may technique challenge...

"may technique challenge" - tim holtz(c) 2008
supplies: craft sheet, distress inks/brushed corduroy, ink blending tool, glossy accents (ranger); scissors, craft knife (tonic studios); cutting mat; foam board or fun-foam; favorite adhesive; favorite scrapbook paper; found object

step 1: select the found object to "embed" and place it on to a piece of foam board already cut to the size of your project (layout, atc, or card). *tip: i prefer using foam board because i think it's more durable and rigid.

step 2:  trace around the object leaving as much space as you want around it for a border. *tip: of course it's easier to use a ruler and draw a square or rectangle around an object to cut instead of sticking with the actual shape.

step 3: remove the object and place the foam board on to a cutting mat.  using a craft knife, begin cutting the foam board following the lines you traced. *tip: it's important to cut the foam board in layers instead of trying to cut all the way through it in one stroke so make sure you have a sharp blade.(i love my retractable craft knife from tonic it's so simple to use!) *tip: i prefer using a glass cutting mat because the glass allows the blade to slide when cutting.

step 4: when you get to a corner, be sure to cut past the marks so all corners intersect (this will help you remove the piece you are cutting out).

step 5: continue until all of your areas are cut and remove the piece from the sheet - this will be referred to as a "niche". *tip: you may have to go back and cut various areas a bit more - use a piece of sandpaper to smooth any rough cut edges.

step 6: choose the paper you would like as the main paper (this is what is shown on the top) and cut paper to same size as your foam board piece and place it face down on to the cutting mat.

step 7: apply adhesive to foam board. *tip: be sure to use adhesive around the niche.

step 8: adhere the cut foam board to the back of the paper also placing it face down.

step 9: using a craft knife, cut an line in the paper going down the center.

step 10: next cut various lines into the center cut line working from the corners and edges of your foam board to create several cut "pleats".

step 11: begin folding the "pleats" up into the niche

step 12: apply adhesive on to the back of the foam board around the niche area and fold over "pleats" securing to the back.

step 13: select paper you want as your background to show through the niche and trim to size of foam board.

step 14: apply adhesive to the back of the entire foam board piece.

step 15: flip foam board over and place down on to background paper. *tip: be sure to center foam board on to background paper.

step 16: using ink blending tool, apply distress ink to edges of the niche to create a shadow effect. tip: this step will make the cut out area look deeper and also cover up any possible cutting "issues".

step 17: continue inking all edges of project using ink blending tool and distress ink. *tip: by inking the edges, this will draw your eye into the niche.

step 18: adhere dimensional object into the niche using glossy accents. *tip: glossy accents can adhere metal, plastic, paper, glass, fabric, and wood objects and dries clear.

step 19: now it's up to you - let your creativity run wild!

now that you've followed the process, here's the same technique applied to an atc (artist trading card) or you could use this as a greeting card.  see...i told you this technique could be applied to any paper craft project...

Comments

[missy j]

You up this late, or just posting on the clock?
Goodnight.
Missy

[Shanna]

that heart key is greatness.

I have a couple of pieces of sea glass from our honeymoon that I've been having a hard time figuring out what to do with. I'll have to play around with this.

[Sherri Long]

What a fabulous idea! My mind is whirling with all of the possiblities! Memorambilia from the past, grandparents, kids, I can see a framed group on my wall.

[Lynn]

What better way to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day? It's also given me some great ideas for a LO for my husband who's addicted to his model railway. Thanks Tim! Have a great cruise.

[Lisa R]

love the technique! the embellishments are fabulous, too. :)

[Betina/Hotcat]

Hello

We are also here in Denmark trying to have a National Scrapbooking Day.... but then it must international now ;-)

Beautiful things you make, i just love my Grugeboards... now we can buy them in Denmark... it takes time to come over here...

Hugs fra Betina, Denmark

[Robin N (tqmnurse)]

another fabulous tutorial.....and here I am with all of this foam board and never thought of using it as a canvas....duh......must have been a real blonde moment! now I can't wait to use it and make both of my girls special "canvas'" for their walls...thanks for the inspiration!

[Jackie]

I love the card samples!all of it is stunning.I need this hardware;)Happy NSD!

[Jennie]

Fabulous techniques as always.. love the idea of embedding objects. Cannot wait to play with the new idea-ology embellishments when they hit here in the UK.
happy Scrapbooking Day!
Jennie x

[Linda van Vliet]

This is great. You won't believe it, but I still have a lock of babyhair from my two girls. Never used them because I didn't know what to do. You have given me a wonderful idea. Thanks a bunch!
Linda from Holland.

[Trine]

Wow, this is fabulous! And all the new exciting embellishment!

[Anna]

what better way to kick off this month of creativity than with a technique challenge?

Couldn't have said it better myself! You have a terrific knack for helping me to open my eyes and see the possibilities beyond the 12"x12" page!

Thanks Tim!

[Sharon]

Yet more genius Tim. Such a versatile technique. I'm on a real ATC kick at the moment! Will get some of those done this weekend.

Thanks for the chance to win goodies, I have my fingers crossed - although it does make crafting a bit difficult lol!

[Robyn W]

lurve this idea T!M, its one i am going to use for a sea horse i want to display, and some other items on a page from my childhood, thanks for the idea of making the hole not look like a hole, does that make sense...and your new stuff looks great
feel free to send over thisaway

[Lidia]

Again great inspiration! Hope to get your stuff in Holland soon.
Thnx,
Lidia

[Evonne]

Another fabulous Tutorial, I love the idea of embedding objects! Thank you for sharing! The new embelleshiments look great, can't wait to get a chance to play with them.

[Mabel]

Happy NSD to everyone and thanks for this fantastic technique, is perfect for scrap special objects, so clever!!

[Anke]

...great technique....and your give away looks sooooooo yummmy!!! Would like to get my hands on them! Have fun on your cruise...;-)

[Susanne]

We don't have National Scrapbooking Day in Germany. There are days in my life I wish I was born in USA ... *sigh*
Love your give away! Love your work! Couldn't you come to Germany and show your art??
Have a nice weekend!

[hollystar]

i'm so going to buy some foam board tomorrow. if only i had one of those keys to tuck into it...

[nat]

What a fun idea - love to use this on a scrapbuooking layout. I always have very bulky layouts and that would actually help to lower the height- LOL. Thanks for sharing and waving from Germany :-)
Nat

[Christina B.]

Okay so I'm one of those "non-scrapbookers" - but this recessing technique looked great on the layout and what a fantastic idea on an ATC or a greeting card!

Thanks T!m - hope you've got your mittens for Alaska!

[Karen]

Hi Tim,
Hope you are having fun on your Alaska Trip. Thank you for sharing this technique. I have 9 grandsons and it has often baffled me to come up with ways to make male/boy pages and have somewhere to put childhood treasures. This will be perfect and I am really excited about trying it out.
cheers

[Sally]

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!! I love this technique and as for the giveaways.....woweeee!!

[Alli]

oh that is very neat, I love that idea, I have lots of little boy things I want to preserve and I love that, you can have them in the page. I had never though of using foam board like that!!

I can't wait to try it and aren't those pack gorgeous!

[Zarah]

Ok, I'm gonna have to make a list...:
1. WOW!
2. Where DO you get all these ideas?! I am in serious awe!!
3. That quote ("not all who wander...") always makes me think of my old flatmate. I think I'll call her. Thx for the reminder! :D
4. Have a nice NSD! :D

[Doris]

Never thought of using foam board in this way. It keeps the 3d items flat! Looking forward to checking out the new items, including the craft knife.

[Brynn]

I love love love this idea. Now I have an idea for something that I have wanted to scrapbook for such a long time.

Have a great NSD!!

[Tatiana gordon]

Great idea of cutting the board. Waht fun! Off to go give it a try.

[Sue W.]

Happy National Scrapbooking Day! Love this technique. Can't wait to try it.

You share the BEST ideas with us, T!m.

[vicki in MD]

another marvelous technique - I'm off to find the foam core. I had used it once to create a shadow box. You've given me another trick to use! thanks for sharing your creativity

[Kim]

Super, super, super cool idea. Thank's Tim for another great inspirational post.

[Dana]

Of course, you are a genius! Great project. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Martha]

I love the idea and I also want to say I appreciate the great step-by-step photos that accompany your instructions, thanks!

[LoriKaye]

how fierce!!!!

[Rachel]

Wow a fantastic giveaway. Happy NSB Day. Hope you have a great cruise ... bit of envy here! Great technique too ... have played with that sort of idea with altered books, but not on a scrapbook page! :-) Thanks

[Liz Walters-Prescott, AZ]

WOW!!! I am so in awe!!
Another great teck. of the month AND a fab give-a-way.
Tim, YOU are the BEST. Winning this prize sure would take the sting out of me not being able to go to your cruise.
THANK YOU for all you do Tim, and the gang. You have no idea how much you mean to us. Can't wait to get all your new embellies too.
Be safe and I'll be with you all in thought!!!
Love, Liz Walters

[Shyra]

Hi Tim! Thanks for sharing your idea with us! Your idea is absolutely unique & inspiring! I love all your lovely creations. We dont really celebrate National Scrapbooking Day in Malaysia but there's a scrapbooking shop here that gives special discounts only for today(for National Scrapbooking Day, of course!) more reasons for shopping and scrapping! =)Oh, i just saw your new products at my local scrapbook store,u have great products Tim!

[Eileen]

What a great technique. I am gonna try this today.....thanks for all of the techniques you have so nicely given us. Oh, and I am so excited, I will be seeing you soon in Sunny South Florida.

Eileen

[Eileen]

What a great technique. I am gonna try this today.....thanks for all of the techniques you have so nicely given us. Oh, and I am so excited, I will be seeing you soon in Sunny South Florida.

Eileen

[Renee Shlachter]

Hmmm - I have tons of foam core board. Now I have a different way of using it, thanks to you. Your techniques and creativity have given me a new way of looking at materials and objects. Thanks so much for your generosity by sharing these tips and techniques. Foam core, here I come!
BTW, have a wonderful cruise to Alaska. It's a great trip.
Renee

[Barbara SP]

Very cool, and as always - mind expanding!

[Jil L.]

Tim,
Those new products are wonderful! I could go nuts with them. My local scrapbook store carries most of your products and I just got your hammer. I could go to town with those new findings & my hammer! LOL! Thanks, JIL

[Kathy Eddy]

Wow, those are wonderful examples. I love that idea and especially when you used it on the atc's. I am addicted to those little treasures. Can't wait to cruise together next week-end!!! Thanks for the chance to win. Kathy Eddy

[Linda Humphreys]

Boy am I glad I found your site. You have some great techniques. I love this one. Linda

[lois Skiathitis]

What a neat layout and look at all of the new toys someone will be playing with. Everyone who is going have a great cruise and learn a lot from Tim and just have fun.

[suzanne]

love, love, love this idea! thanks tim!

[cottagerca]

Gotta love the hardware. Tim your tutorials are the best.

ava
cottagerca

[Kim]

Thanks for another great technique! The page is awesome and your new line is amazing...can't wait to add it to my scrapping stash.

[Anthea]

there could be no better reason to have a national holiday could there??? I just love that LO, just gorgeous, and those new embellies are perfect for boy pages, I just have to have some!!!