New challenge starts today - Anything by T!m

I'm sure our new challenge will be a popular one for all you T!m fans!!  

For this challenge you need to include anything designed by T!m Holtz, his stamps, distress inks, alteration dies, embossing folders, ideology etc.   

Our design team have made some amazing things for this challenge so do pop over there by clicking HERE

I hope you will be able to join us in this challenge and as and added bit of fun I will be offering some T!m blog candy on this blog at some point during the next fortnight so please call back to join in with that.

So, to my card for the challenge...I used a number of distress inks on the card then embossed it with the Cuttlebug folder Leafy Branch before inking the raised pattern lightly with aged mahogany DI.

I distressed the edges of the card too to give some texture.

I embossed the blank canvas stamp from our new Framie 5 stamps with gold ep before inking with wild honey, rusty hinge and a little aged mahogony DI.

I embossed the wording (T!ms) with Moonglow Midnight Teal Obsidian ep before again inking with various DI 

I hope you have all had some of the gorgeous sunshine this week, it is very welcome isn't it!! Spring has definitely sprung:)

Have a great weekend

Jill

Anything by Tim Christmas Challenge updated - tim left a comment!!!!!

Time for our next challenge, which is anything by Tim with a Christmas theme, and how exciting is it that tim himself has actually visited our challenge blog and left us a comment!!!!  Well done to all our DT, I'm so proud of all you talented teamies:)

So don't hang about ladies, do come and join us HERE, we'd love you to share your work with us. The challenge ends on Thursday evening 2nd December so you still have plenty of time to enter.

For mine I decided to do a variation of a card I made previously, I used Tim's Reindeer Flight stamp sheet with Chipped Sapphire and Walnut Ink distress inks.  I love the misty feel you can achieve with the Chipped Sapphire ink, by repeat stamping the trees with the same ink you will get depth through the mist.  It reminds me of how it looked outside the other morning, all icy and misty (well foggy really!)

I've used an adage ticket with an ornate plate for decoration, the Christmas Wishes wording is from AOD 33 – Holly Sprays

We are sure a lot of you out there will have lots of things by Tim now, for others it may be a case of it not being your thing this time, if that's the case then I hope you will join us for the next theme to follow which is a take 3 colours Christmas theme.

The weekend is nearly here, I hope you all have a good one!

Jill

New challenge - Christmas - Anything Goes

 I used the following products to make this card



Tim Holtz stamps, Santa's Wish

Starburst Stains Holiday Wreath set

Distress Inks On the main image

Moonglow Embossing Powder Holly Berry Red Gold  to make the 2-tone red/gold heart embellishment, which was then stamped with Aspect of Design 62 Artistic Elements  with heart wings stamp

Nestie: Classic Scalloped Heart I cut the heart embellishment with thick card, the thickest I could cut with my nestie

Nailheads



White Webbing Spray over the Starburst Stain background, (this is only available at the shop as we cannot post the aerosol spray).



The picture below shows the embellishment that I've built up with about 2-3 layers of of the embossing powder.  When using more than one layer of Moonglow EP you really get to see the 2-tone effects.

 Finally a picture of the white webbing spray, it really stands out from darker backgrounds

If you wish to join our challenge, please click here, don't be shy, we'd love you to share your work with us:)

Jill

Frosty morning

I used Tim's Reindeer Flight stamp set to create this frosty misty morning card, or that's what it reminds me of!!  All three stamps are in the set.

I embossed the largest scalloped circle and the reindeer with Moonglow Embossing Powder Twilight Blue Slate. As you can see I left the shimmery powder on the background of the smaller scalloped circle.  I just checked on our website and found that it is showing the wrong picture but you can see the proper colour on the card.  It is one of the powders that I'd never actually tried, I don't know how I missed that one in the 10 years we've been selling them, but I love it and must use it again soon!!  We have the EP's on special offer at the moment if you fancy trying them.  I will be showing more cards I've made with them soon as I'm really getting into them again.

I used the thickest card I could cut with a nestie and applied several layers of EP onto the larger circle before stamping into it to create a pattern. 

I'm not totally sure which distress ink I used for the stamping and inking, I think it was chipped sapphire, I'll have to have a look!

Thanks for visiting!!

Jill

Been AWOL, so a quick catch up!!!! Plus, distressed card for Crafty Cardmakers

I cannot believe it's been over a week since I last blogged, very very naughty!!

There have been a number of reasons, one being that Ian and I caught an awful bug a couple of weeks ago, which we didn't manage to shake off before the Port Sunlight show as we'd hoped.  So ended up getting a lot worse.  I've can't remember ever having a bug like it and really couldn't summon any energy for anything.

I should have posted the card above last week, it was for the Crafty Cardmakers current blog challenge, the theme being distressed, for which I was the guest designer.  It seems to have been a popular challenge.  If you wish to join in you still have a little time.

I used the nesties label 8, some of the background paper is from one of the new Tim Holtz paper stacks that I distressed with Pumice Stone and Stormy Sky distress inks.  I used Tracey's keys design from the Artistic Elements sheet.  I had a plan to use this along with a brass key which typically I couldn't find by the deadline.  I have now added it so may change the photo.  I did find the mini keys by 7 gypsies that I attached with a curly clip, aren't they cute!

The Port Sunlight show was yet again another brilliant show, very busy, too busy to take photos I'm afraid, I totally forgot after intending to take some.  Vix did a brilliant job with her demos, we're hoping she'll do the same at the October show.

Will catch up with more tomorrow.

Jill

Inspiration from Tracey Coates - Part 3

More inspiring examples from Tracey's demo's at our recent Open Day.  Please click on the photos to see close ups.  The tag above features a crushed bottle top, one of Tim's fragments and a rusty washer as well as designs stamped with distress inks.

The next frames are similiar but with different ink techniques.

Another example of a photo embossed with clear embossing powder then bent to form an aged cracked look.

An alternative idea to the first tag.

And, there's more, I'll be back with them tomorrow.

In the meantime, if you'd like to take a peek at Tracey's craft room, she's just bravely posted some photo's on her blog HERE

I'm hoping this is the start of Tracey blogging more of her work there!!  (Nag, nag)

Jill

Inspiration from Tracey Coates - Part 1

Amongst other things, Tracey brought 2 beautiful display boards with her for our demo weekend.  How lucky are we that we get to keep them!!  They are at the shop if you want to see them in real life.

Tracey didn't take photos of any of them but has allowed me to show them here for you as it would be such a shame not to share them with you all.

As you can see there's lots of artwork on each board so I am going to show each piece.  I'll break them down into different parts so you can follow the posts easier. 

This first board features a lot of frames and also tags.  I'll briefly point out some features along the way. 

The swirls on the frame are embossed with red distress embossing powder over distress inks.

The background of this frame is stunning, Tracey has used distress ink and lovely aging techniques to create this.  I love the colours of the paper flower.  The image has been embossed with clear embossing powder and then bent to form cracks in the glaze.  The shoe brad is attached with a brad.

Another beauty stamped with distress inks and embellished with a rusty washer, the dog image is placed under one of Tim's fragments.

The frame has been embossed with distress embossing powders so again, very tactile.

Will show more tomorrow.

Jill

Time Flies! The finished card

Here is the completed easel card for the workshop/tutorial that I have been waffling on about for the last few days.  I made this card for Ian, The Stamp Man, for his birthday.

I've used the new Distress Inks Stormy Sky and Pumice Stone

Hero Arts cling stamps Time to Stamp and Big Clock

Heart Wings Stamp from Tracey's AOD62 Artistic Elements stamp sheet

the rabbit image came from a collage sheet from Elizabeth Golden.

I've also used Tim's new Alteration Gadget Gears Sizzix die, the cogs/gears from Tim's Ideology, and my Cuttlebug amongst other things.

If you are interested in the workshop/tutorial you'll find it all listed in the labels section on my sidebar, it has lots of waffle and plenty of photos, so you can view all the flaws in close up, lol!!

I've decided to enter this into a couple of challenges, my first time of entering challenges.  They are the Allsorts Challenge Blog, the theme being no ready made design papers and also the Simon Says Challenge which is distressed.

Happy Easter!

Jill

Time Workshop/Tutorial Part 5 - More images/words to add plus here's the finished card!!

Ok, here's the card at last!   Yes it's an easel card, surprise surprise!!

There are more elements/details to show but I think I've teased enough so thought I would show the card now.   The photo below is when it is closed. 

As I say, I will be explaining more things and also about making up the card in another post but for now there's some more elements to prepare...

I need to thank Elizabeth Golden for the white rabbit image which is from one of her Alice collage sheets.  Visit Elizabeth's blog The last door... down the hall, she has an amazing blog!!  The link will take you directly to the post with the sheets but I think you will want to have a good look around as there are various interesting things to read including some recipes.

Print off the image onto thin card (thin card is easier to cut out). 

I painted the image with the Distress Inks.  Transfer ink from the pad onto a non-porous surface, a craft sheet, old plate, or tile.  Then use a brush and water or waterbrush to paint the image before cutting out.  If you have a black or dark coloured pen, go around the edges of the cut out piece.  This gives a better finish as it hides the white edge of the cut.

Stamp out the wings from the winged heart stamp from Tracey's stamp sheet AOD62 Artistic Flourishes, paint and cut out.

The wording was printed from my computer, cut out then edged with the Stormy Sky Distress Ink. 

To attach the wings, I used silicone as there is only a small area which is fixed and it will give a stronger hold.

That's all for this stage, I hope you like the finished card!  I think it fits in well with the Alice/Steampunk theme that is current at the moment.

I'll be back with more details about the card, I hope you're still with me, I can assure you it is taking longer to explain than it took to make!

Jill

Time Workshop/Tutorial Part 4 - Distressing and preparing card pieces

Time for some distressing!

Materials
Aspects of Design 62 Artistic Elements unmounted stamp sheet by Tracey Coates
Hero Arts cling stamp CG186 Big Clock
Hero Arts  cling stamp CG144 Time to Stamp
Distress Ink Stormy Sky and Pumice Stone (we've got these on special offer on the website!)
Tim Holtz Foam Applicator or Cut 'n Dry Foam
Tim Holtz Game Spinners
Black permanent ink pad suitable for shrink plastic or Black Stazon
Non stick heat resistant craft mat or Woodware Hot Stuff Mat

I used a Tim Holtz applicator and foam to apply the stormy sky and pumice stone Distress Inks to the card panels.  You've all probably seen this done by now. 

Basically you apply the ink to a non porous surface, I use my non stick heat resistant craft mat for this.  This is the tan mat I have been working on so far.  I've used these mats for years and can truly say every messy crafter NEEDS one as a core piece of equipment!!

You place the ink pad face down on the mat, to transfer a square of ink onto the mat.  Ink the foam with some of the ink then starting off the card gradually come onto the card applying in a circular motion.  This way of applying helps avoid lines of ink and creates a smoother blend. 

As you repeat this the corners and edges will have a deeper shade as you go over this a number of times as you work the colour into the centre of the card.  This give a lovely finish to the corners and edges.

So, I would recommend cutting the card to roughly the correct size before inking rather than cutting up a large piece later as you will have nice corners and edges on each piece.

Now, the subject of which card to use, I will perhaps cause controversy by saying I've only used cheaper copier card on the pieces of this project.  One reason is because there are so many elements on it I wanted to keep the card weight down but mainly as I get a nice blend on it.  As you can see below there are not too many lines and it has blended quite well.

I believe the mistake some people make is that when you first apply them you will get some lines and I've found that the more you do the more primed the foam pads become.

I keep one pad per colourway.  They can be carefully washed/rinsed through if needed.

The other thing I think people struggle with is that they don't give the inks time to blend on the card.  Yes, it often doesn't look perfect straight away but leave it to one side and you will see a difference after time.

By applying a paler colour and building it up you will have more ink available to blend than say trying to use a dark colour sparingly.

Take time to do the blending and work at it.

Other people may not agree with the above but I am just writing about how I find it.  If you are happy with the way you do it yourself, then that is the right way for you too.

Next cut the panels and ink them

Once these are cut apply the inks to all the pieces listed below marked in bold. The instructions not in bold are what the panels are for.

The panel sizes you will need are:

2 x pieces of white card 4" square (or 10 cms), one piece of black card slightly larger for mounting one of the pieces. 

Stamp the Big Clock on one of the pieces and cut out.  Make a hole in the centre ready for the larger game spinners/clock hands.  (Instructions for the centre cog below)

On the other piece ink just the swirls on the winged heart stamp (from AOD62) in Stormy Sky ink and stamp all aound the outside, then again all the way round with black ink.  I have left the centre as the clock will be mounted over this.

White card 4 1/2" (12 cms)  x  5 3/4" (15cms), this piece will be stamped and trimed slightly later along with black card slightly larger for mounting

Stamp the Time to Stamp large background stamp onto this with black ink.

A long white strip 8"  (20cms) x 1 1/4" (3cms) below.  Stamp the Time to Stamp clock background stamp twice to fill the strip you can see under the cogs.  This is a little sneak preview of the back of the card, which is also the top of the card when closed!

An 8" (20cms x 4" 12cms) panel.  This will need a slight trim to fit the base card as below.

An A5 piece of card to cut more cogs, you should be able to get all 3 sizes plus an extra cog or 2 cut from the rest of the sheet.   Once cut out apply the colour to the cogs to create shading around the teeth and outside of the cogs as shown in the first picture above with the large clock.

I think that is enough confusion for now!!  If you fancy trying this card then I'm sure it will all make sense as you work through the different stages.  There will be more about the other images on the card in the next post.

I'll also be showing the finished card, hurray...at last you say... about time you saw where all this is leading!!

Time Workshop/Tutorial Part 2 - Shrink Plastic Clocks

The next elements for the card are the shrink plastic clocks.  I love these as they are so cute and the hands go round and they just feel and look nice:)

Now this is a long post, it gets more interesting today, so I think you will want to put the kettle on before you start reading!

Materials
Hero Arts cling stamp CG186 Big Clock
Frosted Shrink Plastic
Sanding Block
Distress Ink Stormy Sky (this is a fantastic shade!) and Pumice Stone (we've got these on special offer on the website)
Tim Holtz Foam Applicator or Cut 'n Dry Foam
Tim Holtz Game Spinners
Black permanent ink pad suitable for shrink plastic or Black Stazon

Sand the frosted shrink plastic to give it a key for the ink.  If you sand it you can then use an ink that isn't permanent to tint the plastic.

To do this start with the block at the centre of the piece and rub towards the top of the shrink plastic so that the block goes right of the sheet.  Sand until you have a matt finish.  Turn the piece 180 degrees and repeat until your sanding completely covers the piece in downward stripes. 

Now turn it 90 degrees and again starting from the middle sand off the side.  Turn 180 degrees then sand again to complete the cross hatched sanding.  You will achieve a nice even sanding all over.

Brush away the dust.  Then take the Stormy Sky Distress Ink Pads and add colour direct to plastic from the ink pad.

When it is completely covered, wipe away most of the ink with kitchen towel.  You will see a faint tint of the ink remaining.  As the colour will intensify when shrunk you want it quite pale.

Add a small amount of the Distress Ink Pumice Stone randomly wiping off any excess so that it remains pale.

Stamp the Hero Arts Big Clock stamp with a permanent ink.  Stazon ink will dry quickly, but others may remain wet and you will have to be careful cutting out the image.

I found that the clock is about the same size as the largest circle of the nesties, so if you hate cutting out circles you and use this through your die cutting machine. 

If the edges are rough or uneven you can sand them with the block to smooth them out but shrink plastic is very forgiving when shrunk.

Incidentally, I didn't mention yesterday but I used Tim's Gadget Gears Sizzix die through my Cuttlebug, you only need to use the 2 B plates.

You need to make a hole on the centre before you shrink.  The punch, or eyelet setter tool needs to be 1/4" (about the same size as an office hole punch) as the hole will obviously shrink too.

Now the fun bit, heat with your heat gun.  Try not to panic about it sticking to itself, generally if you leave it alone it will sort itself out. 

Just a tip here, shrink plastic doesn't stick to wood so if you don't have a non-stick craft sheet you could use a wooden chopping board.  Also, being metal, tweezers can get hot, I prefer to use a lolly stick or wooden dowling to hold the plastic in place while heating (it does have a tendancy to fly away!).

When the piece has completely shrunk, splat it with an acrylic block or something simliar.

This photo shows the difference in size after shrinking.  The clock is just over 3 1/4" or 9cm full size and 1 1/2" or 4 cms when shrunk.

I added the game spinners but felt the piece needed a little more tidying.  I pressed the edges around the Stazon ink pad.

Now as I was playing I wasn't just going to make that second one the same was I?  Of course not! So the next post is an another idea to try.

Jill

Hero Arts and new Distress Ink Rusty Hinge

The background paper and flower were coloured using one of the new distress inks rusty hinge and sprayed after with the red from the Mardi Gras Starburst Stain set, so it has a lovely rich golden shimmer.

The flower is a Hero Arts Cling stamp, that can be found on our website HERE

The adage tickets are from Tim.