Alas, I Knew Him Well...

Hello friends...

I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend and even though here in the UK we are having another heatwave, it doesn't stop the crafty inspiration from coming thick and fast, and with a brand new Seasonal Distress release from Tim Holtz, there is just so much goodness to go around and so many amazing new products to try. If you’d like to catch up with Tim's YouTube Live and see the latest release and plenty of demos, then just click HERE!

So, back to today and this week's Monday challenge at Simon Says Stamp where we ask you to have some FUN WITH STENCILS! There are so many stencils available now, I think you’ll be spoilt for choice but as always, I turned to my favourite brand and used Tim's layering stencils from Stampers Anonymous to create a Halloween card that also uses some of those beautiful new Mica Sprays that I mentioned a minute ago and I combined these with Tim's brand new Halloween release from Sizzix...

So let's get started and here's how I made my card inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet and a project which works alongside the make that I created for Tim's recent Sizzix Halloween LIVE. You can see that make HERE and alas, I think we knew him well!

To begin with we'll start with the background...

BACKGROUNDS

I used many layers for this card but the main layers are stencilled and embossed and this is how I achieved the effect, starting with the larger base layer.

I cut a panel of SSS black card 11 x 18cm and placed the Floral Layering Stencil in the top right hand corner. I then applied a layer of Translucent Grit Paste through it, applying a design in that corner only. After removing the stencil, I immediately sprinkled gold embossing powder over the top.

I then repeated the application of Translucent Grit Paste through the stencil, but this time in the bottom left hand corner and along the bottom edge of the card. Again sprinkle the gold embossing powder over the top and set the card to one side for approx. 30 mins before heat embossing the powder until it melts and becomes shiny. Do NOT OVERHEAT THE PASTE, it's not a disaster if you do but it will create small air pockets and bubbles, not a smooth finish.

To complete this layer, I spritzed the background very lightly, with the Mica Sprays; Burning Embers, Iron Gate and Decayed, together with a light coverage of Black Soot Distress Spray Stain. I allowed the sprays to dry naturally before I matted onto gold metallic kraft card and then my black card blank.

First layers ready, and we can move onto the next panel.

This is the smaller panel which features the gothic script and I used the stencil from the Mini Layering set 49. I used exactly the same technique as on the previous floral background but this time I applied the paste through the entire stencil before adding the gold powder over the top.

Once my panel was heat embossed and I'd spritzed the background with the same Mica Sprays, (minus the Burning Embers) and Black Soot Distress Spray Stain as before, I machine stitched a border around the outside and then matted the layer onto gold metallic kraft card, followed by a layer of black kraft stock.

Using foam pads, I mounted my layers onto the centre of my covered card blank.

SPENCER

Now it's time to introduce you to Spencer, or should I say Yorick! 

Spencer is one of Tim's Colorize dies and is super easy to die cut and assemble. To begin with you need to cut the base layer from black card, and then ink some Mixed Media Heavystock card with Distress Spray Stains ready to die cut the remaining layers. I used Antique Linen, Old Paper, Pumice Stone. Cut and assemble all the layers before placing Spencer to one side.

FEATHERY

For the feather, I used Tim's Feathery die to die cut one feather from Mixed Media Heavystock. After spritzing the die cut with Black Soot Distress Spray Stain, I heat dried the surface and then used the same Mica Spray colours as I used for the backgrounds and just added a very light misting over the die cut feather. I allowed for the inks to dry and then layered this over the top of a second layer, cut from gold metallic kraft card and attached the layers by stitching down the centre of the feather.

QUOTE

For the quote, I used the Alphanumeric Label Die Set and cut the letters from gold metallic kraft card, to create the famous line from Hamlet, "I Knew Him Well".

I attached each letter onto a further strip of the gold card before applying a layer of Black Soot Distress Paint over the top. Wipe away any excess paint with a soft cloth.

Matt the quote strip onto black kraft card, and then attach with foam pads, placing it across the card front.

To complete the strip, I added a Hardware Head either side and altered them with Distress Paints ~ Black Soot and Crackling Campfire, to create a rusty effect.

I then placed two Index Clips on either side of the card, aligning them with the quote strip.

BUILDING THE SCENE

Attach Spencer and the Feathery die cuts to the card front, using foam pads for height and place them to sit on the quote strip, adding some Mummy Cloth, dyed with Pumice Stone Distress Spray Stain and placing it underneath the die cuts to ground them.

I finished the arrangement with a scroll. This was just an offcut of paper that I had and I rolled it around a pencil before tying it with some twine. I then inked the edges for an aged look before attaching it with hot glue and adding a Halloween clippings sticker, '369', which I attached to the twine.

We're nearly there and all that's left is the bats...

I used the bat die from Otis and cut three sets of bats from black card, each bat has two layers. I then layered the bats, shaping the wings so they appear to fly and spritz with the Mica Sprays.

Once dry, attach the bats to complete the card, two in the top left corner....

...one in the bottom right!

So, that's it from me for today and I hope you love my make...

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....

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: Floral Layering Stencil, Mini Layering Stencils Set 49

Sizzix: Big Shot Foldway, Spencer, Otis, Feathery, Alphanumeric Label

Distress Spray Stain: Black Soot, Old Paper, Antique Linen, Pumice Stone

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain

Distress Paint: Black Soot

Mica Spray

Tim Holtz idea-ology: Mummy cloth, Index Clips, Hardware Heads

Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock Card, Metallic Kraft, Black Card, Black Kraft Card

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Foam Pads, Translucent Grit Paste, Gold Ultra Fine Embossing Powder

Tools: Glass Media Mat, Blending Tool, Tim Holtz Paper Trimmer, Heat Gun, Glue Gun