Curious?

Inspired by Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge # 4

Are you curious?

I have to admit I can be. However, I can also be a procrastinator. That's why the Compendium of Curiosities 3 challenge #4 was perfect for me.

This challenge is hosted by Linda Ledbetter. Every other week there is a new challenge inspired by a technique Linda selects from Tim Holtz's "A Compendium of Curiosities III". She and her Curiosity Crew create and post amazing projects. Then they invite everyone to play along.

The sponsor for the even challenges, which includes this one, is The Funkie Junkie Boutique. The prize is a $25 Funkie Junkie Boutique gift certificate. You can visit their online store at www.thefunkiejunkie.com. Participants also have a chance to win another great prize too (from Tim and Mario!) so check out the rules for the CC3 here.

Are you curious as to why challenge #4 was perfect for me? It features page 49 of "A Compendium of Curiosities III". Layering Stencils-Texture Paste. Here is where the procrastinator part comes in. Ages ago I bought some Dreamweaver Stencils Embossing Paste and never really used it. When I saw Challenge #4 used texture paste, I found my jar, checked it out and it was still good. I already had some of Tim's layering stencils so I was ready to go.

So far I have 5 of Tim's layering stencils and I used every one on my tag. Not only with embossing paste, but also inking, misting, paint and even Distress Embossing Powders. Once I got started I just couldn't stop. His stencils are fun to work with and his book is full of techniques.

Add A Bevel Edge

After making the background tag using the Layering Stencil-Texture Paste technique from page 49 in Tim's book (Can't post instructions for that part here, you really need the book), I die cut the hanging tag with Tim Holtz Alterations Styled Labels die from Sizzix out of the 3x4 prints from the Wallflower Paper Stash. With the brush tip of my Distress Markers I added the bevel look. I lightly sketched a line around the tag about 1/8" from the edge and inked around the side edge with Gathered Twigs, then used Frayed Burlap to blend it in. The colors in the Wallflowers papers didn't quite coordinate with the background tag. It needed a little of the blue so I used the Broken China Distress Marker to outline the flowers and a waterbrush to wash the color out into the background. I like the way it makes the flowers stand out. I also used a little Broken China on the right side of the tag along the inside of the bevel and to add a little color the leaves blending it out with the waterbrush.

One of my favorite quotes, "Life isn't about finding yourself Life is about creating yourself.", is from the Mini Classics CMS062 from Stampers Anonymous. After cutting apart the tiny words, I ran them through my Xyron (X) create-a-sticher, making it easier to ink them up. I used Distress Markers and a water brush. It also made it easir to place them on the tag where I wanted them.

When posting his May tag Tim mentioned that we all have "that stash of things we collect just to admire and cherish the fact that we simply have them". At least for me he's correct.  To finish off my tag I dipped into my stash of Idea-ology and played. After tying his paper string to the top of the tag I inked it a little with Frayed Burlap and a blending tool, then unraveled it and used a few of the strands to add the pearls. I decided on the "Inspire" Philosophy tag but the brass finish didn't quite go with my tag.  Distress Paints work great on the metal tags so I was able to pick up some of the colors from the tag. I even mixed in a little Brushed Pewter Distress Stain with the paint layers. Dab, wipe, heat, dab some more, even used a fine tip paint brush to add specs of color here and there and touch up Inspire.

So are you curious? Challenge #4 is open until Friday June 20th MST so you still have time to create something and enter or you can just hop on over and see what the Curiosity Crew made that inspired me. Let me know if you decide to join in the fun!

P.S. Just in case you're wondering the hinge really does work. The hanging tag lifts up to reveal another layer created using Tim's tissue wrap. Curious? I think I'll save that for another post.

UPDATE Sun Aug 10, 2014 - When I originally created and posted my tag Ranger didn't make a texture paste. Now they do! The Dreamweavers Embossing Paste I used here is resistant to ink once it is dry so unless  you want subtle color you have to mix the color in before you apply it. Ranger has just released their new Texture Paste and it is really easy to ink or color, even after it dries.

June's 12 Tags of 2014

If you follow my blog, you know I am a big fan of Tim Holtz, love to visit his blog and check out his 12 Tags of 2014 challenges. Every month he has a new tag, step by step tutorial and has a challenge. I missed March and April. I just barely made the deadline for May. When I saw how beautiful it was and how easy it would be I decided to get busy having fun. Here it is.

If you have some distress inks, any of Tim's stencils and some paper towels you are all set. The magic is in the Distress Inks and using the paper towels with the stencils to print your background. I had fun playing with my stencils, made several backgrounds and plan on playing some more. Really guys, quick and simple. Tim shows you step by step how to make a gorgeous watercolor background here. Tim even shows you how to make the Paula bow, also quick and simple. His tutorials are great with step by step photos, so no need in me repeating them, but if you have any questions about my tag leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

The watercolor stencil technique is also in his amazing book Compendium of Curiosities 3.

I hope you decide to check out Tim's blog and try this technique, if you do let me know, I'd love to see what you do.

May

Here's my tag for Tim Holtz's May 12 Tags of 2014. Hopefully I'll finish this post in time to link it. I'm running right up to the deadline so I'm keeping it short tonight.

Tim encouraged us to use our stash. Something I'll admit I have a hard time doing so this was a great challenge for me. I had recently purchased the Wallflower Paper Stash, the enamel tags were a surprise I received with my copy of Compendium of Curiosities III (Thanks Tim and Mario) but everything else I've had for a while. I even went through some tag backgrounds I had made when trying out different techniques and found this one. Not only did the colors go well with the Wallflower paper but I had used Perfect Pearl Mist when creating it so it has touches of pretty gold shimmer.

While working on my tag I decided to search Tim's blog for instructions for a flower he made with the idea-ology Foliage flowers. He has a search box so it is really easy to find his past projects. He created his for one of the 2009 12 Tags of Christimas. His instructions for the large flower are here.

I hope you like the tag, if you do you should see Tim's tag, check it out here.He always has step by step instructions. Now I can't wait to see what Tim has in store for us for the June tag.