Happy Fall

Happy Halloween everyone! I know I promised more Halloween cards, but I've been so busy lately... Instead, here's a Thanksgiving/fall card for this week's Cupcake Inspirations challenge. I hope you'll play along! Check out the delicious inspiration. :)

DEEtails:

I really wanted to try recreating the leaves from the inspiration cupcake, so I started by stamping a leaf from my Fall Flair set in Riding Hood Red on Naturals White card stock (it works well because it is slightly thicker than Whisper White). Then I colored my leaf in with various Stampin' Write markers (Riding Hood Red, Dusty Durango, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard and Summer Sun) and blended the colors with my Aqua Painter. It was surprisingly easy and created a beautiful leaf in no time. My second leaf was not quite as easy. In fact, my second leaf is probably really my sixth leaf - haha. I actually free handed the leaf with my Old Olive Stampin' Write marker and used the same technique. The only difference is that there isn't' quite a good gradient in color between greens and yellows, so it was a little harder to blend the colors (Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz, Crushed Curry, So Saffron and Barely Banana). I'm not 100% pleased with the outcome, but the sixth leaf was definitely the best. After my leaves dried, I cut them out. I also stamped the mum from the Fall Flair set, this time on Riding Hood Red card stock with matching ink (twice) and Daffodil Delight card stock. I cut out the layers and adhered them together. Then I took a piece of Riding Hood Red striped grosgrain ribbon and wrapped it around my card. I tied the pieces together with a piece of Linen Thread, which I tied in a bow. I tucked my leaves under the ribbon, using a bit of adhesive on the bottoms and some Stampin' Dimensionals towards the top, and adhered my flower with some Sticky Strip. I used some pinking shears to trim the ends of my ribbon. Then I stamped my sentiment, from my Falling Leaves set in Early Espresso ink. I love the simplicity of this card (although it really did take a while to create!). I hope you like it too!