Crystal....

Hello friends and Happy Monday!

It's time for the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge to begin and this week, our theme is all about Glimmer and Sparkle.

I decided to create a vintage style tag, and this tag has tiny hints of sparkle, not full on glitter and to create this I used the brand new releases that Tim Holtz shared in the surprise YouTube Live last week ~ the gorgeous Frosted Crystal, which once you start using, you will never stop, and I combined this with the new colours of Distress Crayon.

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

To begin with I started by covering my Etcetera Tag ~ I used the Mini size of tag and using Design Tape, I applied this around the edges of the tag to create a decorative border.

I then cut a panel of Backdrops paper, I used a script design which I think came from Volume 2 but my papers have got slightly mixed up, so don't quote me, lol!

Once the panel was trimmed to size, I cut it slightly smaller than the tag itself as I wanted to show the border, I then started to rip and tear around the edges of the paper before machine stitching around the edge.

I adhered the paper panel onto the tag with Matte Collage Medium, allowing the edges to curl and look really shabby and vintage. Behind some of the corners, I added a second layer of paper, so that it created even more depth and layers.

With my paper in place, I applied a coat of the medium over the top to seal it before inking the edges and adding Walnut Stain Distress Crayon over the surface, blending out any harsh lines with my fingertip.

The tag is ready, and I set this to one side to work on the second smaller tag.

To begin with I applied Opaque Grit Paste with a palette knife, through the Rosette Mini Layering Stencil from Set 30. After removing the stencil, I allowed for it to dry and set and once that magic has happened, I started to apply the colour.

For this I used Distress Spray Stains and Oxide Sprays: Prize Ribbon, Ground Espresso, Speckled Egg and Speckled Egg Oxide Spray.

Once the sprays had been applied, and dried I machine stitched a border around the edge and mounted it onto the centre of my tag using foam pads.

Now for the embellishments and all those layers...

I'll start with the Engraving Layers and using the leaves and flowers from the set, I applied the Embossing Dabber over the surface and then sprinkled Frosted Crystal over the top. Tap away the excess and return to the pot and then, heat emboss the powder until it melts and creates the beautiful crystal finish.

The crystal gives a key to adding colour and for this I used Prize Ribbon Distress Crayon on the flowers and Rustic Wilderness from Set 11 on the leaves. I applied the crayon with the fine detail waterbrush.

Now for the Photo Booth image, I've decided to call her Crystal in honour of Frosted Crystal, and after brushing a layer of clear gesso over the surface to prime the photo, and allowing to dry ~ I colour tinted it with Distress Crayons using the fine detail water brush. Once dry, I then wrapped a small torn piece of Design Tape around one edge, and added some machine stitching before applying the embossing dabber over the entire surface, followed by Frosted Crystal which I heat embossed.

I matted my photo of 'Crystal', onto some burlap and layered it onto the centre of my smaller sized tag, mounting it over the top of an arrangement of ephemera pieces that I took from the Field Notes, and Field Notes Snippets sets and the frosted Engraving Layers. I also added Mini Clip to the photo.

To complete the arrangement, I added some buttons in a cluster to the bottom left of the photo and the top right.

Beneath the photo arrangement, I attached the W.P. Collins plaque, again with added Frosted Crystal applied over the top and to complete the arrangement, I added a Stitched Scrap that I rolled up and placed in the top left corner.

We're nearly there and all that's left is the sparkle and for this I added a Antiqued Gem which I clipped to the smaller tag using a Mini Pin...

...and also some silver Metallic Droplets, that I added along the bottom of the tag, beneath the W.P. Collins plate.

Finally, I wanted to use one of the gorgeous clips at the top but it needed a little bit of altering, so I applied some Prize Ribbon Distress Paint to the surface, removing some of it with a paper towel but allowing hints of the remainder to add colour to the metal. Once dry, I then applied the Embossing Dabber over the surface and sprinkled Walnut Stain Embossing Glaze over the top. Repeat this process using Crackling Campfire and Salvaged Patina, applying each colour separately before adding the final touch of sparkle with Alchemy Waxes applied directly to the surface ~ I used Vintage Gold, Rusty Red and Pearl White.

So, that's my project ready and I hope you've enjoyed the techniques I've used to create it and if you haven't already bought a pot of that Frosted Crystal Embossing Powder...then you must, it will create a world of difference!

...as always, if you make anything, or been inspired by anything that you've seen here on my blog ~ then please, let me know by tagging me on social media or leaving a comment here and I will be right over to take a look!

Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $25 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today ~ stay safe and keep well.

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Stampers Anonymous: Mini Etcetera Tag, Mini Layering Stencil Set 30

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain

Distress Spray Stain: Prize Ribbon, Ground Espresso, Speckled Egg

Oxide Spray: Speckled Egg

Distress Paint: Prize Ribbon

Distress Glaze: Walnut Stain, Salvaged Patina, Crackling Campfire

Distress Crayons: Set 11, Set 12

Embossing Powders: Frosted Crystal

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Backdrops Volume 2, Engraving Layers, Photobooth, Field Notes Snippets, Field Notes Ephemera, Vintage Clips, Mini Clips, Mini Pins, Antiqued Gem, Merchant Design Tape, Stitched Scraps, Metallic Droplets

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Opaque Grit Paste, Vintage Gold,  Rusty Red and Pearl White Alchemy Wax

Surfaces: Size 8 Heavystock Tag, Burlap from my stash

Glass Media Mat

Heat Gun

Buttons