Change your point of view by Natalie

 

This project is all about looking at designs differently. It is easy to be lulled into the security of thinking "Oh its a tree stamp, and that means roots/ground is at the bottom and the tip is at the top". However, we can stretch our stamps further by rotating, cropping and even joining them together. This project focuses on this exact concept.

We are going to use the swirl tree from Frosty Trees as a decorative border rather than as it was originally designed. This piece is ideal for multiple uses; you could join it together with a copy of itself and mask the centre for a monogram; or why not press it into enamelled embossing to form a decorative hinge. It is even ideal for paper moulding.

For this example though, simply use a slimline blank and stamp it twice rotating it 180º. You can do this using a stamp platform or using a stamp block. I drew a pencil guideline to help me align the stamp as they should be placed above the central line.

The central decal is then built up with shaped, stamped holly leaves and decoupaged berries which were topped with red glitter for extra shine and sparkle. 

The sentiment was then stamped with gold ink onto red cardstock, then mounted onto gold glitter cardstock. I used the same red to add a panel onto my card blank and decorated it with a green strip to match the holly and tree images. Finally, add the sentiment strip and add two gems/sequins where the sentiment would join the green strip.