Ciao Bella Thankful Sunflowers Card

Hello, Friends! Happy Friday! Today’s post features this Ciao Bella Thankful Sunflowers card that I made for my blogging buddy, Anita Houston. (The Artful Maven Haven) Anita’s lovely blog was one of the very first that I followed. She is one of the most talented, generous and lovely people in the mixed media world. As a Ranger Educator, she shared dozens of techniques via her blog. Although we have very different styles, I was able to translate many of them into my paper driven crafting. And, she was one of the people who gently kicked me in the seat of my pants and said, “Start a blog!” She still visits and supports my blog, which means the world to me. My nickname for her is “Beautiful Soul”.

In a recent email, she was praising me for the sunflowers I used on THIS card. When I mentioned to her that I had used Ranger Perfect Pearls Sunflower Sparkle Spray on the petals to amp up the color, I also mentioned that I was sad because my supply was nearly gone. Since these mists are now retired, I was sad to see it go. Anita immediately mailed me a package of all the colors, no charge, and she wouldn’t even let me pay postage. See why I call her Beautiful Soul? So this card is on its way to my dear friend, Anita.

Ciao Bella Thankful Sunflowers Card with The Sound of Autumn

This was my first play with Ciao Bella papers…but it will NOT be my last! Ooh la la! What fun I had making this fancy fold card. This is a Z-Fold Box card, and I have a YouTube tutorial that will show you how to make the base HERE. There is additional information for this style card on my blog HERE. So that ought to keep you busy this weekend!

Heartfelt Creations Sunflowers take center stage along with beautiful layered papers, metal embellishments and gingham ribbon. Yes, I love gingham ribbon! I’ll share a supply list at the end of this post.

For more Heartfelt Creations Sunflowers on my blog, click HERE.

Ciao Bella Thankful Sunflowers Card: A Peek Inside

So, the hedgehog….all together now…oooooooooh! Don’t you just love it? And of course, there’s a little tea pocket.

The z-fold area is just big enough to hold a pocket for one of my precious demitasse spoons and a little tag. These are the z folds inside the card.

And these are the folds behind the front cover. I would love to sit on this park bench and soak up the autumn sunshine. How about you?

No tutorial today…just a lovely little autumn card and a shout out to a dear friend who helped me get my feet under me in the crafting world. Love you, Anita!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Supply List

Ciao Bella Sound of Autumn
- 12×12 Paper Pad
- Creative Pad
- Patterns Pad
Heartfelt Creations Classic Sunflower Stamp and Die
Copper/Cream Ribbon
Czech Beads, Prills and Charms from my stash

Autumn Love All Occasion Greeting Card with RRR Autumn Hues Ribbon Club Assortment

Hello, Ribbon Lovers! I love fall! Just the thought of brightly colored leaves, crisp air, crunchy apples, golden pumpkins and hot apple cider makes me fairly giddy! I tried to wrap all these happy thoughts up in this Autumn Love All Occasion Greeting Card made with Really Reasonable Ribbon’s Autumn Hues Ribbon Club Assortment. This card feels like fall…and that makes me happy, happy, happy!

Wonderful things happen when you organize your fall paper stash! That’s where I found the paper and image for this vibrant Autumn Love All Occasion Card. I have no idea where or when I bought it, and I only had one sheet, but that was all I needed to make this 5″ x 7″ top fold card.

Ribbon to the Rescue

Normally, I layer up at least 3 or four different patterned papers when I make a card. I like the contrast and depth this provides. Since I only had one piece of double sided paper, I needed to find a way to add a little visual interest to this card. Ribbon to the rescue! Here’s how I used ribbon in lieu of patterned paper

First, I created a belly band with Random Autumn Leaves Grosgrain, 3/8″ Tangerine Ribbon and Autumn Bold Vertical Stripes Ribbon.
Next, I added a bold header to my card with the same striped ribbon.
Finally, I used crochet lace to create a footer for the card.

These ribbons add color, pattern, texture and dimension, taking the place of paper very nicely.

Autumn Love All Occasion Greeting Card: The Bow Cluster

Another great way to add pattern, texture and dimension to a card is in the bow cluster.

First I created a double layer bow from Tangerine Taffeta Ribbon with a little help from my Zutter Bow-it-All Tool. Then I made a smaller double loop bow from the leaf ribbon and hot glued it on top. Next, I tied a double loop bow from Natural Burlap String and topped it off with a gorgeous Mixed Earth Tone Chrysanthemum. Ink a couple of mini pumpkins with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and glue those in, too. The more the merrier!

Autumn Love All Occasion Greeting Card: A Peek Inside

These cute little doo-dads were also in my fall paper bin, so I added them to the top half of the card. Then I had just enough paper left to finish the inside of the card with a pocket.

What’s in the pocket? I put together a quick recipe card for one of my favorite fall cookies. And what goes better with fall cookies than a nice hot cup of tea?

I hope I’ve shared some tips and tricks 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!