OMG - It's April next week

Why is it that I cannot seem to get my tag done until the very last minute.... I thought being retired this would be a piece of cake.  I guess I'm spending too much time outdoors :-)

Tim Holtz March Tag of 2014 challenged us to use a 'smudge' technique.  It really makes a nice soft look to the stamped image.  Check out his blog here:  Tim's Blog.  He gives you all the instructions.

Here are my tag entries for March:

The first tag is the primary stamping/smudging, the 2nd tag was the 2nd stamping with the same stamp, not re-inked, but 'huffed' on to get the most out of the ink.  I used an old spritzer I had from many years ago - but looks amazingly similar to the one Ranger just released.  I spritzed over Tim's Ruler Stencil.  I followed Tim's process for the tag very closely - inking and splashing some water droplets on the tag.   All in all - it was a fun process.  

Supplies:  

Tim Holtz Ruler Stencil

Tim Holtz Ideology - Word Bands

Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher (Stapler)

Tim Holtz Jute String

Tim Holtz Distress Inks:  Peacock Feathers, Peeled Paint, Pumice Stone, Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap, Wild Honey, Dried Marigold

Tim Holtz Distress Stains: Peacock Feathers, Peeled Paint (used on seam binding ribbon)

Stamps:  Tim Holtz Fairytale Frenzy, Urban Chic, Spring Sprung

Show us that Hoard....

Gloria Stengel and her design team over at Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge Blog has given us their 2nd challenge.  This time it was to 'Show them our hoard'.  The challenge was to use items from your hoard that were blue, and here is the inspiration they gave us:

Here is the card I created with that in mind:

First of all - we are to confess our 'hoarded' items.  Paper, Paper, and more paper.  I have paper pads that all I've done is browse through them.  I love the pretty patterns SO much, that I simply don't use them.  (Oh come on - you've all done this!).  This time I broke out a very neglected pad by My Minds Eye - Moments.  Oh the beautiful blues it contained.  Another item I hoard - ribbon.  I don't know why, but it really is beautiful to look at.  I have recently gotten ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and absolutely LOVE their quality.  They have a monthly ribbon club that is a bit addicting.  Check it out:  Here

I had originally planned a winter card with those beautiful blues and grays...but I just couldn't.  Here in Arizona, the flowers are blooming, and we have enjoyed one of the most beautiful warm winters I can ever remember.  So, I created a spring card.  The flowers were created with a new technique I learned last week from Claudine Hellmuth.  It's called Dry Emboss Texture.  We embossed sticky back canvas, and used our daubers with ink or paint to very lightly rub over the embossed image to highlight.

I know I'm barely squeaking this one in...   It's always a fun challenge - Join us!

Supplies:
Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Chipped Sapphire, Peeled Paint
Tim Holtz Ideology - Life Quotes Remnant Rubs and a word band
Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon
Paper:  My Minds Eye Moments

Love is in the Air...February Tag

Whew,  just under the wire!  Check out here, if you don't know what I'm talking about....12 Tags of 2014.    Each month we are challenged with a theme and new techniques.  Oh so fun!

I basically followed Tim's directions this month.  I loved the style, techniques, all of it.  I had to improvise a bit not having the same stencil or stamp....but I think it turned out nice, and the process was fun to work with.    

I started with a blank manila tag.  I put pumice stone, victorian velvet, and frayed burlap distress stains onto my craft sheet, and dragged the tag through them to cover completely.  Then I misted the tag with water, let it run and drip - and dried the tag.  I stenciled the stars onto my tag using 3 different colors of red distress ink (fired brick, worn lipstick, and barn door).  Once I liked the layering of the colors, I embossed them to make them stand out a bit more.  The center stamp was embossed with frosted crystal embossing powder and then rubbed with plain old white school chalk to create a nice chalkboard effect.  I really enjoy this technique.  

The star and heart are covered with the new gorgeous festive berried distress glitter.  If you haven't tried this glitter yet - run and get some now...it is so beautiful!  The great thing about it is that it doesn't fly everywhere like other glitters.  And, it sparkles from all angles.  I colored the lace ribbon with Perfect Pearls Heritage Gold mist.

Tim should post the March tag tomorrow...find it HERE

Time to use the 'Stash' - we all know we have one!

The time has arrived...  My long time 'cyber' friend, Gloria Stengel, has started a new Challenge Blog.  She is encouraging us all to stop hoarding, and start creating.  You can read all about it here:  Craft Hoarder's Anonymous Challenge.

Valentine's Day, and my wonderful husband were my inspiration.  The challenge this week is to create something that shows our 'style'.  My style is such a variety, it's hard to pick just one - so I blended a few styles.  I love to layer, I love flowers, and I love Tim Holtz everything!  Oh,  and dies...I'm somewhat addicted.


I hope you enjoy my entry this week.  I'd love to hear your comments.

Supplies used:
Paper:  Recollections Valentine's Day Love, Heritage Black (Worldwin Papers), Blush Blossom (Stampin' up)
Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon, January monthly collection
Stamps:  Penny Black, Stampin' up
Diecuts:  Tim Holtz Sizzix Framelits Framed Silhouettes, Cottage Cutz Tea Time Doily, Spellbinder Nestabilities Classic Squares, and Lacy Squares, Tim Holtz Sizzix Tattered Florals
Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Vintage Photo, Stazon Black
Etc:  Tim Holtz Chit Chat Seasonal Stickers, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

Challenges entered this week:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge
Gloria Stengel's Craft Hoarder's Challenge
Hels Sheridan Sunday Challenge

Back in the Saddle again....Tim Holtz January Tag

Wow - such a long time since I have been 'creative'!  It is tough getting back in the groove.  I love that Tim is still doing his Tag of the Month to get me motivated.    We were to use embossing folders, stencils, inks, stains, to create our project.

I had Tim Holtz Framed Silhouettes gathering dust on my desk and decided it was time to dust it off.

I started with the base of Weathered Wood Stain, and stenciled the hexagon shapes on top with more weathered wood Distress ink.  I absolutely LOVE the new stencils.  I know,  stencils have been around a long time, but somehow those folks at Ranger know how to make them seem new and fun again!  I cut out the frame and silhouette from grunge paper using my Vagabond.  I embossed the frame, and inked up to grunge it up a bit.  I used a Remnant Rub word for Journey, and stamped and attached a tag/saying.  The new linen ribbon and word band adorn the top.  If you haven't played with the linen ribbon - give it a try.  It has a very loose weave, so you can stretch it open to make it wider and a gorgeous look (didn't do that here tho :-)

I procrastinated doing this all month...but glad I worked through it this week to get it uploaded just before the deadline.  I hope you enjoy my project...

Happy New Year all!

Supply List:
Sizzix Tim Holtz Framed Silhouettes stamp and framelit set
Sizzix Tim Holtz Gears Texture Fade
Tim Holtz Ideology: Words Remnant Rubs, Word Bands, Tickets, Gears
Weathered Wood Distress Ink
Weathered Wood Distress Stain
Black Soot Distress Ink
Black Soot Distress Glitter

To anyone who loves a good challenge!

My long time 'cyber' friend, Gloria Stengel, one of the most amazing paper arts, card designer, and all things altered extraordinaire.....  Is starting a new challenge site - Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge Blog.  She is currently accepting entries for design team members - check it out!

The challenge fun starts February 3rd - be sure to follow her blog so you don't miss anything.

If you want to see some of her amazing work - check it out HERE.

You have one short month to get your supplies in order, and be ready to be challenged!!

Final Challenge - Happy Birthday TIM

Linda has done it again.  She has ended her Compendium of Curiosities Challenge with a wonderful tribute to the man who has inspired us all - Tim Holtz! If you have no idea what I'm talking about - hop on over here to check it out:  Studio L3.  If heaven forbid...  You don't know who Tim Holtz is - do yourself a huge favor and explore here.  Tim's birthday is in a few days - and we were all challenged to create a card and shower him with joy over the next few days.  Disneyland has always been Tim's favorite place on earth - but I venture to guess that his mailbox will be that special place this week.

I have recently discovered Pop-n-cuts by Sizzix.  OMG - do you all remember the time we spent cutting these out by hand?  Now - you just get out your die, paper, and vagabond and presto...pop up card is done.  I experimented with the new metallic distress stains, kraft resist techniques and also embossing folder techniques - all of which can be found in his book, Compendium of Curiosities 2.  If you haven't seen what Shelly can do with grunge and pop n cuts - check this out:  shellyhickox.blogspot.com

 Photos are always tough, but I hope you can see the details and how fun these new pop n cuts are.

Happy Birthday Tim!  Enjoy your special day.  To Linda....Thank you for giving us the opportunity to create, imagine, and play.

Supplies used:  Distress metallic stains, Dies:  Mini Jalopy, Tattered Banners, Large Gears, mini gears, Sizzix base pop n cut, Embossing folders: riveted metal and Steampunk, idealogy, and grungeboard numbers.