When I first saw this idea for using metal cookie cutters to make Christmas tree decorations on Pinterest I absolutely loved it, but when I started to work out how I could make them myself I was sure they would involve far too much fiddle fart and have me heading for the gin bottle ……….
…… but when I saw The Works had reduced their festive cookie cutters from £3 to £1.50 after Christmas, the idea was still niggling at the back of my mind, so by investing in two packs I guess I committed myself.
I decided using washi tape to go round the outside of the cutters would be the best way to go, no fiddly gluing. Fortunately I had a whole pack of at least 12 assorted polka dot rolls from The Works bought a while back.
This couldn’t have been more perfect, as it was just the right width to fit neatly under the bottom rim of the cutters, leaving a little of the metal exposed.
The bit I was dreading most was gluing the backing paper to the cutting edge of the cutters as it was sooooooooo narrow. I used papers from a Works Christmas 6” x 6” paper pad (£1) because the designs appeared to be pretty much in proportion to the size of the cutters, washi tape and the embellishments I planned to use.
I glued all round the cutting edge of the cutters and stuck them directly onto the paper, giving them plenty of time to dry thoroughly.
To make trimming the excess paper easier, I found fringing the paper all the way round, right to the sides of the cutter first and then cutting round with small fine scissors was so much less fiddly, although there were lots of little bits to sweep up after!
All was going well …… but I didn’t like the plain white back, so I repeated the exercise again, covering the blank side with another design! This also helped make the back of the cutter a little more substantial.
*Now, when I make up the rest of the cutters, I am going to spray glue two sheets of paper back to back, making it double sided, which should then help cut out the fiddle fart. I also think I should do this background stage of the cutter first, before I add the washi tape.
When all was dry I put a little faux stitching round the edges, using a black fine liner pen to neaten things off.
Then it was time for the fun to begin, adding all the embellishments. I have a little stash of vintage style, wooden figures left over from Marc’s Christmas wreath plus charity shop finds which I thought would be perfect to go in the cutters. There was a little trail and error to find which figure would fit best into which cutter, but I could see that everything was all about to come together.
I had go through my “fiddly bits” boxes to find other small embellishments that would fit in the background and/or round the sides. The proportions are a little out of kilter on this project but I think I can cut me some slack just this once! To stick them I used E8000 glue as a really secure fix was needed on such a narrow edge.
The final touch was a small, flat jewellery bail on the back of the decoration from which it could then be hung.
Needless to say I am thrilled with how these decorations have turned out ……. only another 16 to go!
