Friday, August 14, 2015

Embrace Imperfection - Breathe Mixed Media Card

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Hello to all my sweet crafty friends!!  

Today I made a card - mounted on a free standing plaque - for an extremely amazing executive friend of mine. I included little messages within the project that hopefully will encourage her and make her smile!  She has been a huge blessing to me and to my family - one of those few people that you are lucky enough to meet  - that goes above and beyond in every way.  And in all the years she has been in our lives, I have never made her a gift.

So I wanted it to be perfect and special however... when I saw the "embrace imperfection" metal plate from Tim Holtz, I knew that it needed to go on this project for her and for me as well.  She will love this no matter what!

Here is her gift! 



  I began by pulling out some of the things I thought might be fun to use on the project. 


For the background, I knew I wanted to use a technique from Tim Holtz, The Compendium of Curiosities - Vol. 3. on page 48.


I love learning new techniques and have had so much fun learning from Tim's book and from the Curiosity Crew from the Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenges.  This is challenge 34 and the last challenge from this Vol. 3 book of Tim's. 

And yes - there is a prize for the best use of this technique... wouldn't that be fabulous.  They come from Tim and Mario as well as....



Here are some of the items I used in Tim's Layering Stencil, Monoprint technique.  I did three different types of backgrounds. 




I also used some of Tim's Kraft-Core "shattered" paper to mount these background on for a pop of extra color.  It comes in several different colors and is wonderful. Wish you could see it up close!



I stamped some flowers from Tim's Stampers Anonymous set Flower Garden - so sorry this picture is blurry but you can get the idea!!!  I also did a star but decided not to use it. 




I used three distress stain colors to paint my flowers. 
Polished Pewter
Aged Mahogany
Barn Door




I layered the flowers and cut some of the petals so the flower would stand up with lots of dimension.  Behind it is some tulle fabric flowers.  I painted some leaves with distress stain and topped them off with some antique linen distress stain.  




I used Tim Holtz Small Talk stickers and Botanical Remnant Rubs to add messages here & there.




Here you see some items from the Idea-ology Ephemera Pack - Vellum - Thrift Shop.  I die cut the birds from Sizzix Birds on a Wire Decorative Strip

All the metal embellishments are also from Tim Holtz collections.

You can't see it but the butterfly has a lovely black butterfly underneath it too!!  







And my dear sweet hubby prepped me a cedar board cut from our very own dead trees here at the ranch. 




Everything has a hidden meaning - such as drive-in ticket... this gal drives over an hour to work every day and gets there very early, leaving very late.  Plus... in our day - going to the drive-in was a fun, special treat!!  The inspire and ink pen are also Remnant Rubs

The ruler (Tim's ephemera) is because she and I are both very conscious of "measuring up" which seemed to go with Tim's "embrace imperfection" sentiment.  And underneath the chain - the small talk sticker says... "you can do anything but not everything"!





And sometimes we jokingly call her "fairy godmother" because she finds ways to "fix" things and make things happen that are astounding - so I added "make a wish"!! 




Those are Finnabair glass beads on the butterfly and I also added some of them to the center of the flower.  




There's a bit of crochet lace too - Prima Sand Lace.



Thanks bunches for taking the time to stop by.  
Wishing you all a happy weekend. 
Hugs. j. 






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11 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

What a wonderful card, so many beautiful details, so much to see - I am sure the recipient will love it.Have a great day, and thanks for all your nice comments on my blog! Hugs, Valerie

Candy C said...

Joi...this is gorgeous! Your friend will consider herself lucky indeed to receive this beautiful, heartfelt gift from you. And the fact that it is handmade makes it even that much more special! Your monoprint background is beautiful and is perfect for all of the layers of delicate flowers, vellum, ephemera, butterflies and other deliciousness that you've added. I love your positive sentiments that you've added to this as well. Your friend should be thrilled. I am so glad that you found our CC3 Challenges and decided to join in. Your art has been an inspiration to me. I love your unique style and the artistry of your work. I also wanted to thank you so much for your comments that you left for me. They were sincere and uplifting and I so enjoyed receiving them! <3 Candy

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Oh my gosh! This is gorgeous and your friend will be thrilled with it! The flower makes me SWOON!!! Love the layers of it! Gorgeous reds, and love the soft and marbled looking backgrounds! Thanks so much for joining in on this last challenge and all the challenges before at CC3C!!!

Susan said...

Fabulous job, Joi! You are lucky to have such a wonderful friend indeed! I love that you told us about the meaning of all of your wonderful details, including the beautiful monoprint background. Thanks so much for sharing your artwork every two weeks. I look forward to seeing more from you in the future!

Pamellia said...

Holy cow Joi!! You have just put so much TLC into this one and I have been scrolling up and down forever trying to take it all in! So many wonderful elements and each one perfectly prepared and placed! A completely dreamy project Joi, I just love it! hugs :)

Words and Pictures said...

What a fantastic card, Joi - there's such a warm rosy glow about it, and I love all the dimension you've created. I'm sure this will go down an absolute treat - it's so clearly made with love and care. Beautiful work!
Alison xx

Jackie PN said...

Joi! What a beautiful card for your friend! I am sure she will adore it! I do!!
Thanks so much for sharing the steps- I always love to glean new tips from others!!

xo

Annette Green said...

Wowzers, is this every GORGEOUS! The technique and color you used is perfect. Really speaks to me and my style. Love the overall feminine vintage feel. I keep looking through your photos and close-ups to take in all the delicious details. So happy you've joined us once again in the CC3 Challenge. It's been so much fun!

Yvonne said...

Joi!!!! THIS IS MY FAVORITE of YOURS EVER!!!! I LOVE IT!!! It is perfect! You have achieved a fabulous piece of art and I am almost speechless! hehehe....OH I am loving what you have created !!!!! THank you so much for joining in the challenges at CC3 and always leaving such kind comments!!! You are a doll! I will be looking for future creations!!!! Hugs.

Marjie Kemper said...

How beautiful, Joi! Love all the layering and the way you've tucked in the painted 'breathe' word charm. Thanks for joining us with such enthusiasm for the CC3C!!

Ella Swan said...

Wow what a truly gorgeous gift & so fabulously artistic & meaningful. Sure your friend will treasure this forever!!