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Saturday 23 October 2021

Ferns and Leaves Botanical Print

Hi there.  I have made a card for the CAS Mix Up October Card Challenge which finishes on the 24th, so just about in time.  The challenge this time is to use real leaves, ferns or flowers to make a Botanical Print.  I used inks, stamping, heat embossing and gelli printing.


I got out my gelli plate and put Fossilized Amber one side, Abandoned Coral the other with some Candied Apple Distress Ink down the middle and used my brayer to blend them together, I did roller them rather too much as it ended up looking more or less one colour.   I then laid down the two fern leaves with the back of the leaves touching the plate and used a piece of stencil card anchored with some washi at the top placed over  the leaves and rubbed well to get the ink as closely around them as possible. I then pulled up the card and took the leaves away and lowered the card over it again, rubbed well and pulled the print.  I didn't get a very distinct image so I decided to press the ink over the ferns using red on one and the yellow on the other and carefully laid the leaves down again rubbing them to transfer the inks on to the print.  This did give a more interesting look, but I still wasn't happy.  I then took the leaf spray and put some Brushed Corduroy DI on to the back of it and laid it down over the ferns, and did this several times.  I did spray the leaves before pressing down on one occasion too and the look was fairly good.  I then added some Ground Espresso and repeated with that, and this really showed up much better, no added water this time.

I cut the print down and flicked a little water and also some watered down Candied Apple DI for a bit more background interest, and I blended Abandoned Coral and Ground Espresso ink around the edges to darken them, and finished with a sentiment stamped with Versafine Vintage Sepia ink heat embossed with WOW Clear Gloss Embossing Powder.  I then added it to my 6" square white card.  

I was hoping to get a card done for CAS Christmas but hubby and I have had dreadful colds so I haven't been very proactive on the cardmaking front, but was glad to at least get this one done.  Hopefully in a few more days it will be much better.  Hubby had it first and did a test which was fine and I developed mine a couple of days after he started his so obviously he passed it on...very kind of him..lol. 

Thank you for your visit to my blog today and I hope to see you again soon.    






I am also entering the following challenges:

Happy Little Stampers October Watercolour Challenge - Anything Goes (some water used with the leaves and some splattering with diluted ink).
Watercooler Wednesday Challenge - October 2021 No. 11 Anything Goes.

14 comments:

Christine Alexander said...

so pretty, I love the mix of fossilized amber and abandoned coral :)

Judy McKay said...

Beautiful birthday card. Love your technique. Hope you are feeling better. Thank you for joining us at 613 Avenue Create this month. Hope to see your beautiful art work back here again soon. Judy DT

Loll said...

Your leaf prints turned out so beautifully, Pat. Glad you persevered, because the card is very special! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up! Hope your cold is better soon!! Take care. Love, Loll

My Paper Epiphany said...

Gorgeous print Pat! Your card is beautiful! Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Mix Up:)

cuilliesocks said...

Stunning work Pat, I love the leaves prints and the gorgeous colour pallet.
I hope both you and your Hubby feel better soon, Kate x

Liz said...

A brilliant design, Pat. The technique turned out brilliantly. Hope you are both fully recovered soon. How kind of your hubby to share his cold with you. Mine did exactly the same thing a few weeks ago. lol xx

nancy littrell said...

Gorgeous gelli plate printed background for your leaf prints, Pat. Love your choice of colors. TFS your description and so pleased you joined us at CAS Mix Up. Love and Hugs...Nancy

Ashwini said...

What a stunning card! Your ferns look really incredible! And I really love that tint of color you've used, it's just so beautiful! Thank you so much for taking time to craft and joining us at the Happy Little Stampers Watercolor challenge! And I hope both you and your Hubby feel better soon as well.

Flo Langley said...

Gorgeous card Pat. Super effect. Hope all is well. Hugs Flo x

Bonnie said...

This turned out really good, Pat! Thanks for going over the process. I love the depth of colors in the ferns and the spray of leaves! Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up! Hope you and your hubby feel better each day.

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

This is really beautiful Pat and I love your background colour. I also like how you've ever stamped with the different leaves x

Mac Mable said...

I love how you've done the technique and then made it your own, on your striking card Pat. Thank you for the step by steps, which I always enjoy reading and I always learn from. The effect is unique, artsy and stunning x. Hope you are feeling brighter Pat?

foleysfriend said...

Great job! Congrats on working and re-working things until you achieved this piece of art. Thanks for joining us at Happy Little Stampers ~ Watercolour Challenge.

sue n.

Ros Crawford said...

I love the effect Pat - So pretty and very unique... I hope you are feeling better.