It took me two seconds to decide which Tic Tac Toe direction I would go in the Paper Players new challenge. The middle row across (Christmas, die-cut/punch, wreath) would be my choice. I’d been wanting to use the Stampin’ Blends to color the wreath in the Feeling of Christmas stamp set, so this would work out perfectly.

I stamped the wreath in Tranquil Tide on regular weight Whisper White card stock, and selected the Stampin’ Blends. I used Light and Dark Old Olive and Dark Bermuda Bay for the leaves, Dark Cherry Cobbler for the berries and bow, and Light Daffodil Delight for the lights.

I’m near-sighted, but wore reading glasses in order to get the precise “dot, dot, dot” in the tiny leaves. It was worth it, watching this delicate wreath come to life.

After congratulating myself for the patience it took to color the wreath, I cut the wreath with a circle die, intending to place this on the Garden Green card base.

I wasn’t happy with the look, so I glued the circle on a Whisper White card front. Don’t ask me why, but I decided to add texture to my card front with the Quilt Top Textured embossing folder.

I was taking a chance on obscuring the leaves of my wreath after all of my careful coloring. Was I relieved when it came through the Big Shot looking as I was hoping it would!

For the sentiment, I used the die cut word “merry” from Christmas Greetings, and doubled it for dimension. “Christmas” is from the same Feeling of Christmas stamp set, which is a rubber stamp. I colored the word with a Stampin’ Write marker, and used the small die from At Home for cutting.

I ran this through the Big Shot using the embossing folder, careful to match the pattern. HINT: I stamped “Christmas” several times before getting one I liked without the bottom of the “f” and “g” from the word above.

Christmas wreaths make such pretty cards. Thank you for the inspiration, Paper Players!