Friday, August 14, 2015

Never Give Up Compendium of Curiosities Final Challenge

Hello crafty friends!

It's been a while since I've been able to make anything in the Closet, so it is with great pleasure I get to enter the final Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge hosted by Linda Ledbetter. The final challenge is Layering Stencil: Monoprint found on page 48 of Tim Holtz' book A Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 3.  You can purchase your own copy autographed by Tim himself  here. Be sure to pop in Linda's blog to check out all the amazing inspiration from the Curiosity Crew, and then visit each of their blogs to get all the details on their great projects.  Of course, if you want to have some real fun, give Tim's monoprint technique a try yoursellf, and join in the challenge...you still have a few hours! There are two prizes you can win: one-- a huge pile of goodies donated by Tim and Mario, and the other, a generous shopping spree to The Funkie Junkie Boutique donated by the lovely Linda Coughlin, owner of the shop.

I chose to make a tag this time, and I had a lot of fun using a new color combination for me, as well as using my  Tim Holtz Ephemera Packs. I had my good blog friend and Anything But Cute Teamie, Branka aka Vintage Handmade, in mind as I was making this tag.  I made and sent her two birthday cards and neither of them arrived! I just knew the next thing I made would be in celebration of her birthday, even though that special day is months behind us now!  The bouquet is for her, the ephemera is self explanatory (or so I think) and the quote is for me! So Branka, this tag is to honor you, and if I ever get to the post office again, I will try one last time to get your birthday greeting to you! Because I never give up!


I can't tell you how to actually do the Layering Stencil Monoprint technique (that wouldn't be fair to Tim), but I can tell you I used Tim's Flourish Layering Stencil and Distress inks in Bundled Sage and Victorian Velvet. Here's a shot of the technique before I did anything else to my tag. I actually did this twice, but I used the Gothic stencil the first time, and was not pleased with my outcome.


You can skip down to the close up photos if you don't want to read through the process, but I failed to take any more photos until the tag was complete. I really have to apologize for the photo quality, too--my mobility is really limited at this time. As always, you can click on any image for a closer view.

After I did the monoprint, I placed my moth where I wanted it to go and  laid the stencil carefully back over the inked design, so now the "empty" spaces were exposed. Working around the moth, I used Wendy Vecchi's Crackled Texture Paste through the Flourish stencil in the areas devoid of color.(I wish I had taken a photo at this point, but I was on a roll and forgot. It looked so dimensional!) Once dry, I blended on Hickory Smoke Distress ink to expose the cracks.

I chose 5 pieces from Tim's Ephemera packs (I can't say exactly which ones I used--I have 3 packs, and they have kind of gotten jumbled since I dropped the entire mess on the floor! What a clutz!) I colored the moth using the same inks as the monoprint, and then swiped on some Antique Linen and Picket Fence distress paints.  I buffed Antique Linen distress paint on each of the remaining ephemera pieces except the bouquet and distressed each of the pieces with Hickory Smoke Distress ink. I wanted the moth, stamp, postcard and special delivery tag to blend  into the background, so they got the paint job. I wanted the flowers to become the  focal point, so I omitted the Antique Linen on that piece.  I hope I achieved my goal.


I adhered the moth in his snug place amongst the texture pasted flourishes, and the remaining three background pieces were adhered on TOP of the flourishes.  I chose a phrase from Tim's Small Talk sticker pack and distressed it with Hickory Smoke ink and the tiniest dab of Antique Linen paint and adhered it.


I distressed and inked the edges of my tag with Hickory Smoke ink, and gave the entire tag a coat of Multi Matte Medium. I allowed this to dry, and once dry, edged the background ephemera pieces and Small Talk stickers  with my Hickory Smoke Distress marker, and swiped with my finger to blend for a shadow effect. Then I took a little Picket Fence Distress paint and added some splatters to the back ground, before adding the bouquet with foam dots for dimension. The final  vintage touch is the Black Soot marker spritzed randomly on the background with Tim's Marker Spritzer.



I dyed a length of Tim's Crinkle Ribbon with Victorian Velvet and Bundled Sage Distress inks and Wild Honey Distress marker, spritzed and crinkled, dried slightly with a heat gun to stop the blending process and left to finish drying while I painted some metal Ideaology trinkets. These were fastened with a jump ring to the ribbon which I knotted at the top.

So, there you go, Branka!  I'm sorry my original cards never made it to your side of the globe, but I won't ever give up on you! Just the postal service!


I want to extend a huge thank you to Linda Ledbetter for organizing these challenges at Compendium of Curiosities 3 and the Curiosity Crew for all their hard work and lovely inspiration. There are so many things I've tried that I wouldn't have without the motivation of this challenge, all the great creative ideas from the Crew, and the creativity of the entrants in these challenges. Also a BIG thank you to Tim and Mario, Linda Coughlin at Frilly and Funkie, and Joy and her family at Inspiration Emporium for all their generous sponsorship of these challenges.

I would like to enter my tag into the following inspirational challenges:





Country View Challenges "Summertime" Nothing says summer like flowers and butterflies!

Vintage Utfordring Challenge #106 "Butterfly" I hope my moth resembles a butterfly!

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge "Homegrown Summer" The background reminds me of my late summer garden, all overgrown and a little bit tangled.  The flower bouquet and the flower embellishment remind me of some late blooming  coneflowers and  the roses on my trailing rose bush.

Thank you for visiting my blog today and for leaving all your encouraging comments!  I read and  truly appreciate each and every one of them!  Hugs and blessings!

Sara Emily

43 comments:

  1. Fabulous tag Sara - and what a gorgeous background. Glad to see you crafting x

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    1. Tee Hee! Just what's in arm's reach! I was so restricted on what I could use! And it took me all day, a few minutes at a time! And the post took the better part of today! Got to get those toes above the nose, and that's no way to craft! Thank you for your sweet words...I'm off to update you!

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  2. Amazing background Sara and a beautiful vintage tag. That's so sad the postman lost Brankas cards.
    Thanks for joining in the challenge at That Craft Place and A Vintage Journey, good luck.
    Julie x

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    1. I know; it was so frustrating! Those things you can't replace! Luckily, I took a few photos, and I know Branka knows my heart was in the right place.

      Thank you for your lovely comment about my tag! Hugs!

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  3. Lovely tag Sara Emily. Great tecnique and wonderful use of ephemera. Great to see you at the craft table. Nikki xx

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    1. Thank you, Nikki! It feels good mentally to get back at the craft table; not so good on the feet! But worth every second, for a positive outlook on things! Your visit means so much to me! Hugs!

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  4. Beautiful tag composition and monoprint technique, Sara! I love it! Thank you so much for sharing your art with us for these CC3 Challenges! You are so talented. I hope to see more of your art in the future!

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    1. Oh, Susan, you just made my day! I'm so happy you like my tag and it has been such a pleasure to be able to join in with the CC3 challenges! I've learned so much, and have been delighted to visit your blog to see your fantastic artwork in detail! Hugs!

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  5. Oh, my lovely friend, thank you soooo very much for this amazingly beautiful vintage tag! I am really honored and thrilled! You know how terribly sorry I am because of your missing cards :( and now you made me feel so happy, so special and so blessed! Thank you, my dear, for all your kind words, support and love! This tag is beyond stunning and it's the layering stencil monoprint technique at it's best! I wish you to win that final CC3 challenge!
    Lots of love and big hugs to you! Branka xxx

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    1. Hi, Branka! don't thank me yet! You're the sweetest! Sorry you had to see this before you got it, but then, at least you will know I'm trying! I still need to get the photos of the other 2 off my phone for you! Slow, but steady is the name of the game at the Barker home right now! You, my dear, really did inspire me to get into the Closet and make this! Thank YOU! Big hugs and lot's of love to you, too!

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  6. Sara...this is such a lovely, vintage style tag! Your monoprint background is just gorgeous. I love your color combination and the flourishes make for such a lovely vintage feeling. The way you've embellished the tag really does justice to the beautiful background. A perfect combination of butterflies, flowers and ephemera. Thanks so much for being a part of our CC3 Challenges and for the lovely comments you always left for me. <3 Candy

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    1. Awwww, thank you Candy! You always bring a great big smile to my face when you leave one of your comments!

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  7. What a gorgeous shabby chic tag, and what a gorgeous background too! I love it all, so elegant yet vintage! Thanks so much for joining in on this last challenge and all the challenges before at CC3C!!!

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    1. Thank you, Anita! It certainly was MY pleasure to join in any of the CC3 challenges that I could. It has been a great learning curve for me.

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  8. Your tag for Branka is so beautiful Sara, I just love the gorgeous background you created. Such a pity that your other makes went missing but this one is truly beautiful.

    Thanks so much for joining in our 'Wings and Things' challenge at A Vintage Journey. Hugs, Anne xx

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    1. Thank you, Anne! Well, one of those came back yesterday! Wow! My husband mailed it for me in May, and I had left some of the address off--totally my fault! But my records show I did use the correct address on the second one; it may just not have gotten there yet! Fingers crossed! But it's always fun to create something with someone special in mind!

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  9. You are such a doll Sara dear! I am sure Branka appreciates all you have done. She's a doll as well. This tag is super duper fantabulous and so well thought out. Love the vintage feel and the background is amazeballs. I do hope you are keeping that foot out of harms way dearie. Lol! Hope you have an amazing weekend! Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki

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    1. Niki, you always make me smile! Thank you for all your sweet comments and your support! Trying to avoid soccer at this time, especially with refrigerators! Big hug to you!

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  10. Beautiful vintage tag Sara, lovely stencil monoprint background and love your colour palette!

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    1. Thank you, Deb! I'm happy you like it, and thank you for stopping in! Made my day!

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  11. Stunning Sara!! Your tag has such a vintage garden feel to it, a little oasis made of paper!! Beautiful flowers and your background turned out so stunning!! Big hugs to you between box packing, tee hee. :)

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    1. Gosh, Pamellia! I know you are up to your elbows right now, so I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking time to leave this lovely message! Good luck with the packing, my friend! Hugs!

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  12. Such a pretty tag! The background is a work of art in itself. Thank you for sharing your work with us this week for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. ~Michelle

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    1. Oh, what a sweet thing to say, Michelle! Thank you! :)

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  13. Such a beautiful tag, Sara. I am so happy you showed us the background layer close up so we can appreciate its beauty. Love your added texture and crackle. Thank you for your participation in the CC3 Challenges and for your lovely comments along the way. Keep creating and inspiring!!

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    1. Thank you, Annette! Yes, the mono print layer kind of got lost among everything else! But a fun technique, and so happy I was able to squeeze something out for this last challenge at CC3!

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  14. Oh Bother! That really annoys me when the special mail never makes it to the other friend across the globe! I have had the same thing happen, although it showed it landed in their country- no tracking there after! I think those postal peoples are keeping our creations for themselves- dirty rats!! teeheee
    Your special tag for Branka is beautiful! As are you for still making another for her!
    Glad to see you creating again- how's that foot?
    love and hugs,jackie

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    1. Thank you for your sweet, but funny comment, Jackie! You always make me laugh out loud! I'll be sending you an e-mail today, to tell you the irony behind the story! One of Branka's cards didn't make it because of my dumb mistake! I sent it in May and it just came back to me yesterday! Hopefully, #2 will make it(as long as I wrote the address correctly!) Love and hugs to you!

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  15. OOOO I am just loving the soft color palette you used. The overall layout of this tag is so pleasing! You have a great flow that draws your eye from top to bottom.

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  16. Hey, Sara Emily! So glad you were able to play a little bit...it's good for the soul! I love that scrumptious background. Your backgrounds are always so lovely that I would have a hard time covering them up! Great job on this collage tag! Hugs!

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  17. This is a shabby chic piece of gorgeousness! I am in love with this...I love every little detail...thanks for playing along with us at Cc3C!

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  18. What a beautiful tag! Love your layering and the way the chit chat stickers pop in black. Thanks so much for your participation throughout the CC3C projects!

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  19. Sara - This is PERFECT.... the sentiment, the special delivery, the US, the bouquet... sure hope this one makes it to Branka!!! Love this story!!! This tag is a beauty - so love the background texture and colors. NEVER GIVE UP - is very inspiring to me today too - so thanks bunches for that!!!

    AND.... I tried to find a way to email you after the Anything But Cute Favorites came out but I failed to locate it... and I didn't know if it was appropriate to leave a message on a comment like this either but.... I just have to say how much it meant to me that I was included as your fav for the challenge. I am smiling now thinking of seeing my project there under your name. It was the very last one... and I was totally shocked after scrolling so far.... heheheheh!! So thank you from my heart Sara. I am praying for you to heal faster than expected and be back on your feet soon. Hugs. j.

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  20. That is absolutely right, Sara Emily!! It's never too late!! Of course not!! Fabulous tag for the last CC3 challenge!! OMG--You had me laughing about the story of you dropping your ephemera packs!! Not a clutz at all--now you've got one bigger collection of ephemera pieces :) I'm sure your DTeammie is going to LOVE this tag!! Good Luck at all of the challenges!! XOXO-Shari

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  21. Lovely tag with great details. Love it.
    Thank you for participating in Vintage challenge.
    hugs Monic

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  22. Absolutely stunning. Love your choice of ephemera -- definitely self-explanatory:) That background is gorgeous -- love the crackle paste on top of the monoprint technique. What a brilliant idea. Gorgeous color palette. I'm so glad you are back to crafting. -- Mary Elizabeth

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  23. Oh Sara, for some reason I've had a hard time finding your blog. Your comments always mean so much to me! This tag is fantastic!!!

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  24. WOW !! Your tag is stunning Sara...love the wonderful background and fabulous ephemera. I never took part in the CCC3 challenge but have enjoyed viewing the wonderful projects. x
    TFS and best wishes
    Annie xx

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  25. Wonderful creation of this tag Sara, , the colours and design are just gorgeous.xx
     {The Journey Is The Start  aNNie  my personal blog}

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  26. Such a pretty tag Thanks for playing along with us at country view crafts hugs Debs xx

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  27. What a gorgeous summer creation - and a fitting finale to the compendium challenge.
    Thanks so much for playing along at Country View Challenges, and for joining us on A Vintage Journey.
    Alison xx

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  28. Gorgeous, gorgeous tag! The background is beautiful! I love the colours you have chosen, so chic! Thank you very much for sharing it with us at Mixed Media World! Ingrid x

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Thank you for leaving your comments...they mean so much to me.