Looking for ways to use those small bits of saved card stock? Check out this elegant fall foliage creation that is sure to inspire.
Today’s stunning Autumn project is from our talented designer, Carol. When she had the idea for using the new “Fall Mushroom Bouquet Die”, she wanted to find ways to utilize some of her colorful card stock scraps. Carole said, “Saving those small bits of colored card stock comes in handy with these small dies. Take your colored card stock die cuts to the next level with a bit of ink blending on them.” We love how the ink blending really brought this set to life, and set against that deep mocha background, it is giving us the most perfect fall vibes. Follow along as Carol walks us through how she made this card and shows us how to take our colored card stock to the next level.
How to make this card:
- First die cut a piece of dark brown cardstock and adhere to an A2 card base with glue.
- Die cut white cardstock with the outer die from the 5708-03D Nested Woodgrain Sign Die.
- Die cut lighter brown cardstock with the wood panel die of the 5708-03D Nested Woodgrain Sign Die.
- Use a Detail Blending Brush to add Pecan ink (Color Fuse #3) around the edges of the woodgrain sign.
- Glue the two layers together and then to the card base. Set aside.
- This next step totally justifies my saving all of the little leftover pieces of my colored cardstock!
- Use those autumn colored scraps of cardstock to cut out the dies from the 5726-01D Fall Mushroom Bouquet Die.
You can see how pretty the die cuts are in the next photo. You can leave them as is for a beautiful card, but let’s take them over the top with some ink blending!
- Next use different sizes of Detail Blending Brushes to add coordinating inks to your die cuts.
- Blend the inks around the edges for dimensional effect. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Use the scraps leftover from the die cutting for testing so you know you will like the color of ink with a particular colored cardstock!
- For my die cuts I used Autumn and Amaretto–Color Fuse #1; Pumpkin–Color Fuse #2; Basil–Color Fuse #10; Juniper–Color Fuse #11; and Chill and Slate–Color Fuse #12.
- This next photo shows what a difference the ink blending makes. Note: The ink may appear very dark at first, but once the ink is dry, the color is significantly lighter.
- Next use glue to adhere the die cut pieces together. The image on the packaging shows how the layers go together.
- FYI, there is one die cut piece that goes behind the top layer of the pinecone.
- Next stamp the sentiment form the 3327 Kittie Says Friends stamp set with Versamark ink onto brown cardstock.
- Add gold embossing powder and use your heat tool to set it.
- Trim the sentiment into a strip and add foam tape to the back.
- Take your Fall Mushroom Bouquet die cuts and plan out an arrangement on the card base.
- The most helpful tip I ever learned was to take a piece of Press N Seal and place over the top of your arrangement to hold it all just as you placed it.
- Pick up the Press N Seal piece with the arrangement and turn it over.
- Add dots of glue to the die cuts that will be at the back of the arrangement.
- Pick up the Press N Seal and place it back over the card base. Gently press down the pieces that have glue on them.
- Wait a minute or so for the glue to set.
- Now peal up the Press N Seal with the remaining pieces.
- Repeat the above steps and continue to either glue or add foam tape to the pieces to adhere. The next two photos illustrate my steps.
Continue until finished. Finally, adhere the sentiment beneath the arrangement.
Absolutely stunning! This card is so beautiful, we might just frame it. Carol did an amazing job creating this stunning project and showing us how to take our colored card stock die cuts to the next level. If this project doesn’t leave you itching for some craft room time, we don’t know what will! Be sure to check out the rest of our new ‘Autumn Bliss’ Release for more fall items. You can also check out other fall projects here on the blog for more seasonal inspiration.