Wreath "Merry Christmas" Card Hanger

Have you also fallen in love 
with the beautiful wreath 12x12 card stock print

from the DCWV "Hand Painted Christmas"?

Presented here is a custom designed die cut to make a special project

(or at least one project idea).
To obtain the FREE digital download for Silhouette Cameo or
other cutting systems,
visit SnapDragonSnippets.com.
https://www.snapdragonsnippets.com/store/product/1304

One process involves using the inner wreath file shape as template

to lay over the card stock print to trace, then fussy cut by hand
and punch holes as marked.

-OR-

Follow the process described in this tutorial to use a "dummy" cut shape

as template to mark a center top registration hash on the print sheet,

next cut a second "dummy" from "waste" paper, then

LEAVE THE WREATH CUT SHAPE ON THE MAT,

weed outer and inner shapes away from mat,

and re-position the wreath sheet over the dummy wreath shape

taking care to line up the registration, pressing to attach

sheet in place (good to use a new mat),

then re-load the mat to re-cut the wreath shape.

FOLLOW THIS TUTORIAL to see the fussy cut process step by step.
READ ALL THE WAY THROUGH BEFORE PROCEEDING!

CUTTING: 1. Identify the shapes in the cut file, which are:
(left, top to bottom)
a. top reinforcement shape (to strengthen for hanging)
b. base wreath shape
c. top wreath layer (fussy cut from traced template, or registered
on digital cutting machine; see description that follows)
d. bottom reinforcement shape
(right top)
e. "weeded" center shape from the special paper print

2. Cut the shapes, *including a "waste paper" or "dummy" copy 
of the inner wreath, which will be used to mark a registration hashmark 
onto the printed card stock paper.
 Wait to cut the top wreath (and center) shapes.
3. Set up your cutting device to cut *a second "dummy" copy 
of the inner (top layer) wreath,
making sure to center it side-to-side and top-to-bottom.
IMPORTANT: as you load the cutting mat into the cutting machine,
take special care to use the machine markings to insert the mat
using your very best "method", and pay attention because
you will need to repeat the load as closely as possible a second time.
(Also NOTE that it is a good idea to use a fairly fresh mat:
stickiness is valuable in this process!)
(* see NOTE in Step 5 below for an alternative)

4. Once the second dummy wreath shape is cut, eject the mat

and remove the outer waste frame and inner waste shapes

and discard (see NOTE with next step).

5. Place the dummy cut #1 over the printed paper,

centering around the "Merry Christmas" and

over the wreath design, though it can't be seen. Once satisfied

with the placement, use a light pencil to mark the vertical center

(up and down) with a tick mark, and also the top center edge

of the wreath scallop.

(*NOTE: an alternative is to retain the waste frame from a 

single dummy cut of the inner wreath to center and mark

the vertical and top ticks. This will allow you to view the wreath print

to make sure it is centered appropriately - probably better!)

6. Apply a ring of light adhesive in the center margin of the

 dummy wreath on the mat to help the new sheet stay in place once

the cut is being made, since this cutting will release it 

from the mat's stickiness.

Carefully position the wreath print paper onto the mat,

on top of the dummy cut that is still adhered . . .

using the pencil marks to position the print EXACTLY

over the same position on the dummy cut. . . .

Square up the sheet, and "scrape" with your applicator to get 
the best "grab" you can where the exposed mat touches the print
and also from the temporary adhesive applied.

You may wish to ratchet up your blade cutting depth and settings

a notch, in case the mat is not loaded absolutely exactly as during

the dummy cut, when the blade would be cutting two layers. 

7. Load the cutting mat as precisely as possible

to duplicate the original cut from Step 3.

NOTE that one of the hazards of this process is that

since the shape being cut will only be sticking to the mat

around the edges and in the center "hole"

(and where you applied temporary adhesive to the dummy)

 until the cutting progresses, after which time it could POP free

and interfere with the machine's carriage movement. 

So you will want to watch the cutting process, in case

a quick rescue is required!

ASSEMBLY:

8. Layer the inner and outer wreath shapes and glue together.

Also glue the top and bottom reinforcing shapes to the

backside of wreath base. 

If you want the "Merry Christmas" middle to be part of your wreath,

simply apply adhesive near the edge of it's face surface,

then position the wreath over the center cut, and adjust

before joining the two.

9. To use this project as a card hanger display,
prepare it by attaching fancy ornament hooks through
the tiny holes along the bottom edge.
(Or alternatively, use the wreath as an over-size 
fancy Christmas greeting card,
with ribbons through the top punch holes.
"Release compound path" in Silhouette software
to "ungroup" and eliminate the bottom punches, if you wish.)

Here's our finished project, with ribbon inserted through
upper side punch holes, and cards (hand punched) 
hanging on the hooks.