Decorating your home for the Christmas season couldn’t be easier with the gorgeous IOD stamps from our latest holiday release! In this tutorial, we used the woodsy Winter Forest stamp and a few things from our craft stash to DIY a charming centerpiece. This would be so beautiful surrounded by poinsettias, wintry garland, and plush pinecones on your dining table. You can also dress this up with a few miniature green brush trees tucked into a dried mossy base inside the wooden box. Do you have some IOD Alpha stamps lying around? Use the IOD  Apothecary Labels Stamp or Letterpress Stamp set to personalize your box with your family name or festive sayings. 

Grab your IOD products and supplies by using the store locator and finding a stockist near you.

IOD Products Needed: 

• IOD Winter Forest Stamp 

Other Supplies: 

• Rustic Planter (16” x 4” x 5”)
• Gold Leaf Paint
• Cream Colored Paint
• Evergreen Colored Paint

*There are many brands and types of paint. Talk to your stockist to learn which one is right for you!

Step-by-Step Guide

STEP ONE: PREP YOUR PLANTER BOX 

Take your rustic planter box and turn it on its side. If yours is wooden and unpainted, give it a once over with soft white paint, keeping some bits of wood peeping through for some rustic charm. If yours is already pre-painted white like ours, you can fast-forward to the stamping!

STEP TWO: STAMP YOUR PLANTER BOX

We used a custom mix of paints to achieve a complimentary, two-tone look for the trees. We used an evergreen color and added a little bit of a cream tone to soften it. Don't forget to mix well! 

We wanted our smallest trees to be in the foreground, so we took our IOD brayer and applied a thin, even coat over the stamps. Alternate the two smallest trees, leaving space in between for the next batch. They should dry quickly, so continue all the way around, including the sides. Then, repeat this step with the lighter green paint and your medium-sized trees. (If you have a second brayer handy, you can skip washing up in between, but if not, just give it a rinse before proceeding to the next color). 

STEP THREE: STAMP MASKING 

It’s time to pull out your masks! Cover up your small trees with their corresponding masks.  Tip:  If they don’t stay put, take a tiny bit of tape (we used masking, but painter's tape would have worked just as well) to hold them in place. 

Apply a thin layer of the light green paint using a clean brayer and press firmly in the open space between the trees. Remember, with paint, especially when it’s thick like chalk paint, your impression is more rich and rustic rather than precise. We like the charm that comes with it, but if you’re looking for more precision, feel free to play with mixing IOD inks to fit your color scheme. Continue moving your masks and applying your medium-sized trees until all your surface is filled.

STEP FOUR: ADD A LITTLE SPARKLE

Last up, you know we love a little touch of sparkle! Take a fine liner brush, and gold leaf paint, and add a few dots of gold for a luminous forest (stars anyone?). Allow to dry and enjoy your new centerpiece!

If you're just kicking off your creative journey, have no fear — our Product 101 pages are packed with straightforward techniques to set you up for success. We're thrilled to accompany you as you explore and create. For more how-tos and creative inspo, make sure to browse through the rest of our blog.

Once you've crafted your final piece, share it with our Facebook Creative Tribe! This community is not just a showcase but also a supportive hub for when you hit those creative roadblocks. And remember, your local stockist is always ready to assist with IOD supplies and expert advice. We're excited to see what you'll bring to life!