That's Life

Monday, 9 February 2026

Love Letters...

Hello and Happy Monday everyone...

This week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is all about SPRITZ AND SPLATTER and whether you use spritzes and sprays to make a background, or choose stamps and stencils, we hope you'll join us and play along.

For my make, I created a fun and slightly alternative Valentine piece and used Distress Spray Stains and Oxide Sprays to create a spritzed background, with some added splatters along the way. As you'll probably have noticed by now, the star of my project is The Count and I'm going to show you how he isn't just for Halloween, because even The Count can use his 'Love-O-Meter" to check if he thinks that love could be in the air....

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

ETCETERA PANEL

For this make, I used the smaller of the two sizes from the Stampers Anonymous Rectangular Etcetera Panel pack and I covered the edges with some older Tim Holtz Design Tape that I still have in my stash.

I then moved onto the background and for this I cut a panel of Mixed Media Heavystock card slightly smaller than the Etcetera Panel and spritzed it with a light misting of water. I then used the following colours of sprays to make the background:

DISTRESS SPRAY STAINS: Vintage Photo, Rusty Hinge, Crackling Campfire, Ground Espresso

DISTRESS OXIDE SPRAYS: Speckled Egg

Once the cardstock is thoroughly dry, I then used the alpha stamp from The Inspector Stamp Set and stamped this with Versamark Clear Embossing Ink, four separate times so that I covered the entire background. After sprinkling Gold Embossing Powder over the inked areas, I heated the powder until molten.

Once I'd inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress ink, I machine stitched a border around the outside and then adhered the card panel to my Etcetera Panel.

ETCETERA FACADE AND TRIMS

For the next layer, I used an Etcetera Facade and painted this with Scorched Timber Distress Paint. Once it was dry, I then used the Shattered Stamp inked with clear embossing ink, and stamped the design onto the facade before applying gold embossing powder and heat embossing the powder until molten.

I then attached the risers that are in the pack to the back of the facade and placed the facade onto my panel, slightly overlapping the top edge.

On the top section of the facade, I added a bat. This was die cut from metallic kraft stash using the bat die from The Count die set and I created dimension to the die cut by cutting it several times and layering the pieces over the top of one another.

I then adhered it into position and added the no.14 in Roman Numerals using more gold cardstock and cutting the numbers with the Tiny Type Alphanumeric Die set by Tim and Sizzix. I always add self adhesive sheets to the back of my card when I’m die cutting small or intricate pieces…

Underneath the facade, I added a Web Trim and Scalloped Etcetera Trim. Once again, I painted these with Scorched Timber Distress Paint and once they were dry, I layered the Scalloped Trim over the top of the Web Trim, before attaching them to my panel, placing them just below the facade.

To create the "Love At First Bite" quote, I used the Tiny Type Alphanumeric Die Set again, and cut the letters using more of the gold metallic Kraft stash. I then adhered each letter to the scalloped trim.

To complete the trim, I added some Hardware Heads and painted these with Black Soot, Crackling Campfire and Antique Bronze Distress Paint.

THE COUNT

We're now ready to create the count using the die set from Sizzix/Tim Holtz.

Ink colours and cardstock used:

FACE: Distress Watercolour Card, inked with Antique Linen Distress Ink and edged with Frayed Burlap. I also used Polychromos Pencils for added highlights and shadows

WAISTCOAT and CAPE LINING: Distress Watercolour Card, inked with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Ink

SUIT and CAPE: Black Kraft cardstock from the NeutralsKraft Stock Stack

EYE and SHIRT: White Heavystock Card

Once I had all my card layers die cut and coloured, I started layering each piece and building the character to create The Count.

"LOVE-O-METER" and LOVE NOTE

Next to The Count, I added the love-o-meter and used the stamp and co-ordinating die from The Inspector bundle to stamp the gauge image from this set. I began by stamping the first image in black ink (this will form the outer rim of this piece) and then applied Rusty Hinge Distress Glaze Embossing Powder over the top. Die cut this section with both of the circular dies to form a frame. Now die cut the smaller dials from the central piece that you've cut, again using the co-ordinating dies from the set.

Now stamp the image a second time, and die cut this section with the smaller circular die. I then cut a plain piece of card using the larger circle die in this set, and attached both of the stamped pieces to this die cut to form my gauge. Attach the smaller die cut dials using foam pads.

I coloured my gauge using Polychoromos Pencils and Antique Linen Distress Spray.

On the end of one of the hands, I placed a small die cut heart that I have in my offcuts box.

LOVE LETTER

The love letter is cut from Mixed Media Heavystock card inked with Distress Inks, using the Love Notes Sidekicks die set. I folded the die cut along the scoreline to form the envelope and inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink before stamping the xoxoxo onto the top edge using a stamp from the Love Notes Stamp set. If you don't have this set, then you can write this instead.

BUILDING THE SCENE

With all my pieces ready, I built the scene and began by attaching the gauge, followed by the Count who I placed next to him.

All my pieces are attached with foam pads to add dimension.

I attached the Love Notes envelope to the bottom left of the ledge and then added moss to create texture.

To complete the project, I stamped the hearts using the heart from The Inspector stamp set. I stamped this in Fired Brick Archival Ink and then die cut the image with the co-ordinating SSS die set.

Place four of the stamped hearts around The Count using foam pads, and a fifth heart on the centre of the envelope to complete this make....

So, that's my project made and I hope you love this fun piece. It's definitely a piece that can be made for that person you love who isn't all about pink hearts and red roses!!

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...see you soon!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Etcetera Panel, The Inspector Bundle with Simon Says Stamp Coordinating dies, Etcetera Facades, Scalloped Etcetera Trims, Bat Web Trims

Sizzix: Tim Holtz Big Shot Foldaway, The Count, Tiny Type Alphanumeric, Love Notes

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain

Distress Spray Stains: Vintage Photo, Rusty Hinge, Crackling Campfire, Ground Espresso

Distress Oxide Spray: Speckled Egg

Distress Paint: Black Soot, Crackling Campfire, Antique Bronze

Distress Embossing Glaze: Rusty Hinge

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Screw Heads

Surfaces: Neutral Kraft Stock, Mixed Media Heavystock card, Metallic Kraft Card

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Foam Pads, Versamark Ink, Polychromos Pencils, Fired Brick Archival Ink, Black Soot Archival Ink, Gold Embossing Powder

Glass Media Mat

Heat Gun

Monday, 2 February 2026

Let's Fall In Love....

Hello everyone...

Hope you all had a good weekend and you're ready for the week ahead, and a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! This week our theme is all about ADDING SOME TEXTURE and the DT are showcasing the products of AALL & Create. If you'd like to join us, then all the details are at the end of this post and we would love to see how you interpret this week's fun challenge...

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I couldn't help but feel that love is in the air and for my make, I chose to create a tag using AALL & Create Papers that add plenty of texture to the background, together with many layers of Tim Holtz products.

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

TAG

To begin with I used two separate designs from the AAll & Create Distressed Dreams Timber Tints paper pack and began by covering a Mini Etcetera Tag using one of the designs from the pack. I did add some stamping using one of Tim's stamps to some areas of the paper before machine stitching a border around the edge, and also added some stitching and texture to the patchwork design of the paper itself. After inking the edges, I adhered the paper to my Etcetera Tag using Matte Collage Medium, adding a coat of the medium over the top to seal the paper.

Using a second design from the paper pack, I created a size 8 tag. Once again, I machine stitched a border around the outside before inking the edges, and mounting it onto the centre of my larger Etcetera Tag using foam pads to add dimension.

CENTRAL FOCAL POINT

Now to start building a focal point to this piece and for this, I used Tim Holtz idea-ology products and built them up to create more texture and of course, create the focal point to this make.

I began with the metal pieces and chose to use a Photo Frame and the corner pieces from the Flourish Adornments pack. You will need two packs of these Flourishes to create this piece but with three pieces in each pack, it means you will have plenty of extras for future projects.

To alter all the metal pieces, I began by applying some Foundry Wax, and applied a layer of Statue Wax before heat setting it with a heat tool. I then applied a very thin layer of Sterling over the top, using my fingertip, or you can use a brush but just touching the raised areas, making sure that I didn't go too heavy with the medium. Once I'd heat set this layer, I then used Distress Paints directly onto the surface to add a little more colour and create the tarnished, rusty effect I wanted. I used the following colours:

Black Soot, Antiqued Bronze, Crackling Campfire and Vintage Photo

Build up the layers of paint, drying each layer before adding the next and always add the Black Soot sparingly.

Once I was happy with the finish, I allowed the paint to dry before applying Lisa Horton waxes with my fingertip, As with the paints, I build up the layers to achieve the finish I want.

To create the frame, I attached a piece of scrap paper from a Tim Holtz paper pack behind the aperture and then attached the flourishes at the top and the bottom, attaching them with Matte collage Medium. Set this to one side to dry completely whilst working on the remaining layers.

Behind the frame, I added some cotton calico which I have in my stash. After cutting two separate pieces that are slightly larger in size than my frame, I used Distress Spray Stains, Vintage Photo and Frayed Burlap, to dye them. Spritz the fabric with water and heat dry the cotton before fraying the edges.

I machine stitched the two pieces together before adhering them to a mica tile from my stash and then mounting the layers onto the centre of tag, placing it onto the smaller tag. Attach the frame over the top of the fabric. In the photo below, you can see the dimension that I've created by building up these layers.

In the centre of the frame I chose one of the vintage images of a couple from the Photo Booth pack and distressed the edges of the photo, adding small tears to the corner. I then cut a piece of felt using pinking shears and machine stitched the image onto the felt. Once I'd attached the photo in the centre of the frame arrangement, I added a Labeled Remnant Rub in the top left and a piece of cello sticker tape over the top.

To add some detail and even more texture to the fabric, I ruffled it and then pinned it on either side using Mini Pins

Beneath the frame, I added a Theories Quote Chip. I wrapped red cotton around each end of the chip and then mounted this onto my tag using foam pads,

To complete the tag, I added some screwheads, altered with the same paints and waxes that I used on the frame.

CLIP

On this piece, I used one of Tim's Vintage clips, and created a rusty finish to the metal. This is so easy to achieve and you can see a tutorial on how I do this by clicking HERE.

To alter this clip, I used exactly the same process as I used in my earlier post, but I omitted the Salvaged Patina Paint on this particular piece.

In the centre of the clip, I attached a Heart Adornment that I altered with more of the same colours of Distress Paint as I've used throughout and painting the tiny heart with Lumberjack Plaid. I then added some twine around the clip before clipping it onto my tag.

To complete this project, I attached a swivel clasp to the clip and hung an idea-ology lock and key to the chain, again altered for a more rusty, vintage appearance.

So, that's my project for this week finished and I hope you love what I've made...

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

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

AALL & Create Distressed Dreams Timber Tints Paper

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Mini Etcetera Tag

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain

Distress Paint: Black Soot, Crackling Campfire, Antique Bronze, Vintage Photo, Lumberjack Plaid

Distress Spray Stain: Frayed Burlap and Vintage Photo

Distress Crayons: Walnut Stain

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Cello Sticker Tape, Screw Heads, Theories Quote Chips, Labeled Remnant Rub, Photobooth, Photo Frame, Flourish Adornments, Mini Pins, Vintage Clips, Heart Adornment, Lock and Key, Swivel Clasp

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

Surfaces: Size 8 Mixed Media Tag, Felt

Lisa Horton Wax: Copper, Rich Gold, Bronze Rose

Glass Media Mat

Heat Gun

Cotton Calico and mica tile from my stash

Tuesday, 20 January 2026

Blog Hop featuring Tim Holtz stamps and Simon Says Stamp coordinating dies...

Hello everyone and welcome to the latest Blog Hop featuring the Simon Says Stamp Exclusive co-ordinating dies that coordinate beautifully with some of Tim Holtz's best loved stamps.

I'm so excited to be joining this hop, and if you're hopping along, you might have arrived here via Barb Engler'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 and many more, then just pop on over to HERE.

For my project, I created a vintage style Etcetera Panel, and combined the Field Notes Co-Ordinating Dies and stamp set with the beautiful butterfly from an older release, Perspective.

So, let's get started and here's how I create this panel....

To begin with I used one of the smaller size of the Stampers Anonymous Rectangular Etcetera Panels from the pack of 4 and I painted it with Scorched Timber Distress Paint.

PANEL

To cover the panel, I used a piece of paper from Backdrops Vol 4, cut to the same size as the panel. I added rips and tears around the outside edge of the paper and machine stitched a border all the way around and inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. I then adhered the paper to the board with Matte Collage Medium, keeping the rips and tears in place and crumpling the corners for a touch of "oldy worldy vintage".

After adding some splatters of Burnt Sienna Acrylic Paint from my stash and flicked this across the covered panel, I set this to one side to move onto the tag.

TAG

For the background, I chose to use the Stampers Anonymous Roses Layering Stencil by Tim Holtz and using blending brushes, I inked through the design with the following colours of Distress inks:

Kitsch Flamingo, Peeled Paint and Rustic Wilderness

Once my inking was complete, I added some text using the script stamp from the Tiny Toadstools stamp set by Tim Holtz before I laid the stencil back over the areas that I had inked and applied Translucent Grit Paste over the inked areas. Remove the stencil and wash immediately and set the tag aside so the paste can dry.

When my paste was thoroughly set, I added a neutral colour to the background using Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain and Old Paper. I dabbed away any heavy areas of colour, gently heat dried the tag and then inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink before adding a few splatters of the Burnt Sienna Acrylic Paint across the surface of the tag.

After machine stitching a border around the edge of the tag, I mounted this onto a piece of Kraft card, cut slightly larger than the tag itself with strips of Design Trim Tape placed around the edges of the Kraft card.

To complete the tag, I placed a Curator Snippet in the top right hand corner, and added some Cello Sticker Tape over the top.

I then placed a W R Makers Eyelet through the hole at the top of the tag and set it with the Crop A Dile.

Attach the tag to the covered board using foam pads to add dimension.

FIELD NOTES EPHEMERA

Now, it's time to create the ephemera pieces that sits down the left hand side and that's where we can use the Field Notes stamp set with this amazing new coordinating die set...

To begin with I chose the ephemera pieces I wanted to use ~ I chose 5 different pieces. I then used Tim's Archival Inks to stamp these onto Mixed Media Heavystock card inked with various shades of Distress Inks. Once I had the pieces stamped, I then used the coordinating dies to die cut the individual labels and ephemera.

After inking the edges, I attached them to my panel, placing four of them in a cluster on the left of the tag. I adhered some of the labels directly to the panel with Matte Collage Medium, but placed foam pads on the remaining labels to add some dimension...

I attached the last label, "This Side Up" in the top left hand corner.

BUTTERFLY

With my pieces in position, I stamped the image of the butterfly from the Perspective Stamp Set, and watercolored this with Tim's Distress Watercolour Pencils. I then used the coordinating die set to cut out the image.

After shaping the wings, and attaching the thorax to the centre, (which is a separate die cut), I attached the butterfly to a circular Sizzix Vintage Label Die Cut. I used the largest circle in the set.

Finally to complete the panel, I used the wording "Field Notes" from the Specimen Remnant Rubs and applied it to an off-cut of card before adding this to my panel, placing it just beneath the butterfly...

...and I attached to long fasteners to the panel, placing these in the bottom right hand corner and applying some gilding wax over the top to add some shine to the metal.

I finished this piece with a large Hinge Clip that I had in my stash, and clipped this to the top left hand side of the panel.

So, that's my project complete and I hope you love the piece I've created ~ it's so much fun to used these dies and saves so much time on fussy cutting each individual piece ~ which is something I never relish doing but now, don't need to! More time for crafting...