"day 11" -tim holtz(c) 2008
supplies: craft sheet, distress ink/broken china, faded jeans, mini inky roller, distress embossing ink, clear embossing powder, jet black archival ink, adirondack metallic mixative/silver, heat tool, mini mister, white opaque pen (ranger); fragment charms, long fasteners, sanding grip (tim holtz idea-ology); stamps/flurries K3-1372, in dreams G2-1281, scrollwork P5-1374, (stampers anonymous); craft pick (tonic); tag, ribbon
step 1: remove 3 of the largest fragment charms from the package. (*it is important to use fragments with holes in them for this technique and the fragment charms all have pre-drilled holes. you’ll see why…)
step 2: with sanding grip, place it flat down on to one side of the fragment (it doesn’t matter which side) and sand the surface in a parallel motion. (*i prefer the sanding grip since it lays completely flat and sands more evenly. i also like medium-grit sandpaper for this technique which is what comes with the grip.)
step 3: move charm and sand again this time in the opposite parallel direction creating a cross-hatch sanded pattern on the fragment.
step 4: in circular motion (like the action shot?) sand off the cross-hatch areas to smooth out the lines. (*basically we have now created a frosted side of the fragment using the sanding grip.)
step 5: remove dust from fragment and place on dark surface to make sure you didn’t miss any spots. (*notice the difference between a sanded and un-sanded fragment?)
step 6: repeat the above steps for the other 2 large fragments.
step 7: ink flurries stamp with distress embossing ink. (*okay, i know i use this embossing ink for every kind of embossing, but it’s really important for this technique that you don’t use an ink that’s too gooey or sticky – and besides, distress embossing ink smells good! seriously…it’s cinnamon!)
step 8: press the SANDED side of the fragment on to the stamp. (*i prefer to do it this way so i can see what part of the image i want.)
step 9: cover the stamped image with clear embossing powder. (*be sure to use regular clear powder and not fine detail or ultra thick!)
step 10: heat emboss the image with a heat tool until melted. (*OKAY THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! fragments are technically not a heat proof surface – after all, they’re plastic. but as you can see, they are embossable, you just have to take your time. this may take some practice to get the hang of it, but i just apply a little heat, and then let it cool for a few seconds, then reapply heat, let it cool, and so on. the fragment stays warm enough that the powders will start melting faster and faster when you reapply heat. just don’t keep your heat tool in one place or you will melt the fragments and trust me, that’s a whole other look!)
step 11: allow fragment to cool. after all we just embossed on it. (*so check it out! the image we just embossed turned the fragment clear!!! love this!)
step 12: next, apply broken china distress ink directly to craft sheet.
step 13: repeat with faded jeans distress ink directly under the other.
step 14: mist both ink areas with water from mini mister.
step 15: take a rubber brayer (i’m using our mini inky roller) and lightly roll across one color of the wet ink. (*it’s important that you don’t press down too hard on the brayer or it won’t pick up any of the ink. just lightly roll through it.)
step 16: roll the brayer across the tag. cool huh?
step 17: re-ink the brayer and reapply on to the tag rolling in a different area.
step 18: dry first color with heat tool.
step 19: roll brayer through next color of ink and repeat steps.
step 20: continue this until the entire tag is covered with various tones of ink and you like the look. (*this technique provides a cool dripped looking background.)
step 21: place fragments embossed side down on the tag. notice the images get lost in the background.
step 22: to provide more contrast for your embossed fragments, ink the areas you want to put them with the darkest color of distress ink from your background. here i’ve used faded jeans distress ink using my ink blending tool.
step 23: repeat for all three areas on the tag.
step 24: ink the edges of the tag with faded jeans distress ink using ink blending tool.
step 25: apply silver metallic mixative to craft sheet. (*i got a few emails about the mixative not pouring out on to the craft sheet. that’s because there is a mixing ball when you shake it and if you tip the bottle upside down, the ball will go into the nib and restrict a continuous flow. to get more out, simply tip the bottle back and add more.)
step 26: oh there’s that speckle brush again! dip it into the mixative on the craft sheet.
step 27: twist the brush to apply speckles of silver ink on to the background. let dry.
step 28: stamp quote with jet black archival ink. let dry.
step 29: stamp scrollwork on background with jet black archival. let dry. (*notice i am only using parts of this stamp – it’s fun that way!)
step 30: place fragments embossed side down over inked areas on tag and pierce hole with craft pick. repeat for other fragments.
step 31: secure the fragment to the tag with long fasteners. (*do not use any type of adhesive for this technique or it will show through on the sanded fragment. tape, glues, mediums, will fill in the sanded areas and your image will disappear. that’s why we’re using fragment with holes in them…)
step 32: open the back of the fastener on back of tag. (*the reason i prefer to use long fasteners is that they are designed to secure thicker things and still have enough post in the back to split open.)
step 33: accent stamped area of tag with white opaque pen. (*i think this just accents the image perfectly!)
*in the details: i love this unique icy looking background with hand-frosted accents. adding a splash of silver metallic and some white accent pen is just the right touch to create this winter wonderland.
