Fabulous Frameworks!

Drumroll please!  We have officially arrived at the 25th, yes 25th Challenge for the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge using Tim Holtz's fabulous frameworks dies!  I honestly don't know where the time has gone as I have been having so much fun with these challenges!  Linda Ledbetter  has been doing an awesome job hosting them too!  If you haven't played along with us, it's never too late.  Head on over to her website for all the rules and information. You won't regret it!

I have been so happy enjoying our beautiful Springtime in the Rockies - the trees are in bloom as well as the daffodils and grape hyacinth. Therefore I knew my project had to be inspired by the beauty around me.  Here is the tag I created using the Lattice Framework Die:

Now here  is the irony.  This is what I woke up to this morning!

Somehow this just isn't right!  However, as they say here in Colorado, "If you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes".  It will change back to Spring again - our local meteorologist has assured us that it will in a few days.

Tim has multiple, and all wonderful, Frameworks dies by Sizzix.   I envisioned flowers and leaves on a trellis so I used his Lattice die to create the base for this project.  I began by cutting out two lattices from chipboard.  I then painted both of them with his new January release color - Cracked Pistachio.  Love this color!  Once dry, I added some Pumice Stone Distress Paint over the top.  I forgot to take a picture of both pieces before I adhere them to the tag.  However, I have a small piece leftover which hopefully will show the color.

I stamped the tag with Tim's Stamper's Anonymous Wood Grain background from the Wallpaper and Wood stamp set using a combination of Vintage and Antique Linen Distress Inks.  I then stamped the sentiment from Tim's new Life Quotes set in black over the background.

I used one of my favorite techniques, Paint Marbling, to create some flowers to add to my trellis.  I used Lemonade, Spiced Marmalade and  Festive Berries Paints.  Once dry, I used Tim's Sizzix Alterations Tattered Florals Garland die to cut out the flowers.  Here is what it looked like once I cut out the flowers along with a sample flower:

I then used Tim's Sizzix Alterations Spring Greenery die to cut out a variety of greens to creep up my trellis.  I cut them out of cream card stock and added color with Peeled Paint and Forest Green Distress Inks.

I stamped some tiny flowers from Tim's Stamper's Anonymous Watercolor set randomly over the background on the left side of the tag.  I used one entire trellis and parts of a second one to add over the top.   I wove some of the greenery through the trellises before I adhered everything to the tag.

Flowers were added to the greenery and trellis as well as butterflies from Tim's new Watercolor stamp set (one of my favorites!)  Here is a close up of the flowers and butterflies:

I finished the tag off by dying Tim's Crinkle Ribbon with Festive Berries Distress ink and Spice Marmalade and creating a bow which was adhered to the top.  I then adhered one more watercolor butterfly to the center of the bow.

Okay now, get out your Compendium of Curiosities III book and turn to page 64.  Still don't have the book?  Don't worry, it's still available here.  Come join the fun!  This challenge is generously sponsored by The Inspiration Emporium who will provide a $50.00 shopping spree at their online store for a randomly chosen winner.  Tim and Mario are also providing a fabulous prize package for the Curiosity Crew Choice as well!

Good luck to all!

Remnant Rub Resist

Welcome to my 24th post for the Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge.  This challenge is being sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique who is generously providing a $25.00 gift certificate to one lucky randomly chosen winner.  As they have with every challenge, Tim and Mario have another amazing prize package for the winner chosen by the Curiosity Crew.  Head on over to the lovely Linda Ledbetter's site for all the rules and details!

Here is my project using the Remnant Rub Resist Technique:

To tell you all the truth, I didn't think I was going to have time to participate in this challenge as I ran off to San Diego to help my parents as my mother had back surgery (all went well).  I started this project the day before I left, following the technique found on Page 51 of Tim's book which is still available (here).   I used the Botanical Remnant Rubs for the tag,  Tim's new Stampers Anonymous Watercolor set butterfly stamps and Scattered Straw, Peeled Pain and Broken China Distress Stains. The only other thing I did before I left was to dye Tim's Crinkle Ribbon with Broken China Distress Stain and create a bow.

I kept looking at my tag and thinking that I had gotten carried away with the Remnant Rubs and that I needed to change something or make another.  However, each time I looked at my tag I said to myself "I like it the way it is."  That is always my cue to stop.

When I returned home a couple of days ago, I set to figure out how to "bling up" the tag.  I decided I wanted it to be simple so I only added a Bauble with a Loop Pin to the bow, a Word Band and "Happy Birthday" by B Line Designs stamped on a scrap of cream card and colored with Scattered Straw and Broken China Distress inks.

This leads me to a topic I would like to discuss with all of you.  I kept looking at this project in the beginning and thinking it wasn't involved enough when, in reality, it was beautiful to me for its' simplicity.  That's what makes this technique so awesome!  Although involved projects with tons of ephemera that took us a long time to create are fabulous too, there is also something special about simple projects which can be created quickly.  My resist project was fast and easy to complete, making it an quick "go-to" project for a  Birthday or Thinking of You tag/card.

Here is one more look at my project:

It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or an experienced paper crafter, this technique is easy for everyone!  Pull out those books and get crafting!  All of us on the Curiosity Crew are looking forward to seeing your creations!  Come join the fun!

Susan