Happy Saturday everyone...
Hello friends....
This week's brand new Simon Says Stamp Challenge is called THINKING OF YOU and we would love for you to join us and play along with this fun theme!
As always, there are so many interpretations for this challenge and we can't wait to see what you create.
For my make, I chose to honour and remember all those who have fought so bravely for our countries and as tomorrow is Armistice Day, I thought there was no better time than to make this tag featuring a poppy wreath, made using Tim Holtz dies from Sizzix.
So, let's get started and here's how I created this tag!
For this project I used a Size 8 Mixed Media Heavystock Tag, and a Size 8 Etcetera Tag as my base.
BACKGROUND
To create the background, I used the Heavystock Tag and began by applying a coat of Black Opaque Paste through the Rosettes Mini Layering Stencil. I wanted quite a dark background for this piece to reflect the occasion, but used Mica Spray Stains to add a slight hint of shimmer and shine.
I allowed for the paste to dry thoroughly and then after misting the tag lightly with water, I applied my background colours:
DISTRESS SPRAY STAIN: Black Soot, Antique Linen
OXIDE SPRAY: Speckled Egg
MICA SPRAY STAIN: Crooked Broomstick, Unravelled, Iron Gate
Once I was happy with the colour, I dried the tag before adding some stamping across the bottom. For this I used the border stamp from The Inspector Stampers Anonymous set and stamped the border using clear embossing ink. I then sprinkled gold embossing powder over the top and heat embossed the powder until molten.
To complete the tag, I added some machine stitching around the edge before adhering the tag onto the Etcetera Tag, using Matte Collage Medium.
Finally, I used gold watercolour paint to add some splatters across the surface...
...and placed a Snippets Ephemera piece in the top right hand corner.
POPPY WREATH
To create the poppies and greenery for this wreath, I used a selection of the smaller floral and foliage dies from the Sizzix Brushstroke 2 Thinlits die set by Tim Holtz.
I began by using Distress Spray Stains to add colour to the Mixed Media Heavystock card...
POPPIES: Lumberjack Plaid, Crackling Campfire
LEAVES: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Holly Branch Mica Spray
I then cut all my pieces ~ each poppy has two die cut layers and I also cut two layers of the stamens, from black card and inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.
I layered the die cut pieces over the top of one another, offsetting the second layer and then shaped the petals. I made 8 flowers in total.
Cut the foliage pieces from the inky green card.
I then used circle dies to form my base. You will need approx 8cm and 6.5cm dies to form the frame for your poppy wreath.
I then built up my poppies and greenery around the circular frame, covering the circle so that it doesn't show.
With my wreath complete, I added gold Metallic Droplets into the centres of each poppy.
PLAQUE
To create the plaque that sits across the wreath, I cut a piece of gold metallic Kraft card, 8 x 2.5cm and then applied some Black Soot and Crackling Campfire Distress Paint over the surface. Wipe away any excess paint, as you don't want this to become too dark, you just want it to look weathered.
I then die cut each of my letters to spell the word "REMEMBER". I cut these four times to create and then layered them over the top of one another to create dimensional letters. I attached the letters to my strip and then dry brushed some Antiqued Bronze Distress Paint over the top.
Once dry, I then attached the plaque across the centre of the wreath, using foam pads to secure it into position.
Finally, I added two Tiny Clips to each side of the plaque.
FINISHING DETAILS
I finished this tag by adding 3 Hardware Heads across the bottom of the tag, all of which I painted with the same paints as I used on the plaque.
I then added some rope from my stash.
So, that's my tag complete, and I hope you love the details and techniques I've used to make it.
Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $25 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....
Recipe for project:
Hello everyone and welcome to the Inspirations Blog Hop featuring the Simon Says Stamp Exclusive co-ordinating dies that coordinate beautifully with some of the Tim Holtz Christmas stamps.
I'm so excited to be joining this hop, and you might have arrived here via Nicol Spohr's blog but if not, and you want to catch up with everyone who is participating in this hop, then don't worry because you can head back to the beginning, by clicking HERE. Also, if you would like to see the entire product release, then pop on over to HERE.
HOP ORDER:
RECIPE FOR CARD
Hello everyone...
Starting today, we have a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week, we want you to ADD TEXTURE!
There are so many interpretations of the theme and so many products that can be used to create texture on your projects ~ so, I think you'll be spoilt for choice and the DT can't wait to see what you create!
For my make, I chose to make one more Halloween themed project ~ the tale of the vanishing visitors, and I created the texture on my Etcetera Panel by using papers, Tim Holtz's Distress Crackle Paste and a generous helping of moss.
For this make, I used the larger sized Square Etcetera Panel by Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz and painted the edges of the panel with Black Soot Distress Paint.
COVERING THE PANEL
To cover my panel, I chose a panel of paper from the Halloween Backdrops paper pack, and some photos and various other pieces from the Halloween Collage Pack.
I began by cutting my patterned paper choice, that I will be adhering to the right hand side and kept the width of the paper but cut a section from the bottom. I added some rips and tears around the three outside edges, but not adding any to the left hand side.
I then machine stitched a border around these three edges before I adhered the paper to my etcetera panel, leaving the corners slightly crumpled and folded back to show the panel underneath.
With the remaining piece of patterned paper that was cut away, I trimmed this piece into narrow, 1cm strips. I then adhered these narrow strips down the left hand side of the panel and because I only wanted a hint of the pattern, these worked perfectly.
Where the etcetera panel is showing from underneath the paper, I added some Crackle Paste ~ I particularly wanted those corners where the paper is folded back to have a good amount of crackle showing. Leave the paste to dry and the cracks to appear.
Whilst the paste is doing it's magic, I chose the images and strips from the Collage Strips pack.
I cut the Collage Strips into individual pieces, so that these will then fit down the left hand side of the panel.
I wanted the photos to be raised from the panel, adding some dimension to that side and to do this I mounted them onto Etcetera Tiles.
The photos don't fit the tiles but using a Kraft knife and extreme care, I cut through the tiles to create the perfect size.
Once I had my three tiles, I painted them with Black Soot Distress Paint, allowed them to dry and then mounted the photos onto each of the tiles, using Matte Collage Medium. I also applied a coat of medium over the top of the tiles to seal them.
I then adhered all the pieces onto the panel, attaching them down the left hand side.
Once the medium is dry, I ran my Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edges of the panel, and over the areas that had crackle paste applied, blending the colour from the crayon over the papers, using my fingertip.
At this stage, I also used Distress Crayons to add some colour tinting to the photos.
Finally, I used some Halloween Remnant Rubs from my stash, to add the numbers (years) onto the photos of the children, and the vanishing visitors.
DREADFULLY WICKED FOCAL POINT & FACADES
The background is now complete, and it's time to move onto the focal point that tells the story...
This part is made up from two Etcetera Facades ~ I used the arch shape, which is the centre of one of the facades and teamed this with a second shape from the pack. If you look on the front of the pack itself, there is a guide to the shapes ~ I used the two facades on the right hand side.
I covered the larger facade with a co-ordinating paper from the Backdrops pack.
Using the arch shaped piece that I removed from the centre of the second facade, I covered this with a good amount of Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paste and allowed this to dry and crackle, and create some amazing texture.
Once the paste had dried thoroughly, I applied Black Soot and Walnut Stain Distress Crayon over the surface to accentuate the crackles, wiping away any harsh colour with a baby wipe.
This piece was then attached to the centre of the paper covered facade using Matte Collage Medium, before being mounted onto the right hand side of the Etcetera Panel.
For an added detail and to elongate the facade, I added a pinked Etcetera Trim, that I covered with more of the papers, die cut using the co-ordinating Sizzix Decorative trim dies by Tim Holtz.
I attached this to the bottom edge of the facade, which you might be able to see in the photo below.
PAPER DOLL PORTRAIT AND ROSES ARRANGEMENT
Now, the fun will start and I used Distress Crayons to colour tint a Paper Doll Portrait from the Halloween Layers and Paper Doll pack, before attaching her over the top of my layered facade using foam pads to add some height.
I then attached two of the roses ephemera pieces from the same pack, arranging them to cascade around the base of the portrait, and once again attached these with foam pads.
I then added some Spanish Curly Moss to the arrangement, attaching the moss by tucking small pieces behind the roses. You will also notice that there is a little idea-ology spider, hidden and nestling amongst the moss. This is from the Halloween idea-ology Adornments pack and painted with Distress Paints, before being attached with Matte Collage Medium.
Finally, I used the Dreadfully Wicked quote from the Halloween Baseboards pack and placed this over the top of the arrangement. Adding two Screwheads to either side, painted with Crackling Fire, Antiqued Bronze and Black Soot Distress Paints to create a rusty, vintage look to the metal.
EMBELLISHMENTS AND FINISHING TOUCHES
We're nearly there and all that's left is those finishing touches...
I added some Hardware Heads around the edge of the larger facade, and as with all the metal hardware, I painted these with Distress Paints; Crackling Fire, Antiqued Bronze and Black Soot.
I adhered a final strip into place, 'E Blurton, Stourbridge', cut from the Collage Strips that were used down the left hand side, and I placed this in the bottom right hand corner...
...and I adhered a small ephemera piece from the Halloween Ephemera pack 'No.72', in the top left hand corner of the main section.
Finally, I added the Hinge Clip that I painted with Distress paints and clipped this to the side of the panel, complete a Swivel Clasp hanging from the clip. As the finishing touch, I attached the lock and key from the Gothic Gates idea-ology pack to the end of the swivel clasp.
To add an extra shimmer to all the metal hardware, I applied a light touch of Metallic Wax over the top.
So, that's my final Halloween make of 2025 complete and I hope you love the piece I've made and enjoyed the process of how I created it.
As always, if you make anything, or if you've been inspired by anything that you've seen here on my blog ~ then please, let me know by tagging me on social media or leaving a comment here and I will be right over to take a look!
Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $25 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....
Recipe for project:
