Autumn in New England - Flying Unicorns and 2Crafty ( with leaf making tutorial)

Autumn In New England

(You can find this post on 2Crafty's blog here)

This is a layout I created based on a photo I took in Vermont, US, a few years ago.   My father-in-law lived in Vermont and each time I visited, I was enchanted with this church that everyone must pass upon entering into town from a certain direction.   It appears like a welcoming beacon for travelers and a symbol of home for residents. 

One Autumn day as we were driving into Bennington,  Vermont, the sky was perfect and the trees were at near peak in Autumn glory.  I asked my husband to pull over and I jumped out to snap a few shots.  In order to get the best shot, you have to stand in the middle of the road.  Thank heaven it was early morning before church got started. 

 This page was created using the Nov.  Kit for the Flying Unicorns - 7Dots papers, along with a fun set of chipboard from 2Crafty:

2Crafty Chipboard "Autumn Leaves " m00018

2Crafty Words "Nothing Beats a Father's Love"

2Crafty "Winter Twig Branches"

Available in my ETSY shop while it lasts. Right here

Chipboard Instructions:

2Crafty's chipboard leaves were absolutely perfect for my project.  I'll show you how I altered them.   

 First I painted the leaves with gesso to prime them.  After dying, I misted with 13Arts Ayeeda mist in Yellow.  I sprayed them a few times to darken in spots as needed. I did not blot them dry - I used the heat gun to dry them. 

Next step,  I added some embossing powder to give them some crinkled texture.

Below is a page that shows the "Autumn Leaves " and  "Winter Twig Branches" nicely inserted into a cluster of  paper leaves, floral berries and flowers.  The  "Winter Twig Branches" were simply stained with orange ink.  

Paper Leaf Instructions:

Next I want to show you how I created some paper leaves to be used along with the chipboard leaves.  I didn't have enough chippies so I had to make some paper leaves. 

Step 1. I used a fun Darice leaf die ( Assorted Leaves) that came with the Flying Unicorn Oct kit and punched a bunch of leaves from Studio75 "Splash It" paper collection . I enhanced the colors using some inks. 

Step 2. Step 2 is leaf crunching and inking. 

OK let's break  the leaf process down even further:
 fold the leaf in half.  Lightly touch or dab the fold onto the ink pad.  

Next - crunch the leaf and gently roll the leaf on the ink pad so that the crunched folds get slightly inked.  When you unfold the leaf and open it up, you have a cool looking "old leaf" effect. 

I decided to leave the  title, Nothing Beats a Father's Love ", as a natural chipboard piece with no finishing.   

The chipboard on the left matches nicely with the paper leaf I made.  

I love showing dimension in my photos if I can get a decent shot.  It really shows the depth of the page ands how wonderfully the chipboard is on the page up close adding nice pops of texture, dimension and interest.   

Thanks for stopping here.  I value your time. 

 If you missed the Flying Unicorns Oct kit, consider pre-ordering your kit each month.  Pre- orders start the 20th of each month, you get the best selection, you get to see a preview to determine if you like the colors and style of the particular month, AND it ships early.   Bonus all the way around.   Details here. 

Grab this layout on my ETSY while it lasts. 


Products:
2Crafty Chipboard "Autumn Leaves " m00018
2Crafty Words "Nothing Beats a Father's Love"
2Crafty "Winter Twig Branches"
Flying Unicorn Kit of the Month - Nov -Your Passion Your Art
Studio 75 papers Splash It collection
13Arts Ayeeda Mists
Darice Assorted Leaves thin metal dies
DieNamics Royal Leaf Dies
Tim Holtz Distress Powders - Scattered Straw and Marigold
Clearsnap - Donna Salazar Mixed Media Inx - Mossy, Vintage, Patina, Butternut,
Floral Berries
Hemp Twine
Petaloo Flowers

Flower Card Using Die cut Layers

Here is a card I made with lots of die cut layers.  I used 7Dots papers that came in the Oct Flying Unicorn kit.  This kit really has an Autumn look and feel as did the 7Dots collection "Lost and Found". 

 I decided to take a break from Autumn and celebrate Summer one last time.  So how do you do that with an Autumn based kit and all earthy colors and embellishments in the kit? Simply choose an accent color that takes you in a different direction.  The pink cardstock is totally unexpected but makes the 7Dots papers instantly look like they were made to be used for summer projects by bringing out the fresh green grass color. 

The main embellishments on the card are a resin heart from Bo Bunny and chipboard from 2Crafty.  
The 2Crafty piece is "Circle Word Set 1" - perfect for cards.   Flying Unicorn has an amazing assortment of 2Crafty chipboard available to purchase.  You can find the selection here. 

Did you miss the kit this past month?  Flying Unicorns does sell out fast - most times in a day.  I know that makes for a lot of unhappy faces BUT you can pre-order your kit each month on the 20th.  This is a great idea because you are provided with a preview of the kit and can look to see if the colors and style are favorable.  Find the pre-order details right here.

Contents of the Small Art Big Passion for Oct:  This kit adds extra dimension to all the other kits and is perfect for the card makers, tag makers and so much more. This month our kit includes : 12 sheets lost and found 6x6 papers, laser cut wood buttons, bling, Creameez, I yard black ribbon, Petaloo Daisy Center Hearts Green, Do craft journal stickers, Petaloo Darjeeling 1478-200,Darice Embossing Essentials die assorted leaves.

Flying Unicorn Small Art Big Passion
2Crafty chipboard "Circle Word Set 1" 
Petaloo Daisy Center Hearts Green
7Dots 6x6 paper - Lost and Found Collection
Prima Die ( available November 2015)

Pumpkin Card

Pumpkin Season is upon us already.  I can't believe it.  Seems like I was just ushering in Memorial Day, and somehow pumpkins and cool weather stepped in instead.  

But that is OK.  I adore pumpkins and the pumpkin shape. Isn't this just a divine die cut?  I outlined it with Stickels glitter glue to give it some glam. 

This card was made using the Flying Unicorn Small Art Big Passion Kit for October.  It's perfect for Autumn and those fall projects.

Don't know anything about the Small Art Big Passion kit?  Well, it is a mini coordinated kit that is assembled each month and geared toward the card and tag maker - or folks that only have a little time in the month and yet still love new products.

It's also priced just right so that you are not left serving the family creative casseroles and meals featuring Ramen Noodles for days on end.  Everything in moderation, right?

This little kit is actually my favorite offering of the Unicorns each month.

And of course no pumpkin card is complete without raffia.

This card is not complex, but I don't think cards necessarily need to be complex, heaped with embellishments and flowers all the time...often, but not always.  Flowers do make me happy.

Flying Unicorn - Small Art Big Passion kit -Oct
Die-Versions Pumpkin Die - whispers DVW 277
Stickles Yellow
Paper -7 Dots paper - Lost and Found Collection 6x6 paper pack
Black cotton lace
raffia

Flying Unicorns - May Kit of the Month -Voyager

Flying Unicorn Kit of the Month for May

This month's kit includes 7Dots and Prima Cartographer.  Find your kit here. 

This is a photo of my son.  I used the chippies from Prima's Cartographer Collection for the title "Voyager".  He is heading off to collage this fall and starting a whole new. exciting phase of life.  I believe he will enjoy this new adventure and voyage.

Created using the 7Dots -Nature's Walk collection.  You can find the collection here

The 7Dots circle stickers used below were painted with some Splash of Color Silk glazes for some accent and to tie in the colors of the flowers I used.  The Silks are African Jade, Pretty Peridot, Periwinkle.

The kit also had the coolest Crafters Workshop Template - which you can see above as wavy lines.  That is sold in  the store individually as well.

Thanks for looking and grab your kit while they last.  And they never last long.

Products:
Flying Unicorn Kit of Month - May
 7Dots -Nature's Walk collection
7Dots Natures Walk - Song Bird SDPP0086
7Dots Natures Walk - Stickers SDST0024
Prima Flowers Giselle Mermaid -566395
Prima Flowers -Cartographer Vagabond 574550
Prima Flowers 564476
Prima Cartographer chipboard 990169
Splash of Color Silks - Acrylic Glaze -African Jade, Pretty Peridot, Periwinkle
TCW 6x6 Template
Prima Wood Bark Embellishments

Flying Unicorns - Escape Kitty -How Does Hope Start?

How does hope start?  This is Escape Kitty trying to shake the cold dark winter and move into the warmth of the spring sunshine.  She's trying to find even the smallest patch of sunshine in the house to  nap.  You should see it - the patch of sunshine is big enough to fit her head.  It's quite a sight - but it's a hopeful sight and a great start.  Hope usually starts with a tiny bit of light. 

 What is your tiny bit of light?  

 Make your tiny bit of light grow by believing.

We are thrilled to reveal our April 2014 Your Passion Your Art kit of the month! This kit is filled to the brim with the long awaited 7 Dots Collection Cold Country ! A vintage, artistic feel with lots of one of kind goodies and mixed media enhancements to allow you to create with passion your works of art!

This was created using the Flying Unicorn kit for April.
The kit spotlights 7Dots Cold Country Collection.  Cold Country yes....bitter cold, NO!  Bring on the pretty 7Dots and chase away the snow and drab from winter.

Here is  a piece from Escape Kitty.  Tis the season when she really wants to get outside. The darkness and cold of winter is leaving and the sun is staring to shine and warm up.  As you can see, Kitty is in transition, looking toward the sunshine and just waiting for the season to turn.

She'll spring into action then - guarding the door, waiting for an opportunity to sneak out and chase some butterflies or birds.

These are cute diecuts from 7Dots mixed with wood pieces from American Crafts -Studio Calico.
The kit also has a wonderful mask with leafy branches by Joggles.  I used for the background.

Flying Unicorns Kit of the Month, April 2014 Your Passion Your Art kit , is available now on a limited basis.  Don't be left empty handed. 

Supplies:
April 2014 Your Passion Your Art kit 
7Dots Cold Country Elements 6x12 SDPE 8020 (die cuts)
7Dots Cold Country -Secret Diary SDPP0098
Prima Stencil 12x12 572143
Prima Flowers - Joule Sugar Plum 567095
Dylusions Black Marble
Lindy's Flat Fabio Mist Aloha Avocado 
Lindy's Bodacious Blush
Flying Unicorn Metal Adornments
American Crafts Studio Calico Wood Veneer pieces
Prima Ingvild Bolme - Chalk Edgers -Lime Pie
Joggles Stencil -Branches 0333714
Little Yellow Bicycle -Naturals NA-BST10
FabScraps Die Cut Flower DC47004

Copyright 2014 Escape Kitty by Jennifer Snyder