HEARTBEAT CURIO BOX TRIO - TIM HOLTZ SIZZIX CHAPTER 1 RELEASE

Hello everyone!  Today I'm sharing another project created for the Tim Holtz Sizzix Chapter 1, 2020 release.  If you missed the Facebook Live, featuring all the dies and fabulous projects created from this release, you can see it here.

I've created my small hanging home decor project using the Curio Box, Heartbeat, Crochet #2, and Falling Hearts Sizzix dies.  Love the Heartbeat set so much, it can be used in so many different ways!

Here's a small tutorial on how I created this:

First I die-cut the tops of my 3 boxes with patterned paper (AbandonedTH94022) and the Curio Box Bigz die.  I die-cut the box bottoms using chipboard.  For the middle box, I die-cut this heart from the  Heartbeat Thinlits set in the middle of the curio box top.

For the other two boxes, I die-cut the centres out with the Curio Box Framelits (4 Framelits come with the Curio Box Bigz die).  I used the larger one for the box top and the smaller one (same shape) for cutting out a piece of cardstock cut to fit behind.   I also cut out a piece of patterned Vellum (Wallflower Vellum TH93148) and adhered this behind the cardstock frame, then this behind the box top(3d dimensional foam adhesive squares).  The other two Thinlits Heartbeat cardstock die-cuts were adhered across the top of the boxtops. 

Before adhering the tops on the boxes, I installed the Tiny lights(TH94019), starting with the box that will be at the top.  Punch a hole for the string to go through in one of the top corners. This string of lights will be divided between the three boxes.  Exit the string in the corner of the box bottom, same side as the string entrance. There's about 1" space between each box.  Your light string should exit in the middle of the corner as this will be covered by the crochet trim. I didn't adhere this corner closed until the strand was put through.  There's no flap to adhere the box sides together, this is because if you're using chipboard, it never folds well because of the thickness.  My tip for securing the corners; I use small strips of tissue paper and liquid adhesive to adhere the corners together and then add more liquid adhesive on the inside. Tissue is a great way to secure sections together, without the bulk.  I also made a hole in the centre near the top, threaded a loop of twine(knotted at the end) through, for a hanger.

I temporarily taped the battery pack to the outside back.  Adhere the tops to the box bases, after your lights are fixed in.

With the Crochet 2 Thinlits set, I die-cut several strips with cardstock.  This die set does not have a cutting edge on the ends, so you continue the strip as long as your paper.  I wanted a strip long enough to go all around the three boxes, so I adhered several together.  Once you have done this, weave twine through the holes for extra strength.  I left extra twine on the ends for tying a bow on the top.

There is a space left between each box, so I used a small piece of the crochet die-cut and adhered it to the back where it shows.  This is adhered after you have the lights all assembled in the three boxes.  The strand runs along the backside of the crochet die-cut, which will be covered. To get the trim on, I started with the middle of the strip and started adhering to the middle of the bottom box, going up each side. After you have reached the top middle, snip the ends of the leftover crochet trim.

For the middle box, I added die-cut cardstock hearts from the Falling Hearts Thinlits Set.  These were adhered to the vellum, underneath the heart monitor.

Here's closer look at the top box when it is lighted.

Here's the bottom box lighted up.

I also added a painted ring from the Mini Hardware Findings set(TH93571). and a Story Stick(TH93680), and Arrow(TH93127) to the top of boxes, tying the twine around it in a bow.  I've circled the area where the light strand runs between the boxes, you can hardly see it.

Here's another look at my finished project!  Hope you enjoyed my tutorial, thanks so much for visiting!

Until next time,

Jan

3

A CHIPPY VINTAGE HEART

Hello friends!  Valentine's Day is coming and every year I like to create at least one Valentine project.      I'm sharing my vintage crackled heart with you today.

A few years ago, I created a paper mache heart with quilted paper (here), and I really wanted to make another smaller one.  

I found this metal heart at a craft store (Michael's, not a paper mache one, but this one was about the size I wanted.

I had covered a metal heart in a different shape and size last year, and I really liked how the Tim Holtz Collage Paper looked.  This one was not gessoed before the paper was applied, and the edges were given an aged look.  The metal shows through the paper, so it gives it a darker look.

I applied white gesso on both sides of my heart.  While that was drying, I stamped a piece of Tim Holtz Plain Collage Paper with this script stamp from his Entomology Stamp set (CMS328) with Archival black ink (so it doesn't bleed when using my different mediums).  I've covered one side of the front of my gessoed heart with my stamped Collage paper and clear Collage Medium. I am very generous with the medium, so that the Collage paper becomes transparent.  On the back, I've covered my heart on both sides, leaving the middle plain. 

Before applying Crackle Texture Paste, I applied Distress Vintage Collage medium all over my heart, both sides.  This sealed in the stamped Collage paper and gave it an antique look.

While the Crackle Texture paste dried, I cut out a few small pieces of patterned paper.  These were from the Tim Holtz Wallflower collection, and they were the small 3x3 or 3x4" designs in the paper stash. The patterns are smaller, which I like to use on smaller projects.  I taped the pieces together on the backside with masking tape or washi tape, where their edges met. I had traced my heart shape on a piece of scrap paper to give me an idea of the shape and size I needed. I then stitched with embroidery floss, where my papers met, connecting the edges together(I left the tape on the back).  I torn a bit of the edges and curled them up on the inside of the paper heart.

I antiqued my crackled parts of the heart with a Gathered Twigs Distress Crayon and a small amount of water, using my fingers.  The Distress crayon was also applied along the edge of the heart in the recessed areas.  To adhere the quilted paper, I lightly wet the paper with water, just enough so it was a bit damp.  If you added too much water, just carefully dab with a paper towel.  This makes the paper more pliable and a little easier to maneuver on the curved surface while adhering with Collage medium.

This is the backside of my heart.  You can see where the crackle was applied, mostly on the areas where I didn't have the stamped paper.  I didn't use any patterned paper on this side.

To finish off my heart, I added in flowers (Bouquet Findings TH93569) that were tinted with Distress Spray Stain, painted Key (TH92822), a tinted Countdown Brad Fastener(TH93631) inside a Typed Charm (TH92819), Story Stick(TH93680), held together with a Loop Pin(TH93200) and Mini Pin (TH93790) and tied with Distress Stain Spray tinted seam binding ribbon.

                                          Here's another look at my chippy vintage heart!

Thanks so much for visiting me here today. 

 Tomorrow, Tuesday February 5, 7:00am PST, there will be a Tim Holtz Creativation Blog Hop.  I hope you join myself and all the amazing designers who all contributed projects for Tim's Creativation booths. We are all sharing projects we created.  Not only lots of inspiration, but there will be prizes!  Richele Christensen is the host of this blog hop and will have all the information on her blog.  See you tomorrow!

Jan

16

GUEST DESIGNER FOR FRILLY AND FUNKIE 'LETTER PERFECT' CHALLENGE

Hello everyone!  Today I'm showing my project I created as Guest Designer for the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog.

Their Challenge Theme for the next fortnight is "Letter Perfect, hosted by Sara Emily.  Here's Sara's description of this theme:  According to Merriam Webster, 'letter perfect' is defined as "correct to the smallest details".  We're not asking g you to be immaculate or flawless; we just want to see letters or words on your vintage or shabby chic project.  They don't have to be the focus, but be sure we can see them!

I knew right away that I wasn't going to attempt writing anything myself, I have terrible writing!  But I do have a lot of word and letter dies.  I love the idea of using them on my cards, layouts or mixed media projects, you can choose any size, font or colour to match your project.  These block word dies make perfect backgrounds as they use the negative space.  I've used them in this way for birthday cards, especially the set that has Calendar months (661178).  I will highlight the month of the birthday in a different colour so it stands out.  Let's get started!

Starting with my word background, I cut out 2 pieces of light chipboard (or you could use heavy or mixed media cardstock, that can withstand painting) the same dimensions as the wood panel frame(TH93582) back piece ( 6 1/2 x 4 1/2).  I drew a guide line around the top piece where the inner edge of my frame is. I love using the negative space on these Tim Holtz Daily Words Block Thinlits and they were perfect for this painted background. I then figured out what words to use that fit within that border.  There was a small empty space left, but I knew it would be covered up with embellishments. I taped my words lightly with masking tape (love this thin 1/4" masking tape, I get from an art store) to hold everything while die-cutting.

Here's what my words look like die-cut.  Glue this top piece to the solid piece of chipboard.  Glue all the inner pieces of the A, D, O and R's or leave them off.  

Once your chipboard pieces have dried, you are ready to paint.  I started with Ranger's Black Gesso and painted everything.  I tried to not have the inside of the letters too thick, I wanted them to be as recessed as possible. Dry before your next colour.

I still want my black colour to show through, so I use an Acrylic Glazing Solution with my chosen colour, Fired Brick Distress Paint (about 2/3 Glaze to 1/3 paint) to dilute my paint.  Leave on a few minutes and then wipe off the excess with a baby wipe.  I do this by dabbing lightly until I'm happy with the amount left, which is usually just in the corners or recessed areas.

Next I used Fossilized Amber Distress paint, same method.

This is what it looks like after wiping the amber paint.  I wanted more paint left in my recessed words so they show up more.

I did another two coats of paint/glaze(a little more glaze, less paint this time), one of them Ground Espresso and the final coat with Antique Linen.

Here's the end result.

I lightly painted my frame with Antique Linen, and then dry brushed Ground Espresso to age it.  The painted background was adhered to the frame backing.  Before gluing the frame on top of my backing, I adhered a couple of pieces of paper ephemera on the left edge.  You don't really see much of them in the finished piece, there's a clock half and strip of printed paper, but they add dimension.

Using Sizzix's Tim Holtz Heartfelt Bigz die (660233), I die-cut my different sizes of hearts from thick chipboard.  There's 11 different sizes on this one die. One of the larger ones was painted with black gesso and then covered with Tim Holtz Clippings stickers (TH93583).  I trimmed them around the edge of the heart.  The heart was coated with Tim Holtz Crazing medium, then antiqued with a Walnut Stain Distress Crayon.

For the other hearts, I covered another large one with a portrait cut out from a Found Relatives card (TH93121) and distressed the edges, but you can always use your own photo.  I love the backs on these cards as much as the photos, so I used some of the leftover card to cover another heart.  The rest of the hearts were painted with Distress Paint, the red one had a Remanant Elements Rubs(rub-on) applied to the top.  My quote was from the Tim Holtz Occasions Small Talk book.  I applied this to a chipboard strip cut the same size, and inked the edges.  I had to cut it into two pieces, as it was a bit to wide for my frame.  Gears from the Gadget Gears (TH93297) and Mini Gears (TH93012) were also added.

For a bit of colour, I took a piece of Tim Holtz patterned paper, sprayed it with Rusty Hinge and Barn Door Distress Spray Stain.  Foliage from Tim Holtz Wildflowers (661190) Thinlits die and a postal stamp from Labels (TH660060) were used to cut out my shapes.

After I finished adhering all my embellishments, I covered up the edge of my frame where the back and frame meet.  Salvaged Design Tape (TH93672) was applied and sanded to distress it.  This tape is great for hiding those seams! 

You're done!  Here's another look at my finished 'Letter Perfect' project.  Hope I've inspired to you to use those letter or word dies for your backgrounds and also to join in Frilly and Funkie's challenge!

Thanks so much for stopping by. A big thank you to Frilly and Funkie for asking me to be a guest designer!  I've enjoyed this challenge and I'm sure you would too.  Be sure to check out all the inspiration from their design team and past challenges.

Until next time,

Jan

5

Sizzix Tutorial - Heart-shaped Home Decor

Hello there!  My goodness, I don't know where this month has gone. It seems like it was just the start of summer not too long ago.  I wish I could say I was busy doing something exciting or I've been on vacation, but just working away at the store and home.  

I have a Sizzix tutorial for you today, featuring a new Home Decor line. This collection is made for the Big Shot Plus Machine (it has a 9"wide opening) and also the Big Shot Pro Machine (12 1/2" wide opening).  This collection offers bigger sized dies for creating home decor projects.

I don't know about you, but there are certain shapes I always seem to be drawn too.  Stars are one, but lately I seem to like hearts a lot more than I used to.  This Heart Wood Plank - Mix the Media item from Jillibean Soup has been calling my name for a while now at the store, which come to think of it; that's why I need to work all those hours, so I can support this hobby addiction! I created this decorated wood plank home decor piece with help from my Sizzix dies.

The wood plank measures 11" by 9 3/4".  It's about 1" thick.

This Botanical Flourish  Bigz Plus die by Lindsey Serata makes a large 11 1/8" by 8" design.  When die-cut, it is the negative piece that I used in my project. I thought it would make a great stencil, so using a piece of cardstock, I die-cut my stencil.  Your Sizzix Bigz Plus Sandwich for the Big Shot Plus machine would be Cutting Pad, Die facing up, paper, Cutting Pad. The Sandwich for the Big Shot Pro is: Adapter Pad, Cutting Pad, Bigz Die (you might need your mylar shim underneath the die), paper, Premium Crease Pad. If you want to use your stencil more than once, a piece of acrylic would work better.  This would look really cool on a wall, wouldn't it?

I didn't use all of my stencil, as it was larger than the heart.  Pick which area you would like and lay it down on the wood.  I used Black Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste and applied it using my stencil.  Set this aside to dry.

I die-cut one bird from this Bigz Plus die by Katelyn Lizardi called, Birds in Flight.  I covered a piece of chipboard with a piece of Ranger's Foil Tape sheet before die-cutting.

To emboss my bird, I chose Sizzix's Flowers#12 by Stephanie Ackerman.  My bird is larger than my folder, but I did it in three passes.  Once I applied my paint, you can't really see any mismatched areas.

  

Love the embossed pattern of this folder!  Now I'm ready to apply my paint.

I had painted my bird die-cut with Black Soot Distress paint.  Let this dry for a few minutes, then lightly wipe off the excess paint, leaving the paint in the recessed areas.

Alternate different colours of paint, applying lightly and wiping off excess.  I tend to use my finger when applying, there's more control over how much paint to use.  It's easier to apply more often, than removing it when too much was used as you really want just the raised areas coated.   Once my project was completed and my bird was adhered, I went back and applied a bit more of the brighter colours to get my bird to stand out more.

Next came these Botanical Leaves and Vines, another Big Shot Plus die, When die-cutting Thinlits Plus, use this Sizzix Sandwich; Big Shot Plus platform, Adapter Pad A, Cutting pad, paper, Thinlits, then Cutting Pad.  I used Core-Dinations Tim Holtz Distress Metallic cardstock for this leaf, then lightly sanded.

There are three different Thinlits dies for the Vine layers.  The Background layer, which I used Distress Metallic Cardstock, the middle layer, which is a solid die, and the top which has intricate cuts.  The intricate die is exactly the same shape as the solid die, so it can be used on the middle cut or a third layer as I have done.  I adhered the three layers together.  I ended up making two of these vines.  With one of the vines, I cut it apart for smaller pieces to tuck in different places.

I wanted a few dimensional flowers, so I die-cut a couple out of patterned paper from the Sizzix Tim Holtz Tattered Pinecone die.  These were shaped with a stylus, rolled, and adhered with a hot glue gun.

A few more flowers were hand cut from my patterned papers (My Mind's Eye, On Trend 2) and shaped.  I sprayed some Tim Holtz Distress Mica Spray in Tarnished Brass, on my craft sheet.  Using the mica spray, I dipped some of the edges of my paper flowers, and painted a few edges with a brush.

The finishing touch to my wood plank is this word "fly" that is the last word to the quote I used, "your wings already exist, all you have to do is fly".  Love this Thinlits Plus Alphabet set by Lynda Kanas! The letters are 3" high and are perfect for any home decor project. I cut them out of cardstock and patterned paper and adhered the two layers together, to make them sturdier.

I printed my quote out on white cardstock, cut out the pieces, then inked with Tim Holtz Distress Pumice Stone ink.  This font is from one of my favourite sites, Creative Market and is called Boathouse Script.  Before I adhered all my pieces, I added a touch of gold paint to the raised areas of my stencilled paste with my finger.

I adhered the leaves, vines, flowers, words and lastly the bird, with a hot glue gun.  My Home Decor Wooden Heart is ready to hang up!  I might have a few other hearts to go with it....

Thanks for stopping by,

Jan

2