Scrappy Tree Card

Use your DSP pieces in various ways. With remaining Designer Series Paper pieces, you can create beautiful designs even with small pieces. Once the pattern retires, I sort them into colors and holidays. These greens are in the "Halloween" and "Christmas" sections of my paper stash.

I took my inspiration from a quilted table runner made of assorted green angled trees, mounted on a beige background of assorted prints.

To build the scrappy tree, gather greens and golds or any colors you want for your trees.  You could even use white cardstock, then emboss in silver or gold. As in any creativity, you're the artist and its your design.

Cut strips in odd angles and triangles. Don't think too much about it. Make a pile such as this. One tree will not be enough!

The base will be a 1" x 4" strip of cardstock. You could use any scrap because it won't be seen except for the trunk. I grabbed white and colored the trunk piece brown later. I used two strips and worked on two at once, as the ideas flowed along. 

Make sure to work on a silicone mat to protect your work surface, such as the Silicone Craft Sheet #127853 in the Annual Catalog. (I use a silicone baking sheet, approximately, 9x12" for large projects such as this.)

Run a line of glue down the middle of your base piece.  Begin building from the bottom up. Choose a longer piece for the bottom branch and build your tree with angles and shapes, adding gold for sparkle. It shouldn't be exact- this is art. Here are my first three designs.

I did trim some of the angles after I had them all glued on, but don't get too fussy.

Now look for an embossing folder to "quilt" your tree that has a fine pattern. My choice is a retired small image design. I did try Forever Fern and a poinsettia but the images were too large.

If you don't have an embossing machine or folder, your tree will be just as beautiful in its own way. You might decide to add a small bit of sequins or crystals to enhance your design.

For the background, I used a sheet music embossing folder, like Merry Melody #156392 Annual Catalog, but you could use old music paper or any prints you wish.

My intention was to make just one to try a paper quilt based on a quilted runner design. I love it so much! I've got to make more with my greens, and see how many designs I can come up with for backgrounds.

To add a sparkle of gold ribbon, use Stampin'UP! "Gold and Vanilla Satin-edged Ribbon" #159555, Mini Catalog J-D 2022, and a sentiment or none. "Merry Christmas" is #159773, Hope & Peace cling stamps, Mini Catalog Jul-Dec. 

Here are three more Scrappy Tree cards made....with green scraps! I love the artsy look!

Grab your greens and build a tree! I'd love to see yours over at Card Connoisseur on Facebook or ask to join my class page at Card Connoisseurs - Cardmaking with Susan Boback.

For more projects, calendar, how to save 20% and to learn more, visit here: www.susanboback.stampinup.net.

Thanks for stopping by and be blessed! sb