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