On the 12th Day of Christmas!!

[Helen Tilbury]

Hi there girls,
I've just finished a sweet tutorial for you on how to make your own Christmas tree embellishments using only your offcuts (I hope you don't throw all those little bits away!) because for this you are only going to need teeny strips - plus some of that lovely printed masking tape from the December kit - if you like - that's not an essential - but it does add a certain pizzazz!!

I haven't had time to load the photos to Photobucket yet because my daughter had her mobile phone pick-pocketed so we have had to be dealing with insurance & police today and now we have a Christmas dinner party to go to - but when I get home tonight I'm on my way back to load the tutorial here & I'm sure you will love it!!

So see you here again around 6pm EST & be prepared to make your trees for a fun evening project. I'm going to make a layout with mine too so I'm making 3 trees - but have made one so far as a sample to show you - then I'm going to be making a Christmas layout using the latest sketch from Creative Scrappers, using my trees, so if you want to join me tonight YOU WILL NEED:-

Quite a few little offcuts - cut into strips anything from 1/2inch to an inch - at least 4 - 8 different prints would be best (but if the papers are double-sided 4 papers will give you 8 prints.

Some scrap paper (I use the plain white paper that comes inside my plastic album sleeve refills.

Pencil, ruler, set square, scissors.

That's it!

If you want to make a Christmas layout as well select 1 x plain paper for the background and 1 - 3 photos roughly 4 x 5inches (slightly bigger or smaller is fine too) - Christmassy photos obviously...

And I WILL BE BACK LATER to show you the tree - then to make the layout and show you that too!!

So get ready to play along tonight - I hope it's a date!

Anyone going to join me???

[eparthum (petvet)]

I have a PTA meeting later tonight but so looking forward to this.

[Lan]

Sounds sooo intriguing Helen and super fun! I'll check in later after all the kids are settled with homework and baths and stuff.

What a bummer about your daughter's phone getting stolen!

[Helen Tilbury]

1) Start with some scrap paper, fold in half & mark out your Christmas tree shape.
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2) Cut out your Christmas tree shape then unfold. Make another smaller sized template too.

3) Trace around the template you have just made but do not cut out yet.

4) Find your offcut pieces & cut into random strips approx 1/2 - 1inch wide.

5) Apply glue all over your Christmas tree shape (not your template but the tree you have drawn on your scrap paper where you used the template to trace around).

6) Adhere offcut strips over glue until tree shape is completely covered. Add printed masking tape/washi tape as well as offcut paper strips if desired.

7. Cut around Christmas tree shape by laying template over all the strips and marking with a pen then cutting out the shape again.

8. Cut out a strip of brown cardstock to form the trunk of your tree & position it on your backing cardstock together with your Christmas tree shape & photos.

9. Use this sketch to inspire your layout - for example you could make another 2 trees and use them in place of the paper strips in the background as I intend doing.

10. Come back tomorrow evening to see my completed layout & to show me yours!

You could also use these Christmas tree embellishments to make Christmas cards.

Making Christmas tree embellishments/cards could be a fun activity you could do with the kids or teach them to do themselves & make their own cards.

I hope this tutorial has inspired you to use up all those offcuts making your own Christmas tree embellishments!

[Sherry]

I *LOVE* this! I think I'll try making it right now!

[scrappinmyboyz]

so darn easy, but looks terrific!! tfs...will have to give this one a shot!!