Instructions

Capture the look and feel of fall with this quick and easy mixed media card. It combines Archival Ink colors perfect for fall leaves, a bit of shimmer for early morning frost, and a punch of foil for the warm fall sun.

Step 1: Choose an assortment of fall colored Archival Inks. Scribble the ink pads randomly onto a Craft Sheet. (Colors shown: Potting Soil, Dandelion, Orange Blossom, Library Green, and Red Geranium.)

Pour rubbing alcohol into a small bowl. Use a Distress Splatter Brush to pick up the rubbing alcohol. Splatter the rubbing alcohol onto the Craft Sheet. The rubbing alcohol will react with the ink and create droplets of color. (Remember, Archival Inks are not water reactive so you cannot substitute water for the alcohol.)

Lay manila cardstock on the wet ink. (I used an extra large tag, but you could use a cardstock sheet or smaller tag.) Lift the cardstock up out of the ink, taking care to not drag the cardstock through the ink. The result will be a watercolor-like random speckling and dots of color.

If you have areas that need more color, continue blotting the cardstock onto the ink.

When you are happy with the coverage, set the cardstock to the side to air dry. Clean the Craft Sheet with more rubbing alcohol on an art rag.

Step 2: Add shimmer by misting assorted colors of Mica Mist onto the cardstock. Blot the excess with a dry cloth. (Colors shown: Pearl, Evergreen, and Buttercup.)
Dry the cardstock with a Heat Tool.

Step 3: Die cut two leaves from the cardstock.

Apply Potting Soil Archival Ink to the edges of the leaves using an Ink Blending Tool.

Lightly brush over the embossed design of the die cut with the ink pad.

Step 4: Cut one piece of Kraft Cardstock 11” x 5 1/2”. Fold in half to create a 5 1/2” top fold square card.
Cut one piece of copper Vintaj Arte Foil to 5 1/4” x 5 1/4”.
Cone one piece of pattern paper to 5” x 5”.
Cut one piece of vellum to 4 3/4” x 4 3/4”.

Tear a corner off of the piece of vellum.
Ink the edges of the Kraft Cardstock card, pattern paper, and vellum with Potting Soil Archival Ink using an Ink Blending Tool.

Step 5: Adhere the Copper Arte Foil to the center of the card front. Adhere the pattern paper to the center of the foil and then the vellum to the center of the pattern paper.

Die cut a banner from the inked cardstock. Be sure to look at the back side of the cardstock. The bleed through on the back of the cardstock can have a really wonderful watercolor look. It is a nice choice for bringing in the same colors as the leaves without having too much of the same look.

Adhere the banner to the lower left corner of the card front on top of the vellum. Add a Tiny Attacher Staple to the end of the banner as an embellishment.

Step 6: Mist one yard of Crinkle Ribbon with water. Tap over the ribbon lightly with assorted colors of the Archival Inks. Although the Archival Ink doesn’t generally react with water, you will get a light color bleed on the wet ribbon. It is just enough to make the color soft and vintage looking.

Step 7: Dry the ribbon with a Heat Tool. Create a bow with the ribbon.
(Need help learning how to tie a great bow? Check out my easy bow making tutorial: https://tammytutterow.com/2014/12/tutorial-fluffy-bow-and-template/

Adhere the die cut leaves and bow to the left edge of the card.

Gather a few small twigs from outside. Tuck them around the leaves and bow. Secure with liquid glue.

Step 8: Finish the card by stamping a sentiment on the banner.