Inspiration Emporium Challenge - Quotes!

It's the beginning of a new month and that means two things - a new monthly challenge from Inspiration Emporium and an awesome new tag from Tim Holtz. I couldn't wait to try Tim's new Remnant Rub resist technique, so I decided to combine two of my favorite challenges into one piece. 

Of course, it is impossible for me to make anything and not include at least a few of my favorite Sizzix dies! I'm still addicted to the Pocket Watch Frame and thought I'd experiment with making one that looked like an embossed and tarnished gold watch. I took a few quick pics while I was making it to show you how it all came together. Hope you like it!

Begin by covering a piece of thin chipboard with a sheet of Ranger's Foil Tape. Emboss using Book Cover Texture Fade.

Insert the largest of the Sized Circles into the Pocket Watch Frame die. Cut embossed foil. The opening of the frame doesn't exactly match up to the book cover, but you can get quite a bit of the watch embossed. You could also use a solid Texture Fade to get an all-over embossed effect.

Apply gold and caramel alcohol ink to felt pad and pounce over foil until desired look is achieved.

When the ink is dry, cover the watch with Walnut Stain Distress paint and wipe off, being sure to leave some paint in the crevices.

Cut two more watch frames out of chipboard. Adhere the three frames together. Set aside to dry. Setting a heavy book on top will prevent them from warping.

Apply Remnant Rubs to a piece of Ranger's Manila cardstock. I used the cutout from the watch to trace an outline so I didn't waste any of my rub ons.  

Following Tim's instructions, use stain to color the cardstock. I love this technique so much! :) I also added stamped images from Tim's Urban Chic stamp set (not shown).

To create the card base, spread a large puddle of Brushed Corduroy Distress Stain on a non-stick craft sheet and drag a Ranger Giant Manila tag through it. Use heat tool to dry. Fold in half. Adhere a torn piece of paper from the idea-ology French Industrial paper pack to the left side. Stamp postage image on front with Brushed Corduroy Distress ink. Apply a piece of Tissue Tape to the bottom. Cut a Mini Film Strip from black cardstock and attach over tape, using a Tiny Attacher. To create the strap, cut a 1/2" strip of Grungepaper. Add stitching on either side. Use Brushed Corduroy Distress ink to color, then coat with Glossy Accents. When dry, attach buckle and adhere to left side of card with Wonder Tape.

To finish card, glue Remnant Resist piece to center. Adhere watch frame. Stamp quote onto a manila scrap. Cut words apart, distress and ink edges, and adhere to center of clock using foam squares.

To finish my card, I added a Swivel Clasp, a Ring Fastener, and an inked Enameled Tag. I wish the gold effect on the watch showed up better. It's so cool! I also inked a bit around the edges to give it more depth and dimension. I hope you're not getting tired of me using this die - because I'm still full of ideas! :)

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

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Speaking of Inspiration Emporium, you definitely need to create something quotable and join us for this month's challenge. One lucky participant will win a $50 gift certificate to the IE store. Think of all the goodies you can buy! Check out all the deets (and an amazing canvas by Pam Hooten) HERE.

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

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!