Wednesday 1 October 2014

Autumn colours --- an artist's palette

*Thrilled to be a winner in The Paper Plunge first challenge*

I love Autumn.  The best years have the colours of the leaves changing slowly, going from green through the reds, oranges, and yellows before they finally give up and drift away, a brown shadow of their living selves.  Of course some years the colours seem to go from green to brown overnight, and that's no fun.  This year the trees are putting on a brilliant show.  I love it!

One of my favourite stamp sets is an oldie but a real "goldie".  It's still current even though I'm sure there are bets that it will retire as each new annual catalogue approaches.  I don't care.  I'll keep using it forever.  If you've guessed that the stamp set is Lovely as a Tree, then pat yourself on the back.  You're right.


When I decided to make a card showing off some of the Autumn colours, I considered quite a few techniques and stamp sets.  In the end I decided to use Lovely as a Tree.  I used the stamp with the cluster of oak leaves and the one acorn.  The leaves are so true to life as is the acorn.  That really appeals to me.  My decision to fussy-cut them after colouring them using my Blendabilities?  Well, I gave myself a good talking-to during the seemingly endless curves and twists of that image.  But in the end I'm glad I did it.  I love the way they look mounted on Dimensionals.  The touch of Crystal Effects on the acorn makes it look real, too, doesn't it?


I used Crumb Cake as my base and then a layer of Soft Suede.  For the Soft Suede, I first stamped my sentiment using Versamark and heat embossed it with Gold embossing powder.  Then I stamped along the right side with the largest of the Gorgeous Grunge stamps using Soft Suede ink and also Encore Gold ink.  After that had dried, I scuffed the edges up using my Distress Tool.

My top layer is a strip of Very Vanilla which I first stamped over and over again using the script stamp from the By the Tide stamp set using Sahara Sand ink.  Then I carefully tore all around the perimeter and sponged the torn edge again using Sahara Sand ink.  After that I stamped it using the same large splatter stamp from the Gorgeous Grunge set, again using Soft Suede and Encore Gold inks.

Before adding the strip to the card, I wrapped Linen Thread around the top area and tied a little bow in front.  Then I glued the strip down on the left side of the Soft Suede layer.  That's about the time I added the cluster of leaves which I already told you I mounted with Dimensionals.  To finish the card off, I added a small Gold Mini Clothespin to "hold" the leaves in place.


For more cards featuring Autumn colours, check out SUO Challenges.

For more projects that feature fall, check out The Paper Plunge Challenge.

For more projects that used the photo inspiration, check out "Just Us Girls" Challenge.



28 comments:

  1. This is gorgeous! Your leaves are beautiful and I love the torn and distressed edges and all of those splatters. Thanks for playing with us at JUGS!

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    1. Thank you so much, Sue. I don't think I would have managed quite those colours for my leaves without the Blendabilities. Alcohol markers blend so well, don't they? Thank you for your comments.

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  2. I love the script on the vanilla panel, the splatters and those gorgeous leaves! Beautiful card! Thanks for joining us this week at Just Us Girls!

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    1. Thank you very much, Sharyn. I really appreciate your comments.

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  3. Stunning! There are so many beautiful things about this card, but I'd have to say the leaves are my favourite. Definitely worth the fussy cutting!
    Thanks for diving in at The Paper Plunge! I hope we'll see you in the pool again next week...

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    1. Thanks so much, Diane. Now that the fussy-cutting is done, I really do love the look of the leaves, too. It was during the long ordeal that I really wondered why I was doing it. Thank you for your comments.

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  4. Just lovely! Heidi...your coloring and the fussy cutting were well worth any time taken! Love this card! Thank you for taking the plunge with us at The Paper Plunge!

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    1. Thank you very much for the lovely comments, Leslie. I enjoyed your challenge.

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    2. the leaves are so beautiful they are definitely the star of the card! thank you for joining us our first week at www.thepaperplunge.com - Laura

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    3. Thanks, Laura. It's the Blendabilities that made those colours possible. Love them. It's exciting to have been part of your opening challenge.

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  5. Heidi, your card is absolutely gorgeous. Wow. I love it. Thank you for playing with us at The a Paper Plunge. I do hope you will continue to play. Thank you so much!

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    1. Thank you so much for the great comments, Helen. I really enjoyed being part of your first challenge.

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  6. Lovely inspired card - Thanks for joining in at JUGS!

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  7. Beautiful colouring Heidi, and a really lovely card all over! Thanks for joining in the challenge at SUO

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    1. Thank you so much, Julia. I really appreciate your comments.

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  8. BEEEEE-UUUUUU-TTTTTTTT-ful

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  9. Stunning card Heidi. It has a very heart-warming feel to it. Just love it. Thank you so much for your inspiration.

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    1. Thank you very much, Linda. I hope to see your inspired card. :)

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  10. This is a beautiful card! Love how you used the clothes pin. The bits of gold add just the right touch. Thanks for playing with us this week at The Paper Plunge. Hope you will play with us next week.

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    1. Thanks so much, Robbie. I appreciate your comments. I'm looking forward to seeing what the next challenge may be on Friday.

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  11. Love this card Heidi!! The script stamp along with the fall leaves and use of the clothespin accent is perfect for our Autumn Challenge :-) Thanks for playing along with us at SUO Challenges!!

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    1. Thank you, Julie. I really appreciate your comments and love the card you made as an SUO design team member.

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  12. I absolutely LOVE your leaves -- the colors are beautiful! Wonderful job with your distressing, too! Thanks for playing along with us at SUO this week; hope to see you again soon.

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    1. Thanks so much, Stacey. I love the leaves from Lovely As A Tree. They're so realistic. I always enjoy your challenges.

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  13. This is beautiful!! So many amazing little details that just WORK~ Thanks for playing along in the SUO challenges!

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    1. Thank you very much, Karen. I really appreciate your comments.

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