Make Your Leaves Come to Life!

Hi! Today was one of those busy, non-stop days! After getting a late start, I went to work, ran a couple errands and made it home just in time to dash out again. I met my childhood friend at Bath Junkie where we were finally able to have our bath salts scented. My sweet hubby gave me some for Christmas and I gave some to Sue. It’s great because you can pick out something for a special person that is unscented. Then they get to go back in and pick the scents they like! OK–these were Christmas presents! And here it is September!!! Yes, we were late exchanging presents this year, but honestly we tried to get together for months! My hip recovery/physical therapy got in the way, then the monsoons in June (?)-every single time we tried to get together, that afternoon you could book it-a thunderstorm. Then with vacations for both of us, here we are. But at last it was done followed by dinner at Zea’s! Yum!

I was looking for something special to share with you today and ran across this really cool idea that came from one of the Stampin’ Up! Artisans. Why have plain old flat leaves, when you can have leaves that come to life on your project or package!

NATURAL EXPRESSIONS

Today I’m sharing some ideas on adding a little rustic charm to your projects.

Our Expressions Natural Elements (item #138395) feature wood veneer words and come with five of each greeting.

To enhance the wooden texture of the Expressions Natural Elements, apply a few strokes of ink across the grain of the wood using a Stampin’ Write Marker. I used Soft Suede and Early Espresso from the Neutrals Stampin’ Write Markers collection (item #131261). (It is fine to leave small sections without ink.)

Lightly sand the surface; I used a nail file.

Leaves are the second element in my projects. I clear-embossed on Mossy Meadow Cardstock (item #133676) using the Vintage Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set (item #138802). For a look more rustic look, I shaped the leaves using a Bone Folder (item #102300) by rolling it over the surface and applying pressure to the midrib of the leaf. For best results, do this on a soft surface, like the Stampin’ Pierce Mat (item #126199).

Bringing together the previous elements, here is the first card. I’ve looped Linen Thread (item #104199) and used it to frame the leaves with the wooden greeting sitting on top.

For the second card, I used the larger maple leaf from Vintage Leaves. I clear-embossed the leaf, then cut it out and shaped it using the Bone Folder. This time I stepped up the design by adding a piece of Mossy Meadow 5/8″ Striped Cotton Ribbon (item #138419) and Home for Christmas Enamel Dots (item #140536) in Very Vanilla.

For the final item I clear-embossed the maple leaf on a Takeout Box (item #135827) and tied a bow around it with Mossy Meadow 5/8″ Striped Cotton Ribbon (item #138419).