That's Life: March 2015

Monday, 30 March 2015

Easter Surprise ~ Pastels Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Hello everyone!

Hope you've all had a wonderful weekend and yes, can you believe that another week has flown by and here we are at Monday again!?! But the great thing about Monday's is that it means the start of a brand new challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog and this week it's all about PASTELS!

From soft shabby chic colours to white washing with gesso, or maybe you might be inspired by Easter to even using actual pastels ~ whatever you choose, we challenge you to be inspired by the softer side of the colour wheel!

My project for this week was inspired by Easter and of course, no Easter table would be complete without a handmade decoration to adorn each place setting!! So, I created a small matchbox style box which I filled with Easter Eggs ready for the celebrations.

To begin with, I made my 12 x 8cm matchbox from kraft card. To be honest, any shape or style of box will be perfect for this project and if you don't want to spend time making your own matchbox, then why not use an empty, discarded matchbox or there are various dies on the market which create similar style boxes, including the Tim Holtz Matchbox Die.

For the next stage, I cut pieces of Manila card that would fit the top and sides of my box and covered the card with a layer of Picket Fence Distress Paint. By adding a layer of white paint to the surface of the Manila card, it allows the true blue colour of the next layer to shine. Once the paint is completely dry apply a layer of Tumbled Glass Distress Paint, mixed with a little Picket Fence to give a perfect pastel blue colour. Heat dry the paint.

Place the Lace Layering Stencil over the top of the pieces of card and using a palette knife, apply Texture Paste through the stencil. Set aside to dry before inking the edges of the card with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and then attaching each piece to your box.

Attach two ring fasteners to either side of the draw section and then line the inside of the drawer with white card.

To create the roses, I used the Jumbo Tattered Pinecone die to die cut two pieces of white card. I then coloured the card with Scattered Straw Distress Ink before adding a blush of Spun Sugar to the edges to create the look of a perfect rose. Make up the pinecone, (instructions are included in the die) and then shape the petals.

For the leaves, I applied some Mowed Lawn and Peeled Paint Distress Stain to my craft sheet, before swiping a piece of card through the ink to colour it.

I then used Tim's Leaf Stamps from the Daydream stamp set and inked them with Wendy Vecchi's Leaf Green Archival Ink and stamped the leaves directly onto the coloured card.

I cut out each individual leaf before inking the edges with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. I then arranged and attached my leaves and roses to the top of the box, added some wire coils and some fibres.

For the final touch, I used one of the gorgeous Trophy Cups that I altered with Alcohol Ink before adding a Vial label to the front, complete with Remnant Rub. I added some dried moss into the top of the cup, die cut a piece of inked card using one of the dies from the Labels set and then stamped out the message using the Hero Arts Printer's Alphabet stamps.

Attach the message to the cup with a memo pin, adding a small piece of Linen Ribbon and then attach to the top of your box.

I wanted to add some little legs to my box and searched everywhere to find some and in the end, I decided to use the small cork stoppers that come in the tops of the Corked Vials. I had some that I had taken out and hadn't used and these were ideal ~ you can just see them in the photo!

Finally, add a small crystal and all that's left to do is fill the box with yummy chocolate eggs....

...which completes my little Easter Egg box!

I really hope you've enjoyed how I created this project and if you need any further inspiration for this challenge, then you need look no further than our blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. Good luck....

Thank you so much for all your visits today and hope you all have a great week ahead

See you again soon...love Emma xx

Products used:

Tim Holtz Stamps: Daydream

Hero Arts Printer's Alphabet Stamps

Tim Holtz Dies: Sizzix Labels Thinlits Die, Jumbo Tattered Pinecone

Inks: Jet Black Archival Ink, Leaf Green Archival Ink

Distress Stain: Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint

Distress Ink: Scattered Straw, Spun Sugar, Gathered Twigs, Frayed Burlap

Distress Paint: Tumbled Glass, Picket Fence

Mediums: Ranger Texture Paste

Alcohol Ink: Gold Mixative, Pitch Black

Idea-Ology ~ Linen Ribbon, Ring Fasteners, Remnant Rubs, Trophy Cups, Memo Pin

Embellishments: Prima Say It In Crystal Gems, Prima Wire Thread

Surfaces: Manila Card, Kraft card

Dried moss and fibres from a local florist

Monday, 23 March 2015

1 Stamp, Many Ways ~ Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Hey everyone!

Hope you've all had a good weekend!

Today, is the start of a brand new challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog and this week, we challenge you to use 1 stamp, many ways!

So if you have a stamp that is versatile and can be used in many ways, we want you to use it on the same project or maybe, you could use the same stamp in different colours on multiple projects! Whatever you decide, we can't wait for you to join us for our fun challenge.

For my project, I chose ONE flower stamp from Tim Holtz's new Flower Garden stamp set and used that individual stamp in three ways to create my card. Hope you enjoy the process of how I made it...

Technique number 1, the background: I began by stamping the flower repeatedly onto cream card using Jet Black Archival Ink.

I then watercolored the images with Abandoned Coral Distress Stain which I applied to my craft sheet and painted each flower using a water colour brush, building up the colour gradually to create shading.

When I was happy with my background, I inked around the edge with Old Paper Distress Ink and then mounted the card onto black card stock and attached it to the front of my 18 x 20cm white card blank.

Technique number 2 and creating a resist technique: Once again, I stamped the flower onto white card but this time using a Versamark Stamp Pad. I then sprinkled clear embossing powder over the stamped images and used a heat gun to melt the powder until molten.

When the powder has set, I then applied a small amount of Abandoned Coral Distress Stain to my craft sheet, misted the stain with water and then swiped the card through the ink picking up the colour. Gently dab away any stain on the embossed areas and then very gently, heat dry the card.

I machine stitched around the edge of the card using gold metallic thread and then, mounted the card onto a further piece of black card stock. Cut a strip of crinkle ribbon and dye the ribbon with, yep you guessed it ~ more Abandoned Coral Distress Stain and heat dry. Cut a small strip and wrap it around the left hand side of the matted layers of card, securing it into place with a Tiny Attacher. Mount the card onto the front of your covered card blank, using foam pads for dimension.

Technique Number 3 ~ Decoupaging and layering a stamped flower: For this, I used the same flower stamp and stamped the image onto watercolour card, three times. Cut out each of the stamped images but each time, cut away some of the image to create a layered effect.

I coloured the image exactly the same way as I coloured the background using more Abandoned Coral Distress Stain and when each of the pieces were completely dry, I layered the image to create this beautiful dimensional flower.

Attach the flower to the front of your card and tie the remaining ribbon into a scruffy bow, attaching it just below the flower. Add a small crystal to the centre of the bow.

Finally, I stamped the Beauty In Simplicity sentiment onto a piece of cream card and coloured the wording with an Abandoned Coral Distress Marker.

I inked around the edges and then attached it to the front of my card....

...completing my Flower Garden card.

I really hope you've enjoyed how I created my card and how I used just one stamp, three different ways. If you need any further inspiration for this challenge, then you need look no further than our blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. Good luck....

Thank you so much for all your visits today and hope you all have a great week ahead

See you again soon...love Emma xx

Products used:

Tim Holtz Stamps: Flower Garden, Beauty In Simplicity

Inks: Jet Black Archival Ink, Versamark Ink Pad, Old Paper Distress Ink

Distress Stain: Abandoned Coral

Distress Marker Pens: Abandoned Coral

Mediums: Clear Embossing Powder

Idea-Ology ~ Crinkle Ribbon

Embellishments: Prima Say It In Crystal Gems

Surfaces: Watercolour Paper, Black Card, Cream Stamping Card

18 x 20cm White Card Blank

Thursday, 19 March 2015

Use Your Wings ~ Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015

Hi everyone!

I'm just popping by to share my version of Tim Holtz's wonderful March tag in his 12 Tags of 2015 series! This month, we saw Tim show us how to create textured backgrounds using Texture Paste and embossing powder and if you haven't tried it yet ~ then you must as it creates a wonderful effect and such a gorgeous opulence to the tag. For all the techniques involved in this tag, just pop over to Tim's post, HERE!

For my version of the tag, I changed a few things ~ including the colours of the background, I went with my favourite blues and greens and included the gorgeous Cracked Pistachio.

I also added a couple of different embellishments and when it came to creating the texture paste background, I didn't want a shiny, molten gold and instead used a textural embossing powder to give me a more vintage, rustic appearance.

I really hope you love my interpretation of Tim's tag and thank you so much for popping by and taking a look!

See you all again soon ~ love Emma xx

Monday, 16 March 2015

A Very Important Date ~ Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Hey everyone!

Welcome to another week of Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenges and this week, our challenge is all about "LIONS AND LAMBS".

When this challenge was set, May was thinking about the saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb and it got her pondering the animal craft possibilities. From cute Lawn Fawn critters to animal print stamps, collaging images of your favourite animals to scrapbooking a photo of your pet ~ we can't wait to see how animals inspire you this week!

For my project, I was inspired by one of my favourite book characters, the white rabbit from Alice In Wonderland and I set about creating the classic scene from the book, when the white rabbit is late for his very important date and made a double layered canvas, where I place a smaller canvas over the top of a larger one.

I first did this style of canvas last year and since then, I've seen quite a few other people do this and I'm not surprised as it gives such a wonderful effect and I absolutely adore the look of the double canvas.

So, how did I make this...

To begin with, I took the my canvases, one 8" x 8" and one 6" x 6" and using Tumbled Glass and Broken China Distress Paints, I started to layer my paints onto each canvas. I gave the paint a quick blast with a heat gun before adding torn pieces of Tissue Tape onto areas of the background. I applied more paint to seamlessly blend the tissue tape into the background before placing the gorgeous Flourish Layering Stencil (my new favourite) over the top and applying Broken China Distress Paint through the stencil. Once I was happy, I gave everything another blast with the heat gun to dry it completely.

I then took the larger canvas and added some Black Soot Distress Paint splatters over the top of the background and at this stage, I also dipped a bottle top into white paint to create the small circles. To complete this canvas, I used Frayed Burlap Distress Paint around the edges of both canvases and then added some Film Ribbon onto either side of the larger one before layering my smaller canvas over the top.

I then added texture paste through the Flourish Layering Stencil onto the corners of the smaller canvas and set the canvases aside to dry whilst I started work on all the elements.

To create the watch, I used the Pocket Watch die and placed the largest of the Movers & Shapers Circle into the centre to create an aperture in the centre of three pieces of die cut chipboard. I then removed the circle and used a fourth piece of chipboard to die cut a complete Pocket Watch shape. I layered the three chipboard shapes with the aperture over the top of one another and applied gesso to each piece. I then painted the pieces with Brushed Pewter Distress Paint. Once the first layer of paint was dry, I went in with a second layer but this time, I dabbed the paint onto the surface to create small bubble which gave me the look of hammered metal. Dry the paint before adding a small amount of Black Soot over the surface using your fingertip.

For the clock face, I placed a Vellum Ephemera piece in the centre of the solid die cut Pocket Watch and secured it into place by adding the Game Spinners for clock hands and attaching them with a brad through the middle. I then attached my layered chipboard watch surround over the top.

I attached a swivel clip to the handle of the watch and added a Hitch Fastener to the other end. I then adhered the completed watch to my base canvas, attaching the fastener through the board and layering the watch over the top of some die cut Holiday Greens Foliage and some dried grass which I had in my stash.

Next stage was to create the rabbit and for this I used the rabbit from the Spring Sprung stamp set and very carefully used Tumbled Glass Distress Marker pen to colour the jacket directly onto the stamp before inking the rest of the stamp with Jet Black Archival Ink. I then stamped onto watercolour card. I added some line work into the rabbit to give more definition to his jacket and then water coloured the rest of him using Distress Markers. After cutting him out, I added him to the canvas, attaching him with foam pads.

The "wonderland" wording is die cut from the red card, using the Holiday Words Script Thinlits die and I then applied embossing ink over the top, added clear embossing powder and heated the powder to create a glaze over the top.

I added the wording to my canvas together with a small corked vial, an arrow painted with Brushed Pewter Distress Paint and a Mirrored Star.

Finally, I added Remnant Rubs around the outside of the larger canvas and tucked a ticket from the Ephemera pack underneath the pocket watch.

I hope you've enjoyed the creative process for this project and I really hope you love this canvas wallhanging as much as I loved creating it!

Don't forget that if you're looking for some more great ideas and inspiration for this challenge, then you need to look no further than the blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. Good luck....

Thank you so much for all your visits today and hope you all have a great week ahead

See you again soon...love Emma xx

Products used:

Tim Holtz Stamps: Spring Sprung

Sizzix/Tim Holtz Dies: Holiday Words Script, Pocket Watch, Holiday Greens

Distress Paints: Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Frayed Burlap, Black Soot, Brushed Pewter, Picket Fence

Inks: Jet Black Archival Ink, Embossing Ink

Distress Marker Pens: Tumbled Glass, Festive Berries

Mediums: Gesso, Ranger Texture Paste, Clear Embossing Powder

Idea-Ology ~ Ephemera Pack, Vellum Ephemera Pack, Remnant Rubs, Swivel Clasps, Hitch Fasteners, Corked Vials, Film Ribbon, Symphony Tissue Tape, Framed Alpha Parts, Game Spinners

Tim Holtz Layering Stencil: Flourish

Surfaces: Watercolour Paper, Red Card, Chipboard, Tim Holtz Kraft Core Core'Dinations

Ranger Craft Sheet

Hot Glue Gun

Heat Gun

Canvases and dried grass from my stash

Wednesday, 11 March 2015

Queen Bee ~ Simon Says Stamp Tutorial

Hey everyone...

This week over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog, our challenge was all about "B is for..." and we wanted to see how the letter B inspired you with your crafty makes! If you haven't yet joined in with the challenge you have until Sunday to get crafting and if you're still looking for some inspiration, then today I'm sharing a fun tutorial to create a shadow box with a difference!

I really hope you'll pop over to the blog, click HERE to take a look at what I made and for those who can't wait another minute, here's another sneaky peek of my tutorial project...

As always, every week one lucky random participant who enters our challenge has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp ~ so, good luck!

Thank you so much for all your visits today and hope you love what I've created as much as I loved making it!
See you soon ~ Emma x

Monday, 9 March 2015

B Is For... Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Hi everyone!

There is a brand new challenge starting over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog and this week our focus is on ~ B Is For...

What will you choose to create using the letter B? Me? You'll have to pop back to see what I created on Wednesday when I will be sharing my tutorial over on the SSS blog.

Don't forget that if you're looking for some more great ideas and inspiration for this challenge, then you need to look no further than the blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. Good luck....

Thank you so much for all your visits today and I do hope you'll check back on Wednesday to see my tutorial!
Emma x

Saturday, 7 March 2015

Blossom Like A Butterfly...

Hello everyone!

It's my turn to share over on the Craftwork Cards blog today and if you click HERE, then you will be whisked over to the blog to see all the cards I made for the recent Create and Craft shows, including this one... *points down*!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend and thanks for stopping by today!

See you soon ~ love Emma x

Monday, 2 March 2015

A Hint Of Clover ~ Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Hello everyone...

...and hello to a brand new week and a brand new challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog.

This week, whether it's spring in the air or just the leprechauns making their appearance for St Patrick's Day, we're feeling a lot of love for clover, shamrocks and green in general. Will the luck of the Irish be with you? Do you want to craft with just a hint of bold clover green? perhaps feature your favourite green ink pad or marker ~ we can't wait to see what you dream up this week!

I decided to make a card this week and for those of you who know me and my work, you will know that I love dimension on my cards and projects, so...with this in mind, I chose to create a card that had a dimensional focal point ~ a four leaf clover which I hope will bring me some good fortune if I wish hard enough!!

To begin with, I created a card blank from kraft card to measure 20 x 18cm in size. I then cut a piece of the Wallflower Stash paper, which I distressed and tore around the edges and mounted it onto a matt of black card before matting the layers onto my card blank.

The next stage was to create my clover and for this, I applied some Mowed Lawn (which is the perfect colour for clover) and Peeled Paint Distress Stains onto my craft sheet, spritzed the ink with water and then swiped a piece of white card through the stains to pick up the colour. If you feel you need more colour, just go back for more until you're 100% happy! Dry the card and then using the smaller heart die from the Mini Movers and Shapers, die cut 12 hearts from the inked card.

To create one dimensional leaf, use three of the die cut hearts, score a vertical line and fold each heart down the centre. Take the first heart and apply a small amount of glue on the back of the right hand side of the folded heart and attach it to the left hand side of the second folded heart. Apply some more glue on the attached second folded heart and attach the left hand side of the third heart. Open out the folds and you should now have one complete dimensional leaf. Repeat with the remaining hearts until you have four leaves. Ink the edges of the leaves with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and set aside to work on the background.

Next, I cut a piece of Manila card and swiped it through a combination of Brushed Corduroy, Frayed Burlap, Old Paper, Picket Fence and a touch of Peeled Paint Distress Stains that I applied to a craft sheet. The stains give a fabulous marbled effect to the card.

Once the card is dry, I added some splashes of Gesso and then spritzed the background using the Distress Marker Spritzing Tool and a Pumice Stone Distress Marker Pen.

To complete the background, I inked up the Tim Holtz Handwriting stamp with Watering Can Archival Ink and randomly stamped over areas of the card before adding some lines using a ruler, which I dipped into the ink pad and then sewing around the edge of the card with black thread.

Die cut a piece of decorative paper from a Tim Holtz paper stash using the Honeycomb Frameworks die and ink the edges of the paper. Attach across the bottom section of the inked card, together with a piece of Crinkle Ribbon, dyed with Scattered Straw Distress Stains.

Mount the card onto the centre of your covered card blank and then start to add all your elements. I tied some more of the crinkle ribbon into a scruffy bow and attached this to my card, adding a Wire Pin, Wish Bone and an Enameled Tag, which I added a Remnant Rub to.

I cut a stem from green card and attached this to pop out from my bow before adding the four dimensional clover leaves and a the lucky 13 number from the Ephemera pack. At this stage, I also added a pointy finger from the pack.

To complete the card, I used the Alpha Parts and applied Treasure Gold Gilding Wax over the top for a beautiful shimmer.

I hope you've enjoyed the process of how I put this card together and that it's inspired you and maybe you too can create your own piece of lucky four leaf clover.