Tammy Tutterow Designs Creative Team: Rustic Autumn Banner

Hello, Friends!  Have you started decorating for fall yet?  This rustic Autumn banner made with Tammy Tutterow stamps, stencils and dies just makes my heart happy.  There’s something so cozy and nostalgic about autumn decor.

Rustic Autumn Banner: The Sentiment

Tammy’s Fall For You stamp was the inspiration for this rustic fall banner.  Isn’t it just the cutest sentiment ever?  It’s part of her new Happy Grams #4 release.  (You can check out all the goodies HERE.)

Long story short, I did fall for this stamp in a big way, and ended up making it the focal for this rustic autumn banner.

• Stamp the sentiment onto Authentique Bountiful Four paper using Coffee Archival Ink.
• Sprinkle with WOW Superfine Copper Embossing Powder (or any superfine Copper EP)
• Heat Emboss
• Color in with the medium of your choice.  I used colored pencils.
• Stamp randomly with Big Cheesecloth Background Stamp.
• Fill in the letters and the acorns with a light coating of Glossy Accents.  This is not required, but I like the way it kind of makes the letters pop off the surface.
• Distress and ink edges.  Ink with DOX Walnut Stain.
• Mat onto circular frame.  This was created with a circle that I saved from a large chipboard clock design.  First I sprayed it with Terra Cotta Walnut Stain, then stamped it with the Big Woodgrain Background Stamp.  I followed this same procedure for the small chipboard circle that the acorns rest on.  This was also salvaged from the clock chipboard.

I don’t know what it is about fall, but it seems to bring out my vintage, grungy crafting mojo. This rustic autumn banner is loaded with distressed edges, inking, stenciling, stamping, stitching, loose threads and all kinds of grungy goodness!

Rustic Autumn Banner: The Mixed Media Background

I could kick myself because I totally forgot to take photos while making the background.  But here’s a little basic rundown of the steps I took.

• First, cut an 8″ x 8″ square of Ranger Distress Mixed Media Heavystock.  Usually, I don’t make much of a fuss over what kind of paper you should use, but in this case, I highly recommend using this specialty paper.  This alterable heavy weight mixed media surface is designed to hold up under layers of product.  It also works beautifully with Distress Oxide Inks.
• Next, sponge the Mixed Media Heavy Stock with these Distress Oxide Inks:
  • Fossilized Amber
  • Wild Honey
  • Spiced Marmalade
  • Wilted Violet
  • Seedless Preserves
  • Peeled Paint
  • Twisted Citron
  • Vintage Photo
• Then, spritz the inked surface with water to blend the inks.  Heat dry.
• Now, use Walnut Stain DOX to add the twigs from Tammy’s Leafage Stencil.
• Next, use Prima Copper Crackle Texture Paste to add the leaves on the left hand side. Set aside to dry completely
• Then, stamp Dear Ruby in Coffee Archival Ink randomly on the surface.
• Now, randomly stamp portions of Big Cheesecloth around here and there to add extra texture.
• Finally, spritz lightly with Distress Antiqued Bronze Mica Spray.

To finish things off, I added a few torn strips of patterned paper, a burlap panel, then stitched the paper to a slightly larger piece of brown burlap.  Then I spattered the whole thing with Terra Cotta Walnut Stain.

Rustic Fall Banner: The Handmade Felt Flowers

I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun I had making the posies for this banner.  They are all cut from felt using the following dies:

• Bitty Posies…the new kid on the block and too cute for words!  Those are the itty bitty blooms with the brad centers.   I especially love the greenery that comes with this die
• Frayed Posies
• Pom Pom Posies

These felt flowers are so quick and easy to make.  Just die cut, and stitch the layers together with a vintage button center.  I did use a stylus tool to shape the petals just a little bit.  It was mostly an experiment, as I was not sure you could shape felt petals…but it turns out, you can!

Oh, these Bitty Posies…too too cute for words!

Finishing Touches

I clipped the banner to this mini vintage clothes hanger.  This is a “leftover” from my time on the Crafty Secrets Design Team.  But you could substitute a Tim Holtz Display Hanger.  You would just need to knock back the nickel finish a bit to give it more of  a rustic, vintage feel.

Next I added a Frayed Posie to the top of each clip, and a Bitty Posie to the Label.

I tied a torn piece of Burlap Cotton Blend Ribbon around the neck of the hanger using a square knot.  Then I topped it with a loopy Natural Burlap String Bow.

This was such a fun creative project to make.  I let myself go and enjoyed the entire process.  I hope I’ve shared some ideas that have stirred up your own creative juices.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio, 

kathy