Playing with Clay -- Hello Fall!

*I'm thrilled to have this card picked for the Fab Faves at the Fab Friday Challenges*

I really loved the Simply Pressed Clay when it was released last year.  I've made buttons and flowers and a few other items such as eggs and pussy-willows.  But there are so many other things that are possible with the clay and I'm just beginning to scratch the surface.

If you follow my non-SU! blog, you'll know that I've fallen head-over-heels for modelling paste.  I love what I can do with it using my stencils and masks.  Inevitably I  had to ask myself if I could do anything like that using the Simply Pressed Clay.  Of course I had to try it out.  I had cut out a few leaves using my Autumn Accents Bigz die and the maple leaf negative looked like a great stencil to try out.  First I mixed up some of my Simply Pressed Clay and a half dozen or so drops of the Crushed Curry re-inker.  That made the clay rather sticky and thinner which was perfect for my plans.  I chose a piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock and attached my leaf stencil to it using Washi Tape.  Then I spread the clay across the leaf shape, using my fingers to get it right into all those little leafy corners.

I let that set for about half an hour.  Then I took off the Washi Tape and carefully peeled back the stencil.  What I really loved was that the clay stretched and curled at a few of the corners, giving it a lot more dimension and making it look more like a dried leaf found on one of my walks.  I let the clay dry on its Chocolate Chip base for a couple of days just to be sure.

I thought it was perfect for the Fab Friday challenge.  The size, after trimming the cardstock, was just right.  I used more Chocolate Chip as my base cardstock and then added a layer of Cajun Craze.  Next I cut a piece of Whisper White and Designer Series Paper to layer on top of that.  Before I added the Whisper White, however, I sponged it with Chocolate Chip, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry and Mossy Meadow inks and also embossed it using my Woodgrain embossing folder.

The sentiment from the For All Things stamp set, two-toned Natural and Old Olive Time, and Candy Dots finish up the card nicely.

For more cards using this sketch, check out Fab Friday.

For more cards showcasing leaves, check out Curtain Call.

And last but not least, for more cards that celebrate Fall, check out The Paper Players.