Iconic, Poinsettia & Pinecone Dies
To CASE or not to CASE… many worry that to CASE (Copy And Share Everything or Cope And Selectively Edit) is not ok, but I use other talented designers and crafter’s creations to spark my imagination. Sometimes my creation looks nothing like the inspiration, whereas other times, I will copy the design exactly because... well… it is just too amazing to not try on my own.
For example, I found an amazing pin (from Pinterest) from Joe Blackman that was so lovely, I wanted to try it myself. While I did not have all the same dies or verses, I looked at what I had and made it work. This is an AVID STAMPER card that will need to be hand delivered.
I have been hording (I call it hording when I have had something for more than 6 months and have not used it yet) the Shimmery White Embossing Paste and the Iconic Dies and finally saw the inspiration I needed to break both open. I used tools from many different bundles and suites, which I typically try not do, as it is harder for my beginning customers to have all the supplies. But the effect… swoon!
Frosted Christmas Card
This card was made primarily with dies and embossing folders. For the background, I used the Ever Eden’s Specialty DSP. The back side of the lovely paper has a Soft Succulent Ombre affect on one of the sheets. I used the Timber 3D EF for the subtle woodgrain effect. A 4”x5-1/4” piece was laid on top of a 4-1/8”x5-3/8” Basic White CS, on an 8-1/2”x5-1/2” card base scored and folded in half. The Cherry Cobbler CS tag is from the Tailor Made Tags dies cut then run through with the Meadow Moments EF, then popped up using Stampin’ Dimensionals and a piece of Simply Elegant Trim in gold.
For the foliage, I used the fern from the Iconic Dies, cut in Soft Succulent CS. the fern is just so fragile and lovely, and I would never had thought to add it to a Christmas card without the inspiration from Joe. The holly leaves (in Evening Evergreen CS) and berries (in Cherry Cobbler CS) are from the Poinsettia dies. Before assembling anything, I applied the Shimmery White Embossing Paste with the smallest of the Palette Knives, just dabbing it on the tips of the fern, berries and leaves. After they dried, I glued the fern, berries and holly onto the corner of the tag front. I found myself using a mix of Glue Dots and Stampin’ Dimensionals to prop up the foliage.
I then used the Cherry Cobbler & Gold Ribbon from the soon to be retired June-December 2021 Mini Catalog for the sweet little bow.
My verse comes from the Time of Giving stamp set with Cherry Cobbler Ink on Basic White CS. The final touch was the soon to be sold out Garden Gems from the Eden’s Garden Collection (don’t miss out). They are an iridescent and subtle Cherry Cobbler, Soft Succulent, and Evening Evergreen colors… stunning!
I see some Christmas tags with this design gracing packages! So festive & pretty!!
The best part of making a super pretty card like the above, is that I can apply it to a larger home décor project really easily. I realized (nearly too late) that I have an upcoming Christmas Party that I need to go to and had to bring a gift made of Stampin’ Up! merchandise! in looking at the beautiful results of the cards, and with the addition of the poinsettia flowers from my Poinsettia Dies, I would have the perfect opportunity to play with the rest of the dies for a wreath!
Poinsettia & Fern Wreath
For the wreath base, I found a medium sized wreath from Hobby Lobby (around 12-14”) made of grape vines and pine needles (I know, odd). I applied the same design elements as the above card, but added the Pinecone Dies for the pine foliage in Evening Evergreen CS, Garden Green CS and Basic White CS. Instead of red berries, I used Gold Foil for the berries. The poinsettia petals in Cherry Cobbler CS and cut with Poinsettia dies, were folded and bent to give them a 3D affect before gluing them together.
After they were assembled, I added the Shimmery White Embossing Paste with the smallest Pallet Knives to frost as needed.
I used a glue gun to adhere the foliage to the wreath. I started by adding the pine needles first, then the ferns and holly leaves, adding the smallest poinsettia blossoms, leaving room for the 3 large poinsettia blossoms. I then added the gold berries and came back to frost anything that looked like it needed it. To be honest, this whole thing, including die cutting, folding, gluing etcetera, all came together in about 3 hours! It looks complicated, but came together like a dream!
I again used the Cherry Cobbler & Gold Ribbon from the soon to be retired June-December 2021 Mini Catalog for the full bow, using a bow trick I found on YouTube where you wrap the ribbon around your fingers. I did it twice and tied them together to get the fullest bow I could with the ribbon I had left.
The final touch is the Holiday Rhinestones Basic Gems in gold for the poinsettia center. This wreath is another lovely gift that will be hard to give away (I do this every year… hand hitting forehead… lol). I promise myself I will make another just for me, but you know how it goes…
