Today I am moving into a new season - a season that isn't really here yet in Southern CA. But after seeing this totally adorable new Fall Friends stamp set by MFT, I decided it was time to get in the Fall mood. This is the cutest fall set I've ever seen (as you will soon witness in my six cards!). Here is an image:
If you have visited my blog previously, you are probably aware that my favorite colors to use when making cards are bright pinks and blues - maybe even some yellows. Think summer or spring. Never, never do I use Fall colors. Oranges, golds, deep reds, olive greens - these are NOT my comfort zone. But when using a Fall stamp set (that I remind you is adorable), I had to figure out a way to get comfortable with the colors that would do it justice. And I am VERY PROUD TO BRAG that I think I did a fine job with this out of my comfort zone color scheme! I am so happy with how these turned out that I may have to turn to these colors again! Yep, I'm a fan!!! Now let's see if you are - time to get started!
For this card, I embossed leaves with clear embossing powder on watercolor paper and then painted over them. I think it leaves a subtle look for a canvas for Mr. Scarecrow.
Steps:
- Die-cut a stitched rectangle out of watercolor paper using the one that is one size smaller than a card base (4" x 5.25") from MFT Blueprints 13. I use this die all the time as I love having a card border show around my designs; attach this to a tangy orange yardstick base with foam tape behind it.
- Stamp the two leaves with Versamark Ink and emboss with clear embossing powder; wet the paper and then add some watercolors in fall colors and let them blend together; add more layers if needed to make sure the leaves show up; splatter some extra watercolor paint on the background.
- Stamp the scarecrow and pumpkin images on white cardstock with black ink; color the images in with Copic markers; add details with Kaiser Craft glitter pens and a white Uniball; attach them to the background.
- Die-cut a banner out of chocolate brown cardstock using a stitched banner from MFT Blueprints 20; emboss the sentiment on the banner with white embossing powder.
- Add some Pretty Pink Posh espresso brown sequins in 4mm and 6mm sizes.
For each card, I like to use a different background technique. This one uses a new MFT Chevron Grid Stencil with Distress Inks.
Steps:
- Die-cut a stitched rectangle (MFT Blueprints 13 again) out of Ranger Watercolor Paper; attach the stencil over the paper taping it in place so it doesn't move; use a Ranger Blending Tool and Distress Inks rubbed over the stencil (I used three colors: Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, and Fossilized Amber); press the three colors on a stamp block and apply more with a watercolor brush if desired; flick some distress ink over the background to add splotches.
- Die-cut a banner using Tangy Orange cardstock and MFT Blueprints 2; stamp the sentiment on it on the right side using Versamark Ink and emboss with Ranger white embossing powder.
- Attach the white rectangle to a gumdrop green cardstock base; attach the banner on the bottom center of the card
- Stamp the flower on white cardstock using MFT Natural Ink; color it in with Copic markers for a non-line look; add details with the Kaiser Craft glitter pens (oh how I love these new pens!!!); put foam tape behind the flower and attach it over the banner on the left side of the card
- Add Pretty Pink Posh sparkling clear sequins over the background.
And here it is - my standard joe randomly stamped watercolored background using ALL the images! I didn't think this technique would work well since some of the images are larger, but I actually really like it!
Steps:
- Die-cut a stitched rectangle using Lawn Fawn Large die-cut set that is full card size using Ranger Watercolor paper and black ink.
- Watercolor in all the images (I used Holbein Gouache so the colors are a little more opaque than watercolors); paint the background with golds and greens; add details with glitter pens. Note: I did a kind of messy approach here - not filling in the images all the way to the lines.
- Attach this to an orange card base; tie some hemp around the top (is that the right word?!?!!? - or is hemp part of a naughty plant?) (is anyone really reading this anyway? haha).
- Die-cut a stitched rectangle out of watercolor paper and stamp the sentiment with Lawn Fawn Walnut Ink; attach it just below the hemp in the top left corner.
- Add some Pretty Pink Posh brown, yellow, and green sequins around the sentiment.
This card uses a new die-set by MFT called Stitched Scalloped Basic Edges. I layered two of these edges for a fun new border idea.
Steps:
- Create a card base using Kraft Yardstick; die-cut a Lawn Fawn Large Stitched rectangle out of both Ranger Watercolor paper and Tangy Orange cardstock; next die-cut the pointed edge die from the new set to cut off part of these stitched rectangles.
- Add water to the top of the watercolor paper piece; paint with fall colors keeping them light; splatter some brown paint while it is still wet; dab up extra water/color so the paint stays light.
- Attach these two pieces to the card base so the orange border sticks out under the watercolor border.
- Die-cut a banner using MFT Blueprints 2 out of watercolor paper; stamp the sentiment with Versamark Ink and emboss with Simon Says Stamp Antique Gold embossing powder; sattach to the top of the card.
- Stamp the scarecrow, fox, and acorn stamps using MFT Natural Ink on white cardstock; color with Copic markers using a no-line approach; add details with Kaiser Craft glitter pens.
- Attach the images over the top of the card and add some Pretty Pink Posh rose gold sequins.
This one was made with all my extra painted images - I just piled them all on a stitched square that I had already watercolored. Not sure what I think of it - but it IS busy!
Steps:
- Create a card base with Gumdrop Green cardstock; die-cut a Stitched Square out of watercolor paper and paint it with a wash of reds and oranges; attach it to the bottom center of the card base.
- Die-cut a stitched banner out of Kraft Cardstock using MFT Blueprints 20. Stamp the sentiment on it using Versamark Ink and emboss with white embossing powder. Attach to the bottom of the square.
- Stamp all of the images on white cardstock using MFT Natural Ink and color in with Copic markers using the no-line technique; add details with the Kaiser Craft glitter pens; attach on top of the banner.
- Tie some HEMP along the top (no idea where I got this hemp from!).
I saved my favorite card for last and I have two different pictures of it. I hate photographing shaker cards standing up as all the sequins fall to the bottom! So I also photographed it laying flat so they are spread out. I'm kind of in love with this card so I don't think I will be parting with it - I'll send it to myself to remind me that I am a blessing - haha.
Steps:
- Create an orange card base; die-cut two stitched rectangles using the Lawn Fawn Large stitched rectangle with white cardstock and gumdrop green cardstock; use the new rounded edge from the Stitched Scalloped Edges dies by MFT to cut the edges on both rectangles.
- Die cut a circle out of the center of both pieces and attach a transparency to the inside.
- Cut a piece of white cardstock that is bigger than the circle opening and use a Ranger Blending Tool to add ink to it using Twisted Citron, Squeezed Lemonade, and Fossilized Amber Distress Inks; attach this piece to the card base so it will be under the circle.
- Place some Pretty Pink Posh sequins (a mix of quite a few colors listed in the supplies below) over the cardstock piece; attach foam tape to the back of the transparency covered pieces and place them over the sequins.
- Die-cut a banner from white cardstock using MFT Blueprints 2; stamp the sentiment with Versamark Ink and emboss with SSS Gold Embossing Powder; attach over the circle opening.
- Stamp several leaves on white cardstock using MFT Natural Ink and color with Copic markers blending several fall leaf colors; add the lines with a brown glitter pen from the Kaiser Craft set. Attach the leaves around the circle to frame the shaker window; fit the banner in-between some of the leaves.
- Add some Pretty Pink Posh sequins to the sides of the banner.
I hope you enjoyed this post. I'll be back soon with another "one stamp, five ways" post using the new Simon Says Stamp Secret Garden stamp set that is part of their Stamptember release! Have you checkout out all of the MFT new September release? It is amazing as usual and has a few sets I want to highlight in the future. Those hedgehogs had me at first glance! Their release is now available for purchase, so if you like this set today, head on over to MFT! Thanks so much for visiting! Suzy
Oh my goodness what beautiful cards! Each is so special!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing them! :)
Posted by: Jill Norwood | September 08, 2016 at 01:36 AM
Hi Suzy! These definitely are different colors from what you usually use, but you made a beautiful set of cards! (as usual) It is very hot where I live and I have a hard time thinking about fall, but it is September and I am seeing lots of pumpkins and mums here. Fall is one of my favorite seasons and your cards are perfect for the season! You know I love your random cards - I think this is my favorite! I also love owls! The shaker card is so pretty too. You are a blessing! Love all of your cards! Thanks for sharing your awesome talent with us!!!
Posted by: Carol L | September 08, 2016 at 09:07 AM
Once again you hit it out of the park! I love that scarecrow and I think my favorite is tge one you think too busy ;) I love the colors in that one the most. The watercolor background and green pop!
Posted by: G Evert | September 08, 2016 at 09:49 AM
Yeah!! This is my favorite kind of post that you do. I LOVE the fun first card with that fabulous background. Your ROCKED the autumn colors!! My favorite is the sunflower, card though. I really like the watercolor look with that stencil.
Posted by: Nora | September 10, 2016 at 10:19 AM
Hi Suzy! I'm from Seal Beach. You are too funny, especially with the "hemp" twine. Hemp, it's all good. Lol
Posted by: Mai Mucciaro | September 14, 2016 at 08:26 PM
I love your cards and I agree the last one is my favorite! So very pretty!!! haven't been visiting here as often but when I do I always get fresh inspiration from your delightful card making skills.
Posted by: Annie | September 17, 2016 at 08:44 PM