Inspiration Emporium Challenge - Masks & Stencils

Inspiration Emporium has a brand new challenge for April! This month it's all about Marvelous Masks and Spectacular Stencils. I decided I would use Tim Holtz' March tag as my inspiration for a colorful triptych featuring one of my favorite stamps!

I have been dying to try this idea using Tim's new Arch Frame die from Sizzix. You know how something works in your mind, but you're never quite sure what will happen when you actually try it out? Well, after a bit of experimentation, my arch triptych worked out just as I'd imagined. Here's a quick tutorial if you'd like to make one yourself!

1. Measure the opening in the die. You want the arch panels to be connected, so the score lines need to be just inside the blade. I decided 2 7/8" was perfect.
2. Score an Inkssentials giant tag every 2 7/8", cutting off at the third score line. Save the cut off piece for later.
3. Accordion fold the paper. Place on the die and cut.

4. This is what your cut piece should look like. If there is too much pressure and the crease lines cut through, try it again using a crease pad instead of a cutting plate.
5. Using Tim's instructions, color your tag. I didn't have the Metallic paints and tried to substitute Bronze Distress stain - not a good idea. I was not at all happy with this, but figured I'd make the best of it. Art is all about not giving up! Right?
6. I decided to try giving my background a little texture with embossing powders. Randomly press an Emboss It pad over the surface. Sprinkle white Antiquities and Walnut Ink embossing powders over the surface. Heat to melt.

7. This panel actually should be #6 - oops! Using the Stacked Artful Words die, cut the word artist from light chipboard. Trim just the word 'art' and adhere to panel. I used Brushed Corduroy Distress ink and various Distress Paints to color it and give it an aged look.
8. Stamp fairy girl on the center panel with Jet Black Archival ink. Stamp head, hands, and words on the scrap of manila tag. Stamp the wings on Wendy Vecchi's clear Modeling Film. Trim out hands and head and apply to stamped image (I didn't want her to have a green face!). Ink crown with Broken China Distress ink. Trim words and adhere as shown. Cut out wings and glue in place using Glossy Accents. When dry, heat and shape.
9. Cut a piece of cardstock using the Elegant Flourishes die. Using the smaller flourish as a stencil, place on right panel and dab with Brushed Corduroy Distress ink. Immediately sprinkle with silver embossing powder. Lift stencil carefully and heat embossing powder to melt. Repeat randomly on other panels. Sometimes super shiny embossing can look out of place on a vintage project, so I used my Sanding Grip to dull it down a bit.

To complete the triptych, add painted embellishments as shown. Since my arches are quite a bit shorter than a tag, I didn't want to use the large plastic numbers like Tim did on his. Instead, I cut the numbers from lightweight chipboard using his Stacked Artful Words die, painted them with a Black Soot Distress dabber and then followed Tim's technique for giving them a patina effect. I love how they turned out! I also used a text stamp from one of the Stampers Anonymous Classic sets to add some interest to the background.

Most of the supplies I used can be found at Inspiration Emporium via the links below. My coupon code - stamptramp - will save you 10% on your order!

Inkssentials Giant Manila Tag Sizzix Arch Frame Sizzix Stacked Artful Words Sizzix Elegant Flourishes Die Distress Paints - Metallic Bundle Walnut Stain Distress Paint Distress Paint - Salty Ocean Broken China Distress Paint Distress Paint - Peeled Paint Distress Paint - Picket Fence Antiqued Bronze Distress Stain Studio 490 Modeling Film Stampers Anonymous Winged Things 1 Stampers Anonymous Classic Favorites 3 Ranger Emboss It Clear Ink Pad Jet Black Archival Ink Archival Ink - Olive Broken China Distress Ink Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink Inkssentials Mini Misters idea-ology Elements Tissue Tape idea-ology Tissue Tape - Symphony Idea-ology Word Keys Idea-ology Word Bands Idea-ology Adornments Idea-ology Philosophy Tags Idea-ology Long Fasteners Idea-ology Sanding Grip Distress Embossing Powder - Walnut Stain Ranger Silver Embossing Powder Inkssentials Blending Tool Idea-ology Tiny Attacher Idea-ology Design Ruler Ranger Glossy Accents Vagabond

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Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you're inspired to try cutting your own arch triptych - I think the Arch Frame is going to definitely get a lot of use in my studio!