Rich Grunge Tag

Well it has been freezing in my neck of the woods and I have been in the art studio creating away. I'm trying new techniques and types of designs because I don't want to be boxed into a certain genre (more to come about that later this month). With that said, I finished my tag for this months Tim Holtz tags of 2016. I didn't finish last years, oops. Who knows what the new year will bring? :)

I just had to try this design because of the dark colors and papers used. So happy that I finally got some Black Soot DP! Whoot whoot! I used a new EF from Sizzix (

For the chalkboard technique I went and did my own thing. I used my stamp and some white ColorBox ink. I always smudge it so it reminded me of a chalkboard. I stamped 2 images and fussy cut the butterflies and watch. All three are popped up on foam dots. I finished by adding the sentiment.

This is a tag I really enjoyed making, dark and elegent at the same time. Hugz and Carpe Diem! ~Niki

I would like to share this dark and saucy tag with these challenges: 

Emerald Creek Dares-NEW

 (I used my new brads, new Black Soot DP and a new embossing folder)

Tims 12 Tags of 2016-January

The Artistic Stamper-Anything Goes

(Must use rubber stamping)

Try It On Tuesday-Letters and Numbers

BLOGGER CHANGES-Due to the recent changes made by Google, it seems that my Follow By Email button is not working and those that follow me through email are not getting an email. I am not sure how to rectify this situation but I will keep looking for an answer. Maybe try to follow me by email again? 

A Total Tim Time

Hello fellow artists! I do hope March is going well for you all. I wanted to share this latest piece, it is finally done! Enjoy!

This is the first time I have ever altered a piece like this (along the lines of a printer tray but not as big, baby steps! Lol) and it was a total blast to do! 

I started with this:

I inked up the edges and sides with TH DI in Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain. Then I used the paper series: French Industrial and Destinations for the backing in each compartment. 

I treated each compartment like a separate place but with a total Tim theme in mind. I fussy cut the gentleman in the upper left compartment and inked his edges with DI. The butterflies are punches that I layered and edged as well. 

I love to make the gears look like they work and always try to keep that in mind when working with gears. And who can go wrong with keys?!? Awesome sauce! 

The bottles were glued using Glossy Accents (my go to glue for anything metal) and I added copper wire around some and other metal tidbits to others. 

This was a fun and carefree project and I am more than happy with the results! I do hope you enjoyed this altered tray. Happy Crafting! Carpe Diem! ~Niki

This project will be shared with the following wonderful challenges: 

A Vintage Journey-Anything Tim-HERE, I think this piece needs no explanation. lol 

NBUS(Never Before Used Schtuff)-#4 HERE. All the metal pieces and even the tray are NBUS

Artful Times-In the Style of Tim Holtz HERE Everything I used, except the tray is from Tim Holtz

Crafty Calendar Challenge-Add Metal HERE I do believe I nailed adding metal. :) 

Time Flies!

Carpe Diem right? I felt like I seized today by the horns with my canvas creation!

Oh how I wish you could see the shimmer! Gorgeous!

I started with a flat canvas and a pocket watch that had no glass face! My coworker gave me a box of goodies and the watch was in it! Awesome! Almost everything I used in this piece was from Tim Holtz. 

Distress ink, Distress stain, Distress crackle paint, rub ons, stamps, gears oh my!

First I sprayed my canvas with LSG sprays and edged the canvas with Distress ink. I set that aside to dry naturally (no heat gun) while I worked on the watch. Just because it had no glass in it didn't mean I was going to throw it away! Nope, work with what you have. I cut out a circle that I had embossed with a clock stamp and added it to the background of the watch. I then added some gears, clock hands and copper wire to give it dimension. I added the wings to the watch to depict Time Flies because it really does! I wouldn't ever turn back time but am constantly surprised by how fast life is passing and I am enjoying most of it. Lol!

I used multiple stamps on this piece and love the grunge vibe of the entire piece. I had the moss in my stash from a camping trip and the cheesecloth was colored using Distress Stains. The copper wire was wrapped around a pen I had and then added where I thought it flowed best. Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving your lovely comments! It brightens my day! Carpe Diem! ~€

This canvas is entered into the following challenges:

A Vintage Journey #12-Time Flies (HERE)

Inspiration Journal (Inspiration Emporium) Anything Goes August (HERE)

Rhedds Creative Spirit August (HERE)

All Crafts Challenge August/September (HERE)

Love to Scrap-Running in Circles #35 (HERE). I used circles in the watch, the gears, small circles in the eye exam stamp and the copper wire was circled around a pen.  

Altered Ecletics August (HERE)