Saturday, August 1, 2015

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS THE LAST COMPENDIUM OF CURIOSITIES III CHALLENGE!

Hello everyone!

Well, here we are ... the very last challenge of the Compendium of Curiosities III Challenges.  Our FIRST CHALLENGE debuted on April 26, 2014.  It was Paint Marbling.  Do you faithful followers remember that one from over 15 months ago? 

My dear sweet friend, Ranger U Sister and Roommate at CHAs, Linda Ledbetter of L3 Studios, has done such a FABULOUS job hosting ALL of the Compendium of Curiosities Challenges.  Myself and all of the gals on the Curiosity Crew were so honored to have had Linda ask us to help her showcase Tim's amazing Volume III Compendium of Curiosities series of books.  A huge THANK YOU to her for bringing all of us together over the years to share our love of Tim Holtz' products and his techniques. 

I cannot tell you how much FUN this has been for me ... to share a piece of myself with all of you throughout this challenge, creating with some of the dearest people on the planet to me, and seeing all of the beautiful art that everyone who joined us shared with our community every challenge.  I am truly so thankful for each and everyone one of you ... for sharing your specials gifts, your hearts as you wrote your blogs and the inspiring, positive comments you left for me.  Your thoughts are so important to me!!  

I can tell you this ... we are not going away.  But more about that when we announce the winners of this last challenge ... so stay tuned for that!  

For our last challenge, we are turning to the last undone technique in the book!  It is on page 48 and it is titled "Layering Stencil: Monoprint".  Tim shows the same technique using either Distress Ink or Distress Paint, so take your pick or mix it up and use both!

Tim Holtz Layering Stencil Monoprint Vintage Art Journal Page

Here is my final challenge project ... an art journal page using all sorts of Ideaology, Tim Holtz products and Tim's Distress Paints and Inks to create my backgrounds. 

Our most recent challenge was all about Altered Surfaces.  In that challenge, I paid tribute to my father with a completely altered vintage tobacco tin.  For this last challenge, I am continuing with my nostalgic look back.  This art journal page commemorates the day my mother and father said "I do".  They were married for a little over 49 years before my mother's early passing in 1995.  Daddy followed her 6 years later.  

I love creating vintage nostalgic pieces because they transport me back in time; when life seemed to be so innocent and less complicated.  I am once again in the presence of departed loved ones (if only through photographs or memories that are conjured up when dreaming of days gone by).  Memories come flooding back and for a while, I'm a child again surrounded by those feelings of peace and comfort and a sense that all is right with the world.

Hopefully you have a few minutes to watch the transformation of my art journal page(s) unfold.  I began with an soft cover childrens' book that I am altering into an art journal.


Here are my basic pages with just a bit of White Gesso and a soft yellow acrylic paint added to it that was then brayered over the pages.  You can still see some of the images and text peeking through the Gesso.


After using Tim's Distress Paints:  Rusty Hinge, Cracked Pistachio and Adirondak Espresso and several layers of stencils:  Cargo, Latticework, Splatters, Bubble, Crackle and Mesh, I added some Distress Inks: Hickory Smoke, Fossilized Amber and Walnut Stain for more depth.  These are the new and improved art journal pages.  Since I was using a combination of both acrylic paint and inks, I decided to seal my pages by spraying them lightly with Workable Fixative (a clear, fast drying arerosol sealer).

Once the technique was complete, it was time to start making my embellishments for the art journal page.


I decided I wanted to collage the art journal page with some of Tim's Ideaology pieces. They needed to be flat (because they are in an art journal) yet have that vintage "personality" that would compliment that nostalgic theme that I was looking to create.

I began with one of the largest pieces from Tim's Pocket Cards.  I loved the heading of this piece "The Story Begins" ... perfect!  I added the beautiful butterfly from Tim's Crowded Attic Salvage Stickers.  I stippled the entire piece with a stippling brush and Antique Linen Distress Paint to sort of blend it all together.  Then I lightly added Tattered Rose Distress Stain to the butterfly.  The tag is distressed with Frayed Burlap then Walnut Stain then Black Soot just around the edges of the tag. I attached a piece of dainty vintage lace between two Washers and Long Fasteners that have been given a patina look with Cracked Pistachio Distress Paint (using my finger).  Finally, I gently held my finger on the spray nozzle of a can of Honey Stain and created the age spots that appear on the tag.  Within a minute or two, this new piece of paper was transformed back to 1946 ... the year my parents married.


I wanted to add a photograph to this page and the Mini Cabinet Card frame was the perfect size!  But, the paper sort of has a slick, almost shiny finish.  So, I scuffed it up a bit using a sanding block.  Then I distressed the Cabinet Card with Antique Linen over the entire frame, Vintage Photo and finally Black Soot Distress Inks more around the edges.  I also made sure that the white paper edge on the inside of the frame was darkened with a Black Soot Distress Marker.  


If you look at old photo albums, they often had gold embossing on the ornate frames.  So, I tried to mimic that a bit by brushing Gold Acrylic Paint from an Adirondak Paint Dabber onto areas of the ornate design printed on the Cabinet Card.


Hopefully you can see the gold randomly added to the ornate brown printed trim.  It is sort of tough to photograph but in person, when the light hits it, it's worth the extra time to add the gold paint.


And here is the aged Mini Cabinet Card.  I really like the aged version for this art journal page.  It's much more believable that it is an aged piece with all of the distressing and scuffing.  The photograph is of my parents cutting their wedding cake.  So young, so much in love and their whole lives ahead of them.

Another addition to this page was a miniature copy of my parent's wedding invitation.  I aged it with Tea Dye Distress Ink followed by a touch of Gathered Twigs and Black Soot just at the edges.  (You will see it in future closeup pictures).  


My parent's wedding began at 8 o'clock.  So, I created this vellum clock from Tim's Thrift Shop Vellum Ephemera Pack.  I glued the clock onto white cardstock and distressed the edges with various brown inks and paints.  Then I added the distressed clock hands.  They were originally an antique silver color and I distressed them to look like patina gold using Gold Adirondak paint and Cracked Pistachio Distress Paint.  Again, I used my fingers to do the distressing.



I wanted to layer another of the large tags from Tim's Pocket Cards.  I distressed this one using Tattered Rose Distress Ink and distressed the edges with Gathered Twigs and a touch of Black Soot around the edges.  I also colored some white seam tape to create a soft pink "vintage' ribbon.



To color the seam tape, you can simply place the ribbon on your Non Stick Craft Mat, place the Distress Ink pad face down on top of the ribbon and pull it from one side to the other of the ink pad.  Then spritz the ribbon with a little water, wad it up and heat set it dry.  This creates a shabby, wrinkled ribbon.  (You can also mix and blend Distress Ink colors using this same method).



I colored enough ribbon to create a band cross the Pocket Card and also to create a shabby bow.  I then distressed a Typed Token using Cracked Pistachio Distress Paint and my finger to create a patina look on the metal token.  "Adore" was the perfect sentiment for this page!  I slipped the token through a Mini Safety Pin and attached it to the center of my shabby bow.

I also used a couple of Tim's Elementary Flash Cards and Label Letters to create that ever so popular phrase said in wedding vows, "To Love And Cherish". These were distressed around the edges with Gathered Twigs and a touch of Black Soot just on the ends.



Here is a better photograph of the layering of the butterfly Pocket Card, the miniaturized wedding invitation and a portion of the Label Letters and Flash Cards.  I love the monoprint stencil layering technique in the background.



And here is a better closeup of the "To Love and Cherish" Flash Cards layered with the Mini Cabinet Card, the shabby bow and the attached Typed Token.  Finally, I added a strip of very vintage looking silver trim across the bottom of my art journal page.  This is from Tim's Frame and Trims Industrial Stickers.  So many wonderful little intricate metal trims and frames to choose from!



I'm not sure what I will do on the page across yet ... but I wanted to share what that monoprint stencil layering looked like as well.



So there it is ... sadly, my last piece for this rendition of the Compendium of Curiosities III Challenges.

Linda Coughlin of The Funkie Junkie Boutique is hosting this, our last challenge.  She has generously donated $25.00 for every other challenge and we would like to sincerely THANK her for her support throughout. 



Please stop by her online store and check out all of her wonderful and unique items as well as all of Tim's products and other favorites!  

I would also like to thank the wonderful folks at Inspiration Emporium for their generous $50.00 gift certificate donated every other challenge.  Their support has also been so appreciated and I know that those of you who won our random drawings have really enjoyed these lovely gift certificates from BOTH of our sponsors.

And last but certainly not least ... where would we be without Tim Holtz and Mario Rossi?  These two dear men have provided ALL of the Tim Holtz products that we were able to divide into REALLY NICE overflowing prize packages for every one of our challenges.  THANK YOU doesn't seem like enough to say for all of their support and generosity ... but thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You guys are so special!

So now, please join us for our last challenge.  Just enter your art created using Tim's Layering Stencil: Monoprint technique.  As always, there will be TWO winners ... one voted on by the Curiosity Crew and the other from a random number selection.

Good luck and THANK YOU AGAIN for ALL of your support!

The Compendium of Curiosities III may be coming to an end but we girls are not!  Be sure to check back when we announce the winners for this challenge in two weeks and see what what's next for us girls! 

For me personally, I am so proud to be a member of DecoArt's International Design Team. Their NEW Media Line of paints and other mixed media mediums are simply amazing!

I will continue creating art and tutorials that can be seen on the DecoArt Mixed Media Blog and also on Facebook.  So I hope you'll come along for that new journey.  There are so many talented artists from all over the world sharing their techniques, talents and art with you.  Be sure to check it out.

And ...



Just a reminder that if you've enjoyed hangin' with us girls here at the Compendium of Curiosities III Challenges, you might want to consider hangin' with us in beautiful Costa Rica, September of 2016!  We're "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Paints" and we'd LOVE to just have one huge creativing extravaganza with all of you!


43 comments:

  1. Love what you what you did Candy. Amazing work.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It has been a joy to see all of your CC3C projects Candy! Your nod to more innocent times does not go unnoticed and I'm right there with ya. I love this project and will definitely be keeping up with you here and on FB. Thanks for ALL of the inspiration!!! xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. love heart pieces!!! and the gold on the cabinet card..totally brilliant! beautiful piece...totally beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a gorgeous sentimental piece Candy! I can feel the love you put into this special commemoration of your folks and their love for one another! Just priceless it is! Truly your attention to details is one of your very special gifts- i love it!
    So glad to hear there is something else around the corner for you gals- I'll be waiting patiently(maybe not-patiently) heehee to find out! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. You had me at the photograph of your parents cutting their wedding cake! Candy, this is just another one of your many great projects and as always, so inspiring! Love all the details and you are always so generous with tips! The touch of gold on the ornate frame is stunning! It has been such fun and thanks for all the inspiration! Have a beautiful weekend! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a gorgeous tribute to your parents love. You had me in tears reading about how you are transformed back into a child feeling safe when you look at photos like this. Just Beautiful! LOVE LOVE LOVE the miniature wedding announcement...perfection! It has been another wonderful journey with you. I LOVE your art!

    ReplyDelete
  7. So many layers of color and texture to capture the eye; what a lovely tribute to your parents on their wedding day!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Candy, what a wonderful and touching remembrance of our parents wedding day, beautiful colour palette and all of the details are just perfect, truly a work of heart. I finally have a copy of Tim's CC3 so hope to be able to join in this last challenge. How I wish I could join you all in Costa Rica next September, if I win the lottery I'll be there with bells on! Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful creations, you are a great inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ah, Candy, I'm carried away by your parents' sweet story through your brilliant art. Every detail and every touch is another layer commemorating and honoring your parents, whom you clearly treasure. Thanks for sharing your family with all of us!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Candy, you almost have me crying with this lovely AJ page honoring your parents wedding day!! It's so beautiful and you can see the fun and excitement they were experiencing on this very special day!! My parents were married for 56 years before my Mom passed away, so I know how special these early memories of our parents are! Simply touching and beautiful--I may have a cry anyway!! :) :) But they're good tears! :) :)
    I will surely miss these CC3 challenges and your Fabulous CC3 creations, but it's not good-bye at all and I can't wait to see what's happening with you and your fellow Curiosity Crew in September!! Oh, the suspense is delicious!! Happy Weekend!! XOXO-Shari

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh Candy, this is such a WOW project as always! You know how I love to incorporate old family photos into artwork, too! I love the story of your parents' wedding and the love and care you took to make this page so special. Wonderful memories and a fabulous tutorial and job on this page. Every detail is spectacular!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gorgeous, what a great inspiration for a beautiful technique!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. a great journal - a wonderful artowork with many lovely and new details!
    greetings
    margit

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful! What a handsome couple! The page does them justice, I think.

    I sure will miss this challenge and all your wonderful creations.

    Costa Rica --- oh I sure hope so. Gotta get the financial aide worked out first though...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Candy, this one made me cry! (in a good way)...just hearing how you transport back to the carefree part of life and the bond you had with your parents. That is one of the greatest gifts. This is such a fabulous page to honor and remember them. To see this type of love is a gift in itself and I'm sure that it inspires others as well. You are a total and absolute doll and I feel so lucky and blessed to call you friend and sister! I cannot wait to start our new adventure with our other girlies and am filled with giddiness that I know this is not the end! You are a beautiful artist and have inspired me to think outside of my box as well. Your genuine love and kindness that you share in your comments to everyone is from your heart and it shows the beauty of your soul! Love you and sending you big hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  16. this is so wonderful, loooove it. Thanks for the tips with the frame,i will try that :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a fabulous finale, Candy - full of vintage detailing and the warm glow of nostalgia. It's really lovely. I'm sad I haven't had time to play along since the very early days, but it's just been one of those years... but I've always enjoyed seeing the amazing inspiration from you all. Congratulations on a fabulous book-full of creations.
    Alison xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. WOW Love the way you mixed the nostalgic mood with a touch of wedding happyness! The picture is beautiful and the ornate frame... stunning!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow Candy! What a fabulous project overflowing with so many great creative ideas! Love the collage of ephemera and the patina metal trinket! You ladies are going to have so much fun on your trip! Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I agree with Yvonne - this totally touched my heart bringing tears. What words to describe.... wow... AMAZING - ugh so overused... it's better than amazing. Start again... well, BEAUTIFUL for sure. QUAINT. PRECIOUS. HEART RENDERING. ELEGANT but in a SWEET and HOMEY way. The frame - especially the gold around the outside is PERFECT. The background technique is so great. And so many Tim elements. You are such a WONDERFUL artist Candy. This is a feast for the eyes and the heart. j.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh Candy, this journal page is so wonderful! I love the vintage feel and the little details like touching some gold highlights on the cabinet card frame. What a great photo from your parents' wedding day. I agree, these memories bring such a happy, warm feeling in our hearts. It's so important to hold onto those treasures moments, and you've done it in such a lovely way. It's been an honor creating with you on the Curiosity Crew and I'm looking forward to more creative adventures with you!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is beyond beautiful, Candy. Love the way you altered the frames and customized the flashcards. As usual, you have covered so many details in your work it's a feast for the eyes. It's been such a pleasure being on this journey with you and I look forward to many more!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Golly Candy, you had me welling up with this gorgeous creation, the photo of your parents is beautiful and you have done it so much justice with your detailed work! You are such an inspiration and so generous with your how to's. It has been a pleasure joining in with CC3C (and lovely to win too!!), I am just sorry that it is nearly over... I hope Tim writes (or is writing) No. 4 soon so that we can do it all over again!

    I am so looking forward to seeing what you and the rest of the Crew have in store and I hope your trip to Costa Rica is a fabulous one too. Thank you so much for all your inspiration and I will certainly be keeping up with you at DecoArt! Hugs, Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. Absolutely amazing... love how you "celebrate " your parents ... those memories are so very special ! Your techniques for "aging" are awesome ... love the tattered rose ... yummy and the gold on the cabinet card ... OMG !!
    Have so enjoyed this Journey with you as well ; so many cool things shared and learned... thank you for the visits and kind words !

    ReplyDelete
  25. Candy, this is simply wonderful. I love seeing your process pics. It's always gorgeous to see how your projects come to life! You have such a great eye for details. I especially love the photograph of your parents and the ornate frame. Thanks for the inspiration!
    I wish I lived closer and could join you all in Costa Rica next year.

    Hugs,
    Gaby

    ReplyDelete
  26. Stunning AJ pages Candy and your parents are so beautiful x as always you have created the most fabulous details and kindly shared the step by step.
    Sadly I can't do the PR trip but will be wishing you all the most wonderful time x

    Tfs and best wishes
    Annie x

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm speechless - this is so incredible, I don't even know where to begin! You've put so much detail and time into showcasing this wonderful memory - what a great legacy for your family! I've had so much fun with the Curiosity Crew and these challenges; please know you've inspired me in so many ways and I appreciate you and all the rest of the talented Crew so very much.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Candy, this is so beautiful. I love all the little details you created to make a stunning page. I am going to miss this challenge so much and all the inspiration! Hugs Jan x

    ReplyDelete
  29. Absolutely love vintage projects, and this page your art is just lovely, I love how you know match treasures Idea Ology and various embellishments. Even this latest project for CC3 is extraordinary.
    Thanks for all the love that shines through in your creations.

    ReplyDelete
  30. This is just stunning, so much attention to detail. I love the colours and all the layers. Brilliant, you can see the love really shinning through

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh my gosh, Your journal page is Beautiful!! The wedding picture is a treasure!! A Truly Stunning piece of Art

    ReplyDelete
  32. This piece is so gorgeous. I love all the detail work you put into it.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Again, such a lovely tribute! Your page is just amazing; all the details and layers. It's been so good getting to know you during this challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  34. this is so special and beautiful Candy!

    ReplyDelete
  35. SOoooooo LOVELY!!! And so lovingly done, Candy!!! Your Mom looks so excited to be starting her journey with your Daddy, & it's these innocent times we look back on that help us through those tough times of this day & age. You have their example of what a marriage is supposed to be: to Love & to Cherish- & you used your crafting talents to show them their lessons to you have been well- planted in your own heart!! The details are the same things I've done on so many wedding crafts....it seems to make the love just bloom more when it's made w such overflowing emotions!! Anyone can call us crazy for thinking that, but I guess I'll keep sending that love all over & just enjoy being crazy!!! 😂 You've put so much of yourself into your blog posts and shared crafts and I'm one of many who've enjoyed this trip, LOVE the ppl I've met, and been simply AWED by the talents I've seen!!! You have given so much more than you'll know...but One Day, GOD will surely let you see your WONDERFUL rewards for the love you've passed around!!! I am so humbled to be on the recieving end of so much !!! And I am gonna stick around w everyone as much as possible! Nad...there's always Facebook room to add more! ❤️ ~Lyla~

    ReplyDelete
  36. Candy, I have been spending at least an hour enjoying not only your beautiful photo of your newly wed parents, your fabulous journal page with the Layering Stencil Monoprint technique (wow! You really did this one proud!), but your lovely post! I always enjoy reading through each and every word, as you take us through your process. I feel like I'm sitting in your craft room actually learning from you one on one. One can dream, can't they?

    Thank you for your hard work, your inspiration and your encouragement through your lovely comments you leave on our blogs. "Meeting" you has definitely been one of the highlights of this past year of blogging. I would be delighted if I got to join you all on your trip to Costa Rica-- a dream come true!

    About this page...oh, it makes my heart melt. The way you altered the cabinet card truly makes it look like it's from 1946! Those details like coloring the edge of the frame is just what sets your work apart and makes it so special. I could go on and on about all these great details, but I would be here for another hour. This is just wonderful inspiration and such a lovely tribute to your parents. Thank you for sharing it and your feelings with us you had as you prepared it. Big hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Candy, I love how you altered this book pages with Tim's monoprint technique. It is just amazing how the final layout turned out. So meaningful, so many details. Thank you sharing all your amazing project with us and for your kind and meaningful comment every time. I will miss you and all the curiosity crew...

    ReplyDelete
  38. Bravo! Wonderful way to honor your parents. It a treasure. Such detailed work with the gold work - what patience. Thank you for the inspiration and encouragement along the way.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Candy, your journal page is lovely and a loving tribute to your parents. I love how you added the gold detailing to the frame. Thank you so much for all your inspiration and encouragement throughout these challenges. I look forward to see what all the Curiosity Crew will be up to next.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Oh, the details...the glorious details that are your signature! Candy, this is gorgeous. I cannot get over the fact that you added gold metallic paint to the trim. It is stunning. And the little banner you created beneath the butterfly with a bit of vintage lace...perfection! Gorgeous distressing, gorgeous composition...I so love this page. You need to frame it. Yes, you do! Thanks for sharing such a meaningful event...I felt transported in time and felt the love. Wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Absolutely stunning Candy with a brilliant tutorial as always. Nicola x

    ReplyDelete
  42. Candy! Your projects are so inspiring and 3 dimension-ally yummy! Your projects have been such an inspiration to me. Thanks for the kind words along the way. Check out my Compendium of Curiosity iii tribute project. I was unable to finish in time due to a car accident!
    http://vic-n-stuff.blogspot.com/2015/08/belated-final-compendium-of-curiosity.html
    XoXoXo!

    ReplyDelete
  43. This project is fantastic! Your attention to details is incredible and I love this so much! I adore this work! You are a great artist! BArbarayaya

    ReplyDelete

I am so happy that you stopped by my blog! I truly appreciate your time and thank you for leaving a comment! Have a wonderfully blessed day!