Remember the Past

Hi Everyone,
This project was really fun to create.  I got caught up and didn't take step out photos, but I can walk you through how I created it.

I started by taking a large chipboard tag from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts and covering it with metal foil tape.  I ran the tag through my Vagabond using the Mechanics 3d embossing folder from Tim Holtz.  I then pounced on PaperArtsy fresco paint in Buff, Toffee, and Green Patina using a foam blending tool.  I added a bit of black paint with my finger so I could really control where it went.  Once the paint was dry I sanded it off to reveal the metal underneath.
I stamped out the Steampunk man from the Stamperia Capture the Moments Stamp set on Mixed Media Heavystock.  I painted it using various colors of Distress Ink and Paints.  I added some gears and brads to the reels on the hat.  I cut out the hat and using foam tape adhered it to the Found Relative's head.  Using the same paint colors I used for the foil tape I added some chipboard wings behind the gentleman.  I added a touch of Tarnished Brass Distress paint so they would not blend in completely with the background. The wings are actually a heart shaped piece, from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts, that I cut in half and spun around. I glued the wings to the gentleman's back and then using more foam tape I adhered him to the background.

A few layers of washi tape were added across the bottom of the photo and help draw your eye to the sentiment.
The sentiment is from the same Stamperia stamp set and was given a light wash of Hickory Smoke Distress Ink using a waterbrush.  I glued on some Tim Holtz Hardware Heads and adhered the sentiment to the tag. 

Have a great day,

Jess

Adventure Awaits My True Friend

It's time for a new Monday Challenge!

The theme this week is Vacation!

I started by covering my vignette box inside and out with a thin layer of Picket Fence Distress Paint.  Once the paint was dry I used college medium to adhere the travel collage paper to the outside of the box.  A bit of Tarnished Brass Distress Paint was added here and there on the outside of the vignette box.
Using a piece of matching travel paper from the 8x8 etcetera pad, I glued it to the back the inside of the box.  I sanded the paper so the map appears aged and covered it with Pumice Stone Distress Ink.  The final touch was to splatter on some Black Soot Distress Paint. I snapped one of the ruler pieces in half.  I just held mine in my hand and snapped it.  I didn't want it to be even.  If you wanted an even cut you could cut it with your craft knife or even use a pair of Tim's scissors to snip it.  I wrapped the ruler in a piece of craft thread and added the compass charm.   I then glued the ruler inside the box about two thirds of the way down.

A couple clipping stickers were added to the top of the box.  I centered them so they would be above the baseboard doll's head.  Then outlined them using a gold paint pen.
The bottom part of the box has a vintage clock face.

The baseboard doll was colored using a Distress Crayon in  Cracked Pistachio.  The tiny flower was colored using Wild Plum alcohol ink and added to her hair.  Two sets of transparent wings were added to her back using foam tape.  The wings got a tiny bit of Wild Plum alcohol ink and some Tarnished Brass Distress Paint added to them.  I glued a little clipping sticker to her center and then I glued the doll to the box using several bingo markers to hold her upright.

The bottom of the box is covered with vintage paper flowers.

I covered the lace baseboard frame with crackle texture paste and let it air dry.  Once the crackle was dry I sprayed it with Distress Oxide Sprays(Pumice Stone and Cracked Pistachio). Some of the crackle flaked off and I was totally okay with this. The exposed areas suck in the spray and you get all that wonderful oxidization.

I took a ribbon from the Ideaology Ribbon and bow assortment and colored it using Tarnished Brass Distress Paint.  Before the paint is fully dry, I wiped some off to expose the metal underneath.
I used a chip quote and banged up the edges by running it along my desk.  The edges got a coat of Tarnished Brass Paint.

The finial was painted with Black Soot Distress Paint and then given a couple sprays of the same Oxide Colors I used on the frame.   The little grooves were painted using the Tarnished Brass Paint.

Using a strong glue I added the fence to the back of the frame and then glued the frame to the vignette box.

I hope you enjoyed my take on this weeks theme.  And now it's your turn to create a Vacation themed project!

Jess

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

Follow Simon Says Stamp on Instagram

Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #sssmchallenge so we can see your entries there too

You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in 

Tim Holtz Lace Baseboard Frame

Tim Holtz Chip Quotes
Tim Holtz Cracked Pistachio Distress Crayon

Tim Holtz Ribbon and Bow Assortment

Tim Holtz Vignette Box

Tim Holtz Souvenir Adornments

Tim Holtz Finials

Tim Holtz Metal Gate

Tim Holtz Ruler Pieces

Tim Holtz Travel Collage Paper

Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium

Tim Holtz Clippings Stickers

Tim Holtz Oxide Spray in Cracked Pistachio

Tim Holtz Oxide Spray in Pumice Stone

Tim Holtz Spray Stain in Tea Dye

Tim Holtz Picket Fence Distress Paint

Tim Holtz Baseboard Dolls

Tim Holtz Transparent Wings

Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink in Wild Plum

Tim Holtz Etc Paperie Stash 8x8

Tim Holtz Black Soot Paint

Tim Holtz Tarnished Brass Paint

Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Pumice Stone

Ranger Crackle Texture Paste

Beacon Three in One Glue

Dreaming of a White Christmas

Hi Everyone,

 

My favorite day of the year is coming up.  Each year my mum and my  sister come to my house for cookie day.  We bake all day long, I'm talking like 7am-9pm.  We have our favorite recipes we use year after year.  We keep those in a little notebook.  We do like to try new recipes each year too.  More and more often we are finding new recipes on the internet.  I thought it was the perfect time to make a Christmas themed phone/tablet holder so we don't get baking supplies all over our phones.
 These phone holders are so easy to put together(there are only three pieces). They would make an awesome gift!

Paint the base white.  Make sure the edges and at least one side are really well done since they will be exposed.  Paint the edges of the other pieces white too.  The other two pieces get covered with patterned paper.  I used some of the Tim Holtz Christmas wallpaper to cover the back piece.  This paper looks and feels like real wallpaper.  It's nice to add the tiny bit of texture to the project.

These snowy flourishes are coming to the shop soon.  You get two in a pack.  Paint both pieces white, then cover them with a clear Rock Candy  glitter.  

Insert the pieces into their slots. Don't forget to add a bit of glue to hold them in securely.   Technically your piece is completely put together at this point.  But we will embellish this! Glue to snowy flourishes to the back of the piece.  Then cover the base with Grit Paste from Ranger.  While the paste is wet sprinkle on more rock candy glitter.  Leave the space where your phone will sit paste free.  

Paint an ideaology resin snowman and cover him with rock candt glitter.  Add teeny mercury glass holly berries to his hat.  While the grit paste is wet stick the snowman in the paste.  In front of the small piece of chipboard add a chip quote Christmas saying.  Again, do this while the paste is wet and it will dry in place.  

One the back add a couple bottlebrush trees, teeny presents, a deer, and peppermints.  Another Christmas sentiment will complete your project. 

I hope you have a great kick off to your holiday season!

Jess

Does the bell still ring for you?

Hi Everyone,
I have officially started my Christmas crafting!
One of my favorite Christmas stories is The Polar Express.  Today's project is a little nod to the book.

When I started this project I didn't think I wanted a tag as long as the Extra Large Tag (it's 8 inches long and 4 inches wide), so I cut off a big chunk.  Thankfully I saved the piece I cut off because as my project evolved I knew I needed it!
Start by painting the entire tag white and then stamping a line of music notes (from the special Tim Holtz Stamptember Set from Simon Says Stamp) all over the back using Distress Oxide ink in Hickory Smoke.  Then seal the ink using Distress Micro Glaze.  Once the micro glaze is on add Vintage Distress Collage Medium to the entire piece.  The thicker the glaze, the darker the color.

Next paint a piece of  Christmas Distress Collage tissue. The collage tissue is black and white, but it can be colored.  Pick the area you want to show and on the backside apply your paint.  The paint doesn't have to be perfect, but it shouldn't go too far outside the lines(unless that's the look you're going for).   I used Forest Moss, Peeled Paint, Victorian Velvet, and Vintage Photo Distress Paints to color my tissue.  

Once the paint is dry adhere it to the bottom of the tag.  The tissue blends in so well it looks like it was part of the background all along.  

Add a bit of Charred Gold embossing powder from Emerald Creek around the edge of the entire piece.  

Paint the Frame in Tarnished Brass Distress Paint.  Once it is dry add Deco Art's Crackle Glaze.  The glaze makes teeny cracks, like you see on old china.  When the glase is dry rub Distress Crayon in the cracks to make them pop.  Glue the frame to the tag. Using a bit of foam tape, add a piece of patterned paper inside the frame.  Color your paper doll and adhere her to the patterned paper(she's popped up with a bit of foam tape too). Add a tiny bell to her hand.    

The paper doll had a little paper tassel on her hat, but mine ripped off.  So to give her hat a makeover.  Color a baubble using Spun Sugar Distress Paint.  Once the paint is dry add a bit of mushroom alcohol ink to age it a bit.  You can see the tiny cracks in the frame a bit better here too.  

Using the Tim Holtz festive foliage die make a bunch of flowers to adhere to the corner of the frame. 

Now here is the part when I decided I wanted to add more to my tag.  My sentiment wasn't working the way I thought it would and it just needed more.  I took the part I had cut off earlier and glued it to the base creating a little shelf.  Color the fringe using spray ink and alcohol ink and glue it to the base.  

Paint a salvaged santa using Distress Paint and Alcohol inks.  Once the paint is dry rub Hickory Smoke Distress Crayon to pick up the nooks and crannies. Paint the deer using gold alcohol ink.  Glue them all to the base.

One the opposite side glue a bottle brush tree decorated with vintage mercury glass. 

I added the quote token to the top of the tag to finish it off.  

I hope the bell always rings for you. 

Have you started your Christmas crafting?

Jess

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge- Make your own background

Creepy Critter

Hi Everyone,
 I'm up on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog today. 

 I promise next month I will get back to doing step by step photos for you.  Work has been a bear lately and I have hardly had any time to create.  I wanted to get a bit spooky though.  It's cooling off around here-it's been under 100 degrees at least twice!

To begin cover your Reliquary- Arch Top with a thin layer of gesso.  Then layer on your inks.  It is key to allow time for each layer to dry naturally to achieve the faux marble look. Using your blending foam, apply a layer of Pumice Stone Distress Ink and then add a bit of Espresso Distress Ink.  Spritz these layers with water.  Once they are dry add Distress Oxides in Iced Spruce, Hickory Smoke, and Black Soot.  These are applied one at a time and spritzed with water.  I switched back and forth between using the blending foam and just stamping thep pad directly onto the arch.  Using the pad I was able to get some veins in the marble.
Add your paperdoll and bunny head charm.  Set the piece aside to dry.

Cover the Extra Large Tag with a piece of patterned paper.  Use Distress Oxides in Hickory Smoke and Forest Moss to get the mottled effect.  Edge the tag using Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  Socre the bottom of the tag to create a bend. 

Use the large piece from the Layered Flourish Aria.  Paint the back piece using Tarnished Brass Distress Paint.  Paint the front piece using Sterling Distress Paint.  When the paint is dry pounce on Alcohol ink in Patina, Mushroom, and Latte.  Glue the two pieces together and adhere to the top of the tag.  

Using the same colors of Alcohol INk color your gravemaker and attach to the arch using brads.  Glue the arch to the bottom of the tag.  

Cover the base of the tag with moss and add some skulls and bones.  Paint the Meadow Flowers using Forest Moss DIstress Paint.  Stipple on the same alcohol ink color you used before.  Cut the flowers in half and adhere them to the back of the Reliquary- Arch Top.  

Your creepy masterpiece is complete!

I hope you enjoyed this creepy tutorial.

Jess

Alice in Wonderland

Hi Everyone,
I'm up on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog today with a little Alice in Wonderland inspired project.  I want to apologize for the lack out step out photos here.  Work has been consuming my life as of late and I have barely had any time to do what I love.  I hope my instructions are clear enough for you to follow along. 

 I started with a simple number 10 tag and turned it into a mini album. 
To begin, fold your tag in half.  Cover the spine with washi tape to give it a bit of extra strength.  Cover all pages with bits of Tim Holtz wallpaper and washi tape.  Once all of your paper is adhered give it a white wash using acrylic paint.  Use Distress Crayon in Gathered Twigs to age some areas and all edges.  Splatter some Distress Paint on the background in Vintage Photo to tie it all together.

To make the cover, run your stencil letter(coming soon to the store) through your die cutting machine using the Sizzix 3d embossing folder.  Use Cracked Pistachio Oxide Ink on the raised areas and smudge around with your finger to coat the entire stencil.  Cut a found relative card down to fit behind the stencil letter and adhere using double stick tape. Add a tiny brass clock charm and some spun cotton mushrooms to the bottom corner.  Set the image aside.  Do not glue the image onto the cover yet because you will need to add sari ribbon to hold it closed. 

For the first page, gather various clock faces.  Some of these are vintage, some are paper, and some are charms.  Glue your faces down in a pattern you like and add your mini white Rabbit.  The Rabbit (along with the other silhouettes) was painted black and embossed using Rangers Frosted Crystal Embossing powder.  The result is an awesome matte finish.  Glue your Rabbit to the center of the largest clock face.  Add a word sticker and outline in black.  

What's a Mad Hatter without his tea? This tea cup die has a slit in the top so it was easy to slip in the Mad Hatter once he was embossed.   A bit of bakers twine holds on his hat size.  I distressed this page a bit more than the others by curling back some of the paper.  

Finish the book, but keep your head! The Queen finishes out the little book.  I found lots of Rose ephemera to add to her page, but I wanted to make sure some were not painted the right color.  I love the cowering card in the corner.  

Wrap your ribbon around the entire booklet.  Adhere your stencil onto the front cover and this will hold the ribbon in place.  

I hope you enjoyed our quick trip through Wonderland!

Jess