Fall Wreath PPA9

The colors of fall are some of my favorites. (I'm an Earth Elements kind of girl.) I have a soft spot for changing leaves... could this be attributed to my desire to live in a locale where the leaves actually change? Perhaps. In Texas we just don't have distinct seasons. But I digress... Pals Paper Arts is hosting an Inspiration Challenge this week and the photo is fab:

The elements that inspired me:

I loved the little wooden table and chose to pick up on its texture by grabbing a piece of wood grain printed paper from the Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper collection. I followed this week's Card Patterns sketch and adhered the pieces with a diagonal split.

The leaves and pine cones are natural focal points. I opted to create a wreath with these elements. Here's how:

• Punch a 1.75" Circle (smaller or larger depending on preference) from a Post-It Note. Be sure to get some good sticky surface. This will serve as a 'mask' for the center of your wreath.
• Use a Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement of your leaves from the Autumn Days stamp set. I started with Old Olive and stamped them around my mask - allowing the stem to stamp onto the mask and therefore be eliminated from my finished wreath.

With the basic outline formed with my Old Olive leaves, I lifted the mask and stamped more leaves in Pumpkin Pie. I tilted the image so that this time the stems remained.

To add 'berry branches' I stuck my mask back down and stamped in Soft Suede. Only the top of the branch remains when the mask is lifted.

• Pine cones were inked in Chocolate Chip and stamped on Soft Suede card stock, trimmed, and adhered using Stampin' Dimensionals. A few small buttons from my stash dress things us.

• My bow was added by punching two holes using my Crop-a-Dile and threading 1/4" Old Olive Ribbon through to tie a bow. (just like a shoelace)

A bit of distress ink, a simple sentiment, and a few brads are simple and sassy details.

I hope you'll join us at Pals Paper Arts this week. I can't wait to see how our beautiful fall photo inspires you!

Sassy Stampers:
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Stamps: Autumn Days (115452)
Paper: Old Olive (100702), Chocolate Chip (102128), Very Vanilla (101650), Autumn Meadows Designer Series (116769)
Ink: Old Olive (102277), Pumpkin Pie (105216), Soft Suede (115657), Chocolate Chip (100908), Distress Ink duo
Tools: 1.75" Circle Punch (112004), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Crop-a-dile (108362)
Sassy Somethings: Vintage Brads (109109), Old Olive 1/4" Ribbon (111368), Buttons