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Mini Post #2 Tree Card

Let me be real clear about the word "mini" in the title.  It has nothing to do with the amount of time it takes to complete one of these projects.

                                                                                             (blogblom.blogspot.be)
Adorable, right?  Simple?  Yes, one would think.  Well, I won't tell you how long it took me to complete this little project.

I found a backer board in the studio and I had some scrap cork material on hand.  I also had some tacky glue to meld the two together.  The glue was in one of those tall economical plastic bottles and I have had it for awhile.  There was about 1 1/2 inches in the very bottom.  After using lots of hot water and a pliers to get the cap off, I realized it would take a day and half for the glue to make it's way to the opening.  So, I used a knife to cut off the top 3/4 of the plastic container.  Rather than run back out to the studio to get a brush, I decided to just smear some glue on the backer board with my fingers.  Turns out the glue was really thick and tacky and was not spreading well, so I started adding a little water as I went.  Finally I had the board covered.  I smoothed on the cork and laid a couple heavy books on top while it dried. (rolled up cork does not want to lay flat...just thought I'd mention that.)  Now I realize I have glue in several spots on a perfectly good black top.  Off comes the shirt so I can wash it out before it sets up.  The clock is ticking away and I'm just getting started.


I get my coffee every morning from the Gelateria Del Leone and I saved a bunch of the cup sleeves on the off chance I could use them for something.  Since they are corrugated I thought I'd use these as part of my tree.  Then I got the idea to make this a Christmas card for the baristas.

I assembled a few more scraps and played around with arrangement.  Somehow mine was not looking quite like that cute little tree on Pinterest.  I tried a few different layouts and then decided to just go for it and start gluing.  This time I used the glue gun.

I tried the button idea and it was OK, but not great on my tree.  I decided to use the Gelateria logo as my tree topper.  I added a little extra mane to the lion with a piece of twine that I feathered out.  That little white dot is a straight pin.  Once you cut off the shank of the pin to the right length, it pokes nicely into the cork backing.  (Wire cutters are in the basement.  Add that to the list of stuff that is now on the table...glue gun, scissors, paper cutter, vellum, twine, pins, cardboard, white card stock, Christmas cards, buttons, and lots of slivers of paper and cardboard)

I cut "Happy Holidays" from a Christmas card in lieu of using the red/white ribbon on the sample.

I trailed a little twine from top to bottom to add more interest.

My copy cat projects take on a life of their own.  I try not to fall in love with the Pinterest version because I know mine won't be just like it.  But I still have to warm up to my own when it's finished.


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