Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2014-February

Time again for another 12 Tags of 2014! This month I had to wait a bit before making my version of Tim Holtz' tag as a few supplies were purchased online. Once everything arrived, I got all my goodies together and began.

I started by drawing out my own hearts (making two as I make a tag for The Scrapbook Cottage as well) and then cut them out of Grungeboard. I used Fired Brick Distress Ink to colour them and then as Tim instructed, laid down a coat of Glossy Accents and sprinkled with Distress Glitter (he used red, I had clear on hand).

After drying, we were shown to ink the edges of the hearts with Walnut Stain. What a difference it makes! Here is one heart done, the other not to see how much this little step improves the look:

Next I used Tim's Tag & Bookplates Bigz die in my Cuttlebug and created two blank tags. Then I added some Distress Stain to my craft sheet and swiped them through it.  I let them air dry so they wouldn't warp too much.

Once dry, I got out my new Hearts Layering Stencil and used three Distress Inks for the background: Worn Lipstick, Festive Berries and Fired Brick. Before the ink dried, I sprinkled on some fine clear embossing powder, tapped it to remove the excess and used my heat tool to melt it. Now the hearts had a cool glossy finish!

More Walnut Distress Ink was added to the edge, which was then distressed.

The next part I had to do about four times before I got it to work. Using stamps, an embossing pad and black cardstock, I stamped and chalked the sentiment - Tim used his new stamp that was an Elton John lyric; I used The Beatles. ;)

A layer of silver paper was added underneath and a strip of Tim's Industrious Stickers below it - making it look more like a chalkboard to me!

I added another Industrious Sticker - this time the arrow - but instead of leaving it whole and positioned straight across the tag as he had done, I cut mine in half and inserted it into a slot sliced into the glittered heart. A bit of Glossy Accents held it in place, as well as attaching it onto the tag itself.

I added a Walnut inked grommet to the top and wrapped a length of Tim's red and cream Trimmings to the opening.

This one looks easier than January's tag, but I found it more challenging; it was a good lesson using embossing, stenciling, inks and glitter... but I definitely need to practice with his cool chalkboard technique!

If you too are joining in on the fun, please let me know in the comments - I would love to see what you do as well!