Compendium of Curiosities Finale: A birthday Card for Tim

What a perfect way to end this series of challenges by Linda Ledbetter over at Studio L3.  Although I have not had the opportunity to participate in many of the challenges this year, I have been following along and watching the fabulous work submitted by the participants.

I chose the Dabber Resist technique on page 37 of the Compendium of Curiosities Vol 1.  It was one of the first videos I watched by Tim - I still laugh at the fact that he is using Shell Pink as the colour for his resist!  I chose to use Snow Cap for mine and the ubiquitious Umbrella Man which I adore.

I chose not to add an obvious birthday reference on the outside but instead included a personal message inside.

My favourite bit of the card is the sentiment.  I tried something different, altered it, scrunched it and in the end was very happy!  The sentiment is from the Lost and Found set and says "Not all who wander are lost".  I stamped it in Versamark and then embossed it with silver.  As it is a mostly solid stamp, the words didn't show up to well but I thought "I wonder if?!"  So I rubbed black acrylic paint over the entire surface.  It made the sentiment look more grungy and metal like look.  It also made the words come up out of the embossing!

I can't say a big enough thank you to Linda for running these challenges this year and of course to Tim Holtz who revitalised my love of craft and ink with his unique take on all things artful.  Here's to a fabulous birthday Mr. Holtz and another year of fantastic inspiration!

**UPDATE:  I forgot to show you the inside!  It's manila cardstock with walnut stain Distress Ink and some corner stamps!  TFL.

Creative Chemistry - Day 8 Homework

Day 8 is all about Crackle - Crackle paints and resists to be exact.  I don't have any of the Distress Crackle paints - except Rock Candy (which I luv and will now need to get more of!) so I used a combination of that Rock Candy and Claudine Hellmuth's Acrylic Paint.

Here's the three tags:

I have to admit, I found this challenging.  Although the resist technique on the left is one I've attempted before, the other two were completely new and I will need to practice some with the techniques.  I love the last tag's technique...just need the appropriate tools (more colours of Distress Stain!) and a different medium to adhere it to.  The middle tag may work better from my perspective both with Distress Crackle paint AND with an actual manilla tag!  Still, overall, I am happy with my first play, just need to do more :0)

So here are the close ups.  Tag 1 - Paint Dabber Resist

I only have a Snow Cap paint dauber but I really do like the look!

Tag 2 - Crackle Paint Resist

There is more going on here than you can really see from the photo.  It was a fun technique, I just need more practice and the right paper and paint.  The Rock Candy just makes it too glossy.

Tag 3 - Shattered Stains

Again, I love this technique!  I can think of so many applications for it.  My main problem here was my butterflies are made of balsa wood and the crackle was a little unhappy about sticking once it dried even though it was untreated wood.  Next time, I will prime it first; or use chipboard or grunge board (just didn't have either of those this time).  DEFINITELY will do this again!  Maybe very soon too :0)

So, Day 9 will be along shortly and then Day 10 for tonight...then, it's over!  *sigh*  Still, so much fun!

Thanks for taking the time to look!

xoxo

Kim