DISTRESSED/TORN EDGES

This week's theme for SIMON SAYS STAMP AND SHOW'S CHALLENGE IS "YOUR DISTRESSED/TORN EDGES.  Usually when you think of distressed and torn edges, you think "TIM HOLTZ" and then (of course) you think of "GRUNGE"!  That is my favorite!! But, I wanted to show you that tearing and distressing edges doesn't necessarily have to be grunge.  It can be ... let's say ... shabby chic!

I've got to say, I love this piece! Love the colors and the textures all combined together.  And I LOVE the image.  This was a film actress in the 1920s, Maude Fealy.  She is hauntingly beautiful and perfect for this piece.

I made the "cabinet card background" out of a piece of corrugated paper.  Notice the DISTRESSED AND TORN EDGES?  I painted it with a Juniper Paint Dabber followed with lightly brushing some Shell Pink Paint Dabber for that shabby chic look.  Then I mixed some Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls and water together to make a thin "paint" consistency.  Then, using my small Koi Water Brush, I lightly painted the gold into the grooves of the corrugated paper.  I added some metallic gold edging around the arched area of the cabinet card using a Krylon Gold Leafing Pen.  Finally, I added just a touch of Vintage Photo Distress Ink and a hint of Black Soot Distress Ink mainly around just the torn edges for that aged look.  The background behind Maude is a piece of cream cardstock with a script text stamped on it. 

I printed Maude's image out on glossy cardstock and I chose to cut her image away from the entire picture.  Her hat is wonderful and I didn't want to hide it behind the cabinet card mat so I decided to let her "emerge" from the background.  I lightly went over her picture with Antique Linen Distress Ink before colorizing the flowers on her hat.  WHEN USING THE COLORIZING TECHNIQUE ON BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS TECHNIQUE WORKS BEST ON GLOSSY PHOTO PAPER AND ONLY ANTIQUE LINEN OR OLD PAPER DISTRESS INKS should be used to lightly rub over the photograph.  Then I took Cut N Dry Pen Nibs and rubbed them into various Distress Inks to colorize the flowers and leaves on her hat.  I used Victorian Velvet, Tumbled Glass, Bundled Sage and Scattered Straw Distress Inks to colorize her hat.  (If you've never done this technique, I encourage you to try it.  It is so much fun and when you start to add color, it's like you're breathing life into those vintage photos!)

Next I added the embellishments.  On the left side, I added a piece of vintage lace.  I made some what I like to call "attic flowers" out of white organza fabric.  I sprayed some of it with a product called Design Masters Home Decor Stain.  The color is "honey".  That is the sepia tones you see in some of the flowers.  Then I edged them with the Juniper paint.  The sheer ribbon and the pink roses were sprayed with Pink Bubblegum Glimmer Mist.  I added a little more vintage lace and tore some cream netting to add to the flowers.  The wispy fibers coming from the flowers is some of the organza that has raveled.  LOVE that look!  Maude is holding a charm with her soon to be ex boyfriend, "John's" picture on it.  It hangs freely from her hand.  The picture is coated with Crackle Accents around the edges and Glossy Accents on the image (so it would not be distorted by the crackling). 

On the right, you can see the beginnings of the "Dear John" letter that Maude is writing to him.  Poor John!  The letter is stamped on cream cardstock and torn on the top and bottom edges.  It is distressed using Vintage Photo Distress Ink and edges with Black Soot Distress Ink.  It is being held in place by a Memo Pen. 

You should see what my Design Teammates have created for you this week!  I was blown away when I saw all the unique and wonderful ideas for you!  Hop on over to Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge and check them out!  Then get your creative juices flowing and create your own Distressed/Torn Edges.  Post them to our blog and YOU could be the winner of our random drawing.  That fabulous prize from our most generous sponsor is a:

  

$50.00 credit voucher to Simon Says Stamp!!!  If you are chosen by our design team as one of the Top 3 entries...you will be awarded our coveted BLINKIE for your blog!  I can't wait to see what you come up with!!  Enjoy your week and remember to take time to PLAY!!!  IT's SOUL FOOD!!!