grateful

If there is one month I associate with the fall season, it has to be October. 

Where I live, this month offers witness to the glory of mother nature by means of an autumnal show of stunning color. We watch as the leaves turn gorgeous shades of golden yellow, bronze, and red, before they are shed in preparation for a winter's lull. As I appreciate all the wonder that is presented to me, it gives me a wonderful opportunity to really give thanks for all that I have. This is the inspiration behind my gratitude journal for the Emerald Creek Dares Challenge this month.

I begin by stamping the Emerald Creek Oak Tree Stamp with Archival ink onto watercolor paper that has been colored with a wash of Distress ink. Using a stamping platform, it is easy to re-stamp the upper portion of the tree with VersaMark embossing ink. 

I sprinkle embossing powders over the leafed section of the tree in a random pattern. I use Turkish Bronze, Taos Sunset, and Burnt Copper Leaves powders; each of which is absolutely beautiful on its own; however, I thought by using a blend of powders, I could achieve the variation that is so typically seen in nature. Once the embossing has cooled, I color the stamped and embossed image of the tree with distress inks. I also stamp the word "grateful" along the top edge. This panel becomes the cover of my gratitude journal. Using my Xyron creative station lite, I add adhesive to the back of the panel, and attach it to the notebook die cut. 

More of the inked watercolor paper is used to create the interior panels for the journal. These pieces are cut to size and then stamped with decaying leaf images with embossing ink. These leaves are coated with Burnt Copper Leaves embossing powder and heat set. When the embossing has cooled, these panels are attached to the interior of the book. 

I run my embossing pad along the sides and bottom of the front cover then add more of the Burnt Copper Leaves Embossing powder and heat set. This creates a wonderful finished edge that coordinates with both the inside and out. 

The back of the gratitude journal is covered in a faux wood paper created using a 3D embossing folder and inks to create a realistic looking (and feeling) panel. Another section of this faux wood runs along the top spine of the journal. 

Paper twine is strung between two eyelets to secure the signature inside. I want the signatures to be removable so that each year I can complete a new month of entries and keep the old ones to look over and know just how filled with blessings my life is.    

One thing I know I am grateful for is all of you, my followers, I appreciate you taking the time to stop by the blog and for all of your wonderful comments.

I hope that you are able to find time this fall to soak in some of the beauty that nature has to offer.

If you have the opportunity to create something fall/Halloween inspired, please consider joining this month's Emerald Creek Dares Challenge.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. 

~Ann

 xxx

I am entering this into the following challenges:

 Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Fall/Autumn

Mini Album Makers Challenge: October 2019

supplies used: 

1/8" eyelets

chipboard

Crop-a-dile tool

Distress Archival ink: ground expresso

Distress inks: 

broken china, brushed corduroy, forest moss, ground expresso, rusty hinge,

 vintage photo, walnut stain,  

Eileen Hull/Sizzix notebook die

Emerald Creek Art Stamps:

Oak Tree Stamp

Emerald Creek Embossing powders:

Baked Texture Taos Sunset

 Boho Blends Turkish Bronze

 Burnt Copper Leaves

paper twine

Tim Holtz/Sizzix 3D Texture Fade lumber

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous leaf prints stamps (CMS273)

Tim Holtz stamping platform

VersMark embossing ink

watercolor paper

Xyron Creative Station Lite