Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2014 - July Tag

I had so much fun creating this tag for Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2014!  Tim uses some really cool techniques on this one - embossing a clear water background panel  - making sand out of various powders and all the fun of summer!   Here is his tag:
I have a ton of Tim Holtz 'stuff' - but I don't have  the main items he used on his tag - so I winged it creating my own slightly different ocean stuff!  Here is my tag -  can you see all the differences?
First off, I didn't have the seahorse/sand dollar die -  so I printed a picture of the seahorse and cut it out to use as a template - and then hand cut it out of chipboard.  I used different Distress Paint colors to paint her - covering the whole seahorse in Weathered Wood and then just dabbing on Bundled Sage and Rusty Hinge to give a more scaly kind of look.  After the ink dried I covered her with Rock Candy Clear Crackle paint.
I also did not have the bubbles embossing folder Tim used - so I  used the Sizzix Summer Fun folder that looks like ocean waves with bubbles (thank you, Anne Harmon!).  I used both Weathered Wood Distress Paint and Salty Ocean Distress Ink on my tag rubbing each on my Nonstick Craft mat - spritzing with water and then running the tag through it.  After both colors were on and dried - I spritzed the tag with water.
Since I didn't have the sand dollars for the bottom of the tag -  I decided to use some real shells that I picked up off the beach on a vacation on Sanibel Island, FL several years ago (I knew I'd use them for something!).  I inked them with Versamark and then sprinkled Antique Linen Embossing Powder on them and hit them with my heat tool.  I used the Festive Greenery Sizzlet die for the sea plants - using Coredinations Kraft Core paper that I carefully sanded and inked the edges on after die cutting.
I stapled the clear embossed panel to the tag with my Tiny Attacher.   I added an eye to my little seahorse using Black Enamel Accents.  I adhered the plants and seahorse using glossy accents, bending up some of the tips/leaves of the plants for dimension.  I always back my tags with a black panel cut a little larger than my tag.  I added the Linen ribbon to the top and spread the ends.
 I covered a Word Band with Weathered Wood Distress paint - then rubbed it off with a towel so the paint just remained inside the letters.  I tied the band around my tag with blue Jute String.
I needed something else in addition to the shells to put into the fun sand that I made by mixing Utee Clear Embossing powder, Antique Linen Distress Embossing Powder, Antique Linen Distress Glitter and Glossy Accents per Tim's recipe.   
So I thought a distressed Corked Vial with a note rolled up in it would do the trick! 
First, I covered the vial with Glue N Seal and let it dry -  then I covered it with Rock Candy Clear Crackle Paint.  After that dried and crackled - I sponged Adirondack Orange Blossom Ink over it.  I added the shells and the bottle to the 'sand' and let it dry. I love how the bottle came out -  and look how REAL that sand looks!!  How cool!
Here is the note I rolled up and placed inside my little vial.  I stamped it with Archival Jet Black Ink on Kraft Glassine paper and clear embossed it.  I distressed the edges and inked them with Gathered Twigs Distress ink, rolled it up tight and slipped it into the vial - ready for someone walking along the beach to find it!!  The sentiment is from the Big Top set.
Everytime I see a seahorse - it reminds me of when our Uncle Charlie sent my sister and I two live seahorses in the mail when we were quite young.  They were miniature ones and came with a tank and instructions on feeding and care.  We called them Hans and Katrina.  They were so fun to watch and we thought it was quite exciting to have them.  You had to have some pieces of coral in the tank as they had to be able to wrap their tails around something or they would die from constantly swimming.   I'm afraid they did not last too long - it was quite hard to keep the salt water regulated properly and very easy to over feed the little things.  Our father was quite upset that his brother had sent them to us because he knew what the result would probably be... my sister and I were sad when they 'passed' and we had to have a proper burial out in the backyard.
THIS pretty little seahorse will live on forever - I'm happy to say!
Are you making Tim's tags each month??  You'll find the challenge here.  There's a new one every first day of the month!

I also posting this over at the Mixed Media Card Challenge this month is Touch of Nature - optional element -Tag  -  and the challenge is open until 7/25 so you still have time to link a project there!

Stamps:  Big Top - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous
Paper:  Shrink Plastic, #8 Manilla Tag, Kraft Glassine - Ranger, Coredinations Kraft Core Nostalgic Collection, Black - PTI
Ink:  Ranger Distress - Evergreen Bough, Gathered Twigs, Salty Ocean.  Archival Jet Black, Orange Blossom.
Accessories:  Idea-ology - Sanding Grip, Word Bands, Tiny Attacher, Jute String, Linen Ribbon, Corked Vials; Ranger Distress Stains - Tumbled Glass; Ranger Distress Marker - Frayed Burlap, Sizzlet Festive Greenery die, Black Enamel Accents - Ranger, shells from Beach, Ranger Distress embossing Powder Antique Linen,  Ranger Distress Glitter Antique Linen, Black Embossing Powder - Stampendous, palette knife, Ranger Spritz Distresser, Ranger Paper Distresser, Ranger Distress Paint - Weathered Wood, Bundled Sage, Rusty Hinge, Summer Fun Embossing Folder - Sizzix, Utee Clear Embossing Powder, Glossy Accents, Glue N Seal, Clear Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint - Ranger.

29 comments:

~amy~ said...

Julia, that is such a neat tag! How long does it take you to create such a work of art?

stamping sue said...

Terrific tag! like how you put a little bottle in the sand.
stamping sue
http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Your tag is awesome, and so fun!!! LOVE the seahorse!

Redanne said...

Your tag is fabulous Julia, I love your improvisations, they are so clever. The sand does look very realistic and I think the message in a bottle was a great idea too. Overall, a brilliant take on Tim's tag. Hugs, Anne xx

Sherry said...

Julia, your tag is absolutely fantastic! I love the background you chose and the sea plants - love the prickly looking ones.

The little bottle is a great touch too and the seashells.

How lovely to bring back some childhood memories too with the seahorse x

(Thanks for your comment on my tag too :) )

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

What a stunning version,absolutely love that little seahorse,super cute!

Hugs
Donna x

Loll said...

Hi Julia. OMG ... that is one of the most amazing tags I have every seen!! I love all the special touches and details that went into making this - amazing! A treasure for sure to have forever! Thanks for all the instructions on how you made all the different elements. Loll xx

Mona Pendleton said...

Gorgeous tag Julia! Love all the crackled detail and fun under the sea scene you created!

Jenny Marples said...

Super improvisation here Julia - loving that message in a bottle and your own seashells. Jenny x

Far North said...

Awesome tag! You created a fabulous seahorse...and your message in the bottle is a perfect addition. I enjoy using clear embossed backgrounds layer backgrounds...but this is one of the best uses I seen!

Unknown said...

Very CREATIVELY done Julia.. love the bottles done that way... a lot of fun and really adds charm and mystical feelings to your tag... love it all... I too had little sea horses and we also had a burial ground in the side yard...things we did as a child. so much fun... thanks for sharing this fun tag... Love, Light and peace...Bonnie

Deepti said...

Oh my love the details on this card, that embossed acetate is awesome, Will try it soon :) thank you for inspiring!

Unknown said...

I love how you improvised to recreate Tim's elements and since I don't have the die either I'm going to use your tips. :) Besides I'm finding the die out of stock everywhere, ugh! Love all of the detail you included and your sand looks so authentic! FAB tag Julia!!!

Anne Harada said...

Fantastic tag and use of all the techniques!! So inspiring Julia!!

Words and Pictures said...

An absolutely brilliant take on the July tag, Julia - I love all your improvisations and detailing... gorgeous!
Alison xx

Sue Lelli said...

I am in LOVE with this tag! The clear plastic is FANTASTIC and that altered bottle is Amazing! Sanibel is so close to me so you better visit if you come back!

maria f. said...

Goodness gracious - what a work of art. So many details to take in. The sand. THE SAND! And I can't believe you had a seahorse.

Jenny Marples said...

SO PLEASED for your TH win! Jenny x

Mary Elizabeth said...

Hi Julia! I saw this when Tim pinned it on Pinterest and knew it was a winner. Congrats on your win. Love the Summer Fun folder that you used. It gives the "water" such movement. Great idea to print out the seahorse and use it as a template on cardboard. That innovation is what creativity is all about!! Gorgeous coloring job on that dear little seahorse. Great job. Thanks for letting us come along on your creative journey. -- Mary Elizabeth

Michelle Brown / byBruton said...

Hi Julia, Congrats on being chosen as one of the July winners. Your tag was an inspiration, because I can get weary when I don't have the major supplies (ie: seahorse, bubble folder, etc.) You reminded me to do me! Again, great job, love your tag.

Donna Gibson said...

Hi Julia, I love your tag! The embossing folder is perfect! I will be looking for that one to add to my collection. Your seahorse story is adorable, too. Congrats on the win!

Redanne said...

Huge congratulations on your Timmy win with this gorgeous tag, my lovely friend! Hugs, Anne xx

Unknown said...

Congratulations Julia!!! Your tag is fabulous and your win is so well deserved. :)

Unknown said...

Congrats on your win... I am so very happy for you... knew it when I told you it was on Pinterest... congrats congrats oh... did I say congrats yet???
Love, Light and Peace... Bonnie

Unknown said...

I love the way you did you sea horse!! Your colors are amazing!! Congrats!!!

Almo said...

Hi Julia, Congratulations on your win too,such a lovely tag. I have just calmed down the excitement long enough to visit all the other winners now! Mo x

Belinda Basson said...

Well deserved win! The bottle with a message is pure genius.

Dodie said...

Julia, I really like how you adapted Tim's tag to work for you. Congrats on the win!

Far North said...

Julia, Congratulations on your winner! As I 1st said it is an awesome tag!