Hello everyone...
As we begin the new week, it's time for a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge and this week, we are challenging you to MAKE YOUR OWN BACKGROUND!
So, with so many different ways of doing this, and whether you use inks, sprays, pastes or paints, you will be spoilt for choice and we can't wait to see how you will interpret this fun challenge theme.
For my background I chose to use Distress Spray Stains and Oxide Sprays, together with stamps and I just had so much fun building up those layers to create interest and texture ready for the focal point of those beautiful butterflies.
So, let's get started because it's time to share how I created my background...
For this make, I used a combination of Tim Holtz products and chose an idea-ology clipboard, a Size 8 Etcetera Tag and a size 8 Mixed Media Heavystock tag as my substrates.
BACKGROUNDS
The background on the tag and the clipboard are both created using the same colours of sprays, oxide sprays and inks. I chose the following:
DISTRESS SPRAY STAINS: Iced Spruce, Old Paper, Speckled Egg. Gathered Twigs
OXIDE SPRAYS: Old Paper
DISTRESS INKS: Uncharted Mariner, Scorched Timber
I began by cutting a panel of Mixed Media Heavystock card, and also used a size 8 Mixed Media Heavystock tag. I misted each of these surfaces with water and then started to apply my sprays, using the Distress Spray Stains first and only applying a light touch of Gathered Twigs, and then some light flicks of Old Paper Oxide. I applied a little more water to blend the colours and then allowed these to dry. You can also use a heat tool to dry the inks.
Once my surfaces were dry, I inked around the edges with Scorched Timber Distress Ink.
To add some more interest to my background, I used Black Soot Archival Ink to ink up the script stamp from the Stampers Anonymous Tiny Toadstools stamp set and added the script randomly onto my card panel and tag.
Set the panel to one side and taking the tag, I added some more stamping down the right hand side. I used one of the stamps from the SA Faded Type stamp set and inked this with clear ink, before applying gold embossing powder over the top. Tap away the excess and then heat emboss until molten.
Finally, I used Tim's Splatter Brush to add some white paint speckles and machine stitched a border around each piece to complete the backgrounds.
CLIPBOARD
We're now ready to start constructing this piece and to begin with I worked on the clipboard and after unscrewing the clip, I attached the inked card panel to the board using Matte Collage Medium.
I then stamped the Factory No.1896 down the left hand side of the board. This stamp is from the Eccentric stamp set.
Taking the clip, I wanted to this to have a rusty, crusty appearance which is so easy to achieve and you can see a tutorial on how I do this by clicking HERE.
To alter this clip, I used exactly the same process as I used in my earlier post, but I omitted the Salvaged Patina Paint on this particular piece.
Once the clip was ready, I reattached it to my board and then attached the Mini Plaquette, No.79 to the centre of the clip.
TAG
Moving onto the tag, and to begin with I stamped the butterflies from the Papillon stamp set down the left hand side of the tag. This stamp set now has co-ordinating dies from Simon Says Stamp, so no more fussy cutting when we move onto the next step.
BUTTERFLIES
To create the butterflies, I re-stamped the image onto watercolour card using the brand new Mini Oxide Ink Pads and my stamp platform.
I inked the stamps directly with various colours from this release, including Crackling Campfire, Barn Door, Peacock Feathers, Bundled Sage, Scorched Timber, and Gathered Twigs. I personally find it easier to do one butterfly at time. I then lightly misted water over the inked stamps before stamping them onto the card.
If you feel you need more colour, then re-position your card on the platform and just go in with the ink pad.
Once I was happy with my butterflies, I used the Simon Says Stamp co-ordinating die set to die cut each one from the card.
I inked the edges of the die cuts with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and then attached them to the tag, lifting the wings and not attaching these. I placed each image over the top of the previously stamped image on my tag, and this ensures I get the correct placement and also you can see the text from the stamp.
Before I attached my tag to the Etcetera Tag, I stitched the bodies of the butterflies to the tag.
With my tag complete, I attached it to the clipboard using Matte Collage Medium.
To complete the tag, I added a Curator Ephemera piece in the top right hand corner.
I also added a Quote Chip, 'A Little Magic Can Take You A Long Way", and once again, I placed a Cello Sticker tape over the chip.
Finally I added an Adornment Star and two hardware heads, all of which I painted with gold acrylic paint.
DETAILS
It's now time for all those tiny finishing details and I began by adding a Numbers Snippet to the right hand side of the clipboard, tucking it underneath the tag, and once again, I added a Cello Sticker Tape.
Finally, I attached a Swivel Clasp to the clip and from the chain, I hung an idea-ology Thought Token which I painted with Candied Apple Distress Paint. Once dry, I then scribbled Phantom Mist Distress Crayon over the token and wiped away the excess to reveal the wording.
So, that's my make complete and I hope you've loved the piece I've created and feel inspired by the techniques.
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!
Love Emma xxx
