That's Life: Underneath The Tree...

Happy Monday everyone...

Can you believe that we're so near to Christmas and the holidays? Where has this year gone?

Well, as we approach the final countdown to the big day, we have a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week our theme is called WRAP IT UP! However you interpret this challenge theme, we would love for you to join us and play along and we can't wait to see what you will create.

For my make, I chose to make a gift wrap set, including the wrapping paper, tags and a present topper and I'm excited to share the details of how I made these pieces...

So, let's get started...it's time to wrap it up!

To begin with I chose to use the Stampers Anonymous Holiday Sketch stamp set by Tim Holtz with the coordinating die set from Simon Says Stamp for my tags and the beautiful Snowflake Rosette from Tim that is currently free from SSS, with every purchase of $30 or more of branded products from Tim. These are the main focal points to accompany the gift wrap...

GIFT WRAP

For the gift wrapping paper, I bought a roll of plain kraft paper from a local store and using a section of the gift wrap, I began by stamping my snowflake design using SSS white ink.

I used two Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz stamps, the snowflakes are from the Mr Frostie stamp set and the postmark, stamped with Barn Door Archival Ink is from the Holiday Postmarks stamp set.

I stamped the pattern to cover the entire piece of kraft paper, adding the postmarks in between the snowflakes, before adding some white paint splatters

To complete the wrap, I added some snow, using the stamp from The Poinsettia, which I once again inked with white ink before adding it to my kraft wrap.

Once I'd wrapped the present using the gift wrap, I cut a strip of seam binding ribbon, which I coloured with Speckled Egg and Rustic Wilderness Distress Spray Stain. I applied the stain directly to the ribbon, added a spritz of water to blend the colours and then heat dried the ribbon until thoroughly dry.

After tying the ribbon around my present and finishing with a double bow, I added two Holiday Bells to the centre.

We now have the present wrapped, ready for the tags...

TAGS

Using the Tim Holtz Framed Tag die that I have in my stash, I cut three of the middle sized tags from heavyweight kraft card and then inked the "snow" stamp from The Poinsettia stamp set, and stamped this in white, at the top of the tag. I completed the tag by adding a machine stitched border around the outside.

Using the Holiday Sketchbook stamps, I stamped the individual images onto watercolour cardstock, and then watercolored them with Distress Watercolour Pencils before die cutting all three images with the coordinating dies.

After cutting three separate panels of kraft card, which I will be layering onto the tags, I stamped the same images again onto these pieces and repeated the snow across the top of the panel and add a strip of Christmas Design Tape across the bottom.

After I'd machine stitched a border around the outside, I mounted the coloured die cut images onto the tags with foam pads.

On each of the tags, I stamped a sentiment in clear embossing ink and then embossed with white embossing powder. The sentiments are stamped using the Stampers Anonymous Cartoons stamp set by Tim Holtz.

Matt the layer onto a piece of red Kraft cardstock and then mount the completed panel onto the tag, using foam pads. Repeat with the other two images to create the remaining tags...

For a little extra sparkle and texture, I drizzled the top of the mounted panel with some Glossy Accents before sprinkling Snowflakes over the medium. Tap away the excess and leave to dry.

Add some Stickles Glitter to each of the stamped snowdrops around the image to complete the panel.

SNOWFLAKE ROSETTES

Finally, I made a present topper using the Snowflake Rosette die that is currently a FREE GIFT when you spend $30 or more on Tim Holtz branded products.

This die has always been one of my favourites for the holidays and I thought it would make a perfect present topper.

I cut three strips of the snowflake and then attached them to one another to form one long strip, which I then folded along the scorelines before assembling my snowflake rosette.

I added an idea-ology Vintage Flair Christmas adornment to the centre, which I have in my stash but you can use anything you choose as the centre embellishment.

I then cut a second rosette from some more of the Christmas Backdrop paper, using the Vault Rosette die and once this was assembled, I layered the two rosettes on top of one another before adding some Chunky Rock Candy Glitter to the snowflake.

I completed the present topper, which can then be used as an ornament for your tree, with a loop of ribbon.

So, that completes my makes and I think we can say ~ IT'S A WRAP on this week's challenge theme and I hope you love what I've created.

As always, if you make anything, or if you've been inspired by anything that you've seen here on my blog ~ then please, let me know by tagging me on social media or leaving a comment here and I will be right over to take a look!

Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $25 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....