Tag Archives: Autumn Sunset

Prima Autumn Sunset Forest Friends

Spellbinders Sparkling Mandala Prima Autumn Sunset Forest Friends Card by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Prima Autumn Sunset Forest Friends Card with Spellbinders Sparkling Mandala

Hello, Friends!  Today marks the first day of Fall, so it’s the perfect time to share this Prima Autumn Sunset Forest Friends card with you.  If you listen closely, you can hear the leaves fluttering softly onto the forest floor where Mr. Fox is keeping watch over a napping fawn.  Can you smell the crisp air?  Feel the breeze as it blows by your cheek?  It’s fall, my friends!  The most glorious season of the year!

Spellbinders Sparkling Mandala from the Merry Stitchmas Collection

Don’t you just love it when a die offers lots of options?  The Spellbinders Sparkling Mandala Die is technically part of their Christmas collection.  But it works beautifully on this fall themed card, too!  Just because the product packaging says “Christmas” it doesn’t mean you have to limit the usage to that season!

I also opted not to add stitching to my die.  (To see one that has been stitched, look HERE.)  Instead, I cut just the outer frame of the die from copper foiled paper.  Then I die cut patterned paper with the insert inside the frame.  When you layer the two pieces together, the copper foil shimmers through the little stitched openings.  It’s a very pretty effect!

A Little Mixed Media

Add a little mixed media action to your composition by sprinkling some mustard seeds around the base.  I like to use Art Institute Dries Clear Adhesive for this, but you can use whatever adhesive you like.  Mulberry flowers, layered die cut ephemera, glittered leaves, machine stitching and lots of loose threads add texture and interest to the card design.

A Peek Inside

The inside is a simple pocket with a fall tea bag, chocolate and honey stick tucked inside.  You can see that I dressed up the pocket with another sparkling mandala die cut.  This time I topped it with a butterfly.

Now all I need to do is write a little note on the journal card, and this sweet card is ready for the mailbox.

I hope I shared some tips, tricks and ideas you can use with this versatile die.  I have other ideas…I just need the time to bring them to life.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

 

Prima Autumn Sunset Stack of Cards Tutorial

Throwback Thursday Prima Autumn Sunset Stack of Cards Tutorial by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Throwback Thursday: Prima Autumn Sunset Stack of Cards Tutorial

Hello, Friends!  What would you say if I told you that you could make this Prima Autumn Sunset Stack of Cards in under an hour?  Would you believe that it’s totally do-able?  Because it is!  For today’s installment of Throwback Thursday, we’re going to learn how to make lovely little fall notecards using my “go to” assembly line method.  I make little greeting cards to tuck into my Etsy shop orders as a thank you gift for my customers.  These  have to be made about once a month. Since time is money, I had to learn how to put together a quick greeting card that I could be proud of.  After some trial and error, I came up with the process that I’m going to share with you today.

Prepare for Success

The French have a food preparation technique called “mise en place.”  This means they take the time at the front end of a cooking process to measure and prepare all the ingredients for a recipe.  Everything is laid out neatly and only then do they begin to cook.  So I guess you could call this “mise en place” for cardmakers.  It generally takes me 20-30 minutes to do this step.  But then I can fly through the process of putting the cards together, as you will see in the video tutorial below.

First Things First

Once you’ve chosen the collection you wish to work with, follow these simple steps for success:

  • First, cut 6 sheets of 8 1/2″ x 11″ cardstock in half at 4 1/4″.  Score and fold each 4 1/4″ x 11″ panel in half to make a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ (A2) card base.  You can use each base as a top fold card, or turn it to make a side fold card.
  • Next, choose 3 patterns of 12×12 designer paper that go well together.  Cut (12) 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ background panels from these papers.  I usually make my first cut horizontally at 5 1/2, then again at 11″.  Then I cut each strip into (2) 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ panels.  Double sided paper allows you to mix and match with ease.
  • Now, from your scraps, cut 4 1/4″ wide belly bands.  These vary in height from 1 1/2″ to 2″, depending on the scrap.
  • Then pick a dozen 3×4 focal images to go on the front of the card.
  • Finally, Ink all the edges of all your paper layers for quick and easy assembly.
Sort it Out

The next step is to sort and organize any ephemera you might want to use.  I broke my ephemera down into piles of pumpkins, flowers, butterflies and bugs, animals, background ephemera and words.

Choose embellishments

Tie bows in advance, and use the same bow on each card.   Muscle memory is an amazing gift. When a task is repeated, your body does it a little faster each time.   I can tie over a dozen bows in about 8 minutes.  Pick out a packet of small flowers or buttons that will look good on each card.  For instance, if I had chosen to use buttons instead of flowers, I probably would have used wooden buttons to go with the rustic feel of this collection.

Bundle Up and Glue it Down

As you will see in the video tutorial, I quickly go through my “mise en place” stacks and build little card bundles.  I pick a background paper, a belly band, a focal image and ephemera for each card then set it aside.  This way, I do all my glue work at the same time, and it goes really fast.  Once all my papers are glued down, I come back and add bows and flowers.

This is a great way to make a big stack of Christmas cards or birthday cards, too.  Sometimes I make a big stack of these cards to give as a gift to a friend or family member.

Throwback Thursday Tutorial on YouTube

 

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Throwback Thursday.  To see past Throwback Thursday projects, please click HERE.  to see more Prima Autumn Sunset projects and tutorials, please click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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**Please note: Throwback Thursday projects use older, often retired, products.  Sometimes I can find these items online and sometimes I cannot.  I will link whenever possible.  You can always substitute something lovely from your own stash.  Thanks for understanding!

Prima Autumn Sunset Deer Autumn Card Folio

Prima Autumn Sunset Deer Autumn Card Folio

Hello, Friends!  Oh, how I love fall.  This Prima Autumn Sunset Deer Autumn Card Folio is so warm and inviting, I just had to share it with you!  It has everything I love: rich color, gorgeous textures, lush layers, machine stitching to add that homespun feel, and scrumptious patterned papers.  Yes, I had fun with this one!

Prima Autumn Sunset Deer Autumn Card Folio by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design PHoto 01

Start with a 6″ x 6″ chocolate brown card base with a 1/2″ spine.  Them mat layers of Prima Autumn Sunset papers on cardstock and burlap.  Scurry over to the sewing machine and add some stitching.  Then heat emboss a Laserowe Love doily with Seth Apter Ancient Amber Baked Texture and pile on some fall leaves. (Prima) Place dimensionals on the back of the die cut deer and surround with gorgeous flowers.  Yummy!

TIP:  Build your card front before you adhere it to the base.  Then wrap the sides with twine and gold metallic string to create a wonderful contrast between rustic and elegant.  Top the twine with a Prima charm.  I always add my card fronts to the base as the very last step.  This way, I can finish the inside without crushing all those lovely dimensional elements.

Deer Autumn Card Folio: A Peek Inside

Prima Autumn Sunset Deer Autumn Card Folio by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 02

Create a quick and easy pocket on the inside of your card.  Simply cut the liner panel 2 1/2″ longer than the card base.  Score and fold the overhang to form a pocket.  Add gussets to the sides so you have plenty of room to add treats and treasures.

Prima Autumn Sunset Deer Autumn Card Folio by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 03

Use an Envelope Tool to make a little tea wallet .  Top it with a ribbon belly band to hold everything in place.  I tucked in one of my precious vintage gold plated enamel demitasse spoons and a bit of chocolate for a sweet afternoon treat.

Deer Autumn Card Folio: The Pull Out Mechanism

Prima Autumn Sunset Deer Autumn Card folio Accordion Mechanism Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 04

This lovely little accordion mechanism is held in place with ribbon.  It’s a great way to showcase the patterns from this lovely collection.  And it’s the perfect place to add a few fall photos and journaling.  I love it when a card is also a gift and a mini album, don’ t you?

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

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Autumn, Pumpkins and You Etcetera Tag

Autumn, Pumpkins, and You Etcetera Tag with Prima Autumn Sunset

Hello, Friends!  Let’s cozy up with a cuppa and take a look at this Autumn, Pumpkins, and You Etcetera Tag, shall we?  Autumn is all about rich textures, beautiful colors and layers.  I’ve incorporated all those elements into this lovely home decor piece.

Autumn, Pumpkins and You Mixed Media Etcetera Tag Prima Autumn Sunset by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 01

Etcetera tags are huge.   This “small” tag measures 5 1/2″ x 10″ and it’s about 1/4″ thick. A perfect size and weight for home decor, and able to stand up to mixed media techniques, these tags are a favorite base.  I thought you might enjoy seeing how I prepared the tag base with mixed media supplies.  So I put together a little “mini tutorial” for you.

Autumn, Pumpkins, and You Etcetera Tag: Layer by Layer

Begin by painting the edges of your Etcetera Tag with DecoArt Copper Metallics Paint.  Dry with your heat gun.

Next, randomly apply Versamark Embossing Ink directly to the edges of the tag.  Then sprinkle randomly with Seth Apter Patina Oxide Baked Texture.

Now heat emboss, but don’t bake it all the way, as you will be adding another layer of embossing powder.

Let the first layer of embossing powder cool, the randomly apply Versamark to the edges again.  Then sprinkle lightly with Emerald Creek Burnt Copper Leaves Embossing Powder.  Heat emboss until you like the finish. This is a matter of personal choice.

I like to emboss my powders until they are like dark toast…not quite burnt, but rich and toasty!

Next, I cut a liner sheet about 1/2″ smaller than the tag.  Collage paper scraps and fussy cut images in layers, stitch on the machine and you’ve got a great base to work with.  There’s no real wrong way to do this.

Autumn, Pumpkins, and You Etcetera Tag: The Details

Cluster images and elements together to create a focal point.  This is important.  The eye needs a place to rest.

This vintage curtain tie back is made of tin.  I altered it with paint and embossing powders to add rich autumn hues.  Then I clustered flowers and autumn leaves around it to blend it into the collage.

Top the tag with gorgeous plaid ribbon, curly ribbon, acorns and more flowers.  The green balls are green peppercorns from my kitchen.

Autumn, Pumpkins, and You Etcetera Tag: The Flip Side

Prima Autumn Sunset Mixed Media Etcetera Tag Waterfall by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 01

There’s a lot of great real estate on the back side of these tags.  Finish the back side with a lovely little waterfall cascade.  Just add photos!

I have a few of these tags scattered around my home as decor.  This one sold in my Etsy shop.  I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

SUPPLY LIST
  • Prima Autumn Sunset
  • Small Tim Holtz Etcetera Tag
  • Seth Apter Baked Texture: Patina Oxide
  • Emerald Creek Burnt Copper Leaves Embossing Powder
  • Versamark Embossing Ink Pad
  • Ribbon, embellishments and fibers from my stash

Prima Autumn Sunset Mixed Media Wall Hanging

Prima Autumn Sunset Mixed Media Wall Hanging for Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello, Friends! Today, I have a mixed media wall hanging to share with you.  It has been a long, hot summer here in North Carolina.  I am so ready for the season to turn the corner into fall.  So while I’m waiting for these sultry days to wind down, I’ve been playing with my Prima Autumn Sunset paper pretties.  (You can see this entire collection in my unboxing video HERE.)

The inspiration for this 9″ x 11″ piece came from my granddaughters.  Sophie (10) and Julia (7) are fascinated by what I do.  They are always on the lookout for bits and pieces that I can add to my stash.  When a storm knocked over the Bradford Pear trees at their house, the trees had to be removed.  Sophie saved me that lovely piece of tree bark because she thought perhaps I could use it in my art.  And Julia, who  knows how much I love acorns, is always picking them up for me.  If you look in the floral cluster, you’ll see 2 cute acorns that are Julia’s contribution to this piece.

Autumn Sunset Mixed Media Wall Hanging: Preparing the Base

Here’s how this one came together, layer by layer:

  • Begin by distressing the edges of a 9″ x 11″ piece of heavy kraft cardstock.
  • Then cut an 8 1/2″ x 11″ panel of the rusty check from the Autumn Sunset A4 pad.  Distress the edges and machine stitch onto the kraft panel.
  • Now, break out some Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste and a Flourish Stencil.  Add a few drops of Antique Linen Distress Re-Inker into the paste, and mix to soften the bright white color.  Apply a thick layer in the corners of the canvas.  Heat dry (gently) or leave to dry overnight.
  • Now, apply Prima Copper Crackle Texture Paste through a Tim Holtz Autumn Leaves Layering Stencil.  I like to apply this in a thickness that is similar to mayonnaise on a Southern Style tomato sandwich.   Heat set (gently) or let air dry.  If you heat set, keep the heat gun moving.  You may get some cool little heat blisters that pop up, and I actually like that look.
Autumn Sunset Mixed Media Wall Hanging: Layer by Layer

This next part is where the fun really begins.  Cut apart the images from the Autumn Sunset 12″ x 12″ collage sheet.  Back them with dimensionals.  Use one, two or three layers on the back so that when you glue them to the base, you have varying heights.  Fussy cut the fox and other elements and do the same.  Then just kind of fit everything together in a pleasing arrangement.  It’s a bit like putting a puzzle together.

TIP: Ink all the cut edges with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.  This helps the individual pieces stand out in the whole.

Because the tree bark is curved on the back side, I had to create “shims” with layers of chipboard before adhering it to the base of the canvas.  Then I tucked fall leaves, little ceramic mushrooms, flowers and other goodies in around the base to integrate it into the piece.

These Autumn Sunset Flowers are just so beautiful!

The final step was attaching the canvas to this sweet little vintage hanger that I found in my stash.  I topped the hanger with Turftan Brown Delicate Stitched Satin Bows, and Brown/Cream Plaid Ribbon from the August Ribbon Club Assortment.   Then I added some sweet vintage buttons on top of the bows, and here and there in the canvas.  You know me and my buttons!

I find that the more I work with mixed media, the more I am enjoying the process.  There is still so much to learn, but that is half the fun, isn’t it?

I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.  You’ll also find a linked supply list below the post.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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