Modeled after the classical fir, spruce, and pine Christmas trees, Winter Forest features full branches for a woodsy, natural motif. The vintage trees are perfect for handmade Christmas gifts that will become charming heirlooms.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Winter Forest is extremely versatile. Our design excludes any lights or ornaments that you might find on a classical Christmas tree because we wanted to celebrate the natural beauty of these trees in their naked form. This allows you to decorate the tree as you want or reserve it for non-holiday projects!
Project Suggestions:
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Pair with the large typography from the Gilded Tinsel Transfer for mixed-media wall art.
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Adorn kraft wrapping paper with Winter Forest trees in white ink and gold snowflakes from Tinsel.
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Transform simple white plates with a green tree in the center of each plate.
Pair With:
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Classical Christmas Stamp
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Barnwood Planks Stamp
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Typesetting Stamp
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Adornment Stamp
PREPARATION IS KEY.
Before removing from backing, condition your stamps with very fine sandpaper, scuff the surface in two directions. This helps the mediums stay put, and not bead (which some types, like ceramics glazes, tend to do).
Remove stamps from backing when ready to use. This takes some force, but don’t worry, the stamps are strong.
DIFFERENT MEDIUMS
Paint: Paint works wonderfully with the Décor Stamps. When using paint we recommend creating a small puddle to roll a small dense foam roller in. Make sure you get an even load and roll onto the design side of the mounted (or if using unmounted, proceed accordingly) stamp. This part takes a little practice to get the feel of the load so that it’s enough to give you the impression you want without being sloppy. Also keep in mind variables such as the surface you are stamping, the medium you are using, as well as the look you are trying to achieve. Practice makes perfect!
Ink: Our Décor ink, and most other inks, work fabulously with the Décor Stamps as well. Ink gives finer detail and tends to be a little more translucent than paint, keep this in mind in consideration to your project. We find that we like using paint and ink equally, and they lend themselves well to different projects and surfaces. We recommend using the blank stamp pads to apply the ink (one for each color), then pat the surface of the stamp with it.
SURFACES AND APPLICATIONS
Fabric: When stamping fabric the load of medium should be generous in order to penetrate the fibers, and the look will be different with different levels of fabric texture. Décor ink, Chalk paint and other fabric suitable mediums work well. It is our opinion that the ideal fabric for permanent washables is 100 percent cotton. However, blends and some other natural fibers can sometimes work as well. Do a small test to be sure. Allow your newly stamped fabric to dry/cure for a minimum of 24 hours, then heat set with an iron on high heat before washing.
Furniture: Both painted and stained furniture can be stamped. In fact, this is one of the most common uses of our Décor Stamps. You can use ink or paint, but I tend to use paint more for furniture.
Walls: Walls are a fabulous surface opportunity for Décor Stamps. Create all over patterns that are a level up from wallpaper, and completely custom, or use the décor stamps to create an old world border. We love using paint for wall applications!
CARING FOR YOUR STAMPS
We find that the easiest way to care for and clean stamps is to keep wet wipes nearby, and avoid letting the medium dry all the way on the stamp surface. Then, when you have time, wash them with mild soap and warm water. For some mediums you may find that you need a stamp cleaner. Use one that is safe for clear stamps. After thoroughly cleaned, place them back on the clear backing for storage.