I've had a lot of people contact me with questions about how I made my Autumn Splendor Wreath so here is a step by step photo tutorial for your use.....
Supplies:
Autumn Splendor stamp set (pg.115)
One sheet of 8-1/2 x 11 inch Glossy White or Shimmer White card stock (pg.181)
Jet Black StazOn (pg.203)
More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Soft Suede Classic Inks
Crumb Cake and Soft Suede Stampin' Write Markers (pg.180)
Stamping Sponges (pg.203)*
1/4" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon (pg.195)
1/2" Peach Parfait Stitched-Poly Ribbon (pg.194)
Linen Thread or Baker's Twine (pg.194)
Brigths Glimmer Brads (pg.199)
Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Multipurpose Liquid Glue and Crystal Effects (pg.206)
Dazzling Details (Holiday Mini, pg.41)
7 x 7 Chipboard - I like to use 2 pieces of backing from Stampin' Up!'s 12 x 12 Designer Series Paper
Paper Snips, Circle Scissor Plus and Glass Cutting Mat (pg.208)
Instructions:
Step 1: Glue the 2 pieces of backing from Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Paper together using Multipurpose Liquid Glue... turning one of them 90 degrees so that the grain is going in the opposite direction. This adds strength to the layers and helps it to lay flat. Set aside to dry. (Note: Cardboard from a large cereal box can be used instead of the DSP backing.)
Step 2: Stamp 10 leaves and 4 acorn images on either Glossy White or Shimmer White card stock. Use the Stamping Sponges to add color to the leaves - starting with the lightest color and working up to the dark colors - as shown below.
Step 3: Cut out all images using Stampin' Up!'s Paper Snips. (These are very sharp and allow you to easily follow the tight curves of the leaves.) This is the time to add any additional color to the leaves. I like to add Soft Suede to the edges to give them even more dimension. You can see the before and after comparison in the photo below.
Step 4: Turn the leaves over and place a dot of Multipurpose Liquid Glue to both ends of each leaf. Set aside to dry. (Note: The dried Multipurpose Liquid Glue dots make the leaves repositionable, so they can be held in place while positioning them but easy to shift them if necessary.)
Step 5: Color the acorns by lightly sponging Soft Suede on the bottom part and Chocolate Chip on the top part. Use a Crumb Cake Stampin' Write Marker to color in the bottom, and Soft Suede to color in the top. Cut out and apply either Dazzling Details or Crystal Effects... or both... as shown below. Set aside to dry.
Step 6: Use the Circle Scissor Plus to cut the circle base from the glued DSP backing, cereal box or chipboard. Start by securing the cardboard to the Glass Cutting Mat with tape. Set the blade at 5 inches and cut. You will need to go around several times in order to cut through both layers... and will be able to feel when it has cut through completely. Leaveing the Circle Scissor Plus in place... change the blade's position to 6 inches and cut a second circle. Lift out the resulting wreath base.
Step 7: Start putting the leaves on the base... interlocking them as you position them - as shown below - and making sure that base is hidden. When you are happy with the arrangement - gently lift up the sections of leaves and put additional Multipurpose Liquid Glue on the base to secure the leaves in place.
Step 8: Add Stampin' Dimensionals to the back of the acorns and place them on the wreath. Add Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon knots... and the 1/2" Peach Parfait Stiched-Poly Ribbon bow with Glimmer Brad accent using Mini Glue Dots. Finally turn over the completed wreath and add a Linen Thread or Baker's Twine loop so you can hang your finished wreath.
* Note 1: I like to cut my Stamping Sponges into wedges and assign each wedge to a specific color. Sponge Daubers (pg.203) can be substituted but they don't give as soft an edge so the colors won't blend as well.
* Note 2: The sponging technique I used here is called "Direct to Paper". Other techniques that can be used are Baby Wipe, Brayer and Smooch... but the Direct to Paper is not as random so it gives you more control over what color is where... and the final look of your leaves.
* Note 3: When hand-cutting the leaves and acorns... remember to turn the paper into the scissors so it will be easier on the hands and will create a much smoother edge
This wreath can be displayed in a window, on the front door or hanging on the wall. It can also be framed before hanging it on the wall.
Here are both samples - shown side by side - with the Glossy White version on the left and the Shimmer White on the right. I like them both... but I think the one using Glossy White is my favorite! :O)
Leave a comment below and receive a copy of the tutorial in pdf format. :O)
Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions or to share your finished Autumn Splendor Wreath with me and my readers!
Happy Stamping~
Mia
