Rich Autumn Leaves ...

... is this weeks theme for Stamp Simply #106 on the No Time to Stamp? blog. Perfect. I was itching for an excuse to ink up my Falling Leaves set one more time and see what I could do with a few ink pads and my waterbrush.

Unfortunately, the camera didn't do my card justice. The leaves and sentiment were stamped with VersaMark on watercolor paper and embossed with gold embossing powder. The ink pads I used to color my leaves were Autumn Terracotta, Goldrush, and Sunflower. Filling them in was very quick and easy with me just kind of playing around until I achieved a look I was happy with. To finish the background off (and camouflage some random speckles of embossing powder), I used my favorite Speckled Background stamp and Autumn Terracotta ink. Then, the question became how to complete my card. With thoughts that the leaves were pretty enough to stand on their own, I didn't want to clutter it up. Thus, I finished it with a favorite Bible passage anchored with three gold Bitty Brads.

Materials & Tools: Colonial White and Chocolate cardstock; Watercolor paper from Wal-Mart; VersaMark, Chocolate, Autumn Terracotta, Goldrush, and Sunflower ink pads; Flourishes Falling Leaves and Close To My Heart Make it Count stamp sets; Retired Speckled Background stamp; Gold Bitty Brads; Gold embossing powder; Waterbrush.

Did you notice the background in my photo? Those are leaves that were used as part of the decor at last weekend's wedding reception. They're real, as in preserved California black oak leaves. They are very beautiful, but I really have a lot of them. Not having a clue how many we would need, I ordered 30 bunches. We tapped into 12 of them, and the rest are still in their packages. I guess I'll make a pretty arrangement for my desk at work and see if it's enough to entice some buyers to take some of them off my hands. LOL.

I hope I can get my hands on some photos of the reception hall. It was gorgeous. The linens and chair covers were all white with burgundy satin table runners on all the tables. The long tables featured tiered wrought iron candelabras in the center. More small white frosted votive cups ran the length of the tables with the colored leaves scattered about to almost look as if they had fallen where they laid. The 16 round tables we used in the center of the room featured floating candle arrangements on mirror tiles with more small votives and, of course, leaves. The head table was on a stage with similar decorations as well as the floral arrangements that had been used at the church. It was arranged so that the approximately 400 candles were lit before the guests arrived. It was beautiful. It doesn't seem like it was almost a week ago already.

Happy Friday! What are you doing this weekend? I'm looking forward to getting some things done ... while working at my own pace, which will most likely be relatively low-key. Marv is going to drive truck during the beet harvest again this year. This afternoon, he's at the farm giving his truck (semi) a practice run. I anticipate the campaign will start soon. Instead of the night shift he drove last year, he will be driving an 8 to 8 "daytime" shift. That will be better, I think, and healthier for him. Nonetheless, I suspect things will be a little hectic for however long it takes, but the extra money will be nice - Christmas money that won't have to come out of the "general" fund.

No, this is long. If you're still with me, thanks for stopping by. I'll catch you again tomorrow with a little something for Simple Saturday!