7 April 2014

Gonna Have to Face It, You're 'Addicted To Blocks' (ATB's)

Hi everyone. Are you singing that Robert Palmer classic to yourself now?! The current Our Creative Corner challenge theme has me in a tuneful mood and in this case it's not far from the truth; I can feel this addiction to Eileen Hull's Artist Trading Blocks developing rapidly!

And so I give you my take on Tim Holtz April  2014 tag...


To date I've applied Tim's awesome monthly tag inspiration to cards, but I always have difficulty with the 3D elements as the UK Postal Service hates anything that doesn't lie flat (and the butler won't hand deliver everything for me these days :) The flowers are an essential feature on this month's tag so I figured an Artist Trading Block would be the way to go.


In case you haven't seen Artist Trading Blocks yet they are blocks/boxes that can be die cut using Eileen Hull's Sizzix Scoreboard XL dies (smaller ones HERE and a larger one HERE). They are due to be released by the end of the month, fingers crossed. You don't need to use a crease mat with them as the creases are built into the design, but you do need to use heavier weight card/chipboard/mount board with them. That's great because it means they will take all sorts of creative abuse and won't warp!


Then it's just a case of decorating. You may have seen the wedding favours Anne and I had great fun creating HERE and HERE. And some of the best designers out there (Linda Cain, Shelly Hickox, Anita Houston, Amy Bowerman, and Anna-Karin Evaldsson, to name but a few) have been putting their own stamp on these blocks too (see them at The Artists on the Block).


Tim as ever has done a fantastic job of explaining how to decorate this on his blog so I won't bore you with too much detail here. Suffice to say I highly recommend following his colour choices as the results give you an incredible timeworn look that has to be seen to be believed.


I did add a little Salty Ocean Distress Paint to the Frameworks trellis along with the Evergreen Bough which he suggests. The verdigris feel positively shines through when the ink is applied over it into the 'scuffed' patches.


I chose a different paper from the Menagerie paper collection, a bright floral one that works really well when you patchwork it this way. I also opted out of the mirror and cork patches, going instead for altered foil pieces. These were created by applying foil tape to plain card, embossing it, working Iced Spruce Distress Paint into the de-bossed areas and, when dry, rubbing away the top layer. To protect the surface and add a glossy look a layer of clear embossing powder was heated over it.


You can see the inside of the box was lined with more of the Menagerie paper. I also added some paint to the corners to embrace the aged feel. From experience, I suggest you line the inside of your box (except for the front and back insides) before you assemble it to make it much easier.


I also recommend you decorate the outer surface of the box before you glue it together. It means you can add paste, inks, stencilling, paint and whatever else you fancy to a flat surface - so much better! Then add your embellishments to the assembled box. Grunge board and Grunge paper are superb materials for bending around corners of course!


The great part about the new Frameworks die cuts are the fact that you can join them together to form continuous patterns or chop them into smaller strips. You'll see I did this around the sides of the box. Whilst the joins are visible on this one I'm not at all bothered as real trellis would also have joins.


Let's take a look at the top - the flowers. They were of course the starting point for all of this. I went the 'make your own out of Mini Tattered Florals' route for this, using the same paper as for the inside of the box. Once assembled I died each of the two paper blooms with Distress Stains (which just happen to be on offer at The Funkie Junkie Boutique this week!!) For me they are unsurpassed at colouring patterned paper quickly and effectively.


The final 'plain' flower was made from suede effect Kraft Core card in the lightest colour available. You can find my tutorial for making this 'suede' paper HERE or in the Tutorials section of my blog, along with a whole heap of other ideas. To finish that TH button seemed perfect with the Philosophy tag and of course a little of Linda's custom seam binding.


I must confess to loving this so much that there is a distinct possibility the previous/future Tim tags will get the ATB treatment! Make sure you hop over to The Artists on the Block for lots more inspiration and check out The Funkie Junkie Boutique's Tim Tag Suggestions section for all your monthly 'needs' at great prices.

Tomorrow sees the announcement of the February challenge winners over at Our Creative Corner so I hope you can join me for that. And hands up who's off to Ally Pally next Sunday? It would be great to put more faces to names (I promise to wear a balaclava if that's too much of a scary thought!!)
Take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx



43 comments:

  1. Amazing block Alison with wonders around every corner. There are a lot worse things to be addicted to :)

    Love Chrissie x

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  2. Brilliant Jenny, one of my all time favourite blocks so far and such a cool idea to use it for Tim's April tag!! Great idea and this should be another winner lol, for both execution and originality!!!

    So looking forward to saying hello in person next weekend!!!!

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  3. That ATB is rather wonderful, Brenda. As is Robert Palmer (although I prefer his earlier stuff).

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  4. Oh! My! Word! Jenny, Jenny, Jenny this is beyond amazing. I like this NO!! I Love, love, love it.............!!
    The colours, textures, embellishments are stunning.
    I looked at the Die but do not think I can use it with the GC. Must go look again. Not that I could ever begin to create anything like your beautiful box.
    Have a wonderful day ...... get the "hired help" to do other duties if he won't deliver the mail!!!.
    Hugs

    Patricia xxx

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  5. Did I just call you 'Brenda' Jennie? Sorry about that - I haven't had my morning cuppa yet and am not quite with it.

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  6. Love your ATB, Jenny!
    A brilliant interpretation of Tim's April tag!

    Claudia x

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  7. Jenny, this is beyond wonderful! I think it is my favourite block ever too. Love your 'outside of the box' thinking, to make it your April tag, it is absolutely brilliant. Thanks for the shout out too. Hugs, Anne xx

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  8. This is gorgeous Jenny, a real work of art. Chris xxx

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  9. Hi. Just found your blog after following a link from Bumblebees and Butterflies. Wow, what wonderful work. Love your take on Tim's Tag. Now a committed follower!! Jean.x

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  10. Omg!!!!! Love this Atb/box, it's wonderful!!!!!!!! Your ATb is absolutely my fav!!!!! BArbarayaya

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  11. Love your box, its a work of art.
    Annette x

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  12. What a stunning make of Tim's tag. Love it!!♥

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  13. You already know how much I love this ATB Jenny, but I'll say it again "I LOVE this Artist Trading Block to pieces!"

    Such a unique/creative/fabulous/and fantastic take on Tim's tag AND Artist Trading Blocks!

    Bravo!

    Amy*

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  14. I love your block Jenny - its fantastic and I can't wait to try making one myself. Such a lot of surfaces (both inside and out) to decorate an you've certainly done an amazing job here. Thanks so much for the inspiration. Margie xx

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  15. Absolutely Love This!! This is a TOTAL WINNER over at Tim Holtz's April challenge! I'm calling it now--remember that :) Fabulous ATB!! XOXO-Shari

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  16. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! Your block is fabulous and such a fab take on the month's tag!

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  17. Jennie- the 3D Tag is brilliant! I love love LOVE how you created this, your techniques and your colors. It makes me want to run down to my studio and make one. Thanks for using the ScoreBoards dies- you totally rocked this block!

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  18. Ohh wow Jenny! Love your take on Tim's tag! What a fun idea to make it into a box! Hugs, Sandra

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  19. Gorgeous Jenny, love your design and the added ironworks pieces. Beautifully decorated. Tracy x

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  20. What a treasure box, and the most original tag I've ever seen! Beautiful!

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  21. Love the colour and that wonderful texture and those flowers and the way it is decorated in the inside as well - this is fabulous.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  22. Well you certainly are feeding that addiction in a beautiful way! This is just stunning, love the texture and the way you used those fab papers! Chrisx

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  23. Wow, this is just beautiful and I love that you did an ATB in lue of a tag. Nice!!

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  24. Now I'm singing it. Love, love, love this. I would be addicted if I could get my hands on this die. The frameworks dies are fan-freakin-tastic aren't they. I am didn't mine to everything. Beautiful done.

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  25. Love this Jenny!!! Colours are gorgeous and what a brilliant take on Tim's Tags. Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog and I am so looking forward to learning heaps on my visits here. Your art is stunning!! ox

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  26. It love this ATB!! Fabulous! And yes, I have the song in my head now LOL

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  27. Jenny I am blown away by this phenomenal box and the way you have used Tim's techniques to create it. I have yet to make one of these beautiful creations but your imaginative influences have really get me wanting to have a go. I just love your ingenuity and unique talent. xx

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  28. Absolutely stunning Jenny, and thank you for the links. Off to get lost around blogland again, just as well it is raining. xx Flora

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  29. Oh, such fun with the tag morph! I can see me doing this, far more useful and SWEEET :)

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  30. Three times wow, that's a wonderful box. Love how you've glued the Trellis around the corners.

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  31. Oh …. how fabulous! Just jaw droopingly stunning x

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  32. I adore these boxes Jenny and can't wait to get my hands on one..so useful .

    You have made a sterling job on the decor ...I love it

    Best wishes

    Annie x

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  33. Wow! What a great idea using an ATB for Tim's tag. This is gorgeous. … and thanks for all the "here, here, here" links. I'm new to your blog and will be coming back. Super cool!!

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  34. Wow, FABULOUS!! I love the idea of making the block instead of the tag! Very cool! And I'm with you on the flowers. After struggling with the tattered pinecone, I think I'll go back to the "old" flower. LOL

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  35. this is so beautiful!! ^.^ love every little detail

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  36. Absolutely stunning, Jenny - everything about it is just perfect... I'm bowled over! Simply brilliant take on the April tag - should be another winner...

    Are you at Ally Pally on Sat or Sun? I'm doing Sunday...
    Alison xx

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  37. Owww a stunning box ! just love it Jenny :)
    Von ♥

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  38. Beautifully done. Such a great piece. Karen.x

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  39. This is amazing Jenny, I love the colours and the papers, and just everything about this xx

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  40. Hi Jenny,
    I am fascinated by your creations, they are simply amazing. Although they are different from my style, I enjoy reading your blog very much. Just became your latest follower. Have a lovely day.
    Hugs, Katie

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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