Hello friends...
As another week flies by, it's time for the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and as Valentine's Day approaches, the DT are feeling the love with this week's challenge theme, which is called ~ Have A Heart. If you would like to join us, all the details can be found in this post and we would love to see what you create and hope you'll play along.
For my make, I decided to embrace the theme and inspired by this loving couple from the Mini Paper Dolls set, I used the Tim Holtz Stacked Hearts die set by Sizzix to create a dimensional background on a Stampers Anonymous Etcetera Panel before adding layers of Tim's idea-ology to complete the make.
So, let's begin because it's time for me to share the love!
PANEL
I used the largest size of the Rectangular Etcetera Panel.
Using various sizes of hearts from the Stacked Hearts Die Set, I cut three layers from Mixed Media Heavystock card, to form each heart, layered them over one another and adhered them with Collage Medium before adhering the completed hearts to the panel.
Once all my hearts were in position, I applied a coat of Gesso over the surface and allowed this to dry before then adding the colour.
For this I used a combination of Lumberjack Plaid first, and then once this layer was dry, I dry brushed Black Soot Distress Paint over the surface. If you feel at any point you need to add more of either colour, just go for it, but always remember to dry the layers thoroughly between applications.
After allowing the panel to dry, I then dipped a clean paintbrush into gesso and very lightly dry brushed over the surface to accentuate the raised areas and the edges of the panel.
Once again allow to dry before adding splatters of gold paint and some hints of script, which I stamped using the script stamp from the Tiny Toadstools stamp set.
To complete the panel, I used gold metallic flakes to add accents to the hearts. To adhere the flakes, I used Cosmic Shimmer Flake and Glitter Glue. Once you apply the glue, allow it to become tacky before adding the flakes. I then brush away any excess with a stiff brush.
ETCETERA TRIM
My panel is now ready to decorate and I began by attaching an Etcetera Trim. I used the widest trims in two different depths and after covering them with paper from the Backdrops Vol 1 paper pack. I then attached the layered scalloped trims across the panel before attaching a screw head on either end of the trim, painted with gold acrylic paint.
MAIN FOCAL POINT
Moving onto the main focal point, I began with the circles. Both of these circles are the waste that pops out from the centres of the Etcetera Facades. I painted the larger circle with gold paint, before I covered the smaller circle using a selection of Collage Strips that I attached to the circular panel before trimming away the excess. To neaten the edges, I used the sanding tool and then applied a layer of Collage Medium over the top. Once dry, I scribbled Walnut Stain Distress Crayon on each of the paper joins and blended the crayon with my finger.
For an added touch of opulence, I added some more of the gold flakes to the edges of the circles before layering them together and attaching them to my panel using collage medium. As a finishing detail, I added strips of Cello Sticker Tape ~ a product that I absolutely LOVE and can't get enough of!
Over the top of the circles I attached a piece of Mica Tile from my stash and attached three Screw Heads that I painted with gold acrylic paint.
PAPER DOLLS, SWEETHEART ADORMENTS, FLOURISH ADORNMENTS & FLORALS
To add colour to the metal, I used Foundry and Sterling on each of these pieces, applying one layer of wax at a time and then adding the second layer over the top, but not giving the metal a complete coverage. This will allow the layer of wax underneath to show through and create the variation of colour to the metal.
After I'd heat set the wax on all the pieces I used, I applied some dribbles of Mushroom alcohol ink over the metal before arranging and attaching them onto my panel with Matte Collage Medium, placing the flourishes across the bottom of the circle.
I altered the wreath and sweetheart metal pieces from the Sweetheart Adornments pack, together with a selection and florals in exactly the same way as the flourishes and attached these directly onto the flourishes themselves. In the centre of each flower, I added the smallest bauble finding, altered with Mushroom Alcohol Ink.
After colour tinting the paper dolls using Distress Crayons, I placed them onto the wreath, and sat them onto a bed of Mummy Cloth, dyed with a little Frayed Burlap Distress Spray Stain.
Finally, I added the Sweetheart piece, nestling it between the metal work, and attaching it to the trim.
In the photo below, you can see how much I built up the layers and the dimension this creates.
XO TYPOGRAPHY
We're nearly there and all that's left is to alter the XO Typography letters. I used the same Distress Paint colours as I used on the background for these letters, X and O and then once dry, accentuated them with some gold paint before attaching them to my panel, placing them in the centre of the heart, in the top left hand corner.
...and finished the piece with some gold die cut stars, that I had on my desk!
So that's my make for this week's challenge complete and I hope the ideas and techniques have inspired you to create some texture on your projects.
Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $25 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....
Recipe for project:
