Last month I was honored to be asked to join a group of very talented guys and gals for a monthly blog hop showcasing fresh ideas using Stampin’ Up! goodies.  Given how it feels like the last couple months have been crazy busy, I figured having a deadline and a theme to work with would be fun to try, so I had to say yes!

First up, I was asked to show a 3D item and since I had recently bought this alterable kit for a Christmas countdown, I thought it would be a fun place to start.

I LOVE the Christmas season and it is the one time of year that I for sure pull out decorations and try to get in to the season.  So, when I saw this kit for a wood Christmas countdown tree, I couldn’t wait to get it and take it home to decorate!

This is what it looked like when I got it home (well, after I cut apart the number tags):

I do have to say, this project got me well over my fear of Exacto knives!  I used mine A LOT in cutting apart the tags and trimming my paper to my cut out shape.  Now if only Stampin’ Up! still sold those big grid self healing mats that I see 10 yr+ demos using, I would be set!

Anyway, I used a few of my holiday catalog toys to decorate my tree this year.

I used pattern paper from the elegant Candlelight Christmas specialty designer paper for my tree and some Chocolate chip cardstock for the base (and you can kind of tell in the picture, but I grabbed my trusty sponge daubers and inked up the edges of the wood so it would blend in a bit better – like the Chocolate Chip ink on the piece that is pointed at the camera).

I used a different pattern from the same pack to cover my numbers tags which hang from hooks on the front of the tree.

After all the paper was stuck to the wood, I went ahead and mod podged the whole thing.  I figured that if I coated the paper layer, then if I wanted to change up the decorations over the years, I could do that and the base tree would still look nice.  We’ll see if that is how it works in practice though over the next few years!

Then, to decorate, I strung some Rhinestone strands and punched out lights using the cute Merry Minis punch pack.  I also used the star from this punch pack to make the star for the top of my tree.  I punched the star out of the Champagne Glimmer paper (such AWESOME paper) and then put it on a 3/4” circle which was then placed in a 1 1/4” scallop circle – also new from the Holiday catalog.

The circle ornaments are actually just punched designs from the same Candlelight Christmas paper pack and then sponged around the edges for some definition.

Finally, one of the rules of the blog hop was to use current Stampin’ Up! products only.  And while I cheated a little because I accidentally used a retired Big Shot alphabet set for the numbers on my countdown tags (it was Timeless Type for those of you that are interested), I needed to figure out what to do for my “title” on my tree.

I knew I wanted it to says “days til Christmas” but I didn’t have a stamp that said that and I was too lazy to go upstairs to my computer to find something I liked on My Digital Studio. So, I improvised from the stamps in my craft room and replicated the tiny letter stickers you see in scrapbooking stores.

I grabbed my Made for You stamp set and got to work inking it up with my marker and stamping a million times to get the letters I wanted.  Then I just cut them out and pieced them together at the bottom of my tree.  The “Christmas” sentiment was from a different stamp set – Petite Pairs – and again, was just inking up part of the stamp and cutting it out.

I thought it was kind of clever!

Alright, and I think I’m supposed to share a card as well… and I know this post is getting super long, so I’ll try to be fast!

Ok, so this card was put together using the Christmas tree countdown as inspiration.  I used the same colors and elements to create a quick 4.25” x 4.25” holiday card.  Just layer a few punches and you are good to go!

So, I hope you enjoyed the projects I have to share with you today and if you want even more ideas, hop along and check out the other great stuff my “Stylin’ Squad” buddies have in store for you!  Since I’m the last person on the tour, click the button below to head to the start of the tour and hop away.

Blog Hop Participants:

1. Shellie G. of Creative Electica
2. Annie L. of Love Me Cards
3. Pam S. of Stampin’ in the Sun!
4. Nancy B. of Lady Stamps-A-Lot
5. Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
6. Tonya B. of Stampin’ with Tonya
7. Dawn S. of Dawn’s Creative Chalet
8. Darcy J. of DJ’s Stampin’ Place
9. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
10. Terry B. of Goin’ Over the Edge
11. Justin K. of JK Cards
12. Heidi B. of Stuck on Stampin’
13. Jennifer B. of Northwest Stamper – that’s me!

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