For this week’s TGIF Challenge, we are creating leaf-themed projects. The timing couldn’t have been better, because I needed to create an anniversary card for my husband. We got married in Yosemite 33 years ago in the Fall, and the park was filled with Autumn colors. It was stunning, so leaves are a perfect theme for my husband’s card. I used the Autumn Leaves and Love For You Bundles to create this card.
Before I go any farther, I have to give inspiration credit to my good friend Tammy Wilson. She created an absolutely GORGEOUS card using this stamp set and background technique. I read about it on her blog and just had to try it out for myself. Her card is ultra feminine, so I did my best to put my own twist on it.
To create the background, I inked up the large maple leaf stamp with Daffodil Delight ink, then stamped it off on scratch paper once to lighten the color, used a Sponge Dauber to add Pumpkin Pie ink to portions of the stamp, spritzed the stamp with water and then stamped on Thick Basic White Cardstock. For some of the leaves, I substituted Pumpkin Pie and Cajun Craze ink. Afterwards, I stamped all the veins with Pretty Peacock ink. Then, the fun began …
First, I splattered the stamped layer with water droplets by holding a Water Painter over the layer and tapping it. I added lots of water drops so the ink bled. Occasionally, I dried it and then added more splatter. Next, I mixed a few drops of Craft White ink refill with water and splattered that all over the layer. After that was dry, I add Pretty Peacock splatter with the brush tip of a Stampin’ Write Marker. (Use the cap to flick the brush towards the paper.) Yes, it involved a lot of splattering and it was a messy process, but I love the results!
My card is a slimline design, measuring 4″ x 9-1/4″, so it gave me more room to show off those pretty leaves. I roughed up the edges of the stamped layer with the blade of my Paper Snips and then layered it over some Oxidized Copper Specialty Paper and a Pretty Peacock card base. The card base has a top layer that I embossed with the Autumn Leaves dot die.
My sentiment comes from the Love For You Stamps. I embossed it in white on Oxidized Copper SP and then cut it out with the coordinating dies. The “Happy Anniversary” sentiment comes from the same stamp set. I embossed it in copper on some All About Autumn DSP (woodgrain print) and then cut it out with the small Autumn Leaves label die. The die wasn’t quite long enough, so I used a partial die-cutting method to elongate the die shape. (Position the cutting plate so it only cuts one side of the sentiment, then reposition die and cut out the rest.)
I used Copper & Natural Ribbon underneath the sentiments (supported by Foam Adhesive Sheets) and then cut out some solid leaves to break up the busy background.
Here’s a quick view of the inside … more of that beautiful Oxidized Copper SP and All About Autumn woodgrain print.
Be sure to click over to the TGIF Challenges Blog to check out all the designers’ projects this week. Then, create your own leaf-themed project and upload it using the Linky Tool at the bottom of that post. I’d love to see what you create!
Have a wonderful and creative day!
Use Host Code 9ZEM4RAE for purchases at my online store to qualify to receive free exclusive project tutorials. This month’s PDF includes 12 fantastic tutorials designed by my demonstrator friends and I to inspire your creativity! The projects feature products from the 2024 Annual Catalog, Online Exclusives, and new January-April Mini and Sale-A-Bration Catalogs. Enjoy!
