I wanted to make a book that celebrated color and that focused on a different color for each page. I also wanted to have a visual reference for some of the different Tim Holtz Distress inks, stains and paints. So I made each page represent one Distress color, which is named on the tab at the top. I typed the Distress color names on my computer, printed them, cut them out, then inked them with the corresponding color.
I went to the hardware store and tried to non-conspicuously grab every paint swatch possible. I picked paint swatches that roughly matched the Distress colors. I got long skinny swatches to act as my top tabs/page dividers. I glued the color label to the top.
Next I got bigger swatches for the pages. I got out my Distress paints and dabbed two or three colors of paint onto each paint swatch, then blended the paint together with my finger. Then I spritzed them with a generous amount of water and rotated the paint swatches so the paint would swirl and drip. I let them dry overnight.
With my backgrounds finished in a variety of different color palettes, I added some stenciling using the same main color that I'd painted with. This blue page is made with Salty Ocean paint and ink.
Next I added some stamping:
I paper-clipped my Salty Ocean tab to the back of the page and it was done! Now I have a quick visual of Salty Ocean, some coordinating color possibilities and a background pattern idea for another project.
Here's another example page, this one for Ripe Persimmon:
To finish off the book, I tied several strands of various yarns and ribbon to the side. It's so fun to flip through for inspiration and to remind myself of all the gorgeous colors in the world.
Just one note of caution when working with these paint swatches. I discovered that their shiny, plastic-like surface makes them NOT idea for certain brands of spray inks (Dylusions) and Distress stains. I was going to include them on my pages, but when I sprayed on some Dylusions, it beaded up all weird and wouldn't ever dry. The Distress stain did dry eventually, but it still beaded oddly and didn't cover smoothly. But the Distress paints worked great on these surfaces!
I used about every color of Distress paint, stain and ink on this project, so I won't list them all or it would be a two-foot section of supplies. But here are some of the other main supplies I used for this project that you can get at Simon Says Stamp:
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I can't wait to see what you create with stencils and stamps this week! Don't forget to upload your clever creations to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog for your chance to win a $50 voucher to the Simon Says Stamp store.
