For today’s simple Sunday project I have another sneak peek from the new Mini Catalogue. Much of this catalogue is geared to Christmas crafting and one suite of products immediately caught my attention. It’s called the Boughs of Holly suite featuring a stamp set, coordinating dies, wood embellishments and ribbon. As you’d expect there’s also some Designer Series Paper (DSP). And that’s what I noticed first. This Boughs of Holly 12” x 12” DSP is rather unusual though as there’s very little holly to be seen. More about that later…

For today’s project I chose a sheet from the Boughs of Holly DSP that was covered with small poinsettia flowers. I started by cutting a piece 3-3/4″ x 5″. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I mounted it onto a 3-7/8″ x 5-1/8″ layer of Shaded Spruce Card. For added texture I cut a 5″ piece of 7/8″ Natural Finish Ribbon, wrapped it around the layers and secured it on the back using Tear & Tape Adhesive.
After that I cut a 2-1/4″ x 6″ strip of the DSP and glued it to the flap of a Basic White Medium Envelope. Once I’d trimmed off the excess paper with Paper Snips using the edge of the flap as a guide, I set the envelope aside.
For my card base I decided to keep it fresh with some Thick Basic White Card. So I cut a 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ piece. Then with the long side at the top I scored it at 4-1/4″. Finally I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.
To line the inside of my card base I first cut a 4″ x 5-1/4″ layer of Basic White Card. Next I cut a 3/4″ x 5-1/4″ strip of the DSP. Then, using liquid glue I attached the strip to the right-hand edge of the layer before gluing it inside the card base.
CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER
At last I was ready for my sentiment and I wanted something quite big to act as a focal point. Eventually I chose “May this be a Christmas to remember and cherish” from the Christmas to Remember Stamp Set.

Using Shaded Spruce ink to match the mat layer under the DSP I stamped the sentiment onto Thick Basic White Card. Then I simply punched it out using the Label Me Lovely Punch.
Finishing the card was quick and easy using Stampin’ Dimensionals to fix the sentiment to the layered DSP before attaching the layer to the card base. Job done.
BOUGHS OF HOLLY?
As I mentioned earlier there’s not much holly to be seen in the Boughs of Holly DSP. That said, the paper is gorgeous and vibrant and I love it! Here’s a couple of photos I took of all 12 patterns included in the pack. First the predominantly red designs…

and now the mainly green patterns…

While some of these designs are quite Christmassy, I see others that could be used all year round. These would also be great for masculine / gender-neutral projects don’t you think?
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