FRIENDS

The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is challenging you this week to use those products that don't get used nearly enough. Perhaps it is a stamp or maybe it is a particular ink colour or technique. This is your chance to be inspired and get it used and share!

I have recently spent many weeks decluttering and tidying my craft room and theTim Holtz Traveling Friends stamp set kept catching my eye, a stamp which has been inked for the first time with this project. I was drawn to this image as being a dog owner the image reminded me of my dog Mitzi and me as we are the best of friends, there is no companion like her.

My piece of art actually began with the Postage Stamp Frame Die which I thought was perfect for showcasing the best of friends image well that's what I call them anyway!. I die cut the Frame from white card and then stamped the image in Black Archival Ink. I then added the sized rectangle to the Postage Stamp Frame and die cut five frames to layer one on top op the other. I coloured four of the layers and the stamped image with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and I flicked the stamped image with water to add water blotches to the background. I layered each frame to create dimension and the top frame was covered with Wendy Vecchi's Gold Embossing Paste and once dry I then applied a good coat of Crackled Texture Paste. I absolutely love the crackles this gives. To highlight the fabulous crackles I then applied a coat of Walnut Stain Distress Stain which seaps into the cracks, I love it.

Before affixing the framed piece to the panel I applied White Embossing Paste through the Tim Holtz Numbered Layering Stencil to echo the number within the stamped image. Once the paste was completely dry I then painted the background with Walnut Stain Distress Paint and dried with a heat tool. Too add some contrast I flicked some Snowflake Fresco Finish Paint over the background and I also added some stamping in white using the background stamp from the Traveling Friends stamp set. I also added a couple of mini canvases to my design, this one showcases the wording 'TOGETHER' using Tim Holtz Alpha Parts Framed, which I thought was perfect for the image of the boy and his fury friend. I also added touches of Olive Bronze Wax to the wording and the mini canvas, and I also included an arrow pointing to the focal image to echo what the wording 'TOGETHER' means.

I added 'FRIEND' to the bottom of my hanging using Alpha Chips again adding a few touches of Olive Bronze wax to the edges. I also added a touch more background stamping using the background stamp from the Classics 9 stamp set.

I added the focal image once again but this time to a mini canvas, stamping onto a piece of tissue paper. The mini canvas was coloured with Walnut Stain Distress Stain prior to adding the stamped tissue piece. I also added a 'love' Chitchat sticker to represent the love between the two friends.

To complete, I added a heart charm to the bottom of the mini canvas.

For more great ideas please pop over to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog and take a look at my fellow team members artwork, 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.

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated. Tracy x x

Products Used:

Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Traveling Friends Stamp Set

Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Classics 9 Stamp Set

Tim Holtz Alterations - Postage Stamp Frame Die, Sized Rectangles, 

Tim Holtz Numbered Layering Stencil

Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Alpha Parts Framed, Alpha Chips, Chitchat Stickers, Heart Charms

Wendy Vecchi Gold Embossing Paste

Wendy Vecchi Crackled Texture Paste

Wendy Vecchi White Embossing Paste

Black Archival Ink

Walnut Stain Distress Ink

Walnut Stain Distress Stain

Walnut Stain Distress Paint

Heat Tool

PaperArtsy Snowflake Fresco Finish Paint

PaperArtsy Treasure Gold Wax Olive Bronze