Christmas Countdown Tree

Hi all and thanks for stopping by today.  It's MFT Teaser Time!  Today is day 1 (of 5) with the big release being on November 3rd.  There are SO many adorable stamp sets, and awesome Die-namics dies coming your way, so mark you calendars and make sure you check in each day to see what's new.  I'll have some more info about this week at the end of the post.

I am double-teaming my post today, with a super cool product I used while making my teaser.  I started my project with the 12 inch Christmas tree from Say it With Letters.  They make all sorts of wooden alter-ables from letters (obvious) to Christmas trees (obvious X 2) and everything in between at very reasonable prices (the Christmas tree I used is only $10).  Be sure to check out their site, Say it With Letters on Etsy.  You can also check out their design blog HERE.

Okay, so let's get to the goods...  Here is my Christmas Countdown home decor project.  Lately, I have been all about making things I can use OR give away and someone else can use.  There is something to be said about combining crafting and functionality.  In my house, that means you can dub the expense "household expense", and not "crafty hobby expense".  LOL  NOT that I adhere to any sort of budget.  LOL  My hubby and I joking call EVERYTHING we buy "household goods".  (ok, I'm rambling now...) 

My Christmas Countdown "Calendar" 

Here is a detail shot of the base of the Christmas Tree.  The tree comes flat with a little notched piece that locks in and makes the stand.  I was dead-set on using this cute mini tinsel I got, but it wasn't working ON the tree, so I wrapped it around the base.  You know... I can get forceful when it comes to crafting.  LOL  Take THAT tinsel.  ;)  When I was looking through my ribbon stash I found this beautiful ruffled, satin, red ribbon that I used as a "tree skirt".  Just use your imagination on that one.  It was too cute to not use.  LOL  I finished off the base with a bow and a jingle bell.

I created the number panel by stitching some patterned paper onto a card stock mat.  Then I used the new Banner Strip Die-namics die (loooooooooove it) to spell out countdown.  I decided to stamp the tiny letters (which come WITH the die) on white, and then use my 1/4" circle punch to punch them out and adhere on a black banner.  I added a piece of ric rac to the top of the banner.  It is adhered with Best Glue Ever (which I have to say I REALLY like despite not being a fan of liquid glues).

I cut the numbers out using MFT's Bling Bers' number and shadows template using my Cricut.  The clips are Tim Holtz, and I anchored them with brads.  I made a whole set of numbers that can be switched out each day to help count down to Christmas.  BTW, 57 days.  O M G... I better get more shopping done STAT!

I created the sentiment on the computer, and then trimmed it and flagged the end.  I added a cute card stock sticker from the paper pack and adorned it with a silver brad.

I stuck a bell with a ribbon tied to it to the top of the tree, and then adhered a tiny Heidi Swapp ghost shape star to the top. 

Here is a shot of the back.

November Release Details

Ready to see what the rest of the team came up with for day 1 of MFT Teasers?  Head over to Kim's blog at 11 am EST for a complete list of participating designers.

Be sure to head on over the the MFT Forum on SCS on Saturday.  You will find all the information on this month's MFT Guest Designer Contest. This is your opportunity to win over $100 in stamps and play along with the design team for a month.


The release party starts Wednesday at 8 PM EST in the MFT Forum on SCS


All new products go live Wednesday at 10 PM EST in the MFT Boutique

MFT Hop & Shop starts Wednesday at10 PM EST on Kim's blog


As you make your way through the Teaser Time posts, simply leave a comment on each blog, for your chance to win one of the Brand Spankin' New stamp sets being released on Nov 3rd. A winner will be chosen from the comments on the pre-selected blog before tomorrow's teaser list goes live, and will be posted on Kim's blog HERE. Be sure to check tomorrow to see if YOU are the winner. You can play along each day for your chance to win. As always, you can find the master list of participating designers HERE on Kim's blog.

Christmas Countdown Calendar Tutorial

Here is a step-by-step tutorial for you:

These are the 2 pieces included in the Christmas tree.

 First, I "painted" the edges of the tree with a SU Soft Suede reinker (watered down a bit) using a water brush.  I also used a sponge for the larger areas.  I got totally messy, and that was fine.  I didn't try to be perfect.  The flat sides will be covered up anyway.

I grabbed The Best Glue Ever, and squirted it liberally all over the tree (next pic). 

I laid my tree over an entire sheet of 12 X 12 patterned paper and allowed it to dry for several hours.  I am not a fan of tracing with a pencil and then cutting out and trying to match it up.  This removes a step AND has better results.  ;)  After it was dry, I sliced along the edge of the tree with my craft knife.  This was pretty easy to do.  The tree gave it support and I just sliced away. 

Here it is all trimmed.

Repeat the steps above for the other side.  I used a cuticle tool (for nails, that I bought as a stamping tool LOL) to scrape the excess glue from around the tree before I set it aside to dry.  It worked like a charm.  

I used a round Basic Grey sanding tool to sand the inner corners of the tree to make sure it was nice and "clean".  Here is the other side, finished.

Now, just put on your thinking cap and decorate.  I opted for the Christmas Countdown idea.

Thanks for hanging in there with me.  I know this post was looooooooong!  LOL  I'll see you tomorrow with another creation!

Have a wonderful weekend.