Stamping Sunday — As The Season Turns

Hello and welcome to the Stamping Sunday Blog Hop for October. This month, our theme is “As The Season Turns.” This is going to be very interesting, because we have designers from all over the world, so each of us will be interpreting the theme in our own way.

I live in Stockton, smack dab in the middle of the great central valley of California in the USA. Even though it’s 100 miles inland from San Francisco, it’s still at sea level. The weather is very sunny and hot in the Summer and I can easily see both the Coastal Range and Sierra Nevada Mountains from my house. While it rarely if ever snows here in the valley, Fall still means cooler weather, colorful leaves, and hopefully a little rain!

For this blog hop, the designers have two choices. We can design 1) three versions of a card for beginner, casual, and avid stampers, or 2) a 3D project and a card. This month, I chose the first option.

Beginner Stamper:

I decided to use the Gorgeous Leaves Bundle for my projects, since the changing seasons mean beautiful Fall leaves. However, rather than using typical Fall colors, I decided to pick a very abstract color combination of Evening Evergreen, Blackberry Bliss, and Sahara Sand.

For my beginner card, I tried to focus mostly on using the Gorgeous Leaves stamps, but I admit that I also used the coordinating Intricate Leaves Dies and Picture This Dies. However, a beginner stamper could easily create this card without the dies by simply cutting around the stamped leaves, cutting rectangles with a paper trimmer, and using a purchased leaf embellishment. (I admit that I’m a little “beginner card challenged” when it comes to designing.)

I stamped the three leaves and then used the small splatter stamp to add age spots with Early Espresso ink. Then, I cut the background rectangles from In Good Taste Designer Series Paper and stamped more splatter on the Sahara Sand card base.

Final enhancements include a few Brushed Metallic Adhesive-Backed Dots and some gray Baker’s Twine Essentials tied in a simple bow.

Casual Stamper:

For my next two cards, I used the Picture This Dies to create a peek-a-boo layer. Underneath, I added a layer of Vellum Paper that I colored using the Alcohol Ink technique.

To create the alcohol ink layer, I used Blackberry Bliss, Evening Evergreen and Just Jade Stampin’ Blends Markers to scribble on Vellum Paper. Then, I applied 91% Isopropyl Alcohol with a paint brush to randomly move the ink around and create these beautiful designs. I really love this technique!

When I stamped the leaf this time, I inked up the stamp with Sahara Sand and then used a Sponge Dauber to add Blackberry Bliss ink to the edges.

For the sentiment, I embossed the greeting from Artistically Inked in white and then cut it out with the Picture This Die. Then, for a little more texture, I dry embossed the top layer with the Timber 3D Embossing Folder. The detailed leaves are cut from In Good Taste Designer Series Paper.

Avid Stamper:

My last card includes a few more layers of leaves and a raveled tie. I also spent a little more time on the alcohol ink background, reapplying the ink for darker pigments.

To create the tie, I unraveled some gray Baker’s Twine Essentials. I also embossed the Artistically Inked sentiment on a strip of Vellum so I didn’t cover up the beautiful background.

Hope my cards have inspired you. Be sure to continue on through the rest of the Stamping Sunday Blog Hop by clicking on the links below to see the other designers’ interpretation of “As The Season Turns.”

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Stamping Sunday Blog Hop Designers:

Use Host Code DQ7VNKME for purchases at my online store to qualify to receive free exclusive project tutorials and a special thank you card from me. This month’s PDF includes 13 inspirational tutorials featuring current Stampin’ Up! products and lots of great techniques and tips. (Please note that Host Codes are only valid for 30 days. You can always find the current Host Code on the right side bar of my blog.)

Product List