april technique challenge...

"april technique challenge" - tim holtz(c) 2008
supplies needed: craft sheet, distress ink/vintage photo, ink blending tool, adirondack paint dabber/espresso, clear embossing ink, clear embossing powder, mini mister, crackle accents, cut n' dry foam, heat tool (ranger); WANTED 12x12 paper/strip tease, WANTED chipboard pieces (cosmo cricket); scissors, paper distresser, trimmer (tonic studios); sanding grip or sandpaper, embellishments (idea-ology); distressed harlequin stamp (stampers anonymous); #8 manila tag, #2 manila tag (american tag); glue dots (glue dots); glue stick, hole punch, dymo label maker, embellishments

step 1: i chose the "strip tease" paper because it has snippets of all of the designs from the entire WANTED collection all on one sheet, and get this, it's double sided which means even more options.  i cut a section 3 1/8"x6 1/4" to cover one side of the #8 tag (i liked the section with the cowboys and stripes - giddyup!).

step 2: glue this to the #8 tag using a glue stick or your favorite adhesive and trim top corners.

step 3: ink the harlequin stamp with clear embossing ink and stamp the image lining up with the top of the tag. *the stamp is not long enough to cover the whole tag, but don't worry about that.

step 4: cover the stamped area with clear embossing powder.

step 5: heat emboss the image using a heat tool until powder is completely melted and shiny. let cool.

step 6: paint over the entire tag with espresso paint dabber.

step 7: while paint is wet, pounce over it with a piece of cut n' dry foam to blend the paint. *you can also use the ink blending foam for this. let paint dry.

step 8: mist a cloth with water using mini mister.

step 9: lightly swipe over painted stamped image with damp cloth to begin removing the paint from the embossing powders.  pretty cool huh?  this is the same "shabby chic" technique from the 12 tags of christmas, but using a printed background paper - unlimited possibilities!

step 10: cut a 1 1/2"x3 1/8" strip of paper from the WANTED sheet. (i found that cutting of the last 2 design sections was the perfect fit).

step 11: drag the paper distresser along the edges of the paper to create a tattered edge.

step 12: ink edges using the ink blending tool and distress ink to distress the edges of the paper.

step 13: apply glue to the bottom edge and 2 ends of the strip and adhere to the bottom of the tag - talk about a perfect fit, the paper strip fits right where the stamped image ended.  this will create a pocket - you can also sew this with a sewing machine, use brads, or staples for this.  *see i told you not to worry before!

step 14: cut a strip of paper 3/8" i know this is thin. (i used the skinny solid brown section for this).

step 15: insert this strip into a manual dymo label maker (remember these!).  seriously, you can put paper into this.

step 16: start embossing whatever words you want into the paper by advancing the wheel and clicking the handle.  because cosmo cricket paper has a white core, when you emboss it, it reveals the core to show the letter - cool huh? i told you it's all about the cosmo!!!

step 17: using a sanding grip or fine grit sandpaper, lightly sand over your embossed words to finish revealing the white core - do not over sand...

*tip: if you don't like the white letters, you can ink over them with a color DARKER than your background paper to tint.

step 18: attach a WANTED chipboard buckle to the paper strip and adhere to the side of the tag.

*tip: i used some crackle accents on my chipboard pieces before attaching it to create a cracked glass effect (crackle accents takes 24 hours to crackle so you need to do this step in advance if you want).

step 19: cut 2 pieces of paper 1 5/8"x3 1/4". (i used the section with the various woodgrain colors - nice!)

step 20: glue paper to a #2 tag - one on each side and trim top corners.

step 21: punch holes through both tags using a hole punch.

step 22: distress the edges of both tags using a paper distresser by dragging it along the edges.

step 23: ink edges of tags using ink blending tool and distress ink. *be sure to start on your craft sheet and work in a circular motion.

step 24: cut out 2 flowers from floral section of paper.

step 25: ink edges of flowers with ink blending tool and distress ink.

step 26: adhere flowers to each other by stacking them and bend petal upwards.

step 27: attach to the center of your tag pocket.

step 28: adhere WANTED chipboard brackets to each side of the flower.

step 29: adhere WANTED chipboard arrow to top right of tag pointing towards pocket.

step 30: embellish tags with ribbons and various findings. *note: these are my NEW idea-ology embellishments released at CHA and scheduled to start shipping by the end of this month - check out my on-line catalog here! way cool stuff...

Comments

[Liz Walters-Prescott, AZ]

Wow. yet another great one. TIM, you rock.
Love it.

[Teresa M]

on and on, I'll be a Tim blog reader FOREVER! Such GREAT stuff here all the time.

[Michelle (vanilla)]

I would have never thought of using paper with the DYmo! Way cool! Thanks Tim for more inspiration!!! Paper crafts would not be the same without you :)

[StacyS.]

Hi Tim!
I am so with you - lovin' the cosmo cricket! My favourite line (right now) is the Get Happy - I just did two layouts of my boys and the paper is so awesome!
Thanks for the chance to win - cool tag too!
Stacy (Alberta, Canada)

[Barbara]

This stuff just amazes me to no end.

[NicoleB]

You bring sun in a very snowy day here in Montreal ! I love the new tag, all of them are amazing. I use your products every day, distress inks,etc... Thank you to share all the techniques with us, your lucky bloggers!
Nico

[Peggy]

Thank you for giving me some inspiration to play this weekend! I look so forward to your new posts.

[DeniseLynn]

WOW! Can't believe how much you changed that paper. Every inch of the tag is fabulous and that paper is so yummy; I see why it's your favorite.

[Natalie]

i truly believe this is the coolest tag you have made on this blog i love it !!!!!!!

[Becky D.]

that is an awesome tag!!! and the techniques you used are so useful!

[sherRae]

I love Cosmo Cricket too, expecially "Wanted" I did a LO of my GS at the piano wearing his bib overalls with a cowboy boot on the back. The title says, "Playing Cowboy" and the "Wanted" paper was perfect. Another favorite oldie is "Jitterbug" that too is timeless for me.
Off to create your tag!
Sherry (Wisconsin)

[Tracey]

Hi Tim, your tags are awesome!!! I LOVE that you share your techniques with us. That is SO COOL! Thank you!!! Oh...and I'd love to be the winner! Hehe. :D

[Julie]

Tim, you're a genius...the Dynamo with paper!! Gotta go find one. I love Cosmo's line too and would love to own this kit of course. Thanks always, for sharing. Julie

[Kerri]

I KNEW there was a reason why I had been sitting on my pack of Wanted for so long! I KNEW it!

[Judy Czarnecki]

Tim, I just love your technique challenges! I've learned so much from you -- really broadened my horizons on what I can do with all the supplies I've collected over the years. Thanks for sharing!

[Christine Poh]

Hey Tim, thank you so much for taking time to show us some of your special techniques through the step-by-step tutorials! Really love reading them! And the tutorial videos too... *2 thumbs up* And thanks for giving international readers a chance to play along too!!! LOVE this fabulous WANTED collection you are giving away! ;p

[linda]

Another great tag! I really "WANT" this collection. LOL
Thanks for the inspiration!

[linda]

Another great tag! I really "WANT" this collection. LOL
Thanks for the inspiration!

[Beverly]

I never thought of using paper in the labeler!!! Love the paperline.

[silvia]

Wow!!! That is an incredibly awesome prize!!! I also LOVE LOVE LOVE Cosmo Cricket!!As always, your tag is AMAZING and your instructions are detailed and easy to follow.

[Amanda Newberry]

This tag is why I like to scrap.....using one (again one) piece of paper, and stuff we already have! :) Thanks for using your creative resources to remind all of us out there that we can do the same.
Amanda

[ginnycartersmallenburg]

I love your tutorials! Pick me (now that I am unemployed, I NEED free supplies!) :) :)

[Robbie Rubala]

Love your tutorials. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!

Robbie

[Dana]

Wanted has to be my favorite all time paper collection. Cosmo Cricket rocks! I love what you've done with it. Thanks for another great one!!!

[Scott Sakaitis]

WoW great challenge. Your a great inspration to us all, please keep it up.

[Faith]

This sure would make a nice birthday present for someone in Stockbridge, GA. And that would be ME!!! This collection would be perfect for the pictures of my Grandson at his first rodeo!!
Love all of your ideas...thanks for sharing.

[Teresa Azua]

Tim, I love your blog and I'm so exited to meet you!!! I'm taking a class next April 12 in Mesa, AZ at Mystic Paper. When one of my non-scrapbooker friends asked me what was the big deal about you I told her: well, for you will be like if Ricky Martin was coming to serenate you!!!
Teresa Azua

[Mary Ellen]

Just when I think less is more I see your work and think more is better! I love this stuff!

[Mary Ellen]

Just when I think less is more I see your work and think more is better! I love this stuff!

[Mary Ellen]

Just when I think less is more I see your work and think more is better! I love this stuff!

[debbie]

Oh this is my favorite tag EVER!!! LOve it!! Now I need to get some the Wanted to do my wedding album! The perfect colors and everything!

Thanks again Tim!!

[txscrapadict]

Wow! I just love Cosmo Cricket & I just love everything you do too!! Your techuniques are soooo inspiring!! What a wonderful combination!

[Ava G]

Once again Tim many thanks for sharing your vision and promoting cosmo cricket.
I believe I have some scraps of this paper. So, as usual, I will drop whatever I am working on, to make your Tag. I think I will create one of my Deck of me cards with this. Love how you pack loads of techniques in such a small tag.

ava
cottagerca

[Teresa Azua]

I lost my post!!! well I don't mind telling you again: I love your blog, and I'm so exited because I'm taking a class with you next April 12 in Mesa, AZ at one of my LSS. when one of my non-scrapbookers friends asked me what was the big deal about you I told her it was like if Ricki Martin was coming to serenate her!!!! thanks for sharing your talent with us!!!!

Teresa Azua

[Amber]

I just love all your tags Tim!!! I can't wait to try to re-create this one!

[Lisa]

Thanks Tim, I too love that collection.

[Heather Grow]

I LOVE your tag. It's fun to see some familiar techniques used. I think I read the 12 tags of Christmas posts like a thousand times. :)

[Joan]

Love this Wanted paper line - it would be perfect for the 4H pictures of my daughter riding her horse. I will keep my fingers crossed and hope to win the Cosmo prize package!
Thanks, Tim, for all the wonderful ideas you share. Your new embellishments are cool!! Joan

[Lisa Godwin]

WANTED!! This prize package to get me started here down under! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your stuf Tim and am spreading the word as fast as I can about you. I would love this package to encourage me to get into your challenges. I love your challenges but am skeeeeeeered to try, but I would definitely give it a go with the much 'wanted' package! Lisa, Australia

[Helen]

Buck naked is always a good thing, versatile and can never have enough of it. Sweet.

By the way, your scissors are WAY cool. They cut through everything, I mean EVERYTHING and are sharp enough to get into the little corners. Glad I picked some up at CKU Chicago. Thanks for showing us how easy it is to use your products. I was so intimidated by them but they really aren't as complicated as they look.

HELEN from CHICAGO

[sally]

Great stuff! I helped with a Cosmo Cricket class last year in Atlanta and I loved the people and the products. Very inspiring!

[Lori]

Wow-you are seriously talented Tim! Love the layering of this tag.

[Linda Davenport]

I have always loved this paper too... And now I know what I will do with the scraps!! Thanks, Tim!

[Kath]

Thanks for sharing all the fantastic techniques on your blog, it really opens up the mind to look at the possiblities of doing so many different things with the few 'essentials'. And thanks for bringing to attention the beautiful Cosmo Cricket paper - they really are gorgeous, and I'm also not one who really goes for the latest and trendiest but prefer the timeless classics. Don't know if I can still find this range in this part of the world ... what a great giveaway!!

[Donna Kjellander-Karlan]

Tim- You are an absolute artistry wizard with your products! It's amazing to see how you transform something basic into an incredible, uncommon magic! Thank you for sharing your gift! I just luvit!!!

[Dale Anne]

I have LOVED background stamps for years and never even thought about using them for embossing......THANKS for the FABULOUS idea! And, I have been doing the Dymo thing also.
LOVING your blog!!!

[Mama Karen]

You techniques are so rich and fascinating. No wonder your business takes you all over the world.

[Trish]

Another. Amazing. Project. You have made me fall in LOVE with colors and patterns I don't gravitate towards. How did you do that? Cosmo Cricket, who knew? Let me just say your cool new embellishments are incredible. I can't wait to go shopping. Enjoy your weekend and being at home.
Trish

[Jody]

Tim, you rock and so does Cosmo Cricket. You inspire me with all you do. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ~Jody

[Lisa R]

You are a constant source of inspiration-- thank you so much for all you share with us. :)