Stenciled Mother's Day Card

Hello, friends! Welcome to my newest followers; I'm really happy you're here! Today I have a card for you that I created for my Mom. Please click on any image for a closer look.

 I was inspired to use lots of stencils-six in all- in some new ways for me (5 different techniques) by Sue at Frilly and Funkie for her challenge "Stencil Mania". A while ago I book marked a tutorial by Jenny Marples at Frilly and Funkie on a great stencil technique, and I wanted to give it a try. I've tried to include lots of purple in my card, since my Mom LOVES purple!

You can read how I made my background on Jenny's tutorial here. It'a actually a "two for one" technique involving stencils, texture paste, Perfect Pearls powder, and ink spray. First spread texture paste through the stencil. While it is wet, sprinkle with Perfect Pearls and spritz with ink spray. Remove the stencil and set this aside to dry.  Then take the "dirty" stencil and flip it onto a piece of card or a tag, and brayer it to create a second background. I chose to use Tim Holtz' Gothic stencil and Distress ink spray in making my background. I followed Jenny's instructions to the letter for my first panel, which I will save for another project.  Then I flipped the  "dirty" stencil onto card stock according to her instructions to make the background panel for this card.  I did put my own twist on it though, by blending some Distress inks over the textural and shimmery background.

For my left hand background panel, I was inspired by Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 March Tag to do some stenciling using another of his stencils--Flourish. Please check out his 12 Tags of 2015 March blog post for steps I followed to make this panel. In the background I used his Tissue Tape and Distress Paints. Once the texture paste dried, and I melted the embossing powder, I went back in with some Dylusions Crushed Grape spray mixed with Distress Picket Fence paint and water for a little purplish wash. You can clearly see the butterfly embossed (through a stencil, of course) on the back petals of the largest flower in this next photo.

The clock face is a Tim Holtz Weathered Clock die cut, painted with Vintage Photo Crackle Paint and Faded Jeans Distress stain dripped into the cracks.

The mannequin is cut using Tim's Sewing Room die and watercolor paper.  I blended Shaded Lilac and Seedless Preserves Distress inks, placed my stencil, misted it with water,and dabbed at it with a paper towel to get the ghosting effect. Edged, of course, in Vintage Photo.

The flowers are homemade, using Tim's Tattered Florals and Tattered Flower Garland dies, tissue paper, and purple and white card stock.  I used a TCW butterfly stencil, Tim Holtz Shattered and Doily (first time using both of these) stencils to create patterns on the card stock and tissue paper. On the white card stock, I inked through the stencil using Shaded Lilac Distress ink, applied clear embossing powder and heated.  When cool, I used more of the same ink, and Seedless Preserves DI and edged in Walnut Stain ink.  A few of the flowers were cut from plain purple card stock and white card stock blended with Distress inks. The next shot shows the Doily stencil  embossing on the smallest flower.

The largest flower's center is made from tissue paper and 3 of the mid-sized Tattered Floral flowers. First I applied Distress paint Through the Shattered stencil, allowed it to dry, and then spritzed with Dylusions spray.  I misted it with water to blend.  The paint acts as a resist, and the paper is beautiful. Shame to crumple it up like this. This shot shows the pattern made from embossing another butterfly from the TCW stencil.

I must have stamped the  Stampin' Up sentiment 5 times before I realized someone had put the rubber image on the block crooked.  I purchased this at a yard sale, so I can't take the credit.  I couldn't get it straight, so I ended up stamping on a scrap and fussy cutting it. Inked and edged in Distress.

I was, again, inspired by Tim in coloring my ribbon, this time with 12 Tags of 2015 April Tag.  I love this ombre effect by using two colors of Distress marker. Well, it should be an ombre effect...mine kind of took on a life of it's own.  Too pretty and too much ribbon to waste, so I went with it.  My Mom will love it anyway! I added a few 1/2 pearls to complete the card.

I hope you enjoyed this post.  I thank you for stopping in today, and for all your lovely comments! Hugs and Blessings!

Sara Emily

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

Frilly and Funkie "Stencil Mania"

A Vintage Journey "Spring Colors" Everyday on my way to work, I see the most amazing clematis that is this shade.  Love it! The darker purples remind me of the iris blooming in my own garden.

Our Creative Corner "April Showers Bring May Flowers"

Fantasy Stampers Challenge #35 "Distress It"

Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #12 "May Flowers""

Crafty Card Makers #138 "Make Your Own Background"

Mixed Media World #2 "Use Bright Colors"

Crafts 4 Eternity R#224 "Inspired By Nature"

Creatalicious Challenges #74 "Embossing Wet Or Dry" I used wet embossing.

Inspiration Journal "Pasted"

Tim's 12 Tags of 2015-April

Well, here we are at the end of April, and I'm finally posting my April tag for Tim Holtz' 12 Tags of 2015 April challenge.  As is usually the case, I don't have the proper dies and stamps, but necessity is the Mother of Invention!

For complete details on how this tag was made please visit Tim's website to see how the master of creativity did it.  I simply followed along with his instructions, making a few changes where I did not have the materials listed.

I was going to sit this one out because aside from paper, Distress markers, and the tools, I had nothing else on the materials list.  But at work the other day, I saw the most amazing determined, yellow butterfly, and I was inspired!

To color my Perspective butterfly, I chose Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade Distress markers, reminiscent of the butterfly I saw earlier that day.  I used Shaded Lilac and Dusty Concord the body. I made an extra, fussy cut it, and gave my tag dimension by layering it on the first.

Background colors include Tumbled Glass, Broken China, and Squeezed Lemonade.  I also used these colors on a second piece of Tim's Distress water color paper to cut the word "Life" using his Inside Out die, since I don't have the Adventure Words dies yet. I just used the inside of the letters, and will save the outline letters for another project.

My substitute for the script die is the stamped word "Wonderful" from Tim's Mini Handwritten Holidays.  I simply taped off the parts I didn't need before inking,  and removed the tape before stamping. I fussy cut the word and added Glossy Accents for dimension.

Although I cut my background paper according to Tim's instructions, making necessary changes in measurements for my words, I chose to use Kraft Core from Tim's Collection for contrast. I used Tim's Tag and Bookplates die to cut the tag and reinforcer. I distressed the edges and sanded it, then blended on some Distress Ink in Wild Honey. I used regular kraft paper for the reinforcer and inked it with Vintage Photo.

I colored my ribbon according to Tim's plan, and used Wild Honey and  Spiced Marmalade to coordinate with my butterfly. I love that ombre look.

 One last difference from Tim's tag is the stitching.  That Tim is one smart cookie, and it's no accident there are little holes spaced every 1/8 inch on his ruler.  I poked a needle in each of the holes, making stitch holes for my Distress marker (Black Soot and Picket Fence toned down with some Wild Honey) "stitching".  And since "it's all in the details", Tim, I added some zig-zag stitching using an image from the Seamless Experience set. Sorry I couldn't do the real sewing, but I hurt my back over Easter hunting for eggs, and I didn't dare lift my heavy old machine.

All in all, I think I was able to pull it off with what I had.  I have full intentions of getting the Flower Garden   set, and the Adventure Words are surely on my wish list. I can see so many possibilities for them!

A special thank you to Shari Trumbull of Ain't That Artsy Fartsy for enabling me on this one!  I received a wonderful gift from her recently, and it included some of the Distress Markers I've used here.  I guess I should also include another special thank you to Tim and Mario, too, for the Perspective stamp set I won in a lucky draw earlier this year.  This is my favorite set, gentlemen!

I hope you enjoyed my post today, and thank you for leaving all your wonderful comments!  I read and appreciate every one, and eventually reply to each one. Hugs and blessings!

Sara Emily

I would like to enter this into the following inspiring challenges:

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015-April

Inspiration Journal "Everything Goes"

Country View Challenges "Use Kraft Card"

A Sprinkle of Imagination "Anything Goes"

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge "Anything Goes"

Aud Sentiments Challenge #140 "Things with Wings Plus a Sentiment"

Eclectic Ellapu Purple Team "April Showers/Spring"

That's Crafty "Let's Keep It Simple Challenge"

Fantasy Stampers #35 "Distress It" Stamps used Tim Holtz: Perspective, Seamless Experience, and Mini Handwritten Holidays.

Crafty Cats #276 "Things With Wings"

Mixed Media World #2 "Use Bright Colors"

Bright For a Change

Hello, everyone!  Here's a quick post of a bright birthday card I made for my sister.  She loves green, bright things, and books, so I've included each of these in this piece. I don't usually make "bright", and it takes me way out of my comfort zone. But I wanted to join in the fun at Mixed Media World in their Use Bright Colours challenge.

  I tore out a dictionary page for the back layer, added Gelatos around the edge, and spread the color a little with water on my finger.

Next I used a Dylusions stencil and laid down a mono print using Dylusions spray on water color paper. I stamped a Stampendous rannuculus image in Archival ink and colored it in using Dylusions sprays in a water pen.  I love the brightness and the translucency--you can see the mono print letters right through the flowers. When I opened my pink waterpen, it splattered all over my work space.  I love the happy accident on the background! It reminds me of raindrops. I added a little Tumbled Glass Distress ink here and there very lightly.

Next,  I rubbed some Gelatos right onto a vintage dictionary page, stamped the image again in Archival, fussy cut some of the flowers, and glued them over the first image.  This gives some of the blossoms an opaque look.

The sentiment is Tim Holtz Simple Sayings.  I stamped the outline in Squeezed Lemonade Distress ink and embossed it with a mixture of clear embossing powder and Stampin' Glitter.  The sparkle is very subtle and so hard to pick up with the camera. I had to use this blurry shot just to pick up the sparkle.

Three of the butterflies were die cut using Tim's Butterfly Frenzy die and one was fussy cut from a greeting card. The larger butterfly is colored using 2 colors of Gelatos,high lighted with Dylusions and stamped with a Tim Holtz dictionary page from his Lost and Found set. The back of the smaller butterfly is colored using Perfect Pearls powders mixed with PPA.

I hope you enjoyed this post, and I appreciate any comments you might leave. Have a bright day! Hugs!

Sara Emily

I would like to enter this into the following inspiring challenges:

Mixed Media World "Use Bright Colours"

Mixed Media Monthly April Challenge #11 "April Showers"

Inspiration Journal "Everything Goes"

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge "Anything Goes"

Eclectic Ellapu Pink Team "Out of Your Comfort Zone" and Purple Team "April Showers/Spring" Mono printing scares me; it never turns out for me (this was acceptable) and bright colors are something I rarely use.  April showers/ spring-pretty obvious!

Creatalicious Challenges #74 "EmbossingWet or Dry" I used dry embossing using my own powder mix for the sentiment frame.

Aud Sentiment Challenge #130 "Things With Wings Plus a Sentiment"

Life Is...

Happy Friday!  I'm here with a last minute entry for  Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge at Studio L3   where Linda and the Crew are challenging us to make something using Tim Holtz' Smudged Stamping technique.  This technique can be found on page 42 in  Tim's  Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 3.  Tim and Mario have provided a massive pile of goodies for whomever the Curiosity Crew chooses as the Curiosity Crew's Choice, but there's also a random winner, and this  time it's sponsored by the lovely Linda Coughlin owner of The Funkie Junkie Boutique.  You could win a generous $25 shopping spree to The Funkie Junkie Boutique if you are the lucky winner!

I can't reveal the technique (them's the rules!), but you can read all about it in your own copy of Tim's book which you can get here on Tim's website. I can tell you what products I've used (listed at end of post), colors I've selected, and I'll even tell you how I was able to achieve that great rust using some products I have on hand, and also how I made my bottom layer.

Let's get started!  The bottom layer is made from Tim's Kraft Core card stock. I spritzed the kraft side of it with Ranger Perfect Ink Refresher, rubbed it in real well to make the card feel like soft leather.  I crumpled and wrinkled it, smoothed it out, and left it to dry.  Next,  I sanded the colored side of the card to highlight the wrinkles.  Lastly, I used an ink blending tool with Distress inks to finish it off.  I hand cut the panel into a tag shape, and die cut two of Tim's Pediments and glued them to the tag shape panel top and bottom.

For the tag, I followed Tim's instructions for Smudged Stamping exactly as it is outlined on page 42 using several of his clocks and umbrella man images.  I then spritz and flicked, put a little Stormy Sky Distress stain on my craft mat, misted it ever so slightly until it beaded up, allowed it to dry a tiny bit, and then laid my tag face down into it to get the effect of raindrops. To get some more droplets, I blended Distress ink in the same color randomly through a Prima raindrop stencil.  Every umbrella man needs some rain, doesn't he?

I stamped Tim's quote and Tutu image using Archival jet black ink, and colored in the tutu using Distress markers and a water pen.  The "L" in "life" was just screaming to be colored in, so I used Picket Fence Distress marker to color it.  While the marker was in my hand, I made a few random dots for more rain effect.

I added some Remnant Rubs stars,  and a Thrift Shop ephemera tag inked and spritzed with my Distress marker spritzer and Walnut Stain Distress marker. I also added metal Idea-ology tiny gears and monocle.  I painted the monocle with Black Soot and Gathered  Twigs Distress paints, threaded a ball and chain from my stash through it and used it to highlight the dancer.

Here's how I rusted my tiny gears:  I tapped on some Black Soot and Rusty Hinge Distress paints, dried, and dabbed with Ranger embossing dabber, sprinkled randomly with Distress powder, and shot it with my heat gun. I then threw in a load of laundry so I wouldn't be tempted to pick them up while they were still hot. Pure magic and love the "rust"! Sorry for the blurry close up photos--I only have my camera on my phone.

Well, I think that covers it!  This is a really fun technique that can be used in so many ways as is evidenced by the variety of wonderful creations made by the uber-talented Curiosity Crew!  Be sure to get yourself over to Studio L3 CC3C to soak in all that inspiration, and then visit each of the Crew's blogs.  You will not be disappointed!

On an ironic side note: while I was busily crafting my Life tag wrinkling up Kraft Core, and figuring out what Idea-ology pieces to use--"aha! a monocle!", Pamellia was one step ahead,already posting her magical vanity on which she used some of these very same materials! I took a little break at 2 am, after I was done my tag, and checked my e-mail on the way to bed.  I resisted, but clicked on that message from My Little Craft Things. At 3 am, I was finally able to pick my chin up off the floor and scurry up to bed for 2 hours of sleep.  I would like to coin a phrase "Two great minds think alike".  Perhaps we think alike, but there is NO ONE that can carry out those thoughts like the one and only PAMELLIA! I love the way you think, Pamellia, but I am in awe at how you create! It is a blessing to be able to view your work!

Thank you so much for stopping by today, and for all your wonderful comments!  I read and appreciate every single one! Please have a great weekend! Hugs!

Sara Emily

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

Studio L3 Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge #26 "Smudge Stamping"

A Vintage Journey "Through the Looking Glass"

Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #11 "April Showers" I incorporated rain in the form of stenciled droplets, stain droplets and marker dots. A little more watery effect from spritz and flick.

Our Creative Corner "Color Your World" Our spring started out very dreary with lots of rain, and when not raining, just stormy skies.  Much of the tropical foliage had browned due to an unusually cold late winter for these parts. These colors are my inspiration for my project. Thank Goodness, the true colors of spring here are stating to emerge.  Maybe a more colorful project in the near future?

Stamps and Stencils "Anything Goes"

Inspiration Journal "Everything Goes"

A Sprinkle of Imagination "Anything Goes"

That Craft Place Challenge "Alter Something" I "rusted" metal embellishments and made card stock into "leather"

Country View Challenges "Use Kraft Card"

Products: Stamps: Tim Holtz Little Things, In Dreams, Good Thoughts, Enjoy the Journey, and Imagined

                Metal:  Idea-ology except ball and chain

                Stencil: Prima

                Tim Holtz Thrift Shop Ephemera Pack, Elements Remnant Rubs, Kraft Core Nostalgic Collection

                Ranger: Tag, Perfect Ink Refresher, Jet Black Archival Ink, Embossing Dabber

                Distress:  Marker spritzer;  markers-Picket Fence, Walnut Stain, Tumbled Glass;  Stain-Stormy Sky;  Paint-Black Soot, Walnut Stain, Gathered Twigs;  Ink-Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Rusty Hinge, Chipped Sapphire, Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky

           

        

Mixed Media Metallic

 A big hello to my latest followers and a big hug to all the ones who've been along for awhile enabling  supporting my crafty endeavors.

I was inspired by the one and only Branka of Vintage Handmade in the making of this card.  I love her frequent use of metallic elements,  so I've included a few of my own here. Many of the elements are "leftovers" from previous projects, so I can't go into much detail on them (thank goodness, right?). I did alter them a little, so they would coordinate. Please click on any photo for a closer view.

 I've created a masterboard using DecoArt paints and crackle medium, and Perfect Pearls powder. I stamped a Stampin' Up chicken wire image in Rusty Hinge Distress paint. The chicken wire doesn't show up well  after dry embossing. I embossed a panel of the masterboard with Tim Holtz Texture Fade for my back layer. I also used a piece of the same masterboard for one of my butterflies (Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers), and embossed that with another Texture Fade. Both pieces were sanded down to the bottom paint layer after embossing and additional Distress paint added to high light the raised areas. These shots were taken before embossing; same sheet, different light, and oh, so shimmery! The top photo taken in bright sunlight, the bottom in dappled shade.

The grey background panel was given some texture by applying texture paste through a homemade brick stencil.  I used that same stencil using Distress ink to give more depth, and stamped  Tim Holtz script (Urban Grunge) in  sepia Archival ink. I added some Flower Soft for texture and color, and some Tissue tape, most of which is covered up. A spritz of Vintage Photo Distress ink spray, and more Distress ink blended on to highlight the bricks. A final spritz and flick with water to give even more of a rainy appearance. You can see a few tiny, shiny "raindrops" (Raindrops on Roses it says on the jar--probably picked them up at a yardsale.) on the bricks and leaves.  I also used some of the "raindrops" on the butterfly's body, but couldn't pick them up with the camera.

The frame is cut using Tim's Ornate Frame and painted with Distress paints, Rock Candy Crackle paint and more DPs. I used the Spring Greenery die for the leaves and painted them with Distress paint and added a "raindrop" here and there. In this photo you can see a bit of the chicken wire peeking out behind the butterfly and one single "raindrop" on the wing.

 The butterflies are from one of Tim's stamp sets, fussy cut and inked.These were left over from another project, so don't recall the name of the set.  Another layered butterfly is from the Butterfly Frenzy die, and again, one I had saved from another project. It has been stamped with a Tim Holtz Reflections stamp, and I think I may have used Dylusions spray to color.

The flower is cut from tissue paper and a candy wrapper, and who knows what I used to color them (another leftover from a previous project)...looks like a lot of different mediums: ink, paint, and Glimmer mist in all sorts of rusty colors.All I had to do was add some "raindrops". The bow is some that the lovely Linda Coughlin includes as a sweet gift in her orders from The Funkie Junkie; I just added some Distress paint for a metallic look and spritzed with water, and twisted it up into a bow.

The framed mirror in the center is an ugly pink thing I purchased on clearance to use on another project, but changed my mind.  It has LOTS of paint on it, since I colored it first for the other project and yet again for this one.  I used DecoArt metallic paint and sprinkled on some Distress Effect powders and clay embossing powder and gave it a shot with my heat gun.  Perfectly grungy!  That's a piece of Tim's Mirrored for the... well, um, mirror.  I gave it a quick coat of Rock Candy Crackle paint, and sat around waiting for it to dry. I'll accept applause for being patient.

The little ivy leaves are made from paper clay and painted many times; also from another project, so had to change the color. As mentioned above I used "Raindrops on Roses" here and there on the card to look like raindrops. These look similar to microbeads, only a little larger and so clear that it is difficult to photograph them. This is a card to celebrate a special April occasion, and as the saying goes "April showers bring May flowers"!  I purposefully chose the rusty palette because this is what the early spring garden looks like just as it emerges to the most beautiful green.

One more shot here of the complete card.  You can really see the glint of the "raindrops" on the flower and leaves in this photo. It's probably not the best shot to leave you with, since the colors are really off, but I did want to show off those "raindrops"!

I hope you enjoyed today's post, and thank you so much for stopping by! I hope to have a post or two more this month, and then something really exciting the first week of May to kick off Anything But Cute's maiden challenge. You'll see why I haven't been posting much lately!  Big hugs!

Sara Emily

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

A Sprinkle of Imagination Anything Goes

The Mirror Crack'd #08 "Make and Use a Masterboard"

Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #11 "April Showers" Hard to see but my raindrops are all over this! I was very inspired by Astrid's raindrops on her Journal pages to add just a few to my card.

The Artistic Stamper April's Creative Challenge "Flora and Fauna"

Our Creative Corner "Color Your World" Hardly what reminds us of springtime colors, but these are the colors I see in my patch of agapanthus right now, with mostly browns, but a few green shoots peeking out.  I took a photo for proof, but for some reason it did not upload.

A Vintage Journey "Through the Looking Glass"

Inspiration Journal "Everything Goes"

Stamps and Stencils "Anything Goes"

That's Crafty "Grunge, Grunge, Grunge" Challenge

A Brand New Mixed Media Blog--Anything But Cute! DT Announcement!

Hello everyone!

 I have some awesome news to share with you!  I am proud and tremendously honored to be chosen to join Pamellia's Design Team for her wonderful new mixed media challenge blog Anything But Cute.  When I got Pamellia's e-mail inviting me to join her team, I couldn't believe my eyes!  One of the most talented artists in blogland wants me on her Design Team??? What???? (This must be a typo!)  Well, YEAH! That was an offer I could NOT refuse!

Seriously, what a true honor it is to be chosen to create along side a group of my favorite artists, and a very good hearted group of ladies they are, too! Please pop over to Anything But Cute to learn a little more about me and see a few of my favorite mixed media works. While you're there, don't forget to hit that Follow button--you won't want to miss a single thing!  You are going to be in for some fun, inspirational challenges as well as some great tutorials.

Here is some information I would like to share with you about the blog:

Anything But Cute is a brand new mixed media challenge blog with a new challenge starting on the 5th day of every month at 7:00 am EST. 

We welcome all types of crafts. Cards, journal pages, scrapbook pages, 3D crafts, canvas art, altered items and any other handmade paper or mixed media arts. We encourage crafters of all skill levels and styles - shabby chic, grunge, vintage, elegant, stylish, retro, you name it. As our name indicates, the only style we are not showcasing - are all things cute and adorable. There must be at least one mixed media product on your project somewhere, be that paint, ink, stain, spray, paste, clay, crackle glaze...whatever tickles your fancy!

At Anything But Cute, we would love to see all you seasoned and expert mixed media artists, but we also want to encourage those of you who are just getting your feet wet. Our design team will always be on the lookout for these exceptional projects and artists. You just never know when we might be giving out something special to a talented mixed media newcomer. We all have to start somewhere, right! Be sure to mention in your post that you are a newcomer to the mixed media arts.

Our first challenge starts on May 5th, so let's get messy and have some fun!

Please be sure to stop back to Anything But Cute On April 23 when you will meet the next member of the Design Team.  She's an incredibly talented, creative and well known artist whose work I greatly admire. I know you will be excited to learn who she is!

Thank you for stopping by! Big hugs!

Sara Emily

Discover

Hello, everyone!  I bet you thought I had fallen off the face of the earth!  I have been busy doing a little spring cleaning, working and gardening, so not much time left over for crafting.

 Today I have a little  chunky style ATC to share with you. There are a couple of great challenge blogs I like to regularly participate in, and I wanted to create something just for them. Linda Ledbetter's Studio L3 Compendium of Curiosities 3  challenge this time is to create something using Tim Holtz' technique/product Frameworks found on page 64 of his book A Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 3.  Linda has 2 prizes:  A ton of goodies provided by Tim and Mario for the Curiosity Crews Choice and a generous shopping spree to Inspiration Emporium, provided by owner Joy and her family.  To play along you'll need to work from your own copy of CCV3, and you can order one here. There's still time to join in the fun!

Julia at A Vintage Journey  is challenging us to use something to represent the theme "Through the Looking Glass" using inspiration from Tim Holtz.  Obviously, my inspiration comes from his latest book this time. In addition to the reward you receive of just creating for creating's sake, there is also a generous prize up for grabs, so be sure to visit and link up your Tim inspired artwork!

I die cut an ATC and two Honeycombs using Tim's dies: Honeycomb Frameworks and ATC and Corners Bigz. I used the second Frameworks as a "shadow", cut from a piece of reflective card waste packaging I had in my stash.  I followed Tim's instructions (Painted Industrial technique page 46) for making my background using his Honeycomb Texture Fade.  I used Tim's Motif paper stash in the honeycomb design to cut one of the Frameworks, and used stains (Stormy Sky and Black Soot) to color the entire thing. I love how the stain puddles in each honeycomb compartment, changing the tone. Notice I made sure the honeycombs lined up in the "framework". One tiny mirror in the corner for my queen bee for her to discover herself was made from Tim's Mirrored.  I love this stuff--you can really see the difference from the metal coated card I used for my second Frameworks.  Both are reflective, but Mirrored is like a real mirror, with a crystal clear reflection.

I swirled some white card stock through a puddle made with Distress paints (Stormy Sky and Brushed Pewter) and water spritzed on my mat, dried with my heat gun, and punched an oval, using a Stampin' Up punch; just the perfect size for Tim's smaller Industrious frames. I stamped a  male bee from the Stamper's Anonymous Classics #12 set in Archival ink, and masked him off. I over-stamped with the honeycomb image from that same set in Versamark, and embossed with black embossing powder.  I colored the bee with Distress markers, and added a little high light around him with Picket Fence Distress marker to help him stand out.  I gave him wire antennae. I treated the Industrious frame to a little Black Soot Distress paint.  I actually took this shot to show the great reflection you get with the Mirrored. That's a flower I was holding over the mirror to catch it's reflection--probably seen better in the previous shot.

UPDATE: please take note, I changed the colors of my framed piece.  Aside from changing the direction of the male bee and the colors, everything is the same.
I stamped (Archival), colored (Distress markers), and fussy cut the female queen bee also from the Classics #12 set. I gave her legs and antennae made from Tim's Idea-ology paper twine, and added some Ranger gold glitter embossing powder at the tips of her antennae to show off her beauty.

I chose words from Tim's Remnant Rubs, added them to card stock and edged with Black Soot Distress ink.  Because we live in a world that places so much emphasis on physical beauty, and I wrestle with lack of self confidence in that department, often to the point of not even looking in a mirror, I chose these words.  I want to remind myself, it is OK not to be beautiful on the outside.  I need to look in the mirror and see the beauty I have on the inside. So, again, deeper meaning...this is why I create.

While the rest of this image is blurry, you can see my camera and that beautiful Carolina blue sky we have today in the Mirrored reflection.  You can also see a hint of the sparkle that's on the antennae.

Now, you may remember this beautiful piece, and wonder what in the heck it has to do with my post.

Isn't it breathtaking?

Truth be told, I haven't had enough creative "get up and go" to take the few minutes I have here and there to spend it in the Closet lately.  But as fate would have it, the very person who blogged about a very similar situation not too long ago sent me this beautiful wall hanging, which reminded me to get off my duff and start imagining, believing and creating! Nikki Acton is the artist behind this lovely and inspiring piece of artwork--thank you, Nikki, you've inspired me much more than you will ever know! I have this lovely reminder hanging in my favorite room of my home--my sunny breakfast room off my kitchen, (2nd favorite actuallly; the Closet is first, which is not actually a room) so I can see it every time I pass by. I will be reminded to imagine, believe, and create everyday!

 I  have to say that Tim is one creative genius!  Look how many different honeycombs he's offered, and how well they all work together!

UPDATE: you might notice the framed piece looks a little different from  the 3rd photo above.  I did a quick redo and updated my paint colors to Wild Honey and Antique Linen with a splash of Antiqued Bronze.  The difference in the two blues (even though I used the same Stormy Sky, it was 2 different mediums, 2 different papers and different lighting) really was making me feel ill. The lighting in my craft room didn't make the difference so obvious. Sorry for any confusion, and since it's about to rain (again), I could only take a few quick shots.

I hope you enjoyed this post!  I appreciate you taking your time to stop by and for any lovely comments you would like to leave.  I read and appreciate every single one of them, and eventually, I end up responding to them, too! Hugs!

Sara Emily

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

Studio L3 Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge #25 "Frameworks" "Let's Framework it up!"

A Vintage Journey "Through the Looking Glass" I used Mirrored to make a "looking glass" for my bee and some reflective card just for fun.

Frilly and Funkie "Spring Time Die Cuts" This may not look too spring like, but when I was photographing this tag early this spring,  I saw a honey bee buzzing around.The blue flowers and the dark areas between them inspired my color choices on my bee ATC, as it inspired my colors for that tag.

Ink On My Fingers Sunday Stamper -Week 352- True Blue

Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #11 "April Showers" The color I chose "Stormy Sky" is my association to "April Showers", since it seems all we've had are stormy skies this month; except today--beautiful blue skies!

ATP Exchange April Challenge I was inspired by your Pinterest board--the color of the parcels, the repeated pattern on the textiles, and the painted industrial look and shape of the sign.

Be sure to check out their generous giveaway here!

Try it on Tuesdays "They Who Have Wings"

A Sprinkle of Imagination "Anything Goes"

Mixed Media Place Creative Gym Exercise 6 "Typography" I think my two little phrases summarize what I'm trying to portray with this piece.