Marche aux Fleurs

I have discovered that, indeed, happiness does come in a bottle...a bottle that's been altered using Wendy Vecchi's fantastic cracked glass technique! This weekend I picked up a jar of Rock Candy Crackle paint for this week's Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 2 Challenge, Shattered Stains. For some reason I always cheap out and get the little bottle - this time I got the big one (it's such a better deal!). With my new abundance of Rock Candy, I knew I wanted to try Wendy's technique in addition to the Shattered Stains. I'm so glad I did! Now that I've tried it and seen in in person, I can tell you it is seriously amazing.

Look at those gorgeous crackles!! Who would think that a cast-off olive oil bottle could look so cool? I decided to keep my color palette very muted and shabby French. I tied the top with some seam binding that I saturated with Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearl Mist and a little bit of Brushed Corduroy Distress ink. When it was dry, I added an Idea-ology Wire Pin, Baubles, and a Word Key that I gave a little Faux Patina treatment.

Here is my little Shattered Stains number. I've done the technique before using lots of color, this time I really wanted it to look old and like it belonged on this bottle, so I used Black Soot and Brushed Corduroy stains. The number is actually a 9, but it always looks like a 6 to me! It was cut from Grungeboard using the new Sizzix Word Play die. The bit of French text behind it was cut with the Sizzix Vintage lace die.

The label was made by cutting plain paper using Sizzix' Styled Labels die. I stamped the wonderful image (the inspiration for the whole thing!) from Artistic Outpost's Flower Market set and then inked around the edges. The crown was also patina-ed with Slate and Caramel alcohol ink. To give the top a vintage look, I wrapped it with foil tape and inked it with the same colors as the crown and the key.

Now that I've tried this technique, I can't wait to use it more - if you haven't already, you definitely need to try it! If you need any of the supplies I used, including Tim Holtz' inspiring book, you can purchase them at Inspiration Emporium via the links below. Remember, you can use my coupon code - stamptramp - to save 10% off your order!

Compendium of Curiosities II	Rock Candy Crackle Paint	Inkssentials Glue N' Seal	Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls Mist	Sizzix Word Play Die
Sizzix Styled Labels Die	Sizzix Vintage Lace Die	Idea-ology Word Keys	Idea-ology Baubles	Idea-ology Wire Pins
Idea-ology Swivel Clasps	Idea-ology Regal Adornments	Grungeboard	Inkssentials Blending Tool	Alcohol Ink Applicator Tool
Alcohold Ink Applicator Felt	Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink	Black Soot Distress Stain	Brushed Corduroy Distress Stain	Adirondack Snow Cap Ink
Caramel Alcohol Ink	Slate Alcohol Ink	Ranger Glossy Accents	Memory Foil Tape	Vagabond

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Since it's such an easy one (I'm so lazy!) I'm also entering this for the Anything Goes theme this week at Simon Says Stamp and Show. They are also the sponsor for this week's CCC2 challenge! Thanks so much for stopping by!

12 Tags of 2012 - May

One of my favorite things about following along with Tim Holtz' 12 Tags challenges is the motivation to try something new. This month's biggest challenge for me was having to pull out the melting pot! I will tell you a little secret: I have had one for years and used it once. Yes, once. I don't know if it's that I feel like it's a hassle, or that I'm afraid to burn myself or what. I just stuck it in a cupboard and forgot about it. Tim's tag was just the incentive I needed to get it out and dust it off.

As you can see above, I'm not done with my wood block phase! I thought with all the 3D elements on this month's tag, it would be perfect to make it into a piece of chunky art.

Of course, I also had to try a few tricks! I decided to try and make my own roses using the Sizzix Tattered Flower Garland die. I would say I had mixed results. Much like the time I tried to make my own Tissue Tape, I'm not sure it's really worth the effort! It was fun though, and I think they ended up looking like little poppies. Please ignore the random glops and goobers - I'm new at this!

I totally adore this part! After seeing Tim's tag last night, I started thinking of how I could interpret it - using his elements and techniques, but making it my own. I decided to replace the stamped dress form with one cut using the Sizzix Sewing Room die. To give it a little interest, I cut off the stand and made one with wire.  I also replaced the measuring tape ribbon with a vintage one. My flowers came out so orange-ish that the other one clashed too much! Another thing I added was a little postal stamp - it's from a clear set I found at Hobby Lobby, but you can find the red rubber version on Tim's Shabby French set. I am really wondering why I don't have that one yet...it's going on my list!

I am still having a love affair with Claudine Hellmuth's Sticky Back Canvas! For my dress form, I adhered it to Grungeboard and cut it out, then inked the edges with Brushed Corduroy Distress ink. It seemed too bare....hmmm...what to do? I spotted my new Wallpaper stamp from Stampers Anonymous on my table and was like, ah ha! I stamped it onto the canvas with Jet Black Archival ink. It still needed a little something, so I added a button that was stamped with a text stamp from the Papillon set, inked and then embossed with UTEE. I added a couple chunks of the amber UTEE that was left over from the flowers. I might be addicted to UTEE buttons now!

One of the other fun things about Tim's tags is that there is always an unexpected element. In this case, it was the little spool vase. I have a ton of vintage spools I've collected over the years and found the perfect one. The problem was, my husband was at work and I would have to figure out how to shave it down somehow. I was going to use the scroll saw, but the little guide thing was too low and I couldn't adjust it. Then I spotted his big grinder...hmmm...Tim did say that he sanded his flat, right? So, I fired that thing up and went to town. Done! I added a little paper lace and an Idea-ology Wire Pin and I was finished. I did find out later that you're not supposed to use the grinder for wood. Oops! Too late now! :)

If you'd like to purchase anything I used, it's all available from Inspiration Emporium via the links below. Remember, you can use my coupon code - stamptramp - to save 10% off your order!

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Thanks so much for stopping by - enjoy the rest of your weekend! I'm off to a Greek Festival to eat some spanakopita!