Autumn Leaves

Hello!
    Thanks to all of you for the encouraging comments on my last post for the MFT Superstar Contest. Since the weekend I've been seeing endless posts for the fall coffee lovers blog hop. I was intrigued by everyone's enthusiasm and after visiting 'The Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog' decided to join the hop myself for the first time with this card I just made.

Here's the background I used for my card, it was inspired by Brushos Crystals. But, I used chemical compounds instead. One of the advantages of working in a school. :)

Here are the die cut and painted leaves, four of which were used in this card.

Supplies used:
Lawn Fawn-Stitched Leaves
                     So Thankful (sentiment)
Methyl Orange C₁₄H₁₄N₃NaO₃S & Potassium Permanganate KMnO₄ (background effect)
watercolour paper
pan watercolours
embossing powder
hemp cord
die cut from RAK (Thanks Shirley-Ann)
    For the background, the watercolour paper was wetted under the tap, placed flat and sprinkled the two chemical compounds. KMnO₄ was sprinkled using a sieve to avoid large crystals. It looked gorgeous when first sprinkled, but due to its oxidising properties, it turned brown on drying. The other compound stayed the same. The leaves were die cut using watercolour paper then painted with watercolours. Next, they were folded along the stitched veins using both mountain and valley folds.The excessive watercolouring of the leaves done until a satisfactory look was achieved dulled the paper. So,acrylic lacquer was lightly sprayed to brighten them with a bit of shine, making them appear natural. The sentiment was heat embossed on the die cut frame and a bit of hemp cord was tied around it. The card was put together, inspired by the sketch below by adhering the background paper to the card base followed by the die cut frame, then the leaves.

I'm also entering this card into challenges at...
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge - powder power (chemical compounds & embossing)
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge -anything goes
http://justforfunrubberstamps.blogspot.com - fall
http://yournextstamp.com/blog - colour
http://blog.paperartsy.co.uk - autumn leaves
http://cardsinenvy.blogspot.co.uk - fall
https://modsquadchallenge.blogspot.com - falling leaves
http://thecatspajamasrs.com/TCP - fall colours
http://themaleroomchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk - leaves
http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.ch - anything goes
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/work-it-wednesday - fall colours
I hope you like my card today. Hope to be back here soon. Have a wonderful day.
Leanne