That's Life: The Count

Showing posts with label The Count. Show all posts

Monday, 9 February 2026

Love Letters...

Hello and Happy Monday everyone...

This week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is all about SPRITZ AND SPLATTER and whether you use spritzes and sprays to make a background, or choose stamps and stencils, we hope you'll join us and play along.

For my make, I created a fun and slightly alternative Valentine piece and used Distress Spray Stains and Oxide Sprays to create a spritzed background, with some added splatters along the way. As you'll probably have noticed by now, the star of my project is The Count and I'm going to show you how he isn't just for Halloween, because even The Count can use his 'Love-O-Meter" to check if he thinks that love could be in the air....

So, let's get started, it's time to create....

ETCETERA PANEL

For this make, I used the smaller of the two sizes from the Stampers Anonymous Rectangular Etcetera Panel pack and I covered the edges with some older Tim Holtz Design Tape that I still have in my stash.

I then moved onto the background and for this I cut a panel of Mixed Media Heavystock card slightly smaller than the Etcetera Panel and spritzed it with a light misting of water. I then used the following colours of sprays to make the background:

DISTRESS SPRAY STAINS: Vintage Photo, Rusty Hinge, Crackling Campfire, Ground Espresso

DISTRESS OXIDE SPRAYS: Speckled Egg

Once the cardstock is thoroughly dry, I then used the alpha stamp from The Inspector Stamp Set and stamped this with Versamark Clear Embossing Ink, four separate times so that I covered the entire background. After sprinkling Gold Embossing Powder over the inked areas, I heated the powder until molten.

Once I'd inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress ink, I machine stitched a border around the outside and then adhered the card panel to my Etcetera Panel.

ETCETERA FACADE AND TRIMS

For the next layer, I used an Etcetera Facade and painted this with Scorched Timber Distress Paint. Once it was dry, I then used the Shattered Stamp inked with clear embossing ink, and stamped the design onto the facade before applying gold embossing powder and heat embossing the powder until molten.

I then attached the risers that are in the pack to the back of the facade and placed the facade onto my panel, slightly overlapping the top edge.

On the top section of the facade, I added a bat. This was die cut from metallic kraft stash using the bat die from The Count die set and I created dimension to the die cut by cutting it several times and layering the pieces over the top of one another.

I then adhered it into position and added the no.14 in Roman Numerals using more gold cardstock and cutting the numbers with the Tiny Type Alphanumeric Die set by Tim and Sizzix. I always add self adhesive sheets to the back of my card when I’m die cutting small or intricate pieces…

Underneath the facade, I added a Web Trim and Scalloped Etcetera Trim. Once again, I painted these with Scorched Timber Distress Paint and once they were dry, I layered the Scalloped Trim over the top of the Web Trim, before attaching them to my panel, placing them just below the facade.

To create the "Love At First Bite" quote, I used the Tiny Type Alphanumeric Die Set again, and cut the letters using more of the gold metallic Kraft stash. I then adhered each letter to the scalloped trim.

To complete the trim, I added some Hardware Heads and painted these with Black Soot, Crackling Campfire and Antique Bronze Distress Paint.

THE COUNT

We're now ready to create the count using the die set from Sizzix/Tim Holtz.

Ink colours and cardstock used:

FACE: Distress Watercolour Card, inked with Antique Linen Distress Ink and edged with Frayed Burlap. I also used Polychromos Pencils for added highlights and shadows

WAISTCOAT and CAPE LINING: Distress Watercolour Card, inked with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Ink

SUIT and CAPE: Black Kraft cardstock from the NeutralsKraft Stock Stack

EYE and SHIRT: White Heavystock Card

Once I had all my card layers die cut and coloured, I started layering each piece and building the character to create The Count.

"LOVE-O-METER" and LOVE NOTE

Next to The Count, I added the love-o-meter and used the stamp and co-ordinating die from The Inspector bundle to stamp the gauge image from this set. I began by stamping the first image in black ink (this will form the outer rim of this piece) and then applied Rusty Hinge Distress Glaze Embossing Powder over the top. Die cut this section with both of the circular dies to form a frame. Now die cut the smaller dials from the central piece that you've cut, again using the co-ordinating dies from the set.

Now stamp the image a second time, and die cut this section with the smaller circular die. I then cut a plain piece of card using the larger circle die in this set, and attached both of the stamped pieces to this die cut to form my gauge. Attach the smaller die cut dials using foam pads.

I coloured my gauge using Polychoromos Pencils and Antique Linen Distress Spray.

On the end of one of the hands, I placed a small die cut heart that I have in my offcuts box.

LOVE LETTER

The love letter is cut from Mixed Media Heavystock card inked with Distress Inks, using the Love Notes Sidekicks die set. I folded the die cut along the scoreline to form the envelope and inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink before stamping the xoxoxo onto the top edge using a stamp from the Love Notes Stamp set. If you don't have this set, then you can write this instead.

BUILDING THE SCENE

With all my pieces ready, I built the scene and began by attaching the gauge, followed by the Count who I placed next to him.

All my pieces are attached with foam pads to add dimension.

I attached the Love Notes envelope to the bottom left of the ledge and then added moss to create texture.

To complete the project, I stamped the hearts using the heart from The Inspector stamp set. I stamped this in Fired Brick Archival Ink and then die cut the image with the co-ordinating SSS die set.

Place four of the stamped hearts around The Count using foam pads, and a fifth heart on the centre of the envelope to complete this make....

So, that's my project made and I hope you love this fun piece. It's definitely a piece that can be made for that person you love who isn't all about pink hearts and red roses!!

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....

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today...see you soon!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Etcetera Panel, The Inspector Bundle with Simon Says Stamp Coordinating dies, Etcetera Facades, Scalloped Etcetera Trims, Bat Web Trims

Sizzix: Tim Holtz Big Shot Foldaway, The Count, Tiny Type Alphanumeric, Love Notes

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain

Distress Spray Stains: Vintage Photo, Rusty Hinge, Crackling Campfire, Ground Espresso

Distress Oxide Spray: Speckled Egg

Distress Paint: Black Soot, Crackling Campfire, Antique Bronze

Distress Embossing Glaze: Rusty Hinge

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Screw Heads

Surfaces: Neutral Kraft Stock, Mixed Media Heavystock card, Metallic Kraft Card

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Foam Pads, Versamark Ink, Polychromos Pencils, Fired Brick Archival Ink, Black Soot Archival Ink, Gold Embossing Powder

Glass Media Mat

Heat Gun

Monday, 11 March 2024

I Should Be So Lucky....

Hello friends and welcome to the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!

This week our theme is all about A Bit O' Green and we would love for you to join us and play along with our fun challenge.

With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, I decided to embrace all things green with my Etcetera Panel decor piece and some of you might recognise this cheeky little leprechaun, because yes, The Count is back in his fancy dress costume, ready to celebrate the luck of the Irish!

So let's get started, and say hello to Mr O’Reilly, the Leprechaun.

For this make, I used the small Tim Holtz Rectangular Etcetera Panel and one of the Etcetera Facades both by Stampers Anonymous.

PANEL

We'll begin with the panel and after painting the edge of the panel with Black Soot Distress Paint, I then applied Design Tapes, two different tapes, around the edge.

To create the background for the panel, I cut a piece of Mixed Media Heavystock card and spritzed the card with a light misting of water before applying Distress Spray Stains and Oxide Sprays in the following colours:

DISTRESS SPRAY STAIN; Rustic Wilderness, Black Soot,

OXIDE SPRAY; Rustic Wilderness, Cracked Pistachio

I layered the colours to create the blend I was happy with, adding more water if needed before I allowed the inks to dry thoroughly. You can use a heat gun to set the inks before moving onto stamping the background.

For this I used the Polka Dot stamp from Mr Rabbit and inked up the stamp with Black Soot Archival before I randomly stamped all over the background.

After machine stitching a border around the outside, I then adhered the card onto my Etcetera Panel using Matte Collage Medium.

ETCETERA FACADE

Moving onto the Etcetera Facade and from the pack of 4, I chose the arched piece which I painted with Black Soot Distress Paint.

Once the surface was thoroughly dry, I then stamped onto the facade using the Shattered stamp.

This is a large stamp which covers the surface area perfectly and after inking it with clear embossing ink, I then sprinkled Fien Detail Gold Embossing Powder over the surface, heat embossed until molten.

Taking a paint brush, I used this to dry brush the surface with gold acrylic paint. You don't want a block coverage, just to knock back the black and still allow the embossing to show, so just allow the brush to gently kiss the surface. Set aside to dry.

Behind the facade, I placed a second panel of card, inked with the same sprays and oxides as I used on the background but this time I used the Sparkle Layering Stencil to create some texture.

I placed the stencil onto the panel, and applied Translucent Grit Paste through the design. I removed the stencil and working quickly I sprinkled Gold Embossing Powder over the paste. Set this to one side to dry and once the magic has happened, I then heat embossed the powder very gently to reveal the gold sparkles.

Cut the panel to fit behind the facade and then using the risers that come with the Facade pack, add these to the back of the frame and attach to the sparkle panel.

Attach the completed piece onto the Etcetera Panel using Matte Collage Medium and slightly overlapping the top edge of the panel itself.

You can see in the photo below how much depth the risers add to this piece.

I finished by attaching two hardware heads to either side of the facade and then added a Flair Embellishment to the top, curved section.

MR O’REILLY ~ THE COUNT

Now for the star of St. Patrick's Day, The Count, or for one day only, Mr O’Reilly, and once I'd die cut all my pieces, (you'll notice for this make, I didn't use his lower body and legs, just from his waist up as I want him to appear as if he's in the frame), I then assembled the image, swapping out the classic black hair of The Count, and making it red instead.

COLOURS USED:

Face: Tattered Rose, Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Black Soot and White

Hair: Spiced Marmalade and Crackling Campfire

Suit and Shirt: Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, white

Waistcoat: A stamped offcut that I had in my stash

For his top hat, bow and hair ~ I used Winter Wardrobe Thinlits Die Set, which is a slightly older die set, sadly discontinued, that I have in my stash.

If you don't have this set, then you can use alternatives ~ the Tailored Set for the hat, and there are plenty of Tim's dies that have bows and foliage that will be suitable for the remaining details.

I cut the hat from the same inked cardstock as I used on his suit, and the bow and hat band both cut from the same offcut as I used for the waistcoat.

Now comes his hair and can you think which die I might've used for this?!?!?

Answer: I used the tiny foliage die in the Winter Wardrobe and just cut multiple pieces that I layered behind the hat, to create the spiky hair that sticks out from underneath the rim.

To complete the hat, I added some tiny stitches that are from the Bunny Stitch Die set by Sizzix, and placed it into position on The Count's head.

Using foam pads, I attached The Count into position, inside the frame.

FOLIAGE

To complete the frame, I used the Funky Florals 3 die set to cut some leaves from inky green card, and arranged these with some moss.

I then placed some tiny idea-ology Bouquet Findings flowers into the arrangement. These flowers are white, but easy to colour with Distress Spray Stains and for this, I chose Shabby Shutters.

I also placed one flower in the hat, and in the centres of all the flowers, I added some gold Stickles Glitter from my stash.

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

LUCKY

I used the Bold Alphanumeric Thinlits Die Set by Tim Holtz/Sizzix and cut three layers of the letters from Metallic Gold Kraft card, to spell the word "LUCKY', which I layered over the top of one another to create some depth.

I attached the letters directly to my panel, placing them underneath the facade and then to knock back the gold, I lightly sanded the surface and then painted them with a little Vintage Photo Distress Paint, wiping away any excess so that the gold still shines through.

Finally, I added some Large Fasteners to either side of the lettering.

I cut the legs off the fasteners, hammered them for a more worn, vintage look and then placed them directly onto my panel, attaching them with Collage Medium.

So that's my project finished and ready to display for St' Patrick's Day and I hope you've been inspired by the techniques and the the ideas I've used.