Life Is...

Happy Friday!  I'm here with a last minute entry for  Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge at Studio L3   where Linda and the Crew are challenging us to make something using Tim Holtz' Smudged Stamping technique.  This technique can be found on page 42 in  Tim's  Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 3.  Tim and Mario have provided a massive pile of goodies for whomever the Curiosity Crew chooses as the Curiosity Crew's Choice, but there's also a random winner, and this  time it's sponsored by the lovely Linda Coughlin owner of The Funkie Junkie Boutique.  You could win a generous $25 shopping spree to The Funkie Junkie Boutique if you are the lucky winner!

I can't reveal the technique (them's the rules!), but you can read all about it in your own copy of Tim's book which you can get here on Tim's website. I can tell you what products I've used (listed at end of post), colors I've selected, and I'll even tell you how I was able to achieve that great rust using some products I have on hand, and also how I made my bottom layer.

Let's get started!  The bottom layer is made from Tim's Kraft Core card stock. I spritzed the kraft side of it with Ranger Perfect Ink Refresher, rubbed it in real well to make the card feel like soft leather.  I crumpled and wrinkled it, smoothed it out, and left it to dry.  Next,  I sanded the colored side of the card to highlight the wrinkles.  Lastly, I used an ink blending tool with Distress inks to finish it off.  I hand cut the panel into a tag shape, and die cut two of Tim's Pediments and glued them to the tag shape panel top and bottom.

For the tag, I followed Tim's instructions for Smudged Stamping exactly as it is outlined on page 42 using several of his clocks and umbrella man images.  I then spritz and flicked, put a little Stormy Sky Distress stain on my craft mat, misted it ever so slightly until it beaded up, allowed it to dry a tiny bit, and then laid my tag face down into it to get the effect of raindrops. To get some more droplets, I blended Distress ink in the same color randomly through a Prima raindrop stencil.  Every umbrella man needs some rain, doesn't he?

I stamped Tim's quote and Tutu image using Archival jet black ink, and colored in the tutu using Distress markers and a water pen.  The "L" in "life" was just screaming to be colored in, so I used Picket Fence Distress marker to color it.  While the marker was in my hand, I made a few random dots for more rain effect.

I added some Remnant Rubs stars,  and a Thrift Shop ephemera tag inked and spritzed with my Distress marker spritzer and Walnut Stain Distress marker. I also added metal Idea-ology tiny gears and monocle.  I painted the monocle with Black Soot and Gathered  Twigs Distress paints, threaded a ball and chain from my stash through it and used it to highlight the dancer.

Here's how I rusted my tiny gears:  I tapped on some Black Soot and Rusty Hinge Distress paints, dried, and dabbed with Ranger embossing dabber, sprinkled randomly with Distress powder, and shot it with my heat gun. I then threw in a load of laundry so I wouldn't be tempted to pick them up while they were still hot. Pure magic and love the "rust"! Sorry for the blurry close up photos--I only have my camera on my phone.

Well, I think that covers it!  This is a really fun technique that can be used in so many ways as is evidenced by the variety of wonderful creations made by the uber-talented Curiosity Crew!  Be sure to get yourself over to Studio L3 CC3C to soak in all that inspiration, and then visit each of the Crew's blogs.  You will not be disappointed!

On an ironic side note: while I was busily crafting my Life tag wrinkling up Kraft Core, and figuring out what Idea-ology pieces to use--"aha! a monocle!", Pamellia was one step ahead,already posting her magical vanity on which she used some of these very same materials! I took a little break at 2 am, after I was done my tag, and checked my e-mail on the way to bed.  I resisted, but clicked on that message from My Little Craft Things. At 3 am, I was finally able to pick my chin up off the floor and scurry up to bed for 2 hours of sleep.  I would like to coin a phrase "Two great minds think alike".  Perhaps we think alike, but there is NO ONE that can carry out those thoughts like the one and only PAMELLIA! I love the way you think, Pamellia, but I am in awe at how you create! It is a blessing to be able to view your work!

Thank you so much for stopping by today, and for all your wonderful comments!  I read and appreciate every single one! Please have a great weekend! Hugs!

Sara Emily

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

Studio L3 Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge #26 "Smudge Stamping"

A Vintage Journey "Through the Looking Glass"

Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #11 "April Showers" I incorporated rain in the form of stenciled droplets, stain droplets and marker dots. A little more watery effect from spritz and flick.

Our Creative Corner "Color Your World" Our spring started out very dreary with lots of rain, and when not raining, just stormy skies.  Much of the tropical foliage had browned due to an unusually cold late winter for these parts. These colors are my inspiration for my project. Thank Goodness, the true colors of spring here are stating to emerge.  Maybe a more colorful project in the near future?

Stamps and Stencils "Anything Goes"

Inspiration Journal "Everything Goes"

A Sprinkle of Imagination "Anything Goes"

That Craft Place Challenge "Alter Something" I "rusted" metal embellishments and made card stock into "leather"

Country View Challenges "Use Kraft Card"

Products: Stamps: Tim Holtz Little Things, In Dreams, Good Thoughts, Enjoy the Journey, and Imagined

                Metal:  Idea-ology except ball and chain

                Stencil: Prima

                Tim Holtz Thrift Shop Ephemera Pack, Elements Remnant Rubs, Kraft Core Nostalgic Collection

                Ranger: Tag, Perfect Ink Refresher, Jet Black Archival Ink, Embossing Dabber

                Distress:  Marker spritzer;  markers-Picket Fence, Walnut Stain, Tumbled Glass;  Stain-Stormy Sky;  Paint-Black Soot, Walnut Stain, Gathered Twigs;  Ink-Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Rusty Hinge, Chipped Sapphire, Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky