Monday 16 September 2013

FESTIVE FRAME

Welcome to STAMPtember®, a wonderful creative month with Simon Says Stamp!  Simon Says Stamp are celebrating for the whole month of September by hosting a STAMPtember® event intended to inspire, educate, and celebrate the greatness of rubber stamping.





The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge this week is all about stamping on different surfaces, of course you can use your stamps on card stock but there are so many more possibilities, fabric, vellum, patterned paper, canvas, wood. This week we would love you to grab a stamp and experiment, maybe trying something a little different from plain white card stock.
I found a small dimensional frame lurking at the back of my shelves and it's that time of year when I start to think about my seasonal pieces for friends and family. I like to be organised and try and make at least one seasonal piece each week, come December 1st you feel wonderful knowing all your cards are made! However, I always struggle trying to think of ideas for my teenage nephew's but once I stumbled across the Toy Soldier die I knew I had the start of an idea. Can you believe this is the first time I have used this die, something I will rectify this year!
I began by covering the inside of my frame with paper from the Seasonal Paper Stash and then painted the outside of my frame with fired brick Distress Paint. I then added stamping to my wooden frame using the background stamp from the Season's Silhouettes stamp set.
I only really wanted one or two words on my frame so I masked off the stamp with paper and inked up the word I wanted to add to the frame using olive Archival Ink.
You will notice that I have not used an acrylic bloc for this as I find it much easier to stamp on an uneven surface using the stamp as is rather than on a block, I can press firmly and obtain a good stamping onto the wood, random stamping is also easier this way, rolling the stamp across the surface.
I repeated this process to add WISHES to the side of my frame and I also added a touch of random stamping using the background stamp from Wendy Vecchi's Art Of Making It Merry Stamp Set.
I die cut the Toy Soldier and added it to the frame, adding a small piece of wood behind the soldier so that he stands proud inside the frame, rather than affixing him flush to the back piece.
Chitchat stickers have been added to the wooden frame and also to an Enameled Tag, adding a touch of fired brick Distress Paint to the tag with my finger. I also added some mini pinecones which I picked up from my recent holiday in a forest, I love the natural touch these give. Gold cord has been added around the edge of my frame for further texture and interest.
A Christmas Snowflake Adornment has been added to the side of my frame for added depth, affixed to a piece of twine tied in a double bow.
A large snowflake rosette has been added to the top of the frame using the snowflake rosettie die, cut from a piece of the Seasonal Paper Stash, adding touches of fired brick Distress Ink to coordinate with my frame. A
Cosmo Cricket Cheer Button has been added to the centre of the rosette threaded with coordinate twine.
For more great ideas please pop over to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog and take a look at my fellow team members they have created some inspirational projects. Remember there is also the chance to win a $50 prize from Simon Says Stamp.  I always look forward to seeing your creations each week.

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated.  Enjoy your week. Tracy x x 


Products Used:

Tim Holtz Alterations - Toy Soldier Die, Seasonal Paper Stash, Chitchat Stickers, Enameled Tags, Christmas Adornments, Snowflake Rosette Die
Tim Hotlz Stampers Anonymous Season's Silhouettes Stamp Set
Wendy Vecchi Art Of Making It Merry Stamp Set
Distress Paint - Fired Brick
Archival Ink - Olive
Gold Cord
Twine
Cosmo Cricket Cheer Buttons



 

26 comments:

Helen said...

This looks great, I love that toy soldier image!

Paula Whittaker said...

what a super looking project

sally said...

What a great idea for a gift! Hope said nephew appreciates it :-)

Sally

rachel said...

what a wonderful frame Tracy - this is fabulous and so festive xx

Candy C said...

Tracy...your Christmas frame is so cute. Love the toy soldier standing so erect in the center with the pine cones around him and the "believe" ornament handing behind him. Great use of the enameled tag! Your snowflake die is so pretty in the upper corner with the metallic one balancing it out in the lower corner. Really a sweet and vintage looking piece! <3 Candy

Meihsia Liu said...

Wow.... Tracy, this is such a fantastic holiday project. I love the cute soldier and your beautiful stamping on the frame. Thank you for the great inspiration. :)

Barb Cady said...

I love this project, I've got to look out for some of those frames now. The soldier is perfect and I love the snowflakes on the outside. Brilliant idea! X

Words and Pictures said...

What a great make, Tracy... the toy soldier looks so cool in his fab stamped frame, and I love the paper-lined interior. That metallic snowflake is gorgeous as is your snowflake rosette - lovely work!
Alison x

Michelle said...

You always make the coolest things! You have this amazing eye for detail that blows me away every single week. I love seeing your work and the photos of your creative process. You've created a beautiful piece, Tracy.

Anonymous said...

How fabulous!
I actually thought the Toy Soldier was a wooden ornament, you fooled me!
A stunning piece of home decor for the festivities.
Wishes
Lynne

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Super pretty festive frame, Tracy! I love the stamping details throughout!

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

barbarayaya62 said...

Tracy, i'm in love with your project! I adore Christmas decoration and this is a perfect decoration for the home !!!! FAntastic in every details! barbarayaya

Mona Pendleton said...

Oh my goodness Tracy! What a darling project! I love how you stamped on the frame and that soldier is AMAZING! You sure have an eye for detail! That 3D snowflake is gorgeous! Thank you for the inspiration!

Anna-Karin said...

Gorgeous frame Tracy! Love the toy soldier, snowflakes and that you added pine cones to the frame too. A great gift!

pearshapedcrafting said...

This is wonderful, love the stamping around the frame.
Sure to be a hit! Chrisx

Nicole Wright Designs said...

This is awesome! I love what you have done.

Redanne said...

The little soldier looks wonderful standing to attention is your beautiful frame and the snowflake die looks amazing on the top. What a gorgeous piece of holiday décor! Hugs, Anne x

Annie said...

A fabulous project Tracy. Wonderful frame and background. The snowflake is stunning too

TFS and crafty hugs

Annie x

Suzanne C said...

Tremendous Festive Holiday Decor! Love the inset with the pinecones and decorative details of the snowflakes. I am a big fan of the tin soldier and this is so sweet!

Sandra said...

Such pretty decor! Perfect for the holidays! I'm sure this piece will get a nice spot between your other decorations! Hugs, Sandra

Mary Elizabeth said...

Tracy -- what a wonderful piece for your nephew. I love this frame. The toy soldier really does pop (glad you added that piece of wood to make him stand out more -- he really is incredible!). Love the stamp on the frame and all the embellishments. Although I love fall, I'm really getting in the mood for Christmas now. Fabulous inspiration this week at SSS Monday Challenge. -- Mary Elizabeth

Andrea Ockey Parr said...

Yay Christmas! This piece made me want to whip out the hot chocolate and holiday music...even though it's still about 80 degrees outside. That's the power of your skills! This is a wonderful piece and it proves that holiday decor can be sassy and stylish!

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I LOVE nutcrackers, so I am in awe of your cool piece. Blessings!

Lynn Stevens said...

Love your toy soldier box. So inspiring for Christmas... well not just Christmas your inspiring Year round!!!!!!
Hugs Lynn

Maura said...

You are ready for the holidays now!

Anonymous said...

Love how this turned out!!!