Cupid

Hi everyone!  Today I have a Valentine card I would like to share with you. Please put on some sunglasses and try not to cringe!  I was sowing some wild oats today, OK?

The challenges at Linda Ledbetter's Studio L3 challenge us to use Tim's techniques from his book Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 3.  Each fortnight Linda chooses one of Tim's techniques from his book and challenges us to come up with an original creation using that technique.  You have to work from your own book, though, so order your autographed book from Tim's website. You'll be happy you did!

Linda has chosen The Distress Watercolor Technique Part 2 on page 40 of CCV3, and the Curiosity Crew has Curiously Watercolored some special treats for your eyes.  Be sure to visit Studio L3 CC3 and then each of the Crew's blogs to see what awesome projects they have been working on!  You will be so inspired to make something of your own and link up.  And if your project is chosen as the Curiosity Crew's favorite, you will be awarded with an awesome assortment of Tim's products generously contributed by Tim and Mario.  And on top of that Linda Coughlin, owner of the well- appointed Funkie Junkie Boutique, has generously contributed a $25 shopping spree to her store for another lucky winner!  Her store has everything a crafter could want!

I've used Tim's Mini Blueprints 2 stamp set for my watercolored candy heart and Cupid layers. I followed Tim's instructions and used all products as outline on page 40.  I stamped an extra candy heart, colored it and fussy cut.  I did the same with the Cupid word and image and adhered them with foam tape to give even more of a shadow.

For the bottom most layer, I painted cardstock with gesso, allowed this to dry and applied alcohol inks to the felt applicator and splotched them over the card.  I spritzed with plain rubbing alcohol to blend.  When almost dry, I spritzed again with water. This is a new technique for me and am pleasantly surprised with the outcome.  This make the most amazing background, and the colors will react with first the alcohol and then the water in completely different ways.  Try it and you will be amazed! I almost did not want to cover it up, so I took a photo which of course never looks as good as in person.  When completely dry, I embossed with Tim's Valentine Texture Fade and swiped with Vintage Photo Distress ink, distressed the edges and more ink.

The candy heart layer was swiped through a puddle of Distress stains spritzed with water on my craft mat and after that I completed Part 2 according to the book.  The black layer under is paper stenciled with Tim's Gothic Stencil (I really do have other stencils!) and silver texture paste.  I was rushing, so I tried drying it with a heat gun and got really neat bubbles, but again, covered up!

I've used Tim's Paint Marbling technique on the "Bingo" layer  and a spritz with my hand poured Distress stain in Brushed Pewter, then embossed with another Tim Texture Fade.  I swiped on some Pumice Stone Distress ink to tone the colors down a bit and highlighted the number 14 with Picket Fence Distress Marker.  I've included a little twine for Frilly and Funkie's challenge "Be My Valen-twine" hosted by the uber- talented and creative Pamellia.

"Love is in the Air" at A Vintage Journey, and Astrid is the hostess this fortnight. She says

For this challenge please share what moves your heart with us, be it a Valentine's card for a loved one, a heart themed project, or something else that expresses what true love means to you. Just make sure that Tim's style is evident in what you make.

So, I am entering her most inspirational challenge with my Valentine card, inspired not only by the Creative Guides but by Tim Holtz through his techniques and his products which are so versatile that even a bingo card can fill in for a Valentine!

UPDATE:  I have great news to share with you!  first please see these updated photos.  I absolutely hated this as a card, and pulled the thing apart today and added a black embossed background (Darice EF) which I swiped with silver metallic rub to highlight the raised areas.  The CS I embossed is actually the packaging from the embossing folder--this is one of those new products, by the way. Then I found a nice old frame in my huge stash--it was greenish, and gave it a good wipe down with Distress Paints and stain on the trim.  I happen to think this is a world of difference for the better.

Still bright, but I think that has something to do with my lighting, which is horrible

 The Good News (for me, anyway) is I can  FINALLY upload photos from my phone.  You have no idea what a breakthrough this is for me, because I used to have to send them to my daughter, and she would have to upload from her phone.  This was NOT good for our relationship! (TeeHee!), especially at 12:30 am!  SO to celebrate, and to celebrate my win over at Tim's blog, I am giving away some goodies.  I'm not sure exactly what yet, but I know I have at least a duplicate new - in -package--old release Tim Holtz stamp set, and a new doily stencil (Prima, I believe) purchased after I already had one--no ones ever done THAT before, have they?  Buy a duplicate of something you already have?  I also would like to include some vintage ephemera I've copied (not copyrighted) and whatever else I can find.  I will enter your name in the hat for each comment you have made on my blog since the first post in January through February 14. Draw will be on February 15th and winner announced on Feb. 16. So if you happened to comment twice on one post, as a few have your name goes in twice for that post.  I really appreciate the love you leave me, so I would like to give back in some small way.

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I have to apologize for the less than desirable photos;  I was kind of short of time to create, photograph (and go through those hoops I had to go through to upload my photos) and post this in order to meet the deadline for CC3C which I'm kicking myself for missing last time. Thank you so much for taking your time to stop by and have a look.  Please know your comments always make me smile, and I'm happy to read and respond to every one of them!  Hugs and Blessings!

Sara Emily

I would like to enter my card into the following inspiring challenges:

Studio L3 Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge 20 Distress Watercoloring Part 2

Frilly and Funkie "Be My Valen-Twine"

A Vintage Journey Challenge 24 "Love Is In the Air"

The Artistic Stamper January Challenge "New Beginnings" New Mini Blueprints stamps used and new technique playing with gesso and alcohol inks and some reactives. A little bit of a new color palette for me!

Country View Challenges "Use Something New to You" Tried a new technique using gesso and alcohol inks and some reactives.  New stamps and a new color palette to try!

Inspiration Journal "Fresh Start" Fresh new color palette, new technique and new stamps used.


Sweet Stamps "Stencils and Paste"

Fashionable Stamping Challenge #90 "Numbers"