VINTAGE SMUDGE STAMPING TAG FOR COMPENDIUM OF CURIOSITIES III

Happy Saturday everybody!  

Welcome to my blog and the next in our series of challenges  at the Compendium of Curiosities III Challenges hosted by the lovely and talented Linda Ledbetter. 

This is number 26 on our way to a total of 34 challenges based on Tim Holtz' Compendium of Curiosities III book featuring his products and all sorts of techniques and applications.

This challenge is a technique challenge called "Smudge Stamping".  Since this is a technique challenge, I cannot share the steps in the process with you but if you'll turn to page 42 in your book, you will find pictures and the step by step process for Smudge Stamping.

Now, I CAN share my vintage tag with you, the colors I used, the products I used and as much about the creation of the tag as I can.  Since I wanted to really let this Smudge Stamping technique be the focus of my tag, I did not add a lot of dimension and elements to it. And while this feels sort of "naked" to me because I really like to add lots of detail to my work, there is something I really love about the simplicity of this tag.

Here is my finished Smudge Printing tag. 

I did some masking on the top of the tag, added color to the smudge stamped lady's face and I also combined Distress Inks on the Union Jack Flag before smudging it.  So, maybe this will give you some ideas on how you can add some interest to the Smudge Stamping technique.  

I began with a #10 or large Manila Tag. I stamped this valance from Tim's Classics #18 stamp set onto a couple of tags to experiment with.  I used Fired Brick and Aged Mahogany to ink the stamp.  Then I used the excess ink to print as an additional image that I cut out and used as a mask. Of course I did Tim's smudge stamp technique on the valance underneath this mask. 

Next I stamped this beautiful face from Tim's Classic #5 stamp set (using Black Soot Distress Ink) right below the masked valance. I used the same smudge stamping technique but one had more ink on the stamp that the other.

I stamped "LONDON" horizontally underneath the neck using Worn Lipstick Distress Ink.

For the Union Jack (from Tim's From Paris to London stamp set), I wanted to combine blue and red to the flag.  So, instead of using a Distress Ink Pad, I used the Distress Ink Markers to color the stamp.  Then I used Tim's smudge stamping technique when placing the Union Jack under "LONDON". 

Next I stamped Big Ben from Tim's London Sights stamp set in Black Soot and did Tim's smudge stamp technique on it as well. I gave "LONDON" a distinct outline with a black permanent marker and then added some shadowing with a graphite pencil and water brush.  After I finished it, I thought it also looked like that famous London fog we often hear about.  I also added "life is good" from Tim's Simple Sayings stamp set, stamped on Manila scrap and outlined in black underneath her chin to add more contrast to the tag.

I used some colored pencils to give color to the face and I added a hint of grey to Big Ben.

I also added some distressing around the perimeter of the tag using first Gathered Twigs and then Black Soot Distress Inks.

Here is a photograph of the basic tag with the smudge stamping completed.  I like how it shows the smudge stamping technique but it was screaming for just a few more elements to give it more "umph".  

So ... I added a narrow strip of Tim's Harlequin Tissue Tape along the right side of the tag and a couple of pieces of vintage lace to the bottom of the tag to give it a more finished look. The laces also provided some extra length to the tag so I could add the postage stamps and the Foot Guard to offset Big Ben at the top of the tag. I also stamped "enjoy the journey" from Tim's Simple Sayings stamp set across the Union Jack using Jet Black Archival Ink.

Next I wanted to add some vintage ribbon at the top of the tag and I wanted it to be in the colors of the tag: red, blue and cream.  So, beginning with Faded Jeans Distress Ink, I sandwiched the ribbon in between my non stick craft sheet and the ink pad and pulled the ribbon through.  I added a spritz of water until the color was totally absorbed into the ribbon.  I repeated this process for the Worn Lipstick (red) and Antique Linen (cream) ribbon strips - wiping up the ink on the craft sheet in between each use of ink pads. Then I gently crinkled up the ribbon and heat set it. 

I tied the bow to the top of the tag and that finished it off nicely, pulling all of the colors together.

So, that is my smudge stamping technique tag...easy and fun!  Now it's YOUR turn to create something and enter our Compendium of Curiosities III challenge. 

You could win one of two fabulous prizes donated by the Funkie Junkie Boutique and Tim and Mario.  Want to know what you can win????

Linda Coughlin of the Funkie Junkie Boutique has donated a $25.00 gift certificate to use in her online store.  Linda is a great lady and offers a huge array of products.  Thank you, Linda!

And before this latest edition of The Compendium of Curiosities Challenges started, Tim and Mario graciously donated A LOT of Tim Holtz products to be given as prizes.  A huge thank you to Tim and Mario as well!  

Each challenge, two lucky winners are awarded either a gift certificate from one of our two online sponsors or a generous prize package full of goodies from Tim and Mario.  Great prizes and great fun in playing along with us!

Good luck!