Sunday, July 9, 2017

Freedom is not free...

Hello everyone! We are already in July..why does summer have to go so fast? We celebrated Independence Day this week so my weekly project was a tag commemorating the day. It was inspired by the MONDAY CHALLENGE over at SIMON SAYS STAMP, (Red White and/or Blue) and I plan to hang it in my office with my other tag creations.


I love the Simon Says Stamp challenges because they force me to challenge myself to come up with my own ideas using the supplies I already have. This tag was inspired by Tim Holtz whose style is similar to my own. 



What I Would Have Done Differently

I am going to start off my projects with this section so that hopefully you can learn from my "mistakes."

1) I would have used a Ranger tag instead of this off brand manilla tag that I used. It is thin and flimsy and the finished product feels cheap in my hand.

2) I would have only sprayed Perfect Pearls Mist on my finished tag and not Distress Spray Stain. The stain covered up too much of my stamps; they got a bit lost under the stain.

3) I would've skipped step 5 below; after all was said and done, you can't even see the splatters made.

4) Lesson learned -- the Alpha Parts used in Step 7 will melt when drying with a heat gun!

The Project -- Step by Step




1) I stamped a couple of images using Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Mixed Media (CMS125), particularly the bigger dots and the grid lines. I didn't use an acrylic block with these, just stamped them randomly and not perfectly. I used Ranger Dye Ink Pad in Classic Cherry and Blue Ribbon.


2) I then stamped the United States from the Lawn Fawn Wish You Were Here stamp set, the American Flag from Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Crazy Things (CMS237) and the man from Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Paris to London (CMS160). I stamped these using Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black.


3) Next I used the Tim Holtz Texture Fades Compass. I cut a small slot in the middle of the folder fold so that I could slide the tag in where I want it placed. I ran it through my Big Shot.


4) Then comes the fun! I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Dusty Concord, Crushed Olive and Blueprint Sketch and really grinded it into the embossed compass. The other areas I used the typical circular motion with the distress ink, covering the entire tag. I then used Vintage Photo in random areas and along the edges. I loved how the colors turned out! And they really made the embossed compass pop!


5) I used Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Broken China and Barn Door to create small splatter marks. I put some on my Craft Sheet and misted them with a bit of water to thin them out. Then I dabbed a paint brush in them and flicked it so it splattered on my card. Honestly -- this always seems like such an easy thing to do, but I always struggle with the flicking part!



6) I took 3 of the Tim Holtz Mirrored Stars in different sizes. For two of the stars I used the Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink in Cranberry and Aqua and dribbled it on the stars and let them dry. The third star I did the same thing but used Tim Holtz Adirondack Mixatives in Gold.


7) I then used the word Four from the Tim Holtz Alpha Parts - Numeric. I used Distress Paint in Picket Fence and dabbed it on and then let dry. Then I used Distress Paint in Antique Bronze, dabbed it on over the Picket Fence and let it dry.


8) I colored some off-white paper flowers I had with Distress Ink in Fired Brick and Vintage Photo. I did the same with some Tim Holtz idea-ology Linen Ribbon.


9) I took some words from Tim Holtz idea-ology Chit Chat - Seasonal and distressed them using a black marker along the edges and Distress Ink in Vintage Photo. I did the same with an Air Mail piece from Tim Holtz idea-ology Ephemera Pack - Emporium.


10) Next came assembly. I used TPC Studio Gold Metal Accents for the centers of the flower.


11) I sprayed a bit of Distress Spray Stain in Tarnished Bronze and Aged Mahogany onto the tag randomly. I then finished it with a fine mist of Perfect Pearls Mists in Interference Red.


I hope you like my creation! Please leave your questions or comments below; I would love to hear from you!
Happy crafting!
Evelyn

2 comments:

  1. Love your gorgeous creation! The texture is so beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. :)

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