A remake

 About a year ago, I made a similar card. I had come across a Tim Holtz demo on FB and he showed how you can take an Impresslit, heat emboss it with Distress Glaze and use a Distress Crayon to age it to make it look like ceramic. Since I didn't have an Impresslit, I tried it with the Tim Holtz/Sizzix "Botanical" folder. There are instructions for that card on this blog (May 4,2020). 

I got lost in making it, I think it took me a few hours to get it to where I wanted it. I posted it on Instagram @Susanbcards and later I had a DM from Tim Holtz saying he liked it, would I post how I made it and then he'd share it on his Instagram Story. I read it and actually thought it was a imposter account. So I said something like, "Okay I'll try." You have to understand, I wasn't a huge Instagram poster, I didn't know that much about him at that time, that he is very supportive of makers and often shares their makes. I probably had 300 followers. I had maybe 10 people looking at my blog, which was too time consuming for me, so I rarely posted. Still don't much unless I get a lot of questions on how I made something. .He messaged me again he was so kind and supportive, I then believed it was real. 

I posted the instructions and also posted the card on a few FB paper crafter sites. Over 1000 people have looked at that blog post. For many bloggers that is nothing, but when you have 12 people looking at your posts normally, it's mind boggling. Since that time I have watched every Tim Holtz tutorial at least 2x. I have learned so much and have become so much better at making cards. I watch lots of other tutorials too and it helps me become more creative.

So the backstory on the original card was that I had lost someone close to me and for over a year was in this place I couldn't get out of, not everyday but many days. The pandemic started and the store I worked part time at closed. So many things/people to worry about. I still remember watching that demo and getting the idea to try it with the folder. I put the folder on my desk with the Embossing Glaze so I wouldn't forget. After I finished the panel, I found the clipping that said "she was herself again" and got teary. The key says, "Hope" and the medallion has compass directions on it. The first time I made a card for myself.

Since then, I have been vaccinated and have seen my family and friends again, things are more normal but a bit different too. 

There's a new Distress ink color, Salvaged Patina, it's bright and happy. I decided to make a new card using the new shade. The clipping says, "always reminds me of her." The key has "Journey" engraved on it and I used a clock this time. I aged it using Finnabair Patina Effect Pastes because time has passed and the journey is long but you never forget the people who are part of your journey.

Instructions:

I inked the "Botanical" folder with Antique Linen Distress Ink and using Black Soot Archival ink I stamped the "Reflections" stamp randomly on those same areas. I inserted white Heavyweight Mixed Media paper and ran it through the Big Shot. 

I used the Salvaged Patina Distress Spray Stain like watercolor and painted all the raised areas with a paintbrush.

I used an embossing ink pen and went over all the raised images and poured the Salvaged Patina Embossing Glaze over it  and heated it, a few areas at a time. After it cooled I took the Vintage Photo Distress Crayon and highlighted some of the texture on the florals, used a damp towel to smooth it over. I then ran the Distress Embossing Dabber over the recessed areas, used clear embossing powder and heated it to make it all shine and look like a ceramic tile.

I aged the metal pieces using the Finnabair Patina Effect Paste kit.

That's it. Enjoy your making journey.