Paper and Button Christmas Tree

   I hope I am not rushing the season for you by posting a Christmas tree already but I am always "in December" these days!

  As many of you know,  I work in our local Public Library and when we check out books to patrons the due date is always 3 weeks from the time of check out. So today, for example, the books will be due December 4th. As a result of this, I am constantly thinking in terms of 3 weeks ahead so my mind is in December which makes me think of Christmas which makes me think of Christmas decorations!

  I made this adorable Paper and Button tree in no time at all. It just takes a styrofoam base (I used green), some beautiful Deck The Halls designer paper, Big Designer Buttons and LOTS of Sticky Strip!

I anticipated lots of "how tos" so I typed out the following directions:

  Before I began I covered the styrofoam tree with Always Artichoke cardstock, cut to fit. You may not need this step because the paper strips cover it completely. 

 Next I cut strips of Deck the Halls designer paper in 12" x 1.5" lengths. Lay a strip of Sticky Strip across the top and before you remove the red protective layer, cut the designer paper into 3/4" sections. I did this by hand cause I was afraid it would gunk up my paper cutter. It is easier to clean scissors. 

  After they were cut, I rolled the strips around my paper piercer (any round object will do) to get the ends to flip up. And then I proceeded to stick them around the tree alternating the rows. 

  I added Big Designer Buttons here and there by applying Sticky Strip to the button. Then once the base of the tree was done I had to figure out what to do with the top! So I punched a circle from designer paper with my 2 1/2" circle punch. I made that into a cone to fit the top of the tree. There was some overlap on the edges of the cone so I just cut that off. 

  After I stepped back and looked at it I thought about Gold Glow Smooch Spritz and how awesome that would look! So I Spritzed my tree really well and it looks fabulous in real life. 

Note: Because the buttons don't absorb the Smooch Spritz, I had to wipe some of them off with a Q-Tip.  Therefore, I would recommend Smooching before you add the buttons if you can. You might want to smooch the paper before cutting it into strips even. 

  Last of all - for the top I added a Cherry Cobbler bow made from Seam Binding Ribbon.

I am sooo pleased with how this tree turned out. I am thinking of doing one using the Candy Cane specialty paper too! If I do, you can be sure I will post a picture!

Stamps: None

Paper: Always Artichoke cardstock, Deck the Halls designer paper (Holiday Mini)

Ink: none

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon (Holiday Mini), Big Designer Buttons (Holiday Mini), Gold Glow Smooch Spritz, Styrofoam cone (craft store)

  

Hope you have a creative day.