Authentique Cultivate Card Folio: Farewell to the Summer Garden

Hello, Friends! Today I have a sweet little Authentique Cultivate Card Folio to share with you. I’m sitting here in complete disbelief that it is time to say farewell to the summer garden. How did we get to the middle of September so fast? We still have a few tomatoes coming in, but for the most part, out little summer garden is done. I thought it would be nice to use this darling new Authentique Paper collection to create a tribute to all those tomatoes!

This 5″ x 7″ card folio is all about layers, texture and dimension. Here are a few tips to help you incorporate those elements in your card making.

Machine stitching adds wonderful texture to a card panel. It also acts like a frame for the card.
Create dimension by backing the focal image with a double layer of chipboard.
Elevate the design even more by backing a small die cut element with chipboard. Then top it with a resin flower basket.
Want some sparkle? Wrap the top of the card with Iridescent Metallic String. Tie on some sweet little garden charms to add visual interest.
Fill the trowel with mustard seeds from the kitchen for even more texture.

Ribbon is the quickest and easiest way to add texture to a card design. Place it in the corners to frame the image. But you can also use it as a border along the bottom of the card.
Want even more texture? Try wrapping the card panel with some gorgeous crocheted lace. That should do the trick!

A Peek Inside

Don’t you love these Pennsylvania Dutch patterns and colors? I think this folio would make a wonderful gardener’s gift. Place photos of your prize winning flowers or produce in the photo folio. Then kick back, relax and enjoy a cuppa with the treats in the box pocket. Here’s a peek at a few of the pages in the accordion folio. There are 4 pull out panels on each side of the design.

The little flip pages provide lots of room for journaling and smaller snapshots.

Dress up your treats with scraps left over from designing the card. It’s a great way to clean up your work surface and use up odds and ends.

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

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

SUPPLY LIST

Authentique Paper
- Cultivate Collection Kit
- 6×6 Paper Bundle
Reneabouquets Garden Bouquet Lace
Blue Micro Gingham
Iridescent Metallic String
Darcelle Flowers
Melissa Frances Resin Flower Basket
Gardening Charms
- Trowel
- Watering Can
Little Birdie Butterfly

Crafty Secrets Paper Pieced Apron Note Cards

Hello, Friends!

Well, Spring has sprung in North Carolina! My miniature daffodils are waving their pretty yellow heads in the plant pots on my front stoop. The cherry trees have burst into bloom. The Bradford Pears that line are driveway are swelling with buds, birds are singing…even the spring peepers have started their happy chorus! Even though I’m not a gardener, this time of year always reminds me of my mom. She could not wait to get out and dig in the dirt after our long New England winters. She would get the laundry hung on the line, and head right out for her flower beds to give her precious posies some TLC. When I found these adorable aprons in the Garden Style Digital Art Stamps, I knew that I had to make these paper pieced apron note cards to share with you.

These are standard sized 4.25″ x 5.5″ note cards on a kraft card base. I printed out the gorgeous garden paper collage from the Digital Garden Papers and stitched it onto the pretty peach diamond papers. I love the color combo! It just says SPRING!

I printed the apron onto 4 different sheets of paper from the Garden Papers, cut them apart, and then paper pieced them back together again. Color was randomly added with alcohol markers. I pleated the ruffle a little on each card and popped the pockets up onto foam tape to add some fun dimension, then touched it with a little bit of Diamond Stickles for glitz and glam.

To finish off the flirty look, I added a simple square knot bow tied with shimmery Sheer Iridescent Peach Ribbon.

These would make such great hostess gifts…or just a flirty, fun way to send a little thinking of you note. They are simple to make, so you could do gobs of them in and afternoon. Besides, paper piecing takes me back to playing with paper dolls. It’s just plain fun!

Thanks for stopping by!