That's Life

Monday, 1 June 2026

The Artist...

Hello friends and followers...

Hope you've all had a wonderful weekend and you're ready for a week of creativity and fun. This week, on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog, we are challenging you to ADD A RAINBOW OF COLOUR to your projects and we hope you'll join us and play along. The DT are showcasing Dylusions products within their makes...

For my project, I created a double page journal layout and used the Dylusions Journal and I told the story of the artist, surround by a rainbow of colour swatches.

So let's get started and let's begin journalling....

TO BEGIN...

I started by covering the page on the right hand side using the Palette Collage paper. Each page measures 8" x 5'.

The depth of the paper won't cover the page completely, so I used two panels that I pieced together to cover the entire page and adhered them into the book with Matte Collage Medium, applying a coat over the top to seal the paper and adding some machine stitching around the edges of the page on the right.

I then ran the Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edges, blending it with my fingertip and dragging the colour towards the centre of the page.

Even though my intention was to leave "white space" on the left hand side, I also wanted for the two pages to come together as one. So to do this and create continuity, I added strips of Design Tape, placing the first strip of Tape Trim down the join of the journal. I continued adding torn strips of the design tape on the left hand page.

At this stage, I also cut one of the quotes from the Dina Wakley Typed Ledgers 2 and I added this down the central spine of the book, using Matte Collage Medium to adhere it into position.

Using a palette knife, I added lines of white gesso over the surface of the taped area, followed by scribbling some Walnut Stain Distress Crayon over the top which helps to blend away the harsh edges of the collage paper and tape.

To complete the surface of the book, I applied some Distress Paint, Old Paper and Pumice Stone to the left hand page, using a dry paint brush to add the colour and blending it out with a baby wipe.

I attached a little group of idea-ology in the bottom right of the left hand page including a cello sticker tape piece, a Labelled Remnant Rub and a Postmarked stamp before adding some stencil work.

For this I used the stencil from Set 48 of Tim's Mini Layering Stencil set and blended Speckled Egg through the stencil directly onto the page.

Finally, I flicked some Black Spot Distress Paint across the pages.

PHOTO ARRANGEMENT

For the central focal point, and beginning with the Photomatic Vintage Photo, I applied a coat of clear gesso onto the photo, allowed this to dry and then colour tinted the image with Distress Crayons and a water brush.

I distressed the edges of the photo and inked them with Walnut Stain Distress Ink before matting the photo onto two layers of cotton calico fabric. I stained the calico with Frayed Burlap and Brushed Corduroy Distress Spray Stains and after a light mist of water, I allowed the fabric to dry. I then attached the photo using Matte Collage Medium and machine stitched around the edges.

I completed the photo with a Labeled Remnant Rub, cello sticker tape and some white pen work doodling.

Finally, I added a Mini Pin in the top right of the photo before attaching the image to my page. I didn't apply adhesive to the edges, so this will allow me to easily tuck my ephemera pieces and foliage behind the photo.

LEAVES

For the leafy arrangement that sits around the outside of the photo, I used a combination of some leaves from the idea-ology Organic Layers pack and some die cut leaves that I cut with the Sizzix/Tim Holtz Floristry Thinlits Die set. I began by adhering the Organic Layers leaves to my page, placing them directly onto the surface. Then after cutting a selection of leaves with the die set, I inked them with Forest Moss and Peeled Paint Distress Inks, and used a black pen to add veins, followed by a white pen to add highlights. I then tucked these pieces behind the photo, some in the top right corner and some in the bottom left corner.

EPHEMERA

The ephemera pieces are from Tim's Keepsakes ephemera pack, the Numbers Ephemera pack and another Postmarked stamp. All the pieces, are arranged around the photo and I also added some more of the Cello Stickers.

To complete the right hand page, I used the Pumice Stone Crayon around the edges of the pieces, blending out any harsh lines.

THE ARTIST

Finally, I added my wording which I cut from black cardstock using the alpha dies form the Vault World Travel die set. I cut each letter from the card, which I backed with self adhesive sheet and then placed them on the left hand page, with an arrow underneath, also cut using the same die set.

So that's my project completed and I hope you love this page and all the 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....

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Sizzix by Tim Holtz: Vault World Travel, Vault Floristry

Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz: Set 48 Mini Layering Stencils

Distress Paints: Black Soot, Old Paper, Pumice Stone

Distress Crayons: Walnut Stain, Pumice Stone and colours of choice for photo

Distress Spray Stains: Frayed Burlap, Brushed Corduroy

Distress Inks: Forest Moss, Peeled Paint, Speckled Egg

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Palette Collage Paper, Remnants Design Tape, Organic Layers, Photomatic, Mini Pins, Postmarked, Cello Sticker Tape, Keepsakes Ephemera, Labeled Remnant Rubs

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Gesso

Surfaces: Dylusions Creative Journal, Mixed Media Heavystock,

Dina Wakley Typed Ledgers 2

Glass Media Mat

Blending Tool

Tim Holtz Paper Trimmer

Heat Gun

Big Shot

Black and white Pen and cotton calico fabric from my stash

Monday, 25 May 2026

Love & Marriage...

Hello everyone and Happy Monday...

Hope you've all had a wonderful weekend and the sun has been shining wherever you are. As always, on a Monday, we have a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week, the DT are feeling some love in the air because our theme is all about WEDDINGS/ANNIVERSARIES. So, if you would love to join us and share your makes, then all the details are at the end of this post.

For my make, I chose to make something with a wedding theme using products from Tim Holtz, including idea-ology and Sizzix and even though I used a paper doll couple on this piece, it would be wonderful to personalise it with a precious photo and create a special gift for someone getting married, or a memory of someone who is now celebrating an anniversary of many happy years together.

So, let's get started because it's time to share how I created my tag...

TAG

To begin with I used a Mini Etcetera Tag and flipped it upside down, so the shorter edge is on the bottom.

I then covered my tag using a selection of pinks and blues from the Large Collage Strip pack. I cut these down to size, to ensure that they fit the tag and then adhered them directly onto the tag using Matte Collage Medium.

I applied a coat of the medium over the top to seal the paper and once dry, I ran my Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edges, and blended out any harsh colour with my fingertip.

I then attached a couple of idea-ology Ephemera pieces from the Field Notes Snippets and the Memoirs pack, adhering these to the covered tag. You can see the snippet in the top left corner...

...and the date, which I placed in the top right corner, placed vertically down the side.

I splattered the surface with some white acrylic paint, allowed this to dry and then added some gilding flakes around the edges of the tag.

The gilding flakes create a beautiful distressed look to the tag and are adhered to the project using Prima Gilding Flakes Glue.

I applied the glue by stippling it down the edges of the tag using a fairly stiff paint brush. Allow for the glue to become tacky before applying the gilding flakes. Ensure the flakes cover all the sticky areas and buff any excess flakes away.

The tag is now complete and ready for the next stage...

LEDGE

For the ledge, I used two Etcetera Trims, one Pinked Trim and one Bracket Trim. I covered the pinked trim with some paper in my scrap box, I believe this offcut was from Backdrops Vol 5 and used the co-ordinating Sizzix die to cut the paper before adhering it onto my trim. I then painted the bracket trim with Speckled Egg Distress Paint. Once the paint was dry, I attached the bracket trim to the pinked trim to form a 'L' shape which will become my ledge.

I adhered the ledge to the tag with Matte Collage Medium.

I chose the bride and groom, from the Group Pack of Paper Dolls and colour tinted it using Distress Crayons. I attached the couple to my tag using foam pads.

Now to colour those beautiful shiny baubles around their feet and for this I used various sized baubles from the Bauble pack.

I wanted three separate colours and used Aqua, Sherbet and Mushroom Alcohol Inks. With the selection of baubles ready, I then placed them one, by one onto the ledge using Glossy Accents to adhere them and hold them into position.

Once all the baubles were added, I walked away, had a coffee and allowed the medium to set and make sure those baubles were not going anywhere.

After my break, I added some moss and dried flower stems in amongst the baubles.

idea-ology ADORNMENTS

With the focal point completed, I moved onto my embellishments and started with the quote, 'my whole heart'. The quote token is from the Typed Tags set and I mounted this over the top of two Foliage Adornment pieces.

To add the bronzed effect to the metal, I began by adding Statue Foundry Wax directly onto the surface of the token and the foliage pieces. I then heat set the wax before applying a light touch of Sterling Foundry Wax and again heat set the wax. Finally, I applied some of the Gilded Foundry Wax to the raised areas only and heat set this.

I attached the foliage pieces to the tag, placing them so they mirror one another and then attached the token using a foam pad on the back. To complete the arrangement, I hammered a Nail Tack through the hole of the tag.

Beneath the ledge, I added a Salvaged Heart. I painted the surface of the heart with Spun Sugar Distress Paint and then once it was dry, I rubbed some Walnut Stain Distress Crayon over the top and added the word 'Love" from an older set of Tim's Remnant Rubs that I have in my stash.

I attached the heart to the tag with Matte Collage Medium and then added some Screw Heads to this bottom section, again altered with the same process as I altered the metal quote.

Finally I added some Cello Sticker Tape to the tag...

...and I completed the project by attaching a Hinge Clip complete with a Swivel Fastener and lock and key for the symbolism that he holds the key to her heart! All these metal pieces are altered with the Foundry Waxes as before.

So, that's my make complete and I hope you love the piece I've created.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Mini Etcetera Tag, Pinked Etcetera Trims

Sizzix/Tim Holtz: Decorative Trims, Big Shot

Distress Paint: Black Soot, Crackling Campfire, Antiqued Bronze, Speckled Egg

Distress Crayons

Alcohol Inks: Sherbet, Aqua

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Cello Sticker Tape, Key Adornment, Screwheads, Nail Tacks, Baubles, Backdrops Vol. 5, Group Paper Dolls, Typed Tags, Foliage Adornments, Lock and Key, Swivel Clasp, Hinge Clip

Gilding Flakes

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Foam Pads, Foundry Wax, Gilding Flake Glue

Glass Media Mat

Heat Gun

Moss

Monday, 18 May 2026

Flight of the Bumblebee...

Hello everyone and Happy Monday...

Today, we have a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week, our theme is called TAG IT! We'd love for you to join us and play along and all the details for the challenge are at the end of this post...so, good luck!

For my make, I chose to create an Etcetera Tag and used some older Sizzix dies by Tim Holtz including the Funky Insects and the beautiful Wildflowers die sets. These dies are such classics and it's always nice to revisit some of the old favourites and make something new ~ I don't think I will ever tire of using these dies because they really do create such an impact on any project.

So, let's get started and it's time to share all the details of how I made this week's project!

For this make, I used a Size 8 Etcetera Tag and a Mixed Media Heavystock Tag.

TAG BACKGROUND

To create the background on the Heavystock Tag, I used a combination of Distress spray Stains, Oxide Sprays and Mica Sprays. I spritzed the tag with a light mist of water before applying the sprays in the following colours:

DISTRESS SPRAY STAIN: Crackling Campfire, Ground Espresso, Antique Linen, Speckled Egg

OXIDE SPRAY: Speckled Egg

MICA SPRAY: Crooked Broomsticks, Unravelled

Firstly, I applied each of the Distress Spray Stains to the tag building up the colour and then misted the surface with water to blend. Once I was happy, I applied the remaining Oxide and Mica Sprays to add some different tones.

After heat drying the tag, I then moved onto adding some texture and applied Translucent Texture Paste though the Halftone Mini Layering Stencil from Set 48. I added the paste to the majority of the tag, only leaving some of the background untouched, allowing that to shine through.

Once I'd removed the stencil, I worked quickly to add Rusty Hinge Distress Glaze over the pasted areas and tapped away the excess before setting the tag to one side, so that the paste sets.

When the paste is touch dry, I used my heat gun to melt the powder and create a molten, enamelled effect to the stencilled areas.

I machine stitched a border round the edge of the tag before attaching it to a Size 8 Etcetera Tag with Matte Collage Medium.

To add some more texture and layers to my tag, I cut one of the film strips from the Picture Show die set by Sizzix/Tim Holtz. I cut the strip twice from black card and then layered one of the die cuts over the top of the other. Once dry, I added some gilding wax from my stash to the surface before attaching this across my tag, snipping away the excess.

To complete the tag, I added the letter 'b' Type Chip in the top right hand corner, which I stapled before attaching to the tag itself...

...and then adhered a Curator Ephemera piece to the right hand side of the tag.

BOUQUET OF WILDFLOWERS

Moving onto the flowers and for this I cut a selection of stems from Distress Watercolour Card using the Sizzix Wildflowers Die Sets, 1, 2 and 3, all by Tim Holtz.

I then watercolored each stem using Distress Inks. You can use the pencils if you prefer, but I went for the inks on this one, as I wanted a little more intensity of colour. I used a combination of colours, and went for a glorious vintage colour palette in pinks, blues, lilac and apricot, with some green foliage behind and some bursts of gold.

Once all my stems were painted and dry, I arranged them into a bouquet and stuck them to the tag, placing some foam pads behind the stems to add dimension to the arrangement.

I then cut a few of the stems from Kraft card and after inking them with clear embossing ink, I sprinkled gold embossing powder over the top, tapped away the excess and heat embossed the powder until molten. I then tucked 3 of these stems into the arrangement.

The floral arrangement is now ready for it's busy little visitor....

FUNKY INSECT

Once again, the bee is a die cut and taken from the Sizzix Funky Insects Die Set by Tim.

For the tutorial of how to create the faux enamelling effect that I used on the bee, created with Distress Glazes, just click HERE.

Once all the pieces of the bee were layered, I attached it to my stems using hot glue to hold it in place.

We're nearly there and all that's left is some finishing touches....

I added a quote sentiment, "Explore, Dream, Discover" from the Metallic Sticker book and attached this to the tag with foam pads....

...before completing the tag with some rope threaded through the hole at the top, and secured with a mini pin.

So that's my tag complete and I hope you love what I've made.

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!