SIMON SAYS SHOW MORE THAN ONE LAYER

Don't you just LOVE Mondays so you can see what Simon Says Stamp and Show has for your challenge this week?  Well...without further adieu ... this week is all about layers.  

Last week I focused on Dyan Reaveley and her wonderful Dylusions line of products.  This week ... I chose to focus on someone who I think is a creative genius.  I totally love his products.  From his die cuts to his stamps and every piece of Ideaology and ink colors in between; I admire and respect the creative vision of TIM HOLTZ.  

I had a bit of a dilemma because I've been dying to try out my new Tim Holtz In The Bag die cut.  But, I could not load it up with a bunch of layers of "stuff" because it would fall over.  But, I R-E-A-L-L-Y wanted to use the die cut!  So ... I decided to make my layers out of things like inks, markers and stamping rather than lots of dimensional elements.

   Front view

So, this is what I ended up with ... a really cute little paper bag that is the perfect size to hold ATCs among other small things.  The finished size of this bag is 3x4 and approximately 3/4" deep.  The size is so stinkin' cute!

I started out using a piece of paper from Tim Holtz' Kraft Resist Paper Stash.  It was the perfect base for creating more and more layers.

Here is just the basic paper bag cut from the die cut...folds are already scored for you.  LOVE IT!

I used Broken China and Wild Honey Distress Inks as my background colors to create my first layer.  Next, I wiped off the excess ink, exposing the resist pattern that is already printed on the paper pad.  How is THAT for a cool texture and layer?  Next I added another subtle layer by spraying Blue Patina Perfect Pearls Mist over the bag.  It adds a subtle shimmer to the surface and gives it a beautiful iridescent quality.Then I ran a black cats eye ink pad along the score lines and edges to make them pop.  It's much easier to create your design for your paper bag while it is still flat ... so that is what I did.

   Background before and after other layers have been added.

Ready for my next layer!  I pulled out my Tim Holtz Stamps and gathered up a few of them that I wanted to use to begin buuilding the background.  His Ultimate Grunge stamp set has so many wonderful little background snippets on it.  I used three images off of it .. .the random polka dot, the checkerboard and the mesh.  They are all stamped using Jet Black Archival Ink.  Instead of placing them on an acrylic block, I just held the the stamp in my fingers and randomly rolled it onto the paper bag to pick up portions of the design, not all of it.

When I was happy with the background, I worked on each side.  This is the front of the paper bag.  I used more of Tim's amazing stamps to create my design.  The optical glasses are from his The Countdown stamp set.  Next I stamped the man with the funky birdcage hat onto a piece of manila cardstock.  That image is from Tim's Pen and Pencil stamp set.  I colorized him using several Distress Markers:  Antique Linen, Tumbled Glass, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick, Tattered Rose, Spiced Marmalade and a touch of Picket Fence.  I cut him out and lined the edges of the paper using the Black Soot Distress Marker.  Then I stamped the image right onto the paper bag front because I wanted the black squiggly lines on either side of the man to appear on the bag.  Then I cut out the man I had stamped and colored and glued him right on top of the stamped image on the bag.  On top of the checkerboard pattern, I heat embossed "POST CARD" from Tim's Postcards stamp set out of Copper Embossing Powder.  I also added a Mini Gear in the middle of one of the optic lenses.  I can't stand to not have metal SOMEWHERE no a project! (smile)  

Here is a closeup of the backside of the paper tag.  I'm sure you recognize Tim's steampunk gentlemen.  I used the smaller version of them from his Warehouse District stamp set.  They are stamped on manila cardstock and colored with Distress Markers then cut out and glued on top of the distressed and gathered doily.  The hot air balloon behind the gentlemen is from Oxford Impressions.  It was the perfect size for this little bag.  It was also stamped on manila cardstock and colored using Broken China and Barn Door Distress Inks and then Distress Markers of the same colors to shade and blend.  Then I heat embossed "Let Yourself Fly" on top of the balloon, creating yet another layer.  I glued them all together and the bag now looked like this ...

  

The last step was to fold the paper bag into it's shape and place the back end over the piece of double sided tape.  Then you just work the bottom tab into the slot that is made for it and it's all done!  Just one piece of tape connects the whole thing!

 Front of the finished bag.

 Back of the finished bag.

Finally, to really add a little bit of dimension and "glitz", I added one more layer to the front and back.  I added some squiggles of Glossy Accents to the left of my steampunk gentleman on the front, just to the left of his shoulder and also at the opposite top corner.  Then I sprinkled some crushed Tea Stained Mica Fragments over them.  On the back, I did the same thing, to the upper left side and the lower right corner of the bag.  I had never used that stuff before but I LOVE it! The picture really doens't pick up the cool texture and shine the mica flakes create.


Layers, layers and more layers ... but very little dimension! Now it's time for you to have a go at layering!


Post your entry to our challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show.  You could be the winner of our  wonderfully generous weekly prize ....

You might also be honored as one of our TOP THREE artists for the week! 


I can't wait to see you creations!!!  Good luck!