SWAPPIN' SUNDAY, Winning Swap Entry: Woodgrained Autumn Leaves...

Today I have one of the swap cards I created for the Providence Regional Event yesterday.  This one was for an organized swap with SUDSOL members.  I also submitted this card for Stampin' Up!'s swap contest.  And... I won!  A $50 shopping spree--YAHOO!  I can't wait to get home and plan how to spend it!  A FREE mini tutorial follows for how to make the "woodgrained" veining on the leaves.

The background of the card features our new Core-dinations card stock!  The outside layer is our exclusive Early Espresso color.  The inside layer is light colored.  By embossing it with the Woodgrain embossing folder and sanding the raised areas, you reveal the light colored core giving you a fabulous two toned effect.

For the leaves, I first tried just embossing them with various folders.  They came out very pretty and I am sure you will see them in a future project.  However, they weren't quite what I was looking for with this swap card.

In the past, I have used the Spider Web Embossing Folder on the old Leaves #2 Die leaves.  When lined up just right (with one vertical line up the middle of the leaf), they look like the veining of leaves (left leaf).  However, the largest leaf (maple, right leaf) on the Autumn Accents Die doesn't fit right on the embossing folder.  No matter how you position it, you end up with more than one vertical vein.  The maple leaf in the photo was actually upside down in the folder.  The horizontal lines should angle up.

So, I decided to try out the Woodgrain embossing folder.  I began by scoring each leaf down the middle with the Simply Scored Scoring Tool and then I folded the leaves in half.  Then I placed the leaves in the Woodgrain folder, being careful to place them in an area with only vertical lines and no "knots".  I placed them with the folds toward the bottom of the folder at an angle so that the lines are running at an angle up towards the top of the leaf.

When you remove the leaves and open them, you will notice that one half is embossed and the other side is "debossed".  This is fine as the opposite lines still appear embossed.  (see picture at the top)

If you want to color distress the edges of the leaves, you should sponge them BEFORE embossing.  Otherwise, they can rip easily.  Enjoy!

WOODGRAINED AUTUMN LEAVES SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Day of Gratitude  (W#120835 $26.95, C#121148 $18.95)
• Card Stock – Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock (#127848, $6.95)
• Ink – Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard Classic, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze Stampin' Write Markers
• Punches – Extra Large (Wide) Oval (#119859, $16.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Autumn Accents Die (#127812, $21.95), Labels Collection Framelits Dies (#125598, $26.95), Woodgrain Embossing Folder (#127821, $7.95),  Square Lattice Embossing Folder (#119976, $7.95), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (#122334, $29.95), Stampin' Sanding System (#129367, $3.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Sponge Daubers or Stampin' Sponges

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!