Let It Fly Away...

Hello friends and welcome to the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! This week our theme is called "Things With Wings" and whether you choose to use butterflies, birds, dragonflies, angel wings or even a plane...there are just so many interpretations of this challenge theme and we can't wait to see what you decide!

For my project, I chose butterflies...mainly because I just couldn't resist using the gorgeous new Flutter stamp set from Tim Holtz. I packed this Etcetera tag full of detail, so it's time to show you how I created this piece...

 

...it's time for a new challenge!

To begin with I took one of the smallest Etcetera tags complete with reinforcer ring that is supplied in the pack. These tags are just amazing and definitely what I've been waiting for as they are a solid surface that you can paint, decorate and do almost anything to and they withstand it all! I primed the surface with a couple of coats of gesso and heat dried it before adding my paint layers.

I started with a layer of Antique Linen Distress Paint and then whilst the paint was still wet, blended in some Pumice Stone Distress Paint. Once I was happy with the colour, I blasted the paint with some heat and then started to add more layers by scraping a further layer of gesso over the top, again drying it thoroughly before using Distress Crayons in Pumice Stone and Victorian Velvet to add some depth. I also added some Black Soot around the edges.

I blended the crayons using a semi dry baby wipe before adding my next layer...tissue tape. I ripped pieces of the tape and added them to the tag, mainly focusing on the section that would be behind my teacups. I then added some Grit Paste through the Speckles and Industrial stencils, allowed it to dry before adding more crayon and paint splatters over the top to complete my background.

Now for the teacups and these are die cut from chipboard, primed with gesso before I then painted them with Bundled Sage and Tumbled Glass Distress Paints. I added a little more texture by scraping some gesso over the top, heat drying the surface and then adding shadows and highlights with the Pumice Stone Distress Crayon. Fix the one cup inside the other and then using foam pads, I adhered it to the tag.

I then used the Garden Greens Thinlits dies to die cut some foliage that would spray out from my cup. I used a combination of card, some Mixed Media card that I coloured with Peeled Paint Distress Spray, and some Kraft Core card in contrasting colour ~ I then die cut the pieces I needed. Add the foliage to the top cup and arrange it to fall and cascade over the rim.

To complete the cups, I added a mini plaquette and a metal spoon!

Now for those gorgeous butterflies... I stamped six butterflies onto watercolour card and then coloured them with Distress Marker Pens.

I then added a touch of Wink Of Stella over the top of some areas to create a little shimmery highlight ~ I'm not a huge fan of sparkle or glitter but this creates just a subtle shimmer that catches the light perfectly.

I fussy cut around each butterfly, shaped the wings and then attached them to my tag.

To complete the tag, I added some crystal gems and a little quote Clippings Sticker..."and let it fly away".

Finally, to ground my teacup, I added a strip of Designer Tape and then wrapped some twine around the tag, secured with a small bow.

This is one of those pieces that for me, just turned out perfectly and I am so happy with it...and I hope you love it too!

As always, if you do need any further inspiration, 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 stopping by today and see you again very soon!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz Stamps: Flutter
Tim Holtz Sizzix Dies: Tea Time, Garden Greens
Distress Crayons: Pumice Stone, Victorian Velvet, Black Soot

Distress Spray Stain: Peeled Paint
Distress Paints: Antique Linen, Pumice Stone, Tumbled Glass, Bundled Sage
Distress Marker Pens
Idea-ology: Symphony Tissue Tape, Clippings Stickers, Vintage Design Tape, Silverware Adornments, Mini Plaquettes
Surfaces: Small Etcetera Tag, Watercolour Card, Classic Kraft Stock Paper Stash, Mixed Media Card
Layering Stencil: Speckles, Industrial

Mediums: Gesso, Jet Black Archival Ink, Grit Paste
Hemptique Twine
Wink of Stella Clear Pen

Ranger Craft Sheet

Heat Gun
Palette Knife
Crystal Gems from my own stash