Give Thanks

Here's an autumn card in non-traditional pastel colors 

using the Leaf Silhouette Stamp Set and the newly
released Leaf  Silhouette Dies. by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. 

 I love the bold, modern style of these leaves - very fun to work with!

The background is created with a technique using watercolors 

or ink and a stencil, which I learned in the 

Watercolor for Cardmakers Online Class.

Many people prefer using watercolor paper but other types of card stock work 

fine because it doesn't involve over-working the paint/ink too much.  

However, a word of warning, many types of card stock will buckle and warp -  I 

taped down the edges of the panel with easily removable masking
tape to avoid excessive warping, but if it does 

happen, you can adhere the panel to another piece of card stock or 

else put it between the pages of a large book and sit on it for a while to flatten it out!

I brushed the panel with plenty of of water, then added various colors of ink 

with the brush - the paint or ink should spread and blend if you've added
enough water.  If not, give it a spray of water until you see it start to really blend.
Here I used Ranger Distress Shabby Shutters, Scattered Straw, 

Antique Linen, Broken China and Worn Lipstick.  I then lay the stencil over the

 wet panel and set some jars of buttons on top of the stencil so that it's 

pressed down into the paint/water fairly evenly - you could probably use anything 

that has a bit of weight to it but also allows some air flow.   Then you have 

to let it sit and dry!  Go have a cup of coffee or do some cleaning up around 

your craft area!  Don't be tempted to take the stencil off too soon 

before it dries - so maybe you've got time for a cup of coffee AND tidying up!  

When the stencil is removed the result is something like this - the paint/ink has 

gathered where the stencil is pressed against the paper, creating darker areas, leaving
the stencil pattern in lighter shades. 

I popped up the stamped, die-cut leaves and added a strip of vellum with the sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by today!