‘Craft’ Category

  1. Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition

    29th September, 2017 by iGirlZoe

    I just had the best weekend of my life!

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    I can’t believe a week has passed since I was lucky enough to attend the Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition workshop, held at Art from the Heart in Harrogate.

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    The first leg of our flight was at 7am, so a 4am alarm call for us, (they don’t call it the red eye for nothing)!! It was an easy journey with enough time at Heathrow to pick up some Scottish Tablet from Fortnum and Mason and make a quick stop at Starbucks before our connecting flight to Leeds.

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    We checked into the Crowne Plaza in Harrogate and I got a much needed early night, although like many others attending the workshop, was far too excited to sleep!

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    It was finally time to make my way to Art from the Heart and check in for the workshop.

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    We were given these cool lanyards to wear in class!

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    Tim is a phenomenal teacher, I loved every minute, learnt so much and laughed lots. I was lucky enough to take the class with a long time online friend, Emma Williams. It was so great to finally her them in person and share the day.

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    Mario Rossi, King of BTS, was of course there making things run smoothly and capturing moments from each of the workshops.

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    These are the tags that I made in class. DO NOT adjust your screens, I did use PINK!

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    These were my favourite technique tags and I’ve already used them to make some Halloween cards.

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    These are the goodies we were given in class. Tim and Mario are just beyond generous.

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    We were given necklaces for luck, which of course will now be my traveling accessory for life! We were also given these cool gusseted bags. The idea is to take time out each day and make something and put it in the bag to use later. We were also given these Tim Holtz District Market notebooks for jotting down creative ideas. I have already made good use of both.

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    Each student received these stencils, made exclusively for the Creative Chemistry LIVE classes. We were given a binder with clear sleeves to store our technique tags and even a tote to carry it all home in. Tim and Mario think of everything.

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    We had to get a THA Group photo with the man himself! Kaz Hall and I admin the Tim Holtz Addicts facebook group.

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    I managed to get a silly photo with Tim and Mario (the photo bomber) Rossi! These guys are just so much fun and their energy is endless.

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    Mario took some fun selfies after class. Love this guy!

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    Naturally I did some shopping at Art from the Heart and they were stocked up with Tim Holtz’s new holiday line!

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    I was still on cloud nine the next day and as the next group of lucky students began their workshop, my Husband and I visited York and did some shopping.

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    We met up with friends and family for afternoon tea at Betty’s Tea Room. It was simply heavenly. Somewhere I would definitely go back to.

    Creative Chemistry LIVE UK Edition
    And just like that our magical weekend had come to and end and it was time to make our way back to Copenhagen. We had just enough time on the way to the airport to drop in for one last hug and meet Kath Stewart and Anne Redfern.

    We had an incredible time and met so many lovely friends, old and new. There was such an incredible atmosphere surrounding the entire weekend. People traveling from all over and coming together. So much laughter, excitement, hugs and new friendships. I certainly came away with a renewed vigor for all things creative and some wonderful memories. I hope we can do it again soon.

    A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Tim Holtz, Mario Rossi and Ben from Art from the Heart for all their hard work bringing this class to the UK and making so many crafters happy.

    Zoe x


  2. Frilly & Funkie: Salvaged

    3rd June, 2017 by iGirlZoe

    Hello friends! I hope your weekend is off to a good start. It’s been a while since I blogged. I’ve been taking a little break from the my regular Design Team position with Frilly & Funkie, until returning permanently in the new year. Today I am popping back in to bring you a SATURDAY STEP BY STEP with a sea themed card to celebrate one year living by the sea in Copenhagen.

    iGirlZoe : Salvaged
    If you would like to see the step by step in full, pop over to Frilly & Funkie.

    Have a great weekend.
    Zoe

     



  3. Frilly & Funkie: Count Me In!

    5th April, 2017 by iGirlZoe

    It’s Wednesday and time for the funkie side of the design team to share our projects for the current challenge over at the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog!

    The current challenge is hosted by Jenny (Pushing the Right Buttons), who has chosen the theme COUNT ME IN! …Jenny says, “Numbers are a huge part of our everyday lives so it is no surprise they are also often included in our creative ones too. For this challenge you need to use your choice of numbers to add that special ‘sum-thing’ to your vintage or shabby chic project. Make them count as part of the design, not just a last minute addition!

    iGirlZoe : Count Me InI admit that when I saw this challenge I was delighted, as I love numbers. I wanted to create a Spring home decor piece to hang on the wall.

    I started by painting a vignette house with iced spruce distress paint, with water added to dilute and create a wash and set aside to dry.

    iGirlZoe : Count Me In
    The background was created with a piece of manila heavystock, cut to fit the vignette house. I die cut wildflowers from heavystock and adhered them to the background with matte collage medium. Then painted another layer of collage medium over the top. Once dry, I began adding distress crayons to the flowers, working in small areas and blending with my finger.

    iGirlZoe : Count Me In
    I sanded the edges, blended in a little vintage photo distress ink and added water droplets using a distress spray bottle. To continue with the challenge theme, I added remnant rub numbers. Then adhered the panel into the vignette house with matte collage medium.

    iGirlZoe : Count Me InI used the stencil numbers thinlits die set to create side panels for the vignette house from heavystock. Once die cut, I covered with a layer of matte collage medium. Once dry, I blended in distress crayons.

    iGirlZoe : Count Me InUsing a cotton bud with a tiny mist of water, I removed some of the crayon to create highlights. I then adhere to the side panels of the vignette house.

    iGirlZoe : Count Me InI painted a vignette finial with picket fence distress paint and then added vintage photo distress ink to areas to age. I added a mini plaquette with twine, a decorative dome with a letterpress block inside which was painted with weathered wood distress paint and sanded when dry. I adhered a butterfly to the top of the letterpress and a little moss to the bottom of the dome.

    iGirlZoe : Count Me InFinally I added another letterpress, which I had painted the same way as before and added some of the new paper dolls. These things are selling like hotcakes and I can see why!

    iGirlZoe : Count Me In
    For the roof I added numbers cut from grunge paper using the wordplay die. I confess to hoarding grunge paper and grunge board since it was discontinued. I used walnut stain distress stain to colour the numbers. I find the stains work really well with wood and grunge board/paper.

    iGirlZoe : Count Me In
    I decorated the top of the vignette with some bouqet findings, which I coloured with distress sprays. I added a ruler ribbon which I added a belt buckle to and adhered with glossy accents.

    iGirlZoe : Count Me InI added corners which I rubbed gold wax onto. Just add a wall hanger to the back it’s ready to hang up for Spring.

    iGirlZoe : Count Me In
    I hope you will find time to join in the challenge and pop over to Frilly and Funkie challenge blog to see the rest of the DT’s projects. All the products I used are available from The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

    Thanks for stopping by.
    Zoe

     


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  4. Frilly & Funkie: Free to Fly

    22nd March, 2017 by iGirlZoe

    It’s Wednesday and time for the funkie side of the design team to share our projects for the current challenge over at the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog!

    The current challenge is hosted by Kathy (Kathy by design), who has chosen the theme YOU’VE GOT TO KNOW WHEN TO FOLD ‘EM …KATHY says, “I’m a huge fan of folded paper! Whether it’s a fancy fold card, a one sheet wonder, a rosette or other folded embellishment, folds equal fun! This challenge is all about using folded paper in a way that goes beyond just folding it in half. Create a vintage or shabby chic project that uses folded paper in a way that elevates the design. You can make a fancy fold card, or add folded embellishments to a card or layout. So get out those bone folders and start creasing!

    iGirlZoe : Free to FlyIt took me so long to decide what do to for this challenge. My usual creative enthusiasm has been rather lackluster of late. Having just moved to Denmark 10 months ago, we are now having to move out of our apartment completely while they put new floors in. So I’m packing again, and honestly, I feel really tired!

    Still, nothing like the lure of some distress oxides and a wink from my growing stash of distress crayons to get me back to my happy place.

    iGirlZoe : Free to Fly
    I started with those gorgeous distress oxides. I applied some to a manila tag with a mini blending tool. I spritzed with water and dried with a heat tool. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you can build layers of colour without creating “MUD!”

    iGirlZoe : Free to Fly
    I used the postal marks stamp from the Tim Holtz Paris to London stamp set. Inked it up with black soot archival ink and stamped randomly onto the background without using a grid block.

    iGirlZoe : Free to Fly
    The fold in my card is the hot air balloon. I stamped the image twice, once onto a stamped label frame and the second image I cut the balloon out. I covered with collage medium and used faded jeans distress crayon to colour the balloon. I blended in vintage photo distress ink over the top to age. Using a bone folder, I scored a line down the center of the balloon. I ran a line of glossy accents on the back, just down the line and adhered over the top of the first stamped image. I also added a flag which I concertina folded and then adhered with glossy accents.

    iGirlZoe : Free to Fly
    Next it was time to accessorise! I used Tim Holtz vellum ephemera which I attached with a dot of glossy accents and then stitched into place with my sewing machine. I overlaid with remnant rubs and a sticker from the new quotations metallic stickers. Once finished, I mounted onto a black cardstock.

    I hope you will find time to join in the challenge and pop over to Frilly and Funkie challenge blog to see the rest of the DT’s projects. All the products I used are available from The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

    Thanks for stopping by.
    Zoe
     



  5. Frilly & Funkie : Out of the Cold

    22nd February, 2017 by iGirlZoe

    It’s Wednesday and time for another challenge over at Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog!

    This challenge is hosted by Cec (CW Card Creations), who has chosen the theme OUT OF THE COLD …CEC says, “It is winter and that means snow and cold in so many places so let’s head to the tropics. Create any vintage or shabby chic project that will make us feel warm – think lots of sunshine, bright colours, flora and fauna and even animals hiding in the rain forest.”

    iGirlZoe : Out of the ColdBright colours are always a bit of a challenge for me as it’s just not really my jam, but I love a challenge…

    iGirlZoe : Out of the Cold
    Cut a piece of mixed media cardstock 7 x 5.25 inches. I stamped the new rectangle collage background stamp by Wendy Vecchi in cornflower blue archival ink. Overstamp in jet black archival ink with the botanical register background stamp, also by Wendy Vecchi. I LOVE this stamp!!

    iGirlZoe : Out of the Cold
    Blend pumice stone and broken china distress ink inside the rectangle collage stamped area. Then blend vintage photo distress ink over the outer area. Spritz with water and set aside to dry.

    iGirlZoe : Out of the Cold
    I used the new idea-ology block lower cling foam stamps by Tim Holtz with picket fence distress paint to stamp a series of numbers over my background. Once dry, ink up the cling foam stamps with potting soil archival ink and stamp onto scrap paper twice and then stamp, slightly offset over the original stamped image.

    iGirlZoe : Out of the Cold
    Stamp flowers from the flower garden and mini bouquet sets onto distress watercolor cardstock. Scribble distress crayons onto a non stick craft mat, (I used seedless preserve, fossilized amber and peeled paint). Using a water brush, pick up the distress crayon and watercolour the stamped images and fussy cut. I love the depth of colour you get when watercolouring with distress crayons.

    iGirlZoe : Out of the Cold
    Stamp a bee from the tiny things stamp set and watercolour distress markers, (I used wild honey for the body and tumbled glass for the wings). Once dry fussy cut.

    iGirlZoe : Out of the Cold
    Use this dry embossing technique by Tim Holtz to give the bee and the flowers a cool dimensional effect. Attach with glossy accents and 3D foam.

    iGirlZoe : Out of the Cold
    Bend the prongs off a fork from the idea-ology silverware set. To age, dab mushroom alcohol ink on with a cotton bud and allow to dry. Using the other end of the cotton bud, roll over potting soil archival ink and dab onto the fork. Attach with glossy accents.

    iGirlZoe : Out of the Cold
    Punch 2 banners with the Tim Holtz Large banner paper punch. Blend vintage photo distress ink into one and broken china distress ink into the other, spritz with water and once dry mount one over the other, slightly offsetting. Age an idea-ology adornment index clip, using the same technique as the fork, and clip over the banner. Add some remnant rubs inside the index clip window.

    iGirlZoe : Out of the Cold
    I hope you will find time to join in the challenge and pop over to Frilly and Funkie challenge blog to see the rest of the DT’s projects. All the products I used are available from The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

    Thanks for stopping by.
    Zoe

     


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  6. CHA 2016 Tim Holtz Periscopes Day 2

    12th January, 2016 by iGirlZoe

    Hello! Back again with more periscopes from CHA 2016 featuring Tim Holtz. Thanks so much to everyone who scoped from CHA and shared this amazing show with people from around the world!

    If like me you’re going to miss getting the daily “whistle”, check out the following instagram accounts for loads of Tim Holtz BTS (behind the scenes) from CHA 2016.

    Tim Holtz
    Mario Rossi
    Paula Cheney
    Richele Christensen
    Sizzix
    Ranger Ink

    Enjoy…

    CHA2016 periscope – More with Tim (by Sizzix)

    CHA2016 periscope – What’s New at Sizzix with Tim Holtz (by Sizzix)

    CHA2016 periscope – Tim Holtz Good Morning from CHA (by Mario Rossi)

    CHA2016 periscope – Ranger Booth (by Brianna)

    CHA 2016 periscope – Tim Holtz (by Yvonne Blair)


  7. CHA 2016 Tim Holtz Periscopes

    11th January, 2016 by iGirlZoe

    Good Morning! It’s been an exciting and busy weekend for the craft world with the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) 2016 show in full swing. If like me, you were glued to your screen all weekend watching Periscope and listening for the next “whistle,” you would have seen some of the incredible products being demonstrated. I also know that for some, it wasn’t possible to get Periscope or stream it in the 24 hour limit the videos are available for, especially those working their socks off at CHA!

    SO, my very clever and time generous husband spent his weekend saving and converting the scopes. A big thank you to him, as each video took several hours to download, convert and upload. Also a big thank you to everyone at CHA who took the time to periscope so people from around the world could feel part of the show.

    You can see the sneak peaks for all the new products on Tim Holtz Blog.

    Enjoy…

    CHA2016 periscope – Tim Holtz Opening Day

    CHA2016 periscope – Tim Holtz Sizzix Booth

    CHA2016 periscope – Tim Holtz Alterations here we go (by Mario Rossi)

    CHA2016 periscope – Tim Holtz Vagabond 2 demo (with Richele Christensen)

    CHA2016 periscope – Tim Holtz Sizzix booth village (with Annette Green)

    CHA2016 periscope – Tim Holtz Distress Crayons in Ranger booth


  8. Ghostly Halloween Mixed Media Canvas

    28th September, 2015 by iGirlZoe

    I’m excited to share my guest tutorial over at Ranger Ink today with a step-by-step Halloween themed mixed media canvas.

    iGirlZoe: Ghostly Halloween Mixed Media Canvas
    I hope you will take a moment to stop by and take a look. There are lots of step-by-step tutorials from other guest artists in the Ranger Ink Project Library.

    I’ll be back on Wednesday with my first design team project for Frilly & Funkie.


  9. Undertakers Parlor

    26th September, 2015 by iGirlZoe

    I’m very excited to share my second contribution to the Tim Holtz Halloween Inspiration series using the new seasonal idea-ology from Tim Holtz as well as the new movers and shapers coffin box die, which is TO DIE FOR, (pun intended)!

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    To begin with, take an idea-ology configuration box 6.75″ x 8.75. I used the lid and the insert boxes and put the base box away to use for another project.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    As the lid of the configurations box is a little wider than the base, I used one of the small insert boxes to build up another box so it would fill the space.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    Paint the base box frame and the edges of the insert boxes with black soot distress paint. Once completely dry, cover with a layer of clear rock candy distress crackle paint and allow to air dry.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    Use a selection of the scrumptious new regions beyond paper stash to line the insert boxes.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    Measure the inside of the boxes, cut and score the paper and adhere with matte multi medium.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    Glue the plastic sheet that comes with the configuration box to the inside of the frame using matte multi medium. Cut and glue a panel of paper for the space where the insert boxes won’t cover. I used the funeral advert from the regions beyond paper stash which fit perfectly with my theme. Turn the box over and cover the plastic with a panel of paper cut to fit inside the frame, again using matte multi medium.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    Gather together idea-ology ready to decorate your configuration box.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    Paint idea-ology letterpress with distress paint and allow to dry. Sand lightly with a sanding grip to give an aged look.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    The new movers and shapers coffin box die really is TO DIE FOR, (pun intended again)! There is space to use the co-ordinating tiny bat, shield and cross dies! I cut the coffin box with the tiny cross from Ranger mixed media cardstock and embossed with the wood planks texture fades folder.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    Before assembling, add vintage photo distress ink with a mini ink blending tool and ground espresso distress ink lightly over the top to highlight the embossed parts. Brush over a layer of matte multi medium to seal and give a slight sheen. Mount a small piece of plastic to the under side of the coffin box lid. I glued the lid of the coffin box to the base as I wanted it to stand up in my configuration box without the lid falling off.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    Take an idea-ology corked dome and cover the cork with picket fence distress stain. Once dry paint ground espresso distress stain to the lower portion of the cork. Cover idea-ology heirloom roses with alcohol inks and set aside to dry. Fill the dome with the roses and glue the cork on with glossy accents.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    Adhere to the configuration box with a little hot glue.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    Alter idea-ology apothecary and tiny vials. I LOVE the sheet of labels that comes with the new seasonal idea-ology apothecary vials!

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    These are idea-ology tiny vials covered with matte multi medium to give the glass “tooth” and then covered in metallic mixatives alcohol inks! The corks are stained with ground espresso distress stain and labels from the idea-ology apothecary vials set.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    The wing of bat vial is filled with black soot distress glitter and a bat from the idea-ology adornments oddities set hung from the halloween trimmings. The spider legs bottle is covered with matte multi medium and clear rock candy distress crackle paint and once dry, picket fence distress paint brushed over the top and the excess wiped away. It gives an impression of spiders webs stuck to the outside of the vial. I covered a spider from the adornments oddities with glossy accents and rusty hinge distress glitter. All the bottles and labels are from the new idea-ology apothecary vial set.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    Using more idea-ology apothecary bottles I painted a line of picket fence distress paint to the corks and once dry, rubbed regions beyond remnant rubs over the top.The texture of the cork slightly inhibits the rubs, but I love the distressed and aged effect it gives.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    Screw idea-ology screw eyes into the under side of an insert box and hang wishbones from them. Use a pokey tool to gently push a hole through the wishbone. I filled an idea-ology corked vial with Ranger antiquities weathered white embossing powder and a cut up wishbone to look like bones. I rubbed “bone dust” from the regions beyond remnant rubs onto a label from the idea-ology vial labels. I cut up another wishbone and adhered it with glossy accents.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    I used a whole pack of the idea-ology boneyard skulls. In fact the name of these, “boneyard,” gave me the idea for the wishbone garden and the skulls all stuffed into the smallest insert box. I left the hot glue trails to give a cobweb effect, (this was a happy accident that happened when I was hot gluing the skulls into the insert box).

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    My favourite insert box was this tiny skull garden using idea-ology corked domes, corked bottles, adornments oddities and boneyard skulls. I sprayed a little twisted citron distress stain spray onto some moss and glued onto the dome corks with glossy accents. I decorated with labels from the apothecary vials set and rubbed remnant rubs onto a mini terracotta pot from my craft stash. The terracotta pot is filled with texture paste mixed with ground espresso distress reinker and the boneyard skull is hot glued to a cocktail stick that is set into the texture paste.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    I attached an idea-ology adornments crossbone to a mini lantern with glossy accents.

    iGirlZoe: Undertakers Parlor
    Thanks for stopping by and a big thank you to Paula, Tim and Mario for inviting me to make samples. Check Tim’s blog daily to see the other Halloween Inspiration Series.

    I’ll be back on Monday to share my project for Ranger Ink featuring more of the seasonal goodies from Tim Holtz.

    Have a great weekend.


  10. Frilly & Funkie DT

    24th September, 2015 by iGirlZoe

    I have some exciting news to share with you…

    A few weeks ago Linda from The Funkie Junkie Boutique invited me to join the Frilly and Funkie Design Team. I am delighted to be joining a team of such lovely and talented ladies. I’ll be sharing my first DT project for the Funkie side of the team next Wednesday, which the Frilly side of the team posted today. I hope you’ll be able to stop by and take a look.

    iGIrlZoe: Frilly & Funkie DT

    Have a great day.