My Cards and Tags: Tags Using Tim Holtz's Patchwork Pieces Stamp

"The Power of Powder" is this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge theme, so I incorporated some embossing powder and some Infusions powder to make these two tags:

I started with some plain white tags cut with Tim Holtz's Sizzix Tags die set.  I glued some Simon Says Stamp dictionary paper scraps to each tag.  Next I stamped some circles on the background using Ranger Jet Black Archival ink and Tim Holtz's Halftones and Rings stamp set.  I stamped and embossed some hexagons from Tim's Patchwork Pieces stamp set, which I  cut out and experimentally arranged on my tags.

When I had a rough idea of where the shapes would be, I took off the hexagons, then sprinkled on some Infusions powder and spritzed it with some water.

I colored my hexagon pattern pieces and glued them on top of the tags, but everything started to look too chaotic and nutso.  These tags were hovering mere inches from the garbage can!  But whenever I feel like a project is starting to look too crazy-town, I give the project one last chance for salvation by slapping on a coat of heavy white acrylic paint.  That's what I did to both tags, leaving some of the color exposed and adding a few colors back in with Distress Ink smudges.   Then I started layering on other elements, like this edge from a plain old notebook.

The plaid Circle-X on the bigger tag is from Seth Apter's Drip Drop die set, which I am quite in love with.   

The stars on this smaller tag are from Neat and Tangled (Seeing Stars).  The string at the top of the tags are a few strands of embroidery floss that I pulled and scrunched up.

All in all, I was glad these tags came together in the end.  These are the supplies I used, which you can find at Simon Says Stamp:

Tim Holtz Sizzix Tag Collection	Sizzix Big Shot	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Ink	Black Soot - Distress Embossing Powder	Tim Holtz Cling Rubber Stamps 2016 PATCHWORK PIECES
Paper Artsy A BIT JADED Infusions Colored Stain	Paper Artsy Are You Cerise Infusions Colored Stain	Tim Holtz Cling Rubber Stamps 2016 HALFTONE AND RINGS CMS260	Simon Vintage Dictionary Paper	Seth Apter Spellbinders Drip Drop die
Neat and Tangled Seeing Stars die	Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid 6x6 Paper	Crate Paper 12x12 Maggie Holmes Bloom	Simple Stories Sunshine and Happiness 12x12 Paper	Iris Embroidery Floss Pack- Variegrated Colors
Dina Wakley Ranger WHITE Media Heavy Body Acrylic Paints	Mixed Media Sponges Bars	Peacock Feathers - Distress Ink	Mustard Seed - Distress Ink	Tim Holtz Distress Twisted Citron Ink Pad
Distress Ink Tumbled Glass	Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink Pad	Ranger Non Stick Craft Sheet	Mini Mister Spray Bottle

So how will you show us your Powder Power this week?  Upload your creation to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog for your chance to win $50 to the Simon Says Stamp store!

My Other Creations: Upcycled Cassette Tape Magnets

"Inspired by Music" is this week's theme at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog.  Such a great theme!  To pay homage to all those years I sat by the tape player waiting to hit "record" on my favorite song and hoping the DJ didn't talk over the ending, I decided to turn an old cassette tape into a set of magnets.

 I started by splitting a cassette tape into two halves (this one had tiny screws that I had to remove) and then sanding each tape.  I sanded for two reasons: one was to make it easier for things to adhere to the surface (wasn't sure if I would be painting them or what) and the other reason was to remove the musician's name so he/she wouldn't feel bad that I'd destroyed their life's work.

Next up was a few coats of heavy white Gesso.

And behold the magic of ink!  Using just a sponge, I applied ink (Peacock Feathers, Ground Espresso and Ranger Jet Black Archival in this case) to the cassette tape's surface.  Great color and coverage!

With the base color done, I just traced out the pattern for the rectangles in the middle and added embellishments and words.

On the back of the tapes, I used an adhesive 3-D dot to stick on some magnets.  I also glued the black cassette "spokes" back on to the teal tape to make it look more legit.  Here's how they look from the back:

And here's  how they look "in action" on one of my magnetic bulletin boards:

These were fun and easy to make and I love how they take me back in time to the days of Debbie Gibson and Milli Vanilli!  

Here are the supplies I used that you can find at Simon Says Stamp:

American Crafts Shimelle 12 x 12 Starshine Paper	Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid 6x6 Paper	Prima White Heavy Gesso	Tim Holtz Elementary Flash Cards	Idea-ology Ruler Ribbon
Sanding Grip - Idea-ology	Mixed Media Sponges Bars	EK Success Foam Dots	Peacock Feathers - Distress Ink	Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad GROUND ESPRESSO Ranger
Ripe Persimmon - Distress Ink	Mustard Seed - Distress Ink	Spiced Marmalade - Distress Ink	Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink Pad

So how will you be inspired by music this week?  Can't wait to see how you interpret our theme!  Be sure to upload your creation to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog for your chance to win a $50 voucher to the Simon Says Stamp store!