Monday, October 12, 2015

Fall Foliage Watercolor

Hello everyone!

It's time to celebrate some autumn color, so I made a card using some leaves from my maple tree in front of my home.  That particular tree still has green leaves on it, and usually just turns brown.  But with the help of some Distress inks and paints, I can dream! I will apologize up front for the washed out photos.  This would be pretty in the sunlight, but I'm not sure we are going to see much sunlight today.



I made my background by using my leaves as stamps, using Distress inks and watercolor paper. I simply inked the most textured side of the leaf patting the ink pad directly onto the leaf, and spritzing the inked leaf with water.  I laid the leaf on the paper, covered with a paper towel to absorb any  excess color  that seeps out from under the leaf.  Then I ran my brayer over to transfer the color.  In some cases, I layered the color, and in others, I gave the transferred image another spritz of water to blend it a little.  I gave each transfer a blast with the heat gun to prevent blending of colors of subsequent inkings.  I used Ripe Persimmon Distress paint on some, because I don't have that color in ink. Once I was happy with the look, I carefully blended color  around the leaves using Bundled Sage, Tumbled Glass and Hickory Smoke Distress inks. I flicked on some water and dried with the heat gun. A final touch is using Vintage Photo Distress marker with the Marker Spritzer. There's one of my favorite water coloring techniques and I didn't even need a brush!

I had to take some shots before I put the card together, because I just think it's so pretty! Click on any image to see detail. I love the change of seasons with the fall color.  It's just a shame we don't get much color in our neck of the woods.





The frame is Spellbinders, and I added some Frantage.  The flower is die cut from an OLD Sizzix Daisy die, cut from card colored with Distress inks and the same brown card as the frame.  I added a flower from my stash to the center.  I purposely layered the flower petals off center to hopefully appear more realistic--I was going for a Mum.


I made the leaves from paper clay and a Martha Stewart mold.  I colored them using Distress inks and a little water.  Once dry, I added Rock Candy Distress paint, and allowed that to dry.  I added a little Vintage Photo Distress spray to high light the cracks.


The green foliage is a Tim Holtz die cut from card colored with Distress inks.  The ribbon is dyed with a variety of Distress products in yellows and oranges (sorry, I can't recall exactly which ones). The twine is Maya Road which I purchased earlier this summer from the The Funkie Junkie Boutique, but forgot all about.  This stuff is the BEST!  I have a drawer full of twine, but I'll probably not use any after using this.


I finished the card off with a quote from Tim Holtz Small Talk Occasions stickers--a more recent purchase from The Funkie Junkie Boutique. And a perfect quote for Nancy's theme at Frilly and Funkie--Autumn Splendor.  Inside, a pile of  Tim Holtz foliage on a stamped image (I don't know the maker, sorry). I cut the foliage and nuts using snippets of paper from the front of the card. This is the first time I've used this die, but now I want the latest Thinlits Foliage die! Oh, it's a good thing our wants won't kill us, and our real needs are always met!


I would like to enter this into the following inspiring challenges:

Pixie Snippet's Playground Week # 198 My snippets are that pile of foliage inside the card, all from papers created for the front of the card.
As You Like It "Monochrome or Colour (and Why?) Definitely COLOR!  Right now the favorites are fall colors of oranges and browns.  Why?  These colors make me happy! In my text you will see we don't get much fall color hear, so I have to "make" it!
Vintage Stamping Challenges # 37 Use a Die/Dies I used 4 dies on this card, and the stamping as a focal image is done with a leaf!  Your rules read to use some sort of stamping!  Also stamping inside the card.

Thank you for stopping by today, and for all your wonderful comments!  I appreciate each and every one of them! Hugs and Blessings!
Sara Emily

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40 comments:

  1. You made that from leaves? Really creative work.

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    1. The background is made using leaves as stamps, as I described above :). The veinier the leaf, the better the print. Thank you for your comment and question!

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  2. Hi Sara
    thank you for entering Pixie's snippets playground with your stunning card - Wow! you have created a work of art!
    I love the background, the gorgeous clay leaves and the flower finishes it off perfectly.
    Eve xx ( Prefect for the week while Miss Di has a week off! )

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  3. Oooh this is lovely Sara! So many layers, and that background would just be gorgeous on it's own, I agree it is very, very pretty!! xx

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  4. Gorgeous card Sara, lovely colours and details and the flower finishes it off beautifully.
    Thanks for sharing with us at TioT
    Avril x

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  5. Beautiful elements, especially love how you've stamped the leaves! :)

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  6. Well, this certainly has the WOW factor, totally stunning creation, love it.
    Thanks for joining in our No designer papers this week at Allsorts

    Kath

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  7. Wow that is wonderful Sara. Gorgeous colours and the background using the leaves is just stunning. And then ……… clay leaves and flowers …… wow !!! A fabulous piece of autumn art x

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  8. Wow! You certainly rocked this challenge I am impressed as I tried this technique myself with leaves from my tree. Instead, I used versa mark and gold embossing powder and them sponges with color. Still I love this card and all of it's texture. Thanks for playing in the Mod Squad challenge this week.

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  9. A very beautiful card with a wonderful background

    Thank you for sharing with us at Try it on Tuesday

    Love Chrissie xx

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  10. This is just beautiful Sara, so much colour and texture and a perfect entry for our theme this week, many thanks for joining us at Allsorts and FlonzCraft Vintage Stamping challenges.

    B x

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  11. Wow! Wow! Wow! Sarah, this is so beautiful - I love all texture and those glorious colours - a real celebration of Autumn (without witchy things He!He! ) Hugs, Chrisx

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  12. Whoops! So enthralled - I forgot to mention how pleased I am that you shared this at Try It On Tuesday! Chrisx

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  13. Wow this is a beauty. What a lovely idea to stamp with leaves from your garden. Barbxx

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  14. Sara, check out this YouTube.
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rGEmgdOIEmQ
    This is were I saw the stamping with leaves.

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  15. This is spectacularly beautiful! The most stunning tribute to Autumnal beauty. The background is incredible and every detail atop it is inspiring. You are so creative and I adore everything you make! Have a lovely day, Sara. :o)

    Hugs and blessings,
    Karen

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  16. Fabulous project, great idea and colours.
    Thank you for sharing at Allsorts, good luck;-))m

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  17. BEAUTIFUL!
    Thank you for joining TIOT's!

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  18. A very beautiful and colorful card, Sara Emily. Gorgeous background paper! Thank you for joining us at As You Like It. Luv, Wilma

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  19. This really did make me smile - one because I love maple leaves and I love the way you have used real leaves to stamp that gorgeous background image. Secondly, the daisy die is the very first die I ever bought (years ago now) and it looks fantastic. Your paper clay leaves are truly beautiful too. This is such an amazing autumnal card, full of lovely textures - love it! Hugs, Anne xx

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  20. Oh my this is gorgeous! Love the background and all your fabulous dimension. Thanks for taking the challenge with us at the Mod Squad Challenge

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  21. Oh, Sara, the background itself is already a piece of art! What a genius idea to use real leaves! This is a dimensional crafting gem! I just love everything you create, my lovely super creative friend! Hugs to you! Branka xxx

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  22. Beautiful Sara, love how you used the real leaves on your background, so pretty. And your florals are gorgeous, a great representation of the fall season! Deb xo

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  23. Sara Emily, you captured all the radiant colors of fall in this amazing piece! I love that you stamped with leaves....well, of course you did! And the handmade leaves are gorgeous, too. Your mum is magnificent. I always hate to see you cover up your gorgeous backgrounds....they are always so beautifully done. Love this!

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  24. Hi Sara!
    I love stopping by your blog to see what you've been up to. Once again I am inspired by your art! Your card is fabulous and has completely captured the essence of the season! Thank you so much for playing along with us at The Frilly and Funkie Challenge!
    Hugs,
    Nancy

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  25. Suuuuuuhhh gorgeous! So fun and creative of you to use leaves from your own yard what do the neighbors think when they see you out there picking up leaves? Lol! I would join in with you. There are so many stunning techniques here and such an array of autumnal color it is truly Fall! Love the crackles and the depth of each leaf! Wowzers and awesome sauce dearie! Hope your yard is coming along all frightfully scary! Share some pics? Hugz to you muffin! ~Punkin

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    1. Hello doll! In answer to your question about where I purchased my Mr. D. Debonair skull-Big Lots. It was even on sale. :)

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  26. Your leaf-stamped background is wonderful - how lovely to use your garden leaves to create art - and I love the crunchy crackle of the leafy embellishments. All those layers have created a glorious dimensional flower too. Thanks so much for playing along at Country View Challenges.
    Alison xx

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  27. Thanks for sharing so much information about how you made this beautiful piece of art. xxx

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  28. Sara, Your background is delish- what a wonderful masterboard- I hope you scanned it! You are so creative hun! Love what you did with those leaves! And your mum is just so- I thought it was before reading it was from a daisy die! Lovely my friend, truly creative and inspiring!
    hugs and love,Jackie

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  29. I have leaf printed myself before and it's an amazingly cheap and easy technique. It gives lovely results too, as your make clearly demonstrates. I also love all the layered textures giving a 3D look to the piece. Thanks for joining us at Vintage Stamping Challenges this month!

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  30. What a stunning project this is!! The background looks amazing!! What fabulous texture!! The colors are perfect for fall!! Absolutely gorgeous and so inspiring!! Have a great weekend :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  31. This is gorgeous! I love leaves. Such a treat! Thank you so much for sharing it with us for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. ~Michelle

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  32. Stunning card! Love the leaves and your wonderful background. I will have to take a trip round my garden collecting leaves and try your technique out too. Elizabeth xx

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  33. A brilliant idea for your background. And a wonderful project!

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  34. Lovely piece of crafting, love your gorgeous card. Love Autumn colours. Thanks for sharing on AYLI. Carol xx

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  35. Such a beautiful card Sara! Love the crackle leaves and that wonderful bloom. Thank you for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Jenny x

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  36. Hi Sara, Congratulations on your Top 5 pick at Try it on Tuesday.
    I am on the Admin and wondered if you could you please email me -
    avril_branthwaite@hotmail.com
    Thanks, Avril x

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  37. Wow Sara, this is clever and beautiful at the same time. I love how you've used the leaves as stamps, and this is a wonderful Autumnal piece. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Country View Crafts, and have a good weekend. Sue xx

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  38. Hi Sara, what a beautiful Autumnal project. Gorgeous colours and I love all the texture too. Thanks so much for joining our 'Anything mixed media/Creative goes' challenge at We Love 2 Create this time
    Claire xx

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