Thursday, January 31, 2019

Mixed Media Vignette Mini Tutorial - Your Heart's Desire for A Vintage Journey



Hello! It's time for a new challenge at A Vintage Journey, and our hostess, Annie has chosen the theme Your Heart's Desire -- so appropriate for the upcoming Valentine's holiday. 

"Since February is the month of love, we would like you to include hearts as the 'main' focus of your project. Just be sure your design is in keeping with our vintage, shabby, mixed media, art journaling, industrial, timeworn or steampunk styles that we prefer."

These are the steps I took to alter my vignette tray using contractor's foil tape, Tim Holtz Kaleidoscope Texture Fade, Prima and DecoArt paints and powder. The hoarded tray was the perfect size and depth and was a gift from my fellow Creative Guide and wonderful friend, Autumn. Thank you!


I cut a strip of foil tape for each side of the tray adding about 1/2 inch to each of the measurements. I applied Prima's Steampunk Copper paint to each foil strip using a cheap foam brush. This paint is really gooey, and I don't want to mess with washing out a brush when I'm done. I use a pouncing motion, rather than brushing it on, to get good coverage and to give some variation in color. Any texture will be flattened out by the dry embossing.


When the copper paint is completely dry, I emboss the strips using the Kaleidoscope embossing folder. Do not wet the foil as you would if you were using paper. I did pass it through my die cut machine the prescribed three times, but I doubt it needed more than one pass.

I apply DecoArt Green Patina Antiquing Cream over the surface with my finger and allow it to dry a bit. Then I wipe with a slightly dampened paper towel, leaving the color in the recesses. I don't particularly care for the shine from the foil, so I apply Prima Color Clay Artisan Powder with my finger over the entire surface and wipe off the excess with a dry paper towel.


It's very easy to adhere the tape over the edges of the frame, since the foil is adhesive backed. **I make all my cuts before removing the protective backing. ** I mark the width of the inside of the frame opening on the back of the long edge of the foil strip.  I add 1/4 inch to the depth of the frame (1/2 inch) and mark a line horizontally on the back of the strip at 3/4 inches from the long edge. I make vertical cuts to that line from the previous markings. I score this flap at 1/4 inch and again at 3/4 inch.


I fold the strip at 1/4 score line and this surface goes on the 'floor' of the frame. The score at 3/4 inch  will be at the inside lip of the frame. Use scissors to cut in at an angle to miter the corners. Now I remove the protective backing and starting at the floor of the tray, adhere to each surface. Once the scored and folded part of the strip is adhered, I simply fold and form the remaining portion over the remaining edges.


I got lucky and the design aligned at one of the corners! Now here are some more  photos of the finished project.


I used another foil strip to create the Retro Repeat panel in the background and paired it with a panel colored with Distress paints. Behind the Retro Repeat is a scrap of paper I used to ink up some die cuts on awhile back--I didn't want to waste the ink. LOL


The Faceted Heart is cut from Distress Metallic Kraft Stock, heat embossed in clear with Lattice and Flourish stamp set. It's colored with Distress Crayon, antiquing cream and Artisan powder. I used a couple of Big Chat stickers for my sentiment.



The wooden cogs were also a gift from Autumn, and I heat embossed them with a mix of Baked Texture powders. I altered and added Faucet Knob, an old Ideaology word token and some chain from my stash. I threaded rusty wire through the token hole and twisted it up. Black Soot paint splatters finish it off.



I can write a personal message on the back, which is finished off with a stamped Oxide panel from my stash.


I hope you'll hop on over to A Vintage Journey to see how my talented fellow Creative Guides have interpreted this theme. Then I hope you'll play along! I can't wait to see YOUR Heart's Desire!

As always, your visit and your sweet comments brighten my day! Sara Emily

Challenge shares:
Mixed Media Place January Challenge Inspired by the bottom right photo and by the cinnamon sticks matte brown color.

Links to products used stocked by The Funkie Junkie Boutique:


Saturday, January 26, 2019

Tim Holtz Geo Springtime and More - Saturday Showcase for Frilly and Funkie

Sara Emily Barker https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/tim-holtz-geo-springtime-and-more.html Tim Holtz Geo Springtime Cards Tutorial  1

  Hello, friends! I've been having some fun playing with some of Tim Holtz Sizzix dies from his 2019 Chapter 1 collection. I have a Saturday Showcase tutorial, close ups and a list of products used over at Frilly and Funkie. It would be great to have you stop by!

Butterfly Mosaic

Sara Emily Barker https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/tim-holtz-geo-springtime-and-more.html Tim Holtz Geo Springtime Cards Tutorial 2

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Sara Emily Barker https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/tim-holtz-geo-springtime-and-more.html Tim Holtz Geo Springtime Cards Tutorial 3

Hello There

Sara Emily Barker https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/tim-holtz-geo-springtime-and-more.html Tim Holtz Geo Springtime Cards Tutorial 4

I hope you have lots of time to craft today! Sara Emily

Challenge shares:

Crafts Dreamy Mood Board Challenge January Inspired by the colors (Here Comes Peter Cottontail))

Simon Says Stamp Monday Alcohol, Drinks Or Inks Alcohol inks (Butterfly Mosaic)



Wednesday, January 23, 2019

The Music of My Heart; A Vintage Valentine Card


Sara Emily Barker Vintage Valentine Card  https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-music-of-my-heart-vintage-valentine.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Faceted Heart and Organic Stampers Anonymous Lattice & Flourish 1

Welcome! Over at  Frilly and Funkie we are into our second week of the current challenge. Maggi is hosting this time, and she has chosen 'Vintage Valentines' as her challenge theme. Here is her invitation to play:

It's sweetheart time and what could be more fun than creating Valentine's for our loved ones? For this challenge we want to see vintage valentines in vintage colors like pinks, blues, purples. No bright red please. Show us your vintage side with vintage colors and images. If you need some inspiration, click here to link to a great vintage color palette.

As always, the Design Team will choose their top four picks, and the winner will be invited to join us in a Guest DT spot at Frilly and Funkie. The next three will receive Top 3 badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and follows the rules will be entered into the draw to have the chance to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.


Sara Emily Barker Vintage Valentine Card  https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-music-of-my-heart-vintage-valentine.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Faceted Heart and Organic Stampers Anonymous Lattice & Flourish 2

I love Maggi's color palette, and tried to follow it closely, choosing vintage blues and purples with gold accents. So unusual for my busy (LOL) Valentine's card, but I like how it all came together.

Sara Emily Barker Vintage Valentine Card  https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-music-of-my-heart-vintage-valentine.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Faceted Heart and Organic Stampers Anonymous Lattice & Flourish 3

I just purchased some of the newly released Tim Holtz dies, and I couldn't wait to try them out. The Faceted Heart really caught my eye, mainly because I love to add dimension on my projects. I've always loved the idea of origami, but I'm a bit directions-challenged. Tim makes it so easy to fold this heart up with his cleverly designed die. Be sure to check out Tim's video with amazing samples featuring this and other newly released dies.

Sara Emily Barker Vintage Valentine Card  https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-music-of-my-heart-vintage-valentine.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Faceted Heart and Organic Stampers Anonymous Lattice & Flourish 4

Sara Emily Barker Vintage Valentine Card  https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-music-of-my-heart-vintage-valentine.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Faceted Heart and Organic Stampers Anonymous Lattice & Flourish 5

 Another of his newly released collection is Organic Thinlits. This delicate die cut stepped in as the backdrop to my Mother/Daughter Paper Dolls, as well as a subtle embellishment peeking out from the layers. All I had to do is dip the die cut into puddles of Distress Oxide inks. I've used Chipped Sapphire, Shaded Lilac, Seedless Preserves, Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint, Bundled Sage, and Forest Moss to pick up the colors in the Botanical Layers ephemera.  I coated a painted Stacked Postage panel with Distress Collage Medium, and placed the die cut on it; no tedious gluing required.

Sara Emily Barker Vintage Valentine Card  https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-music-of-my-heart-vintage-valentine.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Faceted Heart and Organic Stampers Anonymous Lattice & Flourish 6

 I was gifted with some very special presents from my wonderful and talented friend Autumn (SewPaperPaint), and one of her pretty packages held Mini Cabinet Cards. Thank you, my friend! Be sure to check out her blog for details on her card samples she created for Tim's Sizzix Chapter 1 Release. I carefully removed the back from one of the cabinet cards and sanded and colored the framed portion with Weathered Wood and Stormy Sky Distress Oxide. I added some music score stamping and arched it over the postage stamp layer.

Sara Emily Barker Vintage Valentine Card  https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-music-of-my-heart-vintage-valentine.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Faceted Heart and Organic Stampers Anonymous Lattice & Flourish 7

I colored the Resin Flower Embellishment with alcohol inks and paired it with Funky Florals #2 foliage. Under the postage stamp is a Stitched Rectangle cut from Metallic Kraft Core, a panel stamped  with Lattice from the Lattice & Flourish set, and the final panel is Classic Kraft Stock in a plum color. My lighting wasn't the best for photography today, so it looks brown.

Sara Emily Barker Vintage Valentine Card  https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-music-of-my-heart-vintage-valentine.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Faceted Heart and Organic Stampers Anonymous Lattice & Flourish 8

That's it for me today! Now it's over to YOU! I can't wait to see what you will create for this Vintage Valentine's color challenge. Sending out big warm hugs! Sara Emily

Challenge shares:

Crafts Dreamy Mood Board Challenge January Inspired by the colors and vintage photographs.


Links to products used stocked by The Funkie Junkie Boutique:
Tim Holtz Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Faceted Heart by Tim Holtz
Tim Holtz Sizzix Thinlits Die - Organic by Tim Holtz
Sizzix Thinlits Set - Funky Floral #2 by Tim Holtz
Sizzix Thinlits Set - Stacked Postage by Tim Holtz
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Stitched Rectangles by Tim Holtz
Sizzix 3-D Texture Fades Embossing Folder - Lumber
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps - Lattice and Flourish CMS257
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Mini Cabinet Cards- TH93118
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Botanical Layers
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Clippings Stickers
Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Metallic Kraft Stock
Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Classic Kraft Stock
Sizzix Sidekick Starter Kit by Tim Holtz
Tim Holtz Stamp Platform
Ivory Resin Flower Embellishments
Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayons
RangerTim Holtz  Distress Paint - Picket Fence
Ranger Tim Hotlz Distress Oxide Inks
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium Matte
Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks
Ranger Embossing Powder - Clear - Super Fine Detail
VersaMark Watermark Ink Stamp Pad





Thursday, January 17, 2019

Repairs Receive Constant Attention Super Grungy Masculine Card


Sara Emily Barker https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/repairs-receive-constant-attention.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Gadget Gears Stampers Anonymous Inventor 1 Dapper Birch & Pine 1

Hello and welcome! I've made this grungy card for my father-in-law to help ease his anxiety over some up coming surgery.  I've  blended Tim Holtz  12 Tags of 2015-January and 12 Tags of 2016-June techniques and added a few of my own touches.

Sara Emily Barker https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/repairs-receive-constant-attention.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Gadget Gears Stampers Anonymous Inventor 1 Dapper Birch & Pine 2

 I've recycled a couple of things so I could play along with the current Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge. I've used some packaging from Tim Holtz products for my crackled layer and layered this over a 'clean' section of a packing slip. The side positioned quote (Dapper stamp set) is stamped on a portion of recycled Christmas card.

Everything else is pretty much Tim Holtz except the smaller cog, which is a wooden one from my stash. An arrow from the Alpha Parts Framed collection was colored with Distress paints following this Tim Hotlz tutorial.

Sara Emily Barker https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/repairs-receive-constant-attention.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Gadget Gears Stampers Anonymous Inventor 1 Dapper Birch & Pine 4

I used Plain Collage Paper and stamped with Pine from Tim's Birch and Pine set in archival ink. I applied the collage paper to Heavy Stock using Vintage Collage Medium according to Tim's tutorial. I gave it a coat of Crazing Medium and smeared with Distress Crayons. The subtle splattering was done with Black Soot Distress paint.

Sara Emily Barker https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/repairs-receive-constant-attention.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Gadget Gears Stampers Anonymous Inventor 1 Dapper Birch & Pine 5

I cut apertures using the Gadget Gears Bigz die, and the panel was smeared with Distress Crayon. I scribbled around the cogs to make them stand out. I used Pumice Stone Distress Glitter on another arrow from the same Alpha Parts collection. I didn't think it fit into the color scheme, so I dropped a few drops of mushroom alcohol ink over it.

Sara Emily Barker https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/repairs-receive-constant-attention.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Gadget Gears Stampers Anonymous Inventor 1 Dapper Birch & Pine 6

The collage paper panel is layered over a panel of Metallic Kraft Stock heat embossed with Inventor 1 images.

Sara Emily Barker https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/repairs-receive-constant-attention.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Gadget Gears Stampers Anonymous Inventor 1 Dapper Birch & Pine 7

Sara Emily Barker https://sarascloset1.blogspot.com/2019/01/repairs-receive-constant-attention.html Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Gadget Gears Stampers Anonymous Inventor 1 Dapper Birch & Pine 8

I've had a lot of fun revisiting the technique and making this card. I hope it cheers my father in law up.

Hugs and Blessings!

Sara Emily

Challenge shares:
There's a new monthly challenge using Tim's techniques over on Tim Holtz Addicts Facebook page that I'm entering this into. I hope you'll get to play along, too! Check out the link above for the details.
Simon Says Stamp Monday Recycle Something REcycled packaging, packing slip and Christmas card.
A list of the products I've used is listed below, all available from The Funkie Junkie Boutique.