Although I have been remiss in posting, I have not stopped creating! I love sharing with all of you but writing blog posts has gone by the wayside lately. I apologize for that but you can certainly find lots of my art on my Facebook and Instagram Accounts.
Seth Apter introduced me to The International Tournament of Art & Craft 2017. I’ve been a Paper Crafter for 20 years and I discover new artists, techniques, events, classes and online opportunities to view and share art every day! I thought it would be fun to participate. There were so many times I would allow myself to be intimidated by the incredible talent out there but I’ve come to realize that we are all on different points in the evolution of our talents and it isn’t about the finished product as much as the joy in creating so…here ya go!
I began by adding White Gesso to the pages of my Art Journal, then used Tim Holtz’s Lattice Die to cut a few pieces and added them to the page. Next, I added White Texture Paste to the pages with a spatula in short motions to mimic old plaster walls.
I used a Blending Tool to apply Distress Inks in Vintage Photo, Evergreen Bough, Rusty Hinge & Walnut Stain and blended them with a Baby Wipe.
I used various Stencils to add interest to the pages – TH Mini Stencils: Crocodile, Burlap, Numeric, and Typo with Ground Espresso and Jet Black Archival Inks.
As part of the ITAC First Challenge, I incorporated a face; letters; numbers; lace and textures into my project.
I have a box of actual postage stamps that I always think about but never actually use. LOL – I don’t know what I’m saving them for! I layered two of them over some of the specialty papers I’ve had stashed for quite awhile. I absolutely love how they look! There’s something about using authentic ephemera that makes me feel like a “real” artist (Whatever that means!).
I layered Lace over two different colors of Burlap and snuck a little piece of a Cheesecloth-y type paper I used on the other page and added an Idea-ology piece and “Get Lost Somewhere” from 7 Dots Studio over the top.
Then…I had to stop myself from going and going and going! Thanks for stopping by! 😀
I applied Tissue Tape with Multi-Media Matte. 
I stamped Mona Lisa from the TH Mini Classics Stamp Set in Archival Black Ink. Additional stamps were randomly stamped around the Tag. 
I applied Texture Paste through the TH Gothic Stencil and, when that dried, I applied the Texture Paste through the Schoolhouse Stencil to get the numbers across the Tag. (Not shown here.) 
Distress Stains – Evergreen Bough, Iced Spruce and Rusty Hinge – were applied to the Craft Sheet. 
The Tag was spritzed with Water and swiped through the Inks. Additional Distress Inks were applied to the Tag and then it was spritzed with water to blend the inks. 
The Tag was Heat Set and then Walnut Ink was sponged through the Speckled Stencil. 
Remnant Rubs were attached to a Vial Label. The edges of the Label were Sanded and Inked with Walnut Stain Ink. 
Parts of the Tag were sponged with Distress Embossing Ink and then embossed with Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder. A piece of Filmstrip (LOVE it!) was attached to the Tag with the Tiny Attacher. Mini Gears were attached to the bottom of the Tag. 
The Idea-Ology Embellishments were aged using Rusty Hinge and Evergreen Bough Distress Paints. 
Here’s a close up of Mona Lisa, Word Band and Mini Gears. 
The Idea-Ology Key was aged using the Distress Paints and it was also inked in random places with Embossing Ink and then Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder was poured on and heated. 
The same Distress Stains were used to dye Crinkle Ribbon for the top of the Tag. 
The Key was attached to the Tag and a Swivel Clasp was attached to the Ribbon. 
The edges of the Tag were Distressed with a Distressing Tool and then inked with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. 
The Idea-Ology Word Band was attached to the Tag with Jute String. 
Before attaching the Ribbon, I backed the Tag with another Tag to give it a little more strength to support the Key. 
Challenges:
