‘Craft Challenges’ Category

  1. Through the Looking Glass

    10th April, 2015 by iGirlZoe

    Hello everyone. I am guest blogging over at A Vintage Journey today where Julia set an awesome theme, “Through the looking Glass!” You can see the finished project over there and the step-by-step below.

    Through the Looking Glass
    Take Tim Holtz’s square 5.75″ x 5.75″ idea-ology configuration box. This one was very kindly gifted to me by my good friend Genevieve, (thank you <3)! Through the Looking Glass
    Put aside the lid and insert boxes to use another day.

    Through the Looking Glass
    Cut a sheet of paper (7.5″ x 9.25″). Score across the top of the longest edge (1.75″), then turn the paper 180 degrees and score left to right (1.75″ & 7.5″).

    Through the Looking Glass
    Trim the excess square out of each top corner and cover the reverse in glue n seal.
    *TIP: work quickly, glue n seal waits for no one. 😉

    Through the Looking Glass
    Line the configuration box and paint the edges with distress crackle paint and set aside to dry.

    Through the Looking Glass
    Cover Tim Holtz idea-ology tiny vials and light bulbs with multi medium matte and set aside to dry.

    Through the Looking Glass
    Cover each with a good layer of distress crackle glaze and set aside to dry.

    Through the Looking Glass
    Once completely dry, drop alcohol ink on each bottle and set aside to air dry.

    Through the Looking Glass
    Put the corks back into the vials and make tiny labels to attach to the vials with string.

    Through the Looking Glass
    Arrange vials into your configuration box and then glue into place with glossy accents.

    Through the Looking Glass
    These hanging bulb lights were inspired by the AWESOME lights from this years Tim Holtz CHA idea-ology booth!

    Crackle glaze the bulbs, (same method as before), wrap wire around the top, secure in place with glossy accents and set aside. While waiting for the glossy accents to dry, poke 3 holes into the top of the configuration box. Once the glossy accents are dry, poke the wire underside through the top and secure with tape, (which will be covered next).

    Cover the outer top and side of the configuration box with picket fence distress paint and once dry, cover in a layer of distress crackle paint. Allow the box to dry completely and then rub walnut stain distress ink into the cracks and remove excess with kitchen roll (paper towel).

    Through the Looking Glass
    Next prepare the mirror frame. Die cut a Tim Holtz ornate frame from grungeboard and cover with tarnished brass distress paint and set aside to air dry. Once thoroughly dry, sand portions of the frame and cover in cracked pistachio distress paint and allow to almost dry. Wipe away paint with kitchen roll (paper towel), the cracked pistachio distress paint will come away easily from the painted surfaces and cling to the edges of the sanded areas giving a faux aged patina look.

    In order to hide the reverse side of my stamped fussy cut Alice image, I added distress crackle paint to idea-ology mirror. It also gives a cool shattered effect.

    Through the Looking Glass
    Finally, assemble your confirguration box adding several of the bottles to the top and adding some idea-ology hardware.

    I die cut “WONDERLAND” from Tim Holtz holiday words script thinlit die set. This fits in perfectly with the theme and helps me to continue my challenge to use my festive dies for other things throughout the year.

    Hope you’re still with me! To see the finished project, stop by A Vintage Journey and enter the “Through the Looking Glass” challenge.

    Thanks for stopping by and for your comments, I really appreciate them.
    Have a great weekend.


  2. Ranger Ink Butterfly Collage

    6th April, 2015 by iGirlZoe

    Hello everyone. I am SO excited to let you know that I have a guest blog post over at Ranger Ink today.

    image

    I hope you will stop by and check out my tutorial.

    Have a great Monday.


  3. 12 Tags of 2015 – March

    24th March, 2015 by iGirlZoe

    My French studies continue to consume most of my time, but I finally took time out over the weekend to get inky and create my March tag.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 March
    I love love love the background of Tim’s March 12 tags of 2015. It’s so bright and the distress paint gives such a gorgeous deep colour. It inspired me to go bold with my colour palette and I HAD to use the same butterfly stamp as I just didn’t want to use anything else more.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 March
    One of the (many) things that I love about the 12 tags is one idea inspires another. Tim uses a masking technique and when I was preparing my butterfly mask, I had the idea to use the backing sheet to make an overlay. I don’t need the backing sheet as I’m storing the butterfly mask over the top of the stamp sheet, (a great idea of Tim’s).

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 March
    The backing sheet is thick enough that you can crease the wings so they fold up. I really like the 3D effect!

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 March
    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.


  4. 12 Tags of 2015 – February

    25th February, 2015 by iGirlZoe

    Phew! I’m just in time with this months Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015!

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 February
    I’ve just spent 4 wonderfully restful days in the mountains with my DH celebrating 7 years since I moved to Switzerland, and I took some time out to make my tag.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 February
    My love affair with my sewing machine continues, so I took Tim’s patchwork idea literally. Once I had prepared the patches, (see Tim’s blog post for the technique), I stitched between them.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 February
    My other love affair is with the new distress colour, Cracked Pistachio! I covered the industrious frame sticker with cracked pistachio paint and allowed to almost dry, then wiped sections for a great faux patina.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 February
    I stamped hearts using the new Tim Holtz stamp set “watercolor” set. I cut them out and fed them through my sewing machine, leaving a length of thread between each. I wrapped the excess thread at the top around the arrow adornment and then glued the arrow to the tag.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 February
    I repeated the faux patina on the industrious border and XO stickers, as well as the arrow adornment. I had to talk myself out of just covering the entire tag in a cracked pistachio paint wash! 😉

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 February
    I am SO excited about the new Tim Holtz handwritten thinlit dies that are being released this year! Whilst waiting for them, I re-purposed a die from the holiday scrip set. I thought the sentiment was perfect for this. I made the heart as shown in my Love Distress post.

    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 playing along with the Love is in the Air challenge over at Inspiration Journal and the No Rules challenge over at Simon Says Stamp.

    ~

    supplies: tim holtz; surfaces (manilla tag, distress watercolor cardstock)/distress ink (fired brick)/distress ink markers (black soot)/distress paint (picket fence, cracked pistachio)/distress stickles (fired brick)/idea-ology (ephemera pack, industrious stickers, arrow adornment, crinkle ribbon)/dies (holiday words: script, movers & shapers mini hearts)/stamps (#217 watercolor)
    other: glue n seal/glossy accents/sewing machine


  5. Matchbox Valentines Collage

    14th February, 2015 by iGirlZoe

    HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

    Whether you are celebrating Valentine’s with your honey or celebrating being single and fabulous, it’s a great excuse for making stuff.

    Tim Holtz Matchbox Valentines Collage
    Today I want to share with you a matchbox valentines collage that I made using the Tim Holtz Sizzix matchbox die and following the really detailed tutorial by Paula Cheney.

    Tim Holtz Matchbox Valentines Collage
    I had to include a photo of my sewing machine in action. I am still in shock that I can now use a machine, (albeit basically).

    Tim Holtz Matchbox Valentines Collage
    I cut, distressed, inked and stitched the matchbox panels. This time I made side panels which I stamped using the new Tim Holtz watercolor stamp set. I stitched through the centre of the side panels and stuck a strip of scor-tape to the back.

    Tim Holtz Matchbox Valentines Collage
    Here you can see the side panels stuck down as well as the heart stamps that I used to stamp the inside of the matchbox sides, (before I built them).

    Tim Holtz Matchbox Valentines Collage
    I gathered my distress products ready to decorate my matchboxes.

    Tim Holtz Matchbox Valentines Collage
    I made another tiny garden terracotta plant pot using the same techniques as I demonstrated in my matchbox halloween collage post. This time I twisted wire around the skewer and tucked in die cut hearts.

    Tim Holtz Matchbox Valentines Collage
    I was still swooning over the new cracked pistachio distress products, so I couldn’t resist using the paint on the arrow adornment to create faux patina. I made a second embellishment for a Valentine’s Day card.

    Tim Holtz Matchbox Valentines Collage
    In my matchbox halloween collage I also used corked vials. This time I filled them with tiny die cut hearts and festive berries distress glitter. I made a slit in the top of the cork and pushed a die cut heart into each with a drop of glossy accents to secure.

    Tim Holtz Matchbox Valentines Collage
    Thank you for taking time to look at my matchbox valentines collage. Be sure to check out Paula Cheney’s tutorial for detailed instructions on how to make your own matchbox collage.

    Be sure to stop by the following online challenges and join in the fun…

    “Love is in the Air” – Inspiration Journal
    “It’s time to play Tic Tac Toe” – A Vintage Journey
    (ideaology, sprays, ribbon)


  6. Love Distress

    13th February, 2015 by iGirlZoe

    Yesterday I sat down to work on a final Valentines project and I made this card while waiting for various parts of the other project to dry.

    Tim Holtz Valentines Card
    I know the stitching is not going to win any awards, but given that this time last year I couldn’t use a sewing machine… it’s progress. I still haven’t mastered “tension” and I think my machine probably needs dismantling and cleaning because it bangs each time the needle comes down. Someone asked me if I had oiled it and I laughed, (because I thought it was a joke)!! Okay I better shut up before someone calls the sewing machine police!

    Tim Holtz Valentines Card
    Quick, I’ll distract you with a close-up! 😉

    Tim Holtz Valentines Card
    I die cut a grungeboard heart from the movers and shaper mini hearts set and covered in fired brick distress ink, fired brick distress stickles and glossy accents.
    The most difficult part was leaving it alone to dry. Hands up anyone who has impatiently stuck their finger into not quite dry glossy accents?!

    Tim Holtz Valentines Card
    It didn’t take long until I had found another excuse to break open my cracked pistachio again. The paint works beautifully as a patina, I think I even prefer the patina effect over the evergreen bough, (sorry eb).

    Tim Holtz Valentines Card
    The background was done by stamping the small hearts from the new Tim Holtz watercolor stamp set using picket fence distress paint onto kraft cardstock. The paint smooshes to the edges of the stamp when you press down and leaves a really cool border. I covered XO alpha parts with picket fence distress paint and then weathered.

    Thanks for taking time to look at my card and stop by tomorrow to see my Valentines Matchbox Collage.

    I am playing along with the “Love is in the Air” challenge over at Inspiration Journal.

    ~

    supplies: tim holtz; surfaces (kraft cardstock, grungeboard core-dinations kraft core)/distress ink (vintage photo)/distress paint (picket fence, fired brick, cracked pistachio)/distress stickles (fired brick)/idea-ology (arrows adornements, alpha parts)/stamps (#217 watercolor)/dies (mini hearts, stacked words: valentines)/tools (paper distresser, blending tool)
    other: glossy accents/sewing machine


  7. 12 Months of Distress – January

    9th February, 2015 by iGirlZoe

    Oh Cracked Pistachio… I think I love you…

    Tim Holtz Cracked Pistachio Distress
    My postman arrived with the much anticipated first new distress colour of the “12 months of distress.” Having a new colour each month is so exciting, it’s like having a year long advent calendar. I could not wait to break into the cracked pistachio and try it out.

    resize_23250178_1024px
    I made a tag using various cracked pistachio distress products. I used Tim’s technique from January’s 12 tags of 2015 along with cracked pistachio paint and gathered twigs spray stain to create the background.

    Tim Holtz Cracked Pistachio Distress
    I used the cracked pistachio marker to watercolour the stamped image and spray stain to colour the crinkle ribbon.

    Tim Holtz Cracked Pistachio Distress
    I used the cracked pistachio ink pad to ink up a heart stamp from the new watercolour stamp set, misted with water and stamped directly onto distress watercolour cardstock. I am going to make a tag each month using the new distress colour. It gives me a chance to try out the colour and build an index.

    Thank you for taking time to look at my tag and check out the following online challenges that I am entering.

    Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge – H is for… (HOLTZ)
    Inspiration Emporium Monthly Challenge – February

    ~

    supplies: tim holtz; surfaces (manila tag, distress watercolor cardstock, core-dinations kraft core)/distress ink (cracked pistachio)/distress paint (cracked pistachio)/distress marker (cracked pistachio)/dies (typeset)/idea-ology (crinkle ribbon, tissue wrap, label letters)/stamps (#47 dance card, #217 watercolor)/tools (water mister, blending tool, paper distresser)
    other: archival ink (jet black)/glossy accents/glue n seal/sewing machine


  8. Love is… my postman

    6th February, 2015 by iGirlZoe

    Hello. Thank you for the lovely comments left on my blog, I really appreciate it. It has been an exciting week with new craft products arriving.

    Windsor and Newton Watercolours
    I was just getting my new Windsor and Newton watercolour set wet when the postman knocked. I suspect our postman thinks I am a little bit nuts. The Swiss are quite conservative, so my running towards the postman waving, cheering and whooping is usually met with looks of confusion and sometimes fear. It’s nice to arrive to applause and cheering, right?

    Tim Holtz CHA 2015 Products
    With my new goodies unpacked, photographed and, (of course), shared on social media, I began to make stuff.

    Tim Holtz Handwritten Stamps
    I used the heart stamp from the new Tim Holtz watercolor stamp set. I applied fired brick distress ink to the stamp, misted with water and stamped onto distress watercolor cardstock. I love that this watercolor cardstock has a smooth and dimpled side. Stamping on the smooth side gives you a cleaner stamped image, but for the background I prefered the dimpled effect.

    Tim Holtz Handwritten Stamps
    By changing the greeting inside the card, this could be used for Valentines, engagement, Mother’s Day, birthday or just a notecard.

    Thank you for taking time to look at my card and check out the following online challenges.

    Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge – H is for… (HOLTZ)
    Inspiration Emporium Monthly Challenge – February

    ~

    supplies: tim holtz; surfaces (distress watercolor cardstock)/distress ink (antique linen, fired brick, vintage photo, walnut stain)/stamps (#47 dance card, #217 watercolor, #218 handwritten thoughts)/tools (water mister, blending tool, paper distresser)
    other: windsor and newton watercolors/glossy accents/sewing machine/crystal gem


  9. 12 Tags of 2015 – January Card

    21st January, 2015 by iGirlZoe

    Hello. Is it just me or do you sit calendar watching for the 1st of the month?! It’s even harder now with the exciting “year of distress!” This year in addition to making my 12 tags, (and to keep me out of trouble while I wait), I am making a card too.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 - January
    This card is for my husband’s cousin who celebrated her 40th birthday with a trip to New York. She also loves Wonder Woman so the colours are perfect.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 - January
    I made a tag using the techniques from this months 12 tags, (see Tim’s blog for details). I mounted it to a piece of paper from the merriment stash, which I stitched. I attached a “paula bow” to the top of the tag. This is by far my favourite bow of all time and I am addicted to that crinkle ribbon! You could use twine for a more masculine look to the card.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 - January
    I cut the flag from grungeboard and covered in various distress glitters using the 12 tags techniques. I LOVE distress glitter. Click on the photo for a close up, you can really see the vingtage mica look to this glitter as opposed to fine glitter which I’m personally not a fan of.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 - January
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and don’t forget to check out the following challenges:

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 January
    Inspiration Emporium January Monthly Challenge

    ~

    supplies: tim holtz; surfaces (manilla tag/grungeboard)/distress ink (vintage photo, walnut stain, black soot)/distress ink markers (gathered twigs)/distress stain spray (rusty hinge, stormy sky, walnut stain)/distress paint (picket fence, fired brick, broken china, vintage photo)/distress glitter (clear rock candy, fired brick, broken china, vintage photo)/idea-ology (tissue wrap, crinkle ribbon, alpha parts, mirrored stars, merriment paper stash, seasonal collage paper stash)/dies (festive gent, mini old glory)/stamps (simple sayings #155, hashtags #183)/tools (water mister, sanding grip, blending tool, paper distresser,distress marker spritzer)
    other: glossy accents/glue n seal/heat tool/glue gun/sewing machine


  10. 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…

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 January
    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.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 January
    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.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 January
    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.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 January
    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.

    Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 January
    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