stamping cards with leaves

Handmade Cards with Press Leaves – How To Video

Learn how to make handmade cards with real pressed leaves…
As we make our way back from the wonderful Creativation trade show and unpack the wonderful goodies we had at the show so we can share all the great projects with you.  Today it is all about a fun technique that we cannot wait to show you.  These magnificent handmade cards were at the show and everyone just loved them.  Adding a bit of nature to craft projects creates a look that is truly one of a kind, no two leaves, snowflakes or flowers are the same, making your project totally unique.  Crew Member, Patti Senter explores the idea of using pressed leaves in her art and wow did the cards turn out amazing.  
vintage pressed leaf handmade cards
“Online Social Media can be a wealth of inspiration, as is the case in today’s Pressed Leaf card share. I saw this idea traveling around Pinterest, Facebook and YouTube and was so intrigued I knew I needed to give it a try myself. Using Canvas Corp’s bulk card bases and envelopes I had the perfect beginning to a set of cards for a friend’s birthday. I hope you’ll wander on over to watch the video to get the full impact of today’s project and be totally inspired to try it for yourself real soon. Mother Nature gives us an abundance of free leaves and ferns to play with so you’ll never run out of ideas and inspiration.” – Patti Senter
craft supplies for handmade cards
Materials Used:
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist – Suede, Amethyst, Dazzling Diamonds
Canvas Corp – 12×12 Burlap Sheet
Flute Paper – Kraft & Chocolate
Canvas Corp – Bulk Card Bases and Envelopes
Canvas Corp – 12×12 French Script Canvas
Canvas Corp – Cord – Jute Ball
7 Gypsies – Wanderlust 8×8 Paper Pad
Supplies from my stash – Distress Ink – Aged Mahogany; Ground Espresso; Cardstock; Art Glitter Glue; scrap pieces of chipboard; cardboard box packaging; JustRite Stampers Bokeh Time Stamp set; JustRite Stampers Sympathy Handwritten Sentiments; Joy Clair Clear Stamps Thank You for Everything; Penny Black Transparent Stamps Elquoence; leaves from my yard
Tools Used:
Big Shot; Corner Chomper – 1/4″ Rounder; Scissors, Paper Trimmer; Bone Folder
Patti walks you through the process on her video and see below for a few more details.  

 The first step to creating the cards is to scour your yard and neighborhood for interesting leaves and ferns. I found the maple leaves to transmit the most color when pressing but don’t rule anything out until you see how it actually looks pressed. Cut two pieces of white card stock about the size of the fronts of your cards. Fold a piece of scrap copy paper in half and then layer the copy paper, a mat, the leaf, a second mat and the other half of the copy paper into a sandwich. Run it through your embossing machine as is between two plates. Carefully remove and discard the copy paper and leaves to reveal your embossed mats. Each set will yield you a one of a kind nature’s impression.
pressed leaves on handmade cards
Assemble the supplies you’ll need to create your cards. If you’re going to being doing sets of cards it’s better to have the basics all cut and prepped so you can assemble many at one time in a chain step effect. I like to have a finished inside so I determined not only what my sentiment base would be for the outside (in the demo card here I used elements cut from the 7 Gypsies Wanderlust paper pad) but also the stamps for the inside sentiment.stamping and leaves handmade cards
I used Amethyst Glimmer Mist and a brush to tint the outer edges of my mat. This is but one method of changing up the plain mats to something with more color and pizazz. I think often when we see a bottle with a sprayer we forget, you don’t have to only spray! You can always use a brush for a different effect or to splatter some droplets.
handmade card supplies
I’m a saver not a hoarder, I’m sure there is a distinction there that makes keeping all my scraps ok and not a call for an intervention. I have bits of burlap and twine and edges from fluted paper all tucked away from prior projects waiting for a home. When I start creating I go to these first to see what bits I can incorporate into my current project. With card making often times it only needs the simplest of items to really step up the visual effect.
enjoy today handmade card
 Playing, altering, moving here and there, that’s what creates the card that says to you, yes I want to share this!
never give up handmade card
Add a bit of glimmer and glam where you want for an added touch.glimmer mist handmade card
 You can make a set for birthday, anniversary, thank you, sympathy, thinking of you or maybe one of each and give them to a friend for their card stash or send them off to those who need a smile today.
thinking of you handmade card
If you con’t have a collection of basics sentiment sayings, they might be worth adding to your stash.
handmade card sympathy
So head outside and gather leaves, ferns and maybe even flowers to see what they become when they become part of your craft project.
To see more of Patti’s work follow her on YouTube.  


About

Canvas Corp Brands is the home of Tattered Angels, 7Gypsies and Canvas Corp (Canvas Home Basics). We are a manufacturer of surfaces, paint and vintage reproductions coming to you from Springdale, Arkansas.


'Handmade Cards with Press Leaves – How To Video' have 2 comments

  1. February 24, 2017 @ 1:28 pm Jean Marmo

    HOw cool! I need to go find some leaves!!!!

    Reply

  2. February 24, 2017 @ 2:16 pm Kathy Adams

    This technique is so cool! I kept thinking that you were going to wet the leaves first. I want to try this with flowers and see what happens! Also love the Wanderlust paper you chose for the cards. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply


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This blog is a compilation of inspiration from the Canvas Corp Brands family including Canvas Corp, Tattered Angels and 7Gypsies.