My Funny Valentine

Big announcement from Tim yesterday.....no more 12 Tags of Christmas (sigh....), but instead, the launch of the 12 Tags of 2012.  A new tag, chock full of techniques and step by step directions each month.  Starting with February, a Valentine's tag.

Not that I'm cynical about love, but whether I've been in or out of a relationship come February 14, it has just never been one of my favorite holidays.  But I couldn't resist the challenge, not to mention I had an idea to put a less than serious spin on things.

Tim's main technique involved the use of a specialty paper that results in a honeycomb (and very dimensional) image.  You have to click on the 12 Tags link above to see it.  Now, as much as I own in the way of supplies, this paper is not in my stash.  Somewhere in the back of my mind, however, was a vague memory of making homemade honeycomb paper with my kids way back when I was an elementary school teacher.  I did a quick google search and found this totally easy tutorial which is just the way I remember doing it.  Does it result in the exact same perfect honeycomb effect as the Inky Antics paper?  Of course not, but if you want to give it a try and are too impatient to wait until you can find the real thing, I don't think you'll be disappointed.  I'm not trying to take business away from Inky Antics, but not everyone has the means to buy every cool product, and besides, it's always nice to know your alternatives.

Before I go into details, this tag will be my entry for two challenges besides Tim's.

Grungy Monday #36 :  V-Day, Tim Holtz style.

Simon Says Stamp and Show :  anything goes

And by the way, both of the above challenges will have prizes sponsored by Simon Says Stamp.

I used Tim's paint resist technique with his Rock Star stamp, then used just about every shade of red distress ink over the entire tag.  The embossing you see on the top and right side was done with one of those skinny embossing folders from Sizzix.  Instead of the lace die for the bottom (which I don't have....and why is that?  Something else for the wish list), I used two Martha Steward border punches on Core'dinations whitewash paper.  I followed Tim's directions to make the heart with the tissue tape ruffled edge, and made the honeycomb heart following the tutorial directions I mentioned above.

When I saw cupid on Tim's blog, believe it or not, I was instantly reminded of the running man from Wendy Vecchi's Gentleman's Art stamp set (similar pose, no?), so I had him holding onto the heart,  and instead of covering him with red stickles, I used black diamond.

I used a plain old office date stamp for the one-day-too-late-for Valentine's-Day date, and right below it, the "oops" is from Wendy's Destination Art set.  The "I'm Late! I'm Late!" is from a Stamping Ground Alice in Wonderland set.

And I'm thinking this tag will go out in the mail to a friend who I know is also no great fan of V-Day, and won't mind a bit it's being late.



I'm Still Here.....

......and I can't believe it's been over two weeks since my last post.  When  life (as in family and health issues) gets in the way, it does it big time.  Doing something creative is about my only link with sanity, and I'm trying to squeeze some of that into each day, but it hasn't been easy.

But, enough of that negative crapola.  I did a little something this week, and I have to say, I'm getting a LOT of mileage out of an ATC.  You'll see in a bit how it qualifies for three challenges.  And, truth be told, I'm just happy to have something new to blog about.

The challenges:  Grungy Monday just wants an ATC featuring any Tim products and techniques.

Meanwhile, over at Simon Says Stamp and Show.....there is a recipe.  Make something that contains torn edges, distress inks, a button and some wings.

Last, but certainly not least, the Making Art challenge at the Wendy Vecchi yahoo group is to make something that incorporates at least one of Wendy's stamps as well as her technique for creating custom "epoxy" embellishments.

It's amazing how much you can get on a 2 1/2 x 3 1/2" piece of cardstock, if you put your mind to it.

The base is one of Ranger's newish black ATC blanks.  The top stamp is from Tim's Rock Star set; the hearts on the bottom are Wendy's from her In Love With Art set.  Both were stamped with clear ink and embossed with white powder. 

The two hearts that sit on top of the Tim stamp were cut with his mini hearts movers and shapers dies.  I used some scraps of watercolor paper which were embossed and then colored with several shades of red distress ink and some distress stains as well.  They were also dusted with perfect pearls for a little shimmer.  The wings and button were in my stash and have no idea who to credit for them.

Poking out of the hearts is the epoxy embellishment.  The glare off the glossy accents was unavoidable, but what I used was a circle of pink paper and a tiny gold heart charm.

The sentiment on the bottom is a stamp from Wendy's Seriously Art set.

And I seriously hope that it won't be another two weeks before I have something to blog about.

Oh, and although it doesn't show up too well in the photo, the edges of the ATC are distressed and torn up a bit.  (Just in case anyone from the challenges police is reading this).