Let’s make a plain leaf stamp look realistic! It’s easier than you may think, and FUN to create. Pull out your Stampin’ Up! Vellum and I will show you an easy technique to make stamped images look more REAL. Let’s do some realistic coloring for card making.

Realistic Coloring for Card Making

Today’s Master Your Card Making Series card is from page 47 of the August – December 2020 Mini Catalog. As usual, I will show you how to recreate this card, but kick it up a notch to take your card to the next level. To do this we will create an alcohol ink markers effect on vellum. Often times vellum gets overlooked because it’s intimidating. If you have ever asked yourself “How do I color on Vellum?” or “How do I glue vellum to my card?” then you will get your answers today!

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Realistic Coloring for Card Making
Instructions

Cutting your paper:

• Cut a top folding A2 size card from Thick Whisper White Cardstock.
• You will need 2 pieces of Whisper White Cardstock (5-3/8 X 4-1/8) one piece is for the card front and another for the card insert.
• Cut a piece of  Sahara Sand to 4-7/8 X 3-1/4
• The Vellum you will use is large enough to stamp the large leaf 3 times. About 3 X 8-1/2
• A small piece of Early Espresso will be needed to stamp the sentiment. Use a piece that will fit the sentiment you choose.

Stamping & Coloring Images:

• Stamp 3 of the large leaves from the Gather Together Stamps on the vellum with Versamark Ink then emboss with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder using a Heat Tool.
• Working on the backside of the vellum color the veins of the leaves in with the Stampin’ Blends Marker of your choice. I used Dark Mango Melody, Dark Pumpkin Pie & Darl Cajun Craze.
• Spray with Isopropyl Alcohol (91% or higher). The ink will start to ‘dissolve and spread’. You can manipulate the ink by moving it around. I do this by picking up my Glass Media Mat and angling it in the direction I want the ink to flow. You can speed up the drying process by using your Heat Tool. Be sure not to melt the embossing powder again.
• Once your ink is dry use a Water Painter (filled with 91 % or higher Isopropyl Alcohol) and tap on top of the coloring. This will create ‘blotches’ in the smooth ink. I find this is a very realistic effect as when leaves are dying they have blotches in the color too. It also helps to remove any harsh ink lines that were created by using the Heat Tool to speed up your drying process.

Coloring the front of the leaves & Stamping Sentiments

• Once you have completed the reverse side of the Vellum. It’s time to color the front side. You are welcome to skip this step but I like the string definition this creates in the veins.
• Using the same color as on the reverse side, lightly color a line along the vein. Use a light touch as the alcohol in the marker will want to ‘eat’ your smooth embossing powder. However, I found that if I heat set it again after spraying it as I did on the backside it made the embossing powder bubble a little and I liked this effect. You will see what I mean when you try it. Just be sure not to use too much alcohol when you spray the front side. Or you may find your embossing powder separates and spreads.
• Stamp a sentiment and an image on the card insert. I chose to emboss both in Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder. Also, stamp the sentiment for your card front on Early Espresso. I chose to create an embossed sentiment with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder then cut it out with a die from the Tasteful Labels Dies.

Die Cutting, Embossing, Distressing & Splatter

• Using the Gathered Leaves Dies cut out your colored leaves.
• With the same dies and some Brushed Metallic Cardstock, cut out 2 of the smaller leaves to accent your leaves cluster.
• With the Subtle Embossing Folder, emboss the card front.
• Use the Dainty Diamonds on the Sahara Sand Cardstock. I used a die from the Tasteful Labels to cut a notch out of the bottom corners too.
• Using scissors or a Distressing Tool, distress the edges of the card front and the Sahara Sand Cardstock.
• I used a Copper Splatter on the Sahara Sand Cardstock. I love the effect splatter has on my cards.
• If you use the Take Your Pick Tool, you can separate the paper in the corners of your choice to create ‘dog ears’ to curl the corners.

Assembly & Final Touches

• Adhere the card front to the card base and the card insert to the inside of your card
• Attach the Sahara Sand embossed cardstock and glue all the leaves down to the center, but a little off to the right. If you place the glue behind the bottom parts of the leaves the glue will not show through.
• Wrap the gold twine from the Forever Greenery Combo pack 3 or 4 times around your fingers (I use 4 fingers) to create loops. Use glue dots to hold the loops on top of your leaves. Place the glue dots where the sentiment will hide them.
• Using dimensional place the sentiment.
• For the final step, add a little bling with some Artistry Blooms Sequins. I used yellow ones.

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Until I see you again,

Take Care & Happy Stamping! <3

Until I see you again,

Take Care & Happy Stamping! <3