I'm on the Poppystamps' blog today, once again using the Fanciful Fall Leaves die set (because I'm smitten with it). I decided to show the leaves off against a background of distress ink. To make the background, I used Distress Inkpads in Rusty Hinge, Dried Marigold and Wild Honey, along with Distress Sprays in Frayed Burlap and Antique Linen. 

I also used Distress Oxide Spray in Iced Spruce. I sprayed a piece of 5"x 6" watercolor paper with Antique Linen and then added a spritz of Frayed Burlap. Next I used the ink smooshing technique on a silicon mat to lift up the orange colors, drying between layers as Tim Holtz recommends. Finally, to give it a cool splatter, I spritzed a small amount of the Iced Spruce Oxide Spray onto the card. I cut the piece down to 4" x 5.25", keeping my favorite section.

I took each die cut and rubbed it across a Ranger embossing ink pad to coat the tips. For the acorns I used a Close to My Heart embossing ink pen. Then, I dipped the leaves and acorns into Ranger Princess Gold embossing powder and heat embossed each. 

I used a circle punch to cut out a 2.5" circle from Stampin' Up!'s Soft Succulent cardstock (an ideal match with the Iced Spruce Distress Oxide). Next, I stamped my sentiment from the Gilded Christmas Wishes Stamp and Die set onto Dark Kraft Bazzill cardstock with black ink. I used the die cuts that come with the stamp set to cut out the sentiment.

I made a thread nest using some light brown thread. Finally, I layered it all together beginning with the inky background on top of the circle. I placed 3 leaves under my circle and then glued my thread nest on top of the circle. I glued together 7 gold-tipped leaves and adhered them to the circle. Next, I adhered the sentiment down over the leaves with foam adhesive. Finally, I added two little acorns onto the sentiment.

This was a fun card to make, especially using all the great Distress Inks and Sprays. I'm still fully into autumn card making. How about you?