Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Gentlemen's Club

Good Morning!  I'm here today to share with you a vintage photo collage inspired by the one and only Tim Holtz.  I think he may have been snooping around my Closet when he came up with that vintage looking flip photo frame! I think Tim and I were separated at birth, except he is MUCH older than me (TEE HEE)! And honest to Goodness, my plan was to finally use my  vintage flip stand for the latest challenge at A Vintage Journey  before his new Idealogy debuted. I am lucky enough to have a vintage one in the shape of a frame, too, but it is in need of some repair work. Hoarding Saving that for another day.


Any-hoo, here is my take on take on the challenge to use a portrait.  I looked high and low for a beloved photo of my Dad on a pony taken when he was a boy, and guess when I found it? Yup, after most of my work was done.  Maybe that will go in the wooden frame mentioned above.  Instead I am using one of Tim's Found Relatives.  This one spoke to me...a Gentlemen's Club where one can only be admitted by special invitation and if you are of the male persuasion.  These fellas don't look too happy...maybe if they invited some WOMEN they would have far more FUN in their club!


The cards that came on this flip thingy were way too small for me to fit much of what I wanted to put on, so I cut one the right size out of card stock.  Twenty-twenty hindsight teaches me to choose a heavier weight card next time.  I used black texture paste and Tim's Gothic stencil for the background.  When dry I swiped on some Brilliance Lightning Black ink.  So hard to capture on the camera, and photos were taken at night, but there is this exquisite depth and shimmer to the background, making it look like old embossed leather.



Next, I carefully removed the backing from the Found Relatives card and added card stock to both resulting pieces.  I made a puddle of Brushed Pewter and Vintage Photo stains mixed with a spritz of water, and swiped the backing piece through that.  Blasted with the heat gun.  I chose which gentlemen I wanted in my frame, and splotched on alcohol inks (Caramel and Silver Mixative) to the remaining portions to give a look of the old tin-type photos.  (Very effective in real life; not so in the photos) I used Tim's Distress Photo Tinting technique from CC3 for the one particularly fine gentleman.

Please "scuse the glare!

I used of one of my new small cabinet cards for the frame, and after removing the back, I scuffed it with sandpaper, stamped with a few of Tim's images in Archival ink and textured it with my new silver Arto Texture Paste and Tim's Burlap stencil. I used a variety of Distress inks, stains and alcohol inks to achieve the look I was going for.

I backed some of Tim's filmstrip with his rub-ons and distressed the paper with DI's.  I inked up a brass clip thingy from my stash with alcohol inks and clipped a piece of cord in it.


I was so inspired by Brenda's Faux Rust tutorial that I had to give it a go on this project.  Only I had to try it with some different Ranger and Tim's products, as I didn't have the ones she used.  It's an awesome, easy to follow tutorial, so be sure to hop over and check it out if you love rust like I do! Pure inspiration!  I personally have never seen it done the way I made faux rust, and the outcome was purely found by experimentation, not from another source.  I would like to share it with you, but that will have to be in a future post.

I die cut grunge board using my new Hardware Findings die and used my rust technique on the key and lock.  I attached the lock with brads that I also gave a rust treatment. The pieces are to symbolize the exclusivity of the Club. The clip from Recollections and the Idea-ology drawer pull and brads also got "rusted".  I used a Tim rub-on for the tab in the drawer pull, and used Distress markers to color it.  The Idea-ology bingo marker was distressed using DI and adhered to the clip to mark the year of this photo-op.


I have to say it feels good to be back on grungy ground again after several shabby projects!  I know not everyone is into this sort of thing, but I'm quite happy with my reminder that I will never be invited into the Gentlemen's Club!


Thank you for stopping by and for all your lovely, heart-warming comments!  I read and deeply appreciate all your feedback! Blessings and hugs!

Sara Emily



I would like to enter this into the following inspiring challenges:

A Vintage Journey Challenge 23 "Use a Portrait" I think my Tim influence is written all over this!  Thank you for another great challenge!

Inspiration Journal "Fresh Start" My new products are in bold text.  Thank you for another great challenge!

Craft Hoarders Anonymous January Challenge "Choose Your Challenge"  Color medium: Ink, markers.  Fiber: cord.  Techniques: Stamping, die cutting, mixed media.  Texture: Embossing, metal.   Embellishment: Ephemera, brads, found objects (I found my stand at a yard sale!). Thank you for another great challenge!

Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #8 "Something New For the New Year"  My new products are in bold text.  I tried a new rust technique! Thank you for another great challenge!

Country View Challenges "Use Something New to You" My new products used are in bold text.  I tried a new rust technique!  Thank you for another great challenge!

Artist Trading Post Exchange "Fresh Beginnings" New products used in bold text.  I tried a fresh new technique and several other techniques that are new to me, but borrowed.  Thank you for this fun challenge!

The Artistic Stamper January's Challenge "New Beginnings" My new products are in bold text.  I tried a new rust technique! Thank you for another great challenge!

Paper Artsy Topic #2 "Shiny Stuff" My first time joining in!  Lots of shiny and not so shiny stuff on this! I was inspired by Linda Cains' box and the rusted elements on it.

The Mirror Cracked #5 Stencils I used Tim Holtz Burlap and Gothic Stencils on the Cabinet card and background respectively. Thank you for another great challenge!

65 comments:

  1. Wow, your piece is amazing! I love the layers, colors and textures you achieved! Thanks for joining us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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    1. Thank you, Glenda! I love the new challenge format at Craft Hoarders Anonymous--it challenged me to add that little piece of cord!

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  2. Wow what a great idea Sara, this is so vintage and perfectly Tim Holtz stylee, love your work hun, you always make incredible pieces!!
    Take care
    Georgie xx

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    1. And you always say the nicest things, Georgie! Thank you for making my day! Hugs!

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  3. Wow, amazing Sara, thanks for sharing your wonderful creations!

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    1. Thank you, Jan! Your visits and comments always make me smile (and want to join you with a little glass of wine!:))

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  4. Beautiful creation! Thanks for sharing with us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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    1. Donna, thank you so much! Great new challenge format at Craft Hoarders Anonymous! Especially the part going to monthly challenges!

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  5. Fabulous creation Sara, your faux rust is wonderful....just got diverted to the tutorial but popped back to say thanks so much for joining us at ATP Exchange. Ruth x

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    1. Thank you, Ruth! Isn't that an awesome instructional post? I can see I need to get more rusty colors in my arsenal!

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    1. Thank you, Rosie, and thank you for becoming one of my followers--although I really know nothing about that whole thing! I'm here to CRAFT!

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  7. Holy cow Sara, outstanding!! First of all, I have now added silver texture paste to my wish list, second of all...best use of hardware findings EVER, your rust turned out incredible!! I just love the vintage feel to this, it's like a page out of an old western album that you find in the attic of an abandoned hotel (that's a compliment btw)!

    I have bookmarked this page for inspiration!! You're the best, my friend! hugs :)

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    1. Pamellia, there you go making my face hurt from chronic smile syndrome (CSS, which is different from my other sydrome, CRS--who did you say you were again???) Ha! Ha! E-mail me if you aren't familiar with CRS) I took it as a compliment! And bookmarked, eh? Woo Hoo! I'm happy you liked it! And no, I am thinking it is YOU who is the best! :) Hugs!

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  8. Wow Sara, sometimes I wish I was you! So creative, very inspirational!
    Hugs
    Jan x

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    1. Awe, Jan, that is so sweet! thank you! I'd still like to have that glass of wine with you! :):)

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    2. Where do you live? I am sure we could meet up and crack a bottle and talk for hours! X

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  9. Your project is totally awesome - don't ya just love those flip frames? You did a fabulous job. I hope you will stop by my blog to see what I did with mine for the new challenge, Love is in the Air. Thank you so much for sharing your masterpiece with us at A Vintage Journey.

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    1. Wow, Sandy, thank you for your comment, but how can you say that after making that magnificent 2 year calendar out of yours!!!!? I really had such a great time with your theme for this challenge at A Vintage Journey! Hugs!

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  10. Well Sara that just takes the biscuit! I LOVE your vintage frame and you've created a masterpiece to sit in it. So completely Tim, I'm sure he'd be all over this if he got to see it irl. Thank you for joining us at A Vintage Journey. Jenny x

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    1. Jenny, what a lovely comment! It is the icing on the cake after having such a great time with this and my next project for A Vintage Journey Use a Portrait. I'm sure I'd be all over Tim if I got a chance to see him!! Ha! Ha! All in good fun, Tim, in case you or anyone you know (or my husband) reads this! Ha! Ha, again!

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    2. I bet Tim would be thrilled to hear this news (that you'd be all over him I mean) and I suspect you're not the only one standing in that queue! For my part I'd love to borrow his brain/imagination for just one week... Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my Winter trees. I'm glad it evoked such good memories for you. Can't possibly ask for more. Jenny x

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    3. Amen on borrowing his imagination for a week (or two for us slow learners!):)

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  11. Wow Sara this is absolutely gorgeous! Your rusting is perfect, and your whole project is just stunning! I agree they would have far more fun if they let ladies into their club lol. Thank you so much for joining in with our challenge at Country View Crafts, and have a fab weekend. Sue xx

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    1. OK, Sue, NOW you've done it! I have to go to work and I'm never getting out the door with this big fat head you've given me! :) Thanks so much for making me smile with your lovely comment! Hugs!

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  12. Sara Emily, I am droolling! Even before I read the text in your blog (I'm like an impatient child....I always go straight to the photo array and ooh and ahh over all the photos...then I go back and read your marvelously entertaining text) I was saying to myself...this looks like a vintage tintype photo in leather frame...how dis she DO that???? So impressed! I love the subtlety of your use of metallics...and swiping everything with black was a brilliant move. This is just beyond gorgeous. You really go beyond with your use of techniques, and that is why I love your work so much. Just. Fabulous! Just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing with us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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    1. Wow, Kathy! Just when I think my head is blown up the size of a blimp, you go making it bigger! Your comment truly makes me smile; I'm so happy you got the image of a tin type photo in the leather frame. That was what I was going for, so glad it gets seen that way by at least one viewer! This is just one of those projects that was a blast to make and so happy you are enjoying the techniques I've used--it's your love of old things! Thank you so much for making my day, and so far, my 2015! Hugs!

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  13. Oh, and I laughed out loud at the "men only" comment. They had no idea what they were missing out on, did they? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

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  14. What a gorgeous collage. I love how you used all the elements and layered them. Thanks so much for joining us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.

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    1. I'm so happy you like it, Donna, and pleased to get your sweet comment!

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  15. Wow Sara I just love, love, love this piece of amazing art from you. There is so much inspiration in this piece, the wonderful layers, the clever repetition of the men in the background and you experimented with faux rust too. Such a great job. Thanks for joining us at A Vintage Journey. hugs Brenda xxx

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    1. Thank you for your great comment--it makes me feel wonderful coming from such a talented artist as you! Your rust tutorial was fabulous AND inspiring! Thank you for all the great ideas to try! I've got to add to my arsenal! Hugs!

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  16. What a wonderful project for the AVJ Portrait challenge Sara - wonderful layers and techniques on this - and what a great hanger to display it on! Thanks so much for joining our challenge!!

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    1. thank you so much Julia! What a wonderful comment! I couldn't wait to put the hanger to use, and this was the perfect challenge to get me inspired to create just the thing for it!

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  17. A glorious project, Sara - with such attention to detail. The tinted chap is splendid, and I love your rusty ornamenting - brilliant! Thanks so much for playing along at The Artistic Stamper, Country View Challenges, PaperArtsy and for joining us on A Vintage Journey!!
    Alison xx

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    1. Thank you, Alison! I was so happy to be able to link it up to all these great challenges! I'm happy you like the rusting, and my daughter thinks the chap looks like her Dad! Ha! Ha! Maybe in a few years!

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  18. Totally awesome design and so inspirational, love it. Thanks for joining in the challenge at AVJ and good luck.
    Julie x

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    1. thank you, Julie! What a great compliment coming from you! It was a joy to finally get a project together for the Use a Portrait challenge at A Vintage Journey!

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  19. Your vintage flip frame is fabulous and I love how you decorated your hanging piece, the rusting, the layering, the ageing - everything. It is stunning and I too, think they would have much fun if they let ladies in! Thanks so much for joining in at Inspiration Journal and also A Vintage Journey. Anne x

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    1. Thank you, Anne! Ha! Ha! You're so right! Those guys! Thank you for making me laugh, and for your very generous praise! It was a pleasure to join in both these challenges!

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  20. Huge congrats Sara for your very worthy AVJ win! Ruth x

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  21. Huge congrats Sara for your very worthy AVJ win! Ruth x

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    1. Thank you, Ruth. That really means a lot to me!

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  22. Congratulations on your win at A Vintage Journey!! This is just such an amazing project, how could they not pick it as the winner!! So proud of you! big hugs :)

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    1. Awe, Pamellia! That's so nice! Thank you! Hugs!

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  23. I have just spent another fun filled time reading through how this little beauty came to life.

    Thanks so much for joining us again!

    Lin
    The Mirror Crack'd

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    1. Thank you Lin! I'm happy you enjoyed reading about my Gentlemen portrait!

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  24. Love your vintage project. All the elements you have added go really well together! Thanks for joining us in this month's Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

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    1. Thank you so much, Lynn! It was my pleasure to enter this month's challenge at Mixed Media Monthly Challenges!

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  25. This is beautiful. Thanks for joining the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

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  26. Hey Sara I am LOVING your work! You are amazing! xx

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    1. Thank you, Cathryn! What a compliment coming from you! I had a peek at your moth/crap tin and it is MARVELOUS! Had a good laugh, too!

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  27. well now this is just TOO cool! love the piece you created. and yes.. those men definitely need some women in their lives to put a smile on their faces! Thank you so much for playing with the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!
    -Rachel
    rwkrafts.com

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    1. Rachel, what a great compliment! You said a mouthful about those poor sad men!

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  28. Gorgeous, how lovely!!! Love all the textures and amazing details. Thanks for joining us on the Craft Hoarders Blog.

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    1. Thank you, Pammejo! Your comment makes me happy!

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  29. love the elements going on here!! Thanks for joining our challenge at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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    1. Thank you for visiting, Wendy and for your kind words!

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  30. Gorgeous creation, Sara. I agree with everyone here, whatever praise they have for your creation. :)
    Thanks for joining us at The Mirror Cracked Challenge.

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    1. Thank you, Shilpa, and thank you for becoming one of my newest followers!

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  31. You never disappoint! This is another stunning design. I love the old stand and the portrait. All the layers. Vintage grungie goodness! Thanks for playing along in the Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge!

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    1. Wow, Gloria, thank you for such generous praise! I always look forward to your heart warming comments!

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  32. Nice post. This blog is so helpful for the user those want to know about the gentlemens club. Thanks for sharing the valuable information.

    Gentlemens Club

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