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