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Better Than a Card | Copper Tree Framed Art

04/22/2015 by Adrianne Surian 5 Comments

Happy Earth Day!  This is a special day to me, because it was Earth Day 8 years ago that I heard my (now) husband laugh while I was out with one of my girlfriends.  He has a laugh you can recognize instantly… distinctive and also kind of infectious, haha.  But one thing I can say about it is that it brought us together, we re-connected (we had met years earlier at our jobs, but had both since moved on), we started dating, and now Earth Day is kind of an anniversary for us.  Not only is it a special day for my husband and me, but it’s also a special day for awareness about being good to the planet, which hits home to me in a big way.  I love repurposed crafts (in fact, I wrote a whole book of repurposed projects that’s available right now for pre-order on Amazon) and so many of my projects are inspired by nature.  Like today’s mini art piece: a stamped copper tree.

Stamped and Framed Copper Tree Art at www.happyhourprojects.com | Better Than a Greeting Card

Instead of a card, I decided to make something that can go on display all the time.  It’s better than a card!  And I’m getting a bit long-winded already today (haha… it happens when I get talking about things that are dear to my heart) so let’s get to the tutorial here.  I do have some links to share where you can find the products I used (in case you get obsessed, like I did, about die-cutting metal sheeting).  They’re affiliate links, which means if you decide to make a purchase, it helps benefit my blog at no extra cost to you (and thank you, by the way).

Stamped and Framed Copper Tree Art at www.happyhourprojects.com | Better Than a Greeting Card

For today’s project, I used:

  • Sizzix Big Shot and extended platform, and standard cutting pads 
  • Sizzix doodlebug designs Bigz Tree
  • Sizzix doodlebug deisgns Framelits Tag Set
  • Sizzix Decorative Strip Die Loopy Scallops
  • ArtEmboss Copper Sheeting (medium weight)
  • ArtEmboss Pewter Sheeting (medium weight)
  • 5×7 Photo Frame
  • Tim Holtz Nostalgic Collection teal card stock
  • Core’dinations light green crosshatch patterned card stock
  • Stamping hammer and bench block
  • ImpressArt Lollipop alpha stamp set
  • ImpressArt Lollipop number set
  • Sharpie and Polish Pads
  • Glue Dots

Stamped and Framed Copper Tree Art at www.happyhourprojects.com | Better Than a Greeting Card

That list may look a bit long, but if you already have your Sizzix Big Shot, then you just want to grab this gorgeous brand new tree Bigz die (and if you don’t?  I’ve got a special Sizzix coupon code for you!  Use code SZB2015 at checkout on the SIzzix site and get 15% off your entire order, just for being a Happy Hour Projects reader!)

The ArtEmboss sheeting was a bit thin (even the medium weight) for stamping, but it was totally perfect for die-cutting.  Just create your Sizzix sandwich by cutting the sheeting with scissors and placing the scraps over whatever portion of the die you want to die-cut.  Place the die between the cutting pads, and roll it through your Big Shot.  Instant metal die cuts!  Do be careful of the edges, though – they can get sharp.

Stamped and Framed Copper Tree Art at www.happyhourprojects.com | Better Than a Greeting Card

You can stamp the metal die cuts, and I decided to.  Just like carving in a tree trunk, I added our initials and the date we met.  If you’re new to stamping, I have a great beginner’s metal stamping tutorial for you to check out.  I’m not going to get into a lot of detail on it, since it is an optional step – but I stamped, and then darkened my impressions with a Sharpie, and polished the impressions clean with a polish pad.

Stamped and Framed Copper Tree Art at www.happyhourprojects.com | Better Than a Greeting Card

I also stamped a few of the leaves, and adhered them all to my 5 x 7 card stock with some glue dots.  Typically I’d recommend a better bonding glue for metal, but because this sheeting is so lightweight, glue dots will hold it fine – and also, this will be protected behind glass, so it has less chance to come loose.  Finally I added the loopy scallops to the bottom (like grass) to finish off my art panel.

Stamped and Framed Copper Tree Art at www.happyhourprojects.com | Better Than a Greeting Card

I did tie a little tag onto the frame to give my husband this morning as a gift.  This little art panel is much more permanent than a card (although you could always make it a card, and then frame it afterward, if you wish).  But given my love for trees, and the fact that this date is an important one to us, this was a perfect little impromptu gift!

Stamped and Framed Copper Tree Art at www.happyhourprojects.com | Better Than a Greeting Card

I’d also love to try using this die with empty soda cans for a totally recycled piece!  I just wanted to make this one special for a special occasion.

Are you making any recycled projects today?  You can search Earth Day projects right here if you need inspiration!

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Filed Under: Home Decor, Metal Stamping, Paper Crafts, Tutorials Tagged With: copper, Earth Day, handmade cards, home decor, ImpressArt, metal, metal stamping, paper crafts, Sizzix, stamped, tree

copyright policy and terms of use

I love it when you love my work! All tutorials and photos published at Happy Hour Projects are copyrighted. If you would like to feature my tutorial on your website or share it on your social media you may use one photo to feature, as long as you provide a link back to the original post.

If you feature a photo, it may not be accompanied by the project tutorial or recipe, whether in my own words as it originally appears or paraphrased by you. This also includes personal sharing on social media and Pinterest. Publishing multiple photos from a project, or including instructions with an accompanying photo are not permitted and you will be asked to remove them.

I love to share my projects, and my tutorials, recipes, and e-books are ALL free for your personal use. However, photos and ideas that are published to this site are my protected intellectual property. You may print them at home, but please do not copy or distribute them. I also allow all designs to be made and sold at fundraisers, craft fairs, etc. If you are selling a piece made from one or more of my free tutorials in your online shop, I require that you use your own, original photography, and include a link back to my website to credit me as the designer.

I hope you enjoy what you read here, and please be fair when you share!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marilyn

    04/29/2015 at 4:08 pm

    I absolutely LOVE this copper tree! I MUST get a Sizzix! :D

    Reply
  2. Bethany

    04/23/2015 at 6:44 pm

    This is such a great project! I LOVE it!

    Reply
  3. Kirsten

    04/22/2015 at 10:27 pm

    I always love hearing about your personal posts and the passion I can for it in your post–I don’t mind if you get long-winded at all!
    I love this idea too; it looks so polished.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easy Kids’ Fingerprint Tree says:
    04/24/2015 at 6:00 am

    […] if you’re thinking this project looks pretty familiar – it probably does.  This copper tree art is what I shared earlier this week when I opened up my brand new Sizzix Bigz Tree […]

    Reply
  2. CraftCrave | DigiFree | CraftCrave says:
    04/23/2015 at 5:29 am

    […] Better Than a Card | Copper Tree Framed Art – 1 freebie(s)? […]

    Reply

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Hello, and welcome! I'm Adrianne, an artist, author, designer, and blogger in mid Michigan. I work from home, chase my two kids, and this once-city-girl is learning how to care for chickens and adjusting to life out in the country. I have a compulsion for daily creativity... sometimes it's jewelry-making, paper crafting, metal stamping, mixing and baking, or giving new life to recycled items. But with 2 young kids, time is short! My goal here at Happy Hour Projects is to share projects and tips that you can do in an hour or less. The ideas you find here are designed to add a little creativity in your day, no matter how much (or how little) time you have!

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