Sunday, September 30, 2012

GETTING BACK TO NATURE ~ LEAVES

Hello friends! I hope you had a fabulous weekend!  It's here ...my favorite time of year ... Autumn!  I love the chill in the air, the smell of pumpkin pie baking in the oven, the fall craft festivals, and the anticipation of the holiday seasons - Halloween, Thanksgiving and then Christmas!

But, Autumn is also one of my favorite times of the year because of it's sheer beauty.  We all can craft and create colorful and beautiful creations but the colors of the leaves and the beauty of the orange, yellow, red and green colors that blanket our landscapes in the fall can only be created by God.  This is the inspiration for my piece this week ...

At Simon Says Stamp and Show, this week's challenge is all about leaves.  Stop by the blog and see the truly beautiful projects the Design Team has made for you. 

I created a Pop Up Tag celebrating the beauty of our world, especially the leaves of Autumn.

I remembered a really cool pop up tag I'd seen on Shelly Hickox's blog.  I used her idea of the mechanism (Sizzix Scallop Circle 3-D Pop Up Die) to create my pop up feature.  I cut that pop up feature out of acetate.

I began by using Tim Holtz' Tag and Bookplate Die Cut to cut a folded tag out of a manila folder.  I left the folded edge of the manila folder about 1/16" of an inch inside where the die would cut across the bottom, so that my folded edge at the bottom of my tag would not be cut.  I then pulled out two #8 manila tags that I would use to cover all of the mechanism I would be using to create the pop up feature. 

First, I took the two #8 Manila Tags and colored them using Squeezed Lemonade, Rusty Hinge, Wild Honey Evergreen Bough and Gathered Twigs to recreate some of those gorgeous fall colors.  I used Tim Holtz' spritz and flick method to add some random splatters to the tags as well.  Finally, I added just a light brushing of Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls to give them a bit of a shimmer.  


Then I ran the tags through my Vagabond.  One using the Branch Tree and Tall Pines Texture Fade that would create the bottom of my pop up tag.  The other using Tim Holtz' Book Covers Set Texture Fade.  That would be the embossed background for the top of my pop up tag.


I lightly took my ink applicator and swiped the raised tree with Gathered Twig Distress Ink to give a brown color.  Then I decided to add some Copper Embossing Powder to really punch the color.  So, I lightly wiped over the tree with my Distress Embossing Ink Pad and sprinkled the embossing power over the tree.  Then I used a regular paint brush to wipe away all of the excess embossing powder that had attached itself to the tag.  I also decided to brush away some of the powder from the tree, so that it would not be solid copper.  I just wanted the copper to be more like highlights.



Then I heat set the power and I love the results.  It even has some pretty cool texture.  Then I rubbed more Gathered Twig over the tree and the tag to give it that rich, brown tone.


I wanted to be sure that the acetate mechanism would not wear out in the areas that would be folded a lot so I added a little piece of Tyvek on either side using 1/4" Scor Tape.  I also added Tyvek on the inside of the folded bottom of the tag.  That would be covered up when I added the embossed manila tags on top.


Next, I drew lines where I would need to make cuts so that my embossed tag could easily slide in place and cover the acetate base.  




Then I slide the acetate mechanism in place and secured it with the tape.  Then I glued the embossed tag in place on top of the manila folder tag that was my base.

Then it was time to work on the top of the pop up tag.


I embossed the top tag using Tim Holtz' Book Covers Texture Fade.  I ran my ink applicator over the raised areas with the Gathered Twig to emphasize that lovely design.  Next, I made pencil marks again where I would need to make cuts in order for that tag to slide in place.  I embellished this tag before I slid it into place.  Here is the tag before I attached it.


Using manila cardstock and Tim Holtz' Mini Tattered Leaves and Tattered Leaves die cuts, I cut out several leaves that I would use to create the embellishment for the background top of the pop up.  I colorized these leaves using some of the distress colors mentioned above and also adding a touch of Picked Raspberry.  Then I added some veins in the leaves with a Vintage Photo Distress Marker.  I coated them with Rock Candy Crackle Paint.  They took on a little of a porcelain finish when it had dried.  I distressed them again with Gathered Twig and glued them in place with Glossy Accents. 


Here is a better look at the detail of the leaves on the finished tag.  They serve as the background for the popped out tree.

 
I cut Tim Holtz' Branch Tree out of Grungeboard and painted it with a baseboat of Snow Cap Paint Dabber.  Then I lightly coated it with Vintage Photo Distress Stain.
 

I added some Distress Embossing Ink to the raised impression of the tree and sprinkled first Vintage Photo and then a little Walnut Stain Distress Embossing Powders on to the tree.  I did this because I wanted a two tone embossed tree; using the darker browns.  I like the variation in color that I got.  And, Distress Embossing Powders have a great texture after they are heated; sort of a sandpaper feeling...like the bark of a tree.


I colored a manila tag with more of the distress ink colors and began punching leaves out of it.



These leaves were then distressed with Gathered Twig and either Rock Candy Crackle Paint or Rock Candy Stickles and glued in place on the tree with Glossy Accents.

 
Now all of my pieces were completed and ready to assemble.  I slid the top embossed portion of the tag on top of the folded tag base, hiding the acetate mechanism.  Then I used the Scor-Tape on the mechanism face to hold the tree in place.  I attached a piece of black elastic cording at the top of the folded manila tag BEFORE I slid the embossed tag in place, using Tim Holtz' Tiny Attacher.


Finally, I wanted to finish the outside covers of my pop up tag.  I sprayed the back with several different Glimmer Mist colors:  Lemon Meringue, Dreamsicle, English Ivy, Jack O' Lantern and Sunflower.  Then I distressed it with a little Gathered Twig.  On to the front... 

 As I was working on this piece, I kept remembering a poem that I had learned in school "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer.  It's such a lovely poem and so befitting this tag.


So, I picked a font, typed out the poem, sized it to fit a #8 Manila tag and printed it out.  In this picture, you can see the before and after of the poem.  


Once I sized it to the pop up tag, I distressed the poem, using the above mentioned Distress Ink colors.  


I stamped the little vine print and then attached a few more of the little punched leaves I'd made.  I also colored in the leaves on the vine using a Peeled Paint Distress Marker diluted with a Small Sakura Water Brush.  I love how it turned out!  Then I attached a copper finish Hitch Fastener, looped my elastic cord over the Hitch Fastener and my pop up tag was complete.

I hope that this piece has inspired you to create something beautiful using leaves...stamped, waxed, masked, whatever you choose.  Then enter your piece into our weekly challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show.  You could be the lucky winner of our 


$50.00 gift voucher.  You could also be chosen as one of our TOP THREE entrees for the week and that is quite an accomplishment!  Think leaves and let's see what you come up with!

Here are the Simon Says Products I used in this piece:


       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       
       
           
                                           
       


 
 

 

26 comments:

  1. Candy.... This project is so incredible !!!! I thanks so much for the detailed tutorial. I could stare at this for hours or see al the fine details you have added!

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  2. Hi Candy, what a wonderful pop-up, I love everything about it, from the genius idea of using acetate for the mechanism, the way you created texture on the tree with copper embossing powder to that wonderful poem by Joyce Kilmer (I can remember that from school). The end result is just stunning, a glorious tribute to Autumn. I have just done an autumn piece for another challenge but I may just have to do another after seeing yours, thank you for the inspiration once again! Crafty hugs, Anne x

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  3. Hi Candy,
    I love autumn with its beautiful colours and I love it to be outside with the dogs walking over a carpet of fallen leaves.
    So it is no question that I love your wonderful tag and all the lovely details and the poem on it.
    Hugs Anke

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  4. I love this pop-up tag Candy! All the autumn details and colours are so pretty and the Branch tree is of course one of my favorite dies. Such a great poem to use on the front too. TFS!

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  5. wow loving your gorgeous pop up tag easel card, its fabulous Candy, x

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  6. Awesome tag. Love the pop up component. And the poem. thanks as always for sharing.

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  7. I Love this pop up tag, it is gorgeous. Thanks so much for always sharing a detailed tutorial of your work.

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  8. You have captured the essence of Autumn so beautifully here Candy, from the Autumnal shades to the wonderful texture from the dry embossing and the embossing powders. Your tree looks gorgeous adding embossing powder, really makes it pop. Love all the added leaves and my favourite touch us the poem, perfect touch for a perfect Autumnal creation. INSPIRED. Tracy x

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  9. Beautiful tag, Candy!! The tree is perfect as a pop-up element. I'm thinking spooky Halloween would be cool too! So glad you were inspired by mine. :)

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  10. Beautiful embossing and stunning autumn colours. Great idea to use a pop up and in acetate . Very inspirational project Candy x

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  11. This is absolutely stunning, Candy! The color are as rich as the season and the thought put into the entire piece is evident!!

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  12. Absolutely Gorgeous Girl! You know I am one of your biggest fans. I just Love how you come up with the best projects.I really enjoyed the poem. I seen your leaves and remembered that I had a tiny leaf punch and a new sentiment, which made for a perfect set. Thank You for the inspiration yet again.
    Tons of Hugs, Dangina

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  13. Gorgeous! From the pop up to the additional details on the inside this is just spectacular!

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  14. I REALLY LOVE it.... Congrats and thanks a lot for your very detailed tutorial ! Best wishes from France

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  15. That is such a clever idea Candy. Love the way you have covered the mechanism and really made that tree pop. And then the attention to detail with the verse is just amazing. Hugs, Buttons x

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  16. I was the first to post a comment late Sunday night, but it didn't do through, so I'm back to make sure it does! I totally love your pop n out tag book! What a fabulous design and oh the colors!!! All yummy Candy!!! Get it?!?

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  17. Omg. That is beautiful! Love,love,love it!

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  18. This is amazing Candy! Love your pop-up tag! What a great leaf-tastic project! Both those trees look gorgeous! Hugs, Sandra

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  19. this really knocks my socks off!!! love it!

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  20. This is an incredible work of art!

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  21. Magnificent art work is your elaborately decorated tag book, really an excellent masterpiece

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  22. Sensational eye-candy, Candy! Every part of this is delicious - leaves on the tree, the pop-up dimensionality, the beautiful colours and backgrounds... but I think my favourite part is the decorated poem, the vine and delicate leaves are just lovely. Another superb make - thank you for the constant inspiration!
    Alison x

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  23. Hey there Candy, I am really loving your pop up Tag, love the colors on the Trees, the leaves and the embossing part looks just great. What a fabulous idea. The background that you created is also fabulous wowwzerssss AMAZING thanksssss for sharing Hugs Terry xx

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  24. I remember something out of a book i'm reading at the moment if i'm not swimming in plaster and this fit's perfect for your tag: The ordinary raised the extraordinary (:o)You are brilliant!

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I am so happy that you stopped by my blog! I truly appreciate your time and thank you for leaving a comment! Have a wonderfully blessed day!