Ooh it was chilly this morning! Autumn is definitely in the air and the garden is starting to show it. I have a feeling my casserole recipe book is about to make it to the top of the pile. I do love autumn though, there’s something about the colours and textures that never fail to inspire me.
Today I decided to decorate a mini pizza box with a sweet sunflower as my focal point.

Although I knew I wanted a yellow sunflower on my box, I began by looking at the Come To Gather 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack for the background. There are lots of lovely designs in the pack but I was immediately drawn to the gingham sheet in Pretty Peacock and Mint Macaron.
I cut a 3″ x 10″ strip and wrapped it around my Mini Pizza Box, securing the DSP to itself with Tear & Tape Adhesive. Then I wrapped some Whisper White 5/8″ Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon around the box and attached it to the DSP.
FAUX SUEDE TEXTURE
For the sunflower I punched some Crushed Curry Card four times using the Medium Daisy Punch. I layered all four pieces on top of each other using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow), staggering the petals on each layer.
Then for the centre of the flower I chose Soft Suede Card punched using the 1″ Circle Punch.
While I liked the colour, I wanted to add some texture so I pulled the circle between my thumb and a Bone Folder. I turned the card and repeated the process, and continued to rotate and turn over the card each time. As I worked I could feel the card softening as I gently broke the fibres. Eventually I could see that the card was separating into layers so I carefully peeled them apart. When I turned over the layer I had a ‘faux suede’ effect which would be perfect for my sunflower. All I had to do was fix it onto the petals with a little liquid glue.
TEXTURED LEAVES AND CURLS
For the leaves I turned to the Nature’s Roots Dies and the smallest single leaf. First I cut three single leaves from Pear Pizzazz card using the outline cutting die. Then I turned to the coordinating embossing die in the set.
I began by sticking the back of the embossing die to some washi tape so I could then gently press the embossing surface onto a Pear Pizzazz ink pad. Next, using the washi tape, I picked up the die and placed it face up on the desk. I then laid one of the die-cut leaves on top and folded the washi tape over to keep it in place while I ran it through my die-cutting machine. Once that was done I peeled off the washi and removed my inked and embossed leaf. Then I repeated this process with the other two leaves.

I still had one last idea for adding colour and texture to my box, card curls. These were really quick and easy to make with a 1/8″ scrap of Merry Merlot Card. All I did was wrap the strip of card tightly around a cocktail stick (toothpick), then slide it off.
SO THANKFUL
That just left the “So thankful” sentiment from the Beauty & Joy Stamp Set. I stamped the sentiment using Merry Merlot ink onto Very Vanilla Card, then punched it out with the Classic Label Punch.
To complete the autumn box decoration I fixed the edge of the sentiment to the back of the sunflower with liquid glue. Then I added two of the embossed leaves behind the flower with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals. That just left the third leaf and card curls which I added to the back of the arrangement with liquid glue.
Now the sunflower embellishment was complete I used some more liquid glue to fix it into place on the box wrap.
I must admit that left to my own devices I would probably have pulled out reds, browns and oranges for this autumn project. That said I love the Pretty Peacock wrap layer, and would never have considered that as an autumn colour. This is why I love Stampin’ Up!, they make me think outside the box. Literally.
SO pretty! and the faux suede even shows up in the photo too! Love the look of the embossed leaves how you’ve done them. It’s a favourite time of the year for the same reasons, Tracy … fun for decorating too! TFS and have a warm and cozy weekend!
Thank you Geraldine. Chilly outside = crafting time.