Christmas Cards with Wreath

Hi friends!

I am slacking off big time this month with my blogging. Naughty, naughty!  Well... there is life outside the blog world and it is usually so busy that you just cannot ignore it!

Anyway, I would first like to say welcome to my two new followers: Mary J and Sandra_how. I will promise to blog more often to share more cards.

OK, better get on with it. I am sharing two cards with you today. Yes, not one but TWO. I got this Christmas stamp set which comes free with docrafts Creativity! magazine issue 23. I was impressed by the magazine example as it uses one small holly stamp to create a wreath. I have always admired those people who can think 'out of the box'. Hence, I have to give it a try by recreating the example. So here it is.

I made a circle aperture card and stamped around the edge of the aperture with the small holly image. I also stamped additional holly images on to a spare white card, then cut and decoupaged them with foam pads. This will give some dimension. After this I stamped the robin and bow on to white card, coloured, cut and then attached them onto the wreath. Finally, the text was stamped, cut and attached with foam pads at the base of the card. Here is a closer look of the card.

I was pretty happy with the result. But hey! I can't just recreate what they did in the magazine. I had this other idea of my own using the same technique. The wreath around the aperture is just too huge. It took me ages to stamp and colour all those leaves and berries. Not to mention those extra holly leaves for decoupaging. Cutting them out nearly killed me!! So here is the other card I made.

I decided to make a smaller wreath, thinking that it might be easier and quicker. However, it didn't turn out as I wished because I decided to cut the whole wreath out!! Why did I do that??  All those little pointy holly leaves... my hand hurts even more after all that cutting. But I have to say it turned out quite nice. Do you think? Worth the effort!! The wreath and robin were attached on an embossed card with foam pads. Then I added a red ribbon and bow to finish the card. Just to add some texture, I have attached some beads on some of the berries and glitters on others. Here is another picture of the card close up.

  

Can you believe that? It will be Christmas in less than a month. Although this is a great idea to use a small holly stamp to create a wreath, I guess, due to the time it takes, I will not make another one like it this year. Have you finished all your Christmas cards? I am way behind. Quick and easy Christmas card designs are what I am looking for at the moment. Any suggestions?!

I will be entering my small wreath card in the following challenges:

Goylou's Inimitability- Christmas with a Wreath Twist
ABC DT Challenge- A Christmas Card Challenge

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!