Papercrafting is such fun, but it’s not only about greetings cards.  I make bookmarks, tags and gift packaging, and decorate notebooks and other items.  I also use my Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools to make decorative pieces for the home too.  Today couldn’t resist making this poinsettia flag decoration using some stunning new products from the 2018 Holiday Catalogue.

STRONG BASE

I began by preparing the base, a raw wooden flag shape purchased ages ago at Michaels for under a dollar.  It’s a little under 5″ wide by a little under 7″ long, and 1/8″ thick.

For the background I took the subtle Mint Macaron design the Tranquil Textures Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack.  I placed it onto a cutting board with the wooden piece on top then cut around it using a craft knife.  Next I drew around the inside of the pre-drilled holes with a pencil to mark their location on the DSP.

TIP – Ever have problems marking inside small shapes?  I keep a mechanical pencil handy just for this purpose.  I can extend the lead as much as I need, and providing I’m gentle I can mark my project without the lead breaking.  Once I’m done I retract the lead inside the pencil until it’s needed again.

With their position marked, I removed the wood piece and used a 1/8″ Circle Handheld Punch to punch out the holes.  The DSP could then be fixed to the wooden base with Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow).

CHRISTMAS SENTIMENT

The large Christmas sentiment is one of 3 in the new Peaceful Poinsettia Stamp Set.

I began with a piece of Thick Whisper White Card wiped with an Embossing Buddy to remove any oils and static.  Then I used VersaMark ink to stamp the sentiment and sprinkled it with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  The excess powder was tapped off, and I removed a couple of stray specks to ensure it would emboss cleanly.  Then I could melt the remaining embossing powder with my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

Using my Big Shot and Magnetic Platform I cut out the sentiment with the #5 plain-edged die from the Layering Ovals Framelits (counting from the smallest up).  While I was there I also die-cut some Vellum Cardstock with the #6 plain-edged die from the same set.

Using Tear & Tape Adhesive I attached the sentiment to the vellum, and then fixed it on the wooden flag.

DECONSTRUCTED POINSETTIA

Finally it was time to start on the large poinsettia image (this was a poinsettia flag decoration after all).  Following the same process as the sentiment, I stamped and embossed the image onto Thick Whisper White Card.

In order to give my poinsettia a detailed layered look I would need more images, so I stamped and embossed the centre area three more times.

Now I could get to work colouring my images using Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers.  The leaves were coloured using light and dark Old Olive markers.  The poinsettia was first coloured with a layer of light Calypso Coral.  Then I added light and dark Cherry Cobbler over the top.  The poinsettia centre completed the colouring with dark Daffodil Delight.

With everything coloured I was ready to cut my images.

For the main poinsettia image I simply took it over to my Big Shot and Magnetic Platform.  With the coordinating die from the Detailed Poinsettia Thinlits, cutting the image was a cinch.

The remaining three partial images needed my attention with Paper Snips, but actually it wasn’t that difficult.  From each successive image I simply cut the bracts (petals) closer to the centre of the flower.

POINSETTIA FLAG ASSEMBLY

Starting with the smallest layer I used pieces of Stampin’ Dimensionals to attach it to the next largest.  Then I flipped it over, put pieces of Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back, and attached that one to the next largest.  This layer was added to the main image to complete the process.

With the layers all done I added lots more Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the complete image and fixed it to the flag base.

Finally I threaded some Real Red 1/8″ Solid Ribbon through the holes in the poinsettia flag and tied it off in a bow.

DESIGN PLANS CHANGE

I’d originally planned to have the assembled poinsettia image horizontally across the top of the flag.  The general V shape of the bottom of the image mirrored the V at the bottom of the wood base, and I quite liked that.

However, before I permanently attached the image, I played with it.  It’s something I like to do when designing just to be sure I’m happy with the final result.  As I tried various locations for the poinsettia image, I realised that I actually preferred it lower down, and at an angle.

In fact, I liked it best when the top of the image followed the direction of the left part of the V.  So that’s where it ended up.

I’ll let you into a little secret, this poinsettia flag is the first project I’ve made using the Peaceful Poinsettia Stamp Set.  I’m positive it won’t be my last.

If you’d like to see another banner decor project you’ll find in my blog post It’s a banner day.

For more Stampin’ Up! 2018 Holiday Catalogue sneak peeks check out these posts from last week…

Santa’s Workshop opening soon

Buffalo Check come out to play

Tin Tile retro design

Well I’m off to play with some more new products, I hope you’ll come back tomorrow for another sneak peek.

PRODUCT LIST