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Thanks for visiting my blog. As the title suggests, I love to scrapbook, stamp, and sing! I will share cards and scrapbook pages I create, as well as information about my music - Barbershop harmony.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Decorating a Door





Happy Wednesday everyone! Today I finally had a chance to photograph a card I started on Monday for Bonnie's Merry Monday challenge to "decorate your door". Last night when I got home (more on that later in this post), I spotted this beauty by the amazing Rosemary using some of the same supplies I worked with. I'm almost embarrassed to post my wreath when hers was so gorgeous.
Oh well..... here's my "door" with wreath:

Poinsettia wreath
Supplies: Dies - Hero Arts DI327 Branch Wreath Fancy Die, September 2016 My Monthly Hero kit (wreath and branches), DC195 Christmas Trimmings Stamp & Cut; My Favorite Things Die-namics Blueprints 13 (washi label)
Stamps - Hero Arts CL787 Holiday Petals & Leaves (flower), CL887 Color Layering Christmas Tree (sentiment)
Paper - Anchor Paper (tan); Target (woodgrain), Authentique, Hero Arts, Paper Studio glitter
Other - Foam Tape, Copic Markers, Stickles

After I read the challenge Monday morning, I started to create a stamped wreath that turned out wonky - I just had to scrap it! Then I decided to try the wreath die from the Hero Arts September My Monthly Hero kit, plus add-ons. Layering the dies, I ended up with a full wreath I liked. The stamp set from the stamped wreath was still on the counter so I used one of the flower images, masking it to make a layered flower. I finished it with some holly and a bow from another add-on set. Now, more on why I couldn't finish my card on Monday...

Last weekend we celebrated my baby sister's retirement from Mayo where she was an educator. She's moving to AZ so I helped her pack boxes. Then I came home Sunday night due to a Monday appointment and chorus where we had a Halloween party (I dressed as Judge Judy...). I took advantage of a free Monday morning to work on my Merry Monday card. On Tuesday I needed to go back and help Kari finish with her move activities. The movers had picked everything up on Monday so I helped clean and polish her old house. I'll definitely miss seeing her as often as I could when she lived in MN! Here's the card I made for her retirement:

Retirement cactus
Supplies: Stamps - Hero Arts CL838 Stamp Your Own Cactus; Impression Obsession MC185 Fore Retirement
Dies - Hero Arts DI112 3D Cactus Pair Frame Cuts, My Monthly Hero travel kit (can't remember which month - camera, sun, glasses); My Favorite Things Die-namics Blueprints 18 (diagonal panel)
Paper - folded card by unknown; Neenah Solar White, scraps of black and yellow, Pressed Petals Woven Paper
Ink - Tim Holtz Mowed Lawn & Gathered Twigs Distress Ink, Ranger Archival Watering Can (Wendy Vecchi)
Other - foam tape, Copics, google eyes

I thought it was appropriate to include a cactus and a sun for AZ, plus a camera since Kari enjoys photography. The sentiment is from a fun Impression Obsession Leigh Hannan golf set which says Best Wishes Fore Your Retirement. I simply did surgery on this clear stamp to cut out the "Fore" and then stamped a little "on" to finish it off for a non-golfer. I love the inside sentiment from that set too - "The joy of retirement is having nothing to do and all day to do it!" Kari loved the card and said it was "a keeper". Anyway, I wish her well in AZ and will now have another place to visit!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you're having a crafty week! Not many weeks left until Christmas cards need to go out so be sure to head over to Merry Monday for some inspiration!!

16 comments:

Lauren said...

Wow, this Christmas card is beautiful! So many layers and textures, just stunning.

Lin said...

WOW, this is a stunner, Linda! Love how the colors pop against the dark woodgrain! Fun card for your sis, too!

Rosemary said...

Oh my goodness, Linda!!! Your wreath is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! I love all the little details you added to your wreath!

Jean said...

You've been busy! Fantastic cards! And how fun to dress as Judge Judy!

Karen L K said...

Very nice "door" card! The wreath is so pretty! Cute cactus card & very thoughtful with all those elements. Sorry she moved so far from you.

Colleen said...

Linda, this is a gorgeous wreath! I love your layers, the flowers are outstanding and the holly, along with the sprigs make a perfect wreath! so glad you could join us again this week at Merry Monday! It is always a joy to see your card in the gallery!

Birgit said...

Your wreath is stunning! What lovely layers and flowers on that beautiful wood grain background. This is perfect!!

Betty said...

what a gorgeous "front door"!

Leslie Miller said...

What a beautiful wreath, and the wood grain really sets it off. That's just the perfect card for your sister, too. Love those sunglasses and googly eyes! I imagine you will miss having her close by. Quite a climate change for her!

Marcia Hill said...

Beautiful, beautiful wreath Linda!! I love all the layers of green and then the pops of red with the flowers...just gorgeous!! Thanks so much for joining us at Merry Monday! 😊

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I'm here for Merry Monday but got distracted by your fun in the sun retirement card. Very cool!

I love that full wreath with all the layers you made. It's a winner!

AlisonC said...

Your wreath is beautifully colourful and very eye catching. Nothing to be embarrased by! :)

Bonnie said...

I love your woodgrain door and that gorgeous wreath, Linda! Great depth and texture! Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday! And what a perfect retirement card!

Greta said...

Wonderful retirement card & so perfect for your sis headed to AZ! Rosemary's card is beautiful, but I love the look of your wreath & woodgrain background, too, Linda!

Jacquie Southas said...

Love the poinsettias on your wreath!

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

Gorgeous! The perfect wreath!!! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Merry Monday.