Friday, 21 August 2009

Pile o' pumpkins!

I know it's still summer (such as it's been) but autumn is just around the corner and my organic veg box delivery this week contained a small pumpkin so I reckon this set of stamps is timely! "Fall Harvest" is the latest of the General Motors releases and although there's the obligatory truck on the sheet, there's also lots of fabulous veggie stamps!

The pumpkin was just crying out to be piled up in a great big pile of orange goodness! It's a really easy shape to cut so making masks is easy and, as ever, I just pop them into the case with the stamp set so I can reuse them and the cutting out effort is a one-off (at least until they get so tatty that they become unusable!).

Kraft cardstock has a great look and feel for autumn projects and raffia just seemed like the right kind of finishing touch somehow.

Stamps (Cornish Heritage Farms):
Happy Harvest (General Motors line)

Paper:
Simply Smooth
Kraft

Ink: Adirondack dye ink by Ranger (Espresso)

Other:
Copic markers
Inkssentials white pen by Ranger
Natural raffia
Tags trio dies by Spellbinder
Sewing machine and thread
Corner Chomper

I had more fun with this set for a Splitcoast technique challenge this week. I love resist techniques and Lynn pointed us to a couple of blogs with a leafing pen resist tutorial (Carol who in turn got it from Trish Bee).

Now, my Krylon nib is a little, ahem, frayed. That meant I found it impossible to get a pattern I liked as I was trying for a small scale pattern with a broad and tattered nib. So I "refined" the technique by embossing my watercolour paper in a Cuttlebug folder, used the Krylon on the raised bits, ironed it flat again and then carried on as described in the tutorial.

The pumpkin came out again along with a couple of ears of corn, some textured card and some stitching to make a touchy-feely kind of card which seems about right for autumn to me!

Stamps (Cornish Heritage Farms):
Happy Harvest (General Motors line)

Paper:
Watercolour
Kraft
Bazzill Monochromatics (Yellow Green pack)

Ink:
Adirondack dye ink by Ranger (Espresso for stamping plus Lettuce and Pesto reinkers)

Other:
Cuttlebug D'vine swirls embossing folder
Krylon leafing pen (copper)
Copic markers
Mini mister
Sewing machine and thread
Corner Chomper

Thanks for stopping by, hope your weekend has more summer than autumn in it! There'll be more fruit and veg next week in a completely different style - got to keep up your five a day, you know ;)

15 comments:

tracy said...

those cards are beautiful joanne :)

Carol Plume said...

what a gorgeous cards Joanne - will have to pop over and see that resist technique - looks really effective.

Also, love the note card in the post below with the pens...so clean and crisp and so elegant....gorg!

Effie said...

Love your pumpkins!

Marcy said...

Lovely fall cards, Joanne! Your coloring is perfect.

Kathy said...

These are both lovely and perfect for the harvest season.

I bet your Krylon nib isn't as "frayed" as mine - have you tried pulling out the nib and turning it around so that the frayed bit is inside and you have a nice new "end" to draw with?

I'm off to check that tutorial!

Karen said...

Just checked that tutorial out...what a brilliant idea....I shall be trying that!!!

I always love your cards Joanne and these are just superb X

Hels Sheridan said...

Loving your Autumn colours and those pumpkins look good enough to scoff :O))

Janice said...

Lovely cards Joanne. But I do hate the thought of autumn when we haven't really had enough summer :(

Unknown said...

I love Pumpkins ... not to eat ... just to carve and look at on cards. The craft paper background really sets of the orange of the pumpkin ... really great work!

Jean Franks Beck said...

Love the pumpkins and your beautiful coloring and techniques! I am definitely ready for fall (95 F degrees and humid gets old fast!)

Unknown said...
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Kaz said...

Both cards are gorgeous Joanne, I'm loving the second one especially.

Darlene said...

Both creations are fabulous Joanne!! Love your coloring on these pumpkins ... so real looking!! As always ... thanks for your inspiration!

Gez Butterworth said...

Fabulous cards Joanne. Looks like you had great fun. Glad you didn't let your pen get the better of you! Mine is sadly in the same condition!

Anonymous said...

Autumn's my fave season! Love your card, beautiful colours! x