That's Life: Finnabair

Showing posts with label Finnabair. Show all posts

Monday, 21 November 2022

Gold Rush

Hello friends and Happy Monday!

Hope you all had a great weekend and as we head into another week, it's time for the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge to begin.

This week our theme is all about FUN WITH FOIL and all you have to do is create something that uses some kind of foiling ~ whether that is using hot foil plates or just adding metallic card, there's so much to choose from to make your projects shine and we would love to see them all!

For my make, I chose to use Metallic Flakes from Prima Marketing and combined these with the gorgeous new poinsettia in the Sizzix Brushstroke 3 Thinlits Die Set by Tim Holtz to create a focal point for my 1920's Hollywood glamour inspired Christmas card.

So let's get started, and I hope you enjoy how I created this card...

To begin with I made a card blank to measure 11 x 19cm before adding my base layers and for these I cut a panel of black card, 10 x 18cm and spritzed the surface with Decayed Mica Spray before heat drying it thoroughly and adding a machine stitched border around the outside. I then mounted the panel onto a piece of gold brushed metal cardstock. I then mounted the panels onto my card blank.

TAG AND LAYERS

Now to start building up the layers for my card and the first layer is created using the largest sized die in the Framed Tags Thinlits Die Set by Tim Holtz.

This is such a clever concept and really does create a beautiful effect and apart from the die, all you need is a brayer, embossing ink and gold embossing to create the debossed double border that you can see around the edge of the tag.

...and the best thing about it, it's so simple to do!

I began by inking the brayer with Simon Says Stamp clear embossing ink and then gently rolled the brayer over the surface of the die with the cutting edge. Place a panel of black card over the inked die and then place into your die cutting plate sandwich and die cut your tag.

Carefully remove the die cut tag from the die and then sprinkle the inked debossed tag with gold embossing powder. Tap away the excess and then heat emboss until the powder become shiny and molten. Flick Decayed Mica Stain across the surface of the tag and allow to dry.

I matted the tag onto a further piece of brushed gold card before mounting it centrally, onto the front of my card blank.

For my next layer, I used a piece of Distress Woodgrain card, 6 x 12.5cm and machine stitch a border around the outside before mounting the panel onto pearl card.

Mount the panel onto the card front using foam pads.

SENTIMENT

I cut a panel of the black card, 8.5 x 3cm and I inked up the sentiment, "Best Wishes For The Holiday Season" from the Stampers Anonymous ChristmasTime 3 stamp set in clear embossing ink and stamped the sentiment onto the centre of the card panel.

I then sprinkled with gold embossing powder, tapping away the excess and heat embossed the powder until molten.

After machine stitching the sides of the panel, I matted it onto gold cardstock and then mounted the sentiment strip onto my card blank using foam pads.

BRUSHSTROKE FLOWER

To create the poinsettia arrangement, I began by cutting the flower. I added a layer of an adhesive sheet to the back of a panel of Mixed Media Heavystock card and cut the flower and it's layers, twice.

With my die cut pieces in front of me, I removed the backing sheets from each piece and applied Metallic Flakes over the surface of each of the die cut layers. Rub the excess flakes away, before removing any of the remaining flakes with a brush. I then assembled the flower by attaching and adhering all the tiny layers using Matte Collage Medium.

Once the flower is dry, I then ran my Gathered Twigs Crayon over the layers to give them shading and definition.

In the centre of the poinsettia, I added a gold Metallic Droplet.

For the foliage, I cut a selection of the pieces from gold and silver metallic kraft card.

I wanted to add the same flakes to these pieces but not add a complete coverage, so for this I used Prima Marketing Gilding Glue and roughly applied the glue with a brush to the surface of each piece of foliage.

The glue is ready to use once it's dry but tacky and at this point I applied the flakes, again rubbing away the excess and buffing any remaining flakes away from the surface.

I now have all my pieces ready, and just needed to arrange them onto my card just above the sentiment strip. I shaped and adhered each piece to add height and dimension.

In the centre of the poinsettia, I added a Metallic Droplet.

So that's my card finished and I hope you love this week's inspiration and the piece I've created.

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:

Sizzix: Big Shot Foldway, Brushstrokes 3, Framed Tags, Gold Surfacez Opulent Cardstock

Stampers Anonymous: Christmastime 3

Simon Says Stamp: Ultra Fine Gold Embossing Powder, Clear Embossing Ink

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain

Distress Mica Spray Stain: Decayed

Distress Crayons: Gathered Twigs

Tim Holtz idea-ology: Metallic Droplets

Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock Card, Metallic Kraft, Black Kraft Card, Black Card, Distress Black Woodgrain Card, Adhesive Sheets

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Foam Pads, Metallic Flakes, Prima Marketing Gilding Glue,

Tools: Glass Media Mat, Tim Holtz Paper Trimmer, Heat Gun, Brayer

Monday, 16 September 2019

See No Evil....

Happy Monday friends...

Hope you all had a great weekend and ready for the start of a brand new week and a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. This week our theme is called, MONOCHROME and we want you to create something that embraces our fun theme and come and join us and play along.

For my project, I chose classic black and white and because it's my favourite time of year, how could I resist the temptation of Halloween, it's impossible! So, with this in mind ~ I got my creep on and created an Etcetera tag full of darkness and mystery, telling the tale of two children who might not be all that they seem...are they just lost in the woods or is there more to their story? Who know's but it's up to you to let your imagination take control....

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

To begin with I prepped my medium sized Etcetera tag and painted the surface with black gesso.

Once the gesso was dry, I then took the Flames Layering Stencil and placed it across the top section of my tag and then holding it in place, I applied a good layer of Grit Paste.

Removing the stencil, I then placed it across the bottom section of the tag and applied some more Grit Paste. To give some crusty edges to the tag and add some more texture, I then added some more paste along the edges of the tag, just applying it with a palette knife.

Allow for the paste to thoroughly dry, don't be tempted to move on to the next step until it is and once it was dry, I then used Black Soot Distress Paint and painted over the top of the entire surface of the tag.

Once this painted layer was dry, I then applied some Vintage Gold Alchemy Wax over the raised areas of paste and around the pasted edges, just using my fingertip to catch the embossing. I always use small amounts and then gradually build up the intensity, less is more ~ you can add but can't take it away as easily. I then took the Old Silver Wax and applied this over the top of the gold, allowing some areas of gold to show through. I love how the wax picks up and accentuates the paste, it actually reminds me of vintage wood carving.

After painting the hole reinforcer piece with Black Soot Distress Paint, I attached it with Collage Medium over the hole and set the tag aside to move onto the embellishments ~ it's time to build up the scene.

To begin with I took the Lace Baseboard Frame and ran the Black Soot Distress Crayon around the edges of the frame, blending any harsh lines of colour with my fingertip.

To create the twiggy background that surrounds the creepy twosome, I used the Tangled Twigs die and cut it from black card. After cutting away the central portion of the die, to reveal a hole and allow the twigs to look spiky and gnarly, I applied my Versamark Embossing pad to the ends of the twigs and then sprinkle Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder over the top. Heat emboss the powder until molten and then add some more Versamark over the top, followed by another sprinkling of powder and another blast of heat. Finally, add a last layer of Versamark but this time, just catch areas of the twigs, don't apply a solid layer and this time, sprinkle with Black Embossing Powder. Again heat emboss until molten. I attached the Tangled Twigs to the back of the Lace Baseboard Frame and then cut a panel of paper from the Abandoned Paper Stash and placed this behind the twigs.

I then used foam pads on the back of the frame to attach it to my tag.

Now to bring this spooky tale to life and to begin with I placed my Paper Doll twins onto the centre of the frame, arranging some of the twigs around the dolls to create a little dimension and leaving some others behind them.

If you look really carefully, then you might notice that the child on the left is holding something in their hand ~ they've been playing with bones and to create this I used a piece of thread which I wrapped around a Boneyard Finding. I then attached the thread at the top, placing it in the spooky child's hand, leaving the bone to dangle.

I cut a strip of Mummy Cloth and hand dyed it with Frayed Burlap and Antique Linen Distress Spray Stains and once the cloth was dry, I added some of the cloth beneath the children's feet, together with some green moss and some Boneyard Findings.

With the remainder of the Mummy Cloth, I pulled this apart to create fine strings of thread and then attached it around the top of the Lace Baseboard Frame, using Collage Medium to secure it into place.

To create the foliage up the side of the frame, I used the Garden Greens die to die cut black card and also, Mixed Media Heavystock card. After cutting panels of each card, I then coloured them with a combination of Old Paper Distress Spray Stain and Antique Linen, Pumice Stone and Old Paper Oxide Inks ~ I love how different these inks look on each piece of card but both of them have this really chalky finish which I love!

After die cutting a selection of foliage, I wanted to add some more texture to the black die cuts and for this I took my Versamark Ink Pad and just allowed the ink to kiss the foliage pieces before sprinkling them with gold embossing powder and heat embossing it.

It just creates a little more colour and texture to the die cuts which I love! I then built up my archway of Garden Greens and placed them on the right hand side of the frame, tucking pieces of moss into the arrangement to add some more dimension.

To complete the foliage, I added a creepy eye in the centre.

Now for the finishing touches and after attaching a Finnabair Rusty Clip to the side...

I attached a Halloween Snippets Ephemera piece in the top left hand corner, adhering it into place with Matte Collage Medium and adding some Black Soot Crayon around the edges...

I then added a spider adornment charm in the bottom left hand corner, which I painted with Black Soot Distress Paint to add that little bit more creepiness to it....

...and also added some Hardware pieces to each corner of the tag, again painted with a little Black Soot Distress Paint!

Finally, I used the Lost In The Darkness Quote Chip, complete with Hardware Heads attached to each side and placed this across the frame.

So that completes my project for this week and I hope you've loved this piece and enjoyed the creative process of how it all came together!

Have fun creating your projects and don't forget, if you would like to see more inspiration from my talented teamies over on the challenge blog and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. 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 and hope to see you again soon, love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Medium Etcetera Tag, Flames Layering Stencil
Tim Holtz/Sizzix: Tangled Twigs, Garden Greens
Distress Paint: Black Soot, Brushed Pewter

Distress Spray Stain: Frayed Burlap, Antique Linen
Distress Oxide Inks: Antique Linen, Pumice Stone, Old Paper
Distress Ink: Pumice Stone
Distress Crayons: Peeled Paint
Distress Marker Pens

Idea-ology: Abandoned Paper Stash, Mummy Cloth, Boneyard Findings, Halloween Quote Chips, Hardware Heads, Halloween Paper Dolls, Creepy Eyes, Lace Baseboard Frame, Wicked Adornments, Halloween Snippets

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Grit Paste, Black Gesso, Versamark Ink Pad
Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock Card, Black Card
Alcohol Inks: Mushroom
Embossing Powder: Liquid Platinum, Gold, SSS Fine Black Embossing Powder
Alcohol Ink Applicator Tool
Prima Marketing: Rusty Metal Clip, Old Silver Alchemy Wax, Vintage Gold Alchemy Wax, Hardware
Tim Holtz Media Glass Mat

Heat Gun
Tim Holtz Tonic Mini Snips
Moss

Monday, 2 September 2019

Monster Reunion....

Happy Monday friends and welcome to another Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and my second post of today ~ if you're arriving here for the Simon Says Stamp blog party, just click HERE.

This week our theme is all about using SOMETHING CLEAR and the DT are showcasing Visible Image products within their projects. So, if you pop over to the SSS Challenge blog, then you can see all the inspiration from the team and check out how the products we chose to showcase.

For my project I combined a Visible Image stencil to create a background and combined this with just a few Tim Holtz and Stampers Anonymous products to create a Halloween home decor piece that is full of surprises.

So, let's get started and here's how I made this project...

To begin with I took a piece of acrylic, cut into a tag shape, that I bought from a local home store. If you don't have acrylic, then you can always use thick acetate, or even recycle some plastic packaging which will both work really well for this project. All you need to ensure is that it will stand upright without bending when attached to the base.

To begin with I added some alcohol ink, Mushroom and Teakwood, around the edge of the tag using the alcohol ink applicator tool to pounce the colour onto the surface.

Flipping the tag over and placing it in front of me with the inked side at the back, I placed the Grate Visible Image Stencil over the tag and applied some Vintage Gold Icing Paste through the stencil using a palette knife. Carefully lift the stencil away and set the tag aside to dry.

Whilst the paste is drying, I moved onto my little green ogre, taken from the Monster Reunion stamp set and stamped him onto watercolour card using Black Soot Archival Ink. I then watercolored the image with Distress Marker Pens, adding more colour to build up the intensity where needed to add light and shade to the image.

I then cut around the outline of this little character and set him aside too.

Moving onto the base of my project, I took the smallest Vignette Panel in the pack and covered it with a piece of paper from the amazing Abandoned Paper Stash and adhered it to the panel using Matte Collage Medium. I then sealed the paper with the medium, heat dried the surface and ran the Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edge, blending out the colour with my finger.

To form a base for the tag to be attached too, I took two different widths of the smallest Pinked Etcetera Trims and stuck them together to form a step. I did apply Crackle Paste to my step but once everything was attached, you don't actually see much of the step, but it's a nice touch if you have the time to do it but if not, you can always just paint it with Distress Paints.

Attach the step to the panel and then, taking the acrylic tag, I applied a thin line of collage medium along the bottom edge of the tag and also apply some medium to the step. I then placed the tag against the step and allowed it to dry and set solid. You'll now have your 'L' shaped basic structure.

To attach the stamped image, I actually applied some wooden sticks to the back of my image to ensure that he would stand upright and not tip forward or bend. I then attached him to a wood slice, which I placed upright, against the back of the image, you can just see it in the photo below ~ but this will create even more support.

To create a more crusty feel to the wood slice, i applied some Grit Paste the slice, allowed it to dry and then added some 'verdigris' colour using Walnut Stain and Peeled Paint Distress Crayons.

I attached the ogre to the acrylic tag using Matte Collage Medium...

...and then attached one of the broomsticks next to him, fanning out the bristles slightly to give more of a sweep to the broom.

Now to create my little woodland scene and all the lovely little details that bring this story to life....

To begin with, I cut some Mummy Cloth and dyed it with Frayed Burlap and antique Linen Distress Spray Stains. After teasing the cloth out slightly, I draped it along the bottom of my project, tucking it behind my stamped image and arranging it to cascade down the steps.

I then added some more verdigris covered wood slices, that I built up on the left hand side and also placed one on the right hand side. I then took two various sized pumpkin pieces ~ I love these pumpkin pieces and over the years, I have used them in so many projects, especially around Halloween time and as I've shown you on many occasions, you can either keep them natural, just as they come out of the pack or you can paint them, as I've done here but I've always added a little extra touch of moss and a twig piece to the top to make them look more realistic. Two of my favourite projects using these pumpkins, can be seen here and here...and if you want any more inspiration and pumpkin ideas, check out Paula Cheney's blog ~ HERE!

For these pumpkins, I painted them white but also added a touch of shimmer using Unicorn's Hair and Fairy Wings acrylic paints.

I added the pumpkins to the wood slices and then placed small amounts of moss around them.

On the right hand side, I placed an arrangement of Boneyard Findings and then added a skull fragment over the top, again placing moss around the pieces, together with two little vintage mushroom pieces that I have in my stash.

To complete the base, I added some Art Stones in various sizes. To attach the stones, I apply some Collage Medium to the places I want the stones to be and then sprinkle the little pieces over the top and allow them to completely set. Once they have set and the medium is dry, I then tap away any excess stones.

To add colour to the stones, I used Pumice Stone Distress Paint and then a touch of Unicorn's Hair and Fairy Wings Alchemy Sparks Paints over the top.

We're nearly there and all that's left to do is cut some bats from black card using the Bat Crazy Die, shape their wings and attach them to the acrylic tag. I then added a Halloween Quote Chip, 'Beware' complete with Hardware Heads and a touch of moss, before attaching a die cut spider that I cut from more black card using the Frightful Things.

Now for the extra surprise and what is so much fun about this piece ~ I added a battery operated light behind the tag, so that it shines through the acrylic section and lights up the whole project from behind, giving a warm, autumnal glow ~ hope you love it!