Summer garden vegetables, summer flowers, visits from family, summer cold and bronchitis -- so much going on, I am lucky to get a few cards done.  Today's cards actually took several days to do.  Normally, gold leafing cards are a two-day process, but some I had to do over as they did not come out right (hate when that happens!). Then it took SOOOO long for me to choose the right papers and bling for these designs.  It is like the creative brain went on vacation and I just had a difficult time deciding on the supplies.  Ever have one of those days?

So, let's see what we have.....

Rooster varigated Red Leafing

Varigated gold leafing is best done in smaller designs, but sometimes, with fingers crossed, you can get a larger design to work.  Base paper blue card stock on Swirls from Fabulous Flair block by Marianne Richmond.  Green "fence" ribbon by Ribbon Inspirations (just picked up this 4-yard roll from JoAnn's Arts & Crafts for 99¢!). Finished off the card with Purple, Green and Blue Flower Rhinestones by K&Company.  Very simple card, but you want your eye to land on the focal point -- the Rooster.

Lion varigated Red Leafing

Base paper is black on zig-zag paper from Safari by The Paper Studio.  Love this pack.  If you are into African safari animals, you need to add this pack to your paper supply.  Finished the card with Dark Green "coral" ribbon.

Giraffe varigated Red Leafing

This design is very difficult to add gold leafing due to the tiny openings for the embossing paste and varigated red gold leafing to adhere.  I actually had to go back and reapply the leafing a second time to the baby giraffe's hind leg -- a standard problem for this design.  Base paper yellow card stock on giraffe paper from Safari paper stack by The Paper Studio. Green "coral" ribbon.  Completed with 3 Pearls by Kaiser Scrapbook.

Dragonfly varigated Green Leafing

(notice we changed varigated colors)

You know how much I make the background papers work with the main design in my greeting cards.  In many Varigated Gold Leafing cards, you do not want the paper to make up too much of the design, or the viewer will miss the main design.  This card is an exception.  I embossed the base two-toned green-white paper with Rosa embossing folder and added 5 Green Rhinestones by Mark Richards into flower centers.  The green paper under the dragonfly is a shimmer green card stock.  Final touch is the Teal "coral" ribbon on the right.

African Ladies varigated Green Leafing

As you can see, I love African themes.  These three ladies are a natural fit with the Giraffe and Lion above.

Base brown paper is from Safari Chic stack by DCWV, another must-have for your paper stash if you love African-themed papers.  The patterned paper is Fossil by Basic Grey.  Finished card with Black and Grey paper string - Solids by Tim Holtz Idea-ology twined together.

Happy Thanksgiving varigated Green Leafing

I used a copper embossing paste as the basis for the green leafing on this card.  When I did the leafing, I left the Happy Thanksgiving untouched.  The leafing did not adhere to the corn kernels or grape branch, and that is okay.  Base papers are Autumn Layored Pad by Me & My Big Idea.  Finished the card with Brown, Green, Yellow buttons.

Dragon varigated Blue Leafing

(another leafing color change)

Base papers are from the new The Far East Stack by DCWV.  I have both stacks and love them both!  Two paper flowers by Urban Scrapbooker complete the card.  Simple, but almost exotic.

Winged Horse varigated Blue Leafing

The white paper the horse is on is edged with Vintage Photo distressed ink (Tim Holtz).  Base paper is from the Stardust matstack by DCWV, and card is edged with Shaded Lilac distressed ink.  (This is what you do when the paper slips at the last second and the adhesive will not allow you to re-adjust it.)  Lace edge punch (by Martha Stewart) on the right side of card.  Complete the card with Autumn Tinsel Twine by Tim Holtz Idea-ology.

Butterfly varigated Blue Leafing

Lastly, we make our base paper work with the main design on our Butterfly card.  Red card stock on Noted double-sided paper pack by HOTP.  Papers are so pretty in this pack, I hated cutting it up for cards!  Completed the card with a stock Green ribbon which is tied into a bow.

I hope you enjoyed today's cards.  What have you done this summer?

Now with fall coming, there will be more rainy days to work on cards and less time in the gardens.  What have you got planned?