Hi everyone! I'm on the Pinkfresh blog today with a fresh, modern Christmas wreath card. This bold seasonal card was made using PFS's new Nested Squares: Diagonal Stitch die set for a partially die-cut, square wreath.

I started by inking up an oversized panel of white cardstock, about 5 X 6 in. (I like to start with them oversized, so I have places to put my fingers, and I don't always like for the color to build up on the edges.) I started with Apricot on one side, then moved to Clementine on the other side and tried to blend them into each other in the middle. Then, I used Warm Buff over the panel to bring it closer to a pumpkin shade. When it was fully colored, I cut it down to 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 inches.

Then, it was time to partially die-cut a square shape in the middle of that panel. I used a die from the Nested Squares: Diagonal Stitch set. I placed it where I wanted it and used repositionable tape to ensure it didn't move. Then, I put the panel with only the part I wanted to cut between the two cutting plates of my Spellbinders die cutting machine, with the rest of the card sticking out the end. Then I ran it through. I had to experiment on a couple of practice pieces to ensure I knew exactly where I wanted to line that up.

I gold heat embossed a sentiment from the Festive Foliage Tree stamp set in the middle of the wreath. I rounded the corners and set that topping panel aside.

Then, it was time to make the branches for the wreath. I used Pinkfresh's Garden Party die set. For ink colors, I used Apricot, Clementine, and Persimmon, and also brushed Warm Buff, Doe, or Gathered Twigs over them for that same pumpkin shade of orange. For the smaller leaves tucked here and there, also from the Garden Party die set, I used Bay Leaf, Spanish Moss, Doe, and Gathered Twigs. I used Pinkfresh's beautiful red-orange Fruit Punch and Mango Sorbet for a tiny bloom and leaf in the corner. That particular flower I got from the Sweet Blossoms die set.

I used foam tape to adhere the topping panel to an A2 cardbase. I put the tape around the border of the card and one big square underneath the center of the partial die cut, creating room to insert branches. I put the darker shaded branches on one side and the lighter shade on the other, continuing the ombre effect. I used the Garden Party die once again for those fun, tiny white dots, but using something like the Hearts and Stars coverplate die would have been much faster.

And I was done! I hope some of these design choices have inspired you to make something new today. Thanks so much for coming by!

-Anne