Autumn Blessings

Growing up in Hawaii, I've had few chances to see the color changes of fall, but I've romanticized about it. Creating autumnal cards is my way of celebrating the season.  The kraft paper 50 pack blank note card set from Sierra Pacific is the perfect base for the warm color tones of fall.  I started with the envelope and used the Tim Holtz tattered leaves die to cut one leaf out from the flap. At first I was just going to back the cut out with printed paper but then I thought that a lined envelope would look more elegant.  Making a lining for an envelope is easy, just trace the opened envelope and cut it out.  Trim the lining to fit the envelope, cutting off the bottom (about 1") so that the lining will sit below the gummed edge.  Using a double-sided printed paper would be best for a for a cut out envelope lining, but I wanted to use a single-sided autumn leaf paper so I just cut out a second flap and glued it behind the cut-out flap.  Does that make sense?

For the card I simply glued down a bit of woven material (from the floral department of Ben Franklin Crafts).  Next I printed a piece of burlap ribbon (also from BFC) with the words Autumn Blessings.  After gluing down the ribbon, I adhered the leaf that I cut out of the envelope and dyed by smudging Memento ink on it.  (Ben Franklin Crafts has a good selection of fall and vintage colored inks.)  Next, I stamped a quote onto a small scrap of kraft paper, smudged the edges with ink and used sticky dots to fasten it onto the card.  Finally, to highlight the edges of the card, I applied ink sparingly using a paper towel covered finger. The autumn words I used came from a TPC Studio clear stamp set, but you could use any of the numerous fall themed sets available at Ben Franklin Crafts.  Be creative and celebrate the season of change!