Wednesday 3 October 2012

Leaves. . . . . and even more leaves!

My garden currently lies under a huge number of leaves from a large sycamore tree in someone else's garden. As I've said before, I love trees but every autumn, I remember that I don't like them all - I dislike sycamores very, very much. Why? Firstly, I have to pick up the leaves each year and secondly, I'm convinced the tree knows I hate it and is probably laughing as it directs each newly shed leaf my way! Thing is, I have the cutest little woodburning stove. . . . . . that tree had better watch out!!

Onto more interesting things. I made a tag incorporating leaves and a pumpkin which seems to be a favourite challenge theme at the moment on many blogs. Sadly, I missed one of the challenges I was going to enter it into so, one down and two to go! I used the word 'Fall' rather than the usual 'Autumn' (for a Brit!) but four letters are much easier to deal with don't you think?!!

I've been using my TAP paper again. Stamping with distress onto the paper and ironing it onto fabric is fun but why did I choose to do leaves?? It took me forever to stamp them, cut them out, add more colour, stitch them, add wire to the back and shape them! Are you still awake after that list? Never mind, it kept me busy and out of trouble!

Here's my tag and I'm going to enter it at the following challenges:

Try It On A Tuesday - Lots Of Layers
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Leaf-Spiration

The light was very dim today and this really was the best I could do. The shimmer in the background is barely visible I'm afraid (yes, I've been playing with the metallic distress stain again and perhaps, just perhaps, I'm starting to like them!).
This is what the leaves look like before they are cut out and 'modified'. The leaves here were only stamped with two colours of distress - I used more than one colour on most of the leaves for my tag.




The pumpkin (a tando piece) received an Andy Skinner makeover and I left him the eyes and mouth so the background shone through. The leaves have been made as described above and then arranged  in an 'artful heap' (er well, hopefully!). There is a paper leaf hiding in there somewhere and one without stitching but it wouldn't do for them all to be the same!

The background was made using metallic distress stain combined with two colours of other distress stain. A mask and baby wipe created some interest in the background and IRL it is rich and glows rather like autumnal colours. Some peeled paint was added to the edges followed by walnut stain.
The letters were die cut from kraft resist, inked and glossy accents added.
The dying flower stems were stamped with versamark and embossed with distress powder. I was trying to create that skeleton look that gardens start to take on now as foliage and flowers die back.

Rusty, metallic pumpkin with some green wire tendrills. I wanted some rusty wire but that was a step too far for my skills! Some grunge paper twigs can be seen rising up behind the leaves. These were die cut and inked.
A little metallic lace was added at the bottom - the colour matches the metallic distress stain and I think it links in quite nicely with the background pattern.













Further views of the leaves with stitching and variegated colour.



Hope you enjoyed following this post - I know there's always lots of words and pictures but I don't seem to be able to do a post any other way! Thanks for sticking with it.

37 comments:

  1. Wow, Julia, this is gorgeous! I can't get over how amazing those leaves look, and the pumpkin too with all its gorgeous AS texture. I'm loving the background, too... this is a stunning tag!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is lovely - how did you do the rusty pumpkin cos I am intrigued. I like how you do your blog, so keep doing what you're doing.

    Cassidy xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Takes my breath away! It may have taken a lot of effort but it was truly worth it. Re the sycamore, I sympathise as for five years I lived next door to a magnificent magnolia tree most of which hung over my front path and constantly dropped blossoms, leaves, brachts....I was forever sweeping up!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow! A really jaw dropping creation Julia. The leaves are totally amazing as is the gorgeous pumpkin and the texture is awesome.
    Running out of superlatives tee hee! Just love it!
    Hugs, Fliss xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think if was really annoying me I would invest in one of those leaf blower things and blow them back from whence they came - sorry, that would be rude (but maybe a teeny bit funny). Your tag is so beautiful, the leaves are gorgeous and love how you did that pumpkin, I really must try and do that Andy Skinner course....would love to do that rusting. Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Julia this is a most stunning tag. The colours are perfection and I just love the idea of the pumpkin peeking out from amongst them.
    Wishes
    Lynne
    P.S. I have to thank you for your lovely comments.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hahaha Julia,loved your story about the neighbour's tree! But I think it's natural that leaves will fall down in October:-))
    Your tag is again a masterpiece...the stitching on the leaves is so delicate! As well as the colours and the layout! Lovely...

    Hugs, Alie :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. A stunnig Tag Julia
    Great colors and the pumpkin is beautiful.

    Greetings Janny

    ReplyDelete
  9. wow, i can see how much work has gone into this, so much detail and i love the layers.
    yep am at the barn on sunday

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh my goodness Julia.. that is absolutely sensational! So much texture and beauty and glorious colour on one tag! Your leaves are an absolute triumph, lettering is yummy, and the pumpkin is simply amazing - dead spooky in amongst the glories of "Fall"! Simply wonderful...
    Alison x

    ReplyDelete
  11. A really stunning tag Julia...love all the close up shots too. Wonderful texture and colour. The pumpkin looks amazing!
    Dot x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Stunning! So much detail in those leaves with the stitching and varigated colours - and such a beautiful background to show them off! Just fabulous, Julia.
    Avril xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Adore the stitching on the leaves - super job.
    So which die are the letters from then?
    BJ

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fabulous tag, the leaves are beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us at TioT's this time.
    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  15. Julia, I really just have no words for this right now ... nature, nature, nature ...
    Would you pls help me retrieve my jaw back from under the table? :-)
    Artwork.
    Hugs, Suzanne xxx

    ReplyDelete
  16. I haven't been here to comment on your fab makes,
    This is STUNNING!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pumpkin, the textures you have created are fantastic and I love the stitching on the leaves a rule stunning make..can you tell I love it!!!! The coloursvare, the textures, just fab! Love trace. X

    ReplyDelete
  17. WOW what a fabulous tag! The textures and colours are perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a truly wonderful Fall tag! Luv your attention to detail. Ü
    Happy week-end,
    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  19. Fab tag with stunning leaves

    Sam xxx

    ReplyDelete
  20. I do not think that I have EVER seened a Tag this GORGEOUS!....wow!Stunning details!You left me speechless...
    Enjoy your weekend,
    Migdalia

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your tag is amazing Julia! You've captured Autumn perfectly with those stunning fabric leaves! The colours are beautiful!
    Alison xx

    ReplyDelete
  22. Absolutely stunning Julia!! Wonderful autumn colours and leaves deatils are just gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  23. A brilliant project. Thank you for joining us on the TIOT challenge, Hugs Bee

    ReplyDelete
  24. WOW WOW WOWWWW, absolutely fantastic !!!!!! Bravo ! Bises

    ReplyDelete
  25. Gorgeous leaves! Love the colors and texture! Fabulous tag! Glad you joined us at Simon Says Stamp and Show.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your leaves are amazing and much more fun than the outdoor type!! Fabulous tag!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congrats on ssss well deserved, this tag was awesome x

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is just wow!! Those leaves are gorgeous! :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Do hope you've been over to SSSaS!!! Congratulations!
    Alison xx

    ReplyDelete
  30. Congratulations on your amazing project! TFS

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wow, congratulations on the Top3 at SSSS!!!
    This truly is an earned win!!!!

    Hugs,
    die amelie xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is cool! Love the texture of the pumpkin. Congrats over at SSS!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Goodness knows how I missed this first time round! Oh boy but does your textiles background shine through here missus. A-MAZE-ING as Craig R-H (Strictly) would say. Huge and well deserved congrats on your SSS win. Hugs, Buttons x

    ReplyDelete
  34. Great job on your leaves, love the background and pumpkin too.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax