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Monday 12 July 2010

Compendium of Curiosities - Challenge No.5 - Distress Powder


This week's challenge set by Linda over on her blog Studio L3 is to create something using the 'Distress Powder' technique on page 43 of Tim Holtz' book Compendium of Curiosities.

I can't say I'm a big fan of distress embossing powder although I haven't actually used it more than a couple of times so this was a good excuse to have another go.  Am I am fan now?  Well, no, not really.  The problem may be that I used ordinary embossing ink instead of the distress ink so I will have to invest in some to see if it makes any difference.

I only have the one pot of distress embossing powder - tea dye - so that really determined the colour scheme.  I'm not sure that the background colours match the tag either.  Seems like I'm not having a good day here - LOL. 

The stamps I used were from Crafty Individuals (CI-099 for the lady tag).  The background tag is from Tim Holtz collections from Stampers Anonymous (Slight Alterations) although it doesn't show up in the photo - maybe I should have done a close up - sorry!

The large stamp and 'cherish' on the card are from a large set of romantic themed acrylic stamps which unfortunately I have removed from their packaging so cannot tell you what they are exactly.

I finished the card off with some sari ribbon and a matching button.  The tag is mounted onto 3D foam squares.  I am quite pleased with how it's turned out and it was good to blow away the dust from the bottle of distress embossing powder and put it to some use.



I'll take this opportunity to show you how I'm currently storing my Distress Ink Pads.  I bought this little wooden box in a charity shop for 50p and gave it a rough coat of white acrylic paint, then Peeled Paint distress ink, then some more watered down white paint.  It's cute isn't it!  The middle sections do hold one pad each, but they would need to be stored on their side and I didn't know if this was a good idea or not.  As the box is quite small I can move it around my craft desk, which is quite handy really seeing as there's no wall space available at the moment to mount it onto! 

Thanks for looking and don't forget, if you'd like to have a go at the challenge there are prizes too, all details are on Linda's blog. 

22 comments:

Jan said...

I've got a few distress powders (which I HAD to have at the time lol!) but have hardly ever used them. So hats off to you for giving it a go... with a great result! I like the subtle colours too and think they work well.
What a fantastic find your little box was ... perfect for the distress pads.

Gez Butterworth said...

Hi Sherry sorry it's been a while since I called. Life just gets in the way at times doesn't it! I was so excited to see you're taking part in Linda's challenges. I discovered them last week. They are super! I'm hoping to take part but need to buy some Distress powders first..not sure what colour to try?
Love your tag Sherry. The colour looks great. Fab choice of image too. Have a great week. Gez.xx

Gez Butterworth said...

Ooooh forgot to say. Love your storage. Great find & thanks for showing us how too..xx

Helen said...

Great tag. I've only got a couple of colours too, and like you, haven't really used distress powder enough, but it was great to have a go. It's just so different to normal embossing!

Meggymay said...

Its a smashing tag Sherry, this is a first for me as well.
Love your storage box.

Sue said...

It's a lovely card Sherry, I too am not a fan of these powders, but I have made a better go of them this time by following the directions in the book.
I love your storage box too x

Linda Ledbetter said...

Sherry, it's really beautiful! I think your colors are spot on, and really, the Distress Powder looks exactly like it should. I do think the Distress Ink is a little stickier than other embossing inks I've used, so it might be that you'd enjoy the technique more using that. I'll be interested to hear what you think if you give it a go!

Your storage system is brilliant! I've been trying to figure out a better way of organizing my Distress pads, and you've totally inspired me. Thank you!

And, thank you for bringing such a gorgeous card to the 5th Challenge!

Hugs,
Linda

Netty said...

This is fabulous Sherry, love it. Annette x

Kim said...

I think your tag came out great!! I love the soft colors. I have two colors, and have found that the Distress embossing pad did make a bit of difference on the results. And I love your storage box! Great way to see what you have.

Kathy Eddy said...

I love the way your tag came out. I think the colors are wonderful together!

Cindy Is Crafty said...

Sherry, I think it is a bit monochromatice for my taste. I do like the image and the tag, though. :O)

donna said...

Lovely tag!I think your colors work great together! And yes the embossing ink makes a big difference.

Jen xo said...

i thiunk your tag turned out great, im not a fan of embossing , i always mangae to stuff it up somehow.
i love your little storage system. its wonderful...

Anonymous said...

Fab artwork Sherry! Love your storage too! x

Mrs A. said...

Wow.Your craft space looks really neat and tidy. I would die of shame if I ever had to take a photo of the mess I work in!!! Just snucked some glass storage jars in past baggage control to put buttons and odds in but it isn't going to change much.

Lori said...

Cool piece! Love the colors!

Craftyideas said...

Love your tag its beautiful. Great idea for storage.

Carolyn said...

Sherry, how clever to do a tag to match the book cover. FANTASTIC!
You are very creative and your altered box for your distressed inks is wonderful!

I love reading your blog.

Carolyn S

CuddlyBunny said...

I think you did a fantastic job with this challenge! It's gorgeous!

And your stamp pad "cabinet" is great! Thanks for idea, too, to label the visible edges of the stamp pads. Only the cows now how long it would have taken me to figure that out on my own!

Deborah said...

I have quite a few distress powders but never remember to use them (I'm not a great embosser anyway). But I rather liked the effect using them with distress inks (not the clear distress embossing ink). Have you tried that? You may like the results better. I tend to like things that look a bit rusty anyway.

I love your new ink storage. Charity shops in Cambridge are pants!

Terry said...

Stunning tag and great colors! I had my DH build me an ink storage unit, but now I need another for the Distress inks! TFS!

Lynn Stevens said...

sweet tag and Love your ink holder. I need to make something like that for mine!