Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Blueprints for a Merry Christmas

Hi Everyone! Thank you so much to my new followers!  I was completely blown-away to find my name on Tim Holtz's blog.  There's no way for me to express how much that meant to me.  I'm still shaking my head over being included in that list of crafters/bloggers, many that I have long admired and whose level of talent I aspire to.  I love that I am able share in this wonderful obsession we all have and I thank you for all that I've learned from each of you as I visit your blogs.

I've been working on some tags/cards as a Whimsodoodle design team assignment.  I'm using one of the new Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous sets, Christmas Blueprints.  I decided to incorporate this week's Compendium of Curiousities 2 challenge technique into the tags.  The challenge is sponsored by Linda at Studio L3.  The technique for this week is Ink Palette: Perfect Pearls and it can be found on page 53 of Tim's book titled A Compendium of Curiousities, Volume 2.  If you'd like to see how the technique is done you'll need to buy the book as I won't be divulging it here.  But you really should buy the book anyway! It chock-full of great techniques and inspiration.  If you buy it here, you'll receive a copy autographed by Tim Holtz!  What are you waiting for?!

This week's challenge is sponsored by Simon Says Stamp.  A lucky entrant will be randomly chosen to receive a $25 gift certificate to their online store.  And they have an AWESOME store!  Thank you Simon Says Stamp!!


I chose two images from the TH Christmas Blueprints stamp set and embossed them using Distress Embossing Ink and Ranger Black EP.  I applied the Ink Palette: Perfect Pearls technique to both images.  I stamped the same images again on white paper, cut them out and used that as a mask to protect the images when I distressed the rest of the tag.  I really like the halo effect that I ended up with as I tried to not get distress ink on the already-colored images.  Very cool!

The Snowman tag was colored with Distress Ink in Iced SpruceFaded Jeans, and Salty Ocean.  I added Distress Ink in Walnut Stain to the edges of the tag.  I then randomly stamped TH Grunge Flakes using Distress Ink in Faded Jeans.  After it dried I spritzed it with Ranger Perfect Pearls Mist in Turquoise while keeping the mask in place over the main image.

The Toy Soldier tag was colored with Distress Ink in Wild Honey, Scattered Straw and Brushed Corduroy.  I added Distress Ink in Walnut Stain to the edges of the tag.  I then stamped the holly branch from the TH Holiday Wishes stamp set using Distress Ink in Brushed Corduroy. After it dried I spritzed it with Ranger Perfect Pearls Mist in Sunflower Sparkle while keeping the mask in place over the main image.  This is my absolute favorite shade of Perfect Pearls mist!  I think you could use it on anything!!  That being said I'm also entering this at Simon Says Stamp and Show where the theme is Your Favorite.

I dyed the Idea-ology Crinkle Ribbon using the Distress Stains in the same colors that I used on each tag.  I added an Idea-ology Christmas Muse Token and Ideaology Seasonal ChitChat Stickers to each tag.  I plan to make pockets for each of the tags to be inserted in.  I'll include those in a later post along with the other cards that I made using the same stamp set.

Here's a side view of each tag that hopefully shows all of the gorgeous shimmer!  Love that Perfect Pearls!!  I think I've decided what I'm going to make for Christmas cards this year.  If you're a member of my family don't look too closely.  You'll be seeing one of these in your mailbox in a couple of months!!!



Thanks for stopping by!  Now go make something!

11 comments:

  1. You deserve to be mentioned on Tim's blog. You do AMAZING work!

    I am especially in love with the snowman tag. If I unsee what I've already seen, can you add me to your Christmas card list?!

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  2. Congrats on making Tim's blog! Love these tags! They're beautiful!

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  3. Hi Donna, you were featured on Tim's blog because your work is fabulous! Love what you have done with my favourite Christmas stamp set (not sure how to do the Christmas tree though). The halo looks amazing around the images and really makes them pop and I love how you have coloured the images too. Brilliant job! Crafty hugs, Anne x

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  4. Congrats on being featured on Tim's blog - well deserved :) Your tags are fantastic.

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  5. oooo, the new Tim blueprint stamps! The PP worked really well, love the look.

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  6. These are awesome! I have the 3 sets on order and am waiting and trying not to be mpatient (not easy). Thanks for the tips about the masking. I am loving perfect pearls myself and using it often. I love your backgrounds. The halo is cool, and the texture you got on them is wonderful.

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  7. Thank you for sharing your fabulous creation with the DT from SSSS, love the 2 images and tags.....hugs terry xxxx

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  8. Your tags are gorgeous. Thanks so much for explaining technique - the 'halo' effect is really lovely. Nicola x

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  9. Gorgeous!!! Beyond gorgeous and so stinking fun! Love these two blueprint images!

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  10. Incredible. Love both tags. I am planning to unabashedly copy your ideas. Is that a quote--Imitation is the highest flattery....if not, it should be!

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