As Easy As ABC...

Hello friends and welcome to the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! This week, as our thoughts turn to the end of the summer holidays, our theme is all about STUDY & SCHOOL and we are so looking forward to seeing how you interpret the challenge and studying the projects that you create!

For my panel, I was inspired by one of the pieces of paper from the gorgeous Memoranda stash by Tim Holtz and created a project based on an old report card, adding plenty of layering and elements that were all school related and mixing them with stamped images and inky detail!

So, it's time for the brand new challenge to begin...

 

...and here's how I created my project ~ it's as easy as ABC! 

To begin with, I cut the paper that I chose from the Memoranda stash to use as my base, measuring approximately 24 x18cm. I then added some extra ink splats over the top of the paper by applying Faded Jeans Distress Oxide Ink through the Splats Layering Stencil. I then added a few more splatters by flicking some Black Soot Distress Paint across the surface. Heat set the ink and paint before stitching around the outside of the paper and matting onto some black chipboard, leaving a border around the outside edge.

The paper that I chose, actually showed a girl's name, so because I wanted to use an image of a boy, I actually added a Clippings Sticker (no.24) over the top, just to hide the name.

Now to move onto the layers and to begin with I wanted to add a pile of books to build up some of the dimension, so I used the stamp from the Schoolhouse set, stamped onto a piece of Mixed Media Heavyweight card and then watercoloured the image with Distress Marker Pens before cutting around the outline of the books. Set this aside for later.

To start building up the layers...

...I began by attaching some school related pieces from the Collector's Ephemera and the Snippets sets and adhered a couple of these directly onto my paper using Collage Medium. To create a shadow around the edge of the pieces, I ran the Black Soot Distress Marker Pen around the outside and then smudged it with my finger.

For the next layer and the start of the dimension, I wanted to create a mini clipboard and did this by taking the System of Marking card from the Collector's Ephemera pack and mounting it onto chipboard to make it more substantial. I then added some Vintage Collage Medium over the top, drying it thoroughly before sanding the surface to create scratch marks and inking around the edge. I added a hinge clip, altered with alcohol ink, clipping it to the top to recreate the clipboard. I then attached the piece to my layers using foam pads.

Using one of the Ruler pieces, I applied Walnut Stain Distress Ink directly over the top of the wood and then rubbed away any excess ink with a damp cloth. Attach the ruler, with a Index Clip on the end across the bottom section of the clipboard, before adding the stamped book image, placed over a bed of sisal fibres and a paper doll.

For some added embellishments, I added some numbers from the Numbers remnant rubs set and some gold stars from the Gilded Accents Set. To complete this section, I attached a pen nib, which I altered with alcohol ink for a more vintage feel and added a small wrap of twine around the metal.

I completed the upper section by adding the ABC lettering, using Typography Findings. To change the colour of the letters, I used Candied Apple Distress Paint for the first layer, allowed it to dry and then pounced a little Black Soot Paint over the top. I also coloured an Adornment star using Broken China Distress Paint. I attached the letters and the star using Collage Medium and then added a Clippings Sticker below, outlining the sticker with the Black Soot Marker Pen.

As the final finishing touches, I added some Nailhead findings to the bottom left and right hand corners and painted them with Gold Rush and Steampunk Copper Alchemy Paint to create the effect of rust around the Nailhead.

Then added a Quote Chip along the bottom edge...

...and that completes my school related project, packed full of little pieces that create and tell a story of this little boys life at school!

As always, if you do need any further inspiration, then 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: Schoolhouse

Distress Paints: Black Soot, Broken China, Candied Apple, 
Distress Oxide Inks: Faded Jeans, Walnut Stain
Tim Holtz Layering Stencil: Splatters
Distress Marker Pens
Tim Holtz idea-ology: Snippets, Index Clips, Clippings, Paper Dolls, Star Adornments, Nailhead Findings, Collector Ephemera, Ruler Pieces, Quote Chips, Hinge Clips, Pen Nibs, Typography Findings, Numbers Remnant Rubs, Gilded Accents rubs
Surfaces: Memoranda Paper Stash
Mediums: Collage Medium, Jet Black Archival Ink, Vintage Collage Medium
Alcohol Ink: Miner's Lantern
Alchemy Paint: Gold Rush, Steampunk Copper
Surfaces: Heavyweight Mixed Media Card
Ranger Craft Sheet
Paper Distresser
Sanding Tool

Heat Gun
Sisal fibres from my own stash