1. Blueprint Cards

   19th February, 2015 by iGirlZoe

   A really quick post to share some watercolour cards I’ve been making using the limited edition stamptember blueprint stamps by Tim Holtz. I LOVE the blueprint stamps! Not least of all because the designs are really cool, but also because they are just the best thing in the world to colour in. Who doesn’t like a bit of colouring in?!

   

   

   

   

   The blueprints are stamped onto distressed watercolor cardstock with black archival ink, and watercoloured with distress markers. The edges are distressed, stitched and spritzed over the top. Mounted onto speciality paper that has been inked with distress through stencils and distressed, stitched and spritzed. I used the alphanumeric dies to custom make some greetings from core-dinations kraft core.

   I hope you have a nice weekend. I am looking forward to 4 days in the mountains with my DH, dinner with good friends, craft shopping and crafting. Hopefully we’ll even have some snow!

   Thanks for taking time to visit my blog and I hope you like the cards.

   ~

   supplies: tim holtz; distressed watercolor cardstock/speciality paper/core-dinations kraft core/distress inks/distress markers/distress stain sprays/alphanumeric dies/paper distresser/distress marker spritzer/snips scissors/waterbrush
   other: archival ink/glossy accents/sewing machine

   Category Craft | Tags: | 3 Comments | Views: 1,163

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2. 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.

   
   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.

   
   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).

   
   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.

   
   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).

   
   I gathered my distress products ready to decorate my matchboxes.

   
   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.

   
   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.

   
   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.

   
   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)

   Category Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations, Craft Techniques | Tags: | 17 Comments | Views: 3,027

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3. 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.

   
   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!

   
   Quick, I’ll distract you with a close-up! 😉

   
   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?!

   
   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).

   
   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

   Category Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations | Tags: | 12 Comments | Views: 1,302

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4. Be My Valentine?

   10th February, 2015 by iGirlZoe

   Hello. Thanks very much for the kind comments on my blog. It’s so much fun connecting with such a fantastic community of shopaholics crafters! 😉

   
   Today I wanted to share a Valentine’s card I made. I decided at the beginning of the year not to pack away my festive dies, but rather to alter them for use in projects throughout the year.

   
   This time I altered the Victorian Caroller and the holiday words: script thinlits dies.

   
   I cut “believe” and “merry” to give me “be my”. I also used the alphanumeric dies, which I am obsessed with. I love having the ability to title your cards with whatever you can think of.

   
   I used my new stamp sets watercolor and handwritten thoughts to decorate the background and with a bit of stitching I was done.

   Thanks for taking the time to look at my card.

   ~

   supplies: tim holtz; surfaces (distress watercolor cardstock, core-dinations kraft core)/distress ink (antique linen, vintage photo, walnut stain)/dies (victorian carrolers, alphanumeric, holiday words: script)/stamps (#217 watercolor, #218 handwritten thoughts)/tools (water mister, blending tool, paper distresser)
   other: archival ink (jet black)/glossy accents/sewing machine

   Category Craft, Craft Creations | Tags: | 5 Comments | Views: 803

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5. 12 Months of Distress – January

   9th February, 2015 by iGirlZoe

   Oh Cracked Pistachio… I think I love you…

   
   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.

   
   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.

   
   I used the cracked pistachio marker to watercolour the stamped image and spray stain to colour the crinkle ribbon.

   
   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

   Category Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations, Craft Supplies, Craft Techniques | Tags: | No Comments | Views: 489

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6. 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.

   
   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?

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

   
   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.

   
   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

   Category Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations, Craft Supplies | Tags: | 9 Comments | Views: 854

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7. 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.

   
   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.

   
   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.

   
   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.

   
   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

   Category Craft, Craft Challenges, Craft Creations, Craft Techniques | Tags: | 4 Comments | Views: 1,094

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8. 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: 1,891

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9. 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: 632

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10. 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: 4,621

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  Hello, I’m Zoe, somewhere between normal and crazy!
  A procrastinator, easily distracted by shiny things.
  Lover of junk, vintage and grunge. Crafter and Tim Holtz Addict.

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