Inspired by CC3

Inspired by Compendium of Curiosities 3, Tim, Mario, Linda and the Curiosity Crew!

create

spread your wings

take flight

Sometimes it takes me a while to get back into creating. I love to spend time with my inks, stamps, papers and just about everything in my stash. Getting started on a project is the hardest part. One reason why I love the bi-weekly challenges at Linda Ledbetter's blog is that they can get me started when I've been away too long.

Linda hosts the Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge. She picks a technique from Tim Holtz's Compendium of Curiosities Vol III, then she and her amazing Curiosity Crew members create amazing art that is wonderfully inspiring using the selected technique. The current challenge is sponsored by Inspiration Emporium who are generously donating a $50 gift certificate for Linda to give away. Tim and Mario have also donated amazing products for a special prize. (More reasons to create something.) So 2 lucky people will be very excited when the winners are announced! All the details can be found on Linda's blog here. Challenge # 19 is Frayed Fabric and detailed instructions can be found on page 66 of Tim's book. This challenge is open through tomorrow Friday January 16.

Frayed Fabric technique from CC3 pg 66

I have been wanting some of Tim's Eclectic Elements fabric and needed some for this challenge, so I picked Tim's 12x12 Traveler's pack. I am so glad I did. I love the feel of this fabric, enjoyed working with it, and I have plenty left for future projects. I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do so I just jumped in following Tim Holtz's directions and made two tag bases. Once they were completed, I decided to work with the butterfly tag and save the postmark tag for a later project. I got out my stash and started playing. I laid a large oval fragment on top of the reverse side of another piece of the butterfly fabric. It was still easy to see the butterfly and use it as a guide to apply alcohol ink. Once I had the colors like I wanted I applied glossy accents to the fragment on the same side as the alcohol ink. I pressed it down firmly onto the front side of the fabric and slid it around gently to line up the inked areas with the butterfly and get a smooth even coat. After the glossy accents dried I trimmed off the excess fabric with scissors. You may have seen Tim use this technique in the past with paper when his fragments first came out. If not and you have his original Compendium of Curiosities (the first book) you can check out Tinted Vision Fragments pg 55 and Fragment Basics pg 62. The only difference is you are using fabric instead of paper, and I recommend working on your non-stick craft mat. Once the fragment was trimmed out I added some of Tim's rub-ons to the surface of the fragment. I melted some Platinum UTEE in Ranger's melting pot and dipped the edges of the fragment in the melted UTEE to get the faux soldered edge. I thought the color went well with the Idea-ology leaves so I left them the original color.


I diecut a ticket from the wildflower paper line, used the hearts embossing folder, mini distress inks and another butterfly rub-on. The word inspired is also from the same rub-on set but created by taking the d off of dream and adding it to the end of the word inspire. I layered another ticket diecut from foil and grungeboard using painted industrial technique and layered it underneath, stapled them together with the mini fastener and then added it to the top of the tag, tucking it behind the strip of fabric. You may remember the Painted Industrial Technique from July when I used it  for Challenge #7 to create a box to display my tags. If you want to see it again you can check it out here.

The details!

For the Volume 3 embellishment I used the # 3 paper clip an added an image of Tim's book. The 3 was a little lost with the fabric showing through so I colored a small piece of white paper using Distress Markers in Broken China and Tumbled Glass then used Faded Jeans Distress Stickles to glue it to the back of the clip behind the 3. I used Tim's Shattered Stains technique (Compendium of Curiosities Volume II, pg 48) on the Grungeboard heart. I added a butterfly rub-on to the sticker on the brad before adding the epoxy dome then applied the word fly on top of the epoxy.

With the holidays and a part time seasonal job, it had been way too long since I've been visiting my usual blogs and websites I follow, much less created anything. So I decided to see what the challenge was at Linda Ledbetter's. I was glad I did. I had fun, tried something new and now I have a new tag and I'm creating again. Linda is a wonderful source of inspiration and creativity. She is an amazing photographer, has some great tutorials on a variety of subjects and of course she is (like me) also a big fan of Tim Holtz. So if you haven't been by her blog yet be sure to check her out. Besides the wonderful inspiration, you'll also get to meet Violet. She's adorable!

Assemblage Clock for CC3C

Here is my Assemblage clock for Compendium Of Curiosities 3 Challenge at Linda Ledbetter's Studio L3. If you want to see some really gorgeous Assemblage Clocks check out the challenge here and see what the Curiosity Crew created. They are amazing and once I saw them I knew I had to try my hand at one. The sponsor for this challenge is the fabulous Funkie Junkie Boutique, they have an amazing selection of crafting supplies for vintage projects including a great selection of Tim Holtz products. Amd of course there is always another fabulous prize from Tim Holtz and Mario Rossi.You can find instructions for altering the Assemblage clock on page 33 of Tim Holtz "A Compendium of Curiosities III" which you need to participate in the challenge. You can buy an authographed copy directly from Tim Holtz here.

Shake it up, Baby!

ETA? Just added to the "Clicking Cameras" Challenge

Recently I've seen some really cute shaker cards on some of the blogs I visit. Shaker cards are all the rage right now, so when I opened my mail Friday I decided I should make one. What's so special about opening mail on Friday and how does that relate to shaker cards? Friday I received my first set of Winnie and Walter stamp sets in the mail. Jennifer McGuire had a guest post at Winnie and Walter and was giving away a gift certificate for Winnie and Walter to 3 lucky people who left a comment on her blog. I loved the card she made and what she had to say about Winnie and Walter so I checked out their blog. I loved them too! So I left a comment on Jennifer's blog and I was one of the winners!

I was actually able to order 2 stamp sets with my gift certificate, so I chose "V is for cheVron" from their new July release and a set called "The Write Stuff - Picture Perfect." I loved all of the cards made with the "V is for cheVron" stamp set on the Winnie and Walter blog so my first choice was easy. My second choice was a little harder because I loved the vellum card Jennifer McGuire made with "The Big, the Bold and Extras", but my daughter has recently purchased a Fuji instax mini 8 camera so when I saw the "The Write Stuff - Picture Perfect" stamp set with its adorable little camera and all the cute little sayings and icons, I had to have it.

fun surprise in my package

When my stamps arrived, they were tied up with a pretty little baker's twine bow along with a sweet little hand stamped tag thanking me for my order and a cute little glassine envelope sealed with washi tape and filled with little mini sequins. I had so much fun shaking it up I decided I must make a shaker card.

Winnie and Walter also have cut files to coordinate with their stamp sets. They include both svg and png files, so I had to have those too.  I was able to import the svg file to my Sizzix Eclips Sure Cuts A Lot software and cut out the pieces for my shaker camera.

mini sequins and micro beads

I recently purchased some Faber-Castell Gelatos while taking "Watercolor for Card Makers" by Online Card Classes. I'm still experimenting with the Gelatos and decided to use them for this card. They are not as easy for me to work with when stamping as the Distress Inks and Markers that I love, but every now and then I need to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new. I stamped the camera on the camera cut out with Archival Jet Black ink and then used the gelatos to water colored it.

I arranged all of  the little icon stamp images on my Fiskars Easy Stamp Press to stamp a background. It was easy to use the grid on the Stamp Press to evenly space the icons to make a pattern. I then colored the stamps with the gelatos and misted them, then stamped. I  colored the stamps and misted a second time to fill my 5" x 4 3/4" panel. Then once it was dry I added some swatches of color by scribbling the gelatos on a acrylic block and using a water brush to pick up some color and add it to the background.

you + me text fit perfectly inside V for chevron

I used 2 of the V's from "V is for cheVron" to create the banner behind the camera and cut it out by hand. I love the way the little saying from The Write Stuff  set (you + me) fit inside the V outline. The twine was from my packaging.

I wanted to share two links to some really cute shaker cards.  The first one is from the Simon Says Stamp blog that has a cute little lunch box note shaker card made by Laura Bassen and even has a quick little video. The second link is to a really cute little bubblegum machine shaker card by Jennifer McGuire which also includes a fun video. Make that 3... I just saw another shaker card at Yes, Virginia and had to add it, check her cute little shaker house card too. And now it is 4. I was revisiting my pins and found this post from a while back...another Winnie and Walter picture perfect camera shaker card. too cute! It is the second card on the post so be sure to scroll down.

ETA - 

I was catching up on my blog reading and Virginia Lu had a post where I just read that over at Moxie Fab World they were having a "Clicking Cameras" Challenge. The challenge closes at midnight tonight but you can enter a project you have created within 4 weeks of their original post for the challenge. And guess what? This card and post qualifies so I decided to enter it. You can read all the details here (Clicking Camera Challenge at Moxie Fab World). So now this post is ETA which stands for edited to add. Cool Huh? This will be my first entry into a Moxie Fab World Challenge. Wish me luck!

If you have made your own shaker card or seen any you'd like to share just leave me the info the comments and I'll check them out. As always comments are always appreciated. Thanks for stopping by.

A Little Paint, A Little Glitter, A Little Book

"Finish Me!"

Although I was excited when I saw Linda Ledbetter was sponsoring The Compendium of Curiosity 3 Challenge back in May, I missed the first few challenges. I started the first one. I used a Ranger Inkssentials #12 Craft tag to create a cover using Tim's Paint Marbling technique along with about 4 pages for a little mini album. I went out of town and never got back to my project. When I missed the deadline, I put it aside. I missed the second challenge too. It was Distressed Glitter. I love Distress Glitter but only have 2 colors, Rock Candy and Pumice Stone.

This cover has just been sitting on my desk ever since I returned from my trip saying "Finish Me!". Well I finally have. This weekend I decided to combine both of the first two challenges I missed, get out my "An Altered Journey" DVD and create a mini art journal.

My Signatures!

 I've had "An Altered Journey" for some time. It is 127+ minutes of techniques and instruction with Tim creating some beautiful projects. One of the projects is a Domino Diary. He uses Alcohol Inks on the Domino to create the front and back of the diary. For the inside pages he shows how to bind the pages by hand stitching to create signatures, including how to make a "Kettle Stitch" to hold the binding together. I love the old book feeling binding the pages this way gives. I wanted to give it a try. As usual, Tim's instructions made it easy.

Mirrored!

Once my binding was complete and my cover attached,  I started to decorate it. I die cut an oval out of a piece of  Idea-ology Mirrored with Tim's Alterations Tag & Bookplates die. It fits perfectly into an Idea-ology Ornate Bookplate. Alcohol ink gives the outer edges of the mirror an antique look. I stamped the butterfly with Stayon Opaque Baby Blue. I also made a little pocket for the inside front cover and tucked some Apha Cards inside it.

Inside Front Cover Pocket

The closure is made from some ruffled elastic and a medium size pearl from the Idea-ology line.By punching a small circle in Grungepaper and centering it in a little bit larger circle punch I was able to make 2 reinforced holes that were a little larger than the one that comes on the tag. I painted it with Brass Distress Paint and gently stretch it until the pearl would slip through and hold the cover shut.  I love that the pearls already have the findings. I just had to twist the wire on the drop pearl open to attach it to the bottom of the Ornate Plate.

Painted Marble and Distress Glitter Tag Journal with Ornate Mirror and Pearls

Here is my finished Art Journal. In the spirit of the challenge I haven't given instruction for the Painted Marble or Distress Glitter. You'll have to check out Tim's book for that. Even though the  CC3C #1 & #2 challenges are closed I'm glad I finished my art journal. If you'd like more inspiration for these techniques you can check out Linda's Blog. To make it easy the link for Challenge #1 is here and Challenge #2 is here.

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you.

Painted Industrial CC3C Challenge

CC3C #7 using Tim's Painted Industrial Technique!

Time is running out for Challenge #7 at Compedium of Curiosities III Challenge. The idea is to use your own copy of "A Compendium of Curiosities III" go to page 46 and Tim walks you step by step through the process, showing you how to create the painted industrial technique. Then you create a project and link it to the challenge page. The complete rules are here.

Here's mine. I finished it today. If you want to see some more projects using Tim Holtz's Painted Industrial Technique  you can find some gorgeous pieces at Linda's blog by clicking here. The sponsor for Challenge #7 is Inspiration Emporium and they will be giving away a $50 gift certificate to one lucky person. The Curiosity Crew also selects one lucky person to receive a wonderful package of goodies from Tim and Mario. Woo! Hoo! The Crew's choice also get a blinkie for their blog that says "I'm A Curiosity Crews Choice!"

I decided to make a box to display/store my tags. So I constructed a box from corrugated cardboard covered it with paper from the Wallflower Paper Stash, made my Painted Industrial pieces and put it all together. I wanted the box to compliment my tags but not compete. The Painted Industrial pieces are perfect. I have a tall Painted Industrial panel in back to support the tags. The die cut on the front of the box is also created using the Painted Industrial technique, but I have decorated it.

Pleats made using Tim's rosette die.

I wanted a slanted bottom to the box so that the tags would be higher in back but I didn't want them to slide. Using Tim's rosette die I cut 4 strips and used 2 to make pleated strips on each side of the bottom. The dashed lines made it easy to fold the pleats in a way that will keep my tags from sliding.

ARTIST heat embossed with Distress Embossing Powder on Vellum

I used Distress Paint to tint some of Tim's elastic ruffles, wrapped it around the box and attached it only at the corners and front. Now I can use it to hold small pieces if I want.

With the exception of vellum, a little kraft paper, corrugated cardboard and of course adhesive, everything used to create my box is from one of Tim Holtz product lines.
 
Of course I love getting comments. If you have any questions just leave a comment. I'll get an email and will get back to you quickly.. Thanks for stopping by.

P.S.

I know I said time is running out but you still have time if you want to join in the fun. Challenge #7 is open until Friday, August 1, 11:55 pm MST, so you have until next Friday! If you don't have a copy of CC3 you can purchase on directly from Tim and he will autograph it for you. There are still more challenges to come!

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.