Getting Started With A Decoration

Last night I went to bed late with no idea what I was going to make for today’s blog project. By the time I awoke this morning an idea for a pretty rosette decoration had magically popped into my head.

Rosette decoration created using the Toile Christmas Stamp Set, Christmas Cardinal Dies and Let It Snow Paper, all from Stampin' Up! #papercraftwithme

A DECORATION FROM SCRAPS

I began with a scrap of the Let It Snow Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP) that was 1-1/2″ x 11-3/4″. Using my Simply Scored Scoring Tool I carefully scored the DSP at 1/2″ and then every 1/2″ after that to the end. Then I flipped the paper over and scored it at 1/4″ and then every 1/2 inch so these second set of score lines were between the first set. With that done I folded along the scored lines to create a series of mountain and valley folds.

To turn the concertina strip into a rosette I overlapped the first and last section of the strip so I had a sort of cylinder shape and secured them together with Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow). Then I set it aside to dry for a minute.

At this point I switched on my hot glue gun onto the highest setting and placed it on a Silicone Craft Sheet to warm up.

MERRY AND BRIGHT

One of the things I’ve learned over the years making these rosettes is to get everything prepared in advance. So now I began to work on the pieces to embellish my decoration.

I cut an 8″ piece of Whisper White Baker’s Twine and set that to one side. Then I used a 2″ Circle Punch to punch out some Gold Glimmer Paper and set that aside too.

Next I wiped some Whisper White Card with and Embossing Buddy to remove any oils and static. Then using VersaMark ink I stamped the ‘merry and bright’ sentiment from the Toile Christmas Stamp Set and sprinkled it with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder. Finally I tapped off the excess powder and removed a few stray specks before melting the rest with my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

With that done I cut out my sentiment using the coordinating die from the Christmas Cardinal Dies. While I was there I also die-cut three more of the same shape from plain Whisper White Card. Then using liquid glue I fixed all the pieces on top of each other with the sentiment right on the top.

Back of rosette decoration #papercraftwithme

For the back of the decoration I decided to add a second, smaller sentiment. So from the same stamp set I chose “for you with love’, and embossed that in gold on Whisper White Card too. This time I used a 1-1/2” Circle Punch to cut out the sentiment.

Now I was ready to put my decoration together.

ASSEMBLING THE DECORATION

To start I placed a scrap of Whisper White Card onto my Silicone Craft Sheet and stood my DSP cylinder on it. Then I began to pull the top edge of the cylinder in towards the middle and gently pressed down. It can be a bit fiddly but eventually the folds did their job and I had my rosette flat on the desk. The problem is though that the minute you let go of the DSP it pops back up again. So here’s how I manage that.

First I squeezed some hot glue into the centre hole of the rosette making sure there was enough glue to fill the hole and stick the rosette to the scrap card underneath. Then I placed another scrap of Whisper White Card on top and pressed down firmly until the glue had begun to cool.

Once that was done I tore off the scrap card and my rosette was now stable.

Next, with more hot glue, I attached the Glimmer Paper circle to the centre of the rosette. Then I added the large sentiment on top.

I flipped the rosette over and placed the ends of the Baker’s Twine in the centre and covered it with a blob of hot glue. Then I immediately placed the smaller sentiment on top and pressed it down firmly.

Finally I brought the Baker’s Twine to the edge of the rosette and added another blob of hot glue over the top. Then before this glue had a chance to cool I sprinkled it with some Dazzling Details Stampin’ Glitter and my decoration was done.

You know I never cease to be amazed at how sturdy a rosette decoration becomes when it’s assembled using hot glue. It’s a great way to use up scraps of paper too.

HOT GLUE SECRETS

As well as my Silicone Craft Sheet, I have some other hot glue essentials.

My hot glue essentials include a dual temperature hot glue gun, silicone craft sheet, silicone finger protector and artists colour shaper tools. #papercraftwithme

First the AdTech dual heat glue gun. I’ve had it for about 5 years and love it. Of course the problem with hot glue is that it is, well, hot! So I picked up some silicone finger protectors in the craft section at Walmart. These allow me to handle my project without getting burned.

Another handy tool I found in the painting section of a craft store in the UK. These are labelled ‘Colour Shapers’ and made by Royal Sovereign (although I suspect there may be other makes too). I’m not a painter but I think the silicone chisel-shaped tips are used to move oil paint on a canvas. But they are also great for moving hot glue or pressing onto projects while they cool.

Finally my last hot glue tip is a technique that I discovered for reducing all those horrid stringy bits. Here’s the video I created a couple of years ago to explain it.

Well that’s all from me for today. It’s cold and windy outside so I plan to spend a few hours playing in my craft studio. I hope you get a chance to be creative today too.