A Card With A Touch Of Mystery!

From Nancy Drew books to techniques that are hard to figure out just from looking at a finished project. The Simon Says Stamp and Monday Challenge would like you to embrace your inner Sherlock Holmes! Mystify us with your technique prowess? Or perhaps your project ties into this week's theme by simply mysteriously being unclear on how exactly it fits! However you choose to interpret the theme, we cannot wait to see your creations!

I decided to create a pop up card this week for my Nephew's birthday. I always feel a door adds a little mystery to a project or design, it always has me thinking what could be behind the door! The Sizzix Door, Opening and Wreath die was perfect to add that touch of I wonder what to my design. However, that's not the only mystery to my design, I have also created a background using an unusual item, can you guess what it is?

.................... Have you guessed it?

I used lemon juice to age my background and it works fabulously! Simply decant some lemon juice into a mister bottle and we are ready to start.

Spritz a piece of white card with plenty of the lemon juice. At this stage I also die cut a circle aperture from the bottom of my card using the Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles Large Dies. Ensure your work surface is protected.

Heat the card with a heat tool, it does take a while for the card to start to age/burn and the card does get extremely hot, so it is important to work on a protective surface.

Continue to heat the card until you have the desired effect. You can continue to add further lemon juice to add more of an aged/burnt appearance to your background.

I also ironed my card to flatten and this also aged the background further, just remember to take your iron off the steam setting. I then applied Frayed Burlap Distress Ink to the back of the aperture and I then stamped the cake image into the aperture using black Archival Ink. I also added touches of white for some contrast using a white pencil crayon. I machine stitched the two pieces together for added interest.

I added a Wishbone and some mini paper clips around the outer edge of my aperture to add a masculine touch to my card.

I added the Sizzix Door to the front of my card cut from Tim Holtz Nostalgic Kraft Core Paper Stack, which I sanded to add to the aged feel. I also added a pediment to the top of the door cut from the same card stock and sanded once again around the edges.

Banners have been added to the top of my card, adding mini cakes to the top of each banner along with WISH using Signmaker Alpha Parts. I also added touches of Treasure Silver to the top of each letter to add highlights. Make a Wish has been stamped onto white card, coloured with Frayed Burlap ink and added to the front of the card.

I added 23 to the front of my door as my Nephew will be 23 this time. I also added random stamping to the background using the background stamp from Tim Holtz Classics 9 Stamp Set.

A pop up has been added to the centre of my card using Karen Burniston's Pop 'n' Cuts Base and Circle Label Die. I then cut a piece of card 6" x 12" from Kraft Core cardstock and then added behind the pop up, sanding the edges to add to that aged worn feel. I also added kraft card to the inside of my card machine stitched into place and coloured with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink.

Two large cake images have been added to the pop up, stamped onto Kraft card and coloured with a white pencil crayon for some highlights. I have also stamped the mini balloons onto craft card and attached to wire so they appear to be floating from behind the pop up. I also added two banners stamped with 'just celebrate' and coloured with Distress Ink.

I have added a Clock Face and Game Spinner which I thought was perfect to coordinate with "TIME TO PARTY". I added a twine bow to the back of my Clock Face for added texture.

A Word Band has been added to the centre of the pop up along with some random stamping around the background.

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.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x 

Products Used:

Tim Holtz Mini Blueprints 4 Stamp Set
Tim Holtz Classics 9 Stamp Set
Tim Holtz Birthday Sketch Stamp
Tim Holtz Simple Sayings
Tim Holtz Alterations - Pediments Die
Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Wishbones,  Mini Paper Clips, Signmaker Alpha Parts, Timepieces Metal Watch Clock Face, Game Spinners, Word Bands
Tim Holtz Core'dinations Kraft Core Nostalgic Paper Stack
Karen Burniston Pop 'n' Cuts Base and Circle Label Die
Distress Inks - Frayed Burlap
Archival Ink - Black
Sizzix Door, Opening and Wreath Die
Ranger Mini Mister
Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles Large Dies
Non-Stick Craft Sheet
Heat Tool
White Pencil
PaperArtsy Treasure Silver Gilding Wax
Twine
Studio Calico Alphabet Wood Veneers

Warm Winter Wishes

I am continuing my samples for Creative Expressions with the Winter Florals Stamp Set.

The Christmas Rose is the focal point for my card this week.

To begin take a piece of heat resistant acetate and add some Cosmic Shimmer Clear Varnish Lacquer to the acetate.

Apply Rust, Lettuce and Gold Mixative Alcohol Inks to the acetate, simply drip the Alcohol Inks onto the acetate.

Add Mica Powders into the mix for a touch of shimmer, then simply take a piece of tissue paper that is large enough to cover the acetate, scrunch the tissue up and then open up again and place over the coloured acetate, dabbing down gently and then set aside to dry. The tissue adds wonderful texture to the acetate and the colours add wonderful colour and shimmer to the backdrop.

Once the acetate is completely dry, cut the tissue down to size and then matt onto coordinated card. From this picture you can see the wonderful texture the tissue gives and the colours are so rich and vibrant.

Warm Winter Wishes has been added to a banner, coloured with Peeled Paint Distress Ink and then flicked with water for added interest. I have then applied Black Soot Distress Ink to the edges for definition.

The Christmas Rose is my focal point stamped onto Foundation White Card with Black Archival Ink and then coloured with Peeled Paint Distress Ink and flicked with water. I have also applied Walnut Stain Distress Ink around the edges of the panel. I have stamped the flower a second time and this time cut out the flower head to add dimension, adding a coordinated button to the centre threaded with twine. I have also added some Self Adhesive Gems for added interest.

I have also added a Cameo, painted with Peeled Paint Distress Paint, adding touches of Golden Light Gilding Wax to the top to highlight the detail on the Cameo. To complete I have added natural twine behind the Cameo for added texture and interest.

Don't forget Creative Expressions Fun Time Friday prize giveaway on their Facebook Page! There is a great prize on offer today.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy xx


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Do Not Conform To The Pattern Of The World

Time for my weekly post for Artistic Outpost and this week I have used the CHALKBOARD WISDOM plate, CHALK IT UP plate and the LOVERLY LONDON plate.

I decorated a piece of white card with Distress Inks that I spritzed with water and allowed to drip down my card and then heat set with a heat tool. Once dry I added machine stitching to the outside of my card. Twine has also been stapled into place across the white card.

I stamped the image from the Loverly London plate onto white card and then coloured with Fired Brick and Broken China Distress Inks adding part of the sentiment 'do not CONFORM' to the top of the card.

For added dimension I have included a numbered button along with coordinated twine.

I stamped the sentiment and the frame onto black card using VersaMark Ink and then embossed with white embossing powder; I then stamped with white ink moving my stamp slightly to give a shadow effect. I also sponged around the edges with white ink to give a chalkboard appearance.

It's also a perfect time for me to mention that Artistic Outpost are having a "Stock Up and Save Sale" which continues until the 18th November; there is a massive 15% off all their stamps. In order to receive the sale price be sure to enter November2013 when checking out.  This is a great opportunity to stock up on some fabulous stamps or even buy Christmas presents for those crafty friends!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Focusing On Alcohol Inks

This week Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge have a real simple challenge for you, USE INK! Whether it is an ink spray or an inkpad, any ink, we would love to see how you use ink this week in your crafting project.

The inks I am highlighting this week are Ginger and Pitch Black Alcohol Inks, perfect for adding that industrial/masculine feel to any project especially when used in conjunction with Metal Foil Tape.

I began with a polystyrene heart which I covered with Metal Foil Tape that I embossed using Tim Holtz  Riveted Metal Texture Fade.

Simply apply the Metal Foil Tape in a random fashion to the heart.

Apply Ginger Alcohol Ink to the Metal Foil Tape.

Then apply touches of Pitch Black Alcohol Ink to the top, remembering to not cover all the Ginger Alcohol Ink. Random is the key here.

Rub over the heart with wire wool, this removes some of the Alcohol Ink but leaves colour in all the crevices, cracks and embossed detail which gives a wonderful industrial/masculine feel to the piece.

I then die cut the Tattered Poinsettia from Metal Foil Tape, which I adhered to white card and embossed with the Riveted Metal Texture Fade. I also coloured the metal as before with the Alcohol Inks.

I added Brushed Pewter Distress Stain to a mini mister and then sprayed a woodland tree with the Distress Stain.

I adhered all the Tattered Poinsettia layers together and then added to the centre of the heart adding many layers of red twine behind the Poinsettia for a pop of colour.

The frame was painted with Gesso and then coloured with Walnut Stain Distress Paint and then sanded to give an aged feel. I added the woodland tree to the bottom right hand corner of the frame.

I added a piece of the Merriment Paper Stash to the background for added interest to the frame.

A Christmas Word Band has been added to the bottom corner along with Mirrored Stars coloured with a touch of Ginger Alcohol Ink.

Just hope my husband likes his alternative Christmas Card!

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. Same fantastic challenge just a new name and home!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x 

Products Used:

Alcohol Inks - Ginger, Pitch Black
Metal Foil Tape
Tim Holtz Diamond Plate and Riveted Metal Texture Fades
Tim Holtz Tattered Poinsettia Die
Brushed Pewter Distress Stain
Walnut Stain Distress Paint
Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Woodland Trees, Christmas Word Bands, Mirrored Stars
Tim Holtz Merriment Paper Stash
Alcohol Ink Applicator Tool
Ranger Mini Mister Spray Bottle
May Arts Red Twine
Prima Flowers Nature Garden Wood Buttons
Claudine Hellmuth Gesso

Winter Flowers

This time around the Creative Expressions DT are using the Winter Flowers A5 Stamp Plate. Creative Expressions have now also started a weekly 'Fun Time Friday' competition on their Facebook page and there are fabulous prizes in return for funny stories etc.  Today they are giving away some brand new Henna Stamps, why not join in the fun!

I have created a card using Peeled Paint Distress Ink as my main focus for colour. My inspiration for this are some Christmas Roses in my garden that flower every year during the Winter Months that have white, tinged green petals, they are gorgeous.

I stamped the Christmas Rose with VersaMark Ink and then sprinkled the image with Cosmic Shimmer True White Detail Powder and then melted with a heat tool. I love the bright white set against the Peeled Paint backdrop.

Once I had embossed I then blended Peeled Paint Distress Ink over the embossed images which act as a resist against the ink and really pop against the background. Once I was happy with the blend of colour I then flicked the ink with water to add blotches to the backdrop.

Warm Winter Wishes has been stamped onto Foundations White Card with Black Archival Ink and then coloured with Distress Ink and flicked with water. I also added Black Soot Distress Ink to the edges of the sentiment for definition.

I added three squares across the centre of my card, each stamped with the Christmas Rose image using Black Archival Ink and coloured with Peeled Paint Distress Ink. I then used a detailed water brush and removed some of the ink from the petals. To complete I added twine and a button for further interest.

Thanks so much for popping by.  Tracy x x

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Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

I am showcasing the fabulous CHRISTMAS CHALK plate from Artistic Outpost for my DT post this week.

I've gone for a vintage feel with this card, embossing the backdrop with a snowflake embossing folder and dry brushing with Gesso to highlight.

I've added the fabulous santa from the SNOWY WOODS plate, one of my favourite images to the frame from the CHRISTMAS CHALK plate, stamping with Black Archival Ink and colouring with Distress Inks, adding white highlights to his beard with a white pencil. I have also added LET IT SNOW to the backdrop.

The frame has been used a second time to showcase the fabulous sentiment and I have also added some festive background stamping with Coffee Archival to the frame. I have die cut a bauble from white card, coloured with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and then added the santa image once again to the bauble, adding twine and a wooden star for further interest.

A large ornate snowflake has been added to the top of the card and I have also incuded a couple of Chitchat stickers and twine for added interest.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x