Using Tim Holtz Bookboard Frame and Paper Dolls

Hi it's Brenda with you again today with a board I created during a crafting Skype session with some friends. I love the Tim Holtz frames and paper dolls and they suited the project I ended up making.

There were lots of steps to get to the finish line and each of us chose the next step in turn.

I also used mostly decoart products both paints and mediums. They are my favourite go to things to use when I sit down to make something.

You'll see I also incorporated some of Tim's quote chips. They are so easy to use on bigger projects like this.

I used several metal embellishments that had in my supplies and added some Tim ribbon too.

I found the dress form die-cut was hiding in a box, it is an die also from Tim. I used DecoArt texture sand paste on it before adding some acrylic paints.

|At the end I felt the overall design didn't quite balance so I added a little tissue tape and remnant rubs (the stars) to achieve the composition I desired.

I was so happy with the final results. I hope you like it too.

Thanks for stopping by.

hugs Brenda xxx

Rusty Faceted Heart card - Brenda

I had a craft day with a friend recently and she brought over her new die which creates this fabulous heart shape and is one of the new range from Sizzix and Tim Holtz for the Chapter 1 release and out and in the shop now. I also used the fabulous new wildflower stems and fun large funky florals dies from the same release and the stacked deckle frames which I think were released last year.

To me there's nothing nicer than creams, whites and browns together and to help achieve the look I layered together (from the bottom) card , patterned paper patterned, faux shabby floorboards created with paints and inks and a deckled frame on the top.

The wildflower in the background was cut from media paper, acrylic watercoloured and distressed whilst the funky florals were cut from a piece of leftover card from sometime when I had experimented with layering acrylic paints to achieve the shabby look.

The faceted heart was also cut from a left over rust effect piece of card that has been lying in my bits box for ages - this box can be a mine of fabulous inspiration sometimes when an oddment and a die just fit together so perfectly.

The die cuts the multi-faceted shape with score lines which need to be folded and pushed into shape to get the design. You can see the wonderful height and dimension and as a card it is best given to the recipient by hand as it wouldn't survive the post in just an envelope.

I love the way the neutral palette becomes shabby with the textures and the scuffed floorboards, I must make some more pieces to be ready to use for more new creations.

Here you can see the top of the heart and how the rust enhances the contrast in the colour palette.

The same here with the lower part of the heart.

I'm looking forward to experimenting more with the heart shape to see how else I can use it.

Thanks for stopping by and if you like the new dies please go to the Country View Crafts shop website and search for new products for January 2019 to find them or click here.

See you again soon.

hugs Brenda xxx

Getting into vintage by Chris W

A friend of mine asked me recently how did I start doing vintage and shabby projects and I can't really remember. I've loved vintage for years and have a massive collection of vintage dies that go way back before Tim Holtz started making it popular. That said, Tim has not only brought it to the forefront of crafting he has also brought us products that make it so easy to create anything from cards to altered art and for that we have to thank him. It occurred to me that if she is struggling to make that first step then maybe some of you are too so I've done this really simple frame to get you started.

Time Frame

My friend told me that she was loathed to buy anything too expensive until she knew she could do it. I'll let you into a secret..... ANYONE can do it and once you've done a card or project or two you'll find it so easy. This piece uses Tim's Postage stamp frame, his Movers and shapers Ovals and a stamp from his Time Travellers stamp set all of which are great for non-vintage projects too. If you don't have any greyboard or mountboard you can use thick cardboard. It makes a great little gift for Dad or any guy and, once you have the bits you need to make it the materials cost pennies.

You can embellish this frame as simply or lavishly as you like and in so many ways. I've just added a charm on a chain on this one and attached it by just pushing it between the sandwiched frame layers - what could be easier.

I've made a very, very basic easel for the back of the frame by folding a piece of greyboard (you could use sturdy cardboard) and a piece of thin string, knotted, which is how they did it years ago.

This really is such a simple make and demonstrates that it can be so easy to make that first step.

Thanks for stopping by. If you'd like to view, print or download the instructions for this please click HERE.

Chris xxx