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