Today’s project was another one that kind of just ‘happened’. I sat down knowing I didn’t want to make a card, but wasn’t sure what to make instead. In the end it was a sentiment in the Snowflake Wishes Stamp Set that inspired me.

SNOWFLAKE BACKGROUND

With the sentiment in my head I began by looking for a background for my project. It made total sense to start with the Snowflake Splendor 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. There are so many lovely designs but in the end I settled on this darker blue with flurries of white snowflakes.

Initially I thought I’d create a photo album, but instead found a 5″ x 7″ silver photo frame to decorate.

After cutting the DSP to fit the frame I then needed to cut a hole for a photograph. To do this I used the #7 plain-edged die from the Layering Ovals (counting from the smallest up). To create a nice frame for the hole I nested the #7 and #8 plain-edged dies together on some Silver Foil Sheet. Then I fixed the die-cut frame around the hole with Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow).

Before putting the background piece into the frame I wanted to add a layer to act as a pocket for the photo. So I cut a 4″ x 6″ piece of Whisper White Card and attached it to the back of the DSP using liquid glue just at the sides and bottom. With that I placed the DSP piece into the frame.

I knew that I’d want to add some extra snowflake accents so I turned to the So Many Snowflakes Dies next. I wasn’t totally sure how many I’d need so I simply cut a selection of different sized snowflakes from Shimmery White Card and Balmy Blue Glimmer Paper. Then I set these aside while I worked on the sentiment piece.

SNOWFLAKE WISHES

Having chosen “In the coldest moments of the year, my heart is warm because you’re near” I really wanted it to stand out. So I decided to emboss it in white on Night Of Navy Card.

Using VersaMark ink I stamped the Snowflake Wishes sentiment onto the card. Then I sprinkled the sticky ink with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder and tapped off the excess. After removing some stray specks I melted the rest using my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

To cut out the sentiment I turned to the Painted Labels Dies. I love the shaped corners and embossed detail around the edges of the cut piece that makes this die extra special.

Once the sentiment was cut I attached it to the corner of the picture frame using Stampin’ Dimensionals. Then I simply added a selection of the die-cut snowflakes using a combination of liquid glue, mini glue dots and pieces of Stampin’ Dimensionals. Finally, after a little tweaking, my pretty winter picture frame project was complete.

I had no idea when I sat down this morning that I’d end up decorating a picture frame. It makes me glad that I keep a few of these in my craft studio just in case.

For more projects using the Snowflake Wishes Stamp Set see these earlier blog posts:

• Snowflakes – stamped, embossed and die-cut
• Add an angled layer for interest
• Snowflake scrap inspiration

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Painted Labels Dies with the Painted Poppies Stamp Set (not used today) using a single ‘bundle’ item number. That meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle in case you want to look explore this option.

UPDATED 2021 – Sadly the following products have now retired and are no longer available from Stampin’ Up!

• Snowflake Splendor Designer Series Paper
• Balmy Blue Glimmer Paper