Ringmasters Hat

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challege has a fabulous one for you this week, a CARNIVAL themed challenge.You could create a circus themed card; play with the idea of festivals; you could be inspired by bright colours or even create a mask, the choice is yours.

I have to admit I was really stuck for ideas for this challenge until I decided to do a search on the web for circus imagery. I came across images of Ringmasters and decided a Ringmasters hat would be perfect for this challenge. During my search I also found that the origins of the modern circus can be dated quite accurately to 1769 when Philip Astley bought a piece of poperty near Westminster Bridge, London and constructed upon it the very first circus building called The New British School or Amphitheater Riding Ring. He presented his first performance in 1770 and due to its success he had a roof constructed over the performing area and the modern circus was born, albeit not called as such, that came later in 1782. You can find the link HERE. Isn't the web wonderful, with the click of a button you can find so much interesting information!

To begin I cut two circles from white card using the Spellbinders Nestabilities Grand Circles dies.

To decide on the length of the hat I measured the smaller circle with a piece of string and then added a little extra. I then decided to make the width of my top hat 15cm (this will give you the height of the top hat. So I cut a strip of card 15cm in width and the length of my string plus a little extra.

Prior to any colouring I checked that everything would fit ok. Simply roll the strip until the smaller circle fits at the top and you can then glue the strip together once you have coloured.

Apply fired brick and salty ocean Distress Ink to a non-stick craft sheet and spritz with water. Mop up the beads of ink with all the parts of the hat.

Using an ink blending tool apply salty ocean Distress Ink around the edges.

Cut out the centre of the larger circle to create the rim of the hat.

Colour the rim of the hat with Distress Inks.

Colour the strip of card with Distress Inks and then glue the edges of the strip together ensuring that the smaller circle we decorated fits the top rim.

Cut slits into the tube (strip of card we glued together) approx. 1/2" apart and fold down each strip.

Apply glue around the circle and add the circle to the tubing to create the top of the hat.

Now add the rim of the hat to the bottom, again cutting strips from the tub, folding each strip outwards and then adhering to the rim.

I used hinge clips to hold the rim in place until the glue was dry.

Red and blue twine has been added around the rim of the hat for added texture and Tim's Circus Freak stamp was perfect for adding imagery to my hat, stamped with black Archival Ink.

The sentiment "Life is a Circus" has been added to the rim of my hat, stamped with black Archival Ink and coloured with Distress Inks.

I added a mask to the top of my hat cut from red card adding black highlights with black soot Distress Ink. I also added a tower of tickets using the ticket stamp from the Odds and Ends stamp set and colouring each one with Distress Inks and attaching to a piece of acetate. CIRCUS and FUN have been added using label letters.

I added a lacy trim to the edge of my hat along with CIRCUS using Vintage Circus Alphabet bottle cap images.

Remnant Rubs have been added for further interest around the centre of my hat.

I have also used the Words Remnant Rubs to add 'curiosity' and 'travel the world' to my hat.

More Circus Alphabet images along with some film strip ribbon and label letters.

I have added a game spinner to the clock rub on for further interest and dimension.

For more great ideas please pop over to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog and take a look at my fellow team members they have created some inspirational projects. Remember there is also the chance to win a $50 prize from Simon Says Stamp.  I always look forward to seeing your creations each week.

Don't forget our new name Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog and our new home is HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Products Used:

Spellbinders Nestabilities Grand Circles
Distress Inks - Fired Brick, Salty Ocean, Black Soot
Non-Stick Craft Sheet
Ink Blending Tool
Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Hinge Clips, Label Letters, Numbers Remnant Rubs, Words Remnant Rubs, Film Strip Ribbon, Game Spinners
Tim Holz Circus Freak Stamp
Tim Holtz Odds and Ends Stamp Set
Twine - Light Blue, May Arts Bittersweet
Black Archival Ink
Stampendous Life Is A Circus Stamp
Spellbinders Venetian Accents
Vintage Circus Bottle Cap Alphabet Images