Category Archives: Ciao Bella

Into the Wild Altered Album Part 2

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Ciao Bella-Into the Wild-Reneabouquets-Kathy Clement-Kathy by Design

Ciao Bella Into the Wild Altered Album Part 2: Making the Mini Album

Hello, Friends! Today we’re going to share the tutorial for our Ciao Bella Into the Wild Altered Album Part 2.  If you missed Part 1 of this series where we created the mixed media book box case, you can find it HERE.

Ciao Bella-Into the Wild-Altered Mini Album in a Box-Kathy Clement-Kathy by Design-Photo 01

Creating this two-part project was a lot of work, but boy, was it fun!  First, the papers are so gorgeous that they are a real treat to work with.  Squirrels, fall colors, acorns, falling leaves and plaid patterns make me ridiculously happy!

Ciao Bella Into the Wild-Mini Album Tutorial-Kathy Clement-Kathy by Design

Next, I enjoyed the challenge of creating a layered cover that was not too dimensional to fit inside the box.  This led to a lot of creative fussy cutting, which I also happen to enjoy.

Since I had a little bit of burlap left over from making the box, I decided to add it to the album spine.  Texture makes me happy, too.

A Peek Inside

To keep with my Throwback Thursday goal of using up goodies from my stash, I went on a treasure hunt in the Closet of Inspiration and Delight.  This was also lots of fun, and yielded some great pockets, mini file folders and tabbed dividers that added a lot to the album pages.

The album is made with a really easy to construct stacked spine design.  Each spine in the 3 page sets is scored a little smaller than the previous page.  This gives us the opportunity to add lots of little flips, flaps and pockets.

Here’s a peek at my favorite page.  You will learn how I did this in the YouTube tutorial.

Ciao Bella Into the Wild Altered Album Part 2 on YouTube

If you’re ready to join me for today’s crafty adventure, please enjoy this video tutorial.

Did you enjoy watching this little album come together?  Do you think you’ll give that easy peasy stacked spine design a try?  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

You can find a linked supply list below this post.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Ciao Bella Summer Breeze Lighthouse

Ciao Bella-Summer Breeze-Mixed Media Lighthouse-Kathy Clement-Kathy by Design

Ciao Bella Summer Breeze Lighthouse Card with Really Reasonable Ribbon Trims

Hello, Friends!  The beach vibes are strong in this Ciao Bella Summer Breeze Lighthouse card.  It is almost as good as a trip to the shore.  I’ve combined beachy blue papers with beautiful beachy trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon and tossed in a few beach treasures to boot.  Are you up for a trip to the shore with me today?

For the Love of Lighthouses

Living in North Carolina has given me a great love and appreciation for lighthouses.  They are not just functional, but they are beautiful to behold.  Our shoreline, once known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, is dotted with them, and each one is special in its own right.

Ribbons and trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon add to the texture and design of this mixed media card.  Those are real shells, my friend, gathered during one of my beloved shoreline rambles.  Oooh, I can almost feel the wind whipping my hair and the sun beating on my shoulders as I remember that last walk through the surf.

TIP: Don’t forget to add ribbons and trims.   Brown Sugar Baker’s Twine to the Paradise Aqua Seam binding ribbon doesn’t just add color: it adds texture and dimension to the composition of this card.

A Peek Inside

Beachy blues are my favorites, so I used a lot of them on the inside of the card.  And if one pocket is good, two are even better, don’t you agree?

Book reading by the sea is the best, so I had to tuck a little bookmark along with this mini notecard into the pockets.

TIP: Add a tab to the cutaway edge of this little note card to create a fun design feature.

Plenty of room to write a note inside the cutaway  note card design.

I haven’t been to the beach yet this summer. But as soon as this heat wave breaks, I think I might just have to run away for a day or two of beach therapy!

You can find a linked supply list below this post.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Ciao Bella Christmas Vibes Card Kit Reveal

Ciao Bella Christmas Vibes Card Kit Reveal for The Button Farm Club Kathy Clement Kathy by Design

Ciao Bella Christmas Vibes Card Kit Reveal for The Button Farm Club June Quarterly Card Kit

Hello, Friends!  I’ve been busy for a full week putting this Ciao  Bella Christmas Vibes Card Kit together for The Button Farm Club.  It’s my June Quarterly Card Club Kit, and it captures all the warmth and nostalgia of an old fashioned Christmas!

I know it’s only June, but many of  you had requested that we release the card kit early to give you more time to get it all done.  Your wish is our command, so here we are…and really, right on time for Christmas in July.

This kit is loaded!  We’ll be making a dozen interactive cards that double as gifts, and this Sweet Treats and Good Eats folio, too.  Here’s a closer look:

 

Don’t be fooled by its size; this folio has loads of rooms for photos or recipe cards.  This is the perfect place to tuck away all your favorite holiday cookie recipes.  Or share them with a family member as a gift!

Shaker Cards!

Shaker cards are just so right for the holidays!  Those sparkly sequins mimic the glow of Christmas lights.  And these shaker cards have a special surprise design, which you can view in the reveal video below.

How about the vintage lantern on this slimline shaker card?  And wait til you see the rest!  Think Christmas in the Country…and you’ll be over the target!

Twist and Pop

If you’re looking for a little holiday excitement, you can’t beat the fun of a twist and pop card.  We’ll make two for this kit…and then I bet you’ll want to go on and make a dozen more.

Classic Christmas Elegance

I love the classic elegance of a card with a belly band, don’t you?  I’ve been making them for years now.  This set has a wonderful gatefold and z-fold design that’s loads of fun to make.

Pop Up Scene Cards

Are you up for learning a new way to build a pop up scene inside your Christmas cards?  This tutorial is so much fun, and will have you making multi-layer pop up scene cards in no time!

Ciao Bella Christmas Vibes Card Kit Reveal on YouTube

In case you missed it, I shared a sneak peek video of the card kit supplies last week.  You can watch that HERE.   But today I’m back with the full reveal of everything we’re making in this kit.  You can see all the flips, flaps, twists, turns and pockets in this reveal video.

Custom Christmas Sentiment Sheets Included!

I’m very excited to announce that I wrote and designed custom Christmas Vibes sentiments to make this kit even more special.  Printed sentiment sheets will come with your kit supplies.  Please let me know if this is a feature you’d like to see in upcoming kits.  If enough of you are interested in these sentiments, we can even release some clear acrylic stamp sets!

The cost for the kit is $53.99 and it comes with everything you need to make the projects, links to video tutorials that you can watch over and over again as well as a full-color printed guide.

If you are subscribed to my Quarterly Card Club, your kit will ship to you automatically.  But you can still order the kit even if you are not subscribed.  Subscriptions are fulfilled first, then Button Farm Club will fill all other orders first come/first served.  Subscriptions will ship on July 1st, and all other kits will ship soon after that.

You can order your kit today HERE.

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Thanks, friends!

Cheerio, 

kathy

Dragonfly Season Gatefold Card Folio

Dragonfly Season Gatefold Card Folio with Really Reasonable Ribbon and Reneabouquets

Hello, Friends!  Summertime is Dragonfly Season. These dazzling beauties hover in the sweet summer breeze and fill our hearts with delight.  I tried to capture the feeling of a perfect summer day in this Dragonfly Season Gatefold Card made with Really Reasonable Ribbon’s July Ribbon Assortment and some paper pretties from Reneabouquets. Let’s share a cuppa and take a closer look at the details and elements in this summery creation.

The Basics

Here’s how I created this gatefold card base.

  • First, cut a 12×12 sheet of white cardstock to measure 11 3/4″ x 7 1/4.
  • Now place the long side on your scoring tool and score left to right at 2 3/4″, 3″, 8 1/2″ and 9″.
  • Then fold along the scored lines to form a 5 1/4″ x 7 1/4″ gatefold card.  You will have 1/4″ spines on the left and right hand sides of the card base.
  • Line the card with Ciao Bella Microcosmos papers.  You will need (2) 2 3/4″ x 7 1/4″ panels for the front, (2) 2 5/8″ x 7 1/4″ panels for the inside, and (1) 5″ x 7″ panel for the center.  The 4 spines are 3/8″ x 7 1/4″.
The Shaker Element

True confession:  I love the way this shaker frame turned out.  It makes me think of a dragonfly hovering over a bird bath or fountain.  It takes a minute or two to put together, but the effort is definitely worth it!

  • First, heat emboss a Reneabouquets Simply Beautiful Frame with Versamark Ink and Stampendous Aged Silver Embossing Powder.
  • Next, dry brush a little chalk paint over the frame to soften it.
  • Once the paint is dry, die cut an oval from clear cardstock, (acetate) and adhere to the back of the frame with Dries Clear Adhesive.  Use a damp paper towel to clean up any excess adhesive.
  • Now back the frame with 3 layers of 1/8″ foam strips.
  • Locate the oval dragonfly image from the paper collection.
  • Then place your shaker mix and some glitter glass in the center of the image.
  • Now center the prepared frame over the image and gently press into place.
  • Embellish with a Reneabouquets Dragonfly.
  • Then heat emboss a resin crown with Diamond Dust Embossing Powder and adhere it on the top of the frame.
Finishing Touches

This card was a little “blah” until I added the Turquoise Taffeta bows and flowers .  Then everything popped!  The Silver Metallic String Bows echo the silver in the shaker frame, adding just the right touch of sparkle. I also heat embossed Reneabouquets Tiny Butterfly Flourishes with Diamond Dust Embossing Powder and added them to the corners.  Can you say yummy?

A Peek Inside

Gatefold cards are so dramatic to open!  You can see how I added a Large Sugar Bee Corner from Reneabouquets to the right hand flap.

Ciao Bella Microcosmos Dragonfly Shaker Card by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Add a sentiment panel on the right and create a box pocket in the center of the card.

Turquoise Taffeta Ribbon adorns both the book mark and the mini folio that are tucked into the pocket.

Did you think I forgot to add tea?  You know me better than that!  Here is the tea wallet and vintage silver plate demitasse spoon.  Now we’ve got a gift on our hands!

Of course there is room to add a gift card in with the tea bag if you should decide to do so.  But I think this gift is complete as it is.

You’ll find a linked supply list below this post.  And if you would like to purchase this card, you can find it in my Etsy Shop.

I hope I’ve inspired you to break out your ribbons and embellishments today and make something beautiful.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Spellbinders Slimline Classic Shabby Chic Card

Spellbinder's Slimline Classic Shabby Chic Card Ciao Bella The Muse by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Spellbinders Slimline Classic Card with Ciao Bella The Muse

Hello, Friends!  Today I’m excited to share the newly released Spellbinders Slimline Classic Card Making Die with you.  If you are a fan of slimline cards, as I am, then this is definitely a die you’ll want to add to your crafty stash!  Elegant, easy to make cards are a snap to make when you let this amazing die do all the heavy lifting for you!  It’s one of the April 2021 Releases over on the Spellbinders page.

Spellbinders Slimline Classic….Meet Ciao Bella The Muse

I  paired these lovely Classic Slimline Etched Dies up with soft blush papers from Ciao Bella’s The Muse paper collection.  Here’s how simple it is to put this elegant card creation together.

  • First, create an 8 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ top fold slimline card base from cream cardstock.
  • Now cut an 8 3/8″ x 3 3/8″ panel  from Ciao Bella’s The Muse collection to line the card front.
  • Next, create a center panel from an 8 3/8″ x 2 3/8″ from the same collection.
  • Then back this panel with foam tape or waste chipboard.  Center it and adhere it to the first panel.
  • Now, die cut the main filigree and sentiment twice using cream cardstock.  Layer together with thin foam tabs between them to create subtle dimension.
  • Then die cut four corner pieces from cream cardstock and tuck in each corner.
  • Finally, add ivory roses and bows on each side of the die cut panel.

Place ivory flat back pearls in the corners and ends of the die cuts.  So easy, so elegant!  Who could ask for anything more?

A Peek Inside

Add a pocket inside the card.  Then create a little gift wallet with more of the designer papers.

There’s room to write a small note and tuck in a little gift.

I hope you’ll take a peek at the other slimline card dies in The Slimline Collection.  There are some wonderful options available! Spellbinders is also offering a Free Spring Blooms Bonus with a $100 purchase right now.  I guess I’d better go shopping!

You’ll find a linked supply list below this post.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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