Fall is here! So today I’m sharing an easy technique for creating beautiful autumn leaves with your Distress Inks and Distress Oxide Inks. I’m using this fantastic stamp set from Technique Junkies, which is a nice corner stamp and comes complete with two sentiments.

First, stamp the corner image with Archival ink.

Next, choose the ink colors for the leaves.

Smoosh some ink onto a craft mat or other slick surface. Use Nuvo Aqua Flow Water Brush Pens (or other water pens) to “paint” the color onto the leaves. For best results, start with the lightest ink color first, and only color small parts of each leaf.

Continue this technique, adding increasingly darker inks as you go.

Use a combination of Distress Inks and Distress Oxide Inks (or whatever inks you have on hand). I really like the look of the Distress Ink/Oxide Ink combination for this technique.

Fussy cut the stamped image after you finish coloring.

Use a craft knife to cut out teeny-tiny details INSIDE the leaf corner.

Find bold patterned paper that contrasts the ink colors in the leaves.

If you look at the leaf colors as a whole, they have a muted orange-y-green-y feel (overall). To make this “pop”, I wanted a bold patterned paper in a true blue or a navy blue. Don’t limit yourself to looking through only your “fall” papers; I found the PERFECT sheet of paper in the “Age of Technology” paper collection by Craft O’Clock (a relatively “masculine” paper set).

Next, stamp and emboss the sentiment.

Cut an A2-sized card panel from the “Age of Technology” paper. Die cut a hole in the center of the panel. Then use the same dies to cut a frame from a coordinating paper from the same collection. I am using the “Label Rectangle Stitched” Die Set from Creek Bank Creations.

Use Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive or other liquid glue to adhere the frame and the leaf corners to the card panel.

Adhere the completed card panel with the leaf frame on top of the embossed sentiment.

Before adhering the card panel to the card base itself, you could opt to drag a little acrylic paint around the edges of the card base. I really like this look, a lot. To me, it really “finishes” the card.

That’s it!

Ranger Ink – Dina Wakley Media – Heavy Body Acrylic Paint – White
from: Scrapbook.com

Thank you for looking!

Be sure to follow the Sandpaper Road blog so you never miss a dose of crafty inspiration!

@sandpaperroad