Monday, July 25, 2011

Aspen leaves

I made some cards for a friend who invited us to stay at her home in Keystone when she heard we were traveling to Colorado to visit our son earlier this month. I took a picture of the Aspen tree right next to her garage, and picked a few leaves off of the tree to bring home with the hopes to create cards.

First off, I printed 8 3 x 5 pictures of the Aspen tree on Text weight Cryogen White (which fit onto one sheet of the cardstock). I used the picture on all but one card.

I called on my fellow Technique Junkies and Gingersnaps Yahoo friends to give me ideas for what to do with leaves on cards- the first idea was from Juliet- who had received a beautiful card where the leaves were covered with Crystal effects and another TJ'er also suggested trying coating the leaf with Modge Podge or regular glue. 

I used Olive Basis cardstock, stamped with Canvas background (SU), edge punched (SU) on Safari Brown and added the picture and the leaf.



Now I do have to add that after the crystal effects were added to the two leaves one started getting brown lines- I did pick a leaf with no bumps or irregularities, so I am not sure what to say about this...I did disregard the leaf with the brown lines.

Next, I used Kraft cardstock , layered on Safari Brown and added leaf images- I used the actual leaf and embossed them using Mellow Moss Pigment ink and clear embossing powder and gold embossing powder.I added some speckles to the Kraft for interest with a stamp.



I simply used my fingers to press the leaf into the pad- use gloves if you do not want your fingers to be all colored with ink...... You can see that the leaf does not have very pronounced veins- so Acrylic paint did not work too well for this project.

Next, I rolled three leafs together- through the Cuttlebug. I was hoping they would leave pigment, like flowers would, but that did not work. So, I laid them on white cardstock and sprayed them with green Memory Mist.





Next, I embossed the leaves in gold, and edged the green panel in Gold embossing powder.



 I put the leaf in Versamark and very carefully and slowly embossed it with the Gold embossing powder. I held the heat far away from the leaf and took my time embossing it- this is because if you hold it closer, the embossing powder bubbles up. I used the wonderful textured Ivory cardstock in a CAS style.
Some of the ladies in TJ and Gingersnaps suggested ways to emboss without making the powder burn or bubble- put the leaf in the over at 200 degrees, etc..... Also, there is a tutorial or two at Gingersnaps for working with embossing leaves and using them on cards.

My last cards- I used the shimmery Poison Ivy cardstock- Ooohhhhh this is so pretty IRL! It is very slightly off white and very shimmery. I added the picture of the Aspen tree and very lightly Gold embossed the edge of the picture which is on a mat of black. The Gold leaf is on a background of shimmery black Sparkle Noir cardstock that is also edged in Gold embossing powder.



I think my friend will like the cards- what do you think???

Have a great day- stay cool!!!

Shelly

23 comments:

kiwimeskreations said...

Wow - stunning cards Shelly. these are amazing and I am sure they will be very much appreciated.
Blessings
Maxine

Anonymous said...

oh wow your cards are absolutley beautiful.

jimlynn said...

Shelly, ALL of these are just stunning! Love how you did those leaves too. Wonderful photo of that tree.
Lynn

Carrie said...

this is so freaking awesome!!!!! very creative using the photo and leaves

Juliet A said...

You had some brilliant ideas with the leaves - I love how all these cards came out!

Tammy said...

I said it before, these cards are absolutely stunning! I like each one and can't decide which I like the best. Great way to showoff Mother Nature.

Kathy said...

Oh my gosh, what a thoughtful thank you gift. Your friend will be thrilled with these cards. They are beautiful and so creative, such a great gift.

Beverly G said...

A grand experiment. I know your friend will love these, my favorites are the first one and the last one. That gold embossed leaf is stunning.

Willy said...

Fabulous cards with all those leaves!

2amscrapper said...

this was fascinating.....thanks for sharing all of these techniques

Jennifer Scull said...

these cards are so striking in their beauty! love what you have done with the different leaves. so creative!
thank you for leaving such a nice comment on my blog. I do so apperciate it! :)

Marilyn said...

This is brilliant!

Terry said...

I added a grape leaf to my door via decoupage glue! It turned colors under the glue! This is amazing and so beautiful!

Marlene said...

These are great! Love your technique!

Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my blog. Glad you are enjoying the freebies!

Unknown said...

These are all stunning cards - I'm sure your friend will love that card.....I know I would

Joan Ervin said...

WOW!!!! What fabulous cards, Shelly...who knew that leaves could look sooo beautiful!!!! I'll have to give your techniques a try!!!!

Ginny said...

too clever, fab batch of projects :)

Michele said...

oh i think it turned out amnazing -- what a beautiful card! and quite an adventure to make it! TFS xo

Lynn Stevens said...

So thats what you were doing with the leaves, some great effects, sometimes it just pays to try new things, beautiful results!
hugs Lynn

Gerri Herbst said...

What an incredibl take on a theme!Love the black and whiye with the bright green leaf! take care, gerri

Geri said...

Thanks for linking into artsee bloggers! Lovely cards!

Carolina Girl (Cely) said...

I love love everything you did with the aspen leaves. I have one I bought 25 years ago and can't believe I still have it. My brother lives in Denver, Colorado and have lots of Aspens. He also had a vacation home in Aspen. I need to try this technique...thanks for the inspiration.

Darlene said...

Holy Cow! These are awesome Shelly ... what great ideas! Looks like I need to subscribe to your blog ... I've been missing way too many good ideas and beautiful inspiration! Thanks!