Happy Hallowe'en! (and October tag)

Hello ghosts and ghouls,

I hope you're having a frightfully wonderful Hallowe'en!  (It is entirely my favourite holiday, but I'm sad to say that I'm spending it at home, nursing a cold that's been plaguing me for what feels like far too long now!)  I did muster up the energy to whip together my October tag for you though:

Materials/Tools used:
 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila tags
 - Ranger Distress Ink: Black Soot, Frayed Burlap
 - Ranger Distress Embossing Ink
 - Ranger Distress Spray Stain: Antiqued Bronze, Crushed Olive, Seeded Preserves, Spiced Marmalade
 - Ranger Distress Paint: Picket Fence
 - Ranger Distress Markers: Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Shabby Shutters
 - Ranger Archival Ink: Jet Black
 - Ranger Glossy Accents
 - Sharpie Marker: Black
 - Studio 490 Embossing Paste: White
 - Tsukineko Staz-on Ink: Jet Black
 - idea-ology: Alpha Chips (Elementary), Mask Sheets, Monocles, Remnant Rubs (Apothecary), Swivel Clasps, Tinsel Twine (Black), Tiny Attacher, Trimmings (Naturals, Black/Cream), Wishbones
 - Ranger Black Adhesive Foam
 - Ranger Heat Tool
 - Ranger Inkssentials Mister
 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool
 - Ranger Distress Marker Spritzer
 - Tonic Studios: Craft Pick, Craft Scissors, Paper Distresser
 - Stamps by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous: CMS197
 - Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous Layering Stencil: THS027
 - Plastic palette knife
 - Waterbrush
 - 1/16" hole punch
 - Black embossing powder, cold press watercolour paper from my stash

As they are each month, techniques can be found on Tim's blog.

This month, I kept fairly close to Tim's design, with only minor variations.  A few things to note:
 - I didn't have a Dremel to drill a hole at the top of my wishbone, so I used my 1/16" hole punch.  It worked well, but it's the sort of trick that's not really recommended (and if you do try it, please don't hurt yourself!).
 - Be careful handling your Glossy Accented pumpkin, once it's dry and cut out.  It doesn't show up in pictures, but there's actually a crack near the bottom of mine that was the result of handling the tag a bit too roughly when I was putting the holes in my Alpha Chips.
 - Be aware when inking the edges of Alpha Chips, that Distress ink wipes back off fairly easily.  This is good if you accidentally apply more ink than you intended, but you have to then handle them carefully when attaching them to your project, lest you wipe off all the ink you applied.

More views:

Well, that's it for tonight!

'Til next time,
BAC

September tag

Hello all!

I'm heavy into preparation for my October cemetery tour, but I'm popping in long enough to share my September tag with you:

Materials/tools used:
 - Ranger Inkssentials Black tags
 - Ranger Archival Ink: Jet Black
 - Ranger Alcohol Inks: Bottle, Citrus, Denim, Eggplant, Juniper, Lake Mist, Lettuce, Meadow, Purple Twilight, Sailboat Blue, Stonewashed, Stream
 - Ranger Metallic Mixatives: Gold
 - Ranger Alcohol Ink Blending Solution
 - Ranger Glossy Accents
 - Ranger Heat Tool
 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool
 - Ranger Alcohol Ink Felt
 - idea-ology: Remnant Rubs (Life Quotes), Tissue Tape (Hobgoblin)
 - Sizzix Big Shot
 - Sizzix Decorative Strip die: Butterfly Frenzy
 - Stamps by Stampendous (Glance), and Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous (CSS27843)
 - Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous Layering Stencil: Cargo
 - Double-stick tape, white gloss paper from my stash
 - Paper trimmer

As always with the monthly tag, techniques are on Tim's blog.  I ran into a few issues this month, mostly because when I went to do this tag, I realized that I only had one small piece of white gloss paper left, and the only store that carries it locally was already closed.  So I did what I could, but didn't experiment as much as I sometimes do.  Stamping through the stencil with blending solution seemed like a cool idea, but I had trouble getting the stencil pattern to show up.  All I got were blobs, and I think I used too much blending solution.  Going to have to try that again.  I also needed to plan slightly better how to lay out my butterflies before I began to attach them; if you look along the top of the tag, it's plain to see where I ran out of the larger sizes.  But overall, I think it's a very pretty tag, and I did enjoy making it. :-)

Additional views:

Well, that's it for now.  Hope you're having a wonderful autumn, so far!

'Til next time!
BAC

August tag

Hello again,

I know I've been very quiet this summer.  It's been a crazy busy summer, and to be honest, projects in the craft room have fallen by the wayside for the time being.  However, I always make some time for 12 Tags!  :-)

Here's my August tag:

Materials/tools used:

 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila tags

 - Ranger Distress Ink: Gathered Twigs

 - Ranger Distress Embossing Ink

 - Ranger Distress Stain: Faded Jeans, Festive Berries

 - Ranger Distress Paint: Antiqued Bronze, Broken China, Bundled Sage

 - Ranger Archival Ink: Jet Black

 - Studio 490 Embossing Paste: White

 - Ranger Distress Embossing Powder: Vintage Photo

 - idea-ology: Crinkle Ribbon, Filmstrip Ribbon, Jute String, Remnant Rubs (Words), Sanding Grip, Tiny Attacher, Tissue Tape (Commute, Symphony), Vial Labels, Word Bands

 - Ranger Heat Tool

 - Ranger Inkssentials Mister

 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool

 - Tonic Studios: Craft Scissors, Paper Distresser

 - Stamps by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous: CMS160

 - Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous Layering Stencils: Clockwork, Eye Chart, Harlequin, Splatters

 - Plastic palette knife

I took my take on Tim's tag in a London direction.  Followed pretty much the same bunch of techniques in his August post, though I have fewer metal embellishments on my tag.  Otherwise, very much the same.  I think my favourite thing about this month's tag is the rust effect along some of the edges.

More views:

Well, that's it for now.  I'm not sure when I'm going to be getting back to my regular project schedule, but in the meantime, you know you can count on seeing me back here for next month's tag.  :-)  And if there's something you'd like to see more of, learn about, or see me post about, feel free to comment below, or email me directly: bfloanonchick (at) gmail (dot) com.

'Til next time!

BAC

12 Tags of 2014: July

Hello again!

I'm headed out of town for a few days in the morning, but first I wanted to share my July tag with you! :-)

Here it is:

Materials/tools used:
 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila tags
 - Ranger Distress Ink: Evergreen Bough, Gathered Twigs, Salty Ocean
 - Ranger Distress Stain: Pumice Stone, Weathered Wood
 - Ranger Distress Paint: Antique Linen, Broken, China, Peeled Paint, Salty Ocean, Weathered Wood, Wild Honey
 - Ranger Distress Crackle Paint: Clear Rock Candy
 - Ranger Distress Markers: Brushed Corduroy, Pumice Stone
 - Ranger Distress Embossing Powder: Antique Linen, Black Soot
 - Ranger Distress Glitter: Antique Linen
 - Ranger UTEE: Clear
 - Ranger Glossy Accents
 - Ranger Distress Marker Spritzer
 - Ranger Heat Tool
 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool
 - Ranger Inkssentials Mister
 - Core'dinations Tim Holtz Kraft Core: #2, #9, #11
 - idea-ology: Grungeboard, Jute String, Linen Ribbon, Sanding Grip, Tiny Attacher, Word Bands
 - Sizzix Big Shot
 - Sizzix Bigz die: Sand & Sea
 - Sizzix Decorative Strip die: Spring Greenery
 - Sizzix Movers & Shapers dies: Mini Sand & Sea
 - Quickutz Circles A2 embossing folder
 - Tonic Craft Scissors
 - Plastic palette knife
 - Single whole punch
 - Clear plastic (I reused the package from a Sizzix Bigz die)

As with each of the 12 Tags, techniques can be found on Tim's blog.  :-)

Notes:
 - The tag is pretty close to Tim's example.  I switched up a couple of colours here and there, and used a different embossing folder for the plastic, but the effect of the bubbles is pretty much the same.
 - I still don't own the #8 tag die (someday!), so I just cut my embossed plastic using a blank tag as a guide.  The plastic slipped a bit, so it's not perfect, but it's pretty close.  :-)  Then used my single hole punch to punch the hole at the top.
 - Couldn't lay my hands on my paper distresser (which I'm sure will jump out at me, now that I'm finished with the tag), but in a pinch, you can use one of the craft scissor blades to get the same effect.
 - I really enjoyed making the "sand", but I probably should have used a little bit more Glossy Accents in my mix.  Not sure how well it's going to stay, or if I'm going to wind up replacing it in a few days.  :-/

More views:

Well, that's it for now.  I'm HOPING to get one more project done on Thursday of this week, so hopefully I'll talk to you then!

BAC

A Bit About Blitsy!

This post brought to you by Blitsy. The content and opinions expressed below are that of BAC's Creative Adventures.

Hello all,

I'll be back to posting projects a little later this week, but in the meantime, I wanted to talk a bit about Blitsy.com's online craft store again.  (You might remember I gave a little info about this awesome site last fall during their Holiday Card Challenge.)

Basically, Blitsy is a private sale site, just for crafting supplies!  :-)  You have to be a member (though membership is free), and then you get emails that tell you what's currently on sale.  New sales start 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11 am CST).  Sales last 7 days, or until everything is Blitsed (sold out).  (If there's something you really want, I recommend logging in quickly, since some items sell out pretty quick!)  Members can also refer their friends and receive shopping credits!

The type of craft supplies they sell run the gamut from paper-crafting, to jewelry-making, needle crafts, fine arts, stuff for kids, and more.  I pretty much stick with just the paper-crafting stuff, and I'l gotten some great deals.  If you're a Tim Holtz fan, they usually have his products on sale a couple of times a month.  I've seen Sizzix products, Fiskars, Colorbox, Ranger, and so many more great brands, and the prices are discounted up to 70%.  And they carry a nice mix of newer and older products, as well.  When Ranger recently changed their embossing powder line-up, it got harder to find the discontinued powders, but I was able to grab a nice little stash of several colours from Blitsy.  At the same time, I've also seen some of Tim Holtz's latest blueprint stamps for sale on Blitsy.

In addition to great sales, Blitsy has a lot to offer by way of crafty inspiration.  They have a whole section set aside where members can share their projects with others (which is a great way to build a following for your work!), and their blog also has great craft tips and inspiration from their staff (usually 1-2 posts per day).

So if you haven't given Blitsy a try yet, what are you waiting for???

Bombshell June Colour Challenge: Flora Brights

And I'm back with round 2 for tonight!

This project was created for Bombshell Stamps' June Colour Challenge ("Flora Brights").

And first, a BIG THANK YOU!!! to Bombshell for choosing my May project as their monthly winner! I got a fabulous gift certificate that allowed me to add to my Bombshell collection!  :-)

These were the colours to match:

Here's my tag:

Materials/tools used:
 - Ranger Inkssentials #5 Manila tags
 - Ranger Distress Stain: Broken China
 - Ranger Archival Ink: Cobalt
 - Tsukineko Memento Ink: Tuxedo Black
 - Copic Sketch markers: G46, R02, R05, YR61
 - Maya Road Twine Cording Solids: Blue Raspberry
 - Ranger Heat Tool
 - Bombshell Stamps "Lotus Garden" stamp set
 - Tonic Studios Craft Scissors
 - White cardstock, foam dots from my stash

This was another quick and easy project!  :-)  I really like the lotus stamp, and wanted it to be my focus, so I sized down to a #5 tag.  Covered my tag with Distress Stain, and heated it to dry it faster.  Stamped the water ripple and "Balance" with Archival, and set the tag aside.  Stamped the lotus and petals on some white cardstock (I just grab a couple of blank ATCs for stuff like this) with the Memento dye ink (love it for working with Copics!), gave it a quick shot with the heat tool to dry it, and went to town with my Copics.  I coloured an area of green below the lotus, and included that when I cut it out to give the impression of a lily pad beneath it.  Once everything was coloured and cut out, I attached the pieces to the tag with foam dots for dimension, added some twine cording on the top, and I was done!

More views:

Well, that's it for now!  I'm going to be spending some time out of town in July, so I'm really going to try to get the July projects up a bit faster.  ;-)  Hope you're all enjoying your summers as much as I am!

'Til next time!

BAC

12 Tags of 2014: June

Hello all!

Long time, no blog, I know.  It's been a crazy summer, and summer's just getting started!  :-)

I have two projects to share with you this evening, and the first is my June tag for 12 Tags:

Materials/tools used:
 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila tags
 - Ranger Distress Ink: Broken China, Faded Jeans, Peacock Feathers, Ripe Persimmon, Rusty Hinge, Salty Ocean, Spiced Marmalade, Vintage Photo
 - Ranger Archival Ink: Jet Black
 - idea-ology Crinkle Ribbon
 - Ranger Heat Tool
 - Ranger Inkssentials Mister
 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool
 - Tonic Studios Craft Scissors
 - Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous Layering Stencils: Bubble
 - Stamps by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous: CSS25887, U1-2067
 - Cold-press watercolour paper
 - Paper trimmer
 - Waterbrush
- Double-stick tape, foam dots from my stash

Tips and techniques are on Tim's blog.  :-)

I don't own any of the stamp/die combo sets that Tim highlighted in his project post, but you can get the same effect by fussy-cutting your stamped image.

Also, I think it's time to re-ink my Archival black pad.  ;-)

More views:

Well, that's it on this project.  Back in a little bit with another!

'Til then,

BAC

12 Tags of 2014: May

(In just under the wire - phew!)  ;-)

Here's my tag:

Materials/tools used:
 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila tags
 - Ranger Distress Ink: Faded Jeans, Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Weathered Wood
 - Ranger Distress Markers: Faded Jeans
 - Ranger Matte Multi-Medium
 - Ranger Inkssentials Collage Glue Stick
 - idea-ology: Arrows, Design Ruler, Industrious Stickers ("Frames & Trims"), Label Letters, Linen Ribbon, Mini Fasteners, Muse Tokens, Pen Nibs, Sanding Grip, Trinket Pins, Wishbones
 - Tim Holtz 8x8 Paper Stash: Collage
 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool
 - Sizzix Big Shot
 - Sizzix Shadow Press embossing folders: Documented
 - Sizzix Movers & Shapers die: Mini Hearts
 - Tonic Studios Craft Scissors
 - Chipboard
 - 1/8" Hole Punch

Tips and techniques are on Tim's blog.  :-)

I didn't pack quite as many things onto my tag as Tim did in his example.  I had all the stuff, but I just didn't like the way it looked quite as much.  I *did* obtain a jar of multi-medium for this month.  And then opened the drawer where I keep my painting stuff to find that I did indeed already have a jar, and it was sitting in there with the gesso.  (At least I wasn't going crazy, thinking I'd already bought it!)  If I had it to do over again (a third time!), I might get the smaller bottle with the nozzle applicator, though.  I was using it to attach small fiddly things, and I think it would have been a little cleaner, than how I was using it with a small paintbrush.  Oh well!

More views:

As we head into June, I'm going to try to be a little more timely with the challenges I *do* opt to do, rather than waiting 'til the end of the month.  :-)  (And if it rains as much this week as they're predicting, my next post may be quite soon indeed!)

'Til next time,

BAC

Bombshell May Colour Challenge: Baked Tones

Hello all!

I know it's been a little while since I had a post for you.  As summer approaches, I find myself getting busier and busier, and spending more and more time outside, rather than cooped up in my studio.  :-)  So here's my commitment until the fall: at least 2 challenges a month, one of which will be Tim's 12 Tags.

The tag below was created for Bombshell Stamps' May Colour Challenge ("Baked Tones").

These were the colours to match:

Here's my tag:

Materials/tools used:

 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila tags

 - Ranger Distress Ink: Brushed Corduroy, Shaded Lilac, Vintage Photo

 - Tsukineko Memento dye ink: Tuxedo Black

 - Copic Sketch markers: B34, B37, E35, N6, R02, RV34, W1

 - idea-ology Linen Ribbon

 - Bombshell Stamps "Pirate's Life" stamp set

 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool

 - Tonic Studios Craft Scissors

Other than actually trying to match the given colours, this was a pretty easy project.  Stamped on the tag with my Memento dye ink, coloured in with my Copics, added some Distress with my foam tool, and a ribbon to finish it off!

More views:

(Really not sure why the darker blue in this picture came out looking so royal!  

Trick of the angle/light, I suspect.  The colour is more accurate in the first picture.)  :-)

Well, that's it for tonight.  Check back tomorrow for my May tag for 12 tags!  :-)

'Til then!

BAC

Simon Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes!

Hello everyone!

Today's project is for SimonSaysStamp's Wednesday challenge ("Anything goes").

Here's my tag:

Materials/tools used:
 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila tags
 - Ranger Distress Ink: Fired Brick, Mowed Lawn
 - Ranger Archival Ink: Jet Black
 - idea-ology: Label Letters, Tissue Tape (Commute)
 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool
 - Sizzix Big Shot
 - Sizzix Texture Fades: Subway
 - City skyline stamp by Tim Holtz for Stampers anonymous: CSS27911
 - Apple stamp carved by me
 - Paper trimmer
 - White cardstock, foam dots from my stash

More views:

That's it for now!  Sorry for the quick post, but I'm headed out now for a much-needed mini-vacation.  :-)

'Til next time!

BAC

Simon Monday Challenge: Not So Mellow Yellow!

Hello again!

Today's project was created for SimonSaysStamp's Monday challenge ("Not So Mellow Yellow").  Here's my tag:

Materials/tools used:

 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila tags

 - Ranger Distress Ink: Mustard Seed, Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade

 - Ranger Distress Stain: Mustard Seed

 - Ranger Distress Paint: Mustard Seed

 - Ranger Archival Ink: Chrome Yellow, Jet Black

 - Studio 490 Embossing Paste: White

 - idea-ology: Crinkle Ribbon, Jump Rings, Philosophy Tags, Wire Pins

 - Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous Layering Stencils: Burlap, Splatters

 - Stamps by Tim Holtz for Stamper's Anonymous: CMS183, CSS30195

 - Ranger Heat Tool

 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool

 - Plastic palette knife

 - Painters tape

To create this tage, I started by laying the Burlap stencil over my blank tag, and taping either side of the stencil to my craft sheet with painters tape to keep it in place.  I applied some embossing paste to various areas of the stencil, and used the palette knife to scrape the paste so that it was even with the surface of the stencil.  I carefully removed the stencil, and used my heat tool to speed-dry the embossing paste.   Then I used my blending tool to add a couple shades of yellow Distress ink all over my tag.  I taped the Splatters stencil over the tag, and used a darker yellow shade of Distress to create the splatters.  I stamped the hashtag stamp and the sentiment stamp with Archival ink, and then set the tag aside to work on the pieces for the top.  The ribbon was coloured with Distress stain, crumpled up, and heat-dried.  I dabbed Distress paint all over the surface of the Philosophy tag, until it was in all the recessed areas, and then wiped off the surface of the tag.  A little heat to ensure the paint was dry, and then I attached it to a wire pin with a jump ring, and then to the ribbon at the top.

More views:

'Til next time!

BAC

Inspiration Journal April Challenge: A Few of My Favourite Things

Okay, last project for tonight - I promise!  ;-)

This project was created for Inspiration Journal's April challenge ("A Few of My Favourite Things"), and is also being submitted to SimonSaysStamp's Wednesday challenge ("Anything Goes").

Here's my tag:

Materials/tools used:

 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila tags

 - Ranger Distress Ink: Antique Linen, Black Soot, Chipped Sapphire, Dusty Concord, Fired Brick, Stormy Sky, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain

 - Ranger Distress Stain: Tea Dye

 - idea-ology Chit Chat

 - Maya Road Twine Cording: Blackberry

 - Ranger Heat Tool

 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool

 - Ranger Inkssentials Mister

 - Tonic Studios Craft Scissors

 - Stamps by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous: CMS162, CSS25900

Ever since I was a little kid, I've thought trains were cool.  So, since I've already submitted a Moulin Rouge tag to this challenge this month, I figured trains would be a fun theme.  :-)

I started by covering my tag with Distress Stain and heating it to dry it.  I splattered some water droplets on it, again drying it, and then began to stamp some of my various train-themed stamps.  All of the stamps except the train were stamped with colors, and the train I stamped in black, to make it stand out. Once I was done stamping, I edged my card with Vintage Photo Distress ink, inked a Chit Chat sticker with a little Antique Linen, and added it to the tag.  Lastly, I cut a piece of the Maya Road twine cording, and ran a foam blending tool with some brown ink on it over it to make it look a little older and dingier, and tied it through the hole at the top.

More views:

Well, I may be back before the end of the week, but this is definitely it for April's projects!  See you next month!

BAC

A Vintage Journey: Spring Flowers

Here we are with Part 2 (of 3) of my posts this evening.  :-)

This project was created for A Vintage Journey's Challenge #4 ("Spring Flowers"), and I'm also submitting it to SimonSaysStamp's Wednesday challenge ("Anything Goes").

Here's my tag:

Materials/tools used:
 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila tags
 - Ranger Distress Ink: Broken China, Bundled Sage, Dried Marigold, Iced Spruce, Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Salty Ocean, Vintage Photo
 - Ranger Distress Paint: Peeled Paint, Picket Fence
 - Ranger Distress Stain: Tea Dye
 - Ranger Heat Tool
 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool
 - Ranger Inkssentials Mister
 - Ranger Inkssentials Collage Glue Stick
 - Tim Holtz 8x8 Paper Stash: Collage, Menagerie
 - idea-ology: Crinkle Ribbon, Long Fasteners, Sanding Grip
 - Tonic Studios: Craft Scissors, Paper Distresser
 - Sizzix Big Shot
 - Sizzix dies: Tattered Florals Bigz, Tattered Leaves Bigz
 - Stamp by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous: CSS30218
 - 1/8" hole punch

To create this tag, I started by putting some Tea Dye Distress stain and Peeled Paint Distress paint on my craft sheet, and swiping my tag through them until it was covered.  I dried it with my heat tool, and then covered it with Iced Spruce Distress ink.  Then I splattered some droplets of water on it, and dried once again with the heat tool.  I then inked around the edges with brown Distress ink, and distressed them with the Tonic distresser tool.  Next, I stamped my butterfly with white Distress paint, cleaned my stamp, and used my heat tool to dry the paint.

Next, I set the tag aside, and began working on my die cuts.  I cut pieces from four different pages in the paper stashes, and die-cut 4 sets of the Tattered Floral pieces, and 2 single leaves from the Tattered Leaves die.  I lightly sanded the edges, and then used my foam tool to add some color to my flower pieces.  Each flower above contains 2 sets of Tattered Floral pieces, but I mixed and matched the different paper designs for variety.  I used my tiny hole punch to make a hole in the centre of each flower piece, and began to put my flowers together, from the top down, on long fasteners.  I alternated rolling the petals inward or outward to create some dimension.  Once my flowers were complete, I attached the leaves to my tag with collage glue stick, and used some Glossy Accents to adhere the completed flowers.  Lastly, I took a piece of crinkle ribbon, spritzed it with water, rubbed a yellow Distress pad on it, crumpled it up, and dried it with my heat tool, for the perfect finishing touch on top.

More views:

Back in a little bit with my last post for this evening!  :-)

BAC

12 Tags of 2014: April

Wow!  My second year doing 12 Tags, and I'm already a third of the way through it!  :-)  Time flies!

I'm also sharing this project with A Vintage Journey ("Spring Flowers").

Materials/tools used:

 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila tags

 - Ranger Distress Ink: Iced Spruce, Milled Lavender, Mustard Seed, Shaded Lilac, Squeezed Lemonade, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain

 - Ranger Distress Paint: Broken China, Peeled Paint

 - Ranger Glossy Accents

 - Ranger Matte Glue 'n' Seal

 - idea-ology: Crinkle Ribbon, Grungeboard, Jump Rings, Jute String, Mirrored, Philosophy Tags, Sanding Grip, Tissue Tape (Sketchbook, Symphony), Wire Pins

 - DCWV adhesive backed cork

 - Tim Holtz 8x8 Paper Stash: Menagerie

 - Ranger Heat Tool

 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool

 - Ranger Inkssentials Mister

 - Ranger Inkssentials Collage Glue Stick

 - Sizzix Big Shot

 - Sizzix dies: Tattered Pinecone Bigz, Trellis Frameworks

 - Tonic Studios Craft Scissors

 - Hot glue gun

 - Toothpicks, paper towels

I'm not going to devote a long post to what techniques I used.  My 12 Tags post is always based on inspiration from Tim Holtz's post, so head there for all the tips and techniques!  :-)

I will note that I was aready elbow-deep in project when I realized that what I was remembering as a jar of Multi-Medium, was in fact Glue 'n' Seal, so I wound up using that instead, to attach my trellis die cut, and it worked pretty well.  I put a heavy book on top of it for about 10 minutes, just to keep it in place and let it bond.  I used dots of Glossy Accents to adhere the center pieces into the trellis.

The technique for turning a tattered pinecone into a tea rose is cool, but takes some practice.  I did okay on the first rose (the yellow one), but then on the second (purple), when I was loosening and repositioning the petals, 2 of them separated, so that I basically had 2 spirals, instead of one.  It still came out okay, but I think I still need some practice making those.  :-) (Also, fun fact: the hot glue gun doesn't lie.  It's hot.)

More views:

I still have two more projects I completed for the end of April to share with you this evening, so check back in a little bit for installments 2 & 3.  :-)

BAC

Bombshell April Colour Challenge: Comfort Tones

Hello again!

Here's the second project I created for a Bombshell Stamps challenge this month.  This tag was created for the April Colour Challenge ("Comfort Tones").

These were the colours to match:

Here's my tag:

Materials/tools used:

 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila tags

 - Ranger Distress Ink: Brushed Corduroy, Evergreen Bough, Iced Spruce, Victorian Velvet 

 - Ranger Distress Stain: Evergreen Bough, Iced Spruce

 - Tsukineko Memento dye ink: Tuxedo Black

 - Copic Sketch markers: BG72, E23, R00, R02, R59, RV91, 0

 - Ranger Ice Stickles: Cherry Ice

 - idea-ology Crinkle Ribbon

 - Ranger Heat Tool

 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool

 - Ranger Inkssentials Mister

 - Bombshell Stamps "Bombshell Angel" stamp set

 - Tonic Studios Craft Scissors

 - Paper trimmer

 - White cardstock, double-stick tape, foam dots from my stash

I should start by noting that I kept as close to the suggested palette as possible, within the limits of the markers/ink I own.  (I wish I knew of a good method for matching Design Seeds palettes to the Copic colour chart.  If you know of one, please share it!)  :-)

I started by stamping my bombshell with Memento dye ink on white cardstock, and trimming to accommodate her.  I coloured her in with my Copics, and then used my foam tool to add some Victorian Velvet Distress ink around the edge of that piece.  I stamped the "Bombshell" word on another piece of cardstock, and again trimmed it down.  This piece was inked first with Iced Spruce, and then with Evergreen Bough, in an attempt to match the correct palette.  Then I inked the entire surface of a blank tag with Brushed Corduroy, and attached the stamped pieces.  The smaller word stamp was attached with foam dots, to add a little dimension.  Next, I added some dots with Ice Stickles for a little "bling".  Lastly, I cut a piece of crinkle ribbon, and  inked with a couple shades of Distress Stain, dried it with my Heat Tool, and added it to the top.

More views:

That's it for now, but I'll still have a couple projects to share tomorrow.  :-)

'Til then!

BAC

Bombshell April 2014 Challenge: Junk It!

Hello again!

Today I have the first of 2 posts highlighting projects I did for challenges at Bombshell Stamps this month.  Ms. April's challenge was "Junk It!", which encouraged participants to repurpose "junk" (mail, packaging, bottles, boxes, etc.) and use it in your design.

Here's my tag:

Materials/tools used:

 - Ranger Inkssentials #5 Manila tags

 - Ranger Distress Paint: Broken China, Picket Fence

 - Ranger Distress Stain: Tarnished Brass

 - Tsukineko Memento dye ink: Tuxedo Black

 - Ranger Glossy Accents

 - Copic Sketch markers: B00, E13, E35, R00, R24, Y15, Y19, Y32

 - idea-ology Crinkle Ribbon

 - Ranger Heat Tool

 - Ranger Inkssentials Mister

 - Bombshell Stamps "Bombshell Angel" stamp set

 - Tonic Studios Craft Scissors

 - Paper trimmer

 - White cardstock, foam dots from my stash

 - Tyvek envelope, cardboard mailer box reclaimed from recent mail

First of all, a great big THANK YOU!!! to my awesome friend Denise, who sent me my very first set of Bombshell stamps, so that I could keep joining challenges at Bombshell!!  Yay!!!!!

To create this tag, I started by covering my blank tag with Broken China Distress paint, and setting it aside to dry.  Next, I tore a flap off a corrugated cardboard Priority mail box that I received a package in earlier this month, and separated the top layer to expose the corrugation.  I cut it into a cloud shape, and covered it with Picket Fence Distress paint, again setting it aside to dry.  I also took a Tyvek mailing envelope I'd received, and also cut a cloud shape from that.  Next I cut a piece of white cardstock approximately 2.5" square, and stamped the angel stamp with Tuxedo Black Memento ink.  (This is definitely my "go-to" ink when I'm going to colour with Copics.  It doesn't react or move at all!)  I coloured the angel in, and then carefully edged the card with the brass Distress Stain (right from the dabber top).  I looked at my tag and the piece of cardboard, and they weren't *quite* dry yet (and I'm impatient!), so I quickly finished drying them with my heat tool.  I used Glossy Accents to attach my clouds, and then foam dots to add the piece with the angel.  Lastly, I cut a piece of crinkle ribbon, misted it with water, crumpled it, and dried it, before attaching it at the top.

More views:

This is just the first of 2 challenges I'm joining at Bombshell in April, so check back in a little bit for the other one! 

'Til then!

BAC

Simon Wednesday Challenge: Simon Says Keep It Clean and Simple

Last project!  (For now...) ;-)

This project was created for SimonSaysStamp's Wednesday challenge ("Simon Says Keep It Clean and Simple").  There was also an optional extra challenge to use one layer.  :-)

Here's my tag:

 - Ranger Inkssentials Black tags

 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila ATC blanks

 - Ranger Distress Ink: Salty Ocean

 - Ranger Archival Ink: Jet Black

 - Tim Holtz Kraft Resist Paper Stash

 - Maya Road Twine Cording Solids: Blue Raspberry

 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool

 - Tonic Studios Craft Scissors

 - Stamp by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous: CMS165

 - Paper trimmer

 - Double-stick tape, foam dots from my stash

This tag was really quick and simple to make.  :-)  I cut a piece of the Kraft Resist paper to fit on the tag, and inked over it with the Distress ink and my foam blending tool.  This brought out the areas of resist already on the paper.  I took an ATC blank, stamped my sentiment, and trimmed off the excess part of the card.  Inked around the edges of the card with the same colour I used on the background.  Attached the Kraft Resist to my tag with double-stick tape, and added the piece with the sentiment with foam dots, to create my added layer.  Twine cording through the hole at the top of the tag, and I was done!

Additional views:

Back to the studio with me!  As the month comes to an end, I'm finishing up a lot of projects, so expect a few more posts before April escapes for good.

'Til then!

BAC