Planet Earth...

Welcome to a brand new challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog where this week, we ask you to be...Inspired By A Song! Whether it be a current song that you just can't get out of your head or maybe, it will be your all time favourite tune, we can't wait to see what song you will be inspired by and look forward to all your wonderful creations!

For my project, I was inspired by my favourite band, Duran Duran and their very first single, which was called Planet Earth. I've been a lifelong fan of this band and seen them numerous times in concert, so how could I not use them as my inspiration and of course, their first single was just the perfect place to start and I quickly knew exactly what I would use ~ yes, my favourite globe die has made another appearance and I hope you love what I made...

I started with two canvas panels, one 8" square and the second, 6 x 4". I used the larger of two panels and with a paintbrush applied a base coat of Hickory Smoke Distress Paint across the surface of each. I then added a very small amount of Picked Raspberry and used a baby wipe to blend the colours together. Once I was happy with the blend, I heat dried the background before spritzing the surface with Black Soot Distress Spray Stain. Once the mist has dried completely, I then added some paint scratches in white gesso and some flicks of Color Bloom Gold Spray Mist before setting it aside to start work on the second layer.

For this layer, I once again started with a layer of Hickory Smoke Distress Paint and then blended some Black Soot and Peacock Feathers over the top. After a spritz of Black Soot Distress Spray Stain, I then dried the panel thoroughly.

You will need to ensure that the paint is completely dry before moving onto the next stage, where I added a small amount of glitter to the background. For this, I applied a smear of Transparent Texture Paste to random areas and then sprinkled Vintage Glamour Dust over the top. Leave to dry before using a soft, dry brush to brush away any excess glitter.

At this point, I also used my fingertip to rub a small amount of Treasure Gold Gilding Wax around the outside of both canvas panels.

Now, it's time to start building up those layers and I began by tearing a section of corrugated card from the Textured Surfaces pack and painting it with Picket Fence Distress Paint before inking around the edges. I attached the card with Multi Medium, placing it across the centre of the larger panel before adding my second smaller panel over the top, placing the canvas on the left hand side of the square canvas and using foam pads to attach it.

Once in place, I then die cut some gold circle loops from gold Metallic Kraft Core Core'Dinations card stock and attached these onto my background. These dies are a must have and are so pretty and delicate but create such an impact to any project.

Next, I added some Glass Glitter and Micro Beads to the corrugated card for a little more texture.

I then moved onto the globe which I die cut from silver Metallic Kraft Core Core'Dinations card and layered over the top of a circle of silver Deco Sheet, which created a shimmery but not too glittery effect as a background for the globe. When mounting my globe onto any background, I like to use foam pads to create a realistic, domed effect to the central area of the globe.

I also used a sander over the top of the silver card to create a more worn, vintage look to the cardstock.

Mount the globe, using more foam pads, to the smaller panel, placing it over some torn pieces of cheesecloth and slightly offsetting it before attaching a small talk sticker, (so perfect for the theme of this canvas), mounted on gold card.

For the final addition of embellishments, I added die cut stars, glittered with Vintage Glitter Dust. Scatter the stars around the globe, using foam pads to create dimension and layers...

...before adding moonshine sequins and some studs to each corner of the canvas.

...and here's the finished piece ~ where you can see all the layers and the hopefully, even though it wasn't the easiest piece to photograph, you can also see the beautiful shimmer that this project has!

As always, if you need any further inspiration for this challenge, then you need look no further than our blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for all your visits today and hope you all have a great week ahead

See you again soon...love Emma xx

Products used:

Tim Holtz/Sizzix Dies: Globe, Stacked Stars

Simon Says Stamp Circle Loops Die

Distress Ink: Ground Espresso

Distress Paint: Hickory Smoke, Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers

Distress Spray Stains: Black Soot

Mediums: Ranger Multi Medium, Gesso, Prima Art Basic Matte 3D Gel

Color Bloom Gold Foil Spray Mist

Idea-ology: Small Talk Stickers, Tim Holtz Distress Vintage Glitter Dust

Surfaces: Canvas Panels, Metallic Kraft Core Core'dinations Card, Deco Sheets, Textured Surfaces

Embellishments: Gold Rush Glass Glitter, Silver Micro Beads, Moonshine Sequins

Treasure Gold White Fire Gilding Wax

Ranger Craft Sheet

Blending Tool

Heat Gun

Big Shot

Foam Squares

Cheesecloth and 8" square canvas panel from my own stash