Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge

First of all, a huge welcome to my newest followers, both on Google and Bloglovin,  it is wonderful to have you along on my crafty journey.

I have had some wonderful news too, to share with you, it is at the end of this post - if you get that far!

The wonderful Linda Ledbetter of Studio L3 has started up a new challenge (Compendium of Curiosities Challenge 3) again this year based around Tim Holtz's fabulous new Compendium of Curiosities Volume III.  Not only that but Linda has a fantastic 'crew' of top designers on board to inspire us all.  The wonderful Mario sent me my signed copy a few weeks ago and I can assure you, if you are a Tim Holtz fan it is a must have.

Challenge #1 is based on Tim's Paint Marbling technique which you will find on page 43 of the new book.  The challenge, which runs fortnightly, is being sponsored this time by Inspiration Emporium who are generously awarding a $50 voucher to spend in the shop.  Alternative weeks will be sponsored by the lovely Linda Coughlin of the Funkie Junkie Boutique.  Not only that but Tim and Mario have sent Linda a huge pile of goodies as prizes too.  This is definitely a challenge not to be missed!

We are not able to share the 'how to' of this technique because it would not be fair to Tim but it is a great technique and I certainly had fun doing it.  Here is what I created.

I created the background for the hanging with black card on top of some corrugated card and added some string for the hanging element.  I used my newly acquired Nautical Blueprints stamps - love these!

I used Tim's Paint Marbling technique to create the background onto Ranger Watercolour card.  I was trying to simulate an underwater colour scheme by using Salty Ocean, Peeled Paint and Broken China colours.  I stamped the seahorse onto the prepared card, stamped it again onto Speciality Stamping card, cut it out, coloured it with Distress Markers in Broken China and Peeled Paint and decoupaged it up to give it some dimension.  I also stamped the 'sea horse' words separately and added this.

I stamped the sand dollar and starfish, again onto Speciality Stamping card and coloured with Distress Markers in Antique Linen and Worn Lipstick.  I coated them with Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint to give them a more realistic appearance.

To finish off I added a word band and some string both here and at the top of the hanging.  This is just one of the 30 plus techniques in Tim's new book, I hope you will join in the challenge too!

Now, if you are still with me, on to some good news for me!  I am shamelessly exercising my bragging rights, as I have had three pieces of good news in the last week or so and I will tell you in the order that I received them.

First up, I won the Design Team Special Mention Award from Country View Crafts for my Tim Holtz inspired mini storage box and I have the opportunity to be a Guest Designer with them too!  I am still thrilled at the number of comments I received on my box but really, it was down to Tim's wonderful Wallflower papers, which I am now totally in love with!

Secondly, I won a Top Three place (along with my wonderful friend Jenny Buttons who has just received a Blogworthy Link Award from Tim himself!!) in the very talented Eileen Hull's Art with Heart Challenge       for my beach hut Artist Trading Block.  I do love doing 3D projects!

Last, but not least, I received a One of the Favorites Award from Craft Hoarders Anonymous for my Tim Holtz inspired Spring Flowers canvas that I did as my Design Team piece for A Vintage Journey.  There are still a few days left to join in the AVJ Spring Flowers challenge.... it would be lovely to see you there!

Needless to say, I am over the moon pleased with these wins, it is always a confidence booster to know that your work is admired and appreciated.  Thank you so much to all of those involved in the choices and thank you to my wonderful followers for all your positive comments on my work.

Hope to see you soon.  Big hugs, Anne xx