A Mother's Love

Ok...so I am really bad with New Year's Resolutions.  I have already broken all but one or two...make that one :)  I would like to put more effort into card making...creating something really special for the recipient.  I happened upon a portrait of my Grandmother at the age of seventeen and I was inspired by the challenge over at A Vintage Journey-Use A Portrait.  I created a Valentine's Day card for my Mom using that portrait as a reminder that our mother's love lives within us forever.  I don't have any step by step photos, because I was not intending to make a card Sunday night...I was just playing

I used texture paste with Tim's Gothic stencil and shaded it with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink when it dried as demonstrated in Tim's  Compendium of Curiosities, Volume III.  I distressed the edges of the background paper with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink.

  I made my Valentine's Day tag using  Frayed Burlap and Victorian Velvet Distress Ink along with a mist of water for the background and stamped the sentiment with Potting Soil Archival Ink.  I added a pink ribbon from my stash.  The sentiment is computer generated and then cut apart to resemble Tim's Chitchat stickers and distressed. I love how Tim's distress techniques and products produce a vintage effect.

I finished the card with  off-white photo corners and a piece of lace from my stash.  I plan to make a similar card for my Mother-in-Law with a portrait of her Mom.

I am also entering my card in the Fresh Start Challenge over at Inspiration Emporium as I endeavor to keep my card making resolution.

Thanks for stopping by :)

CC3C #19 Frayed Fabric

Running behind...so just a quick note about my entry to the Compendium of Curiosities #3 Challenge hosted by the lovely Linda Ledbetter and sponsored by the generous folks at Inspiration Emporium.
I was glad that Linda noted that a sewing machine did not have to be used because I don't own one.  I hand stitched my heart and frayed it according to Tim's instructions found on page 66 of the book by the same name.

That's all for now or I won't make the entry deadline...don't think I have ever run this close before.  Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by :)

Ring in the New

I loved the theme of Vintage Journey's newest challenge "Ring out the old...Ring in the New".  As I was looking over the pictures I took on New Year's Eve, I couldn't help but marvel at how grown up our daughters had become.  I pulled out an old pic from our 2000 New Years Eve celebration...seems like yesterday.  I remembered making snacks and dips throughout the day with my oldest, who was four years old at the time, while we watched the world enter the new millennium. By party time, the girls still looked fresh and Mom looked weary.

I followed Tim's background technique featured in the January tag tutorial using Tissue Wrap Melange glued and scrunched on an 8 x 8 inch piece of manila folder.

I then used Peeled Paint, Black Soot and Tarnished Brass Distress Paints blended with water to create my background.  I also borrowed a technique that Tim highlighted in his November tag tutorial with corrugated cardboard.  After I peeled off several layers, I used Black Soot Distress Paint to paint several areas and spritzed with Tarnished Brass Distress paint using an old toothbrush...I loved the effect.  I found the wooden frames in the Christmas closeout bin and painted them with Black Soot and Tarnished Brass Distress Paints.  

My project is dedicated to my daughters as they ring in the New Year.  I added a compass to guide them, a key to unlock the doors of possibility, and of course a bell to ring in the New Year.

Wishes for a Very Happy and Blessed New Year.  Thanks for stopping by :)

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2014-December and CC3C # 18 Pocket Pages

I can't believe 2014 is almost over...but I always look forward to the New Year with anticipation.  For my last post of 2014 I am submitting both my December tag (click here for Tim's) as well as my entry to the latest Compendium of Curiosities Challenge hosted by the talented Linda Ledbetter.

First things first...here are a couple of pics of my tag.  I had to make do with the supplies I had on hand.  I really loved the use of the tea infuser to glitter!

Onto the CC3 Challenge #18 entry: Pocket Pages based on the book of the same name by Tim Holtz.
I have to confess that I never finished my worn cover because I struggled with how I would use it. The Curiosity Team posted some great inspirational works for this challenge and I thought I would use the pocket pages to organize my monthly tags for the Tim Holtz  12 tags of 2015.  I used this month's tag as an example of how I would organize my TAGS and TIPS book.   When you open the book my take on the monthly tag will be visable.

When you flip open the tag,...on the left, I have a small pic of Tim's inspiration as well as my favorite tip illustration...on the right is my thoughts on the tag techniques (what I would do again, wish list, ect).  I really think this will help me keep track of neat ideas and a running wish list as well as be a source of inspiration for future  projects.

Finally, I used the technique described in Tim's Book to create my flip pocket page...grab a book and give it a try.

The latest CC3C is sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique.  They have a great sale going on now!

Have a Happy and Safe New Years...see you in 2015 :)

Secret Santa visited A Vintage Journey

I have just spent the most enjoyable time over at A Vintage Journey visiting each of the Creative Team's blogs as they shared their Secret Santa gifts.  What a great idea and such great inspiration for us all.  There is also a special Christmas Giveaway...but the best part was visiting each blog and seeing all the the special attention to detail each Team member but into their thoughtful gift. Head on over for all the info.

CC3C #17 Woodlands and Tinsel Twine

It is a Friday night and that means I am scrambling to post my entry to the Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge hosted by the gracious Linda Ledbetter.  Tim Holtz is the talented author of the book by the same name. Challenge #17, Woodlands and Tinsel Twine can be found on page 60. This challenge is generously sponsored by Inspiration Emporium.

 I love Christmas...but what I like even better...is WINTER.  Last year I got all caught up in the mercury glass craze for my winter decorations.  I love the vintage look with white candles.  I got an idea for this challenge... I would use the faux mercury glass technique on a globe candle holder and create a "window" for my woodland scene using the masking technique. This was the first time I tried the faux mercury glass technique and I look forward to trying it again but would use vinyl for the mask instead of paper...live and learn:)   I can't describe how I created my trees, but I did have a lot of fun with this challenge!

Thanks for stopping by and wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

CC3C #16 Layering Stencil : Embossing

I have missed participating in the last several CC3 Challenges but am happy to play in the current challenge:  Layering stencils: Embossing  explained on page 50 of Tim Holtz's Compendium of Curiosities, Volume III.  You can find all the details here on our gracious hostess, Linda Ledbetter's blog.  This challenge is generously sponsored by Linda Coughlin at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.  Without further ado...here is my entry...

I also would like to enter this tag in the FUSION challenge.
Thanks for stopping by :)