Wowzers! Can you believe it is almost December!?! What! Where did the time go? The leaves are falling here and the days are growing colder. I don't really enjoy Fall or Winter but there are 2 special holidays during this cold time that I very much look forward to, Thanksgiving and Christmas! I was out in my back yard today watching the leaves fall and the dogs play and grabbed a maple leaf. It was so textural and pretty, I decided to use it on my design. It also reminded me of having to rake leaves when I was younger. We had more than enough trees, but the fun part was when my Golden Retriever decided to play in the piles of leaves. Good memories!
When Daylight Savings happened on November 1st, I knew the light change would alter how I photographed my art so this design was inspired by the leaves and the light change. I started with my leaf and painted it with Gold modeling paste. Then cut out a square from some thick paperboard and added the gold paste to it as well. I used my Emperors Gold silks to go over the gold paste (note the bumps and textures-my Gold Silks isn't so silky anymore, it seems to be drying out) :( Then came a wash of Spiced Pumpkin Silks. After the paste and Silks was dry, I added some DecoArt Antiquing Cream Raw Umber to the edges.
The leaf was popped up a bit with foam dots and a metal filigree charm was added. The A is self explanatory. I was able to use my new Dymo labeler by adding the word "Autumn".
While all of this was happening I had also cut out my base and applied the Silks Pumpkin to it as well. The crackle is a TH stamp and coffee archival ink.
Adding layers is my new challenge for myself, so I went about it. I used DecoArt crackle paste and the TH flourish stencil around the edge of the base. I did add some Distress Glitter to the wet paste. When it was dry I lightly sponged over it with coffee Archival ink.
The gold tassel is just for fun! The Gold frame is from a local craft store and "painted" with Gold Alcohol Ink then washed with the Emperors Gold Silks after applying some DecoArt Crackle Glaze.
I used my favorite glue, TomBow Multi to adhere the frame to the leaf piece.
The frame looks rather vintage now! Awesome sauce! I do hope you aren't too cold wherever you are and you maybe had some fun while reading this post. Happy Holidays and Carpe Diem! ~Niki
I would love to share this wall hanging with these amazing challenges:
What a gorgeous make my dear!!! Love the layers and rich colors you used for this gem!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Samra
Wow, Niki!! This is absolutely gorgeous, and I love all the techniques.....and especially love that you incorporated a real leaf! Love all your layers, and thanks for the reminder about using a stamp to emulate crackle - looks awesome!! xxx Lynn
ReplyDeleteFantastic project love the colours, texture and style. Autumn is my very fave season, so this one is right up my street. I love watching kids and dogs playing in the fallen leaves. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteHi Niki, this is a gorgeous project. Love the background colour and texture and the real leaf gives a lovely autumnal look.
ReplyDeleteAvril xx
Gorgeous project Niki, I love warm, golden tones and just how beautifully this has been put together! Whilst here I'm gonna say thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. And for joining us at Mixed Media World too :) Good luck with your challenges hun xx
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous, even if I am partial! ;0 hugs, Autumn
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous, Niki! Love the texture and rich colours! What a wonderful use of Tim's crackle stamp! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteHuge hugs! Branka xxx
Very pretty. Love the gold leaf as a focal point and the background is full of light and life. The flourish background is another great fall colour and makes a great contrast to the leaf panel. Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Cec
Love the effect of the Silks with the Antiquing Cream - it gives a great depth and lovely richness to the colours. Fabulous leaf at the heart of it all and lovely crackly flourishes.
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
Holy gorgeous Doc!! I just love all the amazing textures and the different techniques you used to achieve them! The colours are just bang on for an autumn project, LOVE your focal point! Hilarious little bit about your Golden Retriever playing in the leaves and how funny that I read that today (you will see what I mean when you poke your head in on my post this morning). Big hugs :)
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Niki - total PLEASURE to my artistic palette. Wow. Sheer YUMMINESS - texture, color, subject.... INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL. j.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful design, love the background and the gold leaf. Thank you for joining our blog challenge at SweetStamps.com
ReplyDeleteWow, Niki! I love this autumn project! How cool that you found a leaf and worked it right in as the focal point for this beauty!What a great way to "craft" it by using the modeling paste! Both of your colored panels are beautiful--love that texture! The frame looks fabulous with that amazing treatment you gave it! Love all the golds on this--it just lifts my spirits! Big hugs, Punkin'!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.Love the textures. Thanks for joining us at Sweet Stampin'
ReplyDeleteCass xx
A beautiful autumn project, wonderful colours and textures. thank you for joining us at Stamps and Stencils this time.
ReplyDeleteYvonne
Absolutely fabulous, Niki! It's so cozy with all the rich colors of autumn. Thank you so much for sharing this with us at the Frilly and Funkie Challenge!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Nancy
Very beautiful and love your use of silks...one of my fave products! Very rich and such a lovely vintage feel to it, great memory...dogs just love leaves don't they? Thanks so much for joining us at Stamps and Stencils. Ruth x
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! I love autumn and you have captured my favourite season just perfectly! LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Claudia xxx
How could I have missed this beauty! The colours are just glorious, warm and rich and so beautifully autumnal - love the gorgeous flourish background - it really has the wow factor!
ReplyDeleteI came to answer your question about the card I used for the sewing box - it is mat board (by Sizzix) which is similar to mount board here in the UK (the stuff they use in picture frames). Yes, it is quite sturdy, the struts make it even more sturdy. Thanks for your lovely comment. Hugs, Anne xx
This is stunning, Niki! Truly a work of art meant to grace a room as decoration in the fall!! Happy Thanksgiving!! Hugs, Darnell
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous! The textures and design is so pretty. Thanks for joining us at Sweet Stamps.
ReplyDeleteKim - SSDT
Gorgeous colours and textures. Your backgrounds are stunning! Sorry my comment is rather late and thanks for joining us at Stamps & Stencils. Julia xx
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