Sizzix Fresh Vintage Blog Hop: Leaves

Happy Thursday everyone! Are you ready to see another batch of cool projects created by the Sizzix Fresh Vintage designers? Today we are focusing on the Leaves die.

Please make sure to check out all of the innovative projects posted on the hop today. You can do this by clicking on the thumbnails below or on the Fresh Vintage navigation blinkie on the sidebar. I happen to know there are a couple of fun surprises here and some great techniques too. Who knew that a leaf could be used in so many ways? Ready? Let’s hop!

If you would like a chance to win a Flower, Layers #9 die (to go with your leaves), please stop over at Oh My Crafts blog and see what the “Hop Question of the Day” is. Leave a comment about the hop projects and get some fun tips at the same time.

1. Layout saying using font of choice on cream cardstock. I also decided to add some special effects to my test, typing my words on curvy lines to mimic leaves falling. Print out artwork.
2. Cut a 10″ x 10″ mat from Crescent matboard #3291.
3. Stamp front of mat with four coordinating colors. Use foam blending tool to apply ink from Stephanie Barnard’s new Clearsnap stamp pads. I love these pads because they are really juicy but wanted the control of the applicators so the color was not too intense. Blend the ink and sponge on ImageStamp by Lara Scott.. I like this stamp because it’s 5″ x 7″ and covers a lot of area all at once. Stamp all over front of 10″ x 10″ mat.
4. With Logan Mat Cutter, cut a 2″ border all around stamped matboard piece.
5. Add scrap foamboard strips on the back of the mat to give a shadowbox effect. Cut another piece of foamboard 9 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ for backing.
6. Cut a bunch of leaves out of heavy duty paper. On a thick piece of fun foam, draw lines on the back of the leaf with a stylus, pressing into the paper to create veins.
7. Drag leaf across stamp pads randomly to show veins. Ink edges
8. Adhere leaves to mat edges with ATG gun, overlapping to cover beveled edge. Intersperse pearl bling among leaves.
9. I accidentally got ink on my printed piece. Decided to ink the whole thing. Happy accident- now the paper blends in better with the mat! Hah!
10. Center text under mat. Adhere to backing board. Add sawtooth hanger to foamboard for hanging or insert into 10″ x 10″ frame. You will have to add spacers though to accommodate the dimension from the leaves. Or just take the glass out of the frame.
11. Done!

Thanks for stopping by my friends. Make sure to visit all the other designers to see what they have done with this die. See you next Tuesday!