That's Life: Here Comes The Sun...

Hello friends...

Hope you've all had a wonderful weekend and if you're currently in a place where there is a heatwave, I feel your pain because here in London, we currently have record temperatures over the next two days ~ if you've ever visited the UK, you'll know that most of us Brits, we don't do heat and when it's hot...we melt!

So, as I sit here surrounded by fans to keep me cool, it's time for the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week's theme, LET'S GO ON VACATION couldn't be more appropriate and whether you're off on holiday, or having a staycation, we can't wait to see what you'll create!

For my project, I chose to go with one of my favourite Tim Holtz dies from recent years, Baggage Claim and created a piece all about travel and seeing the world.

So let's get started and here's how I made my tag...

For this make, I used a Size 8 Etcetera Tag and began by apply Design Tape around the edge of the tag to create a border that just peeks through from behind the paper. I used an older tape from the Vintage Tape set, but you can choose any tape you like, or just use papers, it really is what you have in your stash.

BACKGROUND

Now for the background to my tag, and for this I used a panel of map design paper, from the Journal Cards set.

I distressed the edges of the paper by adding lots of rips and tears and then I machine stitched a border. before I adhered the panel onto my tag, ensuring that the torn, curled edges show hints of the design tape that I'd applied around the edge.

After adding some watered down Distress Paint to the torn edges, I used a blend of Rusty Hinge and Ground Espresso, I punched the hole in the top of the tag and then set this to one side to move onto the next stage.

BAGGAGE

To begin with I cut all the pieces for the three suitcases from mountboard. I then cut the inked and coloured cardstock and layered this over the top of the mount board die cuts.

I used pieces that I had in my stash, this is one of those dies that is perfect for all those offcuts. The suitcase on the bottom is cut from card that I embossed using the Cracked Leather 3D Texture Fade and I used various shades of Distress Spray Stains to colour the card stock ~ Aged Mahogany, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs and Ground Espresso.

The yellow and blue cases are both cut from inked Mixed Media heavy stock card, that has been coloured with Distress Spray Stains ~ as these are scraps, I can't remember exactly which colours I used but I would say, Brushed Corduroy, Fossilised Amber and Gathered Twigs for the yellow case and Faded Jeans, Walnut Stain and Speckled Egg for the case at the top.

On the blue case, I added a little piece of ephemera.

All of the metallic handles that I cut from the mountboard, are gilded using Gilded Foundry Wax. I just applied a little wax over the top and then heat set it, before inking the edges to create more of a vintage feel.

The remaining trims are all cut from gold metallic kraft stash, layered over the top of the remaining embossed leather cardstock.

Once my pieces were all assembled, I then attached them to my tag, placing them on different depths of foam pads, to create dimension. I attached the first two suitcases so they are level, but the blue case, at a slight angle, so it looks as if it's falling and creates movement on the tag. I also let the cases overhang the edge of the tag, which I thought looked so cool

You can see from the photo below, how much dimension is in this piece.

With the suitcases in place, I added an Etcetera Trim beneath them. This is a straight edged trim from the Bat Web Trims, which I painted black before I attached it to my tag with Matte Collage Medium. I added some moss along the trim and some Design Tape Trim just beneath.

I used this paper doll because I thought he was the perfect proportion for the cases, and but before I attached him, I added a ticket in his hand. I just cut along the line of his hand with a craft knife, then slid the ticket from the Snippets set, underneath, attaching it with a dab of collage medium.

I then colour tinted the image with Distress Crayons and layered it onto my tag, using foam pads to create even more depth to this piece. The foam pads are placed strategically so they are hidden from view but give support.

I also placed small torn pieces of Mummy Cloth, dyed with Frayed Burlap Distress Spray Stains, and just tucked these behind the cases, and the paper doll.

FINISHING DETAILS

Now for the finishing details...

To begin with I added a little cluster of ephemera pieces on the top left of the tag. I used pieces from the Snippets set, a US postage stamp, pointy finger and ticket. I then attached a mini pin and star adornment, painted with Candied Apple Distress Paint.

To complete this section, I ran a black charcoal pencil around the edges, then smudged it out with my finger.

Just above the head of my gentleman, I added some Remnant Rubs from the Labeled Set ~ Transportation Co. Register 02408.

We're nearly there and there's just two last details ~ some rope through the top of the tag, and I attached a ticket and compass to the end using a loop pin. The compass is from my stash and is from one of Tim's older idea-ology packs, Souvenir which is now retired but if you don't have this, then any travel themed charm will do. I altered the metal with White Gesso, Black Soot and Crackling Campfire Distress Paints for a more rusty, crusty feel and then attached it with a tag from the Snippets Ephemera set, all crumpled and inked to once again, carry on the worn, aged look of this piece.

Finally, the quote "SEE THE WORLD" which is a sticker from the idea-ology Metallic Sticker Book, which I attached beneath the trim.

...and that's my tag, and project finished.

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 and if sometimes I miss it ~ just keep nudging me!

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....