A Double Challenge

I really wasn't going to stamp today...really. I was going to do laundry and catch up on all the stuff I've been putting off. But then I saw Hels' Sunday Stamper challenge and the little gears in my mind started turning. That's all it took! With the theme being Trail of the Lonesome Pine, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to experiment with my new Sizzix Tattered Pinecone die from Tim Holtz.

I picked up a bunch of little frames at Michaels yesterday. At only a buck apiece, I couldn't resist. I had been trying to think of something to do for the Simon Says Stamp and Show 'Up-cycling' challenge and thought turning these frames into Christmas Ornaments might just be the ticket. A bit of Silver Adirondack Dabber paint and my frame was much prettier! While the paint was drying, I stamped these cuties from Artistic Outpost's Sleigh Ride collection on white cardstock and colored them using Evergreen Bough and Festive Berries inks from the new Winter Distress ink collection (I am crazy for this color combo!!). After covering the back of the frame with French text, I adhered the stamped image and added a few dabs of Rock Candy Stickles here and there.

The sentiment (also from Sleigh Ride) was stamped with Festive Berries onto a banner cut from white cardstock using the Tattered Banners die. I added lots of Rock Candy Stickles with a bit of Martha Stewart glitter added in for good measure. You can't see it well, but I dyed some seam binding with the Festive Berries ink to create a hanger for my ornament - the color is gorgeous!

Here is the real star of the show! I would love to say I was a pro at this the first time...but I would be lying, lol! I struggled quite a bit to get my pinecones just right. One of them is actually rolled up the wrong way - oops! Should have watched that video a little closer. :-) Once I practiced a little, it came together and I think they are adorable.

I decided to create my own paper for my pinecone (see below) and I love how it turned out! I also hand tinted my cedar branches (also cut using the Tattered Pinecone die) - I wanted them to have the same watercolor-y look as the girl's coat. To give the branches a layered look, I decided to cut the smaller branches from the Sizzix Festive Greenery die and add those on top. While I was cutting, I also cut the tiny flourish from white cardstock, adding more glitter before adhering it to the frame. That is one hard working die!

Here's a quick and dirty little tute on how I made the paper for my pinecone and how I altered the frame. I apologize for the pic quality - I took them with my phone.

1. Purchase frames from $1 section at Michaels. 2. Remove easel back with pliers. 3. Paint with Silver Dabber.

For pinecone: 1. Swipe various brown shades of Distress Stain (I used Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, and Brushed Corduroy) across white cardstock. 2. Cut using Tattered Pinecone die and sand using Idea-ology Sanding Grip. 3. Flip over and ink with Gathered Twigs (from the Limited Edition Fall ink collection). BTW, Inspiration Emporium has both of the Limited Edition ink collections in stock, if you are still looking for them!

I have to say, that was way more fun than doing laundry and vacuuming! You can find everything I used here at Inspiration Emporium; make sure you use my discount code - stamptramp - to save 10% off your order!

I'm also linking to Terri's Deck the Halls Sunday. Make sure you check out her tutorial on bleaching bottle brush Christmas trees - brilliant idea! I will be heading to Hobby Lobby soon to stock up on trees. :-)