Add-on Week, Part 4

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Add-on Sketch #8

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

"Merry Christmas" card by Christine Chain
Supplies - paper and stickers: Echo Park; ink: Tsukineko; scallop punch: Stampin' Up!

After doing my Christmas two-page layout, I had a ton of scraps sitting on my desk. What better way to use them than in this month's add-on sketch? So instead of making a party hat, I made a fun Christmas tree!

The first thing I did was cut a sheet of scrap paper to 3 1/2" x 5". I cut my triangle base from that using the directions on the original sketch. Then, using the sketch as a guideline, I started laying leftover strips of paper across the base paper. I used more green than the other prints to keep it looking more like a tree than just a bunch of paper. Once everything was adhered, I trimmed the edges and inked them. I punched one strip with a scallop punch for the bottom of the tree.

I added a sticker to the top of the tree, on pop dots, for the star. I used two more stickers, also on pop dots, for the sentiment.

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"Oh Christmas Tree" by Lynette Jacobs
Supply list: Printed papers: Fancy Pants (Traditions); Tree embellishments: Making Memories (Falala); Letters: Making Memories (Falala); Brad used as star: The Paper Company; Bling: Kaiser Craft; Other: Metallic DMC thread

• I followed the sizing of the tree and used diagonal striped paper.

• I sewed along some of the lines with metalic thread.
• I added bling to some lines.
• I finished it off with a punched border along the bottom and a "star" on the top of the tree.

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"Believe" by Carolyn Wolff
Supply List -Patterned Paper: Imaginisce (Santa’s Little Helper), My Mind’s Eye (tree); Cardstock: Bazzill, Coredinations; Die-cuts: Imaginisce (Santa’s Little Helper); Stamp: Close to my Heart; Sparklets: Kaisercraft; Brads: Basic Grey; Ink: Ranger Distress Ink (Vintage Photo, Memento); Floss/Twine: DMC, Maya Road; Glitter accent: Stickles, Ranger (Red & Green); Template for Stitching: Crafters Workshop; Glitter: Diamond Dust; Liquid Appliqué: Uchinda

As soon as I saw this sketch I immediately thought of a Christmas tree.  I decided to make the add-on a focal point on a 2-page layout. 

Here are my tips for this layout:

Variation #1 – The most obvious variation is that I did not create a birthday hat.  I decided to make a Christmas tree instead.  I made my tree a bit taller that the dimensions given on the sketch.  I stuck with the 4-inch width, but I started with a 7-inch height.    
   

Variation #2 – I did not create the pattern shown on the sketch.  Instead I used some dark green twine and wrapped it around my tree like garland.  I added Sparklets for ornaments. 

Variation #3 – Instead of the scalloped border along the bottom, I replaced it with presents.  I also replaced the pom pom on top with a die-cut snowflake for the star on my tree. 

Other details:
• The sketch I used for my layout was from one of Allison’s sketch books. 
• I added liquid Appliqué to the sleigh, Santa and bird die-cuts.  I heat embossed it and that is what creates the bubbled effect.  On the sleigh I added some glitter before I applied the heat. 
• I added brads to the center of the candy border in matching colours. 
• I accented my page with stitching.  I used red twine for the top of my layout and a template and floss for the bottom.  I also added some stitching to the present die-cuts under the tree.
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