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 Susan Boback 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: my website

Thanks for stopping by and be blessed! sb

WINTER SOLSTICE LANTERN & CARD

 

LET’S CELEBRATE WINTER SOLSTICE - 12.21.21 and the LIGHT OF THE WORLD December 25! These projects are designed to assemble the day before the Winter solstice, and use on the Winter Solstice and Christmas, any date, any year. 

(©Designed, created and written by Susan Boback, unless otherwise noted. ©2021 Stampin’ Up! products.)

THIS PROJECT INCLUDES:

VELLUM LANTERN with four white cardstock images, depicting Solstice

STARLIGHT TREAT CONE - a cone made of Designer Series Paper. Fill yours with treats to be eaten at dark on DEC 21.

                                                        

LED CANDLE - I chose the candle on the left from Hobby Lobby - you can easily twist them on or off.

The Kit also included these cookies that coordinate with the lantern images. Here's the link for these Best Sugar Cookies

SOLSTICE Slimline QUILT CARD  

VELLUM LANTERN

The Vellum lantern piece, 8 1/2" x 4", is scored every two inches, leaving a 1/2" flap. Fold each score line, inward, so that you end with a cube, and the 1/2" flap. MAKE SURE TO CAREFULLY FOLD ON THE SCORE LINES. A Bone folder will help to crease the line.

Next, die cut or punch out four white images, one for each 2-inch panel.  I chose a tree, star, world and snowflake.  Once you cut them, attach with 1 or 2 glue dots, depending on the size of the image. Do this while the piece is flat – not after you’ve assembled it into a cube.

To use the glue dots, peel back the paper to reveal the clear glue dot. Place your white image on top of the dot to stick it to the paper first, or use the tip of the Take Your Pick tool or a small scissors blade to transfer the glue dot to the back of each white image. PLEASE NOTE: if you have not worked with glue dots before, they are very sticky and will be hard to remove from any place you put it (try not to make a mistake with placement). Use 1 to 3 on the backs of each image depending on its size.

When each of the white paper images are attached, fasten the 1/2" flap to the inside of the adjoining panel, and press lightly.  Yours should look similar to this. The first design I made included die cut images in the vellum. However, I didn't like the amount of space the tree left, and wanted to include the world shapes so I decided not to cut out the shapes on the vellum.  

Now your Vellum Lantern is assembled. Set it on a shelf, window sill or even your bedside table.  Set the candle in the middle but don’t turn it on till December 21.

On the evening of DECEMBER 21, 2021, turn your candle on, and “burn the flame” in your lantern that evening. Read this blessing on the night of the winter solstice, Dec. 21^st and each time you light your lantern:

WINTER SOLSTICE BLESSING:

May you find peace on the Solstice Night (substitute Christmas for December 25)

That each day forward is blessed with more light

Rejoice in the darkness, in the silence find rest

And may the days that follow be abundantly blessed!

(Blessing is adapted from an unknown author)

While your candle light is glowing, open your Starlight Treat Cone and celebrate with the contents and the coordinating cookies found in your kit (2021 class)  Enjoy your treats and think of everyone that is being blessed by our crafting friendship! 

Here's how I made the cone: Take a 6x6 piece of Designer Series Paper, and cut one inch off of one end and set that piece aside.  If you don't have Stampin' Up! papers, choose a lightweight cardstock and plan to coordinate the print and colors as I have done - blues, whites, silver or gold.

Roll this 5x6" piece into a tube. Make sure to fasten with strong tape runner or double sided tape. I found that the Tombo Multipurpose Glue that I usually use did not hold this weight of paper.  

Pinch one end of your tube, so it is flat as shown here. Staple it shut.  I found this works the best to hold it together. 

Fill with assorted treats.  I chose treats with coordinated wrappers. Tea and flat chocolates fit well.

The sentiment "Thankful for Friends like you" is from "Make It Happen" 2021 Stamp Set, designed by my Upline/Team Leader Karen & Tim Titus. 

 Now pinch the other end in the opposite direction and staple this end shut. If you haven't used strong enough adhesive to make this a tube, here is where you will discover that. This design has also been recognized as a "sour cream" container. Now take the one inch piece of Designer Series Paper left from cutting the 6x6 into a 5x6 piece; and cut it in half, and then fold each piece in half again. These can be glued on to cover the staples on each end and give a finished look. It doesn't really matter if it matches - here you can see that it does not - especially if you have used all coordinating papers.

Keep your vellum lantern light shining all night – December 21^st is the longest night!

DECEMBER 25, 2021, burn your lantern in the dark morning or evening to celebrate the arrival of the Light of the World – JESUS – born to bring us light and life. 

DECEMBER 26, 2021 – January 2022 or later.  Burn your lantern in the dark to remember that the days are getting longer, and with Jesus in our hearts, we are the shining lights to the world.

CELEBRATE LIGHT WITH A VELLUM LANTERN AND THE LOVE OF JESUS!

SOLSTICE QUILT CARD

Make a Solstice Quilt card, inspired by a Norwegian quilt square of Figtreeandcompany.com. This is where I got the colors of blue and white. I've chosen a Slimline style card to assemble my version of this square. I was first inspired to quilt with paper, by fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Julie Heitz, who is known as "Chirpy - the cardmaker of quilts." I've never been an accurate quilter, but quilting with paper has enabled me to put together beautiful designs!

Use any 4 squares of coordinating paper, one coordinating print background and assemble it on a white base card.  Here's how I made it: 

The size of a SlimLine card fits in a Business #10 Envelope (USA and Canada size). Base Card: Cut a piece of Basic White cardstock - 8" x 7", and score in half on the 7" side at 3 1/2".  The print blue layer is 7 3/4" x 3 1/4" - note that layers are 1/4" smaller on all sides. Learn this concept to layer any size.  The white layer is 1/4" smaller again, 7 1/2" x 3".  Cut four 2" squares of coordinating blue papers. 

To assemble the quilt pattern, cut each square in half diagonally.  Before gluing your pieces to the white layer, move the pieces around to create the quilt pattern.  It may help if you go to This quilt block site to see what has inspired me to create this pattern.

While my papers may look different than yours, choose coordinating papers in blues to mimic the Norwegian design.  Once you're satisfied with your design, and while looking at the finished card, glue your finished "quilt" squares to the white base. 

To make your pattern look quilted, use a small print embossing folder to "quilt" the whole design. Run it through a Cut & Emboss machine. I was amazed at how the edges of the paper disappeared and how "quilted" it really looks.  If you do not have an embossing folder or a machine, your card will still be stunning by the coordinating colors and pattern you have assembled.  

Lastly attach this white quilt layer to the blue layer.  Tie and attach the ribbons and thread to the card with a glue dot.  Loop the twine and attach it under a sentiment strip.  

(©Designed, created and written by Susan Boback, unless otherwise noted. ©2021 Stampin’ Up! products.)

Stampin' Up!  Products used are listed below.  Click on each to shop at my online store:

Basic White Cardstock - die cut images for lantern; card 

Vellum Cardstock - vellum lantern

Glue dots - adhesive to attach die cut images for lantern and lantern flap

Adhesive - use glue or tape runner on card and to attach the "quilt" pieces to the layer; starlight treat cone.

Any Designer Series Paper in blue. This is one sample - blue background of card, blue "quilt" squares; starlight treat cone

Baker's Twine - embellishment under card sentiment

Ink - use by pad or Stampin' Write Marker - for sentiment on card, and sentiment on candy treat

Snowflakes by Stampin' Up! or any die cut snowflake - if these aren't available, use any die cut or cut your own design, but keep it a snowflake. Solstice is the beginning of winter.

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine - use for cutting the images for the lantern and for embossing the quilt layer. 

Embossing Folders - a variety of folders will make a quilted look

Tea, flat chocolate treats, gold coin chocolate - choose tea and chocolate that coordinates with project colors - blue, silver or gold.

Assorted Ribbon. I used the denim ribbon (149950) and frayed white ribbon (158138) - available with these product codes, Jan. 4 - June 30, 2022 from the new Mini Catalog; or use ribbon that coordinates with the blue shades in your papers.

No. 10 (U.S. and Canada) Business Envelope - card is a Slim Line and will fit best in this envelope.

Thanks for stopping by. Leave a comment or contact me with your quilt card design.  

Be Blessed by the light and enjoy this project.  Follow my posts by Card Connoisseur on Instagram and on Card Connoisseur on Face Book.  sb