It’s the first Wednesday in the month and time for another IDEAS Blog Hop. This month our theme is “Family Celebrations”. There’s so many ways and reasons to celebrate family and with autumn in the air I reached for the new Caring Leaves Stamp Set. For the September IDEAS Tutorial PDF bundle I decorated a mirror with fussy-cut leaves and inspirational sentiments. Then for my blog I decided to focus on stamped leaves in bold autumn colours. It’s been a while since I’ve done anything like this and I love the result.

LEAVES OF MANY COLOURS

I started this project by cutting a 2″ x 5-1/2″ strip of Very Vanilla Card. Then I chose my ink pads; Cherry Cobbler, Copper Clay, Moody Mauve, Old Olive and Wild Wheat. From the Caring Leaves Stamp Set I took the two leaf outline images and randomly stamped over the card using the various colours. Once I filled the piece with overlapping images I swapped to the solid ‘in-fill’ stamps and stamped these inside the outlines using the same ink colours.

While I liked the effect, I wasn’t keen on the bright gaps between the leaves and I decided to go over it with Wild Wheat ink using a Blending Brush. Although it was better I still wasn’t totally happy so I used a Blending Brush to add Copper Clay ink around the edges, and then finished off with Cherry Cobbler. That was much better.

Now I’d worked out what I wanted I needed to create the coordinating elements for the project. So I cut a 4″ x 5-1/4″ layer of Very Vanilla Card and covered all but a 1″ wide strip down the right-hand side with scrap paper. Then I repeated the stamping and inking over the 1″ x 5-1/2″ strip of card that was left. Finally I repeated the stamping and inking over the flap of a Very Vanilla Medium Envelope.

SIMPLY THE BEST

For my A2 card base I cut a 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ piece of Basic Black Card. With the long side at the top I scored the card at 4-1/4″, then folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.

For my sentiment I chose “You’re simply the best” from the Caring Leaves Stamp Set. Using VersaMark ink I stamped it on the front of the card base about 1″ from the top and 1/2″ from the right-hand edge. Then I sprinkled the sticky ink with white embossing powder from the Basics Wow! Embossing Powders pack. After tapping of the excess, I removed some some stray specks and melted the rest with my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

All I needed now was to add my leafy layers. Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed the 4″ x 5-1/4″ layer on the inside of my card base. Then I cut a 2-1/8″ x 5-1/8″ piece of Very Vanilla Card and mounted the remaining 2″ leafy strip on top. Finally I added the assembled layers to the front of my card using Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals and my project was complete.

I really love the simplicity of the Caring Leaves Stamp Set. There are so many options and even if you decide to fussy-cut them, they don’t take long to do.

CARING LEAVES AND MORE

So now that’s out of the way let me tell you about this month’s IDEAS Tutorial Bundle. The September 2024 “Family Celebrations” Tutorial PDF contains 37 pages with 15 projects from 11 designers. The collage below offers a little sneak peek of what’s inside. You’ll probably be able to spot part of the decor project I created using the Caring Leaves Stamp Set.

If you’d like a copy of this IDEAS Tutorial Bundle for your own personal use, or even to use in your classes, there are three different ways to get it if you’re in Canada:

• Place an order via my online store for $45CAD (before shipping and taxes) using my September Host Code FSYD9TM6. Make sure to allow Stampin’ Up! to share your contact details so I can e-mail the tutorial to you. If your order is over $200CAD don’t use the Host Code or you’ll miss out on Stampin’ Rewards. However, so long as I have access to your contact details I’ll still send you the PDF.
• Join Stampin’ Up! and my Crafty Canadians team, and you’ll get this IDEAS tutorial for free.
• Buy the tutorial for $20CAD. Contact me at tutorials@papercraftwithme.com for more information.

The IDEAS Team has worked hard to provide these exclusive projects for your own personal use. So once you’ve received the bundle, please don’t share or distribute printed or electronic copies of the tutorials. However, if you know someone who would like a copy of the tutorial bundle, simply ask them to contact me (if they’re in Canada) or another member of the team. Thank you for your support.

And finally for more inspiring projects from the IDEAS team, simply click on the links below

PRODUCT LIST

The Caring Leaves Stamp Set is just one of the products in the Stampin’ Up! September to December 2024 Mini Catalogue. This is now live for customers and you’ll find links to download the catalogue and the new Scrapbooking Brochure on the column on the right.