Focus On Autumn

Simon Says Stamp and Show focuses on the LEAF this week with a LEAFTASTIC challange.  I love Autumn, the rich colours, all the different shapes, sizes and colour variations, something I love to see in my garden each year.

I decided on an Autumnal canvas, showcasing the warm reds and oranges of the season.

Autumn is my favourite time of year, I love the cooler season, the warm tones of the Autumn leaves from warm reds, to rustic oranges and weathered browns, a beautiful sight in any garden.  My canvas showcases those warm tones with the use of the Dylusions Ink Sprays in Postbox Red and Squeezed Orange. My trademark texture appears yet again in my artwork this time around using Gesso through a leaf cut from card with the Tattered Leaves die.

I started my creation by covering the canvas with tissue paper; I simply crumpled small pieces of tissue and adhered randomly to my canvas.  I set this aside to dry overnight. The next layer was a good spray or two of Dylusions Ink Sprays, continuing to apply until I was happy with the depth of colour. Once again I allowed this to dry for a few hours before moving onto the next step.  Patience was needed for this piece, something I rarely possess! I then cut a leaf from thick white card using the Tattered Leaves die, using the aperture on this occasion, and using a palette knife I applied a good thick coat of Gesso through the aperture and then removed (you could also use stencil embossing paste or texture paste both work really well).  I used my palette knife to add a few peaks and bumps here and there for added texture.  I also added some lines to act as leaf veins. Once again my canvas was set aside overnight to dry.

The Gesso did soak up a little of the Dylusions Ink from the background which I loved, it gave a muted red and orange colour to my leaf. To add a little more colour I applied Claudine Hellmuth Studio acrylic paint, Altered Orange and Modern Red. I applied the paint using a baby wipe as I did not want a solid colour merely a hint of colour. To give a little more interest I applied gold Paint Dabber to the raised areas on my leaf and the background of my canvas using my finger. My leaf still needed something else and after some thought I decided on highlights of gold leaf. For further dimension I also added LEAF using small wooden letters which I coloured with a vintage photo Distress Marker and gold Paint Dabber.

I added four screw eyes to each corner of my canvas and added rusty wire to act as a frame and to add yet more interest to my piece.  I also applied a little gold Paint Dabber to the rusty wire to coordinate with my background. My final layer was a dimensional butterfly, cutting two layers, one from acetate and the bottom layer from Clearly For Art Whiteout. Each layer was cut using the Alterations Mini Butterlies Set, colouring the acetate butterfly with Alcohol Inks butterscotch and terracotta. I added dimension to the butterflies body attaching a game spinner and fastener. Chitchat stickers have been added to the wings.

For more great ideas please pop over to the Simon Says Stamp and Show blog and take a look at my fellow team members they have created some inspirational projects. Remember there is also the chance to win a $50 prize from Simon Says Stamp.  I always look forward to seeing your creations each week.

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated.  Enjoy your week. Tracy x x  

Products Used:

Dylusions Ink Sprays - Postbox Red, Squeezed Orange
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Acrylic Paint - Modern Red, Altered Orange
Paint Dabber - Gold
Distress Marker - Vintage Photo
Tim Holtz Idea-Ology - Screw Eyes, Game Spinner, Long Fasteners, Chitchat Stickers

Clearly For Art Whiteout Modelling Film
Alcohol Inks - Butterscotch, Terracotta
Canvas
Gold Leaf