Christmas Wreath

Esther from the Crop Stop Challenge Blog asked me to be a guest designer on the blog today.  Thank you Esther--what a great honor!  Here is the card I created for your inspiration:

I usually begin my cards with a sketch, but every once in a while, an idea pops into my head and I have to go with it.  This card was one of those times.  I knew I wanted to use my Darice Woodgrain embossing folder, so that was my starting point.  I'm trying to work on using up my "bits and pieces" stash, so I looked to see if there was anything that could be used for this card.  I discovered a die cut green "sprig" and realized that several of them would create a really fun wreath.  I used a green Spectrum Noir marker to color a bunch of white card stock scraps and die cut a bunch more sprigs (I think I used 7 total).  The numbers were also in the bits and pieces stash (in the perfect color) and I thought they were a fun addition.   After using my Fiskars paper trimmer to cut a card base out of white 110lb Core'dinations card stock, I used my Scor-pal board to create a top-fold, A2 sized card.
I used a stitched rectangle from My Favorite Things to die cut a panel out of the other half of the Core'dinations card stock sheet, embossed it with the embossing folder and then swiped some Grout Gray ink from My Favorite Things along the raised part to create even more dimension.
I used a Spellbinders die cut circle that was in my stash to trace a circle to build my wreath on. I adhered each of the sprigs around the circle with some liquid adhesive.  I used another die to cut out all of the little, pink circles, adhered them around the circle to look like berries, and added a bit of Cinnamon Stickles for some sparkle.  I added a sentiment on a hand cut banner and added it to the wreath with Scotch foam tape.  I finished the wreath off with a bow tied using my Bow-Easy and some pink ribbon.  Whenever I am adhering an embossed panel I like to use my 1/4" Scor tape to get a really secure hold.  I hope this inspires you to dig into those "bits and pieces" stashes and see what you can create.  Thanks so much to Esther for allowing me to guest design here on the Cropstop blog!

Supplies:
Stamps: Verve "Peace On Earth" sentiment
Dies:  MFT "Blueprints 13" stitched rectangle; Verve "Sprightly Sprigs"; PTI "By the Numbers"; Neat & Tangled "Falling Circles Cover plate" little circles

Challenges:
Craft-Dee Bow Z--anything goes with handmade bow
Christmas at Sweet Stampin--anything goes
Crafter's Cafe--Christmas or red, white, and green
Shopping Our Stash #334--GAH!! Pink!
Crafty Gals #155--anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--anything goes
The Merry Christmas #49--anything goes with the optional twist of using a manger
Creative Knockouts #226--anything goes