Hi Creative Friends,
Today I am sharing an Autumn birthday card that not only celebrates all the changing colors of Fall but the birthday of a dear friend. The stamp I used is a glorious one. It is Autumn Gala by Penny Black.
To start, I cut a 5×7″ piece of hot-pressed watercolor paper, grabbed the Autumn Gala stamp, Versafine Black Onyx ink, and my stamp positioner. Since I would be stamping the image a few times, the stamp positioner really helped with this task. You, of course, could do it without a stamp positioner like a MISTI but it certainly makes life easier when you can stamp again to get a better impression if needed.
Another essential aid (at least for me) was to cut a piece of copy paper the size of my watercolor paper (5×7″) and lay out the pattern of the leaves by arranging and stamping the design a few times on the copy paper panel. This ‘trick’ comes in so handy for me. I often do this so I can work out the design on a piece of copy paper and not waste my precious watercolor paper. When I was happy with the pattern I created, I used it as a reference when I was stamping for real on my watercolor paper.
So, to continue, I stamped the pattern as laid out, using a permanent black ink like Versafine Black Onyx ink. This ink is my fave for this. It stamps so neat and crisp!
Once the pattern was stamped, I started painting. I used a variety of distress inks for this. They are Wild Honey, Ripe Persimmon, Crackling Campfire, Fired Brick, Peeled Paint, and Forest Moss (all in the supply list below). These colors meddle together so nicely. To create interest, I often colored the leaves with several different colors.
With the panel done and drying, I cut a couple of leaves using the Penny Black Leaves Turn die set and more watercolor paper. Using the same colors as above, I moistened the leaves with water, and then painted the leaves. To blend the ink even more, I lightly spritzed the leaves using my distress sprayer.
While everything was drying, I cut out a small rectangle using the Semi-circle stackers by Penny Black and stamped my sentiment that I found in the Delightful Day stamp set. I used another permanent ink, Shady Lane (sees supply list).
Ready to assemble, I made a 5×7″ (when folded) card base from cream card stock, then added a 5×7″ panel of Candy Corn card stock to cover the front of the card base.
Next, I trimmed the stamped and painted panel a little on all sides, then mounted it on top of the card front.
To finish, I cut a few twigs from brown card stock using the Blustery die from Penny Black, then arranged the leaves and twigs, along with the sentiment rectangle and a slightly larger Candy Corn cardstock rectangle.
That finished by card. It was sent to an Autumn-loving friend. I hope she liked it! And I hope you like it too! ♥
Goodies Used:
