Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2014 tag - September, Jane's Journal style

This month's tag from Tim is an absolute beauty but had me completely stumped as I do not own alcohol inks whatsoever...yes not one single one...zilch.  I have so enjoyed his projects this year and they have really made me think more creatively.

This is his gorgeous creation and all the details of how he made it are over on his blog here

My crafting budget is small for new things, I have an every increasing "wish list" but I am pretty good at self control. As I still wanted to join in with the challenge I decide that I would buy a single ink, yes just one and I decided to buy the same one he used which is called Lake Mist. I also do not own his lovely face stamp but I do own a gorgeous eye stamp made by Visible Image.

 I have hardly been out to my studio this month but I was determined to join in in one way or another. I made this card over several day popping down to my studio when I had some quiet moments.
I gathered together the stash I do have which included some glossy card.

I also realized that as I do not own any blending solution that I would need a different means to add some extra interest to the gorgeous alcohol ink background. You will see that I originally got out the Schoolhouse stencil but I changed my mind as my piece came to life and used the heart one instead.

I splashed my new ink onto my craft sheet and dragged the glossy card through it a couple of time until I was happy with the way the ink had been laid down.
It leaves such gorgeous swirls.
I left this to dry and came back to it when I had some time.

I then took my Stampendous script stamp and using leaf green Archival ink stamped onto the card.

I loved this effect.

Next I stamped the fab Visible Image eye stamp using black Archival ink.










I then had a long think over the next few days as to how I could achieve a similar textured "hair" that Tim achieved by using his butterfly die, which again I do not own. I had a play with butterfly punches and dies but they did not work. A couple of mornings later I  had one of those light bulb moments and thought I could use my Cheery Lynn pine die as hair and create a unique frosty Christmas card with Jack Frost or a Winter Sprite as inspiration.

I cut several pine leaves out

I inked their edges with walnut stain DI and added some Icicle stickles.

I left them to dry and the next day had a play with the rest of my elements to put together my finished card.

I used my TH heart stencil and daubed through some red Archival ink and also stamped a very apt Christmas sentiment, "All hearts come home for Christmas".
I also added some TH remnant rubs.

Here is another close up.............showing the Remnant rubs on the left.












and here is the big reveal.............................................

This is really different for me and I absolutely love it (I am not sure if I am allowed to say that but I do)
To me it is like glancing at the face of Jack Frost or a Winter Sprite. I may make up some more of these to send this year.

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

Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2014 September
Visible Image make it sparkle I love the Icicle Stickles on the hair, they are even more sparkly IRL
Cheery Lynn all about texture the "pine leaf" hair with added Stickles really gives this added texture, I have actually stroked it!
Crafting at the weekend anything goes
Crafty Little Fairies sparkle and bling
Simon Says stamp Monday Stamptember
Party Time Tuesdays anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Stamptember and hop
Crafty sentiments anything goes
Totally Gorjuss bling
Vintage stamping anything goes

Yet again Tim has inspired me to think out of my comfort zone. At some point I would love to buy some more alcohol inks...perhaps I can put them on my Christmas list......Father Christmas are you listening out there....?

Thanks for visiting me here, it's always lovely to see you. I am back tomorrow with a scheduled post as I have another GD spot...it's a bit like London buses when I was younger.....none for ages and then 2 come along at the same time ;0)

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x