Make a Charming Rustic Christmas Gingerbread Village

Today’s project where turning a simple block of wood into a charming gingerbread village using Portobello Stamp. First things first, let’s talk wood. Josie’s husband, Aaron provided us with some 2x4s, 4×4’s and other scrap wood that he had cut into quaint house shapes with two simple angled cuts for the roof. You may also be able to find pre-made ones at your local craft store. He cut a variety of heights to give our village some character. Mixing and matching different sizes really makes the village come to life.   

You want a fairly smooth surface for stamping, so a little sanding might be necessary to prepare your wood if it’s too rough. But don’t get too carried away. Some imperfections will add to the rustic look. Next, select a gingerbread brown mineral or chalk-type paint and put on your base coat. Add additional coats if needed and let it dry.  

Then comes the fun part – stamping! We’re creating a variety of buildings, including a chapel (we totally loved the look of layering two blocks of wood to achieve this). You’ll see the designs we choose, but our Portobello stamp offers a plethora of designs, so let your creativity flow and choose what speaks to you! In the video, there are some helpful tips on how to align your roof pattern correctly and a nifty trick on how to make a shorter window to create more variety or fit your wood piece. 

If you make a small mistake, no stress. If you really don’t love the look, you can repaint and restamp, but we find that most of the time, once you finish the project, it all comes together, and those little imperfections just make it feel real, especially for a rustic look.  

Pro Tips: For inking, we experimented with both IOD ink pads with white ink and paint. We lean towards paint because it gives a bolder finish, but if you like a more precise look from your stamps that might be the way to go for you. Test on some scrap wood or paper to see what works for you before committing.  

Don’t forget to add a few snow accents on the front of your houses using white paint for that cozy winter feel!

Watch the tutorial video to follow each step in creating your very own gingerbread village and share your results in the Creative Tribe. 

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

IOD Products Needed:

• Portobello Stamp
• IOD Ink Pad

Other Supplies:

• Blocks of Wood (2×4, 4×4, or other scrap wood cut with two 45 degree angles for the roof)  
• Chalk or Minteral Type Paint (Gingerbread Brown)
• Chalk or Mineral Type Paint (White)
• Sandpaper (if needed)
• Brayer (for spreading paint on the stamping surface)

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!