Thanks Wreath Card and Tutorial

Hi all and thanks for stopping by today.  I have a card today that is for last week's MFT Wednesday Stamp Club (which I missed - drats).  I really wanted to use the sketch (better than never?) and had an idea to create a wreath for the circle element on the sketch.

I took pictures along the way, so keep on scrolling for a tutorial on this card.

I used the new released Fall Leaves Die-namics, Thankful Leaves Stamp Set; and Fishtail Flag Layers STAX Die-namics on this card.  I used the Authentique Thankful Paper Bundle and lots of rich Card Stock colors: Lemon Drop; Tangy Orange; Orange Fizz; Kraft.

The sentiment is from the Thankful Leaves stamp set.  Each off the fall leaves went through a long process including stamping, sponging, crumpling, drying, sponging again, painting, and drying once again.

Now for the fun part!  I am going to show you how to replicate this card.

First, cut a zillion Fall Leaves.  (14 to be exact, but you'll want to make extras so you can play with your color pattern a bit as you are arranging your leaves for the wreath).

Stamp the corresponding vein on each leaf using the Thankful Leaves stamp set.

Lightly songe each leaf using Antique Linen Distress Ink.

One at a time, hold each leaf in your hand...

Spritz it with water (I use a little spray bottle).

Crumple the leaf (don't be shy - squish it).

Uncrumple a little and lay out to dry.  You can speed up that process by using your heat gun to dry them.

Sponge all the leaves (after they are dry) with Tea Dye Distress Ink.

Here is what they look like after this round of sponging.

Next, you'll need a base for your wreath.  I used Jillibean Corrugated Paper Sheet, but you can use whatever you'd like.  If you are going to use Card Stock, I would recommend cutting 2 matching layers so it has enough strength to hold all your leaves.  I used 2 of my Circle STAX Die-namics to create a wreath base/frame.

This is what it looks like after you cut it.

I sponged it with Tea Dye Distress Ink in case any of the base peeked through my leaves (it didn't FYI lol).

Next up, I created the card base and added all the layers, according to the sketch.  You can see I did lots of stitching on it.

I pull my threads to the back of the card layer and tape down the ends.

Then I trim off the ends to keep things nice and tidy.

I made sure my wreath base was the correct size on my card layer.

I was about to start adhering my leaves, when I decided to jazz them up a bit with Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam Glitter Paint in Hay Ride.  I love the slight sheen and glimmer it adds to the leaves.

After I painted all the leaves and the wreath base, I dried each piece with my heat gun.

Then I arranged them on the wreath base.  You'll notice I cut off all the stems.  It looked way too messy with them on there.  I used hot glue so I was sure they'd stay put.  Then, I lined the wreath base with Sticky Stuff hexagons so I could pop it off the card layer a little bit.

Here is the finished wreath.

And here is another look at the finished card.

It's too late to use the sketch for the chance to win a prize, but here it is if you'd like to print it out to use at a later time.  :)

If you've hung in with me this long, thank you!  I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and I'd love to see your creations using this tutorial.  Come back and post a link in the comment section if you'd like.  

Have a GREAT day and I'll see you SOON! 

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