I'm Fond of Autumn

Here is upstate NY we had a very hot summer with 25 days over 90 degrees, which is very unusual for us.  (Last year we had 4.)  But on the first day of fall, the weather changed dramastically and since then we have had very cool weather.  The leaves on one of my trees have already fallen and it definitely feels like autumn now.  

So this week I took out a new fall set called Fond of Autumn.  And I have to say that I loved it!  It has some nice fall images of leaves and acorns, but it also has a lot more to offer.  

I started with this Cajun Craze fall card with a side "door opening."   I used a sheet of the pumpkin paper from Gilded Autumn designer papers that we offered last year in the fall.  The image is colored in with Stamping Blends using the Crumb Cake for the leaves and cut out with the die cuts.  I love the soft colors for this card.  I added a vanilla circle for the Thank You saying.  I got the idea for this from Melissa Faust.  

Next up is a card using Pear Pizazz for the background.  I used the die cut from Hues of Happiness and tucked a sheet of designer paper behind the cut out for a subtle look.  The tag is from Designer Tags cut outs and looks great as the background behind the leaf cut out.  I colored in the leaves using watercolor pencils and added a slight water wash to them to blend in the colors.  My idea came from Debbie Henderson.

For this card, I used the birch folder to emboss some trees onto the circular cut out for the background.  I think the cut out is one from a wreath, but I'm not sure which one.  I embossed the Old Olive background piece with the Timber folder and put it onto a card base and envelope from the Sale-a-Bration Cards and Envelopes.  I wanted to keep the color scheme green and crumb cake.  This idea is from Mikaela Titheridge.  

Even though all three cards have a fall look, this stamp set can be used into Christmas and throughout the year.  It also has berries that can be used as holly berries and flowers that can be used all year.  I enjoyed using it.  

 

Bird Cage Collage Cards

A few weeks ago I worked on some cards using the Abigail Rose papers and some card layouts and ideas from Gail Ellis, another demonstrator on Pinterest.  I kept the colors scheme very simple and love the look that these cards have.  

There's a cute new set of stamps in the catalog with parakeets and a bird cage cut out.  However, I already have a lot of bird stamps and bird cages, too.  So I used some of my old stamps and cut outs to redesign Gail's cards.  

I used Abigail Rose designer papers for the cards, some vintage lace and several older bird stamps and cages including Free as a Bird stamp set.  

Seriously, I love how they came out!  I had an old Tim Holtz bird cage die cut, one of the Bigz dies that I had never used before.  I also used the new Designer Tags cut outs for the tags on the cards.  The flower die is from the Pretty Pillowbox.  

I love the muted colors and the fun "collage" style.  I call the set of cards a Mix & Match.  Once you stamp and emboss and cut everything out, you can mix and match the items on any of the cards.  

For the last card, I kept things simple.  It's mostly a sheet of the designer paper that makes this card so wonderful.  Then I added some tags, flower and saying.  The Designer Tag dies really makes the cards.  For the color scheme, I used Petal Pink for the accent color.  I think the card would look pretty if you colored in some of the flowers on the designer papers, too.  Maybe next time I will try it!

Hippest Hippos

To match the Beautiful Shapes cards, I made a whimsical card using the Hippest Hippos set.  I have to say I never would have thought she would look so cute surrounded by flowers, but I think she does!  She's dancing through the flowers holding her little umbrella for balance.  The little tag is from Designer Tags dies.  Cute, right?

This sweet little card opens in the front like a door.  It makes the card even cuter.  :)

There are so many cute things that you can do with the hippos.  I look forward to making some more whimsical cards with them.  

What sort of things have you made using the hippos?

 

Beautiful Shapes with Peach Designer Papers

This week I made some pretty cards using the You're a Peach paper pack and Beautiful Shapes cut outs.  For this card I cut out some hexagons from the designer papers and then a cut out hole in the front of the card.  I embossed the saying onto the cardstock and then used dimensionals for the white front to stand up a bit.  I added a butterfly from the Designer tags and a pretty bow.  

Before I got started with the hexagons, I used an embossing folder to give it some texture. I love the simplicity of this card.  I got the idea from Gail Ellis.  

I had a lot of the You're a Peach designer paper left over from last year, so I also made a small clipboard for each of the stampers.  They were surprised at their little gift!

This next card is filled with different sized shapes from the Beautiful Shapes dies.  I love the eclectic look of it.  I added some flower cut outs and leaves from the Penned Flowers Dies.  This card idea is also from Gail Ellis.  To go with the card, I made a gift card holder using the Mini Pocket Envelope die that I just love.  

These little pockets are just the right size to hold a note, a piece of Hershey's chocolate, a magnet or a gift card.  I want to make these to match every project!  LOL

The third card has the hexies shaped like a flower.  I arranged them, glued then down and then added a flower middle with the green paper.  The cut out is from the Penned Flower Dies.  This flower cut out makes any card look better!  Gail Ellis was my inspiration for these three cards today.  :)

Here are the three cards that I made using You're a Peach papers.  You could make these cards with any package of designer papers.  Just change up the cardstock colors and be creative!