Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Happy Birthday, Tim (and some cool news)!

This week's Grungy Monday challenge is a celebration of the man who started it all - Tim Holtz! His birthday is January 7th and we're celebrating by creating birthday cards. I decided to try my hand at making an Easel Card - one of the 70 projects in the Technique Junkie 3D and Fun Folds CD. This is a view of it flat....

And here it is 'opened'. How cool is that?! I love that it slides up for easy display. This is the first one I've ever made and it was really simple.

Obviously, I knew I wanted to make a masculine card, but beyond that, I had no idea where to start! I decided on a Steampunk theme and started pulling out anything that would work. The background is cardstock that was embossed using the Sizzix Steampunk Texture fade, and then painted with Silver and Pitch Black Adirondack Dabber Paints. The gears were cut from chipboard using Tim's Mini Gears dies. They were painted with Gold and Copper Dabbers and layered onto the background with Idea-ology Sprocket Gears, Washers, a Game Spinner, and attached with Long Fasteners.

The men are from Tim's Steampunk stamp collection. I cut off their top hats and added party hats cut from paper from Idea-ology Lost and Found Paper stash. The little light bulb on the top is also from Idea-ology.

I thought the Sizzix Baroque die would be perfect to use as a mat. When I was getting ready to cut it, I spotted the Mini Baroque die and was like...hmmmm..... I've never used them together to make a frame and decided to have a little experiment. I LOVE how easy it is to use these two dies together! I used chipboard for the frame and then painted it with a Pitch Black Dabber, sanded it, and inked it with Bundled Twigs Distress ink. I think it looks so cool - like old leather. You can barely see it peeking out, but the background paper for the card front is Kraft Resist that I inked with a Black Soot Dabber and then lightly sanded.

To add a little interest to the front of my card, I cut some light chipboard using the Sizzix Vintage Lace die and painted it was Gold and Pitch Black Dabbers. Metal Idea-ology Corners embellish the bottom of the card.

While racking my brain, trying to think of a sentiment to stamp (I have almost NO everyday sayings), I kept thinking of Prince's 1999. Why not change it up a little to reflect the Steampunk theme? ;-) I computer-generated the sentiment and then added it to a Faux Mercury (click here for my tutorial) piece that I cut using Sizzix' Mini Labels die.

I hope Tim likes it! If you're interested in purchasing the 3D and Fun Folds CD, you can use the link below, or the one at the top of my sidebar.


Location





All the supplies used in creating my card can be purchased from Inspiration Emporium via the links below. If you use my coupon code - stamptramp - you'll save 10% off your order!
Supplies:

Sizzix Baroque Die
Sizzix Mini Baroque Die
Sizzix Mini Labels Die
Sizzix Mini Gears Die
Sizzix Vintage Lace Die
Adirondack Dabbers - Pitch Black, Gold, Silver, Copper
Idea-ology Sprocket Gears, Game Spinners, Long Fasteners, Corners, Washers, Light Bulb
Idea-ology Kraft Resist Paper, Lost and Found Paper Stash
Ranger Distress Stain - Black Soot
Ranger Distress Ink - Bundled Twigs
Stampers Anonymous Steampunk Rubber Stamps

Dang, I almost forgot my news (is anyone still reading this?)! About a month ago Tim asked me to create samples for him for CHA, later this month. How cool is that?! I won't be able to share anything until after the show, but I have been dying to tell you all and Tim said it was ok! And yes, I still think I may have just dreamed the whole thing. ;-)

53 comments:

  1. fabulous card for Tim!! love the details, especially the sentiment!! I can't wait to see your show samples, you are going to rock them!!! congratulations!!!

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  2. Congrats girlfriend! Definitely exciting. And this creation is awesome! :)

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  3. Shelly your card is AMAZING!! love everything about it! you rock!


    kazxx

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  4. so can understand why he would want you to create something.. your work is amazing... and i LOVE your card!

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  5. Cool on both accounts! That is one amazing card and there is no way that it won't be cherished by Tim! Now I feel real nervous making him a card!!!! I have used that die to make frames and just love it! Congrats on the "Big" news and how exciting that is!

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  6. I agree this is fabulous.

    Carol

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  7. This is so punkn' cool! Tim will surely love it. You did a lot of work to show the love.

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  8. Whoo-hoo! Now that is some spectacular news, Shelly! Kudos to you. I have no doubt he'll like not only his card but all the samples you create!

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  9. Hey Shelly! I kept rereading and rereading, wondering what your news was (didn't scroll down far enough)! :D Yeah! It's about time!!!! Woohoo!!! By the way, LOVE your card for Mr. T. That's awesome!

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  10. Love this! And I love your sentiment, "party like it's 1899!" Too cool, Shelly!

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  11. Whoaa this birthday card is awesome Shelly, love the whole steampunk thing. Congrats on your news ... can't wait to see your samples. x

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  12. Shelly this is absolutely awesome. I love it. This is a terrific creation showing Steampunk.

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  13. Great card & Congrats! I look forward to seeing what you create - as always!

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  14. What a great creation Shelly...I wish I was Tim lolll :-)
    Gorgeous artwork!

    greetings and best wishes for 2012, Alie :-)

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  15. Oh Shelly, it's FANTABULOUS!!! Congratulations on your news..talk about a dream come true for a Tim Fan..Woohooooo!

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  16. Hi Shelly!!! First of all...CONGRATS my friend on your wonderful news of doing some design work for TIM!! That is FABULOUS! I'm so happy for you and you deserve it! Now...your birthday card to Tim is awesome!! I love everything about it! He will love it...party like it's 1899...that is hysterical! <3 Candy

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  17. WTG girl! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the card, and I'm sure Tim will, too!
    Can't wait to see what over-the-top projects you come up with.

    ~Linda....yes, it's true, it's not a dream, you really, really, are sooooooooo talented!

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  18. Whoo Hoo Congrats! Love your project the layering of the gears is wonderful!

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  19. What a fabulous card!! What an honor to create for Tim!!! Enjoy it...your work is amazing!!!

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  20. Shelley - this is AWESOME news...I check your blog everyday to see "What did Shelley make?" I can't wait to see what you come up with for CHA!!!!!! BTW, your card is awesome (as usual) and the sentiment hysterical....Tim will love it! Also wanted to post to thank you for directing me to the IE 12 tags giveaway! I WON DAY 4, thank you very much!

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  21. Gorgeous card! Tim is sure to love it!

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  22. Tim will love the card---if not send it to me---I love it!!! Congrats on your fabulous news! I'm sure you will have over the top amazing creations!
    Karen M.

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  23. Totally sensational piece of work - the layers and textures are just amazing. And congrats on working with Tim Holtz for the CHA samples. I can see why he would want your work - it is always over-the-top incredible! Can't wait to see what you make for the event.

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  24. Amazingly cool card...totally fantastic!!! Of course he is gonna love it!!! Congrats again on designing for Tim...you are gonna rock that too!!!

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  25. Wow Shelly this is incredibly masculine. Tim will love it.
    Thanks for all the details.
    Happy New Year to you.
    Lesley

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  26. A great card, wow cards for Tim, oh and thanks played with the faux mercury it is fab, will send people here when I blog it!hugs trace x

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  27. Ohhhhh my GOODNESS..... this is SO COOL!!!!!!
    Love ALL of it, well done!
    I think Tim LOVE this one so much!
    Greetz Patricia

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  28. This card looks great AND it's funny! LOVE those party hats! =P And congrats on the news, although those of us who follow your blog and are constantly blown away by your awesome creations are so NOT surprised! =)

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  29. Totally Amazing card. LOVE it!

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  30. Oh..my...oh..my!!!
    This is gorgeous!
    Love it ♥♥♥
    So many gorgeous details!
    Hugs Anne

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  31. Very nice! Love the frame~. Beak

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  32. Love love love your card creation. And I know Tim will love it!

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  33. This card is stunning! Love it! The details are amazing. And congrats! Can't wait to see those samples!

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  34. Wonderful card and fantastic news!!!!!! have fun!

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  35. Why should you be surprised? The work you do with Tim's products is wonderful; what better person to represent his ideas at CHA?
    As for your card....amazing! Makes the little easel card I did look like a poor relation, LOL.
    xoxo

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  36. Why should you be surprised? The work you do with Tim's products is wonderful; what better person to represent his ideas at CHA?
    As for your card....amazing! Makes the little easel card I did look like a poor relation, LOL.
    xoxo

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  37. Very nice piece! I love all the details! Congratulations!

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  38. Fabulous birthday card for Tim. I love it! Not surprising to me at all that Tim has asked you to design for CHA. I would give my eye teeth! You are amazing and I can't wait to see what you come up with. Congrats!

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  39. I almost didn't see your news... noticed a comment and thought "what did I miss"... Huge congratulations!!! I'm not at all surprised... you are very talented!!!! And totally inspire me!!!!

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  40. Shelly,
    Congratulations! I am so happy for you. As you know I love your art and have told you many times when I commented on your photos. I told my daughter you probably think I am stalking you-lol. Can't wait to see what you come up with for CHA. I know it will be amazing!
    Gail in Oklahoma

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  41. Your card is totally fab but I just couldn't wait to get to the big new part...

    Seriously!?!?!? What a HUGE honor and recognition of all the amazing creations you've shown in the last year (or more, just a year I've known about!)

    Congratulations, Shelly!!!

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  42. Finally!!! You should have STARTED your post with that fabulous news, Shelly! And this birthday card is a prime example of why he chose you. So proud of you!

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  43. Hello Shelly,

    great steampunkcard : I love all the layers in it and the distressed backgrounds, gears,...
    unique quote and cool how you incorporated it in the label.

    I purchased the CD of technique Junkies because of you ( I took a subscription for this year too) and I made already several of the easel/drawer cards ànd the easel cards. They are so much fun to make and with a great result !
    Thanks you again for pointing my attention to this CD: fun is you can make the projects completely your own.

    Fantastic news and well deserved ! I'm looking forward to what you'll create with Tim's stuff ( new stuff? ).
    Don't tell Tim, but some of your creations inspired by him, are even more my taste then his...

    Enjoy the commitment you got and please .. keep on sharing !
    greetings from Belgium
    Inge

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  44. LoVe this piece, Shelly and I am soooooooooo thrilled to hear your GREAT news! I always thought you should be working with Tim!!! Awesome work. Thanks for sharing and hope '2012' is an amazing year for you in your creative efforts. How FUN!

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  45. Gorgeous card, I'm sure Tim will love it! Congratulations on your CHA news!!!! How exciting! I can't wait to see what you come up with :)

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  46. CORRRRRRRRRRRR... GORGEOUS card Shelly... and... CONGRATS!!! Doing a happy dance for you... brilliant news and I cannot wait to see what you made!!! Big grin across the pond to you!!

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  47. What a great work and amazing creation! I am so exciting to see it because I can find a lot of wonderful crazy details.

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  48. What a great card! And congratulations! You have earned the honor!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!