12 Tags of 2016-April-Technique Remix-Faux Mosaic-Paint Resist

Hello crafty friends! Here it is almost the end of the month, and until yesterday, I still had no idea on how I was going to create Tim's April Remix tag, other than I knew I wanted the mosaic portion to look like the blue Transferware I collect. I had none of the products listed on hand or in the local craft stores, as usual, but out of necessity comes creativity!

I used Tim's old Motif paper stash for the background, and followed his instructions here to the letter.  Love those flicks and splatters! Here's Tim's inspirational tag. I've got to get my hands on that Distress Woodgrain Cardstock, because it sure looks like REAL wood on Tim's tag!

While I have plenty of BIGZ dies I could choose from to make the mosaic portion, I wanted to use the new-to-my-local craft store Detailed Butterflies Thinlits die. I found this while I was out looking for the woodgrain cardstock the other day.  Still a productive craft store shopping trip! To do the mosaic technique you need a sturdy surface to apply the grout to. Thinlits do not cut heavy chipboard, so I found a tissue box in my trash, and used that.  I cut two of each of the "background" butterflies that come in the 4 die set, and glued the die cut pieces together for a sturdy surface.

I had to make my own grout, but I won't spoil the fun for Tim, and tell you what I used.  Let's just say if you are into baking, you probably have this ingredient. That and two craft room staples, and you have grout! Judging from Tim's wonderful video, I think I will invest in some of his grout--it would be much neater and easier to use!

To make my Transferware pattern, I used a stamp from Tim's Flights of Fancy set and inked in Cobalt Archival ink. I stamped on gesso coated card-- first and second generations so I could get 2 shades of the blue you see on the Transferware. I used Archival ink, because I wanted to use Distress Crazing to give it that aged look.  Unfortunately, even though I dried my ink, the Crazing brought out a little pink tones from the Archival. I tested using Distress Blueprint ink first and even more pink tones came out. After drying the Crazing medium, I swiped on Antique Linen Distress Crayon with my finger. Note to self:  "take your time-spread like peanut butter, and you will get nice fine cracks". I spread mine too thin, but didn't have time to re-do. Still, I think having the extra body made it easier to cut the little shapes.  You can see my experiment with Blueprint Sketch Distress ink and Vintage Photo crayon n the left corner of the paper in photo below. I have enough stamped paper left to try another project!

I followed the rest of Tim's instructions to make my mosaic butterflies. I'm still happy with the end result, but this stuff about it being "therapeutic" gluing on those tiny scraps is certainly not my point of view! I'm a glue phobe to start with, and half blind, so this was not FUN for me, but the end product is certainly worth every second spent! Maybe it's time for readers!

I stamped another image from the same set in Jet Black Archival on the background, added a few Remnant Rubs and a Vial Label blended with Antique Linen ink. A word token was colored with Picket Fence Distress Crayons. I love these crayons, and now have all the colors! More colors please, Tim! I attached the token to my old stash of Tim trimmings using a Loopy pin.  The trimming was colored using the same colors as the background.

Great techniques, and a real treasure of a tag! Can't wait to see what Tim has in store for us next month!

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

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2016-April

-Emerald Creek Dares It's A Charmed Life

Stamps and Stencils April Challenge-Trash to Treasure I used a tissue box to make my butterflies.

-Southern Ridge Trading Company Anything Spring My colors and butterflies are inspired by spring!

-Country View Challenges April challenge-Spring

A Vintage Journey #40 Spring Is In the Air Blue and Butterflies say spring to me!

Frilly and Funkie It's Not Easy Being Green I used a tissue box to make my butterflies.

Happy Little Stampers April Mixed Media Challenge Wings

-Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge Show Us Your Metal

-Mixed Media Place April Challnege Creative Gym # 18 Be Patient. The Best Things Come Unexpectedly I was impatient with the mosaic technique, but Wow! I was rewarded in the end!

Thank you for stopping by today, and for all your lovely comments! I read and appreciate each and every one of them!

Hugs and Blessings!

Sara Emily