Two Challenges, An Etsy Shop and a Tutorial

Ah, how easy it was this week to do another double-duty piece for the CCC and SSSS challenges.  Please click on the respective initials to learn more about each one.  Why do I love these challenges so much?  I find it easier to work with a focus sometimes.  I am an admitted technique junkie, so love the opportunity to try new ones.  I am a sucker when prizes are in the offering.  Though I've not won anything yet, my competitive side lives in hope.
This week's CCC is the blended batik technique, to be found on page 36 of Tim's book.  And at SSSS, we're to do anything Lord Tim of Holtz inspired.  Pretty obvious that I can get two for the price of one here.
So, without further ado, blathering, digressing, here is my Lord Tim of Holtz inspired blended batik tag:

For the technique itself (which is what you see in the background) I used a bunch of neutrals....old paper, vintage photo, tea dye, and antique linen distress inks.  The stamps I used:  Post Card is from Tim's Letter to Santa set, and the script is from his French Marketplace set. Over the technique I stamped the postmark (also from French Marketplace) in walnut stain, and the Eiffel Tower (a Stampin' Up stamp) in black soot.

The ticket and advertisement, tucked under the large grommet are from the 100th Collection set and French Marketplace respectively, and I stamped them on scraps of manilla tags and inked and distressed them with a variety of the same neutral inks used on the large tag.

I finished it off with some lace ribbon on top and bottom, and that made me just have to use the image of the lovely lady, snipped from a Graphic45 sheet.

Now, what's this about an etsy shop?  No, not mine....I still have some issues with selling stuff (and let's just leave my issues out of this blog, thank you very much), but the shop of a good friend with mega talent.  Remember this?

 It is the fabulous one-of-a-kind charm necklace done for me by my friend Val.  Val's necklaces are stunning, and she has opened at etsy shop.  Check it out.....you won't see jewelry like this anywhere else.

As for the last reference in this blogpost title, every other Tuesday I do a technique tutorial on the Paper Imagery Designs blog, and today is that day.  Come and visit me there and see how to make some cool backgrounds with melted crayons!