The last set of File Cards open like a book.  Here I use the "solid" back of Pocket Cards (meaning the paper is not collaged).  Once I adhered the paper to the front of the card, I looked for the pieces that would fit on the front and not take over too much, covering the background.

I added details like string, Tinsel, and a bell from the Tiny Bells pack.

I mounted a Christmas Flair button on a piece of cardstock with string.  As you can see, I added a piece of Linen Tape to the top and used a Mini Pin to secure the string to the card.

The black checked card has a simple embellishment, a Loop Pin and Antiqued Gem I colored with Mushroom Alcohol Ink.  Because the gem is heavy, I used the Tiny Attacher to secure the string at the top.

I covered the Card File with plaid paper from Christmas Backdrops, but you could also use Pocket Cards to do that. I also used black Design Tape to cover the lip edge of the Card File to finish it off.

Now all that is left to do, is add all the cards to the Card File! And you are done!

Now carry on,

paula