Since the release of my new Pink Persimmon stamp designs yesterday, I couldn’t resist crafting a bit more with the Merry Christmas Tree Stamp. I ran by the craft store yesterday and found this really fun product called Pluffy. A lightweight foam product that claims to stay soft and never dry out, or you can bake it to keep forever. It worked perfectly for creating a beautiful Christmas tree ornament.
I rolled out some white Pluffy to about 3/16″ thick onto the back of a foil lined baking sheet that fits into my toaster oven. 
I sprayed my Merry Christmas Tree clear stamp with silicone spray to keep it from sticking to the foam then pressed it into the Pluffy. Be certain to clean your stamp well after using silicone spray before using again with ink.
Using a sharp knife, I trimmed the foam into a tree shape. 
I bent my metal ruler and pressed into the foam to achieve the curved bottom, as demonstrated by my lovely assistant/daughter, Sarah.
I baked as directed, making it not quite hard, but slightly flexible and dry. Once cool, I trimmed the edges round with scissors then punched a hole into the top with my 1/8″ hole punch. This stuff is really fun and easy to work with! Sarah mentioned it reminded her of projects done on her favorite cake TV shows using Marzipan.
I gave it a few coats of Sterling Silver spray paint. {UPDATE: I have learned since origianally sharing this post that a first coat of Kilz spray primer BEFORE using spray paint is essential in sealing the dry Pluffy allowing the silver paint to dry.}
I strung a bow made of repurposed gift-box ribbon into the hole at the top.
Then I went outside to decorate a section of the evergreen in my front yard as my curious neighbors looked on.
The paint is still soft to the touch, so I recommend a drying time of a few days before handling the ornaments much. If you make one and you leave the back white, you can write a timely sentiment to give as a gift.
If you haven’t already, be sure to enter the Cathe Holden/Pink Persimmon Christmas Stamp Pack Giveaway!
Omg, that is gorgeous!
This is absolutely beautiful! You’re craftiness runs rings around mine!
just awesome. now to find your stamps in the store. thank you. what a great gift idea.
i love your ideas!!! just regret we don’t have anything like that pluffy over here
That is gorgeous! Now to find some Pluffy.
This is why I love your work! You are always inventing new ways to use your supplies! LOVE the ornament idea!
Absolutely beautiful, and it sounds pretty simple to make….I wonder if I could do it?
The ornament turned out positively gorgeous and oh so classy! Made all the more special because it was your stamp design! They’d make perfect Christmas gifts!
Keep up the amazing work!
What a great idea! I definitely thought it was stamped in a heavy foil sheet and was wondering how you did it–that paint is pretty impressive stuff. Very clever decoration!
Now I REALLY must try this!! LOVE it!
This would make such a great gift! I’m so happy for your new stamp collection. Good for you! Lisa~
That is absolutely STUNNING. Seriously! You are one gifted lady, Cathe! Thanks for sharing with us.
Cathe -
I LOVE this! What a great way to make a special gift for a newborn or somebody special. It looks so elegant and really looks like sterling. Just Beautiful! Thank you for sharing with us.
Elaine Allen
Very cool Cathe…
Spent some fun time on your site last evening ordering goodies from your store site.
Can’t wait to get it all!
Keep up the good work…Love it all,
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings…
Stunning ornament!
Pluffy looks like a very interesting substance to work with!
Completely fantastic Cathe!!!! What a great project, I’m so inspired!
xo
Kate
That is beautiful! I never heard of pluffy. Love u craft bloggers!
Looks quite elegant!!
I think I could do this! Very pretty…
Wow! That really looks like embossed metal… how cool!
WOW! I really like this! Very classy
Patrizia
That’s lovely! Looks fabulous and simple to do! Thank you for the inspiration!
Wow! This is gorgeous. Never heard of this Pluffy but gonna try getting that.
Lisette
I love it when I run across a new idea. Pluffy. Never heard of it. But imagine all the possibilities! Love your ornament! Beautiful!
Please stop by and link up the my Commercial Break Thursday linky list if you get a chance. http://suzysartsycraftsysitcom.blogspot.com/2010/11/commercial-break-thursday-promote.html
suzy
OMG that is gorgeous! I have to find Pluffy and try that.
really? this is just ridiculously fantastic and you make it look so easy. i can see there will be a pluffy shortage in north america in the next few days!
That’s crazy cool! Thanks for the inspiration and fun!
This came out so pretty! Would make great teachers gifts.
That pluffy stuff is pretty cool – never heard of it before but now I am intrigued! Your ornament is so elegant looking.
That is very pretty.
Just a small bit of warning though – be careful when using spray paint or finish on polymer clay. The propellants in the spray have a tendency to interact badly with the plasticizers in the clay itself & the finish will become sticky over time. It’s usually better to either use a liquid acrylic paint or to use mica powders like Pearl Ex. To be honest, my experiences are from using other polymer clays and I haven’t used Pluffy clay, but the fact that you said the paint wasn’t completely hardened is making me wonder…
Also, you can use a spritz of water as a release for your stamps, and then you don’t have to worry about cleaning the silicone off. =)
I am always inspired and in awe when I see your incredible, extraordinary creations. Your designs are on the cutting edge utter fabulousness!!! The best part is you explain the process in such a clear manner so everyone can understand how to do it . I made the denim jacket w/the vintage patches …it is AMAZING!!!! It is one of my most treasured possessions thanks to you. Can’t wait to see whats new for 2011!
This is so creative, great job.
This is a beautiful ornament!
Great gift idea! You’ve inspired me to get started on x-mas gifts!
wow these are amazing!
I like to make a new ornament every year…this one just might be the one for 2010! It’s easy and beautiful.
I LOVE this…fantab idea.
When I saw very cool this stamp the other day, my first thought was to stamp it all the way around a circle – like a pie – to make a wreath design or holiday tray cloth.
Great ornament! I love how you are ALWAYS creating from different angles. Never would have thought to use this as an embosser of fimo. So creative!!!
Gorgeous!!! It looks like a $20 ornament.
Wow, never heard of pluffy before but I really like the way this
ornament came out.
Cathe I always enjoy your wonderful projects and just want to thank you for bringing a bit more organization and color into my home.
Ok, I know what product I’ll be looking for the next time I’m at the craft store. I can think of all kinds of uses for that! Love your ornament.
Beautiful! I have Fimo & Sculpy but now I want to play with “Pluffy”!
I see I am in the drawing with 774 other people… well maybe a few less because some left two comments when they forgot to leave their contact info on the 1st comment… wishing on my Lucky Star when you pick the tri of winners!
Hi Erin, The winners were picked this morning and notified. You can see who won in the original post : )
Ooops! TRIO of winners!
beautiful
!
Very pretty and elegant. And what a great idea to give as a gift.
Stunning!
This is so fabulous! Never thought of using those baking tin trays! Genius! It looks gorgeous. My friends and family might be getting ornaments from me this year!!
Gorgeous work (as usual!)
WoW — this is so great — I ordered the stamp and got it in like 2 days and now I’m on the search for Pluffy. This is the cutest thing and I cannot wait to copy this. Great idea
I am blownaway with your creative spirit Be Blessed
What a creative idea, thanks for shareing it!
I loved this. Last week, I was home sick and I happened to have similar tree-shaped stamps and bake-able clay. It worked really well. I didn’t go silver though, but sprayed mine with gold. Afterward I antiqued them with diluted brown acrylic paint to show off the words. In addition, I added some black ribbon… Thanks for the idea!!!
Ohh i love that, beautiful, bet puffys not available in the uk though
You are amazing! Seriously… I could spend hours reading all of your DIY stuff and this is totally gorgeous!
Wow! I have not seen such product here in Sweden so currently I’m making ornaments made of clay plus stamped with rubber stamps. It’s on a drying process since my clay are non-bake. I hope it will turn out just the same. I so love your ornament =)
what a great idea, I love how it turned out!
I love this! I have never heard of Pluffy before. I’m going to have to check that stuff out!
Cathe! You are so brilliant. I’m so happy to know you.
What a great craft project. I think I might try this one with my son for our weekend crafting time.
What an amazing project!!!!! Love it!
That’s great! I would love for you to come link this up at my Strut Your Stuff Party, and enter the giveaway as well!
http://danajeanward.blogspot.com/2010/11/strut-your-stuff-link-party-and.html
This is such a pretty ornament. A few hints for those who want to try this craft: In my experience, a previous poster was correct – the spray type paint does not set properly and the ornament stays tacky, so a brush on paint would be a better idea. Also, I would recommend putting the hole in before baking. Some of my ornaments cracked when I put the hole in after baking. Additionally, sterling silver paint is hard to find! I used “chrome” and my design was snowflakes, so it still looked nice (but not as pretty as the sterling silver!). Thank you Cathe for another wonderful idea!
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This is an absolute great idea for next Xmas or for any holiday,B-day or just for you type of things using a friends verse or a religeous verse.I will definetly find Pluffy!! Thanks for your great idea…..
LOVE this Idea ! Like the sterling silver paint. Looks very ELEGANT !
I’ve never heard of Pluffy before. Sounds interesting. I like what you did with it. Very nice!
simply spectacular, I like
kiss
I love your Christmas Stamps. How can I order both of them? Thank you! Sherri
Beautiful ornament. Alternately, instead of punching a hole after the piece has been semi-baked, you can take a wooden skewer and drill a hole before baking. Then you can bake it fully hard. Or, I suppose one could put it back into the oven to finish baking.
What a clever idea! This is beautiful!
Thanks for the post!