Tim Holtz tags of 2014, August, Jane's Journal style

For Tim's August tag he decided just to go with his creative flow, warts and all and asked us to do the same with our creation for this month's challenge. He just sat down and started playing with ideas, there was no plan.
Here is his tag below and the link to his post is here 

He used lots of different techniques and even melted part of his photo film when being too energetic with a heat gun.  A few days ago I had some quiet time down in my studio just to sit down like he did and let my creative muse loose.

I wanted to make a card this month, rather than a tag and decided it would be the special 30th birthday card for my SILs birthday in November. I really like to get special cards made when I have some time and not be sitting in my studio the night before with no ideas what to make.

I have only been creating with my Ranger products for about 10 months and I still have an awful lot to learn about techniques but I really love to play with the inks I own. I decided that, like Tim, I would use my distress stains...and because I recently treated myself to a couple of new colours. Yay!  Also as it is a special 30th birthday card I wanted to use my new vintage photo distress glitter which really lends itself to male cards. I, like many crafters, struggle with male cards so this was also a great challenge for me.

So here is my creative process showcasing my unique creative muse.

First of all I selected  my stamps. I chose one of my recent new quotes stamp as centre stage, I think going into your 30s is a really different stage of your life...it was for me. I think by then we have had enough of life's experiences to cope as stronger more rational people. We leave ordinary behind and can start to see the bigger picture. I also wanted to use one of Tim's car stamps and his "enjoy the journey" stamp. I like including numbers on  Big Birthdays cards I make, even if the recipients are trying to avoid it...LOL. I'm not sure my dear Dad  and Mum appreciated  big 80s on their cards a few years back, but hey it's what I do.

I stamped using archival ink. I also added some tissue tape. You will see I got a few dabs of ink on the card but I "embraced" my imperfection and knew that they would be covered.

I wanted to add some textured stars so I applied grunge paste through the stars stencil.










Once this was dry I chose my stains and added these to my card.

Once dry and I was happy with the colours I felt that I wanted even more texture to the stars so I used another stencil and applied some rusty hinge DI through it. I love the spots on the stars.

I also added some "ink splodges" with chipped sapphire and mustard seed DIs.

I really liked this effect but I still wanted to "jazz things up" as this is a birthday card. I knew my Distress glitter would fit the bill.

I added the glitter in random areas around the edge and also die cut a number 30 which I glittered up too.










I chose a couple of relevant ideaology pieces and coloured them with distress paints. I also changed a white star brad to blue with the paint.

So then it was time to put everything together and here is my finished card..............

and a few close ups. The "Genuine" charm is very appropriate for my dear  SIL. The ink nib is a touch of fun as he is never without a trusty pen, I mean seriously never and he writes lots of ideas and things down.

I thought the words very appropriate for a 30 year old...to leave ordinary behind........time flies doesn't it. The "male" touch of glitter will add some bling to the celebrations in November.

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

Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2014 August

Little Claire's  a man's birthday card

Stamping Sensations anything goes

Penny Black and More anything goes

The Artistic Stamper anything goes

Country View word play

A vintage journey time flies

Allsorts stencils or masks I have used 3 different stencils

Divas by Design so charming

Simon Says stamp Monday challenge scratched up..get grungy

PanPastels UK bold and bright

Thanks for visiting and witnessing my creative muse...it took me in a direction I could not have planned when I sat down quietly at my studio desk this week. My only idea when I started was to make a special 30th birthday card. Thanks Tim for encouraging us just to play at times and go with the flow. We can't plan life and sometimes just keeping moving forward is what we need to spark our creativity and joy. Have a wonderful weekend whatever you are doing. 

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x