Monday, 8 June 2026

Hey Mickey...

Hello everyone and Happy Monday...

Hope you've all had a good weekend and as we begin the new week, I hope you're ready to get creative with us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog. This week, our theme is all things MASCULINE and we can't wait for you to join us and play along.

For my make, and with Father's Day just around the corner, I wanted to celebrate a very special man ~ my Dad and even though he is no longer with me, he is always in my heart. My Dad absolutely loved all things Disney, and since I was a young child I remember how we would sit and watch all the Disney films and remember his face and smiles. So, with this in mind, I thought what could be better than creating a project using Mickey Mouse and I hope you'll join me, to see how I made this piece!

So, let's get started, it's time to create....


ETCETERA PANEL

To begin with I used the smaller size of the Stampers Anonymous Etcetera Panels and I ran a black marker pen around the edge of the panel.

I then cut a piece of Black Heavystock Card, the same size as the panel itself and spritzed the card with a combination of Crooked Broomsticks, Unravelled and Burning Ember Mica Stains. I misted the card stock with water and allowed the stains to blend before heat drying the card and machine stitching a border around the outside.

After adhering the card to the panel, I then cut a piece of paper from Backdrops vol 4, (I chose the paper that has the bookplate design) and cut this slightly smaller than the Etcetera Panel, ensuring the bookplate was placed at the top.

I added some rips and tears around the outside edge of the paper before once again, machine stitching a border around the outside.

To add some more detail to the paper I used the Digits Mini Layering Stencil from Set 48 and applied Walnut Stain Distress Ink through the stencil directly onto the paper.

I then used the Circuit stencil from the same set, and applied Crackle Paste through the stencil onto random areas of my paper. Once this is dry, I mounted the paper onto my covered Etcetera Panel.

Where the book plate is, I cut a separate panel of paper from the Backdrops pack so that it will fit inside the bookplate frame.

I inked up the Stampers Anonymous newsprint stamp by Tim with Black Soot Archival Ink and stamped this directly onto the panel of paper. After inking the edges, I matted the piece inside the frame on the background and added some pieces of Cello Sticker Tape around the edges.

To complete the background, ready for the star of the show, I attached a Ruler piece across the panel. I broke the ends of the ruler piece and then dragged the Walnut Stain Distress Ink across surface to alter the colour. Underneath the ruler, I added a strip of the polka dot Design Tape Trim.

Finally, I stamped the No. 5726 in Black Soot Archival Ink, placing it in the top left hand corner using the stamp from the SA Eccentric Stamp Set.

MICKEY MOUSE

Now to bring this piece to life and we'll start with Mickey.

Mickey is die cut from card using the Spellbinders Classic Mouse Steamboat Willie Die Set, and because I wanted to keep him black and white, as was the original Steamboat Willie, I inked the card with the following Distress Spray Stains:

Black Soot, Hickory Smoke, Antique Linen, Lost Shadow

Once I'd assembled Mickey, which is really easy because all the lines are scored into the die cut pieces for you to follow, I added some white pen detail before setting him to one side to create the frame behind him.

The frame is cut from Black Heavystock card using the die set, Frames and Sentiments and I cut three layers to make one solid piece and layered these to create one solid frame. I then cut a 4th frame from Mixed Media Heavystock card, but this time I placed the "Oh Boy" die into the dies so that it will cut the letters into the circular frame. Run this through the machine.

I then used Antique Bronze, Black Soot and Distress Paints to add the coppery tones to this sentiment frame, applying the paints one at a time to build up the tones I wanted and to create tarnished look to the card. Once I was happy, I attached the frame over the top of the black card layers.

With the frame complete, I added an idea-ology Gauge Dial to the back of the aperture, before attaching Mickey with foam pads onto the frame, and then attaching him to the panel using more foam pads and adding him to the left hand side of the ruler piece.

To the right of Mickey, I added the word "DAD" and used the Classic Mouse Alphabet dies to cut layers of card which I coloured with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Spray Stain. 

I adhered the layers to form the letters which should resemble the thickness of chipboard and then mounted the letters onto black card to form a drop shadow behind.

I attached the letters to the panel and added some die cut hearts around them.

SPROCKETS AND GEARS

For my sprockets and gears, I cut a selection from metallic cardstock using the Vault Industrial die set. As with all my pieces on this make, I wanted them to be more substantial, so I cut multiple layers to form each individual piece.

I used the same Distress Paints as I used on the frame to add colour to my metallic gears and at this stage, I also painted some of the idea-ology sprocket gears which I combined with the die cuts.

Once I was happy with the colour and they had a rusty appearance, I arranged the gears on either side of Mickey and placed Screw Heads in the centres of some of the gears.

Finally, I added an Ephemera piece, "'A Token of Love" behind one of the larger die cut gears and placed this amongst the arrangement.

COMPLETING THE PANEL

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

I mounted the "In My Heart" Theories Quote Chip onto a piece of cotton fabric and then attached this to the bottom section of the panel. I placed a Screw Head on either side, again rusted with the same colours of Distress Paint.

I also added some more screw heads to the top section of the panel, together with a Hinge Clip and a binder ring.

Finally, I cut some stars using the Frames and Sentiments set and cut these from the same red card as I used for the hearts. Once cut, I placed three stars around the quote at the bottom of the panel.

So that's my make complete and I hope you love this piece as much as I loved making it ~ 'oh boy', it sure was fun.

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 winYou 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...see you soon!
Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain
Distress Spray StainsBlack Soot, Hickory Smoke, Antique Linen, Lost Shadow, Lumberjack Plaid
Mica Stains: Crooked Broomsticks, Unravelled and Burning Ember 
Distress Paint: Black Soot, Crackling Campfire, Antique Bronze

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

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.

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 winYou 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

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