Not quite Xmas in July...

I've been lucky enough to have a sneaky peak at the new Autumn/Winter Catalogue and I have to admit there are some gorgeous new stamps coming out; some even have dies or punches to co-ordinate. With so many to choose from I'm trying to work out my "can't live without list" and at the moment it's quite a list. The dilemma I have is that as a new demonstrator, I'm still trying to build up my core stock so I want the choices I make really work for me.

In the meantime as everyone is showing their Xmas makes, I thought I'd make a card using the Wondrous Wreath stamps and Wonderful Wreath die set. Luckily these stamps are extremely versatile, so if I wanted to, I can use them for other occasions as well.

First of all I decided on my colour scheme. I have a friend in mind to send this to during the holiday season who likes all her decor to match - and that includes cards when possible!
So for Chantelle, I've chosen Pool Party and Bermuda Bay with highlights of Crumb Cake.

Bermuda Bay

Crumb Cake

Pool Party

This uses up to 3 stamps to create the wreath, so first of all, I stamped the background leaves in Pool Party, then used Bermuda Bay to give a little depth. I finally did the berries in Crumb Cake and brushed them with clear Wink of Stella to add a little shimmer.

Layering the stamps is so easy as each one has a small tab to ensure correct placement, hence the small mark on the card. As I'm die cutting this, it won't be seen. Obviously, if this wasn't being cut out, I would use a light pencil guideline and erase.

To add interest, I took some bakers twine in white, separated it into single strands and coloured it with a marker before wrapping around the top layer of card before matting and layering.

The wreath and bow were fixed using dimensionals - double sided foam pads -to give a slightly 3D effect. The addition of a layered sentiment completes the look. I've placed a stamped insert in as well as stamped the envelope. A friend once said how nice it was to receive a card with a decorated envelope, that it ensured, depending on personality it was opened either first or last.

Inside and out