Everyday Expressions

Hi Everybody! I am so excited to share this Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2016 Technique Remix for May. Tim challenged crafters to use tissue tape as a resist and incorporate Sizzix Thinlits Tiny Tattered Florals into our tags this month. Last week was the Kentucky Derby, and I couldn’t help but use the gorgeous Derby hats as inspiration. After several trials, I decided to go with a steampunk theme, and I am thrilled with the result! What do you think? I also plan to enter this tag in the Simon Says Stamp Blog Wednesday Challenge, Flowers.

I began by using a #8 Ranger Manilla tag and used Symphony and Elements Tissue Tapes in about the same size area as my stamp. Then I used Ranger Archival Black Ink with Tim’s Stamper’s Anonymous Classics #5 lovely lady stamp. Next I used Ranger Texture Paste and Clockwork Stencil to create texture in the background. After that dried, I blended Ground Espresso, Peacock Feathers, Blueprint Sketch, and Black Soot Distress Inks over the tag, and wiped any excess from the lady’s face with a baby wipe. Isn’t this the coolest? I’ve never tried it before, but I just can’t get enough of it!

I began the hat by creating my own coppery, rust-colored paper. I sprayed Canson 90 lb. watercolor paper with Vintage Photo, Peackcock Feathers, and Blueprint Sketch Distress Spray Stains, let this soak into the paper, and then dried with a heat gun. I love the way the paper is saturated with color and it truly looks greenish and coppery. So lovely!

I used Sizzix/Tim’s large Tattered Florals cut from my copper paper to create one large flower as the base for her hat. Some important pointers in creating flowers: Cut into the flowers so that you get a better fold in the petals; Use a burnishing tool to mold each petal; Use a glue gun for a quick seal when arranging the flowers and petals; Curl the petals after gluing together. Finally, I hot-glued the hat onto the tag so that it looks like it is truly sitting on her head and creates a 3-dimensional effect.

Next I used all kinds of Tim Holtz idea-ology elements to add the steampunk touches. Have you tried the Distress Crayons yet? They are so soft and creamy! My favorite thing is to rub them into crevices on metal pieces or even texture paste. I used Black Soot, Peacock Feathers, and Vintage Photo on  Timepieces, Game Spinners, and Mini Gears to create an aged metal look before hot-gluing into place.

I completed the hat by creating several Tiny Tattered Florals from the copper paper. The secret to these truly, tiny flowers is to put a drop of hot glue on your craft mat and then smoosh them down into it. That way every petal edge sits in the glue, and then the whole thing easily lifts from the mat. Before picking up the flower, push/curl the petals back. I even use the burnishing tool or a razor blade to separate the petals. Here is the link for Tim’s tutorial on creating these.

Finally, I used Black Soot Distress Paint over Linen Ribbon and strung through the idea-ology Word Band (also distress with crayons), and adhered it to the bottom of the tag. I hoped this would look similar to a choker necklace. The final touch was to splatter Tarnished Brass and Pewter Distress Spray Stains and Black Soot Distress Paint over the tag. (Use sticky notes to cover the lady’s face.)

Well, what do you think? I am so in love with this tag. It combines the feminine aspects of the gorgeous Derby hats with the edgy steampunk style that I secretly would love to wear! Thanks for stopping by today. Love and artsy hugs!

Erin