Sunday, September 1, 2013

STAMPING ALL STARS

Happy Monday everyone!  It's that time of year again ... 
at SIMON SAYS STAMP MONDAY CHALLENGE! 

This week, we're asking you to join us with your favorite stamp; be it a background stamp or that "go to" stamp that you always seem to find yourself using.  Or maybe you have a favorite ink pad that you just cannot do without.  Whatever it is, create something wonderful and enter our challenge.  We'd love to see your work!

As for me, when Tim Holtz released his line of stamps at January's CHA, my bank account took a big hit!  (smile) His vintage London and Paris themed stamps and papers just spoke to me ... especially that sweet little old gentleman.  And my favorite set of background and accessory stamps has got to be Tim's Artful Tools.  So, I have combined those stamp sets to create this ...


A Tim Holtz Pocket Envelope.  This little envelope is so fun because it makes a wonderful gift card holder or an added vintage pocket in art journals or mini books.

I began with a piece of manila card stock and die cut my pocket envelope on my Vagabond.  Then I distressed it using Wild Honey and Rusty Hinge Distress Inks.  I love their warm, rich tones.  I also did Tim's spritz and flick method of adding water to further distress the pocket envelope with water splotches.  But, my "go to" inks when doing vintage pieces that require stamping is a tie between Jet Black Archival and Coffee Archival ... or in this case; both used at the same time!

I stamped the measuring tape background from Artful Tools onto the distressed pocket envelope.  But I used both Jet Black Archival and Coffee to ink up the background stamp.  I did the same thing on the two sides where I partially stamped the paint brush images.  I love how those two colors combined really compliment each other; giving warm tones yet not quite such a defined image or edge.  

Next I added a little Coffee and Jet Black Archival to all of the edges to make them look more worn and defined.  Next I created the images used on the front: my favorite little gentleman, the Union Jack, a bitty postage stamp and the top of Big Ben all from either Tim's Paris To London or London Sights stamp sets.  All were stamped onto Specialty Stamping Paper.  I also lightly applied Antique Linen with an Ink Applicator after coloring all of the images to soften them and give them a more vintage appearance.

I stamped the little man in both Jet Black and Coffee Archival to see which one I would like the best. I settled on the Coffee Archival one.  I colorized him with a Detailer Water Brush and various Distress Inks:  Weathered Wood for his coat, Scattered Straw for his vest and edging aroundd him, Broken China for his shirt, Barn Door for his tie and Pumice for his shoes and mustache.  After he was cut out, he was pop dotted onto the pocket front.

The Union Jack was done a bit differently.  I used Distress Markers and applied the color directly to the stamp.  Faded Jeans and Barn Door provided the color and I added just a touch of Coffee Archival Ink here and there.  And ... because they are Distress Inks, cleanup was a snap.  I just let the stream of water from the faucet hit it, wiped it off with a paper towel and it was all clean! (Yes, I am one of those people who actually DO clean their stamps!) I tore the one edge of the flag and applied Coffee Archival to the torn edge. I added a small stick rubbed with Coffee Archival to serve as a flag pole.  I also worked the paper a little so that the flag was curved and almost like it is waving from the flagpole a little.  It is glued to the flagpole but other than that, the flag is free to proudly wave. 

Big Ben was lightly colored with Antique Linen and the shading and roofs were colored with Tea Dye Distress Ink.  The clock faces were given a coat of Glossy Accents for dimension and also to resemble glass covering the clock faces.  I bent Big Ben at the "corner" and attached it to the envelope with pop dots; giving it some dimension.  The bitty stamp was colored with Peeled Paint and pop dotted as well.

After I assembled the cover of the pocket envelope, I turned it over and added the two little circle closures.  These were easy to add and the instructions are included in the die cut.  Finally, I used some of Tim Holtz' Paper String to close the pocket envelope.

I think this turned out really cute and even better ... I completed this project in less than two hours!  Don't you just love it when the stars all align and a project comes together so easily?  
Happy Stamptember everybody!  Get in on all of the fun now at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.  

You could be the lucky winner of our random weekly 

 $50.00 credit voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp!

And ... your work could also be showcased in our 

This is quite an honor as we receive so many beautiful works of art each week.

Good luck!  I can't wait to see what are your "All Star" Stamping products!

Here are all of the products available at Simon Says Stamp that were used in creating this vintage pocket envelope:





22 comments:

  1. Love your little pocket envelope Candy, the gentleman is great and the Union Jack stamped with markers looks fabulous.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  2. Fabulous project Candy! Love the distressed envelope full of so much goodness! I can hear my credit card screaming! Thanks for the enabling!

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  3. Hi Candy, As soon as I saw the challenge title I think I knew you would choose this set! Love your little masterpiece, the Frenchman is adorable and of course I love Big Ben and the flag... the background is fabulous too - so much detail in such a small space. Wonderful work and very inspirational! Hugs, Anne x

    PS - I clean my stamps too....

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  4. What a cool project! Candy. I love the envelope with all the fabulous images. Great inspiration! :)

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  5. Beautiful project Candy! Love the combination of stamps and the way you shaped the flag. Lovely colours and colouring. Great idea to mist with Antique Linen. I also like how easily distress inks clean up. I do clean my stamps, but they often pile up for a few days before I clean them. :)

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  6. Blimey! What a cool envelope card Candy!

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  7. Fabulous pocket envelope Candy, love the warm tones and the background stamping is wonderful. I really must use those stamps and soon. The handsome gent coordinates beautifully stamped in coffee archival. Love the aged flag too. Great piece of art. Tracy x

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  8. What a fun pocket envelope design.

    Regards diane

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  9. Candy!!! Your projects always make me look, then look again, then flat-out stare in an awed stupor. I adore everything about this-- the composition, the choice of images, the vintage colors-- and since I'm a total London junkie, the images had a special place in my heart. Another amazing project!

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  10. Candy, this is one of my favorite projects. I LOVE this envelope! I love the colors, the details...everything! Thank you for inspiring me each week. I love seeing your projects.

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  11. The little envelope is one of best dies ! It can be used in many ways, is as versatile as a few other dies! Your little envelope is full o wonderful details, i love it!!!!!! Barbarayaya

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  12. Love what you did with your favourite stamps Candy! Perfectly places and so beautifully put together! Thanks for another inspirational make and great step by step!!

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  13. Hello my dear Candy, yikes, I love the inking then flicking, it created a gorgeous backgound, the colors are fabulous,then the stamping, perfect, loooove how you created the flag is STUNNING, and I also clean my stamps, when cleaned they leave a better image as you well know being a stamp cleaner :O). I love the colored image better with this project too, and the Eiffel tower with the lovely stamp, OUTSTANDING work you have done here, thanks for sharing your fabulous tutorial, the are the best..

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  14. Gorgeous project & tutorial, Candy! I'm really loving it from all angles!! :)

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  15. Gorgeous tutorial & project, Candy! I'm loving it from all angles :)

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  16. This is so very cool! I love the contrast of the red too!

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  17. Fantastic~ Love the mix of patterns in the background! Fabulout man and background of the flag. Beautiful project again!

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  18. Wow, Candy! What a great envelope! I love those stamps too! And I love that big bold flag! So so pretty! Hugs, Sandra

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  19. I've been lusting after that envelope die! LOL Just love everything about this project....the beatifully stamped background, the way you stamped the paintbrushes along the edges, the beautiful coloring on that fine gent and Union Jack...a treasure! Everything you do is filled with the joy of your creativity, Candy. Love your work!

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  20. Love that gorgeously glowing honey background, and - as another huge fan of the Artful Tools - I think your background stamping is fabulous. A delicious make, as always, so thank you for the inspiration.
    Alison x

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  21. Love this stamp set! Gorgeous on the homemade envelope! Fab make!

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  22. I really love this!!! To begin with, I adore Tim's envelope die. I don't have it ... gotta get it :) But I just love how the brush stamps come together in the back and I'm a fan of all things Brit. I went to England with my Mom a few years ago and I can still remember my first glimpse of Big Ben as we emerged from the Tube exit. Unreal. That is what I remembered when I saw your project for the first time. Great project Candy ... as always :) -- Mary Elizabeth

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