Simple Leaves with Acrylic Markers and Simon Says Stamp!

This post was sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. Thanks, Simon!

Hi friends! I have a pair of somewhat simple projects to share with you today, featuring some very basic coloring using the two different leaf images from the Leaf Edges cling stamp from Simon Says Stamp. I know that sometimes my colored images can be somewhat over the top for a non-colorist, but these basic leaf images paired with the Altenew Acrylic Markers make for some simple backgrounds, perfect for those who are not as confident with their coloring skills or who just want to create a simple, more graphic background. Let’s get started with the details!

For both of my projects today, I used the Leaf Edges cling stamp as the inspiration point for my backgrounds. I was on a roll with the acrylic markers last week and so searched through my stash for some simpler images that would work well with the acrylic markers. The markers have a bullet point with a medium tip and don’t really mix very well together, so they work better with images that are a bit less involved and detailed. The simple, graphic leaves on both sides of the Leaf Edges cling stamp set were perfect for this technique! I stamped the images using white pigment ink onto aqua and sage green colored cardstock. The white ink blends really nicely into the acrylic paint and provides a crisp, easily visible image.

For my first project, I used the simpler of the two leaf edge options on the Leaf Edges cling stamp set, stamping it with white pigment ink onto the bottom edge of some pale aqua cardstock, oriented portrait-style. I then used the aqua markers in the Altenew Acrylic Markers set, coloring all of the leaves the lighter of the two colors, then adding some very simple shadows in the center of the leaves and the stems to add a bit of definition and interest to the images. I thought that this image would make a perfect field of wildflowers, so I used two different shades of pink acrylic marker to add some very simple and dainty pink flowers in the open spaces between the leaves. I also added a few little metallic accents with the Blush metallic markers and some glittery rose gold watercolor splatters. On the opposite corner, I used a blending brush to blend some Dew Pawsitively Saturated Ink to add a bit of “sky.”

For the greeting, I die cut the detail layer of the Scripty Thanks die from Metallic Rose Gold cardstock and the shadow layer from some heavyweight vellum. Because the colored background is a bit busy with all of the leaves and flowers, I decided to use a rose gold frame cut using the A2 Thin Frames dies and some more Metallic Rose Gold cardstock. (I am able to get these super thin frames by leaving the dies together as one piece and running it through my die cut machine as one piece rather than individual frames. Not only does this give me a ton of frames in a wide variety of sizes with one pass through my machine, it also gives me two different widths so that I can mix and match as befits the project!) I adhered the delicate metallic foil frame in the center of the colored leaves using liquid adhesive, then popped up the greeting with some clear dimensional adhesive to help the sentiment pop even more. Finally, I added a few sparkling gems for added shine!

For my second card, I used the same basic formula, this time for a portrait orientation and the more detailed of the stamps from the Leaf Edges cling set. I stamped the leaf image with the same white pigment ink, then used the coordinating sage green acrylic marker from the Altenew Acrylic Markers set to color the leaves. Instead of using a slightly lighter acrylic marker to add some highlights and definition to the individual leaf images, I decided instead to create some veins with the super fine Blush metallic marker, following the curve of each leaf for the center vein. These beautiful metallic markers glide so smoothly over the acrylic colored images. I blended some Sage Pawsitively Saturated Ink on the opposite corner, giving the leaves a bit of a glow. I also splattered some more glittering rose gold watercolors for extra texture and sparkle.

For the greeting, I die cut the detail layer of the Scripty Hugs from more Metallic Rose Gold cardstock and the shadow layer from vellum. I used another super delicate frame from the A2 Thin Frames dies to help draw the eye to the shiny greeting, then added a few shimmering gems for even more sparkle and shine.

Well, that’s all for my projects today! I have really enjoyed playing with the different opaque mediums and hope that they inspired you to go outside of your typical coloring box. Thanks so much for stopping by today, and be sure to check back later this week for some fabulous summery projects for the upcoming release! Have a marvelous day!