That's Life

Monday, 20 April 2026

The Great Discovery...

Hello everyone...

Another week has flown by and as always on a Monday, it's time to share a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

This week, our theme is all about USING MORE THAN ONE STENCIL and we hope you will join us and play along with this fun challenge.

For my make, I used Tim Holtz Layering Stencils to create a background to my tag which is all about a journey of discovery and once you find what you're looking for, you hold on to it and "do what you love".

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 Stampers Anonymous Size 8 Etcetera Tag and a size 8 Mixed Media Heavystock Tag.

TAG BACKGROUND

I began with my background and for this I used the Size 8 Mixed Media tag. I misted the tag with a light spritz of water and than added the colour using Distress Spray Stains, Oxide Sprays and Mica Sprays in the following colours:

DISTRESS SPRAY STAINS: Ground Espresso, Chipped Sapphire, Speckled Egg

OXIDE SPRAYS: Tumbled Glass

MICA SPRAY: Crooked Broomsticks

I applied the Distress Spray Stains first, and after another spritz of water to blend the colour, I heat dried the surface before adding splatters of Tumbled Glass Oxide Sprays and finally a light misting of the Mica Spray.

Once the surface is completely dry, I moved onto the stencilling and adding some detail to that background.

STENCILS

The stencils I used for the background were the from the following sets:

Mini Layering Stencil Set 33, Mini Layering Stencil Set 48

I began with the Digits from set 48 and applied Translucent Texture Paste through the stencil, placing the stencil down the right hand side of the tag.

Once I removed the stencil, I sprinkled silver embossing powder over the paste, tapping away the excess. When the paste is set, I then heat embossed the powder, moving the heat gun over the area quickly to stop the paste from bubbling.

With the powder molten, I then moved onto adding more stencilling. Unfortunately, some of this is covered by the embellishments, but it is there...I promise! 😉

I added some more Translucent Paste through the Halftone Stencil, placing this along the bottom edge of the tag....

...and to finish this piece, I used the Halftone stencil once again, and this time I applied Lost Shadow Oxide Ink through it and completed the tag with some Walnut Stain Distress Ink which I applied through the Stitches Stencil from set 33.

After machine stitching a border around the outside edge, I attached my tag to the Etcetera Tag using Matte Collage Medium.

EMBELLISHMENTS

We can now start to bring this piece to life and I began by building a ledge for the young boy to stand on.

For this I used a Pinked Etcetera Trim and a Junk Drawer Baseboard piece.

I used the Decorative Trims die set to cut an offcut of some paper from one of Tim's paper pads and then adhered this to my trim with Matte Collage Medium. After applying Walnut Stain Distress Crayon to create more of a worn vintage feel to the paper, I attached the trim across the bottom section of the tag.

I then attached a Junk Drawer Baseboard over the top before adding a ScrewHead to either side of the baseboard piece.

For the focal point which tells the story of the little boy who discovers doing what he loves...I used a Paper Doll, a second Junk Drawer Baseboard piece, a Salvaged Heart and the pointy finger from the idea-ology Figure Stands pack.

I then attached the target from the Junk Drawer pack, placing it on the right hand side using foam pads to add dimension.

Taking the paper doll, I colour tinted this with Distress Crayons and then attached him to the left hand side, so that he leans agains the target.

Now for the Salvaged Heart and using one of the larger pieces, I decided to make this look rusty and used the following Distress Paints and Foundry Waxes to create this look.

Foundry Wax: Sterling and Statue

Distress Paint: Black Soot, Antique Bronze, Crackling Campfire, Salvaged Patina

I layered my paints first, and then once I had the right rusty colour tone, I applied a light coverage of the waxes over the top, heat setting each wax in between applications. Once I was happy with the colour, I attached my heart to my tag.

I then used one of my all time favourite pieces from Tim's idea-ology range ~ a Figure Head. I chose the pointy finger and painted this with Distress Paints, using the same colours as I used on the heart for the stand and then using Barn Door on the finger itself. When the paint becomes tacky, and nearly dry, I removed some of it to create the chippy paint look. I attached the finger to the stand and then attached the piece to my tag, sitting it on the ledge.

I completed the ledge by adding some moss.

DISCOVER

For the word 'Discover', I used the Sizzix Handwritten Love die set by Tim Holtz and cut three separate layers of the word before adhering them together to form one solid piece that resembles the thickness of chipboard.

I then applied some clear embossing ink over the top, sprinkled with gold embossing powder and heat embossed this until molten. After repeating this another couple of times to create the enamelled effect on the word, I attached the word to the heart.

We're nearly there and all that's left is the finishing details....

FINISHING DETAILS

I added a number snippet down the left hand side...

...before adding a Thought Token to the top right hand corner. The though token is painted using Barn Door and Black Soot Distress Paint, before I highlighted the words with Picket Fence Distress Crayon.

I attached the token by hammering a nail tack through the hole.

All that's left is to thread some rope through the hole in the tag and that completes my project for this week.

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....

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

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Size 8 Etcetera Tag, Pinked Etcetera Trims, Mini Layering Stencil Set 33, Mini Layering Stencil Set 48

Sizzix: Tim Holtz Big Shot Foldaway, Handwritten Love, Decorative Trims

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain

Oxide Ink: Lost Shadow

Distress Spray Stain: Speckled Egg, Chipped Sapphire, Ground Espresso

Oxide Spray Stain: Tumbled Glass

Distress Paint: Black Soot, Antique Bronze, Salvaged Patina, Crackling Campfire, Barn Door

Distress Crayon, Picket Fence and colours of your choice for the paper doll

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Cello Sticker Tape, Screw Heads, Junk Drawer Baseboard, Paper Doll Poses, Salvaged Heart, Figure Stands, Thought Token

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Foam Pads, Translucent Texture Paste, Silver Embossing Powder, Versamark Clear Pad, Antique Gold Embossing Powder, Foundry Wax

Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock Tag,

Sunday, 19 April 2026

Blessed Are The Curious...

Hello friends and Happy Sunday!

Today, I'm sharing a post over on the Simon Says Stamp Blog.

There's a sneaky peek below of what you'll find when you click HERE and I hope you love and enjoy the piece that I've created!

See you again tomorrow for my Monday post and until then, have a wonderful day and enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Love Emma xxx

Monday, 6 April 2026

Men At Work...

Hello everyone...

Hope you've all had a wonderful Easter and the Easter Bunny left you some treats...

As always on a Monday, it's time for the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week our theme is called ANYTHING BUT A CARD. and we are showcasing the amazing products of the one and only, Tim Holtz. If you'd like to join us, then all the details are at the bottom of this post and we would love to see what you create...

For my make, I created a Tim Holtz idea-ology Mini Clipboard and used some of the brand Neutral 8 x 8 Palette Paper Collection for the background to this masculine project all about skilful workmen. The idea for this came from the famous 1932 photo showing 11 ironworkers eating their lunch of a steel beam above NYC, and with this in mind...I chose to use a Paper Doll couple, sitting on a ruler that stretches across the clipboard and over the edge....

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

COVERING THE CLIPBOARD

To begin with I removed the metal clip from the board itself by unscrewing the screws on the back. Set this to one side.

I painted the board with Black Soot Distress Paint and whilst this was drying, I cut a panel of paper from the Neutral Palette paper pack. I chose the paper with the horizontal strips, showcasing the various different designs in the pack. I cut slightly smaller than my board, so that the finished piece will have a black border showing around the edge.

At this point, I did add an additional strip of paper from the collection, as I didn't want the black blueprint design to sit prominently at the top of my project, so I cut a separate, lighter strip and adhered this to the centre of the dark band.

After machine stitching a border in black cotton thread around the outside of the paper, and adding some rips and tears around the edges, I adhered the panel onto my board using Matte Collage Medium.

I splattered Black Soot Distress Paint across the surface and then used the Gathered Twigs Distress Crayon around the edges of the paper, blending out the colour towards the centre of the covered board.

CLIP

Firstly, I attached a star adornment to the centre of the clip before adding texture to the surface and then changing the colour of the clip. For this, I used Translucent Grit Paste and Distress Paints.

I began by applying the paste to the surface of the clip, adding it randomly and not paying too much attention to where I placed it. Once the paste is dry, I added the colour ~ I used a brush to apply a combination of Black Soot and Crackling Campfire Distress Paints.

I added the Crackling Campfire first, allowed for this to dry and then dry brushed Black Soot over the top, allowing the brush to lightly kiss the surface with the paint and not adding too much. Once I was happy with the combination, I applied some Antiqued Bronze Distress Paint over the top of the textured areas to add some highlights.

Once the paint was thoroughly dry, I re-attached the clip to the board.

FOCAL POINT

With my board complete, it's time to move onto the scene and we'll start with the circle that sits at the back of the men.

For the base of the circle, I used the inside pop out section from one of the Etcetera Facades. You can also die cut or cut a circle of mount board to create this.

I covered the circle with another design from the Neutral Palette Collection and then cut a slightly smaller circle from the same design. I machine stitched around the edge of the circle before matting this piece over the top of the larger circle.

I then used foam pads to attach a target ephemera piece, which is from the idea-ology Urban Layers pack that is now sadly retired. If you don't own this pack, then you can always die cut the layers from card....

In the centre of my circular layers, I added a Junk Drawer Baseboard piece.

To add some texture around the edges of the large circle, I used more of the Translucent Grit Paste, applying it around the outside.

Once the paste was dry, I mounted my circles onto the clipboard with foam pads and placed some Screwheads around the outside. I altered the metal and the Translucent Grit Paste with a combination of Black Soot, Antiqued Bronze and Crackling Campfire Distress Paints.

Beneath the circles, I needed to add my beam and for this, I used a Ruler Piece, covered with a Paper Strip and a Pinked Etcetera Trim, that sits underneath to support the ruler piece.

To cover the Etcetera Trim, I used the Decorative Trims die from Sizzix/Tim Holtz and cut a piece of the paper from the pack. I adhered it to the trim with Matte collage Medium, and also applied the medium over the top to seal the paper, before I applied Gathered Twigs Distress Crayon to the surface, blending out the colour with my finger tip.

For the ruler piece, I broke each end carefully snapping them off and then covered the ruler with a Paper Strip. I then applied Matte Collage Medium over the top and used my Gathered Twigs Crayon to age this piece.

I attached the Etcetera Trim underneath the Ruler Piece, allowing the pinked edge to show and then attached this to my project, placing it directly beneath the layered circles. The ruler is attached so that it overhangs the right hand side of the clipboard.

I then attached one of the Paper Doll Poses figures to the project using foam pads and placing it on the left of the clipboard.

To colour tint the paper doll, I used Distress Crayons in, Faded Jeans, Rustic Wilderness, Gathered Twigs, Scattered Straw, Tea Dye and Aged Mahogany.

Finally, I added clumps of moss along the ledge and hammered a couple of Nail Tacks into the ruler, placing them on either side.

FINISHING DETAILS

For those all important final touches, I added a Quote Label Chip in the bottom right hand corner...

...and then attached a swivel clasp to the clip. I then added some extra chain and attached a Junk Drawer Baseboard piece with the number 35 to the end of the chain...

Finally, I added some Cello Stickers around the edges of the paper, where it's attached to the back board.

So, that's my make finished for today and I hope you love the piece I've made and inspiration behind it...

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

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Distress Paint: Black Soot, Crackling Campfire, Antique Bronze

Distress Crayons: Gathered Twigs

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Mini Clipboard, Cello Sticker Tape, Screw Heads, Quote Chip Label, Neutral 8 x 8 Paper Collection, Junk Drawer Baseboard, Paper Strips, Paper Doll Poses, Ruler Piece, Swivel Clasp, Star Adornment, Nail Tacks

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Foam Pads, Translucent Grit Paste

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Pinked Etcetera Trims, Etcetera Facade

Sizzix/Tim Holtz: Decorative Trims

Monday, 30 March 2026

No.63 Warren Street...

Hello everyone and Happy Monday....

As we start the new week, it's time for the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week our theme is called EMBOSS IT and with so many ways to add embossing to a project, I'm sure you'll want to join us and play along...

For my project, I chose to make a tag to celebrate Easter and I used a Tim Holtz embossing folder to create the background for Mr Rabbit, who is proudly residing over his garden at No.63 Warren Street.

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

For this make, I used a Mini Etcetera Tag and an Etcetera Facade.

TAG

To begin with I flipped the tag 180° and covered it with a sheet of Tim's Worn Wallpaper from the idea-ology range. Before adhering the paper with Matte Collage Medium, I added some rips and tears around the edge and then machine stitched a border.

Once the panel was in position, I crumpled the corners of the paper, folding them back to reveal the tag, and then added some Crackle Paste directly to the surface of the tag. Allow for the paste to dry, and work its magic, before applying Gathered Twigs Distress Crayon around the edges and also over the top of the paste to accentuate the crackle.

ETCETERA FACADE

For the next layers, I used an Etcetera Facade and the waste frame from the facade pack that holds the 'risers', which once added to the back of the facade, create dimension to your project. These risers are secured in the frame and that's the piece that I've used at the back of the facade, to create a window for this piece.

I covered the waste frame with some more of the Worn Wallpaper that I used on the tag and added some twine and a mini pin on the right hand side...

...and a Stitched Scrap, which I wrapped around the frame and attached to the left hand side.

Adhere the frame to the tag using Matte Collage Medium.

Moving onto the facade, and I covered this with my embossed card panel.

I cut a panel of Mixed Heavystock Card to match the shape of the facade I was using, and spritzed this with a light mist of water and then used the following Distress Spray Stains:

Evergreen Bough, Bundled Sage and Speckled Egg

Once happy with the blend, I heat dried the card and then added some stamped detail using the plaid stamp from Mr Rabbit and randomly stamping this onto the background in Rustic Wilderness Distress Ink.

I then added another layer of stamping using the calligraphy stamp from Tiny Toadstools, inked with Black Soot Archival Ink and once again, randomly stamping this onto the background.

With my panel complete, I then placed this into the Sizzix Botanical 3D embossing folder by Tim Holtz and ran it through my Big Shot to emboss the card.

To accentuate the embossing, I applied some Gilded Foundry Wax to the raised areas. I used my finger but if you have allergies or sensitivities then please use a brush. Heat set the wax.

Machine stitch a border around the outside and then adhere the embossed panel to the facade,

Attach the facade to the tag, placing risers on the back and attaching it over the top of the frame.

To complete the layered frame and facade, I hammered a nail tack into the top left and top right hand corners of the facade itself.

MR RABBIT

Now for the star, the great adventurer and I began by stamping the image of Mr Rabbit from the Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz stamp set of the same name, onto watercolor card and watercoloring the image with Distress Watercolor Pencils. You will also need to stamp Mr Rabbit's jacket and bow tie onto a second piece of watercolour card.

I used the Simon Says Stamp coordinating die set to die cut all my pieces ~ Mr Rabbit, his jacket and the bow tie. Layer the jacket and tie over the top of the main image using foam pads,

For buttons I used metallic silver pearls.

I also added a monocle to this handsome rabbit and this is die cut from gold metallic card using the monocle die from one of Tim's older Sizzix Dies, The Gent which is now sadly retired. If you don't have this set, then you can always use make a monocle using a Jump Ring.

I flipped the die cut piece over so that it would fit on the left hand side of Mr Rabbit and adhered it into place with a tiny amount of adhesive.

Place Mr Rabbit on foam pads and attach him to the facade, placing him over the top of a Worn Wallpaper scrap ~ the pink flower border.

To complete Mr Rabbit, I added a Mini Plaquette, no.63 and also stamped the wording 'Mr Rabbit', which is taken from one of the stamps in the stamp set and then just cut down to size and placed underneath the plaque itself.

DIE CUT FOLIAGE AND FLOWERS

For the foliage, I inked some watercolour card with Peeled Paint and Bundled Sage Distress Spray Stain and once the card was dry, I cut my pieces using a combination of dies ~ Brushstroke Flowers 1 and foliage from the Foliage Wreath die set.

After arranging the foliage around the base of Mr Rabbit, I added small clumps of moss in and around the frame.

Using the Foliage Wreath die set, I cut the flowers from scrap card in my scrap box and layered them to create different sizes. I attached the six flowers to the foliage arrangement and added small pearls to the centres.

FINISHING DETAILS

Finally, I added the finishing details...

I attached the Theories Quote Chip ~ 'never stop exploring' to my tag, and completed this with a screwhead on either side.

I also added some Cello Sticker Tape...

At the top, I clipped a Large Hinge Clip to the tag and attached a piece of chain. I then attached a Word Tag to the end of the chain and accentuated the wording by adding Picket Fence Distress Paint to the metal, before wiping the paint away from the raised area.

As the final touch to the project, I altered all my metal adornments with Distress paint (Black Soot, Crackling Campfire, Antique Bronze), to create a more rusty finish to the surface and that's my make complete and I hope you love the finished piece and will be inspired by the ideas.