Birthday Wishes Tag Card and Catastropy Averted!

After a little humungous scare yesterday, when I couldn't access my blog (it was there but it didn't recognize my sign in!!) I finally got access again this morning.  I thought I was going to have a heart attack not being able to post  - I could see my blog - but couldn't sign in! I went through Google help page after help page not being able to figure out what to do - and not finding anywhere to contact Google directly other than looking at all the suggestions that didn't apply!   In the process I think I've created another Google account that is out there in cyber space somewhere that does not associate with my blog  -  but at least I'm back and able to post!

So finally after a sleepness night worrying about my blog  -  I have a sweet tag card to share today that I was trying to post yesterday!

First, I stamped the leaf on the Stitched Tag (WMS) and colored it with Brushed Olive Distress Marker, going over it with my waterbrush. I colored the background by rubbing Salty Ocean Distress Ink on my craft mat and then using my waterbrush to pick up the color and watercolor the tag. After I dried the background with my heat tool, I stamped the text from Text It (WMS) in Classic Kraft Ink.   

I stamped the flower from Flower Garden (Tim Holtz) on a scrap of watercolor paper, colored it with Ranger Distress Markers (Spun Sugar and Worn Lipstick) then went over it with a waterbrush to blend the colors.  I cut it out and layered it over the stem with a thick foam dot. I covered  the head of the cone flower with Glossy Accents- but you can't really see the shine in the photo.

I think this is the first time that I've looped twine on a card - love the look!  I stamped the sentiment from Fancy Phrases (WMS) on a Sentiment Tag (MFT) and layered it over the tag with foam dots.  Then I added sequins and flowers from Shaker Mix Vanilla Frost (WMS) around the tag.

 I die cut the patterned paper (Correspondence/Paper Stash/Tim Holtz) with a Stitched Edge Rectangle (WMS), layering it to Sweet Blush and then to the Vintage Cream card base. 

I'm linking my tag card to the following challenges:

Tag You're It

Paper Players

and reminding everyone about the July Mixed Media Card Challenge

Stamps:  Text It and Fancy Phrases - Waltzingmouse, Flower Garden - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous.
Paper:  Watercolor Paper;  Vintage Cream, Sweet Blush - PTI; Paper Stash/Correspondence - Tim Holtz Idea-ology.
Ink:  Archival Jet Black, Ranger Distress Salty Ocean, Classic Kraft - PTi
Accessories:  Ranger Distress Markers - Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Brushed Olive; Dies - Stitched Tag and Stitched Edge Rectangles - Waltzingmouse, Sentiment Strip Die - MFT,  Shaker Mix Vanilla Frost - Waltzingmouse, Wrinkled Seam Tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, Button Twine - Waltzingmouse, Foam dots, waterbrush - Ranger.

Very Best Day Ever

Today I have a card that will work great for all the guy birthdays - masculine colors and clean design.  I die cut two panels using the Stitched Edge Dies from Waltzingmouse.  Then I stamped the Spooky Tree Background stamp - in Abandoned Coral Distress ink on the larger panel - and in Kraft Ink on the smaller panel.  I stamped this wonderful big sentiment called Best Day  in Smokey Shadow.

I didn't try to match up the tree stampings but  placed the panel so a few of the branches flowed into each other and I think it looks like it matches without really matching!  I colored a Mirrored Star with Espresso Adirondack ink and adhered it to the top corner (it looks more glassy and shiny IRL!) - and scattered a few brown/tan sequins over the card.  The dark colors keep these additions looking masculine.

Having said it works for the guys -  I also think this will work for the girls - a nature lover, someone you don't know well enough to know if they are all flowery, a co-worker etc. -  and changing up the colors would make a difference too.

 I'm linking my card to the following challenges:
 the Happy Little Stampers Sketch challenge

My tree comes in from the left and my sentiment is larger but it is under the tree image!

 Virginia's View Challenge #16  100% stamped

Cardz 4 Guyz  - Something Beginning with B (brown branches)

I'm on vacation this coming week - whoo hoo!  Kent is still re-cooperating from his knee replacement (two months out) so we're not going away - but he is walking and driving - so we are going to go take some short walks in local parks and along the nearby ocean.  And I'm sure I'll get some extra stamping in as well!!

Stamps:  Best Day Ever, Spooky Tree Backgrounder - Waltzingmouse
Paper:  White, Kraft - PTI
Ink:  Ranger Distress Abandoned Coral;  Classic Kraft, Smokey Shadow - PTI
Accessories:  Stitched Edge Dies - Waltzingmouse, sequins, foam dots, Mirrored Star - Ideaology.

Happy 4th! Tim's Tag - July 2015

Tim's July Tag perfectly coincides with the United States celebration of July 4th - our independence day.  So today I share my version of Tim's tag

and also wish all my fellow US Citizens - a Happy 4th of July!

You will find Tim's tag and his detailed instructions here.

I used the same stamps - but have the large set, Americana Blueprint,  not the smaller version - so I decided to use the Statue of Liberty and the USA stamps.

I used the larger 7 3/8" x 3 5/8" manilla tag in order to fit the larger stamps.  I used a piece of Paper Stash Motif for the background.  These papers each have a clear design on them - I used the one with circles, and sponged over the paper with Distress Vintage Photo to allow the circles to show.  I colored the U with Fired Brick Distress Marker and A with Faded Jeans - going over them with a waterbrush.   For the background I rubbed Iced Spruce on my craft mat and used my waterbrush to 'paint' around the letters for a subtle shadow.    I colored the ribbon with Distress Markers and my water spritzer the way Tim did.  I added Mirrored Stars to my tab as well as some Remnant Rubs from Botanical and Numbers.

I colored Miss Liberty with Bundled Sage and Broken China Distress Markers to give it the weathered patina that the actual statue has - going over the coloring with a waterbrush. 

  I rubbed Salty Ocean Distress Ink on my craft mat and waterbrushed the color around the statue.  I added the Vial Label with a Big Chat sticker and Remnant Rubs, and added two more Mirrored Stars. 

I'm sure you noticed my sweet patriotic trees -  Tim showed us how to make them on his post here.  As soon as I saw them I knew I had to make some!   They are SO easy to make!  I used Salty Ocean and Barn Door Distress Spray Stains, blocking off the white part on the Woodlands Trees with painters tape.  

LOVE, LOVE how they came out!!

 The technique for coloring the Letterpress Blocks is also on Tim's Patriotic Post.  Basically, you dab some Distress Paints onto your craft mat - then dip the letters into them - let them dry then sand off the color until it looks like you want it, and then glue the letters together.  I added a Mirrored Star to mine.

Happy 4th of July everyone!!

Tag:

Stamps:  Americana Blueprint - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous

Paper:  Manilla tag and Paper Stash Motif - Ranger, watercolor cardstock.

Ink:  Archival Jet Black, Ranger Distress Vintage Photo, Salty Ocean and Iced Spruce

Accessories:  Ranger Distress Markers Bundled Sage, Broken China, Faded Jeans, Fired Brick; Idea-ology Vial Labels, Remnant Rubs Botanical and Numbers, Crinkle Ribbon, Mirrored Stars, sewing machine.

Patriotic Trees

Accessories:  Woodlands Tree Lot - Ranger, Ranger Distress Spray Stains Salty Ocean and Barn Door, blue painters tape.

USA  
Accessories:  Letterpress Blocks and Mirrored Star - Idea-ology, Ranger Distress Paints - Picket Fence, Chipped Sapphire, Fired Brick; sandpaper, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive,

 

A Vintage Journey - July 2015 Challenge - Destinations

It's time for another inspiring challenge from A Vintage Journey -  Jenny is our hostess this month and her challenge to us is Destinations: in Jenny's words -  "We would love to see creations based on a destination or place of your choice. Tim has provided stamps themed around the United States, Great Britain and Paris but don't let this restrict you! Let your favourite destination inspire you."

I went a bit off the path of the challenge description - choosing to make a Train Case that I would use going to my destination, wherever that may be! 

The Train Case die is Eileen Hull/Sizzix and I am IN LOVE with it!!

I have quite a few photos to show how I created this.   

I die cut the pieces out of white Little Sizzles Mat Board  from Sizzix and assembled the bottom and top.  Then I cut the pieces again out of a piece of patterned paper from Paper Stash/Crowded Attic to use on the sides.  I trimmed off all the edges that would be folded over to make the box so they all became rectangles. ( I could have just measured the sides and cut pieces to fit, but thought this would be easier!)

 I stenciled all the patterned paper pieces using the Crackle Stencil and Vintage Photo Ink.

 Then I used the same stencil and went over each piece again using Wendy Vecchi Translucent Embossing Paste. (you don't have to match it up to the inked pattern)

 I put all the pieces on top of a pizza box I keep in my craft room for spraying etc - because if I put the pieces on my work table to dry  - I invariably put something else on top of them and ruin it!  The paste turns translucent when dry - and it feels just like an alligator or snake skin purse - very leathery - so cool!

 I die cut the plane from Movers and Shapers Small Cloud and Plane out of the matboard and embossed it with Pumice Stone Distress Embossing Powder.

I mixed Pumice Stone and Vintage Photo Distress Embossing powders together to emboss the handle and hinges for the Train Case - the mix gives the pieces a nice slightly rusted metal look!  I used Wendy Vecchi Archival Watering Can ink instead of Versamark to ink the pieces - it stays wet enough to hold the embossing powder and gives a black background for spots the powder doesn't adhere to.

I painted the edges of both the inside and the outside of the Train Case with Walnut Stain Distress Paint.

I lined the bottom and inside cover with paper from Crowded Attic and pierced the holes for the hinges and front lock piece.

I made straps for the case using Idea-ology Trimmings Black/Cream and Buckles -  I added glue to the ends to help prevent fraying.  Here you also see the embossed plane with an added Remnant Rub (embrace the journey).

To cover the ends of the Long Fasteners used to attach the hinges - I put some Commute Tissue Tape around the inside edges.

I colored some Mirrored Stars with Adirondack Butterscotch Alcohol Ink to use on the top of the case.  I just dropped a few drops onto each star and blew on them a bit to dry them.

I also added a Word Band (enjoy the journey) that I embossed with my mix of Pumice Stone and Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powders and a Remnant Rub (own your dreams).

I realized after I put the hinges on that I really  needed to cover all the edges with something - as the paper was a little uneven  here and there - so I found some really thin black tape (from my father's art supplies) that worked perfectly - it would  have been easier to put this all on before I added the hinges and lock piece - next time I'll know better! (the color looks kind of orangey in this photo as I took the pic on my work table at night)

So - from here I started adding a lot of Remnant Rubs on all sides.  They are from Special Delivery, Words, Botanicals and Elements.  The straps are not attached to the Train Case - they just slip right off to open the case (or unbuckle!)

I added a Photobooth photo to the inside cover along with another Remnant Rub/Special Delivery.

So now - whenever I choose my Destination -  I am ready to travel!  

My Train Case measures approx. 4 1/2" wide x 3 5/8" tall x 2 1/2" deep.

Our challenge is a monthly one and a randomly chosen winner will receive a £20 gift voucher from our very generous sponsor, Country View Crafts. We will have our Pinworthy blog badges awarded to the Top 3, who will be chosen by the Creative Guides.  Don't forget that we are a Tim Holtz inspired challenge but you do not have to use his products, just let us know how you have been inspired by one of his techniques or colors.

I hope you'll join us this month -  you'll find all the details - more inspiring projects from the other Creative Guides and Mr. Linky -  over at A Vintage Journey.

July Mixed Media Card Challenge - Blue with optional Vase

Wow - is it really July already??!!!  And we have a new Mixed Media Card Challenge!  Theme: Blue with the Optional Element: Vase

This month - I did both!

I started by making my background panel.  I used a technique from Wendy Vecchi called Splattered Plaster Technique.  First, I rubbed two inks on my craft pad and poured a lot of Rubbing Alcohol on it.

After mixing the inks and alcohol with a pallete knife, I sprayed one spray of Picket Fence Distress Spray Stain on top (do not mix)

Then I dragged a piece of Ranger Specialty Stamping Paper (it's kind of glossy) through the mix and dried it with my heat tool.  The Picket Fence stain doesn't really mix with the inks and you can see how it looks like little spots of plaster on the cardstock.

I made the flowers and leaves using Newsprint Paper and Clearly for Art Modeling film - another Wendy Vecchi technique.  First I glued the newsprint to the modeling film using Glue N Seal.  After it dried, I stamped the flower from Forever Art onto the newsprint side using Watering Can Ink.  I colored the flower with Copics and cut it out close to the edge.  The fun thing about the modeling film backing is that you can heat it with your heat tool and it softens so you can mold it a little for dimension.

I made the vase using Wendy Vecchi's Mat Minis/Pitchers and Vases - embossing it with Sky Blue Embossing powder and then stamping it with a dots stamp using Adirondack Snow Cap Ink.

I stenciled the background with a Vintage Quilt and Basically Bricks Stencils.  I stamped the border, flourish with Watering Can Ink and the sentiment with Jet Black ink.  To finish off my card - I added 3 blue sequins and tied some twine around the neck of the vase.

Sadly, today we are saying goodbye to some of our fellow Design Team members -  we'll miss you Char, Deepti, Jan, Loll, and Lyndal!   But on a happy note we are welcoming several new Design Team Members - Becca, Lee-Anne, Lysa, Melissa, Michaela, Tenia, and Yasmina.   We are excited to be working with you ladies!  

Please welcome them when you visit their blogs!

So how does blue inspire you in a mixed media way - using texture, dimension and techniques?  We hope you will join us this month -  check out all the inspiration and challenge instructions over at the Mixed Media Card Challenge blog.

Stamps:  All Occasion Art, Forever Art, Say It with Art, Large Collage Background - Wendy Vecchi Studio 490/Stampers Anonymous.

Paper:  Specialty Stamping Paper - Ranger, Newsprint Paper and Clearly for Art Modeling Film - Stampers Anonymous, white and True Black - PTI

Ink:  Wendy Vecchi Archival Cornflower,  Forget Me Not and Watering Can, Archival Jet Black, Snow Cap Adirondack.

Accessories:  Copics - B41, YG17, B45, Caribbean Blend Sequins - Avery Elle, Ocean Twine - the Twinery, Mat Minis Pitchers/Vases - Wendy Vecchi Studio 490/Stampers Anonymous, Rubbing Alcohol, Picket Fence Ranger Distress Spray Stain, Stencils Vintage Quilt and Basically Bricks - Wendy Vecchi/Stampers Anonymous, pallete knife