It’s less than 10 weeks until Christmas and I’m starting to panic a little bit. Just as in previous years I had great plans to get ahead with my seasonal crafting and once again I’m seriously behind. I suppose Hurricane Fiona didn’t help, but to be honest I was already behind before she hit. Oh well, all I can do is double down and do the best that I can. My first craft fair is on November 12^th and today’s cute gnome Christmas card was created with that in mind.

CHRISTMAS TREES

I began by looking for a suitable background in the Storybook Gnomes 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. I did consider a snowy pattern but in the end opted for these rows of patterned trees.

Before cutting the paper I first needed to create my card base from Thick Basic White Card. Then I cut a 3-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ piece of the trees paper along with a 3-3/8″ x 5-1/2″ layer of Pool Party Card. Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I mounted the DSP onto the card, level with the top edge. Then I glued the layers to the card base up against the fold.

Next I cut a 3/4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of the DSP and a 4″ x 5-1/4″ layer of Basic White Card. After fixing the DSP along the bottom edge of the Basic White piece I glued these layers inside the card base.

All I needed now was a 2-1/4″ x 6″ piece of the trees paper. Still using liquid glue I fixed the DSP onto the flap of a Basic White Medium Envelope. Then I trimmed off the excess paper with Paper Snips, using the edge of the flap as a guide.

COLOURFUL GNOME

Now my preparations were complete I was ready to start on the focal pieces. For this I chose the standing gnome from the Kindest Gnomes Stamp Set. I began by using Tuxedo Black ink to stamp him onto some Thick Basic White Card. Then I coloured him in using Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers. For his hat I chose Poppy Parade, then selected Shaded Spruce for his coveralls. His shoes and mittens were coloured in Soft Suede, before finishing off his mouth and nose in Ivory.

Going back to the Kindest Gnomes Stamp Set I chose the “Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year” sentiment. Using Tuxedo Black ink I stamped the sentiment onto some Thick Basic White Card then went looking for a suitable die. In the end I found what I needed in the Seasonal Labels Dies set.

After cutting out the sentiment I used a Stampin’ Dimensional to attach the gnome to the right-hand end. Then I added some Soft Succulent pearls from the Festive Pearls pack. With that done I put Stampin’ Dimensionals over the back of the sentiment and stacked them two-high on the back of my gnome. Once he was attached to the front of the card base my latest Christmas project was finally complete.

I really like how this project turned out and especially that bright red hat. What do you think?

If you’re not a fan of colouring check out my earlier blog post Gnomes the easy way for an alternative way to create your gnome.

PRODUCT LIST

CLEARANCE RACK REFRESHED! Overnight Stampin Up! have refreshed the Clearance Rack with retired products at up to 60% off. The new selection includes lots of last year’s autumn, Halloween and Christmas paper and embellishments so do make sure you take a peek. Just remember this sale will clear out remaining stocks of these items and when they’re gone, they’re gone forever.

BUNDLE BONUS – going back to today’s project, I bought the Kindest Gnomes Stamp Set in a bundle with the coordinating Gnomes Dies. Buying the two products using the ‘bundle’ item number meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying them separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle below in case you want to compare these options.