Shadow Box Artist Trading Block

There are many cool things about Eileen Hull's 3D Box dies, but one of my favorites is that the 3" Block die is also a Movers and Shapers die. That means that any individual Movers and Shapers that will fit in the opening can be used to add even more versatility and interest to your ATB.

I'd been eyeing that opening, just waiting for the perfect idea to pop into my head. After looking through my dies, I settled on the medium-sized circle from Tim Holtz's Sized Circles die set. There are so many different ways you could use this opening! I decided to go with a vintage shadow box look, but I'm already planning a pretty spring block - how cute would a little bird nest be in there?

The top is decorated with some coffee filter flowers cut using Tim's Tattered Flowers die. I added some Film Strip Ribbon, and other idea-ology bits and pieces.

I absolutely love this new Motif Kraft Resist paper. Gorgeous patterns and the Archival inks really work well with it. I was really happy with how my 3D kids came out too. That extra dimension adds so much.

Here's a quick tutorial for how I made my ATB:

Begin by cutting two box panels from medium weight chipboard. When cutting the second panel, insert one of the circles from Tim Holtz's Sized Circles Movers and Shapers into the die. Paint the box with black paint, sand the edges, and assemble.

Cut five panels of Motif Kraft Resist and cut them down to just under 3". Ink with various colors of Archival ink. Adhere panels to box.

Cut out the kids from one of the Found Relatives playing cards. Very carefully cut the two little boys out separately. Ink all cut edges and reassemble using foam dots to add depth.

Line inside of box with decorative paper. To hold the photo panel in place, adhere a small foam block (I use the blocks that come in the Sizzix embossing folder packaging) to the bottom of the box. Adhere the photo panel to the front of the block.

To finish your block, embellish as shown. I also added little painted wooden spools from the craft store for feet.

Most everything I used can be found at Inspiration Emporium via the links below. Remember to use my coupon code - stamptramp - to save 10% on your entire order!

Sizzix 3D Block Die Sizzix Tattered Flower Garland Sizzix Mini Clock Key and Pocketwatch idea-ology Resist Paper Stash - Motif idea-ology Adornments - Charm Pack Idea-ology Locket Keys idea-ology Ring Fasteners Idea-ology Foliage idea-ology Heart Charms idea-ology Label Pull idea-ology Jump Rings Ephemera Pack - Expedition Idea-ology Timepieces idea-ology Ephemera - Thrift Shop idea-ology Jute String Idea-ology Chit Chat Stickers idea-ology Film Strip Ribbon idea-ology Paper String - Solids Idea-ology Pen Nibs Inkssentials Blending Tool Archival Ink - Red Geranium Archival Ink - Fern Green Archival Ink - Forget-Me-Not Distress Paint - Black Soot Liquid Pearls - Buttercup Tim Holtz Paper Distresser

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Thanks so much for stopping by today - have a wonderful week!

Capture Life's Moments Tag

I swear, I sat down at my work table today determined to make a dent in the mess. But what do you do when your mess is so full of cool and inspiring stuff? Well, if you're me, you forget about cleaning and put it all together to make a pretty tag!

My inspiration was a tag I'd made a couple weeks ago. I was experimenting with Wendy Vecchi's beautiful Archival Ink technique and decided to try it on some of Tim Holtz's new Motif Resist paper. I haven't seen many people using it yet, and let me tell you, it's pretty amazing stuff!

I used Tim's Tag and Bookplates die to cut a tag from the resist paper, and then smooshed a couple of Wendy's ink pads on a non-stick craft sheet, added a bit of alcohol, and drug the tag through the ink. You don't get quite the watercolor-y effect as doing the technique on Ranger's Specialty Stamping paper, but I still love the look! I thought the beautiful lady from Tim's new Daydream set would be perfect with the colors, so I stamped it using Watering Can ink.

Since the hole in the tag would have messed up the face, I had to stamp it a bit lower on the tag, leaving a gap. I covered it with Tissue Tape and some of the new Industrious Trim. After I was done, I thought it still needed something, so I cut a piece of chipboard using the Pediments die and painted it with Picket Fence Distress Crackle paint. After I adhered it, I thought it looked like she was wearing a crown!

Another thing I came across while I was cleaning was this branch I had cut from aluminum flashing when I first got the Garden Greens die. The metal looked too flat, so I dabbed it with a combination of Slate, Silver, and Picket Fence alcohol inks. I love the tarnished effect the inks gave it! To finish off the tag, I painted the frame with Dusty Concord Distress paint, swiping over it with Picket Fence paint. I added a word band, and some flowers that I covered with Rock Candy Dry Glitter. I also added a bit of cheesecloth under the frame to give the tag a bit more texture.

Most of the supplies I used can be found at Inspiration Emporium via the links below. Remember to use my coupon code - stamptramp - to save 10% on your order!

Stampers Anon - Daydream Sizzix Tag & Bookplates Die Sizzix Garden Greens idea-ology Resist Paper Stash - Motif Sizzix Pediments Die Idea-ology Muse Token idea-ology Industrious Stickers - Frames and Trims Idea-ology Word Bands Idea-ology Crinkle Ribbon Idea-ology Gem Clips idea-ology Tissue Tape - Symphony Rock Candy Dry Glitter Archival Ink - Watering Can Archival Ink - Hydrangea Archival Ink - Forget-Me-Not Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint Distress Paint - Dusty Concord Distress Paint - Picket Fence Alcohol Ink Applicator Tool Ranger Adirondack Silver Ink Adirondack Snow Cap Ink Slate Alcohol Ink Idea-ology Tiny Attacher Inkssentials Mister

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Inspiration Emporium also has a fun challenge going on this month. You can read all about it HERE. Hope you decide to play along.

Thanks so much for stopping by - have a wonderful and creative weekend!