Hello stamping friends! I hope you aren't bored by my card today. So many people have shared their versions of Christmas tree cards this year. Especially since there are several different tree-centered new sets this year to choose from. After giving this some thought, I figured why not share one more. After looking at so many different versions of Christmas trees on Pinterest to get inspired, I feel like I must have seen them all already. And I hope my version isn't too much like anyone else's card idea. I think I got idea overload and started mixing up what I saw and what I thought up myself. Also, I was having a problem finding what I wanted to put together on this card from just my current stash of stamps, punches and cardstock. So, this card is a real mixture of old and new, but I love how it all comes together into a beautiful Christmas card!
Isn't this just the perfect Christmas tree card? I love how it came together. When planning this card, I couldn't keep myself from using the retired original Shimmery Paper that we sold previously. It has a subtle shimmer to it that it's almost unnoticeable, but it is there and makes a lovely backdrop for this tree.
The card starts with a card base of Shaded Spruce that measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" that's scored and folded in half. The first layer is the Shimmery Paper that measures 5 1/4" x 4". For some added shimmer on this, I flicked a little bit of Wink of Stella on the layer and set it aside to dry for a minute. I wasn't sure how I'd finish the design until I had a tree to work with, so that was next.
While that was drying, I created my tree(s). The larger tree image in the Frosted Forest stamp set was stamped on Basic White cardstock with Shaded Spruce ink. Then I worked with the coordinating stencils to add the rest of the color. Stencil A was Shaded Spruce added with a Blending Brush. Stencil B was adding some Mossy Meadow for a shading color. Stencil C was carefully dabbing and smooshing White Craft ink onto the tree. Don't rub it on or much of the green will transfer to your white ink pad. Oops! After adding the white ink, I added White Embossing Powder to one and a clear glitter embossing powder to the 2nd one. After heat setting, you can see the difference of the two trees. For this card, I chose the snowy tree with the white embossing powder on it.
A strip of Shaded Spruce was cut for the card front. It measures 5 1/4" x 1 1/2". A strip of the Graceful Greenery Vellum was added over this as a lovely accent. The strip measures 5 1/4" x 1 3/8". It's attached to the green strip only under the circle areas to hide the adhesive. For a final layer on the strip, a length of the Silver & White Sheer Ribbon was wrapped around and adhered to the back. This was all added to the card front and attached with adhesive.
Two of the Spotlight on Nature circle dies were used next. The larger one cut a piece of Shaded Spruce, and the next size down cut a circle from the Shimmery White cardstock. These are layered up together with adhesive. Then they are attached to the far-right side of the card front using Dimensionals.
The tree was attached to the circles by using Dimensionals also, so it really stands out on the card.
Another retired favorite of mine, the Double Oval Punch, was used to make the sentiment piece. The larger oval punched out Shaded Spruce and the smaller oval punched Basic White. Shaded Spruce ink was used to stamp Joy from the Brightest Glow set which I think is retired. The sentiment fit just right though, so that's what I used.
We're down to the home stretch now. It was time for any extra bling to go on now. After evaluating, I went back and added Wink of Stella over all the white embossing powder on the tree branches. I like the bit of glimmer that added to the tree. The very last addition was the five tiny Rhinestone Basic Jewels scattered on the tree.
There, I'm so happy with the entire card, even if it is a mish-mash of old and new. I really enjoy getting out my retired products and playing around with them. It reminds me of why I held on to those special items when they retired in the first place. Of course, I'd be happy to hang on to every single stamp, accessory, and tool I've purchased over many years. But you know, I really don't want to rent a storage unit to fit it all! LOL
Hope you had fun creating with me today. I promise I'll try to stick with more current products next time around. (Maybe) Please don't get mad at me if I wander away into the past again.
Happy stamping and creating,
