Many Thanks

If you're anything like me, Autumn is a very special time of year at your house.  It's a season when the smell of pumpkin pies, cookies, and crisp fresh-fallen leaves fill the air, and you might take the time for a long drive to see the beautiful leaves that are changing colors.  These are such heart-warming experiences that we all love to participate in at this time of the year.  It's also a fun time in the crafting community because we get to see all the Autumn-inspired projects everyone has been creating and sharing on their blogs.  Well....such is the case for our new challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon because this time, our theme is all about Autumn Colors, and you can share ANY type of project as long as it includes some sort of ribbon or spooled trim.

One truly wonderful thing about being part of this wonderful crafting community is all the incredible inspiration we find on one another's blogs.  There are so many artists who inspire me, and for this card I was inspired (once again) by the talented Melissa Phillips who created a similar card to this one last August using a sweet pumpkin stamp set from Papertrey Ink.  I followed her design layout, and put my own spin on it by adding some lovely trims and flowers from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

This seemingly simple card actually has a lot going on.  The papers are from Crate Paper's Farmhouse collection, the wooden embroidery hoop is from Crate Paper, the inks I used are Tim Holtz Distress Inks, and I added an adorable little Sweetheart Blossom in an orangy red color from the Mixed Reds & Whites collection.  On each side of the flower, I placed a 30mm Wild Orchid Craft Green Mulberry Leaf.  Underneath the embroidery hoop, I laid a deep orange border that was cut using a Papertrey Ink border die, and I ran a length of Debra Natural Crochet Lace on top of that.

Down at the bottom right of the embroidery hoop, I added a small bow tied with Noble Peacock Seam Binding, and I set a small pearl accent sticker in the center of that bow.  I just love Seam Binding, and Really Reasonable Ribbon carries 24 gorgeous colors to help you match your next project.  It's priced reasonably, too, at thirty cents per yard ($1.50 for 5 yards).  What a bargain!

Wait!!  I'm not running off just yet.  I have another fun Autumn Colors card I made for this challenge.  This one uses the same Pumpkin Patch stamp set from Papertrey Ink, along with a bow tied with 3/8"Hunter Green Ribbon and another adorable little Sweetheart Blossom in a deep orangy red color from the Mixed Reds & Whites collection.  And again, on the side of the flower, I placed a 30mm Wild Orchid Craft Green Mulberry Leaf.

And finally......before I leave you, I want to list the challenges where I'm sharing my Autumn Colors card:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Anything Goes"

Die Cut Divas Challenge Blog - September Challenge/Fall and Autumn Holidays - I made these fun Autumn cards, and I used a die-cut on the first card (for the decorative border) and on my second card (for the sentiment banner).  I love using die-cuts.

4 Crafty Chicks - Challenge #314 - Fussy Cutting - Yes!  I did fussy cut on these cards.  I had purchased the die-cut for these cute pumpkins, and I can't find it anywhere.  So....I had to fussy cut ALL the pumpkins by hand so that I could make them 3-D layered.

NBUS Challenge #7 - My never before used schtuff is my new PTI pumpkin stamp set.  I just LOVE it!  Thanks so much, Darnell.

I love to play along in challenges whenever I possibly can.  And if YOU like to play along in challenges,  Really Reasonable Ribbon warmly invites you come by the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog for lots of inspiration, and to play along with us in the new Autumn Colors Challenge.  You're also welcome to play along in the fun challenges I've entered.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.

UPDATE:  There's a big LABOR DAY SALE going on NOW at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  Get in on these great holiday savings.

Karen