Little Things...

Hello friends! Can you believe another week has flown by and we're already at the end of January?!? But because it's the start of a brand new week, it also means it's the start of a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week our theme is called RESIST IT! There are so many techniques that can be used to interpret this challenge, you might use embossing powder, Distress Glaze or maybe gesso and whatever you choose, we can't wait to see what you'll create and hope you'll join us!

For my project, I went with the heat embossed technique to create the background for my scene that I added to a mini clipboard and hope you'll read along to find out all the details of how I created this home decor piece...

So, let's get started ~ it's time for this week's project!

To begin with, I'll start with the background panel and the technique I used to create this layer. I cut a piece of the Mixed Media Heavyweight cardstock and then using the Flourish Background stamp from Tim Holtz, I inked the stamp with Versamark Ink and then, using the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform, I stamped the background directly onto the card. Remove the card from the platform and sprinkle white embossing powder over the top of the ink. Tap away the excess and then heat emboss until molten.

Now for the fun part of inking up that background and watching the embossing resist the colour. I applied Fossilized Amber, Frayed Burlap, Iced Spruce and Vintage Photo inks to my craft sheet, spritzed them with water and then dragged my embossed panel through the inks, picking up the colour. To dry the inks, I just gently wafted my heat gun over the top of the card, ensuring that I didn't overheat the embossed areas. At this stage, if you need more colour, just go back into the inks and keep dipping until your happy with the background.

When I'd throughly dried my panel, I then inked the edges of the card with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and matted it onto some sanded black soot kraft card.

Now to build up the layers and for this, I removed the clip and then covered my clipboard with a piece of decorative paper from the Etcetera paper stash, adhering the paper onto the board with Matte Collage Medium. I then sanded around the edges of the board and lightly inked them to create a more aged, vintage look.

I then mounted my embossed panel onto the board.

For the clip, I wanted a more rusty feel to the metal and for this, I painted it with a coat of Antiqued Bronze Distress Paint, allowed it to dry before using a sponge to dab some Steampunk Copper Alchemy Paint over the top, allowing the paint to pit slightly and create the look of rust. Once the paint was dry, I accentuated the metal with a hint of Aged Brass Alchemy Wax by lightly rubbing it over the top with my fingertip.

I attached the clip back onto the clipboard and then tied some twine around the clip and added a tag complete with remnant rub, die cut from kraft card using the Gift Tags die set.

We can now start building that scene and to begin, I created my base layer and attached some Botanical Layers to my panel and a ruler adornment, that I snapped in half.

I then added some more botanical layers, some die cut foliage cut from green kraft card using the Garden Greens dies and some flowers snipped from the Bouquet Findings and coloured with Sanded Lilac Distress Spray Stain.

To complete the scene, I attached my Paper Doll with foam pads and placed over the top of some sisal fibres, attached a couple of butterflies from the Botanical Layers pack and added a Clippings Sticker. You can also see from the photo below, just how dimensional this project is

As a finishing touch, I used two Hex Fasteners on the bottom left and right hand corners of the panel.

I hope you've enjoyed how this project was created and love the final piece...it reminds me that spring is just around the corner!

You can find more inspiration from my talented teamies over on the challenge blog and don't forget that 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 I'll see you very soon!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Sizzix: Garden Greens, Gift Tags
Tim Holtz Stamps: Flourish and Lattice Stamp Set
Distress Paint: Antiqued Bronze
Distress Spray Stain: Shaded Lilac
Distress Oxide Ink Pads: Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, Antique Linen, Fossilized Amber

Idea-ology: Clippings Stickers, Special Delivery Remnant Rubs, Bouquet Findings, Botanical Layers, Paper Dolls, Ruler Pieces, Hex Fasteners
Mediums: White Embossing Powder, Versamark Ink Pad, Aged Brass Alchemy Wax, Steampunk Copper Alchemy Paint
Surfaces: Classic Kraft Card, Heavystock Card, Etcetera Paper Stash
Hemptique Twine
Ranger Craft Sheet

Big Shot

Tim Holtz Sidekick Die Cutting Machine

Heat Gun

In My Heart...

Hello friends and welcome to another week over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! I can't quite believe we're in the third week of January already but I hope you've been loving all the inspiration and challenges so far!

This week our theme is called TAG IT and all we want you to do is use a tag somewhere on your project, it's that's simple and we can't wait to see what you create.

For my project, I felt love in the air and decided to create a Valentine's tag full of layers and completed with a wire wrapped heart.

So, let's get started and here's how I created this project... 

To begin with I took a Mixed Media Heavyweight tag and began by adding colour with Distress Oxide Inks. I used Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap and Vintage Photo on this one and just applied the ink directly from the pad onto a craft sheet, spritzed the ink with a light misting of water and then swooshed the tag through the inks, picking up the colour. I then heat dried the surface before picking up some more ink to build up the depth of colour. Once I was happy with the inking and the tag was completely dry, I then began building up even more layers by applying some Tissue Tape directly onto the background. I then scraped some gesso over the top of the tape before applying more colour using Pumice Stone, Vintage Photo, Victorian Velvet and Black Soot crayons.

To complete the background of the large tag and to create some texture, I applied Grit Paste through my old favourite, the Dot Fade Layering Stencil and allowed the paste to dry before adding small torn pieces of Design Tape and some Remnant Rubs. I matted the tag onto black card, leaving a border around the edge.

Now for those luscious layers and I started by cutting a smaller tag from heavyweight card stock, using the die that is included with the "YOU REALLY NEED THIS" Tim Holtz Sidekick Starter Set. I then inked the tag in the same way as the larger tag was inked but just randomly stamped onto this one using the Love definition stamp from the Love Struck Stamp Set. I then matted my tag onto layers of kraft card and gold metallic kraft card before adding a final layer of kraft card, which I edged with gold transfer foil. For this, I just ran my Collage Stick along the edge of the tag and then using the foil, shiny side uppermost, I pressed the foil onto the tacky glue and transferred the foil to create this beautiful gold edge.

I attached my layered tag to the larger tag and then added a hinge clip to the top, which I painted red using Candied Apple Distress Paint.

For the heart, I used the Heartfelt die and die cut one heart from a piece of chipboard. I then painted the heart with a combination of Candied Apple and a minute touch of Black Soot Distress Paint before enamelling it. To do this technique, I dab the painted surface of the heart using a clear embossing ink, I used Versamark, and then apply clear embossing powder over the top. Heat emboss the powder until molten and then repeat this process about 4 times to create this beautiful enamelled effect.

I then rubbed a small amount of Alchemy Wax around the edge before wrapping some wire around the heart. 

I then attached the wire wrapped heart over the top of the smallest set of wings, altered with Gold Mixative Alcohol Ink and taken from the Regal Adornments set.

I then finished the centre piece by adding a sprocket gear and resin rose to the centre of the heart.

To complete my tag, I added a Clippings Sticker just below the heart, a Quote Chip to the bottom of the tag attached with foam pads and placed over some Nailhead findings....

...and finished with a piece of twine through the hole at the top.

So that completes my project for this week and I hope you can find it in your heart to love this tag as much as I loved making it...

You can find more inspiration from my talented teamies over on the challenge blog and don't forget that 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 I'll see you very soon!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Sizzix: Heartfelt
Tim Holtz Stamps: Love Struck
Distress Paint: Black Soot, Candied Apple
Distress Oxide Ink Pads: Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, Antique Linen
Distress Crayons: Pumice stone, Victorian Velvet, Vintage Photo and Black Soot

Idea-ology: Hinge Clip, Quote Chip, Clippings Stickers, Sprocket Gear, Heirloom Roses, Symphony Tissue Tape, Regal Adornments, Special Delivery Remnant Rubs
Layering Stencil: Dot Fade

Mediums: Grit Paste, Gesso, Clear Embossing Powder, Versamark Ink Pad, Gold Mixative Alcohol Ink, Collage Stick, Transfer Foil, Aged Brass Alchemy Wax
Surfaces: Classic Kraft Card, Size 8 Tag, Heavystock Card, Chipboard
Ranger Craft Sheet

Big Shot

Tim Holtz Sidekick Die Cutting Machine

Heat Gun
Wire from my own stash

Birds Of A Feather...

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! This week our theme is called BIRDS OF A FEATHER and we are challenging you to create something with either birds, feathers or maybe like me you will choose to use another meaning of the phrase.

As soon as I saw this challenge, I was actually inspired by the definition and meaning and decided to create a project about friendship. I used one of Tim's small Etcetera tags and created a piece full of layers, using a beautiful photo from Tim Holtz's Found Relatives as my focal point to tell the story.

"The phrase "birds of a feather" ~ people having similar characters, backgrounds, interests, or beliefs.

So, let's get started and here's how I created this project... 

To begin with I prepped my small Etcetera tag and applied a coat of gesso. Let the gesso dry before adding the next layer and for this I used some offcuts of card, which I attached directly to my tag using Matte Collage Medium. Once the card is dry, you can then start layering the paint and I began with a coat of Antique Linen, followed by a very light wash of Picket Fence. Heat dry the paint and then to add some more depth, I used Distress Crayons in Victorian Velvet, Pumice Stone, Vintage Photo and a hint of Black Soot. I ran the crayons around the outside of the card that is attached to the tag and blended out the colour with a semi dry baby wipe. Once happy, I then used an old credit card to scrape gesso over the top. At this stage, if you need to add more colour back into the background, just add more crayon and continue until you're happy.

Once I'd finished the paintwork, I then added some more texture, using Grit Paste through the Rosette Layering Stencil. Allow the paste to dry before adding a touch of gold paint which will just accentuate the surface. To complete the background, add some flicks of Black Soot Distress Paint and gold paint.

Once the surface is dry, I can now start adding some more layers and started with a Doily die cut, cut from Classic Kraft Card. I cut this in half and then attached this directly to the tag with Collage Medium.

I then added some Layers ephemera pieces and some Snippets Ephemera pieces together with a ruler piece finding, which I coloured with Walnut Stain Distress Stain.

Now for the photo and I used this beautiful image of two friends, (birds of a feather) and just aged it a little by giving the photo a few creases, sanding the edges and adding some Vintage Collage Medium to the corners.

I then added a hint of colour to the image with Distress Marker Pens before attaching it using foam pads over the top of my layers and also adding a real feather, which I found in my stash.

To complete the central section, I coloured a Quote Chip with some more Vintage Collage Medium and attached it across the bottom section of the photo.

Finally, I added some metal idea-ology pieces, an index fastener, a hinge clip with the addition of a small piece of ribbon and altered with a touch of Distress Paint and a star adornment and placed a Melange Pebble, painted with Opal Blue Gold Alchemy Paint from Prima, as the finishing touch.

I hope you've enjoyed how I put this piece together and how much fun would this be if you used a personal photo of your best friend...it would be such a lovely project to make to celebrate your friendship. 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.

Don't forget that 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 I'll see you very soon!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Sizzix: Doily 2
Distress Paint: Antique Linen, Black Soot
Distress Crayons: Pumice stone, Victorian Velvet, Vintage Photo and Black Soot

Idea-ology: Hinge Clip, Crinkle Ribbon, Found Relatives, Index Fasteners, Star Adornment, Ruler Pieces, Quote Chip, Layers Ephemera, Snippets Ephemera
Layering Stencil: Rosette
Melange Pebbles
Opal Blue Gold Alchemy Paint
Mediums: Collage Medium, Grit Paste, Gesso, Vintage Collage Medium, Walnut Stain Distress Stain
Surfaces: Classic Kraft Card, Etcetera Tag
Ranger Craft Sheet

Big Shot

Heat Gun
Feather from my own stash

Winter Magic...

Hi everyone...

How's your week been? I hope you've all had a great one and looking forward to a brand new challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog. This week our theme is called Winter Blues and we can't wait to see how you'll interpret the challenge theme and, we're already looking forward to seeing your makes!

For my project, I was inspired by long walks in the woods on a cold and frosty day, bundled up warm and cosy against the icy elements and with this in mind, I created a panel using some Winter blues as my background and plenty of Tim Holtz dies to create the scene.

So, let's get started and here's how I created this project, full of layers and texture...

To begin with I cut a panel of canvas paper from my stash and started to lay down the colour for the background. I started with a layer of Tumbled Glass Distress Paint and then once this was dry, I scraped some gesso over the surface to create some depth. I then added some Pumice Stone Distress Crayon over the top of the layers and around the edges before applying Grit Paste through my favourite stencil, the Starry Layering Stencil from Tim Holtz.

Once the paste was dry, I added a dry brushing of Unicorn's Hair Alchemy Paint across the paste, just to accentuate the texture. I mounted the background onto silver metallic kraft card, followed by a layer of kraft card and then matted the layers onto a piece of chipboard, that I painted with the same colours as I used on the background panel.

Now that the background was complete, I started to build up my scene and for this, I used a variety of dies, including the Tree Line die and the Mini Holiday Greens die. To begin, I inked some card usingPeeled Paint and Iced Spruce Distress Oxide Inks and then die cut the tree line and some pieces of foliage. The remaining foliage was die cut from silver metallic kraft card and various shades of green classic kraft card.

I added my tree line die cut along the bottom section of the background and then attached all the other foliage pieces so that they sprayed out from behind the tree line. I then applied a small amount of grit paste to the tips of the tree line die and set this aside to dry.

Using an offcut strip from the background, I then attached this using foam pads along the base of the panel and applied some more grit paste to create the look of snow.

To complete the scene I added a die cut deer from the Winter Wonderland die set, which I painted with Distress Paints ~ Ground Espresso on the body and Pumice Stone on his antlers. I attached the deer into place over a bed of sisal fibres.

To complete my scene, I added the Winter Magic Quote Chips and a mirrored star at the top of the scene...

...and placed a Clippings Sticker and two Nailhead Findings along the bottom section.

I hope you've enjoyed how I put this piece together and 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.

Don't forget that 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 I'll see you very soon!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Sizzix: Mini Holiday Greens, Winter Wonderland, Tree Line
Distress Oxide Inks: Peeled Paint, Iced Spruce
Distress Paint: Tumbled Glass
Distress Crayons: Pumice stone

Idea-ology: Christmas Clippings Stickers, Christmas Quote Chips, Mirrored Star, Nailhead Findings
Layering Stencil: Starry
Mediums: Collage Medium, Grit Paste, Gesso, Unicorn's Hair Alchemy Paint
Surfaces: Classic Kraft Card, Kraft Card, Metallic Kraft Card
Ranger Craft Sheet

Big Shot

Heat Gun