Merry Christmas

Hi, everyone! Hope your day is going well.

Thankful Thursday

Today, I'm thankful for challenges that revive mojo. Ever since being back, I've not done much in the menopause room. Maybe it was getting caught up with all those back-home-to-do tasks. But, last night inspiration hit... thanks to:

• Jingle Belles' Peace on Earth (Day) Challenge, 
• Merry Monday's Wreath Challenge, 
• Sketch Saturday's great new sketch, and 
• Simon Says' Showers and/or Flowers Challenge.

So, here's an upcycled wreath with flowers, sketch-inspired card.  :)

Merry Christmas

The card at the right was my jumping off point for the card I'm sharing today. I've kept it for years and years and years. I believe it was the first handmade Christmas card we ever received. More than that, I remember being drawn to the pretty, glittery tone-on-tone tree, as well as its classic ivory-navy-tan palette. In other words, a perfect candidate for a makeover. 

• My first step was dismantelling the layers with minimal damage. 
• The original blue layer was used to create a backdrop for my wreath and the bottom layer to frame the sentiment strip.
•  The original tan layer was used for the wreath and the middle layer for the sentiment strip.
• In addition, some of the original tan layer was inked up with fired brick to die cut out the flowers.
• Flower centers were punched out from that pretty glittery tree. Silver Stickles were applied to add a little extra shine.  
• The original bow was paired up with a sweet gingham ribbon, and a tiny bit of the original ribbon was tucked under the flower cluster. 
• Some scraps of very vanilla that were pretty a pretty good match for the original tree layer were used for the sentiment and the bottom layer of the wreath panel.
• Finally, the wreath panel and sentiment strip were attached to an embossed mossy meadow card base.

recycled tan, blue, and glittery tree papers; Stampin' Up! mossy meadow and very vanilla
Creative Expressions wreath die Sue Wilson; Paper Smooches botanicals 2 dies
Martha Stewart branch punch; SU owl builder and cookie builder punches (for flower centers)
Cuttlebug Swiss dot embossing folder; Really Reasonable Ribbon ribbon
SU good greeings sentiment, stamped in tip top taupe
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Zig 2-way glue pen; Xyron; foam backing; Ranger multi medium; Zots glue dots

Parting Thoughts

We have a punches and/or dies challenge going on at Send a Smile 4 Kids. Birthdays, thank yous, any theme at all as long as you use at least one punch/die. SAS4Kids is a great way to bring big smiles to little faces in need of a pick-me-up.

And, don't forget about our Words 2 Craft By Challenge. We'd love to have you play along with our N-U-M-B-E-R M-O-U-S-E challenge. 

Have a great Friday. Until next time, thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!