PAGES

Monday 27 March 2017

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 StampYou 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


34 comments:

  1. Gorgeous tag Emma! the tea cups with the butterflies looks absolutely fabulous! the whole design is stunning!! LOVE it :-)

    luv
    Lols x x x

    ReplyDelete
  2. this is absolutely wonderful and it makes me happy to look at it. =)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Emma, I don't think I'll be able to pick my jaw up off the floor for a week! This is absolutely gorgeous!! Your butterflies are painted perfectly and so realistic and as always your projects are so inspiring. Love it!

    Cathie ♥

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gotta agree with all of the above. You never fail to impress and inspire!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gorgeous piece Emma! I just received my butterfly stamp set last week and can't wait to play with it. Lovely piece!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. such a beautiful bouquet of butterflies Emma-love the tag background too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. WOW WOW WOW - what a beautiful piece and PERFECT for springtime! Love what you have done here Emma.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful! The depth and colors are amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful. I love especially the background colors as always. They are so soft, delicate and perfectly blended. Hugs, Marzena

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your tag is beautiful, love the colours on the butterflies.

    ReplyDelete
  11. An absolute STUNNER! Emma. Fabulous design, exceptional execution and my oh my those beautiful butterflies... Your excellent colouring makes them appear so realistic- like you've just caught them in your garden with your butterfly net ( ya know as we do, or did as kids ;) ). Breathtakingly beautiful .
    Thanks as always for making me smile . big big hugs
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is such a beautiful tag and the butterflies are gorgeous...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Emma this is absolutely gorgeous! I love butterflies! They are my spirit animal/insect!

    ReplyDelete
  14. WOAH! Major stunner!! I love the dimension and really all the components!

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Stunning stunning stunning! I love every bit!

    ReplyDelete
  16. All I can say with my mouth opened is awwwwww!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gorgeous panel Emma! I love the mix of the teacups, spoon and flock of butterflies! So pretty against the neutral background! hugs, Maura

    ReplyDelete
  18. That's really a fabulous tag... Stunning, and SO beautiful!!!!
    Thank you for the pleasure of my eyes this morning looking at it, and thanks for all the details about this.
    Crafty hugs from France, Corinne

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is such a pretty piece, Emma! And I especially love the unexpected combination of butterflies and teacups. You're always original in what you come up with!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yes, I love it too, oh yes I do!

    ReplyDelete
  21. another beautiful project Emma...those butterflies are truly stunning...have a great weekend...hugs kath xxx

    ReplyDelete
  22. This tag is so gorgeous, Emma. Love the beautiful texture and those fantastic embellishments on the tag. Such a wonderful design! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. This project is a dream! Your butterflies are outstanding , as always a masterpiece! BArbara

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is so pretty Emma! I love all the butterflies and how they stand out on the more neutral background. Great idea to add the cups too.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is an absolutely gorgeous tag!!! Beautifully done! Can you tell me...does this Tim Holtz tea cup die work with a spellbinder platinum machine? Thanks for all of the inspiration that you provide!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and lovely comment Deborah ~ I really do appreciate every single word! In answer to your question about Tim's Tea Cup Die, I wouldn't be 100% sure and it's best to check with Spellbinders themselves but I do believe that the Spellbinders Platinum Machine is compatible with Sizzix Big Dies as they are steel rule dies!! I hope the information I've provided has helped but please do confirm with Spellbinders before using the dies! Thanks again for your visit... x

      Delete
  26. Thanks Emma for the inspiration. I have been doing the 100 days of art and almost 30 days into it, it was fun to find this on my pinterest board. I too love Tim's butterflies and the teacups. Just so much fun to play with the layers. I will post my tag on my facebook page and I will give you credit for the inspiration. again, thanks as always for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  27. You are an amazing artist Emma! I feel so inspired by your creations. Thank you so much for sharing and teaching!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Emma, I host a collaboration on YouTube and we recently used this tag as our monthly inspiration. I hope you will check out our videos to see how you inspired us. :) Here is the link to my video for the month https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWbcYNx2jqY&t=38s

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for all your comments and messages, they are all appreciated and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon...
Emma ~xx