Special Day

Thank you for stopping by.  Today I made a Father's Day card of sorts for my step-father, Earl, who passed away  four years ago.  It seems like yesterday, and I miss his slow, kind, gentle manner a lot. I will send his card to my Mom, and have her put it on his final resting place in Florida.  The inside reads "Time heals the sadness in my heart, but does not erase the memory of you".

I was inspired by the great Tim Holtz after re-reading his Compendium of Curiosities One and Two for the hundredth time (I don't have Vol. Three yet, but would make a great gift...hint, hint).I used his Extreme Masking technique, Perfect Distress technique, and Rusted Grunge technique (slightly modified) from Vol. One and Faded Layers from Vol. Two.  Oh, I also used the Spritz and Flick Distress technique (Vol. Two). I'm sure I used more of his techniques, but I've probably been using them so long I've forgotten they are his. (Sorry, Tim.)

                                             

I've used many stamping images on this piece, but my main image is a pocket watch stamp from an unknown source.  I started organizing my stamps long before I ever knew I would be letting the world see my work, and discarded the packaging. Other stamps are Pocket Watch (Stampa Rosa), The Car (Stampington & Co.), Post Mark (Stampcraft), Sentiments (Stampin' Up and Kelly Panacci-Time Flies) and Tim Holtz Urban Grunge and Grunge Cirque (Stampers Anonymous).

Dies used:  Tim Holtz Bigz Old Jalopy and Weathered Clock.

I've used several Ranger products on this, as well, including Distress Inks, Stains, and Embossing Powder, Adirondack embossing powder, Perfect Pearls powders, Mini Mister, Distressing Tool, and Ink Blending Tool.

Other Products:  Versa Mark ink, TH Tissue Tape and masks and masking material, manila cardstock, mesh fiber purchased at a yardsale, watch crystal and old chain. Somehow, I always seem to find junk lying around my closet that is just the thing to finish off a piece (found the watch crystal and chain when looking for the clock hands in my junk drawer).

I used the Extreme Masking technique for my background. This is the first time I've used this technique and the first time I've made my own mask using the masking material. I used the Old Jalopy die to make the mask--very simple.  I used the pre-made Flourish mask at the top of the panel.You can read about this masking technique in Tim's book. I might have tweaked his technique just a tiny bit...you know, you get going...I think the masking gives my card a lot of depth, but I should have probably gone a little darker on the bottom of the jalopy to give more definition.  I had more definition on my first attempt, but I also had a big dark spot of unknown origin, so into the round file that went.

I stained the Tissue Tape with Distress Peeled Paint stain, and "rusted"  the die cut clock hands using the Rusted Grunge (modified) technique. I already had these in my junk drawer, and they were not made out of grunge. I did not have Vintage Photo Distress embossing powder, so I substituted Antique Linen Distress e.p. and double embossed using the Adirondack clay e.p. on the top. Followed the rest of the directions to the letter. I think it looks rusty. Points for trying. (It actually looks a little green, but then all the colors seem to be a little off in these photos.)

The clock was made using the Perfect Distress technique, and I added the watch crystal.  I assembled the clock hands, clock, chain and black mesh-like stuff (I had to squish that so the sentiment, other pocket watch and post mark would show. I distressed the edge of the panel with the Distress Tool and added it to a parchment card base.  Curled one corner--saw this on another blog, but I honestly cannot remember who to give credit to.  You know who you are.

I really enjoyed the challenge of trying new (to me) techniques, but rushed through more than I would have liked, so I can get this card in the mail to make it in time for Father's Day.  Earl, I hope you know I'm thinking about you, and I love you. (Sniff). I miss you so much!

I'm entering this in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge-Father's Day/Masculine
Vintage Journey Challenge 7 Get Some Texture
Frilly and Funky For All Our Fathers Challenge
It's All About the Vintage and Beauty Challenge #70 Uses Dies
Country View Challenge Only Men Allowed
Fashionable Stamping Challenge #74 Like Clockwork

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