I’ve already seen debates about whether it is too early to decorate for Christmas. It’s 6 weeks away so perhaps it’s time to start considering it. Some people decorate early because they know if they don’t it simply won’t happen. When I ran a daycare centre I remember getting home from work on Christmas Eve and staying up late to put up the tree and other decorations. I’d been so busy doing Christmas for the children at work I’d neglected my own family. I vowed to myself, never again! Of course some people decorate early because it makes them happy, why should we complain about that? As I was designing today’s project I decided that a even a simple star or two would suffice.

BEAUTY & JOY

This project is all about the topiary trees in the Beauty & Joy Stamp Set.

On a layer of Very Vanilla Card I first stamped the square planter on the left and right sides using Pretty Peacock ink. Then I added the three part trunk image to each planter with Soft Suede ink. Finally I stamped the three part holly image with Mossy Meadow ink, fitting the parts between the tree trunk sections.

With the trees done I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue to fix the piece to a layer of Real Red Card.

Next I used my new Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Pretty Peacock Card. Then I folded the card along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder to create my card base. After that the layered piece was attached to the front with more liquid glue.

Switching to a Real Red ink pad I stamped the “A joyful Christmas to you” sentiment onto a wide strip of Very Vanilla Card. Then I mounted the strip onto Real Red Card with liquid glue before adding it to my card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

TOPPED WITH A STAR

Now I needed to create the insert for my card on a layer of Very Vanilla Card. So coming in from the right-hand edge I stamped the planter, the tree trunk and holly branches exactly as before. With that done I fixed the layer inside the card base with liquid glue.

To complete the stamping I added the tree and planter to the right-hand side on the front of a Very Vanilla Medium Envelope.

All I had left was to decorate the trees on the front of the card with some Star Designer Elements. These come on a sheet with glue dots already attached so I simply peeled them off and stuck them in place. In no time at all my project was finished.

If only decorating the house was that simple…

PRODUCT LIST