Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Happy Anniversary, Kathy!

Hello everyone!  I will preface this post with an apology for any typo errors that you may see!  I'm changing my name to the Frantic Crafter today, because we are having an icy day with freezing rain, despite the fact that it is 28 degrees!  Ice here always means loss of power, and who knows when it will come back on!  So I'm trying to use my power while I have it!

I made this card for my friend, Kathy, who is coming up on her one year anniversary of opening her art store here in town.  It's been a rough, but exciting year for her, full of firsts and ups and downs.  I wanted to make her a wall hanging to celebrate getting through that first year.  I was inspired by a few of my favorite challenge blogs in making this-- the uber-talented Brenda over at A Vintage Journey  is hosting a "Special Numbers" challenge this fortnight, so in addition to the obvious "one" for the anniversary, I've tried to incorporate a few more of Tim's numeral products.  And he has quite an arsenal!  If you need to mark a special occasion, Tim has you covered!


The Alphabet Soup challenge over at Artist Trading Post is to use letters (or numbers as an option) when you create your mixed media masterpiece. I might not have gone to the degree that they are looking for, but it seems like a fun challenge anyway!


One of my favorite challenge blogs is Linda Ledbetter's  Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge where she guides us to page 62 of our Hymnals-- I mean,  Tim's book A Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 3.  There we find that Tim has produced yet another amazing tool--the Dimensional Cutting pad, and he gives us tips on how to use it!  My, I did not realized how versatile this cutting pad is!  I must have tried it with every one of my Tim dies that it looked like it would work with, and some that didn't!  My recycle pile is growing quite high!  If you want to join in the fun, make sure to visit each of the Crew's inspiring blogs and leave them some love, because they certainly deserve it!  And if you are into winning some goodies supplied by Tim and Mario, or would like to be a lucky winner of a very generous $25 shopping spree to the Funkie Junkie Boutique donated by the fabulous and really nice owner Linda Coughlin, be sure to link up your entry. You will be rewarded with an awesome assortment  of Tim's goodies  if you are picked as the Curiosity Crew's Choice or if you are the lucky draw, you will get to go shopping compliments of Linda! This is a win-win challenge any way you go, because even if you don't bring home the goodies, you will get to try something NEW and fun!  That's what it's really all about, anyway, right? You will need to have your own copy of  Tim's book to work from, and you can get it  here, signed by the craftmaster himself.

So let's get started, before we run out of time!  I used my favorite Tim Bigz die that comes with it's companion Texture Fade and the Dimension cutting pad, following Tim's instructions.  Lots of Distress inks, stains and paint to color the background, spritz and flick with water, my one and only Distress ink spray, some stamping with Tim's stamps (more numbers!), texture paste and stencils (TCW and Dylusions) and more stamping (see the dots with the tiny numbers?) ink and paint to tie it all together.



 I cut an extra butterfly, and finagled that in there, too. I used Tim's clockwork Texture Fade on that one, some ink and spritz and flick, and tucked it behind the top layer. I chose to use clocks to represent the time that, for me, has flown by since Kathy first hung her shingle.


I used some watercolor paper,  the numbers stamp from the new Perspective set, and more ink for what's under the wings. Notice the colors go from dark to light, signifying there are better days ahead for my friend's business, peeling away the dark layers to reveal  bright days ahead.


I used some glue dots to keep the wings lifted, and yes, I inked the back of the wings, too!


These numbers are repeated several times around the background, but I forgot to get a shot of them.

 My only embellishments are Tim's Framed Alpha Parts altered using his  Altered Surfaces technique from the same book.  The arrow makes a fine butterfly body and points up, because I want Kathy to know that things are looking up.  The "one" embellishment was tied on with vintage string.




That's it for now! Thank you for stopping by and leaving your wonderful comments.  They make me smile! I read and appreciate every single one of them, and eventually respond to every one. Hugs!

Sara Emily

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

Linda Ledbetter's Studios L3 Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge #22 "Another Dimension--Dimensional Cutting Pad"

A Vintage Journey "Special Numbers" I'm inspired by Tim's techniques from his book and in all his different products used here.

Artist Trading Post Exchange "Alphabet Soup"

Inspiration Journal "Love is in the Air" I love my butterflies, and they are usually found in the air!

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge "No Rules!" I'm not going to pass up an opportunity to create without rules!

Craft Stamper Take It, Make It February Challenge "Stencilling" I've used 3 stencils on this with paste, then ink and stamping through the stencil.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge "Add a Little Texture"

Open Minded Crafting Challenge #30 "Up In the Air"


54 comments:

  1. What a wonderful gift for your friend, Sara - she will treasure it! And it's perfect for our "texture" challenge, too! Thanks for sharing it with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!

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    1. Thank you, Lin! It is such a pleasure to read your comment!

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  2. This is gorgeous, and a fabulous gift. Thank you for joining in with the Craft Stamper TIMI challenge ..... good luck! Linda xx

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    1. Linda, thank you for your lovely compliment! It is my pleasure to join in with the Craft Stamper challenge!

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  3. I love your work! The colours are perfect and I enjoy looking at all the details. Your friend will be so pleased to receive the card, bet she frames it for the shop. Jan x

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    1. Awww, thank you, Jan! And I love that you pop in and leave one of your smile making comments! You have certainly made my day! Hugs!

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  4. Oh your friend is going to love this, it's such a thoughtful gift!! I love the colour and splatters and the ingenious way of attaching the No.1 to the board. Hugs, Georgie xx

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    1. Another bloggy friend! Georgie, it makes me so happy when you visit and leave one of these sweet comments! Thank you for your incredible support, my friend! Hugs!

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  5. What a fabulous story attached to this beautiful gift .Each element has it own connection .Love all the detail . Thanks for sharing on Open-Minded Crafting Fun challenge .

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    1. Thank you for your visit and wonderful compliment, Shirley-Anne! It was my pleasure to join up at Open-Minded Crafting for my first challenge there!

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  6. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! So many wonderful colours and textures here Sara and they are all blended together in such perfect harmony!! Love your layered butterfly, I really need to get me that die!!!!! You have hit it out of the park again my friend! Can't wait until your next creation, big hugs :)

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    1. Pamellia, you have gone and made my day, again! Thank you for always finding the nicest things to say to make me smile! I can not wait to see what you do with this die! I'm sure it will be amazing! Hugs!

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  7. LOVE the multi layer and embossed butterfly! Wonderful color too! Thanks so much for joining us on this dimensional challenge at CC3Challenge!!!

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    1. Thank you, Anita! What a fun challenge this one was! And I'm so happy you at CC3 motivated me to open this dimensional cutting pad up and use it!

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  8. This card is BEAUTIFUL, Sara! Loving all that texture!! Your friend will adore it!
    Thanks for joining us at the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge!

    ~Hugs~
    Chelsey
    Simon Says Stamp

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    1. Thank you so much, Chelsey! What a wonderful compliment! Hugs!

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  9. What a lovely friend you are. Your wall hanging is wonderful and I'm sure Kathy loves it. Such great textures and colors. Thanks so much for joining us here at
    A Vintage Journey.

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  10. Fabulous creation Sara - love the spritzing and textures. Nikki xx

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    1. Hi Nikkie, thank you for visiting! It seems you and I were of the same mind on using both the butterfly die and the numbers from the Perspective set. Love your tag!

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  11. What a stunner! Kathy will be thrilled to receive this. Thanks for sharing this with us at Open-Minded Crafting "Up in the Air' challenge. The texture and colors and just amazing.

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    1. Why thank you you so much, Kathy! I'm happy you like it!

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  12. Hi there Sara, I saw this post yesterday and was admiring the photos of your project so much that I ran out of time on my break, so did not have time to comment...so here I am now: THIS IS A MASTERPIECE!!! That layered butterfly looks magical!! Love that layer with embossed clocks, and the colors you used are so pretty and make me go aaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwww all the time! I like the way you displayed number 1, so very cool!!! I am sure you already know that, but let me tell you: You are one amazing artist!!!
    Have a great evening and keep on crafting :)

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    1. Wow, Samra! I'm speechless! You have just made my month with this wonderful compliment! I'm so sorry your break got used up so quickly, but it is so sweet of you to come back and comment! I'm sure happy you did! I'm very pleased you like my butterfly! It is my favorite die! Thank you again, for your very heart warming words! Hugs!

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  13. What a beautiful project. Jacqui DT Open Minded Crafting Fun Challenges

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  14. Beautiful piece - your friend will love it! The extra embossing on the butterfly wings and the wonderful dimension you achieved are fabulous! Great job! Thanks for playing along with us for this challenge!

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    1. Thank you, Susan! You always have the nicest things to say!

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  15. Gorgeous Sara, thanks for joining us for the TIMI Challenge xoxox

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  16. Fabulous piece of collaged art Sara I'm sure your friend will love it

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  17. Love all the different color distress that you used for this creation. Thanks for sharing on the Open-Minded Crafting Fun Challenge #30 - Up In The Air.

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    1. Thank you, so much, Robin! I sure did use a lot of different Distress colors!

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  18. Hi Sara.....What a beautiful job you've done on Tim's butterfly and the dimensional cutting pad! Your colors are gorgeous together and I really like the random small splatters you've done on the face of your card. The other dimensional elements you've added really compliment the butterfly. Those uplifted wings, revealing the colorful embossed design underneath really look amazing! Thanks for sharing with us at CC3C. <3 Candy

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    1. Hello, Candy! You have just made my day with this lovely comment. Of all the dies I had, I thought the dimensional cutting pad worked it magic best on this butterfly. I had lot's of fun with this challenge! So happy to have played along; otherwise that cutting pad might still be laying at the bottom of the drawer--neglected! Stay warm!

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  19. Dimensional cutting pad??? Must go and check that out as not seen or heard of it before today lol! You have used your dies and embossing folders beautifully. The twine and buckle under your butterfly reminds me of a kite, perfect for imagining your butterfly taking off from your card.

    Your friend is a very lucky Lady :-) x

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    1. Thank you for your wonderful words! Great image of the kite string! Love it! I found my dimensional cutting pad at Hobby Lobby early this year (2015). I had not heard of it before then, and I hadn't read the how-to part in Tim's book yet when I found it. Just knew I would need it:)!

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  20. Wow Sara, your butterfly is stunning (both layers!) and I really like the story behind the light and shade part of it. I am sure your friend Kathy will be touched by your thoughtfulness. Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful hanging with us at Inspiration Journal!

    Thank you too for joining in at A Vintage Journey. Anne xx

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    1. Anne, again, thank you for your very generous praise! I know Kathy will be tickled pink! She's a real sweetheart and one of my biggest fans, and me, one of hers! Hugs!

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  21. Stunning as always Sara :-) wonderful layers and details that I am sure your friend will treasure.

    Great to have you join in at ATP this fortnight
    Hugs Annie x

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    1. Annie, you always say the nicest things! Thank you for putting a huge smile on my face! Hugs!

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  22. So amazingly gorgeous. Love seeing peopleʻs mixed media projects!! Thanks for playing along at Open-Minded Crafting Fun Challenges!!

    lovies, =o) kel

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  23. This has to my favourite of yours Sara! I love the background again and the extra details you added to it which peek out from behind your butterfly, make it very special. I think your surface splatters give a great layer and of course, your butterfly is a stunner! Thanks so much for joining us at ATP Exchange. Juliax

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  25. Apologies Sara, I commented twice in error! It was worth coming back though to see that beautiful butterfly! Anne xx

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    1. That's Ok, Anne! The more the merrier! It looks like you have quite the stunning butterfly at Inspiration Journal, and I can't wait to get by to your blog to see all the details! It's GORGEOUS, and I hang my head in shame with mine!

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  26. I am so please your friend has made it through the first year of her shop , they say it's the hardest one, so good luck to her for the future. Love your mottled background and pretty butterfly, I am sure it is well loved by your friend too. Thanks for linking it to A Vintage Journey.
    hugs Brenda xxx

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    1. Thank you for your sweet comment, Brenda! Hugs!

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  27. I love your layered textured butterflies, Sara - what a fantastic card to celebrate your friend Kathy's success.
    Alison xx

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  28. Wow Sara what a beautiful piece of art! I'm sure your friend was very happy receiving this. Love it! Karen.x

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    1. Thank you, Karen! This is a wonderful comment from you! I really admire your art, so this is very special to me!

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