That's Life: May 2022

Monday, 30 May 2022

A Royal Celebration....

Hello friends...

As another Monday comes around, it's time for the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge to begin and this week our theme is called, IT'S UP IN THE AIR! So whether you choose to use planes, things with wings or have a completely different idea, then if you'd like to join us, the DT can't wait to see what you create!

When I plan for these challenges, I always like to try and think outside the box and after going through all the ideas buzzing in my head, I decided that with a very special occasion happening here in the UK this week, it would be the perfect time to make something to celebrate Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee. So as we hang our bunting and raise a glass in the air ~ I've created a home decor piece to commemorate this momentous week of celebrations.

So let's get started ~ her Majesty is waiting, and will see you now!

TAG

To begin with I used the small Etcetera Tag and painted the surface with Black Soot Distress Paint. Once dry, I sanded the edges to create more of a vintage feel to the piece.

For the background, I wanted something that looked very 1950's and chose a piece of paper from the Wallpaper Scraps pack. I created small rips and tears around the edge of the paper before I then machine stitched a border in black cotton thread. I then adhered the panel onto my tag.

Around the outside of the worn wallpaper, I applied some of the polka dot design tape trim to create the appearance of an extra layer.

At the very top of the paper panel, I placed a Handle With Care Memoir Ephemera piece. I used Matte Collage Medium to attach it centrally and then added two hardware heads either side.

UNION JACK FLAG

With the tag ready, I moved onto the flag...

For this I used the Stampers Anonymous London Sights stamp set by Tim Holtz and because I wanted to stamp the flag in red, white and blue, I used my stamp platform, which is perfect for this technique.

To begin with I placed the stamp onto the platform and then used masking tape to mask of the areas of the stamp that will be stamped in blue, leaving the areas that will be red. I then inked up the stamp with Barn Door Archival Ink, removed my masking tape and stamped the image onto white heavy stock card.

If you need to go over any areas, just place the tape back onto the stamp that needs to be masked and re-ink until your happy, remembering to remove the tape before stamping again.

Now for the blue areas and all you need to do now, is mask off the parts of the stamp that were inked in red and ink up the remaining parts in Prize Ribbon Archival Ink. Remove the tape and stamp...

With the flag complete, I inked the surface with a little Old Paper Distress Ink, spritzed water over the top and dabbed away the excess with a paper towel. I heat dried the image and then machine stitched around the edge.

I mounted the flag onto a Baseboard Frame, slightly larger in size than the flag itself and then attached the frame to my tag using foam pads to add height.

I added two hardware heads to the top corners on either side of the flag, and then I added the dates, 1952 - 2022. For this I used the Sizzix Alphanumeric Upper Type Die Set by Tim Holtz and cut each number from black kraft card.

Now this celebration wouldn't be complete without a crown and I placed my golden crown at the top of the flag. This particular piece is from the idea-ology Regal Adornments set by Tim and all I did was apply some Gilded Foundry Wax over the top to colour the metal. I heat set the wax before I attached my crown above the year date.

PAPER DOLLS and LEDGE

Now for the paper dolls, and I used a group paper doll image which I colour tinted with Distress Crayons and a water brush.

I added some white pen work over the top of the dresses.

My three ladies needed to stand on something and for this I used two Pinked Etcetera Trims, that I attached to form an 'L' shape. I covered the surface with Crackle Paste and once the paste was dry, I attached my ledge onto the tag.

I added some of the beautiful floral scraps that come in the Wallpaper Scraps pack and then attached my painted paper doll image onto the tag using foam pads.

To complete the scene, I added clumps of moss around their feet.

Just underneath the ledge, I used one of the "Made In England" strips that is in the Halloween Worn Wallpaper Scraps set and after trimming it down to fit across my tag, I adhered it into place using Matte Collage Medium. I absolutely LOVE these scraps and if I could have a whole pack, I would!

Finally, I added a Numbers strip ephemera piece to the side of the frame and thought this fit the scene perfectly ~ No. 520 Blackberry Jam.

BUNTING

So the tag is nearly ready but there's just one thing left to do and that's to hang the bunting in the air....

I began by colouring some Distress Watercolour card...

RED: Aged Mahogany, Barn Door

BLUE: Blueprint Sketch, Prize Ribbon

WHITE: Embossed with Woven Embossing Folder

With my card inked, embossed and ready to use, I die cut the small pennants using the Sizzix Stacked Triangles die set by Tim. I then inked the edges with walnut Stain Distress Ink and arranged them across the top of the tag.

Finally, I attached some twine to the bunting and hand tied little knots, which I placed onto the pennants. The finishing touch is some tacks which I hammered into the tag itself, placing them on either side of the bunting.

So that's my project finished for another week and I hope you've loved this piece as much as I loved making it! Hope everyone who is celebrating the Platinum Jubilee has a wonderful and safe time and here's to her Majesty the Queen!

As always, if you make anything, or if you've 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 next Monday at 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:

Sizzix: Tim Holtz Big Shot Foldaway Die Cutting Machine, Alphanumeric Upper Type, Woven 3D Texture Fade Embossing folder, Stacked Triangles

Stampers Anonymous: Small Etcetera Tag, London Sights

Foundry Wax: Gilded

Distress Spray Stains: Barn Door, Aged Mahogany, Prize Ribbon, Blueprint Sketch

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain, Old Paper

Archival Ink: Prize Ribbon, Barn Door

Distress Paint: Black Soot

Distress Crayons

Tim Holtz idea-ology: Worn Wallpaper Scraps, Halloween Wallpaper Scraps, Hardware Heads, Design Tape Trims, Baseboard Frames, Tack Nails, Numbers Snippets, Memoir Ephemera, Regal Adornments, Group Paper Dolls

Surfaces: Distress Watercolour Card, Black Kraft Card, White Heavystock Card

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Crackle Paste

Tools: Glass Media Mat, Blending Tool, Tim Holtz Paper Trimmer, Heat Gun, Collage Brush, Waterbrush, Paint Brush

Twine

Tim Holtz Stamp Platform

Monday, 23 May 2022

I'll Be There For You...

Hello friends...

The brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge has begun and this week we want you to make ANYTHING BUT A CARD! So, with this fun theme in mind, what will you create? Whatever you choose, whether it be a tag, a box or maybe a gift bag ~ we'd love for you to join us and play along!

For my make, I created a clipboard but also chose to use a Size 8 Etcetera Tag that I layered over the top to create depth and dimension and if you want to find out how I created this piece, then here we go because it's time to get started and get creative!

For those of you who are regular followers, you'll know that I used the larger paper doll image of these three boys on a previous make, which you can see HERE, and that piece was inspired by one of my favourite films ~ Stand By Me. So with that in mind, I decided to use the smaller version of those boys from the brand new Mini Paper Dolls pack, and create a piece that would compliment the original!

CLIPBOARD

To begin with I used a Tim Holtz idea-ology Clipboard and covered the surface with a panel of paper from the Backdrops Volume 3 stash. I removed the clip from the top of the board, and then cut a panel of the paper to size before machine stitching a border around the edged. I adhered the paper to my board using Matte Collage Medium, applied a coat over the top to seal the paper and then ran Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edge, blending out any harsh colour using my fingertips.

For this piece I wanted to created a really vintage feel to the metal and started by ageing the clip. For this, I began by adding a layer of Gilded Foundry Wax over the metal surface, and the fasteners. I then heat set the wax using a heat gun. At this stage, I fitted the clip back onto the board.

The wax creates quite a bright, intense gold colour so to knock that back slightly and create the rust effect, I used added a smear of Translucent Grit Paste over the top. Once dry, I used the dry brushing technique and applied layers of Black Soot and Crackling Campfire Distress Paints over the top of the pasted areas, drying the paint in between each application. If you use too much of any colour, just dab away any excess with a dry cloth.

Build up the colour as much as you want and once happy, allow for the paint to completely dry before attaching the 'Exchange Coin' in the centre of the clip. I altered the coin, which is from the Odds and Ends idea-ology set, using a little Salvaged Patina Distress Paint and then rubbed away the excess paint with a soft cloth before adhering it with Matte Collage Medium.

The board is now ready for the next layer ~ the tag.

TAG

Using a size 8 Etcetera Tag and a Size 8 Mixed Media Heavystock tag, I started by applying a layer of Translucent paste through the Digits Layering Stencil, applying the paste onto one side of the card tag, and then setting this to one side to dry.

Once the medium is dry, I spritzed a combination of Ground Espresso, Salvaged Patina, Speckled Egg, and Frayed Burlap Distress Spray Stains and Speckled Egg Oxide Spray before machine stitching the border around the outside of the inked tag.

I adhered the inked tag to an Etcetera Tag to form a thicker base to work on and then attached the completed tag to the clipboard, using Matte Collage Medium. You can see the dimension and layers in the photo below.

With my tag in place, I adhered a snippets Ephemera Number Strip on the left hand side, which I placed vertically down the side of the tag.

To complete the board, I added some strips of embossed metal to either side of the tag. This was actually sitting on my desk from a previous project, so I cut a few strips down to size and adhered them to the clipboard, adding some Distress Paint to create more of a rusty appearance.

LAYERS AND EMBELLISHMENTS

Now to build up the layers and starting with the ruler piece. I broke one end of the ruler so it would fit the board. After swiping Walnut Stain Distress Ink across the surface of the ruler piece, then blending the ink with a baby wipe, I adhered the ruler piece to a piece of Mica and attached this to my tag, placing the adhesive so it will be behind all the embellishments and you won't see it on the finished piece.

On left hand side of the Ruler piece, I added a Gauge Frame, complete with a Gauge Dial inside. The metal frame is altered with Crackling Campfire and Black Soot Distress Paint to create the rusty colour tone and I attached it over the top of the dial. I then attached a hardware Head in the centre and using foam pads, placed it onto my board.

In the centre of the dial, I added an arrow. This comes from the Quill and Arrow Adornments set and all I did was paint it with Candied Apple Distress Paint before attaching it to my metal frame.

After colour tinting the Mini Paper Doll by watercolouring them with Distress Crayons, I then attached the boys, using foam pads to add height, and placed them so that they sit on my ruler piece. Look at that dimension and layers that the foam brings to this piece.

Finally, I added some Mummy Cloth, dyed with a little Frayed Burlap distress Stain, and placed this either side of the embellishments.

FINAL DETAILS

Now for those all important details...

At the bottom of the tag, I added a Numeric number 3, painted with Candied Apple Distress Paint and placed a star adornment next to it. I altered the colour of this piece using the Gilded Foundry Wax, applying it the same way as I did when I altered the clip on the board.

I then adhered a Story Stick, No.365 to the top left hand corner. The number is highlighted with Picket Fence Distress Crayon before I wrapped some twine around the hole.

At the top of the tag, I hammered some Tack Nails into the board. I didn't hammer them all the way, just so they are secure and when I was doing this, the nails bent ~ I obviously don't know my own strength ~ but I did like the look of them wrapping around the tag, so I purposely did the same on the other side.

I attached some Hardware Heads in the bottom corners of each side of the board, and one on the bottom left corner of the tag...

...and then, altered all the metal I've attached using Black Soot, Salvaged Patina, Antiqued Bronze and Crackling Campfire Distress Paints.

Finally, I attached a Hook Clasp to the clip at the top of the tag.

So, that completes my make and I hope you've enjoyed the walk through of how I created this piece and all the techniques I've used!

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: Digits Layering Stencil, Size 8 Etcetera Tag

Distress Spray Stains: Ground Espresso, Speckled Egg, Salvaged Patina, Frayed Burla

Oxide Sprays: Speckled Egg

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain

Distress Crayons

Distress Paint: Candied Apple, Black Soot, Ground Espresso, Crackling Campfire, Antiqued Bronze, Salvaged Patina

Tim Holtz idea-ology: Snippets Number Ephemera, Hardware Heads, Snippets Ephemera Numbers, Ruler Piece, Gauge Dials, Gauge Frames, Quill and Arrow Adornments, Tack Nails, Hook Clasp, Story Stick, Star Adornments, Mini clipboard, Numeric, Odds and Ends, Mini Paper Dolls, Mummy cloth

Surfaces: Backdrops Volume 3, Mixed Media Tag

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Gilded Foundry Wax, Translucent Texture Paste, Translucent Grit Paste

Tools: Glass Media Mat, Blending Tool, Tim Holtz Paper Trimmer, Heat Gun, Collage Brush, Waterbrush,

Monday, 16 May 2022

Do What You Love....

Hello friends...

Hope you are all keeping well and had a fabulous weekend! Thank you for all your messages about my absence last week ~ everything's ok, it was just a silly accident that kept me from joining in with the challenge but I'm back and ready to share my make, for the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge which is all about ADDING SOME TEXTURE! We hope you'll join us and play along, and however you choose to create texture, whether it's embossing folders, pastes or fabric ~ we can't wait to see what you create.

For my make, I created a textural background using one of Tim Holtz's 3D Embossing Folders by Sizzix and the gorgeous Damask and when you combine it with the Sizzix Foldaway Machine, then the detail will never cease to amaze you ~ it's just stunning and has so much depth. So, if you haven't tried a 3D folder yet...you must!

So let's get started, it's time to get creative!

To begin with I started with the background and used two panels of Distress Watercolour Card that I spritzed with a light mist of water. I placed the card into the folder, and ran it through the machine ~ you can do it 3 times to create depth but with the foldaway, I found it worked after a couple of times.

Repeat with the second panel of card and once it's embossed it's time to get inky...

INKING THE EMBOSSED PANELS

As you can see from the finished tag, I created an ombre effect to the background, with the colour fading towards the bottom and this is how I created it.

Place the first of the two panels of embossed card into the splatter box and I used Ground Espresso, Speckled Egg, Frayed Burlap and Antique Linen Distress Spray Stains, together with Speckled Egg Oxide Spray, to add the colour to my card. Spritz with a light mist of water to blend the inks and then heat dry.

On the second panel, I used the same colours but omitted the darker Ground Espresso.

To create the fresco finish, I used my fingertip to gently apply a smear of White Gesso over the top, or you can use Chalk Paint if you prefer.

Heat dry the paint thoroughly before the next stage of applying the Foundry Wax.

I only wanted hints of gold, not a block coverage, so I used my fingertip to apply the Gilded Foundry Wax, or you can use a brush if you have skin sensitivities and I literally just lightly rubbed over the top of the embossing, allowing the wax to highlight areas where I made contact.

Heat set the wax.

Cut the two panels to fit a Mini Etcetera Tag. On the tag itself, I adhered a strip of Tim's older Design Tape down the right and left hand sides, and then placed the darker panel at the top and the lighter one at the bottom.

Machine stitch around the edge and adhere the background to the tag using Matte Collage Medium.

Where the two panels join, I used two separate strips of the new idea-ology Design Tape Trims to hide it.

The tag is ready and it's time to add those embellishments.

PHOTO

The photo is taken from the idea-ology Photo Booth set and I distressed the edges, inked them with walnut Stain Distress Ink.

Because I wanted this piece to be packed with different textures, I added some more around the edges of the photo by dabbing an embossing dabber gently onto the edges, sprinkling Frosted Crystal over the top and then heat embossing the powder.

Once the powder is set, I then applied a light coverage of Foundry Wax to the raised embossed areas and once again heat embossed.

I then attached the photo using my sewing machine to a piece of frayed calico cotton from my stash, which I inked with Frayed Burlap Distress Stain before I placed the completed image onto a piece of Mica.

The photo itself is mounted onto ruler pieces ~ these are all pieces that I'd previously broken for other projects and after inking them with Walnut Stain Distress Ink, I just arranged them onto my tag, placing them on the right hand side and then mounted the photo on top.

I adhered some Hardware Heads to the broken ruler pieces, attached them with Matte Collage Medium and then altered them with Rusty Hinge, Black Soot and Ground Espresso Distress Paints to create a rusty finish to the metal.

To complete the photo arrangement, I added a Curator Snippets Number 24, and a small piece of adhesive Linen Tape.

FLORAL SPRAY

Now for the floral spray ~ I used the idea-ology Floral Adornments which I layered and combined them with one of my favourite left dies taken from Funky Floral 3 Sizzix die set by Tim Holtz. If you follow me every week, you'll have seen the love I've shown this die over the years!

To colour the metal flowers, I used Foundry Wax ~ a combination of Gilded and Statue. I applied the wax to the flowers and leaves and then heat set. I arranged the flowers on the left and right hand side fo the photos, and added pearls to the centres.

To add a some more texture to the piece, I die cut my foliage from card that I inked with Peeled Paint and Bundled Sage Distress Spray Stains.

Once I'd die cut the leaves, I placed them into the floral arrangement.

Beneath the photo, I attached a Theories Quote Chip. I inked the edges of the chip with Walnut Stain Distress Crayon and then wrapped some twine around each end before attaching it to my tag with foam pads.

We're nearly there and all that's left is to add some details in the top left corner...

I added a type chip, which I cut in half and placed a Hardware Head onto it, before finishing the piece with a Hinge Clip, altered with some more Foundry Wax and hung a Antiqued Gem from the clip.

So that's my make finished for this week, and I hope you love what I've done and the techniques I've used. which can also be used with a family photo, to make it more personal, the ideas are endless and I hope you'll give it a try.