Ready for another Monday Challenge ?
This week’s Simon Says Stamp Monday Challange theme is:
As it’s the first Monday of the month we are showcasing a brand/company. This week we are all using some fabulous products from Tim Holtz. You don’t have to use them to join in with the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.
For this challange Simon Says Stamp kindly offers a $25 gift voucher to shop over Simon Says Stamp!
Simon Says Stamp is also on Instagram! If you would like you can also share your projects there, but don’t forget to use the hashtag #sssmchallenge
For this one, I started with something slightly different: an old project I didn’t like anymore. Instead of letting it continue its glamorous career at the bottom of a drawer, I cut it up and turned it into a recycled mixed media tag.
I cut the original project into a tag shape, but it was too short, so I cut another piece of cardstock and joined them back together using fabric tape. I actually like that the construction is still visible, the different sections, patterns and rough edges became part of the new design instead of something I needed to hide.
The original pieces had different colors going on, so I used Distress Oxide Sprays across the surface to bring everything into the same palette. I wasn’t trying to completely cover what was underneath. Some of the old marks and details are still visible, which gives the background much more depth than starting again from a clean piece of paper.
And, more importantly, I no longer hate the original project. Progress.
From there, I built the focal area around the vintage portrait, adding fabric, paper pieces and little metal-like details. I kept the layers quite irregular, with loose fibers, worn edges and stitching around the tag adding even more texture.
The dark metal elements help break up all those softer paper and fabric layers, while the touches of deep pink running through the background keep the whole thing connected.
The “she could believe” sentiment sits across the lower layers without competing with the portrait. Small, simple, done.
One thing I really like about recycling an old project is that you’re not starting from zero. There are already marks, colors and textures to react to: you just need to decide what stays and what gets completely bullied into submission.
Quick tip: if you’re reusing an old background, don’t feel like you have to cover everything. Keep the interesting parts, unify the colors if necessary, and let some of the previous layers show through. That’s half the point.
That’s it from my desk today!
Sometimes the project that wasn’t working just needs scissors and a second chance. Come join us at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and show us your take on Tag It!
Want to see more small surfaces covered in lots amounts of texture? Have a look through my Tag projects.
Stay happy , stay creative…Till next time!
Ciao Zoey
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