Craft Challenges – iGirlZoe, Crafter & Tim Holtz Addict

‘Craft Challenges’ Category

12 Tags Of 2014 – April

30th April, 2014 by iGirlZoe

I had such good intentions to get this month’s 12 Tags of 2014 tag in early. I console myself in the knowledge that it’s only 238 days till Christmas and 1 day until Tim’s May Tag!

I know I use the word “love” at least once per post… but I LOVE the new frameworks dies! I am completely obsessed with the honeycomb die and it was my favourite… UNTIL I used the trellis die. We crafters are so fickle!

I used Tim’s new resist paper, which just makes me squeal every time I use it. There is an array of gorgeous background resit patterns in clear varnish printed on white and kraft card, (obviously I chose the honeycomb pattern)! I am looking forward to experimenting further.

While I’m talking dies, I am also obsessed with the new butterfly frenzy decorative strip die. I covered my tag with the smallest butterflies cut from the french industrial paper stash. I folded each wing against my thumb nail, leaving the body between the 2 wing folds to create a 3D butterfly. I used my new mini distress inks to colour, and a dab of glossy accents to attach to the trellis. I got the inspiration for the butterflies from Anna-Karin’s awesome Layers of Ink blog.

I don’t have Tim’s pinecone die (but you can bet it’s on my list), so I used another flower die. I cut the flowers from Core’dinations kraft core, it creates such a lovely worn look with just the swipe of a sanding block. I also swiped some distress paint over the top to highlight the tattered edges of the rose.

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; manila tag/frameworks die (trellis)/butterfly frenzy decorative strip die/distress paint (picket fence, weathered wood, iced spruce, evergreen bough,)/mini distress inks (scattered straw, victorian velvet, broken china, faded jeans, peeled paint, walnut stain )/distress stain (tumbled glass)/crackle paint (rock candy clear)/glossy accents/core’dinations kraft core/idea-ology (crinkle ribbon, tissue tape, grungeboard, mirrored sheets, resist Motif cardstock paper stash/french industrial paper stash, life quotes remnant rubs)/cling stamps (tiny things)/sanding grip block/mister bottle

Category Craft, Craft Challenges | Tags: | 3 Comments | Views: 1,369
12 Tags of 2014 – March

31st March, 2014 by iGirlZoe

This month’s tag got me back to my inks after a couple of uncreative weeks. It always surprises me how getting inky, even for a couple of hours, can put me in a really great mood.

It took me a few attempts to get back into my creative stride and I had several epic fails. Admittedly, some of my distress inks were in desperate need of re-inking so there wasn’t much to smudge the first time around. The technique doubles as an excellent way to check if your most used ink pads need a top up.

I love having yet another way to use my distress markers. The air brushed effect the distress marker spritzer gives is awesome! I used distress ink through the layering stencil with a blending tool and darker coloured distress markers spritzed over the top. I love the mottled effect you get using both techniques together.

I was certain that I had to break open my new frameworks honeycomb die and incorporate it somehow. I can only describe it as “SCHLURP!” <3
I want to cover my apartment walls with this stuff. I ordered the trellis framework die, which due this week. I am stalking my postbox!

I LOVE SMUDGE STAMPING! I decided to mix the “full strength” and “second generation” stamped images on one tag to give the background extra depth. I used Nature Walk and Merchantile stamp sets which I got last week. I am in love with the double layered egg stamp. The effect is so cool and very shabby chic.

Hope “spring has sprung” wherever you are and take time to hop over to Tim’s Blog and see his tag and techniques.

~

supplies: tim holtz; manila tag/framework die (honeycomb)/distress paint (evergreen bough)/distress inks (tumbled glass, stormy sky, faded jeans, frayed burlap, vintage photo, walnut stain)/distress re-inkers (frayed burlap, vintage photo, walnut stain)/distress markers (antique linen, scattered straw, stormy sky, peeled paint/walnut stain)/distress marker spritzer tool/layering stencils (honeycomb)/tiny attacher/idea-ology (crinkle ribbon, word band, jute)/cling stamps (nature walk, merchantile)

Category Craft, Craft Challenges | Tags: | 3 Comments | Views: 1,604
12 Tags of 2014 – February

14th February, 2014 by iGirlZoe

Happy Valentines! I’ve been keeping my February tag under wraps as I didn’t want my DH to see it before today.

I LOVE the chalkboard technique that Tim Holtz demonstrates in this months tag. As I wanted a splash of colour on the front of my card, I decided to use the technique for the background instead.

The film strip has photographs of my DH and I at school together 23 years ago! After going our separate ways for 18 years, we were brought back together through the power of facebook.

I hope you are able to share the day with people you love, and take time to hop over to Tim’s blog to see his tag and techniques. <3

~

supplies: tim holtz; black tag/metal foil/grungeboard/movers & shapers dies (hearts, apothecary bottles)/distress paint (brushed pewter)/distress inks (festive berries, weathered wood, vintage photo)/idea-ology (filmstrip, crinkle ribbon, vial labels)/cling stamps (random quotes)/distress embossing ink/distress glitter (festive berries)/antiquities embossing powder (frosted crystal)/layering stencils (hearts);
chalk/uni-ball signo gel pen (white)

Category Craft Challenges | Tags: | 13 Comments | Views: 3,299
12 Tags of 2014 – January

31st January, 2014 by iGirlZoe

Tim Holtz 12 Tags is back for 2014. I hesitate to state my intention to complete all 12 tags this year, but I have to at least put it out there! 😉

I absolutely adore this month’s tag and it’s reminded me how much I love metal foil embossing. Here is my take on January’s tag, using the techniques Tim demonstrates.

Probably the less said about my stencil addiction the better!

I hadn’t tried sanding the rub-ons before, but it’s such a great distressed effect and the rub-ons are such a pleasure to use.

I got the ornate frame die for Christmas and have been waiting to use it. This seemed like a perfect substitute for the large pocket watch die, which I don’t have, (yet)!

True to form this is very last minute, but the benefit is I don’t have to wait long for the next one…

~

supplies: tim holtz; metal foil/grungepaper/manilla tag/distress block/gears texture fades embossing folder/ornate frame die/distress paint (black soot)/distress stain (frayed burlap)/distress inks (frayed burlap, black soot)/remnant rubs (numbers, words)/assorted idea-ology/layering stencils (cargo, dot fade); liquitex splatter brush

Category Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations, Craft Techniques | Tags: | 3 Comments | Views: 1,494
Christmas Card Tutorial

1st November, 2013 by iGirlZoe

I was delighted to be asked by my friend and owner of Scrapdeco to do a Christmas card tutorial for the blog.

Naturally my card is made almost exclusively with Tim Holtz products. I absolutely love the new Snowman Blueprints Stamp and Framelits Die Set and the new Sizzix Magnetic Platform for Wafer Thin Dies is a total game changer!

Please visit SCRAPDECO to see my tutorial, written in no less than two languages, (thanks to Genevieve for translating into French).

Category Blogging, Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations, Craft Techniques | Tags: | 7 Comments | Views: 7,672
Tattered Floral Challenge

22nd March, 2013 by iGirlZoe

When Tim Holtz challenged us to his Tattered Floral Challenge, the Tattered Florals Die was one of my least used, mainly because it was too, well, floral!

After several attempts I hadn’t created anything that I felt worthy of this challenge. Then it occurred to me that what these flowers were missing was some much needed grunge! I grabbed the new Tim Holtz Sizzix Texture Fades Gears Folder and came up with this!

This is how I made it…

I embossed a box lid and base and covered with distress paint. Once dry, I added a layer of broken china distress paint and then quickly removed the excess with a dry cloth. I swiped a blending tool with brushed corduroy distress ink over the raised embossed detail. Finally, I used an empty water brush to hightlight the raised areas with antique bronze distress stain.

Next I die cut Rangers Metal Foil Tape with the Tattered Florals Die and covered with Adirondack alcohol inks and set aside to dry.

Once dry, I embossed with the Tim Holtz Sizzix Texture Fades Gears Folder and then used a sanding block to take the dried alcohol ink off the raised embossed areas.

I attached the flowers with gem brads and curled the leaves to give them a more dimensional look.

Thanks to Tim’s challenge, I have a renewed love for my tattered florals die and look forward to experimenting more with my alcohol inks and metal foil.

Category Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations, Craft Techniques, Miscellaneous | Tags: | 3 Comments | Views: 9,285
12 TAGS OF 2013 – JANUARY

31st January, 2013 by iGirlZoe

YAAAAY! Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013 is back for another year!

This time I wasn’t terrified of slicing into my Texture Fades embossing folders because I had already taken the plunge, as seen in my Altered Texture Fades blog post.

I had just about all the ingredients for January’s Tag, so decided to try and “colour inside the lines” and not deviate from the original. However, since making this tag, I have used several of the techniques to make other things.

I found that following Tim’s techniques got me thinking more creatively about other things I wanted to make. I often suffer terrible crafters block and now follow one of Tim’s techniques until the creative inspiration hits me.

I can’t get enough of the Idea-ology Mini Gears and have a packet a month habit. I recently saw The Artful Maven had used them as the center of a fabric flower, I love the diverse ways in which you can use them.

The Idea-ology Hinge clip on paper has inspired me to try and create a miniature clip board with grungepaper and distress ink on another project.

I had so much fun making this month’s tag, looking forward to February’s.

Category Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations | Tags: | No Comments | Views: 6,909
Compendium of Curiosities 2 Challenge

19th April, 2012 by iGirlZoe

Technique 1: Custom Foam Stamps

Studio L3 has kicked off the new Compendium of Curiosities 2 Challenge, generously sponsored by Simon Says Stamp.

I had looked at the different techniques in my (signed copy) of the book and wondered what the first one would be. I thought, “as long as it’s not page 66” (I don’t have any foam)! 😉

As the first weeks challenge fell on Friday 13th, I decided to go with a darker theme.

Whilst cutting an assortment of foam stamps I came up with the idea of using my Sizzix Movers and Shapers Keyhole and Cabinet Dies to make a door and have the image lurking behind the keyhole. I chose the Stampotique stamp because it’s just so creepy. The question mark stamp, from Tim Holtz’s World Traveller set, reminds me of Batman’s ‘The Riddler’, and also has quite a creepy look to it.

I made up a small assortment of custom foam stamps using my Sizzix BIGZ and Movers & Shapers Dies. I’m pleased with the piece I made, however, I’ve realised that I’m not a fan of foam stamps and doubt I will use this technique again, although I’m pleased I tried it.

As I am unlikely to reuse my foam stamps, I’ve decided to give them away. Comment on my blog during the next week and I will pick a winner at random and send the stamps to you.

Category Craft Challenges | Tags: | 11 Comments | Views: 4,558
Stampotique Designers Challenge

10th February, 2012 by iGirlZoe

Kate Crane hosted last months Stampotique Designers Challenge to alter something you already have using Stampotique stamps. Unfortunately, I just missed the entry deadline, but wanted to share what I came up with anyway.

Everyone seems to be on a ‘Use What You’ve Got’ kick at the moment, and as cash strapped January rolls in to cash strapped February, I’m beginning to see the light.

I’m still on my New Years mission to clear out my craft space and have a jolly good de-stash. I’ve already filled 3 boxes with unwanted supplies that need a new home.

To my delight, I discovered some vintage Tim Holtz treasure hidden at the back of a drawer, which I will photograph and share with you.

Category Craft Challenges | Tags: | 6 Comments | Views: 3,777

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