This is a unique challenge blog where we are inspired by and focus on the Vintage; shabby; mixed-media; art journaling; industrial, timeworn and steampunk genres and encompass the talent, flair, expertise and ideas of many artists that we are inspired by. We welcome all types of projects - cards, journaling, assemblage, layouts, albums, atcs, altered art in fact whatever you want to share (as long as it is in good taste).

Monday 2 March 2015

Welcome Guest Creative Guide Tracy Evans

 There is a very warm welcome to Tracy Evans as our Guest Creative Guide today. I have know Tracy in blogland for quite some time and I love popping over to her crafty space for a shot of inspiration. You can find her blog post at Craft Addicts and I recommend you take a while to peruse some of her other work if you haven't already.

Tracy has made us two projects today, so you are in for a real treat.

I asked Tracy to tell us what her Tim inspiration is and this is what she said ...........

How have I been influenced?…… well to be honest I think Tim’s product range inspires me the most, they are a perfect fit for my style and I adore the Distress Range, in fact I don’t think I create anything without reaching for my Distress Ink Pads, Paints or Sprays in some shape or form. I like to think that although inspired by Tim’s grungy style I like to take my own direction, use my own style to showcase his wonderful product range and If I inspire others along my journey, well that’s a huge bonus. If I am ever stuck for inspiration I find that turning the pages of Tim Holtz Compendium of Curiosities series of books always sparks my creative juices and one of his techniques is always a wonderful starting point for me to be inspired along my creative journey. These pieces have been created with my husband in mind as its his 48th Birthday in April, this being my significant number within my design. I love using numbers in artwork they are so versatile and perfect for male or female pieces.

picture 1 vintage journey

My project began with a piece of corrugated card, cut to 8” x 8”. I then die cut Tim Holtz Matchbox die from white card, using only the base in this project, creating an aperture within the corrugated card for the matchbox piece to fit. I applied a thin layer of cheesecloth over corrugated card to add texture to my design, I adore texture! The next step was to layer elements over the corrugated card to add dimension and layers of interest.

picture 2 vintage journey

I die cut 7 hearts from mountboard using Tim Holtz new Heartfelt die and then added numbers to three of the hearts using the Cargo Layering Stencil and texture paste. I also applied Texture Paste over the Honeycomb Layering Stencil to add further interest to the background and a also die cut random pieces from white card using the Washer Border Die along with random pieces of chicken wire from my garden.

picture 3 vintage journey

I die cut two further hearts and this time soldered them to add a further texture and element to my design. The inside of the matchbox was coloured with a touch of Gathered Twigs and Tarnished Brass Distress Paint to coordinate with my background and I then housed one of the hearts inside the matchbox aperture, adding chicken wire and the second heart onto the top. I also included Arrow Adornments to the top of each heart for added interest.

picture 4 vintage journey

The hearts at the bottom of my design have been covered with Vintage Photo Distress Powder to add texture and once all my elements were added I then covered the whole area with Black Soot Distress Paint and then allowed to dry. The embossing powder is a fantastic way to add gritty texture to a piece.

picture 5 vintage journey

48 it a significant number for this piece as this will be given to my husband on his 48th birthday in April.  Once all my elements were applied to the background and Black Soot Distress Paint added to the whole area I then took time to layer metallic colours over the top to highlight all the texture and dimension further. I began with Brushed Pewter Distress Paint, painting lightly over areas of the background and then drying with a heat tool. The second layer of colour was Tarnished Brass again applying layers of colour until I was happy with the depth. Something more was needed, a touch of sapphire wax to lift the whole design and to add a touch of colour. I also included wire wrapped around two of my hearts secured in place with the Tiny Attacher. To complete, I added Big Chat Stickers from Tim’s new 2015 Idea-ology range.

picture 6 vintage journey


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I created this card also for my hubby’s 48th birthday again using all Tim Holtz wonderful product range.

picture 7 vintage journey

I cut a piece of Kraft card 4.5” x 6.5” and then spritzed the background with Gathered Twigs Distress Spray Stain, adding subtle splatters of Picket Fence Distress Paint. Texture Paste has been applied over the Cargo Layering Stencil to add numbers to the top and bottom corners for added texture.

picture 8 vintage journey

I die cut three hearts from mountboard using Tim Holtz new Heartfelt die, applied texture paste over the Cargo Layering Stencil onto the hearts to add dimensional numbers to each heart. Each heart was then coloured with Gathered Twigs Distress Paint and then dried. Touches of Tarnished Brass were added around each heart and once again dried with a heat tool. To highlight the numbers further I applied Black Soot Distress Paint to the numbers with my finger.

picture 9 vintage journey

I die cut a piece of Washer border to fit across the centre of my card and then set about giving the die cut a rusty appearance. I coloured the die cut piece with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and then applied VersaMark ink to the die cut piece and then sprinkled Vintage Photo Distress Powder over the top and then heated with a heat tool to melt. Once cooled down I then applied a touch more VersaMark randomly over the die cut and sprinkled a further layer of Vintage Photo Distress Powder over the die cut, adding different thicknesses of powder to the die cut piece and once again melting with a heat tool. Once cool, I then spritzed the die cut piece with touches of Black Soot Distress Spray Stain and then dried with a heat tool. This gives a really authentic rust appearance to the die cut piece. I added the die cut washer piece across the centre of the card and added the die cut hearts along with an Elementary Flash Card, spritzed with Gathered Twigs Distress Spray Stain, tucked behind one of the hearts.

picture10 vintage journey

I added touches of wax around the edges of each heart and included a Small Talk sticker to the top of my design. To complete, I added a few more splatters of Picket Fence Distress Paint.


Wow Tracy what amazing projects and thank you so much for taking the time to make two for us with all the process steps to go with those gorgeous photos. Thank you also for bringing this first leg of A Vintage Journey to a close at the end of our first year. There is so much inspiration here for our lovely readers I know I will come back several times to take it all in.


Well, it doesn't seem like 12 months ago that we all hopped aboard A Vintage Journey with the aim of bringing you interesting challenges, quality Creative Guide samples to inspire you and useful destination inspiration stops along the way to show you how we use Tim's products, techniques and ideas. I think we have met that goal. So now there's just a few days to get in those special numbers projects before we announce the new challenge and changes for the coming year. Also there are some very special prizes up for grabs, Oooh I'm squealing with excitement, I just can't wait to show you - but of course I don't want to spoil the surprise either.
See you Friday then.

hugs Brenda xxx


18 comments:

  1. Texture that screams, "touch me" and it is gorgeous! So happy to see Tracy here at as a guest CG sharing her wonderful art!

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  2. What fabulous creations from Tracy. Great tutorials too. Thank You Tracy. Hugs Rita xxx

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  3. Wow - I really want to play and try to get all this texture onto a piece - thanks for being our Guest Creative Guide here at A Vintage Journey today Tracy and for your wonderful tutorial on just how you made it look like it does! Hubby will love both of these I'm sure! Julia xx

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  4. Stunning, stunning work Tracy! I love the way you use wire on your projects! Both creations are just fantastic and it is lovely to see you here as a Guest with your wonderful Tim inspired projects. Big hugs, Anne xxx

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  5. Oh Tracy, I absolutely adore both of the projects you created for us!!! Fabulous work! The top one really took my breath away, being a texture addict, I just adore what you did!! Love the metallic effects you added, and how clever to even use soldering to attach your metal pieces. The treatment of the numbers looks fantastic too. Both projects are just wonderful and it is great to have you guesting with us!!

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  6. Thanks so much ladies, thrilled to be a guest x x x

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  7. Amazing creations Tracy - just in love with your textures and use of metal. This one is bookmarked! Nikki xx

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  8. Wow - what glorious creations from Tracy - absolutely stunning textures and techniques! The rusted enamel hearts look just fabulous, and I love the mesh and the corrugated cardboard on the first piece. And the card is simply gorgeous with those rusted washers, more wonderful hearts and great rusty wire detailing - amazing! Great to have you with us on this leg of the journey, Tracy!
    Alison xx

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  9. Totally amazing textures and depth, LOVE LOVE LOVE. A real treat for everyone having you here today as Guest Designer.
    Julie xx

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  10. Beautiful projects, Tracy !
    Corrie x

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  11. Tracy, you never fail to amaze me with your beautiful art!

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  12. Lovely work from Tracy and the end of an amazing year of vintage journeying! Looking forward to the new changes and challenges.Thanks for all your hard work Brenda and co x

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  13. Thank you so much for your kind comments x x x

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  14. These are fabulous treats for hubby but also a treat to see you here! Such detail and texture! Brilliant! Chrisx

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  15. gorgeous pieces , love the layers and textures x hugs x

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  16. Beautiful, beautiful work Tracy. Your main canvas and that beautiful card for your hubby are both absolutely gorgeous! Jenny x

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