COMPENDIUM OF CURIOSITIES III ~ A LAYERED STENCIL EMBOSSING CHRISTMAS TAG/ORNAMENT

Welcome back for another technique challenge over at Linda Ledbetter's Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge.  It's already challenge number SIXTEEN!  Can you believe that?!  As that famous Christmas carol, "Deck The Halls" says, "fast away the old year passes" and boy, does it ever!

I hope that you have been playing along on these challenges with us.  It's a great way to familiarize yourself with Tim Holtz' fabulous products and and learn new techniques for your creative endeavors. All of Tim's Compendium of Curiosities books are wonderful reference tools to either teach or refresh your memory on SO MANY ways to use all sorts of products.

Your entries are amazing and the Creative Crew continues to drool and delight in ALL of the beautiful art we see each challenge.  We are also humbled by all of your lovely comments. Keep 'em coming!  Those as well as your art inspire us and encourage us every day!

Turn to page 50 in your Compendium of Curiosities III books and check out the Layering Stencil: Embossing technique. 

Here is my finished piece.  It is a large Ranger Manila tag that can be used as either a gift tag or how I am going to use it, as a vintage ornament for my Christmas tree.

I began with a Large #10 Manila Tag that measures 4 1/8" x 8 1/2". I cannot tell you HOW I did the layering stencil:embossing technique but I can say that I used Embossing Ink and Clear Embossing Powder, Tim's Gothic Stencil and Shabby Shutters and Pine Needles Distress Inks to create my background. 

Not long ago, I shared with everyone on my blog my vintage/retro-ish vision for Tim Holtz' St. Nick die cut.  You can see that post HERE for the step by step on how I created my little Santa Head pictured above.  It is so cute and so easy to make and he's just been sitting on my work space, waiting for me to do something with him.  That time has come!

Santa needed a body so I used Tim Holtz' Sized Ovals to create a body for Santa.  First I covered a piece of chipboard with one of the 6" x 6" paper images from Tim's Merriment Paper Stash. I used the large oval for the body.  I then die cut one "JOY" from Tim's Movers & Shapers onto plain chipboard and cut close around the oval encapsulating "JOY". I painted it silver with a Silver Paint Dabber and added Silver Stickles to the letters.  Then I die cut another "JOY" as low as I could onto the lower half of Santa's lower body. (The silver "JOY" would later be glued on top of the "JOY" die cut into the body.)  I fashioned a black belt out of black cardstock, highlighted the edges with the Silver Paint Dabber and glued it in place on Santa's tummy.  Actually, I highlighted all of the edges of Santa's body with the Silver Paint Dabber.

I also created patterns out of scrap manila cardstock to create boots, arms and gloved hands for Santa.  All of those pieces were cut out of various Tim Merriment papers that were glued onto chipboard (for more stability). 

I added 1/8" Scor Tape around the outside edge of the silver "JOY" oval.  To that, I added Tim's Silver Tinsel Twine and glued it in place on top of the "JOY" that was die cut into Santa's body.

Next I used one of Tim's smaller cream colored Woodland Trees from his Mini Tree Lot set. I sprayed it with Shabby Shutters Distress Stain followed by light touches of Peeled Paint Distress Stain.

I wrapped the tree with Tim's Silver Tinsel Twine and secured both ends with Glossy Accents.  Later I would add little red bows.  For now, I set the tree to the side and went back to assembling my Santa.

I added little "fur" tops to the boots, cut the boot tops to fit how I wanted them to fit onto the body and then I added a piece of 1/4" Scor Tape to the top of each boot.  That adhesive cover was then removed and the boots were glued in place at the bottom of the body.

I then added 1/4" Scor Tape to the back side of the arms and gloves to put them in place on the body.  To do this, I laid the head at the top of his body and played around with the placement of the arms until I liked them.  

 

Then I glued them in place, curving the gloves to hold my little Christmas tree.  Next I glued the head in place at the top of the body.

I wanted to add some shiny "berries" to Santa's holly on his hat and also onto my tree, so I colored some little clear rhinestones using Red Pepper Alcohol Ink, a felt strip and my Ink Blending tool.  Alcohol Ink is a great way to quickly colorize anything that is a non porous surface.  It usually dries in about 10 seconds.

And here is my Santa all assembled (minus the little red bows and red "bling" that would alter be added).  Now, Santa is ready to be added to my Layered Stencil:Embossed background but I needed to finish it first!

To my background, I randomly added some of Tim's "Bubbles" (stencil) using White Embossing Paste and then I lightly sprinkled glitter to give a bit of that freshly fallen snow look.

Next I colorized some white Embossing Paste with Red Geranium Archival Ink.  I taped Tim's Christmas Stencil in place to stencil "Christmas" in place.  Once that was dry, I added "Merry" and let it dry.  Be sure to clean your stencils immediately after using Embossing Paste on them!

Here is the finished background complete with layering and Vermillion Archival Ink around the edges of the tag.

I added a 1/8" piece of Scor Tape all around the edge of the tag and added a piece of thin Silver Tinsel Garland around the edge of the tag for a more vintage look.

I colored a piece of white seam tape with Fired Brick Distress Stain and just a touch of Sunflower Sparkle to add to the top of my tag.

Here is my finished Layered Stencil:Embossed tag background.  I love how vintage it looks and it's all ready for Santa to take his proper place.

And here is my Santa, complete with little red bows on the tree ... these little bows are made from remnants of the ribbon I colored to create a bow at the top of the tag.  I cut the ribbon in half and made tiny bows to glue onto the tree.  To the center of each bow, I added a little red rhinestone.  I glued Santa in place on the tag.  Finally, I added a "Merry & Bright" Tidings Token to dangle from the bow using a Jump Ring. 

 

 As you can see, this is a very dimensional piece.  The size of the tag and the fleece used on Santa's beard, fur bands on his hat, sleeves and boots, the little Christmas tree that Santa is holding, the shabby bow and silver tinsel garland and the texture used to create the background really make this a showy tag that will delight all who see it.

Now it's YOUR turn to do some layering and stenciling or stamping and join our challenge. You could be one of two lucky winners chosen to receive some fabulous prizes.  

Our wonderful sponsor for this challenge is The Funkie Junkie Boutique!  Linda Coughlin is giving away a $25 gift certificate to shop in her fabulous online store.

Our other prize is a huge and wonderful assortment of "goodies" graciously donated by Tim and Mario to be given to one lucky entry each challenge. So, you have TWO chances of winning fabulous prizes while you are also creating wonderful art and sharing with a community of talented people who love to share their art and their ideas!  It's a WIN-WIN all the way around!  

Have fun with this challenge and good luck!

CABINET CARD POCKETS AT COMPENDIUM OF CURIOSITIES III CHALLENGE

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog. 

We have another product challenge this week rather than a technique challenge over at Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge. Turn to page 38 in your Compendium of Curiosities III book and check out the Cabinet Card Pocket.

I totally LOVE these Cabinet Card Pockets that Tim Holtz has added to his Ideaology line.  They come in two sizes ... a mini that measures approximately 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" and the size I used measuring approximately 4 1/4" x 6 1/4".  You can fit a 4" x 6" photograph in it or, as shown in the picture in the book, you can use one of Tim's Found Relatives cards.  The Found Relatives cards measure 3" x 5".  Because it is smaller than the opening in the larger Cabinet Card, it allows you to have some fun collaging ephemera, washi tape, whatever to fill up the extra space.  SO FUN!!

I have a 6 1/2 foot Christmas tree in my entry hall that I call my "Grandchildrens' tree".  I hope to fill the tree with hand made vintage style ornaments for each of my four grandchildren celebrating every Christmas.

So, I created this ornament for my twin grandsons using the larger Cabinet Card, ephemera from Tim's Christmas Ephemera Pack, his Pine Twine, Mirrored Stars, a little Christmas tree from the Woodlands Mini Tree Lot, "2012" Mini Numerals, Tissue Tape, various Distress Inks and Stickles, a piece of vintage red tinsel garland and some little plastic bulbs. 

I began by choosing a photograph of my grandsons, sized it 3" x 5" and printed it out on Glossy Cardstock. I added Antique Linen followed by Vintage Photo Distress Inks over the top and edges of the photograph to give it a more aged appearance.

I added a piece of cardstock to the back of my photograph, leaving about 1/2" at the top so that I could more easily create a collage that would easily slide into the Cabinet Card once I finished decorating it.  To this top piece of exposed cardstock, I added a strip of Tim's Christmas Tissue Tape and then added a "Shiny Brite" box edge image from Tim's Christmas Ephemera Pack to it. For an even more festive and vintage appearance, I lightly added some Stickles highlights using Candy Cane Red (sunburst lines) and Holly Green (filling in Shiny Brite).  Then I added a thin line of Mercury Glass Stickles across the bottom. I also added a couple of little pieces of torn Christmas Tissue Tape to one side of the photograph.  I added a small Mirrored Star lined with Crystal Stickles to dot the "I" in BELIEVE.  I really like how it adds that little bit of sparkle to the actual photograph and is centered between the boys. Yay!

Next it was time to add the Pine Twine around the photo opening of the Cabinet Card.  I did this by using 1/8" Scor Tape. Worked like a charm!   

Now for the dimensional stuff!  I made a little Ribbon Icicles box using Tim's image from a icicles box. To make a box, glue the box lid image onto a piece of kraft paper or cardstock.  Add 1/4" all the way around the icicles box lid image and cut out. Then cut a box bottom of out either kraft paper or cardstock and cut out.  Score all of the sides in 1/4" and fold.  Cut two small slits on each end and fold under the end piece of the box. Glue the two flaps underneath the flat box end.  Wha-lah!  You've created a box top and bottom. 

Glue the bottom of the box to the top of the box as the interior sides.  I also added some "tinsel" strips to the bottom of the box with Scor Tape that would later create a little sunburst effect.

I found some really pretty little "corners" for either side of my photograph amongst the Christmas Ephemera Pack.  The corners are images of poinsettias and holly leaves.  I added some Star Dust Stickles over all of the red areas and Eucalyptus Stickles on the light areas of the holly leaves. Then I set those aside to dry while I created my little Christmas tree.  

Tim's trees are a cream color, perfect for spraying them any color you want them to be.  So, I sprayed my Mini Tree with Peeled Paint Distress Stain and painted the bottom with Fired Brick Distress Paint.  I added some white "snow" in the form of Embossing Paste. Then I hot glued little "bulbs" into place and another small Mirrored Star (lined with Star Dust Stickles) to the top.

So that the Pine Twine would appear to have a bit of a "tinsel" appearance, I added Silver Stickles randomly on the twine. I like the subtle sparkle it gives. 

Next I punched two small holes, one on either side of the top and added the vintage red tinsel garland as a hanger, knotting the garland behind on each side.  Time to start putting everything together!

To the upper left, I hot glued the Ribbon Icicles box into place, letting the silver "tinsel" hang below it. I followed that up by pop dotting and gluing the two photo corners of pointettias and holly leaves into place.  I allowed the stringing "tinsel" to take on more of starburst effect behind the photo corner by manipulating the tinsel.  I like that vintage feeling that silver "tinsel" gives.  

To the upper right photo corner, I popped a retro-ish Santa in the center of the poinsettia.

I wanted to give my ornament an even more vintage appearance.  So, I slipped a piece of scrap cardstock inside the Cabinet Card to protect the area where my photo collage would slip. I lightly sprayed areas of the Cabinet Card with spray adhesive and lightly sprinkled it with "snow" (mica flakes snow).   Then I lightly sprayed the little Christmas tree, added some light "snow" to it and hot glued it into place on my Cabinet Card.

I hot glued some little Christmas light bulbs onto the top and bottom of the Pine Twine and topped them with a touch of white Embossing Paste (snow). 

I created "2012", the year the photograph was taken, to add to my ornament. I did this by using Tim's Mini Numerals and covering them with musical notes Tissue Tape (and some Glossy Accents used as a glue).  

Then I used Wendy Vecchi's Vermillion Archival Ink (permanent ink) to colorize the numbers. I added a coat of clear Rock Candy Crackle Paint and heat set it. Once dry, I added some red wire, wrapping the numerals and leaving a "tail" of wire at the top to hot glue them into place underneath the Pine Twine. I love how they appear to dangle. Finally I added some Silver Stickles around the edges of the numerals to better define them and draw the eye towards them.

All done!  My newest vintage ornament to add to my Grandchildren tree.  I need to make another one of these.  After all, they are twins!!  It is my hope that someday, these ornaments will be treasured keepsakes for my grandchildren ... a look back at Christmases past and a sweet remembrance of how they changed from year to year.

Now it's YOUR turn to create a wonderful Cabinet Card Pocket and enter our challenge. 

Our sponsor for this challenge are the wonderful folks at Inspiration Emporium.  
They are generously donating a ...

$50.00 gift certificate to shop in their wonderful store!

And of course, there is that "other prize" full of fabulous Tim Holtz products donated by the man himself and Mario! 

So, come join the fun, the sharing of ideas and our creations at the challenge website!  The Curiosity Crew has some fantastic examples of the Cabinet Card Pocket for you to see and inspire you!  

Good luck!!  I can't wait to see your designs.

 

 

BE THANKFUL BLOG HOP AND TUTORIAL

Hello there!  How is your week going?

I am pleased to be a part of a joint Blog Hop for Craft Hoarders Anonymous and My Artistic Adventures. The theme for this blog hop is "THANKS" ... very appropriate for this time of year, don't you think?  Now, your project doesn't necessarily have to be about Thanksgiving, but "THANKS" needs to be included somewhere.

This will not be a blog hop where you have to go from one blog to another to get the next link.  Each of us are listing all of the designers participating and you can visit whoever, whenever. So let's get started with all of the gals participating ...

Heather Hudson of My Artistic Adventures ~ Host & Sponsor 
Gloria Stengel of Craft Hoarders Anonymous ~ Sponsor

Amber Milone of Pink Chic
Christy Butters of Creating With The Girls
 Debbie Seyer of A Peek Into My Stamping Room
 Donna Idlet of Creative Lady
Ginny Nemchak of Polly's Paper
Glenda Brooks of Magpie's Corner
Helene of 2amScrapper
Shawn of Poetry In A Pot Of Tea
Carol of Scrappy Daze
Lizette of MrsBeez
Sandi of Scrapbookin' With G
And myself...but you're already here!!

Have fun as you hop from blog to blog seeing everyone's "take" on this challenge theme.  In keeping in the spirit of using "hoarded" items to create for the Craft Hoarders challenges, everything except Heather's collage sheet images was made from stuff I have proudly hoarded and forget that I have from time to time.  (smile)

Heather Hudson of My Artistic Adventures is not only co-hosting this event but 
she is also sponsoring it with a
 $25.00 gift certificate to her Etsy Store.  

And ... she is also hosting her own sponsored challenge at her My Artistic Adventures Blog with another $25.00 gift certificate! So be sure to check out her blog for all of the details and enter it as well as this challenge!

Now...onto the "THANKS" challenge!

I will gladly share with you what I created and how I did it.

I have chosen three different collage sheets from Heather's vast array of fun images to create my little "thanks" scene that could be used in several different ways.

 

Here is my finished project featuring Heather's images, a Tim Holtz Postage Stamp Die cut frame, and several other die cuts from Simon Says Stamp and Memory Box die cuts.  This could be mounted on a canvas background to be used as a wall hanging, pieced as card fronts or as I have chosen to do here; create a little scene that can be free standing on a table. 

Here are several parts of the parts I have used in my piece. The Bingo Card, the little girl sitting next to the pumpkin and the harvest man in the moon are all Heather Hudson designs and are available in her ETSY shop.

The picket fence, postage stamp frame are Tim Holtz and the banners and tree are either Simon Says or Memory Box die cuts.

The picket fence is cut on a piece of plain grungeboard and crackled using Picket Fence Distress Paint and Gathered Twigs distressing. 

I began by die cutting three frames using Tim's Postage Stamp and middle Sized Rectangle die cut out of black chipboard.  I glued them together then I coated them with Distress Embossing Ink.  Next I sprinkled Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder randomly over the black inked frame and wiped away some of it with my finger, creating a random pattern of powder with black showing through.  Then I repeated this step using Tea Dye Distress Embossing Powder and heat set them to the chipboard. I absolutely LOVE the grainy texture of the frame and the almost rusted appearance of it.

I ran my finger with some gold paint from Paint Dabber over the edges of the frame to highlight the edges and give a more distinct appearance. 

Next I used Tim's smaller ray Texture Fade on my vintage Bingo card. I then highlighted the rays with the Gold Paint Dabber followed by a light topping of White Fire Treasure Gold Guilding Wax.  I also added some White Fire to the man in the moon to give him that warm, harvest glow.  I glued the Bingo card in place on the back side of the frame, pop dotted my man in the moon in place and laid my frame to the side.

Next it was time to make some little autumn leaves for my tree die cut out of brown cardstock, distressed with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and given a "moon glow" with the Gold Paint Dabber.

 

I sprayed some manila cardstock with Dylusions Pure Sunshine, Tangerine Dream and Postbox Red.  I also dabbed some of the punched leaves with Pine Needles Distress Ink to give them a greenish cast.

Once the leaves were punched out,  I began gluing them to the tree and the picket fence with Glossy Accents.

I decided on this banner for my "THANKS".  I cut it down to the size I needed it to be and transformed it from plain manila cardstock to flags colored with Scattered Straw topped with a touch of Rusty Hinge and the "string" is Vintage Photo Distress Marker.  I wrote "THANKS" on the flags using a small Brown Permanent Marker then covered the flags with Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint.  I also added Rock Candy to the pumpkin sitting by the little girl.

I decided to take a small battery operated tea light and add it to my scene. I painted the top of the light with Gathered Twigs Distress Paint. 

I added Tim's Tissue Tape all around the outside edge and then distressed it with Rusty Hinge.  Finally, I added some more leaves using Glossy Accents.

Once all of the elements were complete, I simply needed to glue, pop dot and put everything together.  Here is a closeup of the frame portion of my scene with the man in the moon shining his rays of light onto the tree.

Here is a photo of the tree portion of my scene, catching the moonlight as the little vintage girl sits quietly underneath resting against her pumpkin and gathering the falling leaves

And here is a photo of the finished piece without the tea light.

"THANKS" for checking out my blog and I hope that I've inspired you to join in on the fun of Heather's Blog Hop in conjunction with Craft Hoarders Anonymous' Challenge and also Heather's challenge at My Artistic Adventures.

I hope you have fun hopping around from blog to blog and that you get all sorts of "THANKS" ideas from everyone you visit!

HAVE FUN!!