This is a unique challenge blog where we are inspired by and focus on the Vintage; shabby; mixed-media; art journaling; industrial, timeworn and steampunk genres and encompass the talent, flair, expertise and ideas of many artists that we are inspired by. We welcome all types of projects - cards, journaling, assemblage, layouts, albums, atcs, altered art in fact whatever you want to share (as long as it is in good taste).

Monday 22 September 2014

Destination Inspiration - Shabby autumnal leaves

Welcome to another Destination Inspiration post at A Vintage Journey. I have a step-by-step for you today which is linked to my post on Bumblebees and Butterflies last Friday introducing Astrid’s new challenge ‘Colours of Autumn’. I made a mixed media canvas with a pumpkin and leaves theme and while playing with the leaves I tried to show the veins that stand out so prominently at this time of year.

This photo of the canvas shows the light shine through it from the back, I just like the take, but do you think the leaves look realistic enough?
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I found a wonderful photo on the internet as inspiration and to keep me focussed.
Autumn leaves
I began by die cutting a selection of tattered leaves in fairly thick card and then, here’s the tip, with a sharp knife cut the veins into the surface before you do anything else. Carefully ‘open’ the veins by bending the card in different directions along the lines.
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Next use a distress marker or a very fine brush and a mix of black and walnut distress ink, spritzed very lightly with water, and lightly draw or paint over the cut lines to make the veins show up.
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The next stage is misting the leaf with water, here you can see the ink beginning to disperse a bit.
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Then scrunch the leaf up to break the fibres down and gently unfold it.
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Next mix a couple of stains on your craft mat and spritz with water.
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Now dip the damp leaf into the colours
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I also had some walnut stain on my mat and I rubbed the leaf into that too. When you are happy with the colours, leave them to dry.
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If you find that your veins disappear somewhat …..
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… take a black distress marker and re-mark the lines …….
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……  and spritz with water …..
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Here is another example where the lines faded with heat drying, so out came the marker again ….
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another spritz of water ……
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…. and watch the ink spread out through the veins and the leaf.
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Watch out for the heat drying though as it can make your leaves look more faded.
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I also sprayed Biscotti perfect pearls on one leaf and it looks very wintry, perfect for later in the year.
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Well I hope this helps for any autumn projects that you are intending to make with leaves.

Have fun and thanks for looking.

hugs Brenda xxxxx

24 comments:

  1. Wow! The leaves really look "real" ! Thanks for sharing the procedure.

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  2. Beautiful canvas Brenda. Such lovely autumn colours too. Love the tutorial and must give it a try. Hugs Rita xxxxx

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  3. Many thanks for your tips and tutorial, the leaves have a very really natural look, beautiful!

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  4. Beautiful great technique with the leaves.
    Love
    Amanda x

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  5. What a superb tutorial Brenda. You've made those leaves look so lifelike. MUST try this out. Jenny x

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  6. Brilliant tutorial Brenda and the finished leaves look fantastic! The really look so real, love them!

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  7. The finished canvas is stunning Brenda and yes, the leaves do look VERY realistic. Thanks for the excellent tutorial! Anne x

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  8. Great tutorial Brenda..........love you amazing leaves
    HUgs Annie x

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  9. These leaves are simply beautiful Brenda - so real looking, Thanks for sharing all the details with us. Great tutorial!

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  10. Oh Brenda, this canvas is a favorite of mine and so gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing the process for creating those amazing leaves! I never thought to cut in the veins and that makes such great since compared to folding them at angles! Love this and will give it a try! Hugs!

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  11. Brenda the canvas is fabulous, but those leaves look stunning! Thank you for the step by step details - a great tutorial and I shall certainly be giving this a go!

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  12. Fab step by step....I shall bookmark this, thanks so much xx

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  13. Excellent idea Brenda! Thank you for showing how to do this in such detail x

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  14. Scrumptious leaves, so realistic
    Thank you for the tutorial

    Jools x

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  15. Brilliant technique and clear tutorial Brenda. Thanks for taking the time to show us how.

    Hugs
    Lesley Xx

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  16. Stunning! and brilliant technique- thanks for sharing!

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  17. gorgeous project and the leaves are stunning! gorgeous x

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  18. Great look! Brilliant effects! X

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  19. Gorgeous, Brenda!! Your leaves look like the ones I'm going to be raking up in a matter of weeks :) :) I'm glad those ones are on your canvas :) Beautiful creation!! XOXO-Shari T.

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  20. Brenda -- your leaves are incredible. Definitely bookmarking this ... gotta try making my own. Seriously amazing -- Mary Elizabeth

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  21. Thank you for a great tutorial Brenda , I must get the die!
    XxRuth

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  22. How very clever Brenda, thanks for sharing that technique x

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