Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Fall Crafts: Layered Leaf Cards (Intermediate to Advanced Skill Level)

 


My first love was and remains card making. And the more I play with my Cricut Explore Air 2 and layered SVG files, the more I stay in love with card making. SVGs are Scalable Vector Graphics which means they can be re-sized easily in things like Design Space. 

Supplies: 
  • Layered Leaf Images (I used a bundle from Creative Fabrica)
  • Cutting machine (I used my Cricut Explore Air 2)
  • Scrapbook Paper (I used CraftSmart "Dark Elegance" which I bought last year at Michaels and is no longer available but you can use comparable dark papers)
  • Recollections Gold and  Copper Foil cardstock (Michaels)
  • Coordinating Plum Cardstock (Stash)
  • Cream Recollections 110lb Cardstock (Michaels)
  • Copper Foil
  • Fall Themed Embellishments ( I used K&Co border stickers from my stash)
  • Coordinating Sequins (Michaels
  • Foam Squares
  • Dimensional and Double Sided Adhesive
  • Paper Trimmer and Scoring tool
The first step was to decide on the focal image for my cards. I knew I wanted a leaf theme, especially since living in the desert, I miss the changing leaves of my former Pacific Northwest home. I found this set of layered leaves at Creative Fabrica.  If you do choose to purchase, full disclosure...I get a small benefit if you go through my affiliate link



Download, extract, and import chosen design into your machine's software, in my case Cricut Design Space. If you don't have a cutting machine you can print out the PNG images and hand cut using scissors and an X-Acto knife. 

I selected the leaf from the bottom row, leftmost image. 



I deleted two of the 5 layers in my Design Space Software because I liked how just three layers looked. Then I cut each layer from the colors I chose ( plum, foil gold and copper). 


To assemble, attach the middle layer ( gold ) to the base ( plum ) using foam squares. Since the top layer is more delicate, I used a spray mount. 


Here's the middle layer mounted to the base. Since you need to work fast with the spray adhesive, I didn't take pics of the top layer but you get the idea...spray the back, lay atop the middle layer and done. 

Once I had my leaves assembled, I made my cards by cutting the cream cardstock to make 5x7 cards, cut panels of the copper foil cardstock to 4.75x6.75 then selected papers from the Dark Elegance Stack and cut to 4.5x6.5. I added the Fall themed border stickers and then mounted the leaves to the cards. 

To finish, I grabbed some coordinating sequins from my stash and added them along the stem of the leaf using Glossy Accents dimensional glue. 

But of course I wasn't done! Copper is such a fall color to me that I wanted a touch more so I'd picked up some copper foil on a trip to Michaels and thought I'd do the interior sentiment using the foil tool that works with my Cricut. 


For this step, you need to make sure you get the foil as taught as possible atop the paper you want to foil so I used painter's blue tape to tack it down. The Cricut foils also come with tape strips to do this. 


It still needs a little give so don't worry if it's not absolutely flat. Then select a font or image for whatever you want to foil, follow the instructions for the tool / in Design Space and send to your Cricut. 



I chose the word "Fallsgiving" since this time of year for me is about celebrating the gifts of Fall. It was also a great way to use up the copper, and plum scraps from this project which I used to mat the sentiment! I adhered these to the inside of my cards using my tape gun. 

My way of giving a little bit of Fall to friends and family! And the pictures don't do the metallic goodness of the colors justice so if you are seeing this on here first and know you're getting one, just wait! 







Monday, September 4, 2017

Fighting Words: Do Not Mention Pumpkin Spice ( Printable)


Believe me, I know this will be unpopular. I love Fall. Everything, well to be truthful, ALMOST everything about it. The one thing I don't love about Fall? PUMPKIN SPICE. There I said it! Fighting words I know.

Sorry Pumpkin Spice because I know that you are loved and I have nothing but love for the Pumpkin Spice lovers (some, to my own perplexion, in my own family). I just do not share your passion. And by do not share I mean I loathe it. It was bad enough when it was just lattes. But now it's EVERYTHING! 

Pumpkin Spice beer. Pumpkin Spice savory foods. Soups, pastas, etc. Pumpkin Spice cookies / cakes / donuts / chocolates / breads. Let's put it this way, I love chocolate with the equal and opposite loathing I have for Pumpkin Spice and since I'm known ( hello blog name) for the chocolate thing, well you get the picture. 

OK Carol. We get it. Why are you screaming about this? Can't we PS lovers just go on with our PS obsession and smother the world with PS in peace? Are we actively doing something TO you? No, and I hold no one's love of the stuff against them. (Mostly. Just kidding. Maybe a teensy tiny bit. OK no, really. ) 

But I can't possibly be the ONLY one who doesn't love the stuff. So I made a printable for me in my lonely  dislike of PS,  but also  in the off chance that there are others of you out there who feel similarly; probably more rationally, but similarly. 




Thursday, November 7, 2013

BFF Open House Link Party #130

The Answer Is Chocolate

Was Halloween already a week ago? November is already flying by! Just three weeks until Thanksgiving and the start of Hanukkah!  Then madness begins. Here are a few features from the last two parties ( kinda oopsed last week). 

An ugly light fixture gets a makeover with some paint, brushes, and painters tape. Easy!

With holiday entertaining season upon us, it's time to spruce up the homestead. Laura from The Shed has got a fantastic before and after  on some light fixtures that had seen better days ( I've got some of those too). Fantastic results!


Whether you need some additional seating or just a place to put your feet up, Kristina from ReMade Simple has a wonderful pouf idea using the sewing machine she got at Ikea. I didn't even know they sold sewing machines! 

Traditional apple pie got a make-over! Apple pie cups with cinnamon streusel topping from Roxanashomebaking.com

It's apple pie time! OK not that you can't have apple pie all the time but this time of year is what I associate with apple pie the most. Love these apple pie cups from Roxana's Home Baking. Bite sized perfection. 


I say this every year. Thanksgiving needs more chocolate. ( Um Reeses, you can make a heart, a tree, an egg...you can't make a turkey or a leaf? ) Here's a cute idea to bring chocolate to your Thanksgiving table . Hershey's Nugget Turkeys from The Pin Junkie!

OK now time to see what everyone's been up to lately!




Thursday, October 24, 2013

BFF Open House Link Part #128

The Answer Is Chocolate

Can you believe Halloween is a week from today? Guess what? I've got something even scarier. Two months from today is CHRISTMAS EVE eeek!!! Hanukkah comes early this year converging with Thanksgiving...barely one month from now. Scared? Mwaaaaaahhhhhhh. 

Now that I have you terrified, let's see some highlights from last week's party :) 


Amaranth and Kale shared these wonderful brown paper bag leaves. Would you have guessed that these started out as brown paper bags? 


Wouldn't this coffee filter and burlap wreath look great next to a garland of those paper bag leaves? Go visit Crafts a la mode for the how to. 


Still looking to add to your Halloween decor ( or pin for next year)? Check out these no sew pillow covers from 24 Cottonwood Lane. NO SEW!

And this week's chocolate feature is courtesy once again of Karyn from the aptly named Dieter's Downfall



OK now for this week's treats!









Thursday, September 26, 2013

BFF Open House Link Party #124 and Features

The Answer Is Chocolate

Hope the first official week of Fall was a good one for you. Here we are on the cusp of October which is hard to believe. The crafterverse is in full creative mode so here are a few features from last week's party that inspired me. 


You all know I have a slight paper addiction. I'm looking forward to using some of mine up making a big bouquet of these paper flowers from Artsy VaVa



Can't even tell you how much I love these confetti pumpkins from Kim at Made In A Day. Oh. Em. Gee. 


If you need an easy way to bring some fall into your home, check out this idea from Fonda at Southern Scraps. Wouldn't this look great next to some confetti pumpkins?


This week's chocolate feature speaks for itself. Chocolate truffles from the aptly named blog Dieter's Downfall. Resistance is futile. 

OK let's see what you all have been up to this week !







Thursday, September 19, 2013

BFF Open House # 123 Happy Fall Features!

The Answer Is Chocolate

Can you believe it's time for Summer to come to an end this weekend? Doesn't it seem like it just started? Truthfully, I am really ready for Fall. I love the crispness of the air, the changing of the leaves, sweaters, boots...

You all are gearing up for Fall if last week's party is any indication. Lots of wonderful Fall and Halloween ideas. Let's see a few:

Antonella from Quilling, Art and Expression shared this delightfully spooky spider card. I just love the dimension on the spider and of course the black and white! I can't wait to get started on some Halloween cards. 


You have to check out these DIY Felt Halloween Pillows from Christine at I Dig Pinterest. Love how simple yet bold they are. 


Wouldn't Christine's pillows work perfectly with this Fall wreath shared by Laura at The Shed? You will have to go visit to find out the secret for making these flowers. Can't wait to try. 


And after you're done making these great projects or before you sit down to pin them on Pinterest, be sure to whip up a batch of these Caramel Milky Way brownies from Danielle at Busy Mom's Helper.  When I think Fall, I think caramel. Of course chocolate is year round. YUM!

Now on to this week's party. What tricks and treats do you have up your sleeve this week? 










Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Punched Leaf Wreath for Cards, Packages, Etc.

Mini Leaf Wreath Card

I love my die cutting machines but sometimes you just have to punch things ya know? I like to use up scraps if I can and punches are a great way to do that. So here’s how I made my punched leaf wreaths that I used on the gift bags I shared yesterday as well as some cards.

For this project you will need:
  • Paper scraps
  • Leaf punch
  • Glue

Mini Leaf Wreath

Punch an assortment of leaves from your paper scraps.  I had some embossed papers and some patterned papers in my scrap stash.

Mini Wreath Bae

For the wreath base, punch a large circle from another scrap. This one is 2 inches. Then use a smaller punch and punch out the middle of your circle.

Wreath Base 2

Voila. Wreath form. Glue your leaves so they cover the wreath base. I kind of angled mine and used Ranger Glossy Accents but any quick adhesion glue will do. You could use glue dots or foam dots too.

Mini Wreath focal

This one I adhered to a card using foam dots. The one below I used on my gift bags.

Punched Leaf  Wreath 2

Sharing At:

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Got Lunch Bags? Wrap Your Gifts In Them

Autumn Bags

Last week I shared some candles I made for a couple of girlfriends I’m having lunch with this week.  I needed something to wrap them in so I turned to my pantry and used brown paper lunch bags.
For this project you’ll need:
  • Plain brown paper bags
  • Inks
  • Brayer
  • Cosmetic sponge
Brown Paper Bag Mica Inks

I wanted my bags to have some texture so I scrunched them up, smoothed out, then scrunched up again.  I used this Mica Gloss inks but pretty sure any pigment re-inkers, alcohol inks, or acrylic paints would work.

Judi Kins Mica Gloss

Randomly scatter drops of inks on your surface. The goal here is not perfection! I was going for a natural look mimicking Fall leaves.

Brayered Ink

Using a brayer, spread your inks. I wanted a more blended look , so after I brayered, I used a cosmetic sponge ( Dollar Tree craft supplies !) to blend the inks.

Brayered and Sponged Inks

My bags ended up being very pliable and soft. Not sure if this is from the inks or all of the working of the paper or both.

Brown Paper Wrapping

This made it really easy to use them as wrapping. Tied the tops with some ribbon yarn and then adhered the tags I made last week with baker’s twine.

Finished with a punched leaf wreath. I’ll show you how I did that in another post.

Autumn Bags

Sharing At: