iGirlZoe – iGirlZoe, Crafter & Tim Holtz Addict

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12 Tags of 2015 – January

14th January, 2015 by iGirlZoe

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

12 Tags of 2015 is under way with January’s tag posted on Tim Holtz’s blog. I managed to complete all 12 tags last year and was really grateful for the monthly reminder to take time out to create. So HERE WE GO AGAIN…

I have challenged myself to try and use some of my “festive dies” by altering them so they don’t sit gathering dust for 11 months of the year. In addition to making a tag each month, I plan to make some cards too! Adapting the tag to suit the occasion, for example, the “2015” could be replaced with “baby” or “home” or “40th”. That’s what makes the alpha parts so awesome, lots of choice and versatility.

I love the tissue wrap technique that Tim demonstrates on this months tag. I used the antiqued bronze distress paint to create my splatters. I adore these metallic paints.

I also used the antiqued bronze distress paint to cover the aplha parts and die cut a grungeboard star from the mini old glory die set and covered with antique linen distress glitter. I attached them to some gold wire I coiled using a glue gun.

I cut the wreath away from the festive gent die, (while I cried a little at the death of Christmas… 345 days to go), and tucked the wire behind and secured with a blob of hot glue.

I made a miniature crinkle ribbon to cover the join and make it look as though the, (no longer festive), gent was holding them. I had to get my gent into the party mood so gave him a glittery party hat, scarf and shoes. 😉

Thanks for taking the time to look at my tag. You can see this months tag and techniques on Tim’s blog and you can see the post translated into French on Scrapdeco’s blog.

I am also entering my tag into the following online challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge – Inky Backgrounds
Inspiration Emporium January Monthly Challenge

~

supplies: tim holtz; surfaces (manilla tag/grungeboard)/distress ink (walut stain, vintage photo, rusty hinge, broken china)/distress ink markers (black soot)/distress stain spray (walnut stain, stormy sky, tarnished brass)/distress paint (evergreen bough, antiqued bronze)/idea-ology (tissue wrap, crinkle ribbon, alpha parts, chit chat stickers)/dies (festive gent, mini old glory)/tools (water mister, sanding grip, blending tool, paper distresser/distress marker spritzer)
other: splatter brush/glossy accents/glue n seal/heat tool/glue gun/sewing machine/gold pen

Category Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations, Craft Techniques | Tags: | 15 Comments | Views: 1,945
12 Tags of 2014 – December

31st December, 2014 by iGirlZoe

I was so busy loving every moment of December that I almost missed out on completing a full set of this years 12 tags of 2014. I spent the final day of the year getting inky in order to complete it.

I used the vintage globe die as I think a about my friends and family overseas at this time of year.

I have really enjoyed making these tags. A big THANK YOU to Tim for taking time to creatively inspire us each month and thanks for taking a look at my take on December’s tag. You can see this months tag and techniques on Tim’s blog and you can see the post in French on Scrapdeco’s blog.

Happy New Year, I hope 2015 is everything you could wish for.

~

supplies: tim holtz; surfaces (manilla tag/grungeboard/shrink plastic/core-dinations kraft core)/distress ink (stormy sky, tumbled glass, salty ocean, vintage photo, peeled paint, walnut stain)/distress stain spray (tumbled glass, stormy sky, brushed pewter)/distress paint (picket fence)/idea-ology (crinkle ribbon)/dies (holiday words: script, holiday words: block, tag & bookplates, vintage globe, tapered fringe, festive greenery)/stamps (#207 Christmas Nostalgia)/tools (water mister, sanding grip, blending tool, paper distresser)
other: archival ink (jet black)/glossy accents/glue n seal/heat tool

Category Christmas, Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Techniques | Tags: | 1 Comment | Views: 653
Layered Snowflake Christmas Card

25th November, 2014 by iGirlZoe

Hello. I’ve spent another weekend preparing for Christmas, which probably seems a little enthusiastic to some, but for me this year is necessary. Road trips to the UK and France, visits to friends and family, shopping, house guests, crafting, Christmas! The to do list is endless… I actually have a list of lists I still need to make!

With that in mind, I’ve been so grateful for all the festive challenges in the blogosphere. They’ve encouraged and inspired me to get going early this year, which has been so helpful. Today’s card has been inspired by 2 challenges in particular, Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2014 and Scrapdeco Christmas card challenge.

I made a tag for this month’s 12 tags of 2014 at the beginning of the month and I used the same design for this card. I incorporated the techniques from this month’s 12 tags and Scrapdeco Maura’s pleated card challenge, to create this card.

I covered a snowflake from the new paper snowflakes die with brushed pewter distress paint and allowed to air dry. I then dropped alcohol ink on top, letting the ink wick unevenly. Once dry I dabbed a little gathered twigs distress ink on to give a gold tinge.

This started out as an experiment with distress products, but I’m really pleased with the results and I love the metallic foiled look.

I was trying out my new alphanumeric die set, which I used to create the “snow” word band on the front of my card. I cut a stencil using the alphanumeric dies and covered the back of the die cut with brushed pewter distress paint, allowing to partially dry. Whilst still wet enough for paint to transfer but not splodge, place paint side down onto white card and with a piece of paper over the top, gently rub over the entire word band. Then remove paper, peel away stencil and you’re left with a stencil transfer. I am going to have SO much fun with these dies!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and don’t forget to check out the following challenges:

Tim Holtz – 12 Tags of 2014 November
Scrapdeco – Christmas Card Challenge
Inspiration Emporium – Happy Holidays

~

supplies: tim holtz; manilla cardstock/corrugated cardboard/distress glitter (clear rock candy)/alcohol ink (cloudy blue)/distress ink (tumbled glass, gathered twigs)/distress paint (picket fence, tumbled glass, stormy sky, weathered wood, salty ocean, faded jeans, iced spruce, brushed pewter)/idea-ology (snowflake adornments)/dies (layered snowflake, holiday word script, paper snowflakes)/tools(sanding block, mini blending tool)
other: embossing ink/glossy accents/glue n seal/sticky powder/heat tool

Category Christmas, Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations, Craft Techniques | Tags: | 20 Comments | Views: 4,772
Let it snow

21st November, 2014 by iGirlZoe

Hello again. Almost weekend time and I’m excited to share my second contribution for the Christmas card challenge over at Scrapdeco.

My challenge this time is to create a Christmas card making a snowflake the focal point of your card. This wasn’t difficult using the new Tim Holtz layered snowflake die. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I LOVE this die!

To see and take part in the Christmas card challenge, hop over to Scrapdeco, (the blog is in French but there is an option on the right to change the language).

Thanks for taking time to look at my card and if you would like to see my first card for this challenge it’s here. Have a great weekend.

~

supplies: tim holtz; surfaces (manilla cardstock, grungeboard, shrink plastic, core-dinations kraft core)/distress ink (tumbled glass, stormy sky, iced spruce, salty ocean, vintage photo, gathered twigs, walnut stain)/distress paints (picket fence, antique linen)/distress glitter (clear rock candy)/dies (holiday words: script, paper snowflakes, layered snowflake, beaded garland & snowflake texture folder, postage stamp frame)/idea-ology (christmas word bands, gumdrops, crinkle ribbon)/Tools (paper distresser, sanding block, water mister)
other: embossing ink/sticky embossing powder/glossy accents/scor-tape

Category Christmas, Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations | Tags: | 1 Comment | Views: 2,906
Christmas Gift Tags

20th November, 2014 by iGirlZoe

Hello everyone. I don’t know about you, but this week is flying by! Today I want to share some gift tags that I’ve been making for Christmas. In previous years I have shamefully bought my gift tags, but this year I’ve been inspired by Paula Cheney’s Mini Handwritten Holidays to make my own.

These gift tags are simple to make, customisable to your wrapping paper and add a really personal touch to your gift.

Here’s a step by step to show how I made the blueprints stamp toppers:

1: stamped pinecone from the Tim Holtz mini blueprints 7 stamp set onto distress watercolor cardstock with jet black archival ink and gathered supplies, (distress markers, paintbrush, water mister).
2: colouring directly onto a craft mat with distress markers and lightly misted with water and watercoloured directly from craft mat.
3: colour washed around the pinecone using pumice stone and stormy sky to give it a nice icy blue background.
4: using the distress marker spritzer, spritzed a little gathered twig over the design.
5: added a little glossy accents to parts of the pinecone.
6: sprinkled clear rock candy distress glitter over the design, shaked off excess and returned to pot. set aside to air dry.

You only need a few products to make these toppers, so I am putting together a small travel craft kit to take with me to the UK next month to make some while I’m away. I can’t think of anything more relaxing after a hectic day of Christmas shopping than some adult colouring time. 😉

I was inspired by the All Sewn Up challenge over at A Vintage Journey to stitch directly onto the tag to give an effect of the bells hanging from the word “merry”.

Finally, don’t forget to check out Inspiration Journal’s Happy Holidays challenge which is running all month.

Thank you for taking time to stop by my blog, I appreciate it. 🙂

~

supplies: tim holtz; white cardstock/distress watercolor cardstock/coredinations kraft core/merriment paper stash/distress ink (gathered twigs)/distress markers (stormy sky, pumice stone, vintage photo, gathered twigs,fired brick,mowed lawn, peeled paint, forest moss, wild honey)/distress stains (pumice stone, stormy sky, fired brick, brushed pewter, tarnished brass)/distress glitter (clear rock candy)/crinkle ribbon/dies (framelits: tag collection, holiday words: script, holiday greens)/stamps (mini blueprints 7 #203, christmas nostalgia #207, handwritten holidays 1 #208)/distress marker spritzer/
other: archival ink (jet black, cornflour blue, leaf green, red geranium, potting soil)/glossy accents/scor-tape/water mister/paint brush/sewing machine

Category Christmas, Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations, Craft Techniques | Tags: | 9 Comments | Views: 2,961
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star…

17th November, 2014 by iGirlZoe

Hello everyone. Firstly, thank you so much for the lovely comments on my Skating towards Christmas card, it’s been great to connect with other crafters and see what you’re creating.

I spent the weekend making more Christmas cards. This year I’m making a different card for each person I send to. It’s giving me a chance to use more of my Christmas stash as well as using lots of the techniques and new products I’ve picked up this year.

This card was inspired by several challenges that I mixed together in one card, (Gold/Stars/Tim Holtz altered cabinet card pocket).

I took “altered” in the literal sense and inked, sanded, scratched, stamped and distressed my card pocket. I LOVE the background stamp from one of this years Christmas stamp sets by Tim Holtz. It’s so vintage and such an easy stamp to create a repeat pattern with, as I did on my cabinet card.

I embossed manilla cardstock with a star folder and covered in a layer of tarnished brass distress paint. The distress paint is reactive with water when wet so I misted and let the paint run over the embossed stars. Once dry I sanded the top layer to make the embossed stars pop.

I die cut the small tim holtz 3D star and ran through my sewing machine with gold thread. I distressed some core-dinations kraft core cardstock and gave that the gold thread treatment. Seriously, if you thought I was obsessed with my sewing machine before, you should see me now I’ve got GOLD THREAD!!! 😉

I folded the star into it’s 3D shape and attached to the front of the card with a dab of glossy accents. Afterwards I thought I could hang the star and make it detachable for the recipient to hang on their Christmas tree. I also had another idea about how to utilise the pocket part of the cabinet card pocket. I will have another post later in the week.

Thanks for taking time to look at my card.

~

This card was inspired by these challenges:

Scrapdeco Christmas Card Challenge – Gold card
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge – We’re Seeing Stars
Inspiration Emporium Monthly Challenge – Happy Holidays
Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge 15 – Cabinet Card Pocket

Inspiration Emporium are generously sponsoring CC3 challenge 15 with a $50 gift certificate to the lucky winner!

If you don’t already have the Compendium of Curiosities 3 book, you can order a signed copy directly from Tim.

~

supplies: tim holtz; mini cabinet card/manilla cardstock/core-dinations kraft core/mini distress inks (vintage photo, gathered twigs)/distress paint (tarnished brass)/distress glitter (clear rock candy)/die (3D star, holiday words: script)/stamp set (christmas nostalgia #207)
other: archival ink (jet black)/glossy accents/scor-tape/star embossing folder/sewing machine/gold thread

Category Christmas, Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations | Tags: | 15 Comments | Views: 1,911
Skating towards Christmas!

10th November, 2014 by iGirlZoe

Another Monday, another week closer to Christmas (YAY)! With that in mind, I wanted to share a Christmas card I made over the weekend using the new Tim Holtz paper snowflakes thinlits dies!

Using the Sizzix magnetic platform, I cut the snowflake from distress watercolour paper, (you may need to pass your die sandwich through your die cutter 2 or 3 times as the card is quite thick). I inked up the snowflake with antique linen distress ink, covered in embossing ink and sticky powder, then, once melted, covered in rock candy distress glitter. Finally I inked up the edges with vintage photo distress ink and added a star covered with a drop of latte alcohol ink. (A few drops of alcohol ink escaped from the star onto the snowflake but I think the colour bleed looks vintage, so… happy accident!) I didn’t apply adhesive to the shorter arms of the snowflake so I could bend them away from the card to give it more depth.

The boots were die cut using the mini ice skates die. I covered the boot with picket fence distress paint and when it was tacky, stamped the boot with a snowflake stamp covered in pumice stone distress ink. Once the boot was fully dry I used a sanding file to rough up the edges which I then inked up with walnut stain distress ink. I used the same colour for the boot heel and brushed pewter distress paint for the skate blade. I poked holes in the skate boot and laced it up.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and thank you so much for the lovely comments you’ve been leaving on previous posts.

I am entering my card into the following online challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge – Ornaments
Inspiration Emporium Monday Challenge – Happy Holidays

~

supplies: tim holtz; distress watercolor card/grungeboard/core-dinations kraft core/distress embossing powder/distress glitter (clear rock candy)/distress ink (antique linen, vintage photo, walnut stain)/distress paint (picket fence, brushed pewter)/alcohol ink (latte)/ideaology (mirrored stars)/dies (postage stamp frame, mini ice skates, paper snowflakes, holiday words: script)/stamps (christmas nostalgia #207)/ tools (sanding block, blending tool)
other: sticky embossing powder/glossy accents/scor=tape/metal file/water spritzer/thread/sewing machine/

Category Christmas, Craft, Craft Creations, Craft Techniques | Tags: | 11 Comments | Views: 2,536
Dear Santa, I can explain…

7th November, 2014 by iGirlZoe

Last year I took part in “November’s card a day” on Scrapdeco’s blog. This year I was delighted to be asked to make a couple of cards for the challenge. I’m excited to share my first card with you.

My challenge is to create a Christmas card using a wax seal and a non Christmas themed die, (I used the Tim Holtz Sizzix Vintage Typewriter).

To see and take part in the Christmas card challenge, hop over to Scrapdeco’s blog. (The blog is in French, but there is an option on the right to change the language).

I hope you have a great weekend.

~

supplies: tim holtz; watercolor card/grungeboard/core-dinations kraft core/distress ink (antique linen, vintage photo, walnut stain)/distress marker (gathered twigs)/distress stain (black soot, brushed pewter)/dies (vintage typewriter, holiday greens, holiday words: script)/embossing folders (winter berries)/stamps (going somewhere #90)/ tools (sanding block, blending tool, distress marker spritzer)
other: archival ink (jet black, red geranium)/glossy accents/stamps (7G – christmas greetings)/red adhesive gems/sealing wax & wax seal

Category Christmas, Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations | Tags: | 9 Comments | Views: 2,693
12 Tags of 2014 – November

4th November, 2014 by iGirlZoe

My take on November’s 12 Tags of 2014 is less warm hues and more icy blues, but I used all the techniques Tim shared. I love love loved using the corrugated cardboard, it will be such a great way to use up Christmas delivery boxes.

I can’t properly convey in words my love for the holiday word script dies. They’re connected really sensibly and actually take quite a lot of altering punishment.

I am going to make some more of these in a Christmas card format. I’m keeping the cardboard snowflakes to decorate and use separately in a home decor project.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… 🙂

Thanks for taking a look at my tag and take time to hop over to Tim’s blog to see this month’s tag and techniques. If you would like to see the post in French, hop over to Scrapdeco’s blog.

~

supplies: tim holtz; manilla tag/corrugated cardboard/distress glitter (clear rock candy)/distress ink (tumbled glass, walnut stain)/distress paint (picket fence, tumbled glass, stormy sky, weathered wood, salty ocean, faded jeans, iced spruce)/distress stains (tumbled glass, stormy sky, brushed pewter)/idea-ology (crinkle ribbon, tinsel twine silver, snowflake adornments)/dies (layered snowflake, holiday word script)/tools(sanding block, mini blending tool)
other: embossing ink/glossy accents/glue n seal/sticky powder/heat tool

Category Christmas, Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations | Tags: | 18 Comments | Views: 3,302
Matchbox Halloween Collage

31st October, 2014 by iGirlZoe

Paula Cheney created a wonderful Matchbox Halloween Collage using the Tim Holtz Sizzix matchbox die and posted a really detailed tutorial. I decided to try making one of my own with splashes of rusty hinge to compliment the oranges and browns in my autumnal home decor.

I accidentally broke one of the miniature terracotta pots so used my texture hammer to finish the job and break it into pieces small enough to slip into one of the bottles. The other I filled with a little rusty hinge distress glitter and the middle bottle was crackled glazed and inked.

I tried to incorporate orange into each section to get the cohesion through colour that Paula mentions in her tutorial. This is a great project to get your seasonal dies out and stretch their legs.

I made these miniature potted skulls in real terracotta plant pots and photographed a step by step to show how.

1. supplies used: texture paste & tool /distress paints/snips scissors/flower soft/wood skewers/miniature terracotta pots/miniature skulls (repurposed from a halloween bracelet).
2. mix a little texture paste and distress paint on your craft mat and scrape into the terracotta pot using a spatula or lollypop stick. set aside to start drying.
3. paint the pointed ends of 4x wood skewers with peeled paint distress paint and then dab the darker forest moss over the top to give a mottled effect. set aside to dry for a few minutes.
4. before the texture paste dries completely, trim 2x wood skewers to different lengths and gently push into the centre of the pots.
5. once the texture paste is completely dry, cover the top of the top with glossy accents and apply flower soft or faux/real moss. set aside to dry.
6. sit and watch your pots drying while resisting the urge to touch them. 😉
7. cut the remaining 2x wood skewers and push into/glue onto the top of the skull.
8. very very carefully push/glue the skull into/onto the stick in the pot.
9. glue the pots onto the bottom of a matchbox and sprinkle flower soft or moss onto any glue that squeezes out from underneath them to give it an organic look.

Thanks for taking time to look at my Matchbox Halloween Collage and be sure to check out Paula’s tutorial posted on Tim’s Blog. I plan to make a Christmas themed one next, but for now, I hope you have a Happy Halloween.

Before the clock strikes pumpkin hour, I am entering a couple of online challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge – Anything Goes
Inspiration Emporium Monday Challenge – In Disguise (matchboxes)
Sizzix – Halloween Challenge

(Sizzix Dies Used)
Tim Holtz Matchbox Bigz
Tim Holtz Spring Greenery Decorative Strip
Tim Holtz Mini Spider & 31 Movers & Shapers
Tim Holtz Cobwebs Decorative Strip
Tim Holtz Ornate Frame Bigz
Tim Holtz Graveyard On The Edge
(there’s a theme here) 😉

~

Supplies: tim holtz; dies (matchbox, ornate frame, mini spider & 31, graveyard, cobwebs, spring greenery)/surfaces (cardboard, grungeboard, manilla cardstock, mirror card, shrink plastic, sticky back canvas)/distress inks (antique linen, rusty hinge, vintage photo, walnut stain, black soot)/distress stains (rusty hinge, black soot)/distress paints (rusty hinge, peeled paint, forest moss, walnut stain, black soot)/distress glitters (antique linen/rusty hinge/black soot)/distress crackle glaze/layering stencil (#26 gothic)/idea-ology (jump rings, screw eyes, wishbones, corked vials, fractured dolls, crossbones, corners, crinkle ribbon, adornment, apothecary remnant rubs, laboratorie tissue tape, menagerie paper stash)/stamps (#140 mini halloween 3, #198 mini halloween 4).
other; glossy accents/archival ink (jet black)/archival ink re-inker (potting soil)/sewing machine/heat tool.

Category Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations, Craft Techniques | Tags: | 11 Comments | Views: 4,835

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