That's Life

Monday, 20 July 2026

Can I have your attention please....

Hello everyone and welcome to the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. This week, our theme is all about ADDING SOME TEXT and with this in mind, I thought what would be better to add some text than creating a project with a typewriter as the focal point.

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, a size 8 Mixed Media Heavystock Tag and one of the Etcetera Facades.

ETCETERA FACADE

I chose to use the pointed arched shape Etcetera Facade from the pack of 4 and flipped the tag so that the point of the facade is downwards.

I covered the facade with the Typewriter advertising paper from the Neutral Palette Paper Collection and adhered it with Matte Collage Medium, applying a coat of the medium over the top.

I then used Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edges, blending the colour with my fingertip.

TAG BACKGROUND

For my background and for this I used the Size 8 Mixed Media tag.

I placed the Typo Layering Stencil over the top of the tag, and then spritzed Tim Holtz Resist Spray through the stencil, focusing on the right hand side and the top right corner. Remove the stencil and wash immediately.

Once the spray was dry, 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 and Crackling Campfire

OXIDE SPRAYS: Speckled Egg

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 Speckled Egg Oxide Sprays. Finally I misted the Mica Spray over the top.

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

STENCILS

The stencils that I used for the background were from the following set, Mini Layering Stencil Set 48.

To add more layers to the background, I began by applying Lost Shadow Oxide Ink through the Halftone Stencil using a blending tool. I then added Walnut Stain Distress Ink through the Digits Stencil. I applied each of these layers to random areas over the surface of the tag.

To complete the background, I stamped the triple line border stamp from The Inspector set across the bottom of my tag using Black soot Archival Ink.

Once I was happy with my tag, I inked the edges and then machine stitched a border round the outside before I attached my tag to the Etcetera Tag using Matte Collage Medium.

I attached my finished tag to the facade using foam pads, or you can use the risers supplied in the facades pack.

STAMPING

Moving onto the stamping and for this I used the Curiosity Shop SA/Tim Holtz stamp set and the co-ordinating SSS die bundle.

I stamped the image of the typewriter on Mixed Media Heavystock Card, using Black Soot Archival Ink and then embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder. I added some shading to the image with Polychromos Pencils before die cutting the image with the co-ordinating die set.

I then stamped the paper that slots into the typewriter and once again used the die from the co-ordinating set to die cut the image.

On this piece, I used the hearts from the Lovebirds Sizzix/Tim Holtz die set and cut three hearts from inked Mixed Media Heavystock that was in my stash. This was inked with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Spray Stain.

I then attached the hearts to my little stamped paper image. Underneath the hearts, I stamped the "in my heart" sentiment from the Tiny Text stamp set in black ink.

I placed the paper into the slot on the typewriter, securing it at the back and then added a small piece of Cello Sticker Tape.

After inking the edges of the image and attaching this to my tag using foam pads, I placed an ephemera piece from the Memoirs Ephemera Pack, directly underneath it, so that they typewriter appears to be sitting on it.

On either side of the typewriter, I added a small piece of Mummy Cloth.

On the right hand side of the image, I added a small pointy finger. This stamp is from the Tidbits stamp set and I coloured it with Polychromos Pencils before fussy cutting around the outline and attaching it with foam pads to my typewriter.

I had a few die cut hearts on my desk from a previous project which were slightly smaller in size than the ones that I used on the note. I thought these worked perfectly around the top of the typewriter, so I decided to attach three of them.

FINISHING DETAILS

Now for all those tiny finishing details that matter...

Once again, I used the Tiny Text stamp set to stamp the sentiment, "Love You". I stamped it with clear Versamark Ink onto a piece of black card and then embossed it with gold embossing powder. I then used the Tiny Text co-ordinating die set from SSS to cut the sentiment. I added some red stitching to either side of the small banner before placing foam pads on the back and adhering it into position on my tag.

To complete the sentiment, I added 2 small idea-ology Screw Heads to either side and altered these with Black Soot, Antique Bronze, Crackling Campfire Distress Paints to create more of a vintage, rusty look to the metal.

To complete the tag, I added some small offcuts of embossed silver metallic card that I placed around the edges of the tag. You can see them at the top, and on the left and right hand sides. These are always in my snippets box, all those precious pieces that I never want to throw away and were from a previous project that I made and the card was originally embossed using the Foundry Embossing Folder. After cutting these into tiny pieces, I attached them to the tag, and then altered them with the same colours of Distress Paints as I used on the Screw Heads.

Finally, I added some rope through the top of the tag, and pinned a Mini Pin to secure it into position.

So that 's my project finished and I hope you love the piece I've made and been inspired by the techniques I've used.

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:

SSS/Tim Holtz Stamps and Dies Bundles: Tiny Text, Curiosity Shop

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Size 8 Etcetera Tag, Mini Layering Stencil Set 48, Typo Layering Stencil, The Inspector, Tidbits, Facades

Sizzix: Big Shot, Lovebirds, Foundry Embossing Folder

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain

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

Oxide Spray Stain: Speckled Egg

Oxide Ink: Lost Shadow

Distress Paint: Black Soot, Antique Bronze, Crackling Campfire

Distress Crayon, Walnut Stain

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Cello Sticker Tape, Screw Heads, Memoirs

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Foam Pads, Versamark Clear Pad, Antique Gold Embossing Powder, Resist Spray

Polychromos Pencils

Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock Tag, Mixed Media Heavystock Card

Glass Media Mat

Heat Gun

Monday, 6 July 2026

School Days...

Hello everyone and Happy Monday!

Can you believe how fast time is flying!?!? It's going so quickly and it's already that time of the week when we welcome a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. This week's theme is all about BACK TO SCHOOL and the DT are also showcasing the products of 49 & Market.

For my make, I created a card, and a matching gift box that was made using Tim Holtz dies from Sizzix and some beautiful products from 49 & Market. If you haven't checked out this company, then do it now and if you love all things vintage, then you definitely have to look for the Faded Memory Lane collection ~ it's a huge wow from me!

The set that I've made today can be used as a thank you card and gift for a teacher but the reason that I made this was because of a more personal memory. At the start of every school year, my Mom would always write me a note, just a little note of encouragement to tell me how proud she was of me and she would pop these notes in my school bag, or hand it to me on the first day of the new term.

I still have all those notes in a box ~ precious memories of a very special Mom!

So today, I thought I would make a set that can be used for the very same purpose because every kid needs encouragement and support from their parents and those few words will stay with them for life!

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

CARD

I made a 15 x 11.5cm card blank from brown cardstock and matted a layer of 14 x 10.5cm Kraft card, onto ivory card, leaving a narrow border around each layer to create the base.

I then used the largest of the AALL & Create Quirky Post Dies to die cut a piece of Mixed Media Heavystock Card. Once cut, I inked the edges of the card with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, and then smooshed Old Paper Distress Ink onto my craft mat, misted the ink with water and dipped the card into the inky droplets. Once happy with the colour, I heat dried the card and inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

This die set comes with a die that creates a matt that will fit perfectly inside the postage frame and I used this to cut a piece of the 49 & Market Faded Memory Lane paper. About 6 weeks ago, and knowing I had this challenge in my schedule, I bought the 6" x 8" paper pad from SSS but unfortunately this pad doesn't seem to be available any more, but they do have the 12" pack ~ so, this could be used but please bear in mind the images will be larger and your card measurements might need to be slightly adapted.

Anyway, back to my make and after cutting one of the papers from the smaller pack with the die, I inked the edges and then added some zig zag machine stitching around the edges. I matted the die cut panel onto a piece of grey cardstock before mounting the layers onto the postage stamp die cut and then using foam pads to attach the layers to my card blank.

Finally, I flicked some white acrylic paint across the surface of the card and allowed this to dry.

Now to create the ephemera layers which are all from 49 & Market. I began with a postage stamp layer from the Faded Memory Lane Ephemera Pack and then placed the clock from the Chipboard pack over the top. I then adhered these layers onto my card front using foam pads.

I added the 'special' ephemera strip down the side of the postage stamp, complete with a Cello Sticker Tape piece...

...and also the number 5 in the top left hand corner, complete with an idea-ology Tiny Clip.

TIME TO STAMPING

We're now ready for the hero of this card, the stamped image of those three little birdies.

This stamp is from the Stampers Anonymous Tiny Things Stamp set by Tim Holtz. I stamped the image onto watercolour card using Black Soot Archival Ink and coloured it with Distress Watercolour Pencils. Once dry, I used the co-ordinating die set to cut the image before inking the edges with Antique Linen Distress Ink.

I layered the birdies onto the centre of the chipboard clock using foam pads and adding a piece of Mummy Cloth that I dyed with Frayed Burlap Distress Spray Stain, and just placing this underneath to ground the stamped image and add some texture.

I then stamped the "Don't Forget To Fly" sentiment from the Tiny Text stamp set and once again, used the co-ordinating die set to cut a perfect banner that I placed onto my card with foam pads and adding it just underneath the birdies.

So that's my card made....now for the gift box!

PILLOW BOX

For the box, I cut a panel of the Faded Memory Lane paper. The quality of this paper is so good and it is a perfect weight for the construction of the box.

You need two separate die cuts to make this box and after folding along the scoreline, I adhered the pieces together to form the box. I then inked the edges before hand cutting a separate panel of paper from the pack which I attached to the front of my box. I also added machine stitching to this panel and added a Faded Memory Lane Ephemera piece in the top right hand corner, and a Mini Pin.

So that box will be sealed tightly, I used Crinkle Ribbon wrapped around it lengthways.

I cut a strip of the ribbon and then misted it with water before adding my colour, using Victorian Velvet and Antique Linen Distress Spray Stains. Scrunch the ribbon into a tight ball and allow to dry before wrapping it around the box and finishing it with a messy bow at the top.

For the topper on the box, I began by cutting a strip of paper from the pad, approx 1" in width and I wrapped this strip around the box to get the correct measurement and folds. You need the strip to be approx 1cm longer in length so that you will be able to attach the end to form the belly band.

Once I had the belly band in place and it slides nicely into position on the front of the box, I cut my topper.

For this I used the Sizzix Interchangeable Seal by Tim Holtz to cut a piece of metallic Kraft card stash but if you don't own this, any circular die will be fine for the job.

I then used the SSS Stitched Circle die to cut a piece of the Faded Memory Lane paper, which I matted in the centre of the seal before I attached the topper onto my belly band.

To complete the topper, I used the little bee from the Tiny Things Stamp Set. As with the birdies, I stamped this onto watercolour card and coloured it with Distress Watercolour Pencils before die cutting it with the co-ordinating stamp set.

Together with the stamped and die cut sentiment 'choose to shine', I attached my bee to the topper.

So, that's my project for this week completed and I hope you love the pieces I've made and the story behind them.

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

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

49 and Market: Faded Memory Lane Paper Pack, Faded Memory Lane Ephemera, Faded Memory Lane Chipboard

AALL & Create Quirky Post Dies

Sizzix: Vault Pillow Box and Bag, Switchlits Embossing Folder/Interchangeable Seal

SSS and Tim Holtz Tiny Things Die and Stamp Bundle and Tiny Text Bundle

SSS Stitched Circles Die Set

Sizzix: Big Shot

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap, Antique Linen, Old Paper

Distress Spray Stains: Antique Linen, Victorian Velvet

Distress Watercolour Pencils

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Mini Pins. Tiny Clips, Cello Stickers, Mummy Cloth

Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock Card, Classic Metallic Kraft Stash, Distress Watercolour Card, Ivory Cardstock

Mediums and Adhesive: SSS Foam Squares, SSS Tape Runner, Black Soot Archival

Monday, 29 June 2026

Born In The USA...

Hello friends...

Hope you've all had a fabulous weekend and you're ready for a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

This week, our theme is all about STARS AND/OR STRIPES and we hope you will join us and play along with our fun challenge theme.

For my make, I created a tag in celebration of the 4th of July and dedicate this to all my friends and followers in the USA. To make this tag, I used a combination of Tim Holtz products, including Sizzix dies, idea-ology and a Stampers Anonymous Etcetera Tag.

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

TAG

To begin with I covered the Mini Etcetera Tag with one of the papers from the Blue 8 x 8 Palette Paper Collection. After adhering the paper to the tag with Matte Collage Medium, I applied a coat of medium over the surface, allowed this to dry and then ran my Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edges.

To add layers on this tag, I chose to use a combination of Large Etcetera Tiles and Mosaic Tiles. These tile will fit around the outside of the tag, and you will be left with a small gap in the centre which you don't need to worry about as it will be covered.

I covered each tile in various papers from the Blue Palette Collection and sanded the edges back to give a neat finish. I then applied a coat of the medium over the top and as with the tag, I ran the Walnut Stain Crayon around the edges before attaching the tiles to the tag.

Set to one side to dry, and I would recommend putting something weighty on top to ensure the tiles are completely flat and adhered to the tag.

Approximately two thirds of the way down, I added a Scalloped Etcetera Trim that I covered in the same paper as I used on the tag. I cut the paper with the Decorative Trims die by Sizzix and then attached the covered trim across the tag.

PHOTO AND FRAME

The frame and the photo are both cut using the Marquee Sign Die Set. I began by cutting the background from Distress Watercolour Card inked with Antique Linen and Pumice Stone Distress Ink, and then cut the inner frame with the cut out circles from a piece of card painted with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Paint. After adhering this frame over the top of the solid piece, I then used the third die, the smallest in the set to cut the photo.

I use a photo from the Tim Holtz idea-ology Snapshots Vol 2 pack, I just adore this image and it was perfect for my tag. To cut the photo, I positioned the die on the area I wanted to use and then ran it through the die cutting machine.

Once cut, I colour tinted the image with Distress Crayons and once dry, I attached this to the centre of the frame.

I then mounted the frame onto my tag with foam pads.

In the bottom right hand corner of the photograph there is a date, July 4th and I cut this down to size to use. You can see it attached to one of the large Etcetera Tiles in the top right corner of the tag and then attached a screw head.

USA

For the USA plaque, I used Mini Stencil Chips and stuck these onto a piece of Palette Paper. I matted the chips onto a piece of mount board and then attached the plaque to my tag with foam pads.

To add a touch more rusty goodness to the plaque, I adhered a Screwed in each of the four corners that I painted with a combination of the following Distress Paints; Black Soot, Crackling Campfire, Antique Bronze. I also stuck a small piece of Cello Sticker Tape to the plaque.

STARS

Now to cut the dimensional stars and I used the die in the Tim Holtz Vault Rosette set by Sizzix. I cut 3 pieces from Mixed Media Heavystock and then painted them red, white and blue using Distress Paints ~ Lumberjack Plaid, Uncharted Mariner and Picket Fence. You can use Distress Inks, but I wanted more of a solid coverage, so the paint worked better.

Once dry, I folded along the scorelines to create the dimensional stars. I then attached the stars to the tag, arranging them around the bottom of the photo frame...

...and adding some shredded Mummy Cloth, dyed with Frayed Burlap Distress Spray Stain, which I attached along the Etcetera Trim.

To accentuate the folds on each of the stars, I applied some metallic wax.

You can see how dimensional these beautiful stars are in the photo below...

FINISHING DETAILS

All that's left now is the finishing details and I began by adding the Decorative Clip at the top of the tag. You get three clips in the pack and I chose to use the narrower one. I attached a Star Adornment in the centre of the clip and once dry, I applied some Translucent Grit Paste over the surface.

Once again, I allowed this to dry before painting the surface of the metal with Uncharted Mariner Distress Paint. I used Gilding Wax to accentuate the pasted areas on the painted clip which I had left to dry completely before applying the wax.

Place the clip at the top of the tag.

Finally, I added a Screwhead to the tile on the top left of my tag, and also some cello sticker tape, which completed my project for this week

I hope you love the tag I've made and if you're inspired by this project, I would love to see your makes. So, drop me a message on socials and I will pop on over to take a look...