Category Archives: Carta Bella

Happy Flag Day Greetings

Carta Bella God Bless America Greeting Card by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Happy Flag Day Greetings with Carta Bella God Bless America

Hello, Friends!  Happy Flag Day to all my American followers.  This is the day when Americans celebrate the Stars & Stripes.  I was thinking about this yesterday morning, and decided to pop in the studio to make a quick card to share with all of you today.

Flag Day and My Childhood

Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s in rural Vermont, Flag Day was a true holiday. Everyone flew the flag in one way or another.

Since our elementary school didn’t start summer recess until the last week of June, we were still in class.  If Flag Day fell on a week day, we observed it with some lovely traditions.

Preparations were made well in advance of the day.  We made American Flags from red, white and blue construction paper. We learned about Betsy Ross, and knew that we celebrated Flag Day because the Stars and Stripes became our official national flag on June 14, 1777.  The meaning behind the colors was always reviewed (red for courage, blue for vigilance and justice, and white for purity.) 

We practiced “bringing in the colors” with small American flags on sticks.  Some lucky child was picked to lead the rest of the class in the Pledge of Allegiance.  And we always sang our favorite patriotic songs like the chorus to  You’re a Grand Old Flag, This is My Country, There Are Many Flags of Many Lands, God Bless America, and My Country ‘Tis of Thee,   The grand finale was always The Star Spangled Banner.  We knew all the verses, and we sang them all, too!

The portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln smiled down on our enthusiastic renditions of these tunes, our little hearts swelled with pride in our nation, and we all felt like one big happy family.

I miss those days.  How about you?  Every nation should have a day that celebrates their country’s colors and history in such a meaningful way.

About the Card

This is a simple layered 5 1/2″ square top fold card.  Here’s how it came together:

  • Begin with a 5 1/2″ x 11″ panel of navy cardstock. Score it in half at 5 1/2″ to make a to fold card base.
  • Next, center a 5 1/4″ square panel of white cardstock over the navy blue and adhere.
  • Now mat a 4 7/8″ square of the blue floral paper on a slighlty larger square of navy blue.
  • Then mat this on a 5 1/8″ square of red cardstock.
  • Now mat a 2 1/2″ x 4 3/4″ panel of the plaid paper on navy blue cardstock and adhere on the left hand side of the card.
  • Next, mat the 3″ x 4″ image on slightly larger pieces of navy blue and red cardstock.  Center and adhere as seen in the photo.
  • Next, adhere banner flags from the ephemera pack under a pinwheel and attach to the image.
  • Finally add a bow and flowers in the corner.  Tuck glitter stars in between the flowers to finish.
A Peek Inside

Here’s a peek at the inside.  I almost printed out the words to the Pledge of Allegiance and added them on the top.  But then I thought a sentiment panel was a better idea.

Thanks for letting me share my childhood memories of Flag Day with you today.  I’d love to hear about yours in the comment section below.

Happy Flag Day, my friends!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Button Farm Club Patriotic Celebration Kit Reveal

Carta Bella God Bless America Patriotic Celebration Kit by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Button Farm Club Patriotic Celebration Kit Reveal with Carta Bella God Bless America

Hello, Friends!  Memorial Day seems like the perfect date to share this Button Farm Club Patriotic Celebration Kit Reveal.  Happy Memorial Day, my friends!  How thankful I am for all the selfless men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.  Today we pause to remember them all, and then we enjoy the liberty they fought for as we gather with our friends, neighbors and families to celebrate the Red, White and Blue!

God Bless America!

I’ve been planning this kit since the end of December 2020!  The minute I saw Carta Bella’s God Bless America collection, I  knew I wanted to use it to help usher in Memorial Day, Flag Day and the 4th of July.  If you love the Red, White and Blue…as I do…and you are a fan of Vintage Americana, then I think you are going to love this kit.  It’s one of the best I’ve created thus far for Button Farm Club.  It’s got a little bit of everything in it: Mini Album, Home Decor, Memory Keeping and even a couple of cards and tags.

The anchor of this kit is this vibrant 6″ x 9″ mini album.  It’s not just a great place to keep all those wonderful family photos from summer fun; it doubles as home décor!  The dimensional cover features this fabulous vintage fire engine, handmade rosettes and handmade mini pinwheels.  And of course, the tutorial shows you how easy it is to make those handmade embellishments.

But just like a great fireworks display, this album has some unexpected delights.

Red, White and Blue Banner

I thought to myself…”How fun would it be to build a box pocket mini album with a red, white and blue banner tucked inside?”  So I did it!  And I ‘m so glad I did!

The mini album also has loads of room for photos and journaling thanks to a flip page/pocket/waterfall feature.

The Exploding Box

Every great 4th of July celebration includes fireworks.  So I build an exploding box mini album into this kit.

Thanks to all the flips and flaps inside this clever little box, you’ll find even more room to add photos of your family celebrations.

Patriotic Cards

Even after creating all these wonderful kit elements, I found enough paper to create a couple of beautiful patriotic cards.  So I added a special bonus tutorial showing you how to make them along with a set of sweet little red, white and blue tags.

When you put this whole ensemble on display together , it makes a real visual impact.  I have it on display in my studio right now, and I just love it!

What Comes in the Kit

Everything you need to make the items seen here comes in your kit.  Just add basic crafting supplies like adhesives and tools like scissors, paper trimmers, and scoreboard.  (If you decide to make the bonus cards, you will need to add 2 sheets of 8 ½” x 11” cream cardstock to the kit supplies. )

Kit supplies:

  • Carta Bella God Bless America 12×12 Collection Kit (comes with stickers) 12 sheets of double-sided textured cardstock
  • 2 additional sheets of God Bless America cardstock
  • God Bless America Solids: 6 sheets of color-matched textured cardstock
  • Frames and Tags Ephemera Pack
  • God Bless America Ephemera Pack
  • Enameled Patriotic Charms (2 per kit)
  • 2 yards Red Lipstick Ribbon
  • 1 yard each red, white and blue burlap string
  • 12×12 chipboard sheet for making the album base
  • Little Birdie Flowers
  • Basic Written Guide
  • Private Links to Video Tutorials that you can watch over and over again
How to Order

The price for the kit is only $49.49!  I can’t even believe that!  You can order your kit today at The Button Farm Club.

If you’d like to see this kit in action, please enjoy this 10 minute video tour.

Ok, my friends!  That’s it for me!  I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day, and take a moment to give thanks for the fact that we live in the Home of the Free because of the Brave!

God Bless America!

Cheerio,

kathy

Carta Bella God Bless America Pinwheel Pocket

Carta Bella God Bless America Pinwheel Pocket Card by Kathy Clement for Really Reasonable Ribbon Photo 01

Carta Bella God Bless America Pinwheel Pocket for Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello, Friends!  Today I’m breaking out the red, white & blue with this Carta Bella God Bless America Pinwheel Pocket.  I’m not sure where this year has gone to, but it’s almost summer!  Yikes!  That means it’s time to get some Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day projects rolled out.  Thankfully, Really Reasonable Ribbon has a huge supply of Patriotic Ribbons!

A personal favorite is the Patriotic Plaid featured in this fun little Pinwheel Pocket card.  It ties such pretty bows, looks great as a border, and leftover pieces can be tucked in as a fishtail banner behind a rosette.

Patriotic Pinwheels and Tags

I can’t remember the last time I made a pinwheel, but it’s been a while.  Paper drinking straws are less than satisfactory in a beverage….but they make a great stem on a pinwheel!  Is your straw the wrong color?  No problem!  Dress it up with Flag Grosgrain Ribbon as I did here.

Grosgrain ribbon makes a great border, too!  The tiny blue stars grosgrain ribbon has sold out in the RRR shop.  But no worries!  You can sub in the Tiny Red Stars Grosgrain in the border and tag streamers.  Stick with the Poppy Red Checkerboard Satin that I used, or add a pop of blue with Electric Blue Diamond Satin Ribbon instead.

Any way you combine colors, red, white and blue always looks amazing!

A Peek inside

Did I forget to mention that this card opens?  Add a flap and pocket feature inside the card to take it to the next level.

There is plenty of room to journal on the back side of the flap, and room to add a nice sized photo, too.  The ephemera border is easily transformed into a pocket when you only place adhesive on 3 sides.  That gives you room to fold a 6″ x 4″ journal card and tuck it in.  You could even add a little ice cream gift card here.  Because let’s face it, friends…a cone in the summertime is about as all-American as it gets!

I hope I’ve shared some fun ideas that you can use as you make your own red, white and blue projects.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section.  To comment, click on the “REPLIES” button right below the title at the top of this page. 

You’ll find a linked supply list below the signature.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Itty Bitty Baby Shoes

Echo Park Welcome Baby Girl Card Folio by Kathy Clement PHoto 01

Itty Bitty Baby Shoes Card Folio for Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello, Friends!  Something about these Itty Bitty Baby Shoes makes me say “awwwww” every time I look at them.  Honestly, is there anything more “aww” inspiring than sweet little baby shoes?  Today we’re taking another look at Echo Park’s Welcome Baby Girl Collection paired up with gorgeous Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Itty Bitty Baby Shoes Card Folio Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 01

We usually think pink when it comes to baby girl cards, don’t we?  But I find that  the coral shades in this paper collection are fresh and fun.  I’ve paired them up with Watermelon Taffeta Ribbon and Funky Flowers Printed Grosgrain Ribbon from the RRR shop.  The deeper shades keep this pastel paper collection from washing out and add a vibrant pop of color to the card design.

TIP:  Create a quick and easy belly band with layered ribbon.

  • First, adhere 1/2″ Scor-Tape across the middle of your card front BEFORE you attach it to the base.
  • Next, attach a length of Watermelon Taffeta Ribbon over the tape.  Leave the ends long enough to wrap around the card panel for neat and tidy edges.
  • Now apply 1/4″ Scor-Tape in the center of the Watermelon Taffeta.  Repeat the above process using the Funky Flowers Coral Rose Printed Grosgrain Ribbon.
The Bow Cluster

Taffeta ribbon ties crisp, gorgeous bows!  As a bonus, it’s also very easy to work with.  Tie a double-loop bow with Watermelon Taffeta Ribbon.  Add a bit of sparkle and shine with an Iridescent Metallic String bow.  I love this stuff so much that I buy it by the spool!  Then finish the bow cluster simply with a creamy white posy.  Done and done!

Itty Bitty Baby Shoes

Echo Park Welcome Baby Girl Itty Bitty Baby Shoes Card Folio by Kathy Clement for Really Reasonable Ribbon Photo 01

Die cut baby shoes add so much fun to this card design.  Cut the layers from scraps of the Echo Park Solids that match this paper collection.  Then layer the tops and the soles with 1/8″ foam strips between to create lots of dimension.  Bitty flowers are the perfect finishing touch.

NOTE: This die is now retired, but if search for Marianne Design Creatable LR0304 you can find a few on ebay.

A Peek Inside

Ribbon takes a starring role inside this sweet card as well.  It’s such an easy way to add a stylish closure to this little flap folio.  Simply attach 1/4″ Scor-Tape to the back of the folio panel.  Then adhere a length of ribbon over the tape, wrap it around the base and tie a bow.

Because the bow is not attached on the front of the folio, it’s easy to add a picture here.

You’ll find a little side car pocket on the left and lots of room for journaling and photos inside the flap folio.

The Pocket

Do I ever make a card without a pocket?   Hmmmmmm….not very often!  I blame this on my mother, of course.  She never allowed me to have pockets in my clothes because she felt they were not lady like.  If a garment had pockets, she would actually stitch them closed.  So I guess my love for card pockets comes from that childhood memory.

This little pocket holds a mini note card/gift card wallet and a Baby Milestones Journaling card.

My thought process behind this card design was to create a keepsake card with room for those precious early days with baby.  You could actually add this card to a baby book.  How fun would that be?

I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your next card making adventure.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

There’s a linked supply list below the signature.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Farmhouse Kitchen Flip Folio for Really Reasonable Ribbon

Echo Park Farmhouse Kitchen Flip Folio by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design for Really Reasonable Ribbon Photo 01

Farmhouse Kitchen Flip Folio for Really Reasonable Ribbon April 2021 Blog Hop

Hello, Friends!  Welcome to a tour of my Farmhouse Kitchen Flip Folio for the Really Reasonable Ribbon April 2021 Blog Hop!  You should be coming here from Ginny’s amazing blog.  I’ve paired the country fresh papers from Echo Park with the Turquoise Satin Ribbon from the April 2021 Ribbon Club Assortment.   Here’s a sneaky peek at the vibrant ribbons in this Bright Floral Assortment.

Down on the Farm

Turquoise Ribbon is used three ways on this 5 1/2″ x 5″ x 1″ flip folio.  It serves as the bow cluster, the closure mechanism, and on the spine.

This little vignette takes me right back to my Grammy’s kitchen!  And look how beautifully the turquoise ribbon plays with the blueberry patterned paper from the collection!

Wrap the spine with a length of Turquoise Satin ribbon.  Then tie a cluster of mini silverware inside a square knot.  Cut the ends and you’ve got a country fresh charm dangle in a jiffy!

Add the ribbon closure to the folio cover before you wrap the spine with the floral patterned paper.  First, attach 1/2″ Scor-Tape around the middle of the folio.  Then adhere the ribbon over the tape.  Leave about a 9″ over hang on each side for ease in tying a bow.

A Quick Peek Inside

Inside this little folio you’ll find hidden pockets, pull out pages, and lots of flips and flaps.
If you’d like to see the rest of the album, I invite you to watch this short video tour with tips and tricks.

 

On With the Hop!

Now hop on over and see what paper pretties Cheryl has in store for you.  Here’s the complete blog hop list in case you get lost along the way:

Ginny – http://pollyspaper.wordpress.com/

Kathy – http://www.kathybydesign.com/ (You are HERE)

Cheryl – http://sweeetdesignsbycheryl.blogspot.com/

Bonnie – http://www.maketime2craft.com/

Karen – http://www.karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspot.com/

Cherry – http://www.cherrysjubileehomeandcraft.com/

RRR Blog – http://www.reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/

Once you’ve visited all the blogs in the hop, pop on by the RRR Blog.  Answer Bonnie’s question of the month, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a FREE April Ribbon Club Assortment!

If you’re not a member of the Monthly Ribbon Club yet, I highly recommend it!  Each  month you will receive a color-coordinated package of 9 ribbons in the mail.  It’s kind of like getting a birthday present every month.  And it’s a great way to build up your ribbon stash!  You can find out how to join the club HERE.

You’ll find a linked supply list below my signature.  Thanks for stopping by!

Enjoy the hop!

Cheerio,

kathy

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