Underneath The Tree...

Happy Monday everyone...

Can you believe that we're so near to Christmas and the holidays? Where has this year gone?

Well, as we approach the final countdown to the big day, we have a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week our theme is called WRAP IT UP! However you interpret this challenge theme, we would love for you to join us and play along and we can't wait to see what you will create.

For my make, I chose to make a gift wrap set, including the wrapping paper, tags and a present topper and I'm excited to share the details of how I made these pieces...

So, let's get started...it's time to wrap it up!

To begin with I chose to use the Stampers Anonymous Holiday Sketch stamp set by Tim Holtz with the coordinating die set from Simon Says Stamp for my tags and the beautiful Snowflake Rosette from Tim that is currently free from SSS, with every purchase of $30 or more of branded products from Tim. These are the main focal points to accompany the gift wrap...

GIFT WRAP

For the gift wrapping paper, I bought a roll of plain kraft paper from a local store and using a section of the gift wrap, I began by stamping my snowflake design using SSS white ink.

I used two Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz stamps, the snowflakes are from the Mr Frostie stamp set and the postmark, stamped with Barn Door Archival Ink is from the Holiday Postmarks stamp set. 

I stamped the pattern to cover the entire piece of kraft paper, adding the postmarks in between the snowflakes, before adding some white paint splatters

To complete the wrap, I added some snow, using the stamp from The Poinsettia, which I once again inked with white ink before adding it to my kraft wrap.

Once I'd wrapped the present using the gift wrap, I cut a strip of seam binding ribbon, which I coloured with Speckled Egg and Rustic Wilderness Distress Spray Stain. I applied the stain directly to the ribbon, added a spritz of water to blend the colours and then heat dried the ribbon until thoroughly dry.

After tying the ribbon around my present and finishing with a double bow, I added two Holiday Bells to the centre.

We now have the present wrapped, ready for the tags...

TAGS

Using the Tim Holtz Framed Tag die that I have in my stash, I cut three of the middle sized tags from heavyweight kraft card and then inked the "snow" stamp from The Poinsettia stamp set, and stamped this in white, at the top of the tag. I completed the tag by adding a machine stitched border around the outside.

Using the Holiday Sketchbook stamps, I stamped the individual images onto watercolour cardstock, and then watercolored them with Distress Watercolour Pencils before die cutting all three images with the coordinating dies.

After cutting three separate panels of kraft card, which I will be layering onto the tags, I stamped the same images again onto these pieces and repeated the snow across the top of the panel and add a strip of Christmas Design Tape across the bottom.

After I'd machine stitched a border around the outside, I mounted the coloured die cut images onto the tags with foam pads.

On each of the tags, I stamped a sentiment in clear embossing ink and then embossed with white embossing powder. The sentiments are stamped using the Stampers Anonymous Cartoons stamp set by Tim Holtz.

Matt the layer onto a piece of red Kraft cardstock and then mount the completed panel onto the tag, using foam pads. Repeat with the other two images to create the remaining tags...

For a little extra sparkle and texture, I drizzled the top of the mounted panel with some Glossy Accents before sprinkling Snowflakes over the medium. Tap away the excess and leave to dry.

Add some Stickles Glitter to each of the stamped snowdrops around the image to complete the panel.

SNOWFLAKE ROSETTES

Finally, I made a present topper using the Snowflake Rosette die that is currently a FREE GIFT when you spend $30 or more on Tim Holtz branded products.

This die has always been one of my favourites for the holidays and I thought it would make a perfect present topper.

I cut three strips of the snowflake and then attached them to one another to form one long strip, which I then folded along the scorelines before assembling my snowflake rosette.

I added an idea-ology Vintage Flair Christmas adornment to the centre, which I have in my stash but you can use anything you choose as the centre embellishment.

I then cut a second rosette from some more of the Christmas Backdrop paper, using the Vault Rosette die and once this was assembled, I layered the two rosettes on top of one another before adding some Chunky Rock Candy Glitter to the snowflake.

I completed the present topper, which can then be used as an ornament for your tree, with a loop of ribbon.

So, that completes my makes and I think we can say ~ IT'S A WRAP on this week's challenge theme and I hope you love what I've created.

As always, if you make anything, or if you've been inspired by anything that you've seen here on my blog ~ then please, let me know by tagging me on social media or leaving a comment here and I will be right over to take a look!

Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $25 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today...

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Mr Frostie, The Poinsettia, Cartoons, Holiday Sketchbook stamp and die bundle, Holiday Postmarks

Sizzix: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Framed Tags from my stash, Vault Rosette, Snowflake Rosette Free Gift

Distress Spray Stains: Rustic Wilderness, Speckled Egg

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Holiday Bells, Christmas Design Tape from my stash, Christmas Backdrops

Mediums: Foam Pads, Clear Embossing Ink, Mica Flakes, White Embossing Powder, White Ink Pad, Chunky Rock Candy, Barn Door Archival Ink

Seam Binding Ribbon

Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock Card, Metallic Kraft Stash, Black Card

Glass Media Mat

Splatter Brush

Heat Gun

Twine

****These are not affiliate links****

Simon Says Stamp DieCember® Blog Hop Day 2

Hello everyone and welcome to Day 2 of the DieCember® Simon Says Stamp Blog Hop!

I'm so excited to be joining this hop, and you might have arrived here from Melissa Phillips' blog, but if not, and you want to catch up with everyone who is participating in this hop, then don't worry because you can head back to the beginning, by clicking HERE and if you would like to see the entire product release , then pop on over to HERE.

With so many wonderful new releases for DieCember®, you will be spoilt for choice but hopefully this hop and all the amazing designers are going to inspire you and we can't wait to see your makes. For my project, I wanted to create something that wasn't using the traditional colours of Christmas and the holidays and I chose to create a card and matching gift tag using the Blooming Poinsettia Embossing Folder and matching die set, and hope you'll enjoy reading all the details of how I created this card.

So, let's get started...it's time to hop along!

To begin with I created the card blank and used white cardstock to make a tent fold card measuring, 14.5 x 18.5cm.

I cut a panel of slate grey cardstock, 14 x 18cm and stitched a border around the outside edge, before matting this onto the card blank.

EMBOSSING FOLDER BACKGROUND

Taking the Blooming Poinsettia Embossing Folder and Matching Die, I place a piece of black card inside the folder and ran it through my die cutting machine.

To accentuate the embossing, I gently brushed a white ink pad over the raised areas. Set aside to dry, or use a heat tool.

Once the ink is thoroughly dry, I started to apply and layer the waxes to the cardstock. For this I used a combination of Lisa Horton and Finnabair metallic waxes.

Using my fingertip, you can use a dauber or blending tool, I started by applying the teal, followed by the rich gold, before adding light touches of the Firebird and White Gold waxes. You don't need a lot of wax, less is more and you can build up the intensity by adding more if needed.

Once I was happy with how the waxes had added the metallic shimmer to the design, I moved onto stamping the border at the top and bottom.

For this I used the Stampers Anonymous Ornate Trims stamp set by Tim Holtz and used clear embossing ink to stamp the border along the top of the card panel. Sprinkle with Fine Detail Gold Embossing Powder before tapping away the excess and heat embossing the powder until molten.

Repeat with a border along the bottom of the card panel.

After adding some machine stitching down the left and right hand sides, I matted the card panel onto gold metallic Kraft card. I then used foam pads to matt the layered panel onto black cardstock.

To complete the background, lightly splatter white paint over the embossed panel and allow to dry.

RIBBON

Cut a strip of ribbon, and using either a splatter box, or a craft sheet, spritz the ribbon with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Spray Stain. Scrunch the ribbon inside a piece of paper towel to remove any excess stain and then heat dry.

Wrap the ribbon around the bottom section of the layered card panels and tie with a bow on the left hand side.

Attach two Holiday Bells to the centre of the bow, using hot glue.

Mount the panel onto the card front.

DIE CUT POINSETTIA

Taking the die from this embossing folder set, cut two poinsettias from black card before embossing both of them using the matching folder.

Using the same technique as I used on the background, apply the waxes to accentuate the embossing ~ start with the white ink pad, and then apply the waxes over the top.

To add dimension to the flower, I began by attaching the first poinsettia to my background panel, using foam pads and slightly offsetting the die cut.

I then took the second poinsettia and cut away some of the petals. I cut away two sections from opposite sides of the die cut before attaching this with foam pads. Place it directly over the top of the previous die cut, before adding a gold metallic droplet in the centre.

Cut 4 individual pine sprigs from more of the black card, using the Pointy Pine Sprig die from this release and once again, I used waxes over the die cuts.

To add some sparkle to the sprigs, smear each of the die cuts with a light touch of Matte Collage Medium and then sprinkle them with Rock Candy Crystal Glitter. Once they are touch dry, arrange and attach them around the poinsettia.

At this stage, I also added some Rock Candy Glitter to the petals of the poinsettia ~ who doesn't love some sparkle?!?

We're nearly there and all that's left is some finishing details....

SENTIMENT

The sentiment, 'Season's Greetings' is from the Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz, Scribbly Trees stamp set and after stamping and embossing it with gold embossing powder, I used the coordinating die set to die cut the wording before mounting it onto my card with foam pads, placing it in the bottom left hand corner.

To complete the card, add three gold metallic droplets to the background panel.

TAG

To create the gift tag, I used exactly the same techniques as to make the card but this time, I cut the shape from the embossed background using one of the Nested Stitched Ovals, which then mounted onto a gold metallic stitched oval die cut, approx 7cm in width.

I punched a hole in the top of the tag, and threaded more of the ribbon through before stamping and attaching the Merry Christmas sentiment from the Scribbly Trees stamp and coordinating die set.

To complete the tag, and add some more sparkle ~ I applied Glossy Accents around the gold layer, and then sprinkled Mica Flakes over the top. Tap away the excess and allow to dry.

So, that's my card and gift tag complete and I hope you love what I've created.

Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the blog hop from the blog comment section! So, this means you can leave a comment here and on every stop along the way to increase your chances. Winners will be notified and they will be posted on the Simon Says Stamp blog on Wednesday, 10th December and all winners will need to contact/email Simon Says Stamp to claim their prize. 

Also, don't forget that you have until the 7th December at 11:59 EDT or whilst stocks last, to grab yourselves the exclusive Bundled Snowman die set which will be automatically added to your cart.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and see you soon, love Emma x

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Simon Says Stamp: Blooming Poinsettia Embossing Folder and Die, Pointy Pine Sprigs, Nested Stitched Ovals, White Ink Pad

Stampers Anonymous Stamp Sets: Scribbly Trees Bundle, Ornate Trims

Distress Spray Stain: Lumberjack Plaid

Mediums and Adhesive: SSS Foam Squares, SSS Tape Runner, Glossy Accents, Snowflakes, Firebird Wax, Rock Candy Glitter, Matte Collage Medium, Gold embossing Powder, Versamark Clear Ink

Surfaces: Metallic Kraft Stash, Black Card, Slate Grey Card

Tim Holtz idea-ology: Metallic Droplets, Holiday Bells

Lisa Horton Metallic Wax: Teal, White Gold, Rich Gold

Tools: Blending Brushes, Blending Tool

Ribbon

Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat

Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway Machine

Rock Candy Glitter Inspiration....

Hello friends...

Hope you're all having a great week!

I'm just popping by today with a little tutorial featuring some quick tips and tricks on how I use Rock Candy Glitter, Rock Candy Chunky Glitter, Snowflakes and Mica Flakes to create some magical sparkle to my Christmas projects.

So, whether it's trees, backgrounds or adding some twinkle to idea-ology products ~ come with me as I start to prepare for my holiday makes...

WOODLAND TREES AND GARLANDS

I chose to use a mixture of the Tim Holtz idea-ology Woodland Garlands, Alpine Trees and Woodland Trees and started by adding some white gesso to the tips of the trees. This is going to add that snowy effect to the tips, by resisting the colour we're going to apply. It will also help your glitter to not pick up the colour of your spray and in turn, go green when you add the sparkle. 

To apply the gesso, you can use a paint brush or if you're like me, I use my fingertip. You only need a light coverage and apply to the tips only.

Allow for the gesso to dry throughly before the next step of applying the colour.

For my trees, I used Distress Spray Stain in the following colours:

Iced Spruce, Rustic Wilderness and Speckled Egg and placed my trees and garlands in the Splatter Box before spritzing them to create an even coverage.

In the photo below, I've shared the trees with and without the gesso ~ you can see how the gesso resists the colour, creating snowy tips to the trees.

Dry the trees naturally, or if you're slightly inpatient like me, you can use a heat tool on a gentle setting and heat dry them.

Once the stain is dry, it's time to add the sparkle and after applying Glossy Accents to the tips, I sprinkled the glitters over the trees, tapping away the excess to reveal the magic.

On the individual trees, I used all the glitters to create different effects...

Once dry, the Rock Candy glitter creates a subtle shimmer, the Mica Flakes or Snowflakes will give a vintage sparkle and the Chunky Rock Candy will give a beautiful twinkle.

BACKGROUNDS

For my sparkly backgrounds, I used the fine Rock Candy Glitter and added a spoonful into a mixing cup.

I then added a couple of drops of the following Alcohol Inks to colour the glitter:

Green ~ Sage

Red ~ Cranberry

Dependent on how much glitter you have in your cup, you will need to add more alcohol ink, so just add another drop until you're happy with the colour but remember, you can always add, but never take away...

Mix the ink into the glitter with a spatula and then set aside.

Using a palette knife, apply Translucent Texture Paste through a Layering Stencil ~ I used the Mini Stencil Set 19 and the Christmas Element stencils in my examples.

Remove the stencil and wash immediately in warm soapy water.

Working quickly and whilst the medium is still wet, sprinkle the glitter over the paste and tap away the excess. Any glitter you have left over can be stored in these cute little storage jars.

Once dry, some of the glitter will shed, but don't worry the paste will have captured most of that sparkle and it's not going to go anywhere! The backgrounds are now ready to use for my tags...

You can also add the glitter over the top of Distress Grit Paste. On the tag below, I inked up the background using Distress Spray Stains and once dry, I applied the Grit Paste through the Nordic Stencil in the Mini Layering Stencil Set 2. Once again, working fast before the medium starts to dry out, I sprinkled Rock Candy Crystal Glitter over the top and left this to one side to dry to reveal a beautiful subtle sparkle to your background.

BAUBLES AND ICICLES

By now, if you're like me, you'll be hooked on adding some festive sparkle and I continued to add glitter to  some idea-ology Bauble Adornments.

I coloured the baubles with Alcohol Inks and also kept some white, as these can be used for "snowballs". I smeared all my baubles with Glossy Accents, and sprinkling the Rock Candy Glitter over the top.

For my final bit of sparkle for today, I added glitter to some idea-ology Icicles.

To show you the different effects, I used three types of glitter on each individual icicle....

From top to bottom:

Snowflakes

Rock Candy Crystal Clear Glitter

Rock Candy Chunky Glitter

For the icicle in the middle, I painted the back of the plastic with Picket Fence Distress Paint, this colours the icicle and adds more of a frosty finish to the piece.

I hope you've enjoyed some of these ideas and I hope it's going to inspire you with your Christmas makes...I warn you though, once you start, you won't stop!

Thanks for stopping by today and I can't wait to see how you'll be adding some of this magical vintage sparkle to your projects because this is only the tip of the iceberg ~ Rock Candy Glitter and Mica Flakes can be used on so many products, and not just for Christmas!

To all my friends and followers in the USA ~ Happy Thanksgiving and I'll see you soon...Emma xx

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