{Forest Critters} Preview! (+ a new curvy-top luminary [or 3x3 box] template)

This was like the free-form painting and cutting and pasting I recall doing as a kid! TOO fun. When I got my hands on this splendidly cute new set called {Forest Critters} (from Little Paper Shop.) I knew I wanted to make a magical forest luminary. It's similar to other luminaries I've made before, but this one is made to fit those trees. It also has a simple template that you can whip together however you like. :O)

• Welcoming Jessie Rone a new guest Designer for LPS!
• Enter to win {Forest Critters} a new Little Paper Shop set (releasing Tuesday April 21st)
• A new template with curvy bits (the curves are a rough guide, drawn on in Photoshop) :O)
• Mixing Pearlescent Paint with reinkers for crazy bold colour

Two new bits of exciting news:

1st: We have the pleasure of welcoming a new LPS guest designer, Jessie Rone for the next three months! Her blog "Can you say addicted to stamps" is filled to the brim with gorgeous work. Great to have you on Jessie; can't wait to see the magic you work with the new sets! :O)

2nd: There are some exciting give-aways to celebrate Little Paper Shop's birthday and the new sets. You can enter to win {Forest Critters} here:

And now for a delightful word from our sponsers: ;O)

Today is the first of THREE awesome preview days at The Little Paper Shop! That's right, we are releasing THREE new sets for April and can't wait to show you how great they are! In addition to the three new clear stamp sets we are releasing, we also have a bunch of new digital images that are available NOW on the website! They are super cute, super affordable, and ready to go....instant gratification!

Be sure to stick with us for a chance to win this set and the other sets we'll be showcasing over the next few days. There are more chances than ever to win FREE stamps during our month-long birthday celebration going on NOW at The Little Paper Shop. We are turning ONE this month and to ring in another great year, we are giving away all sorts of fun prizes and giveaways. You can read all about it on the LPS Blog, where we'd love for you to join us in all the fun festivities that are going on! See you there!

Make a forest luminary

• Stamps
• Template
  
• Watercolour paper (if you want to paint it.)
• Pearlescent Paints
• Paper piercer, needle & thread
• Black Craft ink & clear embossing powder & gold embossing powder
• Patterned paper: 4 inch square piece (for base) & miscellaneous pieces for stamping trees.
• Cuttlebug & embossing folder (Perfectly Paisley)
• Wire & Wire cutter

This can work as a curvy box for 3x3 notecards & envelopes or a luminary...
Click here to Download the PDF templates

click these pictures for the JPGs:

Step 1) Print template on watercolour paper (important if you want to paint it.) Cut it out, score the lines & paint it with Pearlescent Paints.

Tip: If you want really bold colour and the sparkle that comes with using Pearlescent Paints, just mix up some water in the paint as you normally would but then add reinker in the lid tray. The pearlescent paint-reinker mix makes for really vibrant hues (and endless variations for such an affordable price.)

Salt? I added a little salt to the wet paint for texture (removing it after it dried)



Step 2) Edge top with copper



Step 3) Paint thick copper paint onto the sweet tree stamps



Step 4) Stamp the tree onto the skyline (varying heights)

Depending on how wet you paint, you may want to rescore the lines & flatten under a stack of books to eliminate any curling. After stamping, I used Squished Cuttlebug embossing to give it some texture (embossing it with the Perfectly Paisley folder then flattening it out a bit.)



Step 5) Pierce holes to make stars in the sky



Step 6) Stamp some trees on to patterned paper & cut out. These are embossed in gold. (Sorry not sure of the name of the paper; it was a gift from the super talented & ultra sweet Maria.)

Step 7) Glue the trees down on the box (trim some trunk bottoms to get different tree heights)



Step 8) Cut the extra bit off of the template shape and Sew the trees & add beads, if you like



Step 9) Cut a piece of cardstock to 4 square. Adhere the forest to it & trim off the front triangle



Step 10) Stamp the cutie of an owl & colour (this guy was embossed and painted copper)



Step 11) Cut a piece of wire & adhere the owl to it...

...and finally, adhere the owl to the luminary, so he can soar the skies!...

This set has so many cute critters in it that you could make a little pop up scene with them all; It releases on Tuesday (April 21st), so you can meet the owl's buddies then! ;o)

Hope you have a weekend
filled with fun!

(today the ol' blog should be called: Frolicking Forest Critters!)

Edited to add: I forgot to ramble about how to light this... In the pic it's just sitting in a sunny window, but a jar with a candle in it behind the forest would work (twinkles so nicely) or a safe option for a kid's nightlight: any of those battery operated lights.