July 4th and Tim's 12 Tags of 2015

Happy 4th of July. 

I hope everyone is having a fun holiday. I have had some fun time with my family earlier today. We went to the movies and then my husband cooked some of his wonderful hamburgers and home cut fries. He is an amazing cook.  While he cooked I worked on my July 12 Tags of 2015 tag. I had made the plaid background using Tim's plaid technique from June and for the rest I wanted to follow Tim's tag as close as I could but I did have a few little variations.

For the 4 and the stars I used some grungeboard shapes in my stash. I bought so many sets when they first came out I may never run out. I dabbed some White Distress Crackle Paint on them and let them dry during dinner. Once we were through enjoying our meal the crackle paint was dry and I was able to put everything together. Here's my tag for this month. I think this may be the earliest I have ever finished one.

I Love seeing Tim's July 4th projects every year. Check out Tim's tag at 12 Tags of 2015 for July and his post for Patriotic Inspiration for some more ideas and his great tutorials.

30 Days of Coloring Inspiration

 The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge 2 Started June 1st. Each day Kathy Racoosin posted a Card, Coloring Technique, Video or Give Away along with a daily challenge for everyone to enjoy coloring for 10 minutes. Her blog is The Daily Marker

Here are just a few of the projects I completed this month while enjoying Kathy's challenge.

Distress Paint, Distress Inks, Embossing and Distress Markers and Glitter Paste with Wildflower Stencil

During the month of June I would visit Kathy's blog. There was always something new. Some days she posted a card or a technique filled video and some days she would have a give away. I started strong with the goal of coloring something everyday. I posted my work on Instagram with her hashtag #thedailymarker30day2.

Distress Markers, Perfect Pearls Mist Forever Blue and White Embossing Powder

Gelatos and White Embossing Powder

 I did color something most days and made several cards.

 Collection Portfolio Cover using techniques from "A Compendium of Curiosities" by Tim Holtz

I also worked on my Collection Folio using some of my favorite techniques from my copy of Tim Holtz's first book "A Compendium Of Curiosites".

Prismacolor Color Pencils

 

I also colored in my copy of "Enchanted Forest" by Johanna Basford. 

Comparing Distress Markers, Prismacolor Pencils and Gelatos with Winnie and Walter Stamp

One day Kathy posted a Copic marker color combo comparison chart. Since I don't used Copics, I decided to make a little chart comparing my favorite coloring mediums.

Even when Kathy is using her Copics I learn a lot from her about color combinations, shading and lighting, blending, design and composition. Kathy makes beautiful cards.

 It has been a fun month for me as far as coloring goes. Well actually June has just been an all around fun month. Not only have I been able to spend a lot of time coloring, I have been able to spend time with family, some of which I haven't seen in a while, celebrated my sister's birthday with her and visited with old friends.

 If you like to color stamped images and especially if you are wondering about Copic markers or water coloring techniques be sure to check out Kathy's blog The Daily Marker. And here is a link to her compilation of the challenge with the cards she created each day along with links to each post http://www.thedailymarker.com/2015/07/wrap-up/. While you're there be sure to look around. Kathy is always posting something beautiful on her blog. After all she loves to color and she is very good at it.

Eroded Metallic - Compedium of Curiosities 3 Challenge 29

On page 44 of "A Compendium of Curiosities Volume III" you will find the technique for the latest challenge from Linda Ledbetter and the Curiosity Crew.. Eroded Metallic is a gorgeous technique and the Curiosity Crew has created another amazing array of inspiring art.

The Sponsor for Challenge 29 is Inspiration Emporium,  They are generously giving away a $50 gift certificate to one lucky participant. Tim and Mario have also donated some prizes to be given to the Curiosity Crew's Choice. So 2 chances to win! Wish me Luck!!!

I decided to use this technique to alter a chipboard box I have had for quite some time. I actually finished the Eroded Metallic technique part last week. And I have been looking at it ever since. I just couldn't decide how I wanted to embellish it.

When I was a little girl, someone told me that when I saw a Cardinal it was a sign winter was here. It wasn't until recently I found out this wasn't true. I did a little research and found out they stay in the same territory all year long. When I won my Christmas Cardinal die (Thanks Linda and Crew) I knew I wanted to use them on something that wasn't obviously winter so they are the focal point and inspiration needed to finish my box.

Of course, I can't tell you how to do the Eroded Metallic technique. It is against the rules. But if you've enjoyed reading my tutorials in the past and would like to see a one on this project, just let me know. I'll make a separate tutorial page and post it in a few days. (without the Eroded Metallic technique of course).

Botanical Sketch

Getting started on the background

This is a watercolor I did last month using my newest and favorite stamp from Tim Holtz and Stampers Anonymous. It it called Botanical Sketch CMS216. I stamped with Jet Black Archival Ink on Distress Water Color paper and heat embossed with Ranger's Clear Extra Fine Detail Embossing Powder. I used Distress Ink Markers and the detail Water Brush to water color it.

Botanical Sketch is a very versatile stamp. I've also used this same stamp on my tags for the last 2 challenges for Linda Ledbetter's Compendium of Curiosity 3 Challenge. You can check them out here, my Remnant Rub Happy Life and the my Frameworks FLY tag.

 If you'd like to see a great tutorial on using Distress Markers as water colors check out Tim Holtz's April tag here. He has created 2 beautiful water color tags and has a wonderful step by step tutorial with excellent instructions and photos.

P.S. Did you notice anything different about my blog this visit? I finally decided to create a header for my blog. Since I use Blogger to manage my blog, it was actually easier than I thought it would be. I made this as a test header, but I like the way it turned out so I think I'll keep it for a while. Let me know what you think.

Texture, Layers and Frameworks for Tim's April 12 Tags of 2015

Just so you know and in case you haven't seen Tim Holtz's April 12 Tags of 2015, I didn't use the same techniques Tim did this month. But I did use his design for his April tag to complete one of the framework tags that I created earlier this week. In my last post I shared that I was having so much fun working on my entry for the Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge #25 Frameworks that I made 3 backgrounds. I worked on all 3 simultaneously until I reached a point where I could decide which one to finish for the challenge.

The background for this tag is one I didn't use for the challenge because I really liked it so much I didn't want to cover it up. I was saving it for later. This weekend when I was thinking of Tim's April tag and wishing I had the Flower Garden Stamp (It's the next stamp on my wish list), I realized that even though I didn't have the stamp to use for the wonderful water coloring effects Tim had demonstrated, I could use my frameworks background and some of Tim's other products to create a different version of the April tag. The April design would let the background shine through instead of hiding it.

I started with a Kraft tag I embossed with one of Tim's embossing folders. Then I lined up a couple of the extra honeycomb frames I had die cut with the Frameworks diecut I was keeping on the tag, taped them down and used them as stencils. After applying some texture paste thinly over parts of the dry embossed tag, I removed the stencils. Once the paste was dry I then inked it up with Distress Ink. You can see the dry embossing peeking through the paste. Love the texture.

Keeping in the spirit of the CC3C Guidelines, I'm not going to go into the detailed instructions for the rest of the Frameworks technique because they are in Tim's book. He does an excellent job showing fun ways to use the die and has beautiful step by step photos. You'll find them on page 64 of his book, "Compendium of Curiosities Volume III". 
 

To create my Black-Eyed Susan flowers I used some techniques from "A Compendium of Curiosities" Volume II. I used Tim's Crumpled Kraft Suede Technique from pg 40 on Glassine paper to create the flower centers and then on watercolor paper to create the flower petals. The petals were die cut from Tim's Tattered Florals die and water colored with Distress Markers. The paper twine for the flower stems and for the top of the tag was colored with Cracked Pistachio Spray. The Grungeboard star is from a stash I created when first learning the Shattered Stains technique also explained in Volume II on page 48.

Since my background was already created on a No. 8 tag and I didn't want to trim it down, I used a larger Kraft tag and trimmed it down to leave a 1/4" border on the sides and bottom with a little more room at the top. Then I followed Tim's instructions to cut the 1" strip for my tag to weave through and for the word LIFE to be die cut out of, letting the tag underneath show through. Yes, I do have Tim's ruler and it makes this step so easy. I don't have the Adventure Words dies that Tim used so I die cut my letters out of cardstock with Tim's Alterations Chipped Block die strip, glued them down and carefully cut them out with a craft knife. I inked the backside of the tag where the letters are cut out to add definition. Love the effect of the negative space. The Adventure Words block dies would be fun to use and time saving dies to have.

To finish off my tag I added the machine stitching as shown on Tim's tag. I used the Chit Chat word "beautiful" and colored the edge with Cracked Pistachio and a waterbrush. I really like how my April tag turned out but when I get the Flower Garden Stamp I will revisit the Tim's April tag and try out these techniques. I really love the spritzed background.

Now I have another tag inspired by Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015. Tim has a way of showing us how to use his products in ways I haven't imagined yet. That's why I follow his blog, have his books, have taken his Creative Chemistry Classes and love his products. He encourages us to be curious, try new things and get our fingers inky. His tag is gorgeous this month and I really hope you visit his blog here and see it.

My Happy Life

The current challenge at Linda Ledbetter's CC3C is Remnant Rubs! So grab your Compendium of Curiosites Volume 3, check out page 51 and then go to Linda's blog for some amazing inspiration. Now grab a pack of Tim's Remnant Rubs and have some fun creating something.

Tim shares a lot more techniques in his book than I used on my tag. Mainly because I am using a very large stamp from the Botanical Sketch CMS216 set. This set is one of Tim Holtz's new stamps from Stamper's Anonymous and is sure to be one of my favorites. It features a beautiful 5"x6" stamp that is a line drawing of flowers with an open space in the middle of the stamp for a sentiment and the set includes several. The image is beautiful to color. Once I stamped it and added the Remnant Rub, I knew that when I was through coloring, I would only need to add a few elements to finish it off.

Tim designed this stamp set with cardmakers in mind. It is larger than a standard size card, so by moving it around on your card surface you can position the opening in different places on your card. For me, it turned out perfect for my tag. The opening was the perfect size for the Remnant Rub I picked out from the Life Quotes set. I stamped the flowers in Jet Black Archival Ink. At 6" tall it didn't quite cover the entire tag and left a small strip at the top but I just re-inked the stamp and stamped that area careful not to overlap the image. As you can see, I covered the seam with Tim's  harlequin tissue tape. Unless you know its there you can
t even tell.

I used Distress Stains to create a wash for the background and colored in the image with Distress Markers. I had so much fun. I love this stamp and plan on using it a lot.

To finish off my tag, I painted one of Tim's Idea-ology birds with Distress Paint using Chipped Sapphire, Broken China, Red Barn and a little Walnut for the beak. After the paint dried I sanded a little of the color off for highlights. The bird's crown is also from Tim's Idea-ology line and has been altered with Tim's Alcohol Ink in Gold Mixative and added with a glue dot. I used pop dots to attach him to the top of the tag.

The sponsor for this challenge is The Funkie Junkie. Linda has a great prices and selection and wonderful customer service. There is also a special prize from Tim Holtz and Mario Rossi for the Curiosity Crew's choice. So what are you waiting for? This challenge is open through Friday, March 27, 2015. Visit Linda and her crew, open Tim's book and get inspired!

Inspiring Curiosity

Yes! Another Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge completed. If you haven't check out Linda Ledbetter's challenge, maybe you should. This  is Challenge #22 and uses the Dimensional Cutting Pad as shown in "A Compendium of Curiosities Volume III" by Tim Holtz. On page 62 you will find 6 detailed photos along with detailed instructions that walk you through, step by step, how to use the Dimensional Cutting Pad. At Linda's blog you will find the challenge details and 9 fabulous projects created by the Curiosity Crew using this technique. If you don't have a Dimensional Cutting Pad yet, you may want one after seeing what Linda and her crew created. Everything from cards & tags to an art journal page. There's even a home decor project for a fireplace mantel that doubles as an accordion album.

Challenge #22 is sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique  who has provided a gift certificate to one lucky winner so they can go shopping at their excellent online boutique. They not only carry Tim Holtz products but have just about anything you need for your vintage projects. You can even set up a wish list (which I have)! There is also a special prize awarded (thanks to Tim and Mario!) to The Curiosity Crew's Choice and the lucky selectee not only wins an amazing prize package but also gets a banner for their blog. Too Cool!

I did something a little different this time. I started with a #12 size tag. At 5 1/8" x 10 1/2", this tag is huge compared to the size I usually use. Why so big you might ask? Two reasons. The first is I wanted to use at least one product, technique or idea from each crew member's tag that inspired me. I needed lots of room because they are very inspiring. The second is I love Wallflower Paper Stash and especially the page with the two birds side by side on the branch. With the #12 tag I had enough room to use the 12x12 size which has the largest image of the birds and still have room for my die cuts.

Lots of fun techniques here. Everything from Distress Ink, to Distress Markers, Tissue Tape and Remnant Rubs to Idea-ology, Stencils, Stamps to Die Cuts and Papers. That is real bird seed in the vial and I didn't have green felt so the leaves for the felt flower was die cut from white felt and colored with Lettuce Alcohol Ink and Blending Solution.

I always want to give thanks to Tim Holtz for all his amazing products, tutorials and ideas and to Mario for his hard work behind the scenes and his amazing BTS updates and to both for their generosity is making time in their busy schedule to share so much.

This week I also want to thank Linda, Anita, Annette, Candy, Cheryl, Hels, Marjie, Susan and Yvonne.

Even though I used something inspiring from everyone's project here, there are still plenty more ideas that I can use to jump start another project. You guys inspire me... all the time.


P.S. Linda's challenge is open through Friday, Feb 27.

Rock Candy Distress Glitter Wishes

Compendium of Curiosity Challenge # 21

Want a gorgeous sparkly background for your next project? Use Rock Candy Distress Glitter. If you've never used it before, check out Tim Holtz's Compendium of Curiosities Volume 3 pg 55 for a step by step picture tutorial. This is the technique the Curiosity Crew selected for Challenge #21 of Linda Ledbetter's CC3 Challenge. I wish I could capture the sparkle of the Rock Candy. You can't really tell from my photos but it is covering the wings on the tag.

I had participated in the last couple of challenges and decided to join in on this challenge too. I had fun with the technique and made 3 different backgrounds. I used basically the same colors and stamps but changed up which element got what color. Each background had things I liked about it and I finally picked one for my project only to change my mind half way through. Fortunately all of my elements hang from a couple of chains through the top of the tag so it was simple to switch out the background.

One of the things I wanted to do was use all the stamps from one stamp set on my project. I selected Tim Holtz Royal Script CMS016 from Stampers Anonymous. The colors of Distress Ink I used were Old Paper, Antique Linen, Victorian Velvet, Spun Sugar, Seedless Preserves, Dusty Concord, Weathered Wood and Peeled Paint.

I used Sizzix Premium Crease pad when cutting the tag out of vellum. It keeps the paper from tearing or cutting on the crease lines. I stamped the crown on the front of the Vellum and embossed with Ranger's Fine Detail Clear Embossing Powder. I used Spun Sugar Distress Marker to pick up Dusty Concord Distress Marker scribbled on the non stick craft sheet to color and blend the border on the back side of the vellum to frame it.

I wish you could see the sparkle!

The foil letters are die cut from Tim's Alterations Carnivale for WISH. They were then embossed with the embossing folder (also using the Premium Crease Pad) and painted with Spun Sugar Distress Paint. Once dry the letters were lightly sanded and inked with Victorian Velvet and heat set. Then I use Spun Sugar and Seedless Preserves to color a torn strip of manilla tag adding the letters to it and pop dotting the strip on top of the vellum under the crown.

I used silver mixative to alter the ball chain, fleur-de-lis and the jump rings so they would complement the pearls which had silver findings. I was able to easily cut the ball chain to the lengths I needed with Tim's tonic scissors and then add the pearls with the jump rings. I just punched small holes in the center top and bottom of the vellum and put everything together.

I started with the background on the left but switched to the one on the right.

The current challenge ends on Friday Feb 13th (which at the time of this post is tomorrow) and is sponsored by Inspiration Emporium.
Of course there is also a Curiosity Crew Pick who wins an amazing prize from Tim and Mario and the fun of playing along. As always I encourage you to check out the lovely inspiration at the challenge post here.

Looking forward to Spring with 12 tags of 2015 February

Tim's February tag has a Valentine theme and focuses on a collage technique using Glue N' Seal from Ranger and his Thrift Shop Ephemera pack. When Glue N' Seal first came out, it quickly became a must have for me. It is a great liquid adhesive that can also be used to prepare a surface and is a waterproof sealer.

My last post had a Valentine theme so I decided to go with spring for this tag. I love Tim's Wallflower Paper Stash from Idea-ology. I decided to use it and various stickers from my stash of Idea-ology to create my collage background. I followed Tim's directions to create my base. I really love the dimension the shading with the distress markers added. Tim used Black Soot but I decided to use Frayed Burlap for a softer look. Applying it over the dried Glue N' Seal makes blending easy. If you check out Tim's post you will see step by step how he creates his tag. Here is the link http://timholtz.com/12-tags-of-2015-february/

I used Tim's Tattered Floral die to die cut the small flowers from white felt. The edges are lightly inked with the blending tool and Barn Door distress ink. The flower centers are Tim's mini brads painted with Mustard Seed Distress Paint. I used the poinsettia from the Mini Cardinal and Poinsettia mover and shaper die for the leaves. It is cut from green cardstock and then divided into 3 sections and inked, then tucked behind the flowers.

Blending with Distress Ink

My friend Mary Jane has Tim's Caged Bird Die. When she first got it she made me a die cut on white cardstock. I've been saving it for the perfect project. Using a robin from the Wallflower paper as a reference, I inked my bird using the round blending tool and Mini Distress Inks. I then added some details with the fine tip of the Distress Markers. The Industrious Frame is backed with blue pattern paper also from the Wallflower line. My robin reminds me of a spring morning and the felt flowers look like they are growing along the branch. The bird is on pop dots and there are tiny pop dots behind the flower petals. I used Distress Paint to add color to the Inspire token.

In January Tim Holtz tweeted:

"2015 is the year to make time for yourself each month to do something creative! the #12tagsof2015 is the perfect way to start - full tutorial on the blog... #timholtz"

 Thanks for the Inspiration Tim!

Distress Watercoloring – Love at First Sight!

When Tim Holtz first introduced his Distress Markers I instantly fell in love with them. I have never been in love with markers before. I've met some I really liked, but not "Loved". I was happy to see the CC3 challenge #20 was for Tim's Distress Watercoloring – Part 2. Using not only his Distress Markers but also the Spritzer tool. Another tool I had to have because you can use it with the Distress Markers, which of course I love.

A quick note about the challenge. Linda Ledbetter is the host. The challenge runs two weeks and is to create something using a technique Linda selects from Tim Holtz's book "A Compendium of Curisosities Volume 3" (I can't explain how I did the technique because You need to work from your own copy to participate). Challenge #20's sponsor is The Funkie Junkie Boutique a fun online store with amazing products and fantastic prices. Some lucky participant will win a $25 gift certificate to her store and yes, she is accepting pre-orders for the new Cracked Pistachio. There will also be a special prize from Tim and Mario awarded to the Curiosity Crew's pick! YAY! You can get a ton of inspiration from Tim's books and also the Curiosity Crew Members each have a inspirational piece on Linda's blog with links to their own blog too. So much amazing talent.

Now back to my entry.

So with all this love, I guess you can see why I picked out the Love Conversation Hearts from  Tim's Mini Blueprint 2 CMS146 set. I stamped out th heart 6 times and started playing around with different colors just to get an idea of what color I might like to use for my card. Before I knew it I decided I liked the way it look with the 6 hearts and that it would be focal point of a card. I followed the instructions from Tim's Compendium of Curiosities Volume 3 to finish the panel (You'll have to check out page 40 in his book for the details).

I checked my stash and found I didn't have any paper I liked for the background so that led me to make my own pattern paper. Using the Love ticket stamp (Love Struck CMS0820) and Crimson Archival Ink I stamped the ticket repeatedly at an angle on a sheet of Idea-ology Kraft Glassine paper. I used Clear Fine Detail Embossing powder (Ranger) and heat embossed the ink. You can stamp with pigment ink on the glassine and use a heat tool to bake in the color but I love the look of the embossing powder. I used a 4.5 by 6.25 card base which is a little larger than standard size so more of this fun background would show.

GOOD FOREVER

Original - DATE SOLD ONLY

The stitching the red and white x's across the top was easy to space out using Tim's ruler. Pearl mixative gave the Idea-ology tassels a softer more romantic look. I love the sound the tassels make when I shake the card. I decided to finish off with the Love ticket stamped on water color paper again using the technique on page 40 and added another tassel. The only thing was that the ticket says Good Date Sold Only. Since this had quickly turned into a Valentine for my husband, I wanted a message that wasn't limited to one day, I used a Picket Fence Distress Marker to cover up the date sold only (scary) text and found the word forever in a pack of Botanical Remnant Rubs. Perfect! Now he will know I'll admit I Love Him forever.

Altered Canvas Panel ~ First Time for Everything

If you have ever picked up one of Tim Holtz's Canvas Panels and thought "What would I do with this?" this challenge is for you. I don't know how many times I have thought about buying one and making it my own but this is the first time I actually bought one and brought it home. "Why now?" you may ask, well Linda Ledbetter's Compendium of Curiosity 3 Challenge 6 is to go to page 37 of Tim's book "A Compendium of Curiosities III" and play along. If you want more inspiration and ideas for your own panel, check out the Curiosity Crew's fantastic panels here. They have created 9 totally different and amazing canvases including a mini Christmas album.

The sponsor for Challenge 6 is the Funkie Junkie Boutique. There is also a prize from Tim and Mario. Check out the details and rules here.

3 Dimensional Butterfly

While I can't share the technique from the book on my blog (You need to work from your
own copy to participate in the challenge) I can tell you a little bit about how I created my 3D butterfly. I started by heat embossing Scattered Straw and Tea Dye Distress Embossing Powder onto a brass butterfly that was in a little gift goodie bag I got in a recent order from the Funkie Junkie Boutique. Tim's Melange Tissue Wrap has a large butterfly. I wanted to make it the focal point of my piece so I glued it to a piece of Wendy Vecchi's Clearly For Art Modeling Film and cut it out. After heating it with a heat tool, this film can be shaped any way you want, so I molded it to fit the shape of the brass butterfly. I used Distress Paint then a Distress Marker with the Marker Spritzer to tint the tissue butterfly and glued the pieces together with Sepia Accents by Ranger, giving it a stained glass look.

If you are looking for a copy of Tim's book, you can order one directly from him and he will Autograph it for you. Here's the link.

WOW!

P.S. I recently won a $25 gift certificate from Linda at The Funkie Junkie Boutique. I was surprised how much I was able to purchase and was so excited when my order arrived. It was my first time ordering from her. She has excellent prices plus fantastic and speedy service. The brass butterfly I used here was part of a little goodie bag she included with my order. Thanks Linda!

Challenges in July

Hope everyone has had a wonderful July 4th Holiday. I was blessed to be able to spend time with my family and see my Grandson watch his first fireworks.

Compendium of Curiosities 3- Challenge 5 ends tonight and I'm working right up to the wire. The challenge is hosted by Linda Ledbetter. The sponsor for challenge 5 is Inspiration Emporium.

I've stamped Lady Liberty from Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection Americana Silhouettes CMS122 using the Watercolor technique shown on page 39 of Tim Holtz's "Compendium of Curiosities 3".

The background is created using a sheet of blue from the Distress Collection of Core'dinations over a tag then dry embossing with Tim's layering stencil. After embossing I did a little sanding and inking.

I used alcohol ink on some of Tim's tinsel (it reminds me of fireworks) and also alchohol inked the Alpha Parts. I added some of his Remnant rubs on an enamel tag. Then added a few idea-ology elements to my tag. I like the way it turned out. The Watercolor and alcohol inks on the word Liberty are more vibrant in real life. I really need to work on a better way to photograph my tags.

If you want to play along be sure to get a copy of Tim's "Compendium of Curiosities 3" and check Linda's blog tomorrow challenge 6. She and the Curiosity Crew always create some amazing pieces to inspire us, and you have 2 weeks to complete the challenge.

PS:  I got up this morning and went outside to try for a better picture. It's a bit overcast this morning, so still not the best shot but Lady Liberty's colors are a little better and the Sparklers really shine. Loving the sunset look of the hint of Victorian Velvet Distress Color.

While I was at it this morning, I decided to checked out Linda's CC3 Challenge 6. All of you who love mixed media will be excited. The new challenge is Tim's Altered Burlap Panel Technique. The Curiosity Crew really went all out. So clicked the link here and check them out. I'm going back to take a closer look.

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.

More Cards for OWH

On my last post I had a link to the  Operation Write Home blog hop this week. You can still join it here. You can post comments through July 7th and still be entered into the drawings. It's been a while since I sent any cards to OWH and the blog hop inspired me to get busy. Here are 2 more cards I designed to send into Operation Write home to send to our troops.

OWH Midweek Throw Down

The first card I made is for the OWH Midweek Throw Down. The theme is Anniversary cards. After searching through all my stamps I found I did not have ANY Anniversary sentiments so I printed a sentiment on velum using a pretty script. By setting my word document to 4 columns and using some column breaks, I worked it out where I could print the sentiment 6 times on one sheet of vellum with the spacing I needed. Once cut into strips, I trimmed the left side with Fiskars Threading Water border punch and cut a dove tail in the right hand side.

The card base is Bazzill Bling cardstock in one of their lovely pinks. I inked up one side of a Tim Holtz texture fade folder with Close To My Heart White Daisy Ink pad. I really like the contrast of the dull white ink on this shimmery paper. The textured Bazzill weave really shows up. I heat set the ink with my heat tool to help it dry.

The rose stamp is one of my favorite flower stamps. It is a Anna Griffin stamp from the Roses Collection by All Night Media. I colored it with Berol Prisma Color pencils. I punched a scallop oval with a McGill punch and colored with Spun Sugar Distress Stain and placed it behind the pink rose to frame it and separate it from the background.

Stars and Stamps Sketch #01

I made the second card using a OWH Stars and Stamps Sketch and another one of the stamp sets Hero Arts designed for OWH. This one is called "All The Time" CL584.  This set has 2 different clock faces, two watch hands and 7 sentiments. I used Distress Inks to stamp the clocks in the background. Some are seasonal colors: Squeezed Lemons, Picked Raspberries and Salty Ocean. I also used Dried Marigold. These colors really go well with the bright pattern paper which is from my paper scraps. I used a water brush and Tumbled Glass Distress Marker to add a little blue wash to the big clock face. The sentiment is embossed with Zing White embossing powder on red cardstock. I only made 2 of these cards because that is all of this pattern paper I have. I think I may go through my scraps and look and see if I have any other papers in these colors. I really like the bright cheerful look. OWH accepts up to 30 multiples of each design. You can find out more about the 3 sets and how they help OWH here. 

Since I used Hero Arts stamps on this one I will also upload this one to the Hero Arts Flickr group as well.

Happy 4th

Happy 4th of July!

Operation Write Home is having a blog hop this week and you can join it here. They have joined forces with Operation Skriv Hjem their sister organization in Denmark. Alternating between the two countries you will see a beautiful selection of Red, White and Blue from OWH and Red and White cards from OSH.

To show my support for the bog hop and spread the word I have made my own Red, White and Blue card to send to OWH for our troops. I have been working on a batch to send in and hope to get it mailed by the end of the week. Once OWH receives them they will add them to the box filled with handmade cards from other card makers and send them to our troops so they card use them to write home to their friends and family. OSH does the same for Danish troops. The OSH blog are bilingual for the hop so you can read right along. I hope you join the hop!

For my card I used some of my favorite products. From Tim Holtz I used the Rays and Retro Circles Texture Fades embossing folder, Styled Labels Alterations dye and Red Barn and Blue Jean Distress Markers and Tumbled Glass and Bundled Sage Distress Stains, from Ranger Archival Jet Black ink and from Hero Arts one of the stamp sets designed especially for Operation Write Home. This one is called Right at Home and you can find out more about the 3 sets and how they help OWH here.

Hope you have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!

I've Graduated and I can post!

Yea! My internet is finally back up and running. Now I can finally post my tags from the Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry 101 Online Card Class I took. Yes, I completed all 25 tags in time to upload them by the April 9th deadline and my modem crashes. It is a long story I won't go into but now I have a brand new modem and my high speed internet connection back! Yea!


Day 1 was Discovery and Understanding. Great information on the understanding the properties of inks and paints. The actual tag techniques started on Day 2. So here are my tags and if you want to see how it's done consider taking the "Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry 101". You can check it out here, and check out the other classes offered by Online Card Classes here.

Graduated - All 25 Technique Tags!

Day 2 - Distress Ink Intro

Day 3 - Archival Ink Uses

Day 4 - Re-inkers and Maintenance

Day 5 - Spray Inks and Stains

Day 6 - Distress Markers

Day 7 - Embossing Basics

Day 8 - Paint Primer

Day 9 - Perfect Pearl

Day- 10 - Dimensional Mediums