Distress Watercolor: Pt. 1

CC3C 5??? Wow, these weeks are flying by, aren't they? So many amazing and inspiring entries, I am just humbled to be among all of you. Thanks for creating along with the Curiosity Crew!

Thanks to Inspiration Emporium, sponsor of this challenge. A lucky winner will receive a $50 gift certificate and, thus, be equipped to stock up for future challenges!!

And, as always, thanks to Tim & Mario for the incredible prize packages Curiosity Crew choices will win. Amazing! I try to imagine going to the mailbox and picking up THAT package. Wowser.

Just a note to all entrants: Be sure to read Linda Ledbetter's post and the FAQ for these challenges. It would be such a shame for a worthy entrant to not be eligible for lack of meeting the simple requirements:
You must not post the technique described in Tim's book.
You must use the product (such as a die or ink) upon which the challenge is based.
You must comment on all Curiosity Crew blogs.
Linda Ledbetter
Candy Colwell
Hels Sheridan
Yvonne Blair
Susan Mostek
Marjie Kemper
Annette Green
Anita Houston
and, of course, here.
You are all so incredible. We are cheering for you!!

And on to this weeks challenge..........

I absolutely love Distress Inks. I believe they have revolutionized the paper crafting and mixed media industry and I don't know how I'd manage without them. SO many things you can do with them. One thing you can do: watercolor.

You must have Tim's Compendium of Curiosities books. All of them, all three. But for this challenge in particular, you must have Volume 3. And you must turn to page 39.


This is my completed tag. The zinnia is from Wendy Vecchi's Framed Art Set. Lovely stamp for this technique. Its stamped on the smooth side of watercolor paper and watercolored using Tim's technique from Compendium of Curiosities, page 39.


I began using a technique I learned from Wendy, tho I tweaked it a bit. I use a Snow Cap Adirondack Pigment reinker and squirt a little onto my craft sheet. I use a blending tool and rub the Snow Cap reinker over the entire tag. Heat set and then repeat. This seals the tag and gives you a FABULOUS base for alcohol ink.


I applied Sailboat Blue and Caramel alcohol inks with a felt applicator, along with a little Ranger Blending Solution. I usually don't use metallics. Just not my preference, I'm not partial to shiny things. :-)


I masked the frame from Wendy's set and used her Honeycomb stencil. I LOVE using Ranger pigment reinker with stencils. They are less fluid than paints and more fluid than inks and work great. I stenciled in some Honeycomb over various areas of the tag.


I am seriously and dangerously infatuated with this stamp set. Also obsessed. I like to create borders with these stamps, alternating upside down and right side up. Here I used Dandelion Archival Ink.


I repeated the zinnia stamp in the top right corner to balance the weight of images on the right side of the tag.


My little signature B Line Designs bird. I never put him away, he lives on top of my desk. Sweet little guy, isn't he? The letters are Chip Block alphabet, a new obsession. Thank you, Marjie Kemper. Just what I needed, another obsession!

Hope you all are enjoying Tim's fabulous Distress Watercolor technique and will reach for it often. We've all got lots of Distress color, right, so how cool for another way to use it! Learn and grow. ;-)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Final Days!! #artistsfloodrelief

We are in the final 3 days the auction we are hosting to raise money for flood victims.  I hope you'll take a moment to visit the auction site and bid on your favorite pieces.   We've been humbled and amazed at the donations that have come in from:
Tim Holtz
Wendy Vecchi
Ronda Palazzari
Lisa Pace
Jim Hankins
Marjie Kemper
Linda Ledbetter
Yvonne Blair
Candy Colwell
Susan Mostek
Anita Houston
Richard Spinney

You still have a chance to own signed art and or books from these gifted and generous people.  Or, if you prefer, you can make a donation on the website that will go directly Crossroads Ministries Estes Valley Flood Relief.  Thanks to all of you for your care for the people still struggling to rebuild their lives and for considering a bid or a gift.

CC3C: Layered Stencils

Welcome to CC3C #4!!  I absolutely loved this challenge.  Tim's Layered Stencils are awesome, so convenient to bundle together with a binding ring and are perfect for all things grunge.  I hope all of you are enjoying following along the challenges and are engaging in a little creativity of your own.  We've had unbelievable entries, the talent level rises every week!

Each CC3C will award a winner in one of two ways:
(1) a gift certificate from one of our sponsors; this challenge is sponsored by Funkie Junkie Boutique.  That lucky winner will receive a $25 gift certificate, which is kind of cool to get stocked up on Tim goodies!! 
OR
(2) a vote from the Curiosity Crew.  That talented winner will receive a treasure trove of Tim Holtz signature products, donated by Tim & Mario.  That prize is a wowser, every challenge, so keep you eyes open for a sneak peak!!

I really loved this challenge because all the inspiration started with the Layered Stencil.  I love the Eye Chart stencil so I decided to use that one.  I also wanted to use Tim's new Wallflower Paper Stash.  I've been DYING to get my hands on it, so here was my chance.  With a "vision" theme from the stencil, a nature theme from the Wallflower paper, I was really inspired to use a sentiment that encouraged everyone to open their eyes and "see" because "beauty is everywhere".  It really is.

I created the background with my all-time favorite spritz & flick technique.  I stamped Tim's Fabulous Flourishes with Walnut Stain.  Then I used the Eye Chart Stencil and Wendy Vecchi  Embossing Paste in white.  I blended Vintage Photo ink over the dry embossing paste and spritzed and flicked again.  I can't decide what I like more, spritzing or flicking.  :-)

The little bit of Wallflower paper was adhered to a Regal Crest die cut bit of Grungeboard and the label was covered with the reverse side of the same page.  I am completely in love with this paper.  I want to eat it.  I added layers of Spring Greenery foliage, the remaining leaves from Regal Crest die, some linen burlap and a little, teeny, tiny daisy from Tattered Floral die on the banner.  I used my much loved Hero Arts alphabet for "beauty is everywhere".

If you haven't taken the plunge and entered your piece of art yet, I really hope you will.  The word "challenge" is perfect, but this does challenge you to do your best, get out of your comfort zone and create in ways you may not have tried before.  You'll want to get Tim Holtz's latest book Compendium of Curiosties III (which you can order here) to learn the techniques for all the challenges.  All the details are available on Linda Ledbetter's blog.  Happy creating!