Good Tuesday… it’s that time for another AIK blog hop – and the theme is ‘fall frenzy’. I’ve chosen to use Changing Leaves Bundle which includes the Changing Leaves Hybrid Embossing Folder, Changing Leaves Dies and the stamp set. It’s a great bundle! I’m also using Gold Mercury Vellum SDSP – and it creates a totally different look. There is so much gold in this paper! I colored the leaves from the backside of the vellum with Stampin’ Blends: Dark Cajun Craze, Dark Mossy Meadow and Dark Blackberry Bliss. It didn’t turn out quite the way I expected, but against the Basic Beige, I like it. And I like the sentiment embossed in gold as well – ties it all together.

Here’s what I did… I ran a piece of 6×6 Gold Mercury Paper through the Changing Leaves Hybrid Embossing Folder with the Changing Leaves in it as well. Remember, these dies fit securely on the side with the Stampin’ Up! name, cut side up and the Designer Series Paper (or card stock, whichever you are using) is next, then close the folder and run it through the machine. It both embosses and die cuts at the same time.

Next I colored each of the leaves on the back side of the vellum with the colors noted as above. This was done randomly, with no precise criteria. I tried making it look similar to a real fall leaf. I don’t think I succeeded as the Cajun Craze appears way too pink to me. But I like the gold and I like the coloring so used it anyway :O)

Here is the back side of the maple leaf colored and ready to adhere: puddle of liquid glue and sponge to dab glue on leaf back, then attach to card. It works great and no adhesive marks showing!

Here is the front side of the leaf after coloring – mottled by the gold and various colors showing through, similar to a REAL leaf :O)..

I ran a 4 x 5 1/4 panel of Basic Beige through the Exposed Brick 3D embossing folder and adhered the leaf frond directly to it, smoothing it to secure the edges. I attached a Blackberry Bless strip 1/2 x 4 near the bottom. With VersaMark ink, I stamped the sentiment from Changing Leaves stamp set on a Basic Beige piece 1 1/4 x 4, sprinkled Gold embossing powder over it and heat set it, first from the back, then to finish it, on the front. Why do this? It secured the powder without blowing it off the paper, then after a few seconds with the heat to the front and it glows miraculously – melting the powder to a shiny gold! I die cut this with the appropriate die from the Changing Leaves Dies and added dimensionals to the back and attached it over the Blackberry Bliss strip. As a final touch, I added three Neutrals Adhesive-Backed Sequins in gold. This panel was added to the Basic Beige card base (4 1/4 x 11 scored at 5 1/2) with dimensionals.

I did the same process on the maple leaf as the leaf frond on the card front and adhered it to the Basic White 4 x 5 1/4 insert. This was added to a Blackberry Bliss panel 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 then to the inside of the card. I added three more of the Neutrals Adhesive-Backed Sequins surrounding the maple. And – Finis!!!

I decided not to color these leaves and instead adhered them directly to the flap and envelope front. I like the shiny – and I like them without the coloring. but hey – I HAD to try it and use it as planned :O). This is a great neutral card – for man or woman.

If you would like to visit others on the hop – and please do! – click on the ‘next’ or ‘previous’ buttons or click on a name – just don’t miss anyone. You will see some fun and creative cards here today.

1. Carol Buckalew
2. Terry Lynn Bright – this is me
3. Karen Ksenzakovic
4. Mary Deatherage
5. Shirley Gentry
6. Tara Carpenter
7. Christie King
8. Ann Louise Fodgaard
9. Karen Finkle
10. Amy Koenders

Use my new HOST CODE… KWTJJQZY when you shop with me to earn customer benefits – such as a $10 item for a $50 purchase and a tutorial!

If you earned coupons in July by purchasing SU! products, it’s time to redeem. Redeem those coupons earned in July…

Coupons must be redeemed by August 31. You may add more than one coupon to an order – yay! Don’t let them go to waste!

Questions about redeeming – contact me & I’ll walk you through it!

And please remember, there is a 15% off Designer Series Paper Sale from the Annual Catalog – click here

The Changing Leaves bundle is an ONLINE EXCLUSIVE SU! product. You may find these products in my online store here

For items from the Annual Catalog, click here

The September – December 2024 Catalog will be released September 4. If you have ordered from me in the last six (6) months and have been a customer of mine, you will be receiving your catalog from me SOON! Watch for it in your mail… if you do not have a demonstrator and need a catalog – reach out to me. I’m happy to help.

Thanks for stopping by. May you have a beautiful day. Make someone happy sending them a handmade card filled with love.