Monday 2 July 2018

Beautiful & Brave....

Hello friends...

As another week flies by, (is it me, or is this year going really quickly?) it's time for a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week our theme is...RED, WHITE and/or BLUE and we hope you'll play along and join us for this fun challenge.

The DT are also showcasing Darkroom Door products and I used the Starry Night Stencil to create my background of stars but of course, as always you can choose whatever you want to work with, you don't have to use Darkroom Door but if you do, then that would be fabulous! For my project, I combined the stencil with products from Tim Holtz and Sizzix to create an Etcetera tag celebrating the 4th of July!
So, let's get started because it's time for the new challenge!

To begin with I applied a layer of gesso directly onto the small Etcetera tag to prime it for all the mediums that will be added. Once the gesso was dry, I then started layering my paints ~ for this particular project, I wanted to keep the background fairly neutral to allow the red, white and blue embellishments to stand out and make a real feature. So, I started with a layer of Dina Wakley's Buff Acrylic Paint and then added some deeper tones, Frayed Burlap and Vintage Photo Distress Paint. At this stage, I also attached some of the Air Mail Design Tape around the edge of the tag. Once happy, I applied some Symphony Tissue Tape to create some layers to that background and added some Matte Collage Medium over the top of the tape. I then went in with Pumice Stone, Black Soot and Vintage Photo Distress Crayons, blending out the colour with a semi dry baby wipe. To complete the base layer on the tag, I stamped some script using the script stamp from the Entomology set.

I'm now ready to add those stars and applied Grit Paste through the Starry Night Stencil. I allowed the paste to dry before then adding some colour by painting the individual stars using Faded Jeans and Candied Apple Distress Paints but keeping some of the larger stars white.

When the paint is dry, I flicked Black Soot DP across the surface and attached my hole reinforcer piece which I painted dark blue.
Now to start building up those layers, and to begin I cut a panel of the star design paper from the Correspondence paper stash and machine stitched in black thread around the outside to create a border. I then matted the paper onto a layer of red classic kraft stash card, followed by a layer of blue linen. To add even more layers of interest, I stamped some images from the Correspondence Stamp Set, a postmark in the bottom left corner and numbers in the top right. I also popped a Snippets Ephemera piece onto the panel.
I mounted my layered panel onto the centre of the tag, attaching it with foam pads to add dimension, which you can see in the image below.
Moving onto the rosettes, I cut five rosettes, two different sizes, from two different designs of paper in the Correspondence paper stash and then assembled each one. I placed the larger sized rosettes onto my panel which will act as a support for the next layer ~ an ephemera piece which I distressed to create a more worn look.

Once the ephemera piece was in place, I then added the three smaller rosettes, placing them across the centre of the tag and allowing them to overlap the edges.
To complete this section, I then placed my Paper Doll in amongst the rosettes, allowing them to support her and therefore create another layer. I also added some cheesecloth beneath her feet because I didn't want her to float in mid air, I wanted to ground her.
Now, I move onto the next stage, the flag banner which I placed across the bottom section...
For this I used the flags from the Americana Thinlits set and cut the individual pieces from Classic Kraft Stash using the fabulous Tim Holtz Sidekick...this is perfect to cut all those smaller dies and small pieces if you haven't got the bigger cutting machines to hand. I then assembled the pieces to create the flags. I then attached the flags with foam pads, staggering them so they weren't all in a line.

Finally, I added my 'Brave' wording and for this I used the Shadow Script 1 die and cut one section from Metallic Kraft Stash and the backing/shadow section from Classic Kraft Stash before layering them together and attaching them across my central section.
To complete the tag and add those finishing touches, I painted three Star Adornments with Candied Apple Distress Paint and then adhered them to the centres of each of the rosettes before placing a Clippings Sticker, the word 'beautiful' just above my die cut word and adding a Mirrored Heart to the sash of my little girl....
...I then finished with some ribbon through the hole of the tag.
 So, that completes my project for this week and I hope you love the piece I've made and I hope all my friends in the US have a wonderful, safe and happy 4th of July ~ I'll be thinking of you and celebrating it here in the UK!

Don't forget, you can find more inspiration from my talented teamies over on the challenge blog and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says StampYou have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....





Thank you so much for stopping by today and I'll see you very soon!
Love Emma xxx





18 comments:

  1. This is such a beauty work of art. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I love these colours together -especially so when used patriotically so you can be sure I absolutely ADORE your tag, Emma. Such a fabulous assemblage of Red, White and Blue and a superb way of celebrating the 4th July. Thank you for the smiles today and for always sharing and inspiring . Big hugs for a lovely week ahead x

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  3. Fabulous tag Emma!! you definitely captured the whole patriotic theme brilliantly!!! The girl with the flag is gorgeous and she has definitely been a popular choice today :-)

    luv
    Lols x x x

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  4. This is beautiful. Great vintage and washed-out colors. I love the tiny stars a lot, they are such a pretty details. The rosettes give amazing dimension! Hugs, Marzena.

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  5. WOW! WOW! WOW! I am beyond words...from the stars in the background to the Rosettes, just spectacular!

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  6. I always look forward to your posts and once again I am never disappointed. This is outstanding. Thank you so much for sharing this.

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  7. I am amazed by your touch. So elegant in everything you do!

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  8. WOW this is amazing! What astunning creation, Congratulations on the Mixed Up Creation Tutor Position, Thats brilliant news, Hazelx

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  9. WOW!! Super awesome tag, Emma! Love all the touches you've added, especially the RWB rosettes and pennant flags. Fantastic! hugs, Maura

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  10. So very beautiful Emma!! Love your layering!
    Happy 4th of July to you!
    Jackie xx

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  11. This tag is spectacular Emma! Gorgeous layers and design~

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  12. STUNNING details, Emma! WOW!! The rosettes really pop and all of elements together and the placement really make it an over the top amazing tag!!

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  13. Such a lovely project Emma! Your rosettes are fantastic with all the different patterns.

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  14. This is stunning! I am amazed at how you can combine all of that red, white and blue without it being crazy! It is PERFECT and beautifully well-balanced, as always. I especially like how you made the flags into fishtail pennants at the bottom.

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  15. Emma... I have some difficults to comment your projects... i have no words! your talent is absolutely endless!

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  16. what an amazing tribute to the 4th of July Emma, love how you used the rosettes and those star and stripes pennants are adorable, hugs kath xxx

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  17. Amazing project Emma! Love the stunning rosettes with the stars on top and the cute banners too, so much gorgeous festive details! Hugs, Sandra

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  18. I'm sure that any American would have been proud to have displayed this in their homes on July 4th

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Thank you for all your comments and messages, they are all appreciated and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon...
Emma ~xx

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