That's Life: Independence Day

Showing posts with label Independence Day. Show all posts

Monday, 29 June 2026

Born In The USA...

Hello friends...

Hope you've all had a fabulous weekend and you're ready for a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

This week, our theme is all about STARS AND/OR STRIPES and we hope you will join us and play along with our fun challenge theme.

For my make, I created a tag in celebration of the 4th of July and dedicate this to all my friends and followers in the USA. To make this tag, I used a combination of Tim Holtz products, including Sizzix dies, idea-ology and a Stampers Anonymous Etcetera Tag.

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

TAG

To begin with I covered the Mini Etcetera Tag with one of the papers from the Blue 8 x 8 Palette Paper Collection. After adhering the paper to the tag with Matte Collage Medium, I applied a coat of medium over the surface, allowed this to dry and then ran my Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edges.

To add layers on this tag, I chose to use a combination of Large Etcetera Tiles and Mosaic Tiles. These tile will fit around the outside of the tag, and you will be left with a small gap in the centre which you don't need to worry about as it will be covered.

I covered each tile in various papers from the Blue Palette Collection and sanded the edges back to give a neat finish. I then applied a coat of the medium over the top and as with the tag, I ran the Walnut Stain Crayon around the edges before attaching the tiles to the tag.

Set to one side to dry, and I would recommend putting something weighty on top to ensure the tiles are completely flat and adhered to the tag.

Approximately two thirds of the way down, I added a Scalloped Etcetera Trim that I covered in the same paper as I used on the tag. I cut the paper with the Decorative Trims die by Sizzix and then attached the covered trim across the tag.

PHOTO AND FRAME

The frame and the photo are both cut using the Marquee Sign Die Set. I began by cutting the background from Distress Watercolour Card inked with Antique Linen and Pumice Stone Distress Ink, and then cut the inner frame with the cut out circles from a piece of card painted with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Paint. After adhering this frame over the top of the solid piece, I then used the third die, the smallest in the set to cut the photo.

I use a photo from the Tim Holtz idea-ology Snapshots Vol 2 pack, I just adore this image and it was perfect for my tag. To cut the photo, I positioned the die on the area I wanted to use and then ran it through the die cutting machine.

Once cut, I colour tinted the image with Distress Crayons and once dry, I attached this to the centre of the frame.

I then mounted the frame onto my tag with foam pads.

In the bottom right hand corner of the photograph there is a date, July 4th and I cut this down to size to use. You can see it attached to one of the large Etcetera Tiles in the top right corner of the tag and then attached a screw head.

USA

For the USA plaque, I used Mini Stencil Chips and stuck these onto a piece of Palette Paper. I matted the chips onto a piece of mount board and then attached the plaque to my tag with foam pads.

To add a touch more rusty goodness to the plaque, I adhered a Screwed in each of the four corners that I painted with a combination of the following Distress Paints; Black Soot, Crackling Campfire, Antique Bronze. I also stuck a small piece of Cello Sticker Tape to the plaque.

STARS

Now to cut the dimensional stars and I used the die in the Tim Holtz Vault Rosette set by Sizzix. I cut 3 pieces from Mixed Media Heavystock and then painted them red, white and blue using Distress Paints ~ Lumberjack Plaid, Uncharted Mariner and Picket Fence. You can use Distress Inks, but I wanted more of a solid coverage, so the paint worked better.

Once dry, I folded along the scorelines to create the dimensional stars. I then attached the stars to the tag, arranging them around the bottom of the photo frame...

...and adding some shredded Mummy Cloth, dyed with Frayed Burlap Distress Spray Stain, which I attached along the Etcetera Trim.

To accentuate the folds on each of the stars, I applied some metallic wax.

You can see how dimensional these beautiful stars are in the photo below...

FINISHING DETAILS

All that's left now is the finishing details and I began by adding the Decorative Clip at the top of the tag. You get three clips in the pack and I chose to use the narrower one. I attached a Star Adornment in the centre of the clip and once dry, I applied some Translucent Grit Paste over the surface.

Once again, I allowed this to dry before painting the surface of the metal with Uncharted Mariner Distress Paint. I used Gilding Wax to accentuate the pasted areas on the painted clip which I had left to dry completely before applying the wax.

Place the clip at the top of the tag.

Finally, I added a Screwhead to the tile on the top left of my tag, and also some cello sticker tape, which completed my project for this week

I hope you love the tag I've made and if you're inspired by this project, I would love to see your makes. So, drop me a message on socials and I will pop on 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.

HAPPY 4TH JULY TO ALL MY FRIENDS IN THE USA!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Mini Etcetera Tag, Etcetera Large Tiles, Etcetera Mosaic Tiles

Sizzix: Big Shot, Vault Rosettes

Simon Says Stamp Marquee Sign Die Set

Distress Paint: Black Soot, Crackling Campfire, Antique Bronze, Lumberjack Plaid, Uncharted Mariner, Picket Fence

Distress Spray Stain: Frayed Burlap

Distress Crayons

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Cello Sticker Tape, Screw Heads, 8" x 8" Blue Palette Paper Collection, Labeled Remnant Rub, Snapshots Vol 2, Mini Stencil Chips, Vintage Clip, Mummy Cloth, Star Adornments

Surfaces: Distress Watercolour Card, Mixed Media Heavystock Card

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Foam Pads, Finnabair Bronzer Age Metallic Wax

Glass Media Mat

Heat Gun

Monday, 30 June 2025

Living In America...

Hello friends...

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and ready for the new week ahead. As always, Monday means that we have a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week, our theme is RED, WHITE and BLUE.

Now, the first thing that will spring to mind is July the 4th, and American Independence Day but you don't have to do that because there are so many other ideas and products that will lend themselves to this fun challenge theme and we can't wait to see how you will be inspired by these colours...

I will admit that I always like to create a US themed make at this time of year and 2025 continues that theme because I was inspired to make a vintage style Stampers Anonymous Etcetera panel and I used a combination of Tim Holtz products, including one of the brand new dies from the exciting launch of the Co-Ordinating die sets from Simon Says Stamp.

So, let's get started because it's time to share how I created this Red, White and Blue panel...

For this make, I used the larger sized Etcetera Panel.

I attached Design tape Trim around the edge of the panel...

ETCETERA PANEL

To cover the background, I used a combination of papers from the 12' x 12" Correspondence Paper Pack that recently came back from the vault for a limited time only. Unfortunately, these are now sold out, but if you were one of the lucky ones to get this, then I hope to tempt you to actually use it but if you didn't manage to get any of these pads, then any red, white and blue papers will work for this make.

To begin with I chose a piece of paper with a red pattern and cut two strips, approx 1" wide and after adding machine stitching down the sides, I attached these to either side of my panel, before cutting a larger panel that will fit down the centre. I chose a blue pattern for this panel, and machine stitched a border around the edges.

I then attached the panel with Matte Collage Medium, and added a different Design Tape Trim to run down each side of this larger panel. I then applied a coat of Collage Medium over the surface of the paper to seal it, and once dry, I used Walnut Stain Distress Crayon, running it around the edges, and blending out the colour with my finger tip.

In each of the four corners of the panel, I adhered some Screw Heads directly to the side strips, and painted these with Uncharted Mariner Distress Paint.

Now to make those stripes and this is where I used one of the brand new co-ordinating die sets that work in conjunction with the Stampers Anonymous stamp sets. I chose to use Ornate Trims and began by stamping four different designs of trims.

I stamped these in Barn Door Archival ink, and made sure that I would have enough to attach to my panel.

After inking the edges with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, I then began layering them onto my background, attaching each trim with Matte Collage Medium to form the three sets of stripes that sit across the bottom section of my panel.

You will also notice that I attached a second trim over the top of the first trim to form a different pattern.

With my trims in place, I moved onto adding some Etcetera Scalloped Edge Decorative Trims. For this I used the Scalloped Edge Trim, and using the matching Sizzix Decorative trim Die, I cut some of the same patterned paper and covered two trims.

I then attached two of my stamped and die cut ornate trims over the top. I sealed each piece with Matte collage Medium, and then attached them to my panel, adhering one across the top, and the second one as the fourth stripe on the bottom section. To age the paper, I used Walnut Stain Distress crayon, before I used the Splatter Brush to add speckles of Black soot Distress Paint across the surface.

Once the paint was dry, to complete the panel, I added some Metallic Droplets in between the joins of the Ornate Trims, adding these to just two rows, one at the top and one at the bottom.

We're now ready to move onto the embellishments....

PAPER DOLL PORTRAIT

For this project, I used the image of the elegant gentleman and colour tinted it with Distress Crayons. Once I was happy with the colouring, I attached the photo to my panel using foam pads to add some dimension to the piece and placed some Mummy Cloth around the base of the paper doll.

Just above his head, in the top right hand corner, I added a "Via Air Mail" ephemera piece ~ so sorry, but I don't know which set this from, as a couple of packs of mine fell out of my cupboard, and the ephemera went everywhere and they all got a little bit jumbled up! 😬

To complete my gentleman, I added a monocle. This is actually a very old idea-ology fastening that I have in my stash and it worked perfectly for using as a monocle, which I attached with a dab of collage medium.

STARS

For these stars, I used the 3D star that is included in the Sizzix Vault Rosette Die Thinlits Set by Tim Holtz. I cut three stars from Mixed Media Heavystock, and then folded them along the scoreline to create the stars.

To colour my stars, I used Distress Spray Stains and Distress Spritzes in the following colours:

WHITE: Antique Linen

RED: Lumberjack Plaid

BLUE: Uncharted Mariner

When the card is dry, I created the 3D stars and spritzed a little Antique Linen Distress Spritz over the top. Using a heat tool, I dried the stars, before I attached them to my panel, placing them around the Paper Doll Portrait.

In between the larger stars, I added some smaller die cuts. These stars are cut from silver metallic Kraft card using the Falling Stars die set. I sanded the surface of each star, inked them with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and then attached them to my panel with collage medium.

FLOURISHES

Across the Etcetera Trim that is beneath the gentleman, I added some idea-ology metal pieces. I used three pieces taken from the Flourishes, Ornate Adornments and Foliage Adornments packs.

To add a touch of vintage to each piece, I used Statue and Sterling Foundry Wax on each of these pieces, applying one layer of wax at a time and then adding the second layer over the top, but not giving the metal a complete coverage. This will allow the layer of wax underneath to show through and create the variation of colour to the metal.

After I'd heat set the wax on all the pieces, I applied some dribbles of Mushroom alcohol ink over the metal to add more of a vintage feel to the pieces. I then rubbed some Black Soot and Crackling Campfire Distress paint over the surface, making sure it settled into all the recesses and the detail, before wiping away the excess paint and polishing the metal with a soft cloth to bring back the shine from the waxes.

I attached each piece along the trim, using collage medium and after sanding the edges, and inking with Walnut Stain Distress Ink, I attached the "Be Brave" Theories Quote Chip over the top.

On either side of the chip, I placed two of the smallest sized Screwheads, painted with Uncharted Mariner Distress Paint.

We're nearly there and all that's left are the finishing touches....

FINAL DETAILS

I applied a Labeled Remnant Rub number in the top left hand corner.

I added a Star Adornment on the right hand side of the panel, just underneath the paper doll portrait, and I painted this with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Paint...

...and then clipped a large Hinge Clip to the left hand side. I painted the clip with a combination of the Lumberjack Plaid Distress Paint, Antiqued Bronze and Black Soot. I then hung a no. 4 from a Hook Clasp, which I then clipped onto the hinge clip.

And that is my project for this week complete and I hope you've enjoyed the tutorial and love the piece I've created. It's definitely been a fun piece to make and I hope I've done my friends in the US proud with this panel.

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!

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today and to all those in the USA ~ Happy 4th of July!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Etcetera Panel, Ornate Trims Die and Stamp Set

Sizzix: Tim Holtz Big Shot Foldaway, Vault Rosette Die Set, Falling Stars

Distress Paint: Black Soot, Lumberjack Plaid, Crackling Campfire, Antique Bronze, Uncharted Mariner

Foundry Wax

Distress Ink: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain

Distress Spritz: Antique Linen, Uncharted Mariner, Lumberjack Plaid

Distress Spray Stain: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, LumberJack Plaid, Uncharted Mariner

Distress Crayons

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Cello Sticker Tape, Screw Heads, Star Adornment, Design Tape Trims, Paper Dolls Portraits, Theories Quote Chips, Flourish Adornments, Ornate Adornments, Metallic Droplets, Large Hinge Clip, Foliage, Labeled Remnant Rub, Numeric, Mummy cloth, Hook clasp

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Foam Pads, Barn Door Archival Ink, Black Soot Archival

Surfaces: Metallic Kraft Stash Card, Heavystock Mixed Media Card

Glass Media Mat

Waterbrush

Heat Gun

Monday, 4 July 2022

Blaze of Glory....

Hello everyone and Happy 4th July to all my friends in the USA!

So here we are in a new month ~ I can't quite believe that we're over halfway through the year, where has 2022 gone?!?!? But as always, as we start a new week, it's also time for a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week, the DT are showcasing PAPER ROSE products and combining them with our RED, WHITE &/or BLUE theme and if you'd love to join us and play along, then all you need to do is create something using either all of the colours, or some of the colours!

For my make, I wanted to create a piece to celebrate American Independence Day and I chose to use Paper Rose backing papers, combined with Tim Holtz products to make a vintage style tag.

It's time to get creative...

TAG

To begin with I used a Small Stampers Anonymous Etcetera Tag that I painted with Black Soot Distress Paint. Once dry, I sanded back the edges, removing some of the black paint and revealing the core.

Down the centre of the tag, I adhered a panel of the double sided paper, choosing the brick wall design, from the Paper Rose Textures 1.0 12" x12" paper pack. I cut the paper to size, slightly smaller in width than the tag itself so that it will leave a black border showing either side, ripped and tore around the edges of the panel and then machine stitched a border.

With my tag surface prepped and ready to go, I moved onto the next stage ~ the JULY 4th banner.

STAMPED July 4th BANNER

For this I cut a panel of the same paper, but used the reverse side, which is a white wooden plank design.

I placed the paper into my stamp platform, and then using the background stamp from the Americana Silhouettes Stamp Set by Tim Holtz, I used masking tape to mask off the areas I didn't want to stamp.

I then preceded to ink up the various sections of the stamp using Fired Brick and Prize Ribbon Archival Ink. I will admit that this technique is so much easier to do with the stamp platform but it can be done without but you might need to use ink with a slower drying time.

I machine stitched the banner around the edge and then attached it to my covered tag.

To frame the banner, I attached two of the straight edge trims from the Bat Web Trims pack. I chose them to be slightly longer in length as I liked them hanging over the edge, and after painting them with Black Soot Distress Paint, I placed them above and below the banner before I attached Hardware Heads onto each of the ends of the trims.

To complete this section, I wrapped some red, white and blue paper string that I had in my stash. This is by Tim Holtz, but is quite old ~ so if you're lucky enough to own it, then now is your chance to use it.

STEAMPUNK PART DIE CUT

We can now move onto all those layers, and let's start with the circle that sits behind the old gentleman.

I used the Steampunk Parts die and using only the circle on this die, I cut multiple layers of card that I built up to create a thick and very substantial die cut. This die cut has two separate pieces, so at this stage, I didn't attach the smaller ring that sits on the top of the circle.

I then painted this with a combination of Candied Apple and Black Soot Distress Paint, applying the red paint first, allowing it to dry and then dry brushing the black paint over the top. In the centre of the steampunk part, I attached a circle of the paper that I used on the banner.

Taking the smaller ring die cut, I applied Sterling Foundry Wax over the surface, heat set the wax and then attached it to my steampunk part.

I layered the circle onto my tag, using foam pads and placing it on the right hand side, attaching a Flash Card to the left, ripping and tearing the edges and using Matte Collage Medium to adhere it.

I then ran my Gathered Twigs Crayon over the top and around the torn edges, before adding a Specimen Remnant Rub number, "no. 92" onto the card.

PAPER DOLL PORTRAIT

Now for the Paper Doll Portrait, and for this I primed the surface with clear gesso and once it was dry, I added colour using Distress Crayons and a water brush.

I then used a white gel pen to apply some detail before I attached the portrait over the steampunk part using foam pads.

To the left of the portrait, I attached two Machinery Heads that I painted with Candied Apple Distress Paint. Once the paint was dry, I then scratched the surface to reveal the metal underneath, which creates more of worn effect to the pieces.

On either side of the portrait, I used Hex Fasteners. These come in two different sizes and I used the small ones and cut the wings off the back before attaching them to my steampunk part.

To finish the bottom line of the portrait, so it appears more grounded and doesn't float, I used some Mummy Cloth that I had on my desk and just tucked this underneath to from the base.

STARS

For the three stars on this project, I used Mixed Media Heavystock card inked with Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany and Barn Door.

I cut the stars, two small and one larger size, using the two dies in the Holiday Vault 2021 die set and folded along the scorelines to create my dimensional stars.

Along each of the folded edges, I applied some Sterling Foundry wax which I then heat set before I attached them to my tag ~ two on the left hand side...

...and a third star on the portrait.

We're almost there...

CLIP

...and all that's left is to paint the Vintage Clip with Candied Apple Distress Paint. Once again, once the paint was dry, I then scratched the surface to reveal the metal and then clipped it to the top of my tag, together with a Stitched Scrap that I dyed using Frayed Burlap Distress Spray Stain.