Thursday's Tip: Pumpkin Specimen Art

I love all the specimen art ideas I'm seeing. It's a cute, fun way to represent any season or holiday. So what better to represent Thanksgiving than with a pumpkin specimen!

Supplies:

Scrapbook Paper (Check out these great fallish paper packs from LD.)
Halloween Cut It Simple Shapes
LD Petticoat Black
Cork (either the Cork tiles or rolled cork)
glue gun
glue
pins
frame
opptional: gold paint, brown stain


Directions:

Begin by cutting out multiple pumpkins from the Halloween Cut It Simple Shapes set on to various pieces of cardstock. I choose to keep my pumpkins all warm colored papers. If you are using digital papers you can easily adjust the color of the paper in photoshop or another like program. I also cut out the words 'Count your Blessings' from the font LD Petticoat Black. I manipulated them in Make-the-Cut, by turning each letter and then merged them together.

1. Using the text menu on the left, choose the font you want to use in the drop down menu. Then right below that to the right, choose the add a group of characters button. Type in the text you would like to use, then click accept. After your text is created, then you can go ahead and size to whatever size you need.

2. Right click and select Shape Magic and split.

3. Begin rotating each letter. Just select each one and drag on one corner to rotate. Make it easier on yourself in the end by making sure each letter also touches.

4. Weld the letters together by selecting them all. Right click>shape magic>weld. This is now ready for cutting.

5. Then if you want an additional shadow layer. Right click>shape magic>shadow layer and adjust the amount you want. Hit accept when your done. Cut out layer.

Once my pumpkins and lettering were cut, I wanted them to better match the awesome gold frame I found at my Grandma's house, so I painted a light wash of gold glitter acrylic paint on all of them. The photos don't do this part justice, but it helped make the pumpkins feel a little bit more fancy. I then edged all the pumpkins with a brown stain. If you get any on the front just hurry and wet your brush and brush it off or thin it out. Let your pumpkins dry, while you prep the back.

I cut a thin piece of cardboard from the back of a paper tablet to fit inside the frame. A new frame probably already has some nice cardboard in it. Then I cut out a piece of rolled adhesive backed cord to lay over it. The cork also comes in various sized tiles if you have a square frame.

I also decided to cut down my pins since my framed area was pretty small and I wanted it all to be in perspective. I just used wire cutters to do this. You could also use those map pins if you want small pins as well. Using a non-cut pin, I then poked holes into each of my pumpkins. Then I went ahead and inserted my cut pins. I went ahead and glued the pins in place with my glue gun only because I'm anal and wanted to make sure my pumpkins stay stuck out from the cork.

Last I lined everything up and begin securing all my pumpkins in place. I have to admit, that rolled cork isn't the best at doing its job, so I stuck a bit of glue gun glue on the end of each pin. I also just glued on my wording.

Have fun and enjoy your specimen art!

Wild Wednesday: Time to Hunt for some Treasure

Argh Matey's, this be Captain LD speakin'. I've been searchin' for me treasure, but it seems I be needin' a little help. I promise you some great rewards along t' way, and oh and maybe a piece o' me treasure as well!

Just follow the clues along the way, by using the search engine to enter the answer to the clue. Good luck!

Clue #1: LEAPING LIZARDS, let's get this party started. Head now over to Lettering Delights and start your treasure hunt!

All offers end Friday at midnight, MST.

Two for Tuesday: Thanksgiving

At LetteringDelights, we're thankful for you! This Two for Tuesday offering is all about the most grateful of celebrations, when we count our blessings. Get the Pilgrims and Indians Graphic Set and the Thanksgiving Harvest Graphic Set for one low price! We hope you have a wonderful season with family and friends! Happy Thanksgiving! Offer ends Monday, November 14th at midnight, MST.





Don't forget, just a few hours left to get yesterday's Manic Monday offer!

Friday Freebie: Vita Bella

4X6 Vita Bella Recipe Cards are printable and ready-to-use, they just need your secret family recipes. Simply print and trim for these custom recipe cards. Makes organizing those recipes simple and easy. Not only that, there is no better time of year to use them! Enjoy our Vita Bella Recipe Cards on us today for FREE! Happy Friday! Offer ends Sunday at midnight, MST.

Thursday's Tip: Falling Leaf Mobile

The leaves are changing color and finally falling from their branches and nothing says Fall like warm autumn leaves in colors of cinnamon, gold, terra cotta, pumpkin, and shades of olive. This easy to make leaf mobile emulate the character of the season and give your home a piece of stunning decor.

Supplies:


Cardstock or print your own LD Papers
Slender branch
Thread or fishing line
Glue
Simple Leaves SVG

Directions:

1. Begin by using your electronic cutter to cut out multiple leaves from the Simple Leaves SVG. Make sure you cut enough to glue one on each side of the string. Depending on which leaf you use, you may need to flip the design to cut out the other half. (You can cut the leaves by hand as well!)

2. While the leaves are cutting, go ahead and start stringing your thread from the branch. I cut each piece of thread about 36 inches long and tied the branch in the middle. I wanted enough on each end to hang the leaves and then to hang the mobile up.

3. Once the threads are tied to the branch, grab one end of each thread and bring them up together to the middle and you can either tie in a knot or use a larger bead to knot them around, making a loop at the end for hanging.

4. Begin gluing your leaves to the thread, one on each side.

5. Once its dry, hang into place!

Wild Wednesday: Dia de los Muertos

¡Es una celebración! ¡Celebramos hoy el día de los muertos con el Paquete de la Diversión de la Fiesta de Rani! Consiga 4 sistemas gráficos y 4 alfabetos para apenas $5. extremos viernes de la oferta en la medianoche, MST.


Need help translating, check out Bablel Fish!

Two for Tuesday: Woodsy Fun

The leaves are turning and the air is turning crisp. 'Fall' in love with today's Two for Tuesday Woodsy Bundle. You'll be sure to have a 'Hoot' with this collection of hip birdies, leaves, trees and coordinating font. Right now get both the LD Woodsy font and the DB Woodsy Doodlebat for one low price! Offer ends Monday, November 7th  at midnight, MST.