That's Life: Countdown to Autumn...

Hello everyone and HAPPY STAMPtember...

As we celebrate the start of this exciting month, it's time for a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week we are showcasing the wonderful products of our very own Simon Says Stamp brand and the theme is called STAMP IT! So, however you choose to use stamps, we can't wait to see what you create and hope you'll join us and play along!

For my make, I started the countdown for my favourite time of year ~ AUTUMN and I chose to use Tim Holtz's Nature's Wonder stamp set together with the Simon Says Stamp co-ordinating die set. I love that these dies cut the images perfectly and there's no more fussy cutting which is definitely something to celebrate!

So, let's get started because it's time to share how I created my tag...

To begin with I used two Etcetera Tags which I layered ~ the Mini Etcetera Tag and the Size 8 Etcetera Tag.

CREATING THE BACKGROUNDS

I started with the larger tag, and began by applying Design Tape around each of the four edges. I then cut a piece of decorative paper from the Halloween Backdrops pack and added rips and tears to the edges. I machine stitched a border and then adhered the paper to the tag with Matte Collage Medium, adding more tears and curling the corners to create a gnarly, vintage feel to the piece.

After applying a coat of Collage Medium to the surface of the paper, I then took my Walnut Stain Distress Crayon and used this to add colour to the rips and tears. I also added a small Cello Sticker Tape to the edge on the right hand side of the tag.

Moving on to the smaller, Size 8 tag I created my own background. For this I used a Size 8 Mixed Media Heavystock tag and the Numeric Mini Layering Stencil. I placed the stencil so the numbers would be in the centre of the tag and then applied Translucent Grit Paste through the stencil.

Remove the stencil and whilst the paste is still wet, I sprinkled Pumice Stone Distress Glaze over the top, tapping away the excess and then setting it to one side to dry.

Once the paste is touch dry, (or near enough) I then heat embossed the glaze until molten and created a faux enamel effect. Remember to not settle on one area for too long as you only want to melt the glaze and not create bubbles in the paste.

To add colour to the tag, I used a combination of Distress Spray Stains and Oxide Sprays:

Distress Spray: Black Soot, Frayed Burlap, Speckled Egg, Antique Linen

Oxide Spray: Speckled Egg

After misting the tag with water, I layered the sprays until I was happy and then allowed the tag to dry. The stencilled area will resist the colour, and if there is any residual ink, just wipe it away once the tag is dry.

To complete this, I machine stitched a border and then attached it to my Etcetera Tag with Collage Medium, before mounting this tag onto the centre of the larger tag, again using the medium to adhere it.

I added some flicks of Antique Linen

LEAVES

Now to create the leaves for this piece and create those beautiful colours of Autumn.

As mentioned, I used Tim's Nature's Wonder stamp set by Stampers Anonymous and the co-ordinating die set by SSS.

I stamped each of my leaves onto watercolour card using Black Soot Archival Ink and then watercolored them with a selection of Distress Watercolour Pencils in Aged Mahogany, Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint, Crackling Campfire, Carved Pumpkin.

Once happy, I then used the co-ordinating dies to die cut each of the stamped leaves and then inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. I used a total of 8 leaves for this make and shaped each of themes that this will create dimension on the finished piece.

PHOTO BOOTH IMAGE

With the leaves ready, I colour tinted the PhotoBooth image using Distress Crayons and a water brush. I chose this particular photo as I wanted someone wearing a coat and smiling ~ someone who looks as if they're embracing the season. I also wanted to keep the colours that I used to colour tint, quite warm, so chose similar colours to the ones I used on the leaves and added a blue background.

I added some rips and tiny tears to the edges of the photo, and then attached a piece of idea-ology Cello Sticker Tape to the left hand side before machine stitching some detail onto the photo.

I attached the photo to a piece of felt that I cut with Pinking Shears from my own stash, and then mounted the felt onto a piece of mountboard. The mount board will create a stable base once the photo is stuck into place.

To complete the photo, I added the Oct 18 remnant rub from the Labeled set.

LAYERING THE LEAVES AND MOUNTING THE PHOTO

It's now time to create the focal point to this piece and I attached the photo into position with foam pads. I then arranged the leaves to cascade across the tag, by placing these on either side of the image.

I then tucked in some pieces of Spanish Moss, that I have in my stash but can be found in floristry departments. The moss creates more interest and texture to this arrangement which I love.

FINISHING DETAILS

We're nearly there and all that's left is those tiny details that add so much more to a piece than you think.

Firstly, I clipped a Large Hinge Clip to the top. This clip was painted with a combination of the Lumberjack Plaid Distress Paint, Antiqued Bronze and Black Soot for a beautiful vintage finish.

I added the 'Merchandise" ephemera piece which is taken from the Field Notes Snippets pack and attached this just below the Hinge Clip. I also attached a Machinery Head to cover the hole in the top of the smaller tag. I painted this piece with Lumberjack Plaid Distress paint for a chippy vintage look.

Beneath the photo arrangement, I added a Theories Quote Chip, "Focus On The Good". I sanded the edges of the chip and then inked them with Walnut Stain Distress Ink before attaching it to my tag. On either side of the chip, I placed a Large Fastener. To add the dents and "dings" to the surface of the fastener, I used the Texture Hammer.

So, that's my make finished for this week and I hope you love the story behind this piece and all the tricks and techniques I've used to create the project.

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....