Rich Autumn Leaves--Stamp Simply Challenge #106

Where is the time going?! It's time for another Stamp Simply challenge already, LOL! This week Sharon is challenging us to do fall leaves, which suits me just fine--I love fall! Here's what she says:

Rich Autumn Leaves - ssnotime106 - To me the colors of autumn are rich and earthy. Today we will create a project with leaves, and remember we’re easy, so if you don’t have actual leaf images, trees, flowers with leaves, acorns, pine cones, etc. are all OK. But the added element is to make the project rich in color and texture by adding sponging to create that richness and depth of color. I can’t wait to see your gorgeously rich creations today!

And here's what I did. I'm using Mercy's Tuesday Sketch #40--can you believe it? I'm getting it done *before* the last day this time! Yeehaw!! It's a super fun sketch--as usual. I stamped this image from the Lovely As a Tree set on watercolor paper with Chocolate Chip ink. I water colored the trunk with a re-inker and a brush, then I stippled the leaves with a smallish stencil brush--not *exactly* sponging, but pretty close. Next I cut/embossed it with a Classic Circle Nestabilities die and inked around the edge with PTI's Chamomile ink pad and layered it on So Saffron cut/embossed with a Nestabilities Label Four die, also with the edges sponged. Patterned paper is from PTI's First Fruits and Bitty Box Basics and card stock is PTI Ripe Avocado and SU! Really Rust and So Saffron. Did some stitching, more sponging, added a ribbon and bow and some Dew Drops and called it done!

So, now it's your turn. Come along and play and take us up on the challenge--we'd love to see what you come up with. If you do, be sure to leave a comment on Sharon's blog telling her where you uploaded. Please use the keyword ssnotime106 if you upload to a public forum. Check out Sharon's fabulous sample and also the great designs from the Stamp Simply team, along with our September Guest Designer:

Charlene Merrick - September Guest Designer

Julie Koerber

Jennifer Buck

Janine Orchard

A J Otto

Tammy Hershberger

Deb Saarenen

Jenny Gropp

I'm so glad you stopped by today! Be sure to come by tomorrow for the next Crazy4Challenges challenge!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Lovely As a Tree (SU!)
Paper: So Saffron, Really Rust (SU!); First Fruits, Bitty Box Basics, Ripe Avocado (PTI)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Kiwi Kiss (SU!); Chamomile (PTI)
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Classic Circle and Label's Four Nestabilities dies; ribbon, 3M foam squares (craft store); Dew Drops; stencil brush; sewing machine