Tim Holtz Addicts; March Tag.... Springing Up!

     Oh my; there's that TH Paper Doll little blondie girl again! But this time, she's up to getting spring going! While I meant to get this posted yesterday, the first day of Spring, I'm pretty happy just to make it in the same week. Too early and it was still Winter. And LORD does know we have all had quite enough of Winter 2018-2019 already. And enough with the illnesses it brings with it, as well. (My inside voice was yelling "DIE, Winter, DIE!!")
      When we did this Tag the first time around, I didn't have everything that was needed in order to do all the same steps that Tim did on his. I think that's what is the most fun about these "re-dos"; the fact that we can not only make a different take, but we also can fulfill the steps with the necessary listed items. Just three years ago, the stores I usually shop at didn't have very much in TH products. Both they, and I, have come a long way since then; during a visit Monday to my Hobby Lobby, I found both the TH and Sizzix areas stocked to the gills! So I managed to get the Alterations Mixed Media #2 Thinlits Die. Yes, sometimes in the Midwest, it can take a longer time to get the same items in stores. 

                                             Here's the original Tags of 2016- March...

Tim's March 2016 Tag

You can find the details on my March 2016 take HERE

Here's the new Tag #THA_MAR...

These are what I got out to start with.

Gesso is soooo fun!!

The two different bases I made- the lower left is TH Alterations Thinlits Die Mixed Media 3,

which is the only one I had at the time I started, but that trip Monday gave me Media 2! 

I'd had the lighter TH Distress Crayons Set #5 just a few weeks ago (joining Set #3

in my drawer), but had yet to use them. And then, the very day I get them out-

another order came with the Set #2 in it!! It's all timing, babes...heheh!

Here's the smudge going on- in the pic I posted on FB page "Tim Holtz Addicts" (THA)

Seriously; HOW DID I DO WITHOUT THESE CRAYONS?!?

Two of the Distress Crayons from the pastel set and the bright set

made some ocean for the planet Earth (TH Alterations Thinlit Die Globe

was used and layered over this later).

After smudging, I sprayed a bit of water on part of the blues...

...and got perfect 7 seas!

TH Globe die topping off the oceans.

I fussy cut this, just following the rim around the Earth.

Front sides weren't enough. I needed backsides to have more Distress Crayon fun,

plus use that new Media 2 Die!!

Here in Indiana, the Spring weather can still be -shall we say- surprising?

Our Older Son was born May 2, 1989, on a perfectly shorts-worthy, sunny Spring day.

Four days later; it snowed. Frost can still happen even on nice days.

So Tim's Frosted was a perfect addition for the wings on these Paper Dolls.

The Thinlits Dies cut almost all the way through, more like slotted cuts,

but with my TH Shears...they cut through like cutting on perforations.

Not too shabby!

You know me and my Shrinky Dinks by now.

These cut out VERY NICELY with the TH Alterations Thinlits Die Set:

Mini Detailed Butterflies.

Here's the end results...

Tag 2 is on the left and is for our Older Daughter, Ashley.

She celebrates her 28th Birthday this Saturday on the 23rd,

and is expecting our first GrandDaughter on the 29th!

There's my own Tag 1 on the right side.

Both Backsides- backgrounds done just like the front side (the March Technique used)

and then die cuts of the TH Alterations Thinlits Set:Wildflower Stems #2

and adorned with TH IdeaOlogy Quote Tokens.

Some Closeups...

Yes; Ashley's Paper Doll is sprouting a flower out of her head!!

I figured the placement of that was cute since she herself will soon sprout. *smile*

Those Shrinky Dink TH Butterflies are soooo CUTE- and EASY to do!!

I tinted them with TH Alcohol Inks in Sail Boat Blue...

...and Watermelon.

Tim Holtz items used:

Alterations Dies:                                                                     

              Thinlits Sets: Globe                                                      

             Mini Detailed Butterflies

Mixed Media #2

Mixed Media #3

Tag Collection    

      Wildflower Stems #2

TH Ranger Distress Products:                                                                        

Distress Crayons (Set #2 and #5)                   

                  Distress Oxide Inks (Antique Linen and Vintage Photo)

TH IdeaOlogy:                                                                       

Spinners                        

Quote Chips                   

Quote Tokens                 

Long Fasteners             

Wire Pins                       

Jump Rings                   

Charmed                       

Number Brads              

TH Paperie:                                                       

Frosted                        

Paper Stash- Classic Kraft

Paper Dolls                  

That's it for now. Have a great weekend, and as always:

BE SAFE &

HAPPY BLOGGING!

Frilly and Funkie Challenge #6 Pass The Tissues Please; So Lucky!

  March is flying past, and our family will be growing before the month is out- we hope! Older Daughter is due on the 29th, but feels like she may go overdue with this Wittle Pistachio (and that's green, too) like she did with Wittle Peanut, Cole. No name for Baby Girl, yet and the curiosity is KILLING ME!!! We're calling her "Sissy" for now, and Cole is nodding his head when we ask if he's ready for Baby Sister. If you saw how stinkin' smart this little man is...it'd probably freak people out. But we're used to it since both our Sons were on the higher end of the IQ scale. But, I must admit; a 21 month old who can already figure out things after being shown just one time....I better brush up on the Algebra again. I'm the Literature Lover and Math has always been the Men's Dept in this family.
This month has given me many challenges to get through- physically. But I have been trying to busy myself with things in the studio and on the crochet Americana blankets. Again; more details as we go along and find out more. Let's just say that we hit that medical deductible for the year already. All I can think of when I ponder how much it costs to get well: how many TIM HOLTZ ITEMS that could buy!!! Oh, the HUMANITY!!

    Let's get down to the nitty gritty with this Challenge; it's about tissue. Any kind of tissue was allowed and I had to laugh at that, since last week I'd read how each "average American" goes through 3 toilet paper rolls of tissue each week. Really?? That means that each "average American" WIFE is changing that roll 3x the number of people in the house. That is quite a LOT of changing. Anyway...we could use any type of tissue, but my mind goes to three kinds: Tim Holtz Tissue Tape, TH Tissue- plain or pre-stamped (plain is what I had but took out the roll that I had stamped long ago with several TH stamps- I have plenty left), and since I've been sick with cold and flu (on top of other things), Kleenex was my third thought as it is my go-to hand wipe in my studio. Those and baby wipes which we purchase by the case about once a year, so far anyway. And while I didn't get to use the Kleenex inside as I usually do, I DID wipe with it many times. Does that count? lol!! Whatever!
Here we go!

Starting off, I selected TH Memoranda to work with on this.

And since I haven't gotten that TH Faceted Heart Thinlits Die out of my mind yet,

I thought of using this for what I wanted to make.

I started with 4 cuts of the TH die and used my Glider Tape to seal them together.

Yes, it's a bit messy, but it won't matter since I was going to cover the cuts anyway.

Here's where I usually use Kleenex: I stuff the Hearts with bits of torn Kleenex!

In all of those other projects where I've used this TH Die...yep: I tucked Kleenex inside

the hearts to keep them all "puffed up" when it gets handled, or stacked on my desk!!

So the next step was to batten the hearts down!

I wanted them together CLOSELY, but not touching.

So I used a few rows of Glider Tape to stick them onto another plain cardstock. 

And just fussy cut this out, while making a deep indent between each heart,

but not fully to the center.

Next came the TH Tissue- with liberal amounts of TH Collage Medium in Matte.

After that first crumpled layer, I added a second layer- this one smoother.

I found that by cutting a triangle out of the tissue and doing each heart, it fit smoothly.

After it was dry to a pretty tough shape, I gave it a coat of TH Distress Paint in Mowed Lawn,

then shaded it in the lower spots with TH Distress Ink in Forrest Moss,

with highlights on the outer edges and bumps with TH Distress Ink in Cracked Pistachio. 

Here's what I did with it...

I kept it all simple: The background Tags are all cut from TH Memoranda Paper

using some TH Distress Oxide Inks in Antique Linen and Vintage Photo; 

alternating water and heat until I got the effects I wanted.

The BACKSIDE was done the same way. You can see the water effects of the Distress Oxides.

And a few Closeups for you...

You can see how the Shamrock rises up because of the Faceted Hearts!

The little Emerald charm in the center was from my stash of beads.

The TH Tissue Tape came in handy as a 'stem' for the four-leafed clover...

in Symphony, of course! "Oh, Danny Boy! Oh, Danny Boy...."

Here's ME; the Wild Irish Rose!!

Looking at this particular TH Paper Doll is like I'm looking at myself in a mirror;

she soooo reminds me of what I looked like as a child, especially that wavy, curly, blonde hair.

Here's my fave part: that TH CRINKLE RIBBON!! 

This particular piece was gifted to me in this shade as part of a regular package order

that came from The Funkie Junkie Boutique (Sponsor of these Challenges)

They always add in a small extra- made up in little packet envelopes and tied with ribbon.

I LOVE getting those extras and I often find myself using them on projects

and then ordering more products that way. It's like a free taste of ice cream

in the Bressler's 33 Flavors Shop I used to work in as a teen. YUMMERS!

The SAD part of that last photo: that TH Crinkle Ribbon from his IdeaOlogy

is no longer being made. So when I tried to order more (on my last package of it now),

it was pretty hard to even find any available anywhere- even on Ebay!

And I won't even go into PRICE for the ones I managed to finally find...Grrr.

So this is a PLEAD to TIM: PLEASE start back up production of Crinkle Ribbon!!

It seems only fair that we revisit things like this since MANY of us are just now

catching up on our collections and use of TH products and especially dies!

That said, this was a VERY FUN take and it only took a couple of hours to get it

just the way I wanted! And for those of you who will do the same normal ribbing on me

that everyone does about my sense of "time" and timing: 

YES: THIS IS EARLY!!! AGAIN!! LOL!

Please don't all have a heart attack at once. I can only do CPR on one at a time! hehe

I even have one more post getting out next. *blowing raspberries*

And: THANKS for the sweet comments on my Artist Trading Coin collection!!

Don't forget to peek in on the other projects on The Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog

BE SAFE &

HAPPY BLOGGING!

 

Frilly & Funkie Challenge #5; Artist Trading Coins... ATC Keychain Collection

    March hasn't exactly been "springing" yet. At least not anywhere near this family.  The snow melted here, but the nights are still chilly enough for the melted junk to ice over again. Up north in Red Wing; the Younger Kids are facing some 'gnarly stuff' this weekend and the Younger Son FB'd about sinking into 2 feet of snow still on his ROOFTOP, that needed to come off before the eaves get backed up with ice that pushes upward. (While I've read of this before, it really never occurred to me that could remotely happen in our family!) I like to do the roof-walking myself, and make use of my blower 2x a year- getting all those "50 Trees of Indiana" and all the mess they "leave" in the gutters and on the roof. I like to tread around up there in my bare feet (or tight-fitting socks if it's a bit cold) because I can feel the loose roofing gravel that way, and even one tiny object can cause a fall from the roof. Better safe than sorry, so no boots up there for that job. The Younger Son doesn't have that kind of luxury, and if the blasted, lying, conniving GROUNDHOG turns out to have tricked us and Spring comes late; it will come even later up in Red Wing. So my prayers are for their continued safety up there.
      Meanwhile, down here in Indiana; we've kept prayers out for more family down south who have been in the path of yet more tornadoes. Last time, was Panama City, with family right there on the Panhandle (and hopefully, we will be working Missions for a week in PC to help rebuild, but we're waiting on plans to come together for that), but this time; it hit near Opelika, Alabama. This time, it did quite a lot of damage to the farms and homes...and LIVES. I cannot imagine losing my 6 yr old child to a storm. My heart mourns for the things that happen in this Earthly Life, but I know GOD is still in control and I take peace in that; otherwise...how could we keep going? Death goes along with life, and if we didn't know loss, we would never know what joy is. Still.... waiting for the birth of our 2nd Grandbaby (Girl) and spending time with our Wittle Peanut as he gets ready to share us all with his "Sissy"; it hits hard when innocents take the brunt of hurt and pain. Having lost yet another friend this past week to cancer, can give us ALL that much more FAITH to hang in there! Pam was my Bestie back in HS, and we worked our first jobs together where we met, and knowing that she still kept her sights on Heaven, gives me reason to hope I will see her again. :')
       Getting back down to the craft business at hand here.... I have a few points to make; one is that from this post onward, I may or may not be able to do those "Step By Step" photos and explanations to all my projects. At least; for the coming weeks or so. I'll let you in on it as soon as we find out a few things for sure, but suffice it to say that I am just not as able to keep up right now.  I actually realized this while crafting this very project; I got sooooo busy having FUN on this, that I forgot to keep taking the photos as I went along! I got to about the 2nd Coin done when I realized my 'mistake'. Going back to resituate everything for photos was a daunting thought right now. I am simply fighting the fatigue too much. While I look forward to this being TEMPORARY... I'm just going to 'wing it' as I can. I know my Followers and Readers will be ok with that, but it's my own OCD that bothers me with it, & it's being handled.  So,,,, let's get this moving!
         
       While these were made in 2011, they've never made it onto my Blog, so this is just a look back to allow you fellow Crafters in on the fact that I am no stranger when it comes to the ATC (Artist Trading Cards. And, once you get started; they are very addicting! I think it's because they are so tiny and while the idea is to keep them simple....well, you know ME by now. I have trouble rounding up my Craft Muse when she's let loose out in the open Studio. Pulling on her bit doesn't work, and neither does taking things away. She's just WILD when an idea pops into her head!! lol
Just for the fun of it; can you guess which one was done first? We learn as we go along, but sometimes, that 'simplification' hits some of us backwards. This was my case.



           Fast forward to this FF Challenge about ATC (Artist Trading Coins), & my first reaction was "Did I misread that...COINS??", and I had to actually take a really close up look at the inspiration from the FF Design Team. I'd never heard of "AT COINS" ! So I did what most of us do; I took a look on Pinterest for more designs and specs. And then I googled the origins of it. Here's what I came up with, courtesy of a Blog called DIY Craft Club  (Thanks, DIY Craft Club for the helpful article !!)
               After checking through all my circle dies (including a set of Spellbinder Circles, TH Alterations Repositionable Circles, and several other Sizzix Dies of circles or circle frames, as well as circle punches), I couldn't believe I did NOT have a 2 & 1/2 inch circle !! I went through every drawer and finally texted to the DT if the coins had to be only that size? They answered back that any close size is ok. This was understandable seeing that we often hang things well off the sides of our Tags and ATCards. But by the time I'd thought it over... I figured "in for a penny...' and ordered a large heavy duty punch. I was VERY GLAD I did and it arrived in just one day; BONUS!! My mind was already spinning with ideas- especially those TH DOLLS!!  The one Q I didn't ask: can we make more than ONE for this project? Well, that got answered by my run-away Muse. I had been itching to make another tiny 'collection' on a TH key ring, and this was my chance! I noticed that several of the FF DT, as well as the 5 or 6 who already posted their projects, made 2 or 3 posted. So I felt I was ok since I was making these FIVE to match together onto one ring. 3 was too few on it, and I'd already had the 5 planned out in my head. I couldn't STOP!! lol...

I made my TACoins to be much thicker- I layered 5 cardstock pieces together

to form the base for each. That would support some of the heavier TH IdeaOlogy items.

Another change: ATCoins and ATCards usually have a backside on them for info about

the maker/designer for trading purposes. I skipped this part in favor of adding

a backside to each, because it added to my "story" on the collection ring. 

                Here's what I ended up with.... and I am very pleased with it !!

                      A few 'perspective' views so you can see the layered details...

Some of the Tim Holtz products I've used on this:

Paperie: Paper Dolls, Tissue Tape, Paper Stash 12x12 (Correspondence, 

                   Dapper, Destinations, Memoranda), Chit Chat Stickers,

Ephemera Pack (Expedition);

IdeaOlogy: Adornments (Keys & Stars), Baubles (retired), Clock Hands,

Mini Gears, Mirrored Hearts, Mirrored Stars, Monocles,

Sprocket Gears, Index Clips, Jump Rings, Long Fasteners,

Book Rings, Number Brads, Swivel Clasps, Trinket Pins;

Trimmings: Crinkle Ribbon, Filmstrip Ribbon,

Ranger/Distress Products: Distress Regular Inks (Picket Fence, Tea Dye),

Distress Oxide Inks ( Antique Linen, Vintage Photo),

Distress Markers (Black Soot)

Distress Paint (Black Soot, Gold- retired, Picket Fence), 

Distress Collage Medium (Matte)

This FF Challenge was truly a fun surprise!

Please, go check out the rest of the projects, and you have until Tuesday Evening (3/11)

to join in with us at The Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog ,

with a chance to win- sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique

(You'll want to check out their new page design- and SALES !)

Thanks for all the SWEET comments, thoughts, and especially the SHARING

of great ideas and all those AWESOME talent-filled projects I keep seeing

from all of my Crafty Friends from all over!!

Be Safe &

HAPPY BLOGGING!!!