Lovely Oak, Sketch Journal, Grosgrain Ribbons and Stitched Rectangle Layers, by Jean Okimoto

Sketch Journal - rotated 90 degrees - creates a backdrop for the Lovely Oak garden stencil on a fall card I'd like to share today. Hi, Jean Okimoto here, with an inky, spritzed, stenciled card for any autumn occasion.

Spritz watercolor paper with water and paint a light background with fall shades of Peerless Watercolors. Heat-set it. Stamp Sketch Journal with Imagine Crafts Olympia Green VersaFine. The dark green ink blends with the orangey background and creates a soft image that's more subtle than it it was stamped in black.

Place the leaves over the branches and mask the adjacent areas with Post-It notes - I love the super sticky full-adhesive version that my friend Donna Mikasa shared with me. It makes life so much easier...thanks Donna! Sponge the leaves over the stamped branches with Brilliance Rocket Red Gold, Pearlescent Olive and Rocket Red. Dry the inks.

Cut it with the 2-¾" x 4" Stitched Rectangle Layer. Not exactly rocket-science, but here's a tip...if you're not sure which die size to use when trimming something, start with the larger size first. You can always re-cut it with a smaller die if it doesn't look right. That's what I did here.

Spritz it with Gold Sheer Shimmer Spritz and dry the ink.

Cut two of the widest Grosgrain Ribbons from green cardstock. Another tip - run the die through the machine lengthwise for best results. For extra texture, leave each diecut in the die and dry-emboss it using the plates and embossing mat required for your machine. Trim the ribbons to 4-⅝" and 5".

Attach everything to a top-folded A-2 card of dark orange cardstock. Add copper sequins.

Very special thanks to everyone from my classes at Impress last weekend! It was a busy day - especially for those who took both classes - and for Ann, Shari and Becca who helped us fill our shopping baskets. See you again in the Merry and Quick speedy Christmas cards class next weekend - on November 26th!

Thanks for stopping by on this busy fall weekend...