Glittering in the sun...

Hi everyone and welcome. Autumn has surely arrived here in the UK fast and thoughts are fast turning to warm sweaters, shorter days and roaring fires. Inspired by the nature's final flourish and the upcoming colder weather I have created a new Etcetera Tag featuring Tim Holtz 'Nature's Wonder' stamp set. At it's heart is a bejewelled flower glittering in the sun, a piece from Tim's Assemblage which fits perfectly in the centre of a Funky Floral die cut flower.

I started by covering the Small Etcetera Tag with layers of Distress Paint (Ground Espresso, Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap) before smearing over Texture Paste. It gives an uneven finish which is opaque in some areas and semi-translucent in others, mimicking the effect of a hard frost on the ground. Stamping the text background from the Entemology stamp set and numbers from the Merchant stamp set over with Archival Inks added detail without being too obtrusive.

The leaves that create the structure for this tag can be found in the Nature's Wonder stamp set and were created using Alcohol Lift-Ink. I love that if you are over generous with this ink you get a reprint that recreates that slightly blurred look you get when pressing flowers and leaves between paper. After fussy cutting and shaping the edges were inked and as you can see they were layered with die cut twigs and Beaded Berries (oh boy am I pleased these have been re-released for this holiday season!)

The leaves looked completely at home on their base of Opaque Crackle Paste spattered with a little Stream Alcohol Ink to coordinate with the sanded Classic Kraft Stock underneath. Talking of adding texture, you'll notice that flamboyant flower in the centre has been die cut from card covered in a pale coloured Textile Surface painted with Worn Lipstick Distress Paint. And by cutting the stamens onto which the Sunburst Charm sits from Metallic Kraft Stock it enhances the glisten coming from the little crystals. You may well have spotted that I've removed the links to either side of this charm - it's easy to do with a pair of snips.

It's so much fun to put together phrases using the Clippings Stickers, mounting them on card to give added dimension and stability before trickling them through the bouquet of foliage to add the finishing touch.

I hope you've enjoyed seeing this new tag and feel inspired to create some seasonal magic of your own. A list of all products used is shown below and of course feel free to ask for any more details that I may have missed.

Thanks for joining me today. Take care and get creative this coming week!
Jenny xxx

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Etcetera Small Tag Thickboards	Tim Holtz Assemblage Pearl Sunburst Charm Set	Sizzix Thinlits Set - Funky Floral #3 by Tim Holtz	Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps - Nature′s Wonder	Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps - Entomology	Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps - Merchant	Ranger Opaque Crackle Texture Paste	Ranger Texture Paste Opaque Matte INK44444
Tim Holtz Alcohol Lift-Ink Pad	Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink - Red Pepper TIM22152	Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink - Espresso TIM22039	Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink - Cranberry TIM21995	Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink - Mushroom	Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink - Stream TIM22206	Ranger Tim Holtz Ground Espresso Distress Paint TDF50605	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Walnut Stain TDF53361
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Frayed Burlap TDF53071	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Worn Lipstick TDF53392	Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Metallic Kraft Stock	Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Classic Kraft Stock	Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 14PK - Fall Foliage by Tim Holtz 660955	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Beaded Berries	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Clippings Stickers	Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Paper Stash Etcetera
Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink Pad - Watering Can AID39006	Ranger Archival Ink Pad - Jet Black AIP31468	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Brushed Corduroy TIM21421