Another pretty way to use one of your plain tree die cuts!

I really like using tree die cuts as a foundation in my cards because there are so many ways you can dress them up and make them come to life. I’ve created autumn cards, summer cards, cards in red, cards in purple – let’s admit right here that I LOVE cards made with tree die cuts! I just love the versatility of them and how they can provide a nice vertical element on a card. Today I am using some fun and easy coloring techniques on some of the elements, so read through and get some pro tips!  To make this card I used the Nested Scallop with Half Holes, Winter Tree, Picket Fence, Grass, Garden Tools, Tiny Leaves #2, Flower Buds, Leaves and Greenery, Tall Terracotta Pots, Wide Terracotta Pots, Watering Can and Small Butterflies.

The Card and Scene Base

• Use white cardstock to cut the A2 Sized card base, scene base and two Picket Fence sections.
• Cut two sections of grass using green cardstock.
• Use aqua cardstock to cut the scalloped layer.
• Use a large blender brush to apply light blue ink to the scene base to create a soft blue sky background.
• Attach the scene base to the scalloped layer using ATG adhesive.
• Apply strips of mounting tape to the back of the scalloped  and scene layer and attach it to the card base.

The Fence and Grass

• Connect the two fence sections together, trim to fit across the scene.
• Attach one grass layer directly to the scene base using ATG adhesive.
• Apply small pieces of mounting tape to the top back pickets of the fence and ATG adhesive to the bottom back of the fence and attach to the scene.  Pro Tip:  The mounting tape pieces hold the picket sections away from the scene to add dimension and the ATG adhesive on the bottom of the fence allows it to be flat to the scene base.
• Use a strip of mounting tape to the back of the second grass layer and attach it to the scene base.

The Tree and Leaves

• Cut the tree using Kraft cardstock and the leaves using green cardstock.
• Apply brown ink to the tree trunk and branches.  Pro Tip:  I used a damp baby wipe dabbed in the brown ink pad to color the tree.  The damp wipe makes it fast and easy to apply ink to all the thin branches of the tree.  
• Form the leaves using molding pad and leaf tool.
• Attach the leaves to the tree branches using glossy accents.

Terracotta Pots, Watering Can and Garden Tools

• Cut the terracotta pots using yellow cardstock an d the watering can and garden tools using gray cardstock.
• Apply rusty orange and brown ink to the pots using mini applicators. Pro Tip:  Using yellow cardstock for the pots allows you to add the orange and brown ink while allowing the yellow color to create highlights on the pot.
• Apply the rusty orange ink to the can and tools using a mini applicator. 

The Flower Pots and Butterflies

• Use green cardstock to cut several sections of the leaves and greenery.
• Cut the flowers using yellow, pink and purple cardstock. and the butterflies using yellow cardstock. 
• Place the flowers face up on the molding pad and form them using a small tipped stylus.
• Attach the foliage sections to the back of the pots using glossy accents.
• Use glossy accents to attach the flowers to the foliage. 
• Attach the tiny white flower centers to the flowers using glossy accents. Pro Tip:  Call me crazy but I save all the negative circles in a jar when I cut any eyelet dies using white cardstock.  They make the perfect flower centers, adornment for butterflies, snowflakes, etc.

Complete The Scene

• Apply  a thin strip of mounting tape to the back of the tree trunk and a few rolled up glue dots to a few keys spots on the back of the leaves.
• Tuck the tree behind the grass and attach it to the scene base.
• Apply pieces of mounting tape to the back of the pots and tuck them behind the grass and attach to the fence.
• Attach the watering can to the front of the grass using mounting tape.
• Use rolled up glue dots to attach the garden tools to the grass.
• Attach the tiny circles to the center of the butterflies using glossy accents.
• Finish by attaching the butterflies to the sky, tree and fence using glossy accents.

Click o  this Tree Link to see all the different projects I have made using this tree die.   

This card, and all the others I have made through the years, is a good example of how tree die cuts can be dressed up with different colored or shaped leaves, different seasonal themes, different coloring techniques and any vignette you can picture. When in doubt, start with a tree!

5320D Nested Scallop w/ Half Holes [ RBB ] Winter Tree Die Cut 5170D [ RBB ] Picket Fence Die Cut 5152-01D [ RBB ] Tabed Grass Set Die Cut 5152-03D [ RBB ] 5309-07D Garden Tools Die [ RBB ] 5334-02D Tiny Leaves #2 Die [ RBB ] Flower Buds Die Cut 5147-09D [ RBB ] 5309-04D Leaves and Greenery Die [ RBB ] Tall Terracotta Pot Die Cut 5147-16D [ RBB ] Watering Can Die Cut 5147-12D [ RBB ] Wide Terracotta Pot Die Cut 5147-17D [ RBB ] Small Butterflies Die 5147-08D [ RBB ] Color Fuse Set #2 [ RBB ] Color Fuse Set #9 [ RBB ] Color Fuse Set #3 [ RBB ] PanPastel Sofft Applicators 12/Pkg [ RBB ] Paper Blossom Tool Kit 4/Pkg [ RBB ] Paper Blossoms Molding Mat [ RBB ] Glossy Accents .5oz [ RBB ] Scotch Advanced Tape Glider & Tape [ RBB ] Scor-Tape .125″X27yd [ RBB ] Crossover II Fabric & Paper Cutting… [ RBB ]