Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2014, April, Jane's Journal style

Tim posted his April tag on my birthday and I was delighted to see that he was using his feminine side for this month. Below is his creation to be used for inspiration. The first thing I wanted to use on my card (yes I have been making cards not tags since January) was the wonderful paper roses but I felt that using just 2 did not quite work for me so I decided to make a whole bunch (well 5). I also wanted to use the idea of replacing  the cut outs in a lattice die as he did. When I saw his metal dog tag which reads" Inspire" I was inspired to use a quote which I had found whilst researching for a recent project, " April is a promise which May is sure to keep". These words of wisdom were written by Hal Borland. I also loved Tim's fun spiky leaves cut out from book pages and wanted to incorporate this into my creation. So off I went to arm myself with my supplies.

I only have limited supplies of Ranger products but I am gradually getting some great stash together which was added to on my recent birthday. My Hb bought me some Distress Paints below. I only have a few colours so I was limited to which to use. I chose some Spring/Easter colours..............

 Faded jeans, Victorian velvet and Iced spruce. Tim uses Ranger tissue tape but I do not own anything other than some tissue tape I bought in Wilkinson's after Christmas in their sale. I thought it could represent trellis for my flowers to be displayed on .
I first made some patterns on my card with the tape.

 When I was happy with them I added the 3 colours of Distress paint plus a mist of water to blend them.

When this was dry I covered parts with Vintage photo Distress ink and then added splashes of water to get the cool effect which Tim shows.

It gives a great mottled effect between the paint and ink but does not stick to the tape. It's really hard to show in a photo but I think you can see it below.

Next I cut some more "trellis" with a lattice die and coloured it with my 3 paint colours

 I cut some insert pieces using scraps of paterned paper and distressed their edges

 I also made a sheet of card using my distress inks and a words stamp to make my flowers with.

 Another birthday treat is my new flower die set and I cut several and had a play with putting them together.

 Here is my first one, I love the colours.

So having got my elements together it was time to put on my creative hat and put my ideas together.
Here is my finished card.

As you can see I used a whole bunch of handmade roses and I also used a couple of Cheery Lynn leaf dies to cut my book page leaves.
I also added some lace for even more femininity ;0)
Here are some close ups

I really love these big blousy blooms and the very shabby chic muted colours. The background has an almost chalky effect and feel and  I will certainly be making some more roses.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Tim Holtz's 2014 tags April
Rhedd and Rosie anything goes
Papertake Weekly spring has sprung
Simon says stamp Happy Easter
Divas by Design Easter/spring
Pan Pastel UK Pretty shabby chic
Country View Challenges new beginnings my new beginning is springtime.
Stamping Sensations dies and/or punches
Penny Black and More Blossoms and blooms
Stamp and Create Spring flowers
Whimsy stamps anything goes
Cheery Lynn anything goes
Craftyhands anything goes
A Creative Romance eggcellent spring
The ribbon girl spring
Ali Craft spring


So there we are, a third of the way through 2014 already. Thanks for stopping by and also for any comments you take the time to leave. I really love reading them.

 It's a big weekend for my son's girlfriend who is running the London Marathon on Sunday...run Charlotte run and we are all willing you on to the finish of 26 grueling miles. She has spent months in training and it has taken a huge amount of dedication and stamina. Thanks so much to everyone who has sponsored her. She is raising funds  for The Anthony Nolan Cancer Trust and if you would like to swell the pot she has raised so far..over £750 to date, every pound is gratefully received. There is a link to her fundraising page here.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x