Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge 2

I really enjoyed the first round of Linda Ledbetter's Compendium of Curiosities Challenge, based on Sir Tim's new book (and even better they picked me for a mention - see below). This challenge from Vol 3 is working with Distress Glitter. Totally different style of tag this time - I even tried to add some colour!

At the risk of creating a sense of deja vu... I only have two colours of Distress Glitter. And I have to confess I only have those because they were half price when a local shop closed. I don't generally 'do' glitter - I am not a very girly girl at all. I've also never opened them (hangs head in shame...).

Due to the facts shared above, I ventured into this challenge with some trepidation. I started to play and although the glitter is much less blingy than 'normal' glitter, it still felt a bit overbearing to me. As I was playing I decided to disregard Tim's instructions (I know - sacrilege!) and instead I rubbed the glitter back quite hard before step 4. I LOVED the softer result - phew! Challenge saved!

The key on the left (gold) shows the method in the book and the silver one shows my variation. The glitter (Pumice Stone) is over a bed of Brushed Pewter Distress Paint so the metallic shows through where the glitter coverage is thin. The photo doesn't show it well, but it does still sparkle, though it's much more subtle. It also has the most gorgeous texture.

This time the challenge sponsor is THE FUNKIE JUNKIE BOUTIQUE so great prizes up for grabs again! Make sure you play along!

Just before I go I was super chuffed to be given an 'Honorable Mention' for my tag for CC3C1 - thank you to the Curiosity Crew for this wonderful honour! Made my day :).

Stamps/products used: Distress Glitter - Pumice Stone; Distress Ink - Barn Door, Broken China, Peacock Feathers; Tim Holtz Layering Stencil - Doily; Tim Holtz stamps - Visual Artistry and Distressed Damask; Sizzix die - Key and Keyhole; Kaisercraft stamp (grid).

Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge 1

I decided it was high time I got back in  the craft room and what better to get my mojo started than a challenge? Linda Ledbetter, equipped with a great new team of inspirational helpers, is back for another helping of the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge, based on Sir Tim's new book. This first challenge from Vol 3 is paint marbling with Distress Paints. Here's my entry.

Now I must confess I only have two colours of Distress Paint (sorry Tim! I just have sooooooooooo much paint!!!), so I restricted myself to those two colours - Stormy Sky and Bundled Sage - for my marbled background. I result made me think of the sea so I searched out all my sea-themed stamps and went from there.

I stamped and masked the anemones image in Watering Can Archival (my new fave ink!) and added the netting and leafy fronds in Distress Ink. I quickly dabbed the ink on the fronds with a baby wipe while still wet to blur the image so it looks like the leaves are in water. I stamped the fish and shells separately and coloured with Distress Inks. I added a bit of Perfect Pearls to the fish to make them shimmery like the real thing! I finished with a bit of net ribbon secured using a piece of die cut rather than gluing behind the fine mesh.

LOVE this background technique - so simple even I can master it and it looks cool! And if the joy of crafty inspiration were not enough, INSPIRATION EMPORIUM are sponsoring Challenge #1, offering an amazing $50 gift certificate to one lucky participant!

Am hoping to keep up with at least some of the challenges (yeh, right I hear you cry!) and make the tags up into a little book when I'm done.

Stamps are by Art Journey (fish and coral), Crafty Individuals (seashells), Stampington (leafy frond) and PaperArtsy (netting stamp).