A layered leap into the unknown

8 years ago

I was feeling rather productive this weekend.  I worked on some scrapbook pages (I have a forty page spread that is nearing completion…finally), the daffodil tag, and finding places for all of the new stuff that has been arriving each day!  Out of all of that I found some time to try a new technique – paper mosaic.  I purchased the Tim Holtz kit when it came out and I put it with all of my other texture stuff.  The brand new box right on the edge of the shelf next to texture paste, crackle paint, embossing paste, and multi-medium matte among others.  I even watched the videos and how-to’s on Tim Holtz’s blog.  After several months, today was the day I decided to use it.

I am entering this tag into two challenges:

• Layer It Up with the Frilly & Funkie blog which is graciously sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique.
• Take a Leap into the Unknown on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog sponsored by Simon Says Stamp.

The mosaic part was brand new to me.  I have never done it and I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make it look like anything that resembled collage but I think I managed.  It was a bit of a gluing mess but it was fun to see it all come together!  I even played with some crinoline, prills, a new flower die, the new Tim Holtz Mica Spray, and alcohol inks.  I hope it inspires you!

The process for the tag and the products used follow the photo.

I started with the mosaic part since it was a several step process that required a bit of drying time between each layer.  I grabbed a manila tag and covered it in the grout.  Once that was dry, I cut up random pieces of the paper.  I used Authentique’s Charmed Paper in the 6x6 pack (I think it’s Charmed Six).  I glued them on using the glue that came in the kit.  I then went for a run.  I came back and it was dry so I used the paper mosaic glaze for each of the pieces.  I then put it aside to dry.  When it was dry, I grabbed Tim Holtz Distress Ink Peeled Paint for the grouted part of the mosaic.  I edged it with Tim Holtz Distress Ink color Gathered Twigs.  I cut the mosaic down to the size I needed since I did the mosaic on the whole tag.

As the mosaic glaze was drying, I grabbed some crinoline, the Tim Holtz Bigz Tattered Florals die.  I colored them with Tim Holtz Wilted Violet Distress Spray Stain.  When it was dry I edged it with Tim Holtz Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.  Next up with the smaller part of the flower.  I used Elizabeth Crafts Nature’s Garden Poppy but I only used the smaller part of the flower and cut several layers.  I colored it with Tim Holtz Shaded Lilac Distress Stain and very faintly edged the flower with Tim Holtz Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.  The little flower was layered and held together with a small brad.  I then created the middle using Prills (Espress-O Self).  I used adhesive foam to attach the larger layers and to give it some depth.

I grabbed the new Tim Holtz Bronze Mica Spray and sprayed it on a piece of cheese cloth.  I also grabbed my metal trinkets and alcohol ink color Espresso and Lettuce.  Lettuce was used for the small 4 leaf clover charm.  Espresso was used for the new Tim Holtz Watch Cameo.  I wanted some puddling around the edge which I managed to get.  I wanted the cameo to be the keep sake of find the rare four leafed clover.  I cut out the clover with the Tim Holtz punch in green glitter paper.  On the watch cameo I tied an extra piece of the Peeled Paint colored ribbon from the first tag.  The word band was also inked and I cut off the loops as best I could.

The bird was cut from the Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers Mini Bird and Cage die.  I used Gathered Twigs on him and watered it down to get a mottled look.  Black Soot distress marker was used for his eye.

A break in crafting to do some yard work allowed me to figure out what I wanted the background to be.  Initially it was to be the whole tag as a mosaic but I wasn’t liking how it looked.  I came back in and upon returning to my craft room decided on a #8 manila tag.  I stamped the tag using the Tim Holtz stamp #241 Ledger Script in Wendy Vecchi’s Tree Branch Archival Ink.  I embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I used Wilted Violet and Gathered Twigs for the background.  I grabbed a couple more metal pieces (filigree pieces and time piece from the Funkie Junkie Boutique and the key from Graphic 45 Staples).  Then I assembled everything  and added a Wilted Violet colored Ribbon.