Hello! I am back from a fall break and probably my last vacation of the year until the holidays. We drove down south to spend some time with the grandchildren during their fall break from school but we also made a couple of fun stops along the way of which I will tell you all about in my next travel post.
I always give the grandchildren gifts/cards for all the holidays/seasons. They don't celebrate Halloween, so I keep my cards/gifts fall themed.
My first card uses a stitching die from Spellbinders. Spellbinders has all these neat
monthly clubs you can join where you get their latest product at a discount. I really like the idea of combining sewing with paper crafting and I think their stitching dies are really different so I joined that club. Every month I receive a new die in the mail, and this was September's die
"Stitched Sunflowers". Isn't it beautiful? It is perfect for fall cards and thank you cards.
This was probably the most challenging stitched die I received because the floss kept catching on the petals. After a lot of frustration, I finally figured out to turn the die upside down while I was sewing. Also, each petal had to be sewn individually or the thread would be seen as you went over to the next petal. So it was a bit time consuming as I had to cut and tape the thread after finishing each petal. Not all stitching dies are this complicated. But the result is beautiful, and I love it! My daughter went crazy for it too and said "That is one card that needs to be framed".
To make this card I cut two sunflowers out, one flower center, and the leaves. I did some ink blending on everything to make it more natural and interesting, then I stitched away and adhered everything together. I did pop up the top sunflower and the brown center on dimensionals. I used gold metallic floss on the flower and a light green floss on the leaves. Everything was then glued to a blue patterned fall designer paper then I added a few fall gems and a stamped a fall sentiment.
Spellbinders had a huge sale recently, so I saw that as an opportune time to buy a couple of new dies. This die is called
"Truckin' Through the Seasons". I love this die for its versatility because it includes other items you can put in the truck bed like presents, Christmas trees, etc.
To make this card I chose a pretty fall patterned designer paper and adhered the truck to the paper. I decided to add a little fall poem about pumpkins to tie in with the pumpkins in the truck bed. I stamped that on a piece of golden card stock then added some flowers and vines from the same die set. Everything was then adhered to a gold foil card base.
I think these die cuts are a lot more work than simply stamping and coloring, so I don't understand why crafters like them so much. I think it might be because people don't like to color, but I've become very skilled at coloring, so I enjoy it. Every single piece you see in the truck below had to be cut in a different color, ink blended, then glue back together. It's a long, pain-staking process in my opinion.
This next card was really hard as that tractor and all its veggies was a lot of small pieces, but I sure like the way it turned out. It's a great card for a little boy and it can also be used for other seasons/events. I can see filling the trailer with Christmas trees for the holidays and doing the tractor in red instead of green. This die cut is called "Thankful Tractor" but I can't seem to find it on their website anymore so it must be sold out.
To make this card, I once again very painstakingly cut all the little pieces out of all the different colors of card stock, ink blended everything, then glued them back together. The wheels were popped up on dimensionals,
Once everything was complete, I just glued it to some fall designer paper and adhered it all to a green card stock base.
I also made some fall tags for all their fall gift bags. If you're wondering where Lazarus' card is, I didn't make him one because he is only five months old and I ran out of time.
The leaves were die cut with old Cuttlebug leaf dies then ink blended. The tags were cut using a Spellbinder's tag die, and eyelets were installed in the holes of the tags
And here are all the little ones holding their fall cards. I know, they look so thrilled 😆 I think they were just anxious to see what was inside their gift bags and I make them open up their cards and take a photo first. Trust me, they do love the cards. They even keep their favorites in little boxes and Alethea even keeps the unicorn shaker card I made for her birthday on display on her dresser.
And here you can see few photos of them being a little more excited opening their gift bags.
I always give them a new fall outfit. They really do enjoy receiving new clothes. The rest of the items in the bag are a few candy treats, some healthy snacks, and little toys/books.
This was the outfit I got for baby Lazarus. Isn't it cute? Brown is definitely this season's "it color".
And here is baby Lazarus wearing his new outfit. Isn't he adorable? I love his smile. The sweater goes so well with his auburn hair.
The grandchildren love activity/sticker books. They go through them so fast though! They love them so much, when they get a new one they start working on it immediately and don't stop till it's finished.
Well I hope you enjoyed my fall cards and a little insight into my family. There will be more fall stories to come in future travel posts.
Have A Great Day! Amy
Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!
Beaitiful and professional looking cards! I am amazed by the detail. YOur children are adorable--Happy Fall!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThe cards are so beautiful, love each one! I agree it's such a long process to use those kind of dies so I don't use them much and usually only purchase simpler dies for that reason. But I do love the look of the finished cards. The stitched sunflower looks so pretty but I'm not sure I'd have the patients for all the stitching. For the right person it's definitely worth it and your daughter is so right, it needs framed.
ReplyDeleteCute photos of everyone.
Thank you. I'm happy to hear you agree with me because I was beginning to wonder if I was doing something wrong that it took me so long. I know I have a lot more experience stamping than die cutting, so maybe I will get faster. But then a new trend will emerge and I have to readjust again ha ha.
DeleteYes it's possible that it's a lack of experience. Also having a hard time using dies that match stamps, I feel like I'm faster fussy cutting :)
DeleteSo great to see you linking up at I spy with my little eye challenge! Thank you!!
Oh, I know! It's so frustrating. I'd rather fussy cut too!
DeleteYour cards are so beautiful! My favorite is that sunflower one because I just love sunflowers and it looks so pretty against that lovely blue background. I think die cuts can be much fussier and time consuming than just stamping too but it does give a very different look to the card. I think I still prefer stamping or stenciling though.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. The sunflower is my favorite too. I prefer stamping too
DeleteYour cards are so beautiful, Amy.. what a treasure to receive one! I love your gifts for the grandkids, too! Those activity/sticker books are always a winner with our Littles, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Oh, did they love those books! They are so expensive for how quickly they go through them. They are definitely a treat!
DeleteBeautiful cards. The sunflower card has to be my favourite. A lot work, but the the result is gorgeous. I specially like the stitches. I agree with your daughter. That card really needs to be framed.
ReplyDelete-Soma
That is my favorite too! Yes, it is a lot of work so I will probably only do for a very special person for special occasions.
DeleteOh, my goodness. These are absolutely stunning! The patience it must take making? These would need to be kept forever, framed and hung on the wall. Too pretty to discard. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteTake care and best wishes.
Thank you! The stitching cards do take a lot more patience. They are not for everybody.
DeleteThis is absolutely amazing, love it, and I know the feeling of thread catching on other stuff as I am doing pin pricking. It's as time-consuming as your craft but love it.
ReplyDeleteSpotted this awesome post on Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot!
My entries this week are numbered #51+52
Hope you will join/share M-Sat at https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/
Thank you. Glad someone else could relate to the thread catching. I'll be over to check out your posts soon.
DeleteAmy, thank you for popping over and for participating and sharing at SSPS 333. See you again next week at #334
DeleteQuick question: Do you perhaps use tri/three fold cards? I am desperately looking for stock and unable to find any at the moment. I bought some years ago and they do not carry it anymore (sad)
You're welcome. No, I have never used tri/three fold cards. I'm not even sure what they are. I usually start with 8 1/2 by 11 piece of card stock and cut/fold a card base from that.
DeleteThanks for responding Amy, much appreciated. I will keep searching, otherwise I will just have to make them myself once I find good enough paper to do so.
DeleteTri/three fold cords are exactly what it says: In stead of the regular card with two sides, this had three and I do the pricking in the center and once done fold the one side over the stitched back and then you have two sided card.
These cards are beautiful! The grandchildren will want to keep them for sure. Thanks for linking
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. Yes, they usually keep them, the special ones at least.
DeleteAll your cards are wonderful but the sunflower is especially good with all the stitching! Visiting from Crazy Little Love Birds.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteCannot believe these gorgeous cards are cut from cardstock. They look like fabric or felt. Just beautiful. Painstaking work is right!! I often get my scrapbook pages all laid out/cut out and then just don't have the energy to glue everything down on the same day. My fumbly fingers make laying things out tricky. These are truly works of art, labors of love. Enjoyed seeing your babies' smiles and their mama's smile, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I don't often finish things on the same day either as I usually only have about an hour a day to spend on crafting. That's why it's nice to have a craft room. I can make a mess and walk away.
DeleteI can't get over the stitching you did on that sunflower. That's just phenomenal. Wow! And, yes, sticker books are a thrill. :) My kids always loved them. Thanks for sharing this post with us at the Will Blog for Comments #49! We hope you'll be back next week at #50 sharing more. :) Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteAmy, these cards are beautiful! My favorite is the sunflower card. You did a wonderful job creating them. Thank you for sharing at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #60.
ReplyDeleteThanks Stephanie!
DeleteAmy, you're very welcome! Featuring your beautiful cards at the Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #61 tomorrow. :) Hope you will join us again soon.
DeleteOh, that's great news! Thanks so much! I really appreciate it.
Delete