That's Life: tag

Showing posts with label tag. Show all posts

Monday, 20 July 2026

Can I have your attention please....

Hello everyone and welcome to the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. This week, our theme is all about ADDING SOME TEXT and with this in mind, I thought what would be better to add some text than creating a project with a typewriter as the focal point.

So, let's get started and it's time to share all the details of how I made this week's project!

For this make, I used a Stampers Anonymous Size 8 Etcetera Tag, a size 8 Mixed Media Heavystock Tag and one of the Etcetera Facades.

ETCETERA FACADE

I chose to use the pointed arched shape Etcetera Facade from the pack of 4 and flipped the tag so that the point of the facade is downwards.

I covered the facade with the Typewriter advertising paper from the Neutral Palette Paper Collection and adhered it with Matte Collage Medium, applying a coat of the medium over the top.

I then used Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edges, blending the colour with my fingertip.

TAG BACKGROUND

For my background and for this I used the Size 8 Mixed Media tag.

I placed the Typo Layering Stencil over the top of the tag, and then spritzed Tim Holtz Resist Spray through the stencil, focusing on the right hand side and the top right corner. Remove the stencil and wash immediately.

Once the spray was dry, I misted the tag with a light spritz of water and than added the colour using Distress Spray Stains, Oxide Sprays and Mica Sprays in the following colours:

DISTRESS SPRAY STAINS: Ground Espresso, Chipped Sapphire, Speckled Egg and Crackling Campfire

OXIDE SPRAYS: Speckled Egg

MICA SPRAY: Crooked Broomsticks

I applied the Distress Spray Stains first, and after another spritz of water to blend the colour, I heat dried the surface before adding splatters of Speckled Egg Oxide Sprays. Finally I misted the Mica Spray over the top.

Once the surface is completely dry, I moved onto the stencilling and adding some detail to that background.

STENCILS

The stencils that I used for the background were from the following set, Mini Layering Stencil Set 48.

To add more layers to the background, I began by applying Lost Shadow Oxide Ink through the Halftone Stencil using a blending tool. I then added Walnut Stain Distress Ink through the Digits Stencil. I applied each of these layers to random areas over the surface of the tag.

To complete the background, I stamped the triple line border stamp from The Inspector set across the bottom of my tag using Black soot Archival Ink.

Once I was happy with my tag, I inked the edges and then machine stitched a border round the outside before I attached my tag to the Etcetera Tag using Matte Collage Medium.

I attached my finished tag to the facade using foam pads, or you can use the risers supplied in the facades pack.

STAMPING

Moving onto the stamping and for this I used the Curiosity Shop SA/Tim Holtz stamp set and the co-ordinating SSS die bundle.

I stamped the image of the typewriter on Mixed Media Heavystock Card, using Black Soot Archival Ink and then embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder. I added some shading to the image with Polychromos Pencils before die cutting the image with the co-ordinating die set.

I then stamped the paper that slots into the typewriter and once again used the die from the co-ordinating set to die cut the image.

On this piece, I used the hearts from the Lovebirds Sizzix/Tim Holtz die set and cut three hearts from inked Mixed Media Heavystock that was in my stash. This was inked with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Spray Stain.

I then attached the hearts to my little stamped paper image. Underneath the hearts, I stamped the "in my heart" sentiment from the Tiny Text stamp set in black ink.

I placed the paper into the slot on the typewriter, securing it at the back and then added a small piece of Cello Sticker Tape.

After inking the edges of the image and attaching this to my tag using foam pads, I placed an ephemera piece from the Memoirs Ephemera Pack, directly underneath it, so that they typewriter appears to be sitting on it.

On either side of the typewriter, I added a small piece of Mummy Cloth.

On the right hand side of the image, I added a small pointy finger. This stamp is from the Tidbits stamp set and I coloured it with Polychromos Pencils before fussy cutting around the outline and attaching it with foam pads to my typewriter.

I had a few die cut hearts on my desk from a previous project which were slightly smaller in size than the ones that I used on the note. I thought these worked perfectly around the top of the typewriter, so I decided to attach three of them.

FINISHING DETAILS

Now for all those tiny finishing details that matter...

Once again, I used the Tiny Text stamp set to stamp the sentiment, "Love You". I stamped it with clear Versamark Ink onto a piece of black card and then embossed it with gold embossing powder. I then used the Tiny Text co-ordinating die set from SSS to cut the sentiment. I added some red stitching to either side of the small banner before placing foam pads on the back and adhering it into position on my tag.

To complete the sentiment, I added 2 small idea-ology Screw Heads to either side and altered these with Black Soot, Antique Bronze, Crackling Campfire Distress Paints to create more of a vintage, rusty look to the metal.

To complete the tag, I added some small offcuts of embossed silver metallic card that I placed around the edges of the tag. You can see them at the top, and on the left and right hand sides. These are always in my snippets box, all those precious pieces that I never want to throw away and were from a previous project that I made and the card was originally embossed using the Foundry Embossing Folder. After cutting these into tiny pieces, I attached them to the tag, and then altered them with the same colours of Distress Paints as I used on the Screw Heads.

Finally, I added some rope through the top of the tag, and pinned a Mini Pin to secure it into position.

So that 's my project finished and I hope you love the piece I've made and been inspired by the techniques I've used.

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

Recipe for project:

SSS/Tim Holtz Stamps and Dies Bundles: Tiny Text, Curiosity Shop

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Size 8 Etcetera Tag, Mini Layering Stencil Set 48, Typo Layering Stencil, The Inspector, Tidbits, Facades

Sizzix: Big Shot, Lovebirds, Foundry Embossing Folder

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain

Distress Spray Stain: Speckled Egg, Chipped Sapphire, Ground Espresso

Oxide Spray Stain: Speckled Egg

Oxide Ink: Lost Shadow

Distress Paint: Black Soot, Antique Bronze, Crackling Campfire

Distress Crayon, Walnut Stain

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Cello Sticker Tape, Screw Heads, Memoirs

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Foam Pads, Versamark Clear Pad, Antique Gold Embossing Powder, Resist Spray

Polychromos Pencils

Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock Tag, Mixed Media Heavystock Card

Glass Media Mat

Heat Gun

Monday, 25 May 2026

Love & Marriage...

Hello everyone and Happy Monday...

Hope you've all had a wonderful weekend and the sun has been shining wherever you are. As always, on a Monday, we have a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week, the DT are feeling some love in the air because our theme is all about WEDDINGS/ANNIVERSARIES. So, if you would love to join us and share your makes, then all the details are at the end of this post.

For my make, I chose to make something with a wedding theme using products from Tim Holtz, including idea-ology and Sizzix and even though I used a paper doll couple on this piece, it would be wonderful to personalise it with a precious photo and create a special gift for someone getting married, or a memory of someone who is now celebrating an anniversary of many happy years together.

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

TAG

To begin with I used a Mini Etcetera Tag and flipped it upside down, so the shorter edge is on the bottom.

I then covered my tag using a selection of pinks and blues from the Large Collage Strip pack. I cut these down to size, to ensure that they fit the tag and then adhered them directly onto the tag using Matte Collage Medium.

I applied a coat of the medium over the top to seal the paper and once dry, I ran my Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edges, and blended out any harsh colour with my fingertip.

I then attached a couple of idea-ology Ephemera pieces from the Field Notes Snippets and the Memoirs pack, adhering these to the covered tag. You can see the snippet in the top left corner...

...and the date, which I placed in the top right corner, placed vertically down the side.

I splattered the surface with some white acrylic paint, allowed this to dry and then added some gilding flakes around the edges of the tag.

The gilding flakes create a beautiful distressed look to the tag and are adhered to the project using Prima Gilding Flakes Glue.

I applied the glue by stippling it down the edges of the tag using a fairly stiff paint brush. Allow for the glue to become tacky before applying the gilding flakes. Ensure the flakes cover all the sticky areas and buff any excess flakes away.

The tag is now complete and ready for the next stage...

LEDGE

For the ledge, I used two Etcetera Trims, one Pinked Trim and one Bracket Trim. I covered the pinked trim with some paper in my scrap box, I believe this offcut was from Backdrops Vol 5 and used the co-ordinating Sizzix die to cut the paper before adhering it onto my trim. I then painted the bracket trim with Speckled Egg Distress Paint. Once the paint was dry, I attached the bracket trim to the pinked trim to form a 'L' shape which will become my ledge.

I adhered the ledge to the tag with Matte Collage Medium.

I chose the bride and groom, from the Group Pack of Paper Dolls and colour tinted it using Distress Crayons. I attached the couple to my tag using foam pads.

Now to colour those beautiful shiny baubles around their feet and for this I used various sized baubles from the Bauble pack.

I wanted three separate colours and used Aqua, Sherbet and Mushroom Alcohol Inks. With the selection of baubles ready, I then placed them one, by one onto the ledge using Glossy Accents to adhere them and hold them into position.

Once all the baubles were added, I walked away, had a coffee and allowed the medium to set and make sure those baubles were not going anywhere.

After my break, I added some moss and dried flower stems in amongst the baubles.

idea-ology ADORNMENTS

With the focal point completed, I moved onto my embellishments and started with the quote, 'my whole heart'. The quote token is from the Typed Tags set and I mounted this over the top of two Foliage Adornment pieces.

To add the bronzed effect to the metal, I began by adding Statue Foundry Wax directly onto the surface of the token and the foliage pieces. I then heat set the wax before applying a light touch of Sterling Foundry Wax and again heat set the wax. Finally, I applied some of the Gilded Foundry Wax to the raised areas only and heat set this.

I attached the foliage pieces to the tag, placing them so they mirror one another and then attached the token using a foam pad on the back. To complete the arrangement, I hammered a Nail Tack through the hole of the tag.

Beneath the ledge, I added a Salvaged Heart. I painted the surface of the heart with Spun Sugar Distress Paint and then once it was dry, I rubbed some Walnut Stain Distress Crayon over the top and added the word 'Love" from an older set of Tim's Remnant Rubs that I have in my stash.

I attached the heart to the tag with Matte Collage Medium and then added some Screw Heads to this bottom section, again altered with the same process as I altered the metal quote.

Finally I added some Cello Sticker Tape to the tag...

...and I completed the project by attaching a Hinge Clip complete with a Swivel Fastener and lock and key for the symbolism that he holds the key to her heart! All these metal pieces are altered with the Foundry Waxes as before.

So, that's my make complete and I hope you love the piece I've created.

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

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Mini Etcetera Tag, Pinked Etcetera Trims

Sizzix/Tim Holtz: Decorative Trims, Big Shot

Distress Paint: Black Soot, Crackling Campfire, Antiqued Bronze, Speckled Egg

Distress Crayons

Alcohol Inks: Sherbet, Aqua

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Cello Sticker Tape, Key Adornment, Screwheads, Nail Tacks, Baubles, Backdrops Vol. 5, Group Paper Dolls, Typed Tags, Foliage Adornments, Lock and Key, Swivel Clasp, Hinge Clip

Gilding Flakes

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Foam Pads, Foundry Wax, Gilding Flake Glue

Glass Media Mat

Heat Gun

Moss

Monday, 18 May 2026

Flight of the Bumblebee...

Hello everyone and Happy Monday...

Today, we have a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week, our theme is called TAG IT! We'd love for you to join us and play along and all the details for the challenge are at the end of this post...so, good luck!

For my make, I chose to create an Etcetera Tag and used some older Sizzix dies by Tim Holtz including the Funky Insects and the beautiful Wildflowers die sets. These dies are such classics and it's always nice to revisit some of the old favourites and make something new ~ I don't think I will ever tire of using these dies because they really do create such an impact on any project.

So, let's get started and it's time to share all the details of how I made this week's project!

For this make, I used a Size 8 Etcetera Tag and a Mixed Media Heavystock Tag.

TAG BACKGROUND

To create the background on the Heavystock Tag, I used a combination of Distress spray Stains, Oxide Sprays and Mica Sprays. I spritzed the tag with a light mist of water before applying the sprays in the following colours:

DISTRESS SPRAY STAIN: Crackling Campfire, Ground Espresso, Antique Linen, Speckled Egg

OXIDE SPRAY: Speckled Egg

MICA SPRAY: Crooked Broomsticks, Unravelled

Firstly, I applied each of the Distress Spray Stains to the tag building up the colour and then misted the surface with water to blend. Once I was happy, I applied the remaining Oxide and Mica Sprays to add some different tones.

After heat drying the tag, I then moved onto adding some texture and applied Translucent Texture Paste though the Halftone Mini Layering Stencil from Set 48. I added the paste to the majority of the tag, only leaving some of the background untouched, allowing that to shine through.

Once I'd removed the stencil, I worked quickly to add Rusty Hinge Distress Glaze over the pasted areas and tapped away the excess before setting the tag to one side, so that the paste sets.

When the paste is touch dry, I used my heat gun to melt the powder and create a molten, enamelled effect to the stencilled areas.

I machine stitched a border round the edge of the tag before attaching it to a Size 8 Etcetera Tag with Matte Collage Medium.

To add some more texture and layers to my tag, I cut one of the film strips from the Picture Show die set by Sizzix/Tim Holtz. I cut the strip twice from black card and then layered one of the die cuts over the top of the other. Once dry, I added some gilding wax from my stash to the surface before attaching this across my tag, snipping away the excess.

To complete the tag, I added the letter 'b' Type Chip in the top right hand corner, which I stapled before attaching to the tag itself...

...and then adhered a Curator Ephemera piece to the right hand side of the tag.

BOUQUET OF WILDFLOWERS

Moving onto the flowers and for this I cut a selection of stems from Distress Watercolour Card using the Sizzix Wildflowers Die Sets, 1, 2 and 3, all by Tim Holtz.

I then watercolored each stem using Distress Inks. You can use the pencils if you prefer, but I went for the inks on this one, as I wanted a little more intensity of colour. I used a combination of colours, and went for a glorious vintage colour palette in pinks, blues, lilac and apricot, with some green foliage behind and some bursts of gold.

Once all my stems were painted and dry, I arranged them into a bouquet and stuck them to the tag, placing some foam pads behind the stems to add dimension to the arrangement.

I then cut a few of the stems from Kraft card and after inking them with clear embossing ink, I sprinkled gold embossing powder over the top, tapped away the excess and heat embossed the powder until molten. I then tucked 3 of these stems into the arrangement.