Holiday Idea #1: using the fir bough

This YOUR MAINE STAMPER wood-mounted rubber stamp is a perennial favorite at holiday time. The sample is by Courtney Ricker, who also designed the stamp for us. Simply lightly trace a circle in pencil onto cardstock (end cuts are perfect for this in white or cream, but you could stamp this on any number of papers and it would be stunning) and then stamp the branch in your favorite green (try Versamagic Hint of Pesto or a Memories Pine Green or Hunter Green) multiple times to create a wreath. Courtney added Stickles in red and white for ornaments and a ribbon bow. You could use a glue pen and fine or chunkier white glitter (we have several kinds to choose from at the shop as well as some lovely colored glitters) for a snowy effect. Or dimensional pearls--I'm partial to the red and gold ones from Memory Box. Or use the Memory Box holiday jewel stickers in red, green, and clear. Try a narrow red velvet ribbon, a red/white polka dot, or a vintagey plaid. The possibilities are endless.

Once your design is finished, layer it onto another paper (or two) and then onto the card front. Courtney layered hers on red, then white, and placed it on a dark green cardstock card. You could use a BoBunny dot paper, a subtle stripe, or a tiny print paper--check out the holiday 6X6 paper pads--for layers. Make your own cards from a wide selection of cardstock, and white envelopes are only ten cents each at the store. Or pick up a package of ten cards and matching envelopes in a lovely red or a dill green--the Memory Box cards are white on the inside. Or use the kraft beigey cards--my favorite all year round for a country,shabby chic, or old-fashioned look.

Then start thinking of other ways to use this stamp. Make your own trees and sprinkle them with glitter snow. Create a swag tied up with a pretty bow. Stamp a garland border across the top of a card.

To finish up, add a few sprigs to the inside of the card and on the envelope. Someone once told me that you should always take a design element from the front of your card and echo it somehow on the inside. I suggest that the envelope should also receive a similar treatment.

Happy Stamping!

Anne