Hello friends! I do not even know where this month went! Wow! I guess life has a way of keeping us busy and sometimes we just need to make time to take time. I do hope that you’re having a great September month and looking to the Autumn season. It’s my favorite season to be out in…I still need the cooler weather though! I’m hoping for it soon!
Can’t believe it, but it’s time for another monthly AJ page with my crafty friend Carol (from Crafty-Stamper) who is collaborating with me to “SMASH OUR STASH”! We get creative trying to use up our never-ending stash piles along with a prompt for each month. I know she always has great inspiration to share, so please check out her blog too! Here’s my AJ page with the “SMASH OUR STASH” SEPTEMBER prompt of “WOOD”:

Although the temps are still unseasonably warm right now, I’m dreaming of those pretty Autumn colors and cooler temps! I decided to get lots of inks out and make a background for this one to display my leaves across it.
For the background: I started with a kraft piece of cardstock measuring my usual 8.5″x 5.5″ size and then at every 3/4″ I scored a line across the longer side edge. So, using the score marks with the texture line facing up at me, I swiped a few colors of distress inks in Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Rusty Hinge and Black Soot. I then took a flat DRY paint brush and brushed down over the ink marks I swiped to brighten the colors. It’s such a simple technique to make a background!
I definitely “shopped my stash” this time and pulled out a VERY old Stampin’ Up! stamp set called “Wonderfall” and the Bigz die to cut them out. Those were the days where we didn’t have a MISTI tool to help us line stamps up! LOL It’s much easier now with the MISTI! So I splattered all of the leaves after the die cutting and stamping with metallic gold watercolor, brown and white Copic Opaque white. I arranged them all over the background and attached them.

Here’s a closer view of the background so you can see how I’ve done it along with the details on the leaves.
For the sentiment, I die cut some letters from gold metallic foil cardstock and attached to background. I used my computer to print out the other words and die cut them out with a banner die and sponged the edges. I used foam tape to pop up the one over the leaf.
Lastly, I used some gold glitter drops to add a bit of sparkle to it.
- Thanks so much for dropping in today! I hope you’ve enjoyed my art journal page today! I hope you’re able to get outside and enjoy your weekend!
Challenges:
- Art Journal Journey – Make Your Own Background (wood panel/plank background with inks)
Gorgeous page with those beautiful leaves, Vicki!
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well done on the wood planks! Awesome Autumn card 😀
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a wonderful creative page, I like it very much!
Have a happy weekend, hugs Elke ( Lebensglück)
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Your woodgrain background is such a clever and cozy nod to the season—those scored lines and brushed inks give it a beautifully rustic texture that feels like a crisp walk through the woods. The metallic splatters on the leaves add just the right shimmer, like sunlight catching the last golden foliage. I love how you balanced the bold sentiment with the softer banner detail, and those glitter drops are the perfect finishing sparkle. This page radiates quiet beauty and thoughtful craftsmanship.
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Beautiful page Vicki, I love Autumn, my favourite season, love your leaves and colours and the woodgrain background..gorgeous.
Luv CHRISSYxx
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Fabulous journal page Vicki and I love all the beautiful Autumn leaves and gold splatters, must admit -guilty of over thinking this one lol, mojo keeps going awol. Great minds on the background too, I did use white never occurred to me to use kraft TBH which does give a better effect-well yes wood-not white lol.
Carol x
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What a stunning wood grain background. I was also impressed by your leaves. Lucky you to own a Misti and a Bigz die cutter. Th8ey cajme in h8andy when making this amazing journal page. Thank you for sharing this with us at AJJ and Mia’s theme.
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Sorry. I failed to proof my comment before I published it.
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Wood makes an amazing background and I love those leaves. These have wonderful texture. It’s fun to see nature change this time of year. Like you, I love autumn (winter, not so much-grin), and we’re having those same a little too warm temperatures. It’s supposed to change this week though. I hope you’r having a nice weekend and have a super week ahead. And of course, thank you for joining Mia’s challenge at AJJ. This page is perfect for her challenge. Hugs-Erika
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Me encanta tu fondo otoñal. Bravo!!!
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Beautiful Autumn card, and those leaves are so textural and interesting. Great job on that woodgrain technique, you rocked it! Hope your weather cools off to your liking, xox
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Stunning fall card, the leaves are beautiful and like that woodgrain!
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Wow- this is just beautiful! Love your fall themed card and the great colors you used!
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Oh, what a pretty Autumnal page! Love the wood-look background and those leaves! This time of year is definitely my favorite! Our temps are dropping a little (just enough to notice) and it shouldn’t be too long before Fall is here! Woo-hoo! And I just found my little journal that I thought had been ‘lost’ in our move, so hopefully I’ll be adding some pages to it soon… it’s been too long!
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Beautiful and inspiring page, Vicki! Thank you for entering our challenge at Art Journal Journey.
Hugs,
Mia
Co-administrator for AJJ
<a href=”https://craftartista.blogspot.com//”>craftartista.blogspot.com {My Blog}</a>
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You captured the beauty of autumn so wonderfully with your card! I love the wood background that you created to display all those beautiful leaves on, the patterns of those pretty autumnal coloured leaves are spectacular too ❤️. Happy October wishes my friend! Hugs, Jo x
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