Distressed Tag Swap

I hosted a Distressed Tag Swap on the Scraps Of Color website and gave some links for people to look at for inspiration.
The tags are amazing and now I have to figure out how I'm going to display them since they are too pretty to put in a book.

The tag that I created is posted here:

An Altered Letter Swap

I really have been crafting, but trying to find the time to actually post my creativity on my blog has been the challenge.

So without further ado, here is another swap that I just completed.
The themes for the swap were:
Classic - Elegant look that is crisp and clean. This design is simple yet timeless.
Contemporary - The look is clean and may include a few strong accents or embellishments.
Romantic – Anything from floral patterns, velvets, lace, script or lots of embellishments.
Playful Charm - Complementary colors in muted or bright tones, 3D dimensional and whimsical accents.
Naturalist - Incorporate texture by using handmade papers, fibers such as jute, ripped torn or sanded edges.
Spontaneous – (WIld, FUNKy, FUN----Anything goes)
The letters would have to be made of wood in a large size about 8 or 9 inches tall. 

After the sign-up, the name assignment was made really easy.  The person that signed up after you was the person's initials that you were tasked to create.  My letters were VB.  She stated that "I like natural colors, but my style is a combination of the six identified by the hostess."
I found some swirly letters at Joanns and proceeded to look through my stash for patterned paper.... afterall, I am trying to use my stash.

So here is what I came up with.  I don't remember who's patterned paper I used, but I thought it was very elegant looking to go with the swirly letters.  I painted the wood with gold, applied the paper with scotch quik dry glue and cut off the excess.   I Mod podged both the front and the back to preserve the papers.  The Rhinestones were gold and clear Recollections rhinestones.  The flowers were an assortment of flower parts.  The leaves were cut off of some flower picks and have a wire cneter.  The flowers were made up from Prima flowers with the centers being the smaller Recollection flowers.  After putting these elements on it, I decided the other elements were going to take away from the patterned paper and stopped there.  On the back of the letters, I used some Bazzill cardstock in a golden brown to finish it off.  I added a small butterfly to the bottom of the "V" along with the recipients name.  On the "B", I added a metal plate that reads "Beauty Comes From Within".

My letters were created by a wonderful scrapbook artist FranCine Green.  I asked for Vintage look ... and she was amazingly creative.

Birthday Card Swap

I'm a  little behind again in my postings, so I'll try to catch up.
I joined a birthday card swap on the Scraps of Color website.  My stash of cards for birthdays was dwindling and I needed to get some more in there so that I would have some for when I need a card at the last minute to send out.  And its always good to see what others are doing, for you never know what inspiration you'll get.

So my birthday cards were done with an image from Robert Jackson ... he is a local artist here in Tucson that has been doing digital images of African Americans.  Finding digital art to use of African Americans is not as abundant as other digital art, so when he was approached about doing these images, he stepped up to the plate and is also taking requests for images that one would like to see.    The image that I used is called "She's Fierce".

Since I'm trying to use up my stash, my goal is to use what I have and not go out and buy anything.  It's become a challenge because someone is always creating some new and wonderful papers that I just have to have.

I used Coredinations Cardstock, patterned paper from my stash, pearl accents, lacy ribbon, stickles, copic inks and inked the edges.  So as not to buy anything new, I ended up using 3 different patterned papers.

All 3 different colored cards.

Peach Card

Brown Card

Lime Green Card

Recipe:

Coredinations Cardstock

Patterned Paper - DCWV Rustic Stack

Robert Jackson Digital Image "She's Fierce"

Stickles

Studio 112 Pearls

Lacy Ribbon

Copic inks

Memento Chalk inks

Sentiment - Fiskars Make a Wish Quotes (Acrylic)

Tim Times Ten Challenge Grand Prize Winner

No... it wasn't me.  LOL!
Everyone did such a great job.

CONGRATULATIONS MS DEE!  She is the challenge winner.
If you don't know who she is or have seen her blog... run quickly to http://dees-specialthings.blogspot.com/2011/05/tim-times-ten-stampin-dymonz-grand_08.html

Tim Times Ten Challenge - Day 10

And I've made it to Day 10 of the Tim Times Ten Grand Give-A-Way Challenge.  And this has definitely been a journey for me.  Given that I'm back to work now... yes, I'm counting my blessings... I came straight home and had basically 1.5 hrs most nights to create a tag, take pictures, blog about what I did to create the tag and post to the challenge post on time. 

Our last challenge is to make a Brag Book of the nine tags that we created over the last nine days. It can be bound by rings, as displayed by Dymonz, or by using a Cinch or BIA or other wire binding device. The tags must be in the Brag Book in the order in which they were created over the nine days. There must be a way in which you display/provide the recipe for each tag. You must have at least one cut from a die-cutting device -- Cricut, Cuttlebug, MS Punch, etc. -- whichever one you use doesn't matter. You must create a cover which utilizes a sentiment and an image stamp and the acrylic paint resist technique.

Check out http://www.stampindymonz.com/2011/05/tim-times-ten-grand-give-way-challenge_07.html for the final display of the brag book that Dymonz created and also to see the pictures and links of the other participants.

For my brag book, I cut chipboard and covered it with Prima Marketing Paper CoIllection.  I used an Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber in Snow Cap for the edges.   I inked the sentiment with Frayed Burlap, the flourish in Faded Jeans, then inked both the front and back covers with Wild Honey.  On the words "Enjoy the Journey, I used Glossy Accents over them.  I double stamped the sentiment phrase on the patterned paper and adhered it to some chipboard and pop-dotted it off the cover.  I added some rhinestones and mulberry flowers layered with a brad.  To bind my book, I used  Tim Holtz Grungeboard hinges fastened with brads.

For the inside of the brag book, I made pocket inserts that I cut patterned  paper , used a MS border punch for the edge.

I made one pocket for each of the 9 tags and taped them together with red liner tape.  I also made recipe tags for the pockets so the that I can write down how I created each tag.  If someone wants to look through the book, the can find out how each tag was created.

I attached a Metal Key that says "Journey" with Hemp Cord.

You can see it in the left of the picture of the book below.

Showing all of the tags in book.  There are in the order that they were created and labeled on the back of each tag.

Back of the Brag book showing the rest of the hinge.

Tags 1,2,3

Tags 4,5 6

Tags 6,7,8,9

Recipe:

Chipboard

Prima Marketing Collection Patterned paper

Hemp Cord

Pop Dots

Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive

Glossy Accents

Rhinestones

Red-liner Tape

Clear Embossing powder

Andirondak Acrylic Paint Dabber - Snow Cap

Tim Holtz Distress inks:

Faded Jeans

Black Soot

Wild Honey

Victorian Velvet

Frayed Burlap

Tattered Angels Flimmer Mist - Spanish Moss

Tim Holtz Visual Artistry Acrylic Stamps:

The Journey

Flights of Journey

Tim Holtz Grungeboard - Elements

Tim Holtz Elements  - Word Keys

Brads

Rhinestones

Prima Marketing Mulberry Flowers

Tim Times Ten Challenge - Day 9

Just 2 more challenges and this fun is over.  The tags that everyone has created have been so unique.  I hate to see this fun come to an end.... but you know the saying.  LOL!

For day 9's challenge.... How high can you go? Today's challenge is to create a dimensional tag. At least two elements must lift up off the page. The edges of the tag should be inked. At least one dimensional flower and 3 buttons should be incorporated in the design.



Check out the challenge website at:
http://www.stampindymonz.com/2011/05/tim-times-ten-grand-give-way-challenge_06.html

So for my tag, I decided on a distress technique using the distress powders. (Take a look at http://www.timholtz.com/vid_distresspowders.htm for the technique)  I used the embossing ink with Black Soot Distress powder on the tag.  I wanted a worn and aged look of the images.  I think inked the entire tag with the Aged Mahogany and Scattered Straw distress inks.
I used a combination of Tim Holtz Visual Artistry stamps - Life's Possibilites and Flights of Fancy.  I inked the umbrella man with Frayed Burlap and then used clear embossing powder to make it stand out, then pop-dotted the cut out image off the tag along with the layered flower. 

To show the Umbrella man lifted offf the page in detail.

Recipe:
Tim Holtz Visual Artistry Stamp Collection:
Flights of Fancy
Life's Possibilites
Tim Holtz Distress Inks:
Frayed Burlap
Chipped Sapphire
Scattered Straw
Embossing Ink
Tim Holtz Distress Powder - Black Soot
Buttons & Ribbon from my stash
Prima Flowers - layered
Pop dots

Tim Times Ten Challenge - Day 8

Its day 8 and our journey is almost over.  This has been quite fun seeing that I'm having to rush home, think of something that is acceptable to post and get it all done in @1.5 hrs.

So here goes......
The challenge for today is to create a distressed tag. You must use a minimum of 3 colors of ink. You must use at least 1 image stamp and 1 sentiment stamp. You must color your sentiment stamp using two different ink colors and stamp -- this should be one press on the tag and not "stamp one color, clean stamp, stamp second color." A unique piece of ribbon or other embellishment should be used for the hole in the tag.

Take a look at the challenge website for more creations:
http://www.stampindymonz.com/2011/05/tim-times-ten-grand-give-way-challenge_05.html

For my tag, I used a combination of Spiced Marmalade and Shabby Shutters.  I didn't want a dark background so that my image and sentiment stamps would show up nicely.  I went with one of the Tim man's stamp sets - FairyTale Frenzy.  I inked the flora with Bamboo Leaves Memento Ink and the sentiment with Aged Mahogany and Forest Moss.  I used some embossing powder on the sentiment to give it some depth.  I inked the edges of the tag in the Aged Mahogany, which gave this just the right touch that I was after.  I added a layered Prima flower and a rhinestone to finish it and some coordinating ribbon from my stash.

Closeup to show the embossing.

Recipe:

Tim Holtz FairyTale Frenzy Collection - Sentiment and the Floral

Tin Holtz Distress Inks:

Spiced Marmalade

Shabby Shutters

Forest Moss

Aged Mahogany

Craft Sheet

Mini Mister

Memento Bamboo Leaves Ink

Prima Flowers

Rhinestone

Ribbon from my stash

Tim Times Ten Challenge - Day 7

And the countdown continues.............

Today's challenge is to create an acetate tag. The acetate must be dry embossed. It must be inked. Your tag must be two-layered, include an image, and you must use some type of "dimensional" product to embellish your image -- fun flock, flower soft, heat embossing, etc. The weather, unfortunately, is supposed to be cold here today; therefore, your tag should depict a cold scene -- could be winter or fall and does not have to include snowmen/snow, just ensure you make a good representation of colder weather. The acetate should be from some packaging that you may have at your craft spot in order that you recycle the plastic and help prevent us from killing our own planet with non-biodegradable materials such as plastic...


This past year, I took part in Tim Holtz tag challenge in which he used the snowman on a tag with acetate.  It was so fun to do.  I didn't have his snowman, but I created my own from using the cricut.  My challenge is to not use the snowman again... but to find something else that will work. 

So, I decided to use a Reindeer.  LOL!  Santa wasn't cutting it for me seeing that it was 95 degrees here in Tucson.  I used the Tim Holtz Mini Holiday Collection.   He had done a technique this past year in which he painted the border of the tag... so I went with that and used Silver Andirondak paint dabber.  I stamped the reindeer with Rusty hinge Distress ink and embossed it.  Believe was stamped with Walnut Stain Distress ink.  I inked the rest of the stamp with Pine Needles and Frayed Burlap Distress inks.

For the acetate, I embossed it with a snowflake sizzix folder.  On the debossed side, I swiped it with the silver paint dabber and rubbed off the top part to leave only the snowflakes covered.  I applied a little bit of Andironak Alcohol ink in "Stream".   I wanted the tag to be moveable, so I added a brad to it so that it could be pushed to the side.  I also added some snow.... but its not dry yet to give that snowy look... but I wanted to get it posted before time ran out.

Check out the challenge at:
http://www.stampindymonz.com/2011/05/tim-times-ten-grand-give-way-challenge_04.html

Tag Closed

Tag open

Tag open to show the difference between this one and the previous picture.

Recipe:

Sizzix Snowflake Embossing folder

Tim Holtz Mini Holidays Rubber Stamps

Distress Inks:

Rusty Hinge

Pine Needles

Walnut Stain

Frayed Burlap

Andirondak Alcohol Ink - Stream

Andironak Paint Dabber - Silver

Glistening snow

Tim Times Ten Challenge - Day 6

And on to day 6 we go.

Today's challenge is for you to make a gift card holder tag. The gift card pocket must have at least 2 of it's corners punched with a corner punch. You must show in your picture the "card" in the pocket. The tag must contain at least 3 handmade flowers (meaning no Primas or other pre-made flowers -- you must make the flowers yourself with paper/scissors/glue), a sentiment, and the background of the tag must be inked -- not covered with paper. You may use Color Wash or other spray type ink, or pull out your stamp pads and sponges. The inking technique for the tag background is your choice; however, the background must be created using only ink.

Check out the website for more details and to see the other creations:
http://www.stampindymonz.com/2011/05/tim-times-ten-grand-give-way-challenge_03.html
 
For my tag, I used Coredinations Brown and Blue Cardstock. I use a MS punch ..Laurel Leaf PATP . My background stamp is one of the new TPS rubber stamps - Secret Garden Collage which I stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa ink. I inked all of the edges with the same ink. The flowers are ones that I made with a flower punch and layered them about 6-7 flowers, rolled the edges under for the look that I want. They were sprayed with glimmer mist. I'm not sure if the shimmer shows up in the photo. I had to add a little bling. I created it so that it has 2 pockets versus one. The blue cardstock was left with the top open so that you could put the giftcard there, or it can go under the patterned background paper.

This shows the full tag with the gift card tucked under the background paper.

Now who wouldn't want to get a Michael's gift card.

Here is a close-up of the flowers with the glimmer mist.

 
 

Recipe:

Coredinations Cardstock - Blue and Brown

TPC Rubber Stamp - Secret Garden Collage

Rich Cocoa Memento Ink

MS Laurel Leaf PATP punches

Flowers created by me

Glimmer Mist

Rhinestones

Ribbon from my stash

Tim Times Ten Challenge - Day 5

Yay!  We've made it to the halfway point.  Good job everyone for keeping up.  I know how hard it is to do a daily challenge.  So kudos to all of us who have been diligent in getting it done.


Today's challenge is to create a Card Tag. It must be created with one sheet of cardstock, scored and folded. No cutting two individual tags and adhering them... On your card, you must have an image that you colored by hand. You don't have to use Copics if you do not own them; however, some type of craft markers are a requirement for this challenge. Your coloring should be use at least 2 different colors and you should shade your image to the best of your ability. You must mat your image with a mat that has been distressed by sanding.

Seeing that I had to do this tag before work at 6 am, its not my best work... but it will have to do.  LOL!
Check out the website for the challenge:
http://www.stampindymonz.com/2011/05/tim-times-ten-grand-give-way-challenge_02.html

Tim Times Ten Challenge - Day 4

Wow..... we're almost halfway done.  And this has really been a good challenge for me.  Being that I'm hours behind everyone else and trying to get this done on time with all my other activities.
So, here we are on Day 4.  Today's theme is Spring Break!Todays challenge is to create an accordion tag.  The accordion tag must have 4 panels like the picture above. The accordion must be a folded accordion using one piece of cardstock to create the 4-paneled tag. The accordion tag should be embellished to depict Spring/Spring Break fun, sun, and activities. Lastly, your tag should include at least one cut out word which has had its edges inked.


I pulled out my old faithful sizzix letters... yes, I'm still using them.  The font is "Big Top".  I cut the letters in white glitterstock paper and inked the edges in a pink chalk ink for some definition.  I used the word "FIESTA"  ... since here in the Ole Pueblo, its Fiesta season.  Cinco de Mayo is coming up, so this little tag is just in time for the activities to come.

The paper used was from a Tim Holtz paper stack.
Take a look at the challenge website to see more of what its entailing and what the others have created:


http://www.stampindymonz.com/2011/05/tim-times-ten-grand-give-way-challenge.html

Recipe:

Tim Holtz Vintage Shabby Cardstock

Coredinations Glittered White cardstock

Coredinations Pink Cardstock

Recollections Adhesive Rhinestones

Versa Magic Pink Petunia Chalk Ink

Sizzix Big Top Letters

Fabric flowers (CKC purchase)