"Time Flies" Again by Linda Hess

Hard to believe that 6 months have passed since I began my time with the Sin City Stamps design team, but here I am posting my last project! 

With "time" in mind I look back at time with my husband, a man who has been in my life off and on since high school.  Fell flat on my face for him at 16 and always had him in my heart (even as we were apart and dating others)...sometimes the heart truly knows what is right.  26 yrs of marriage (won't tell you how many since I was 16!) and 3 beautiful children we are almost (but not quite) to the empty nest stage.  WOAH...how the heck did that happen when we haven't changed a bit?

Mixed media has become my "medium" of choice.  Off to the studio I go to collect a bit of this and a bit of that...

Materials:
http://www.sincitystamps.com  : Couples Clock UM rubber stamp, Time Flies UM rubber stamp, New Year's Chipboard Book
ComposiMold  (http://composimold.com/)
polymer clay (I use Premo!Sculpey for most of my claying needs)
ColorBox Archival Dye ink (http://www.clearsnap.com)
small canvas (6"x6" shown)
acrylic paint
sponge or brush
The Ultimate Glue (www.crafterspick.com)


First, I cut away the wording from the "Time Flies" and set it aside. The couples clock and the flying clock were taped with double stick tape into a metal tray.  ComposiMold was melted according to directions and poured over the stamps. 

I let it set from about 15-20 minutes to make sure it was completely gelled before removing the mold from the tray...PERFECT! 

Clay was pressed firmly into the molds. Once removed, edges were cleaned up (trimmed) before inking. 


 

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I tried adding cane slices to the mold for extra detail on the wings.  As you can see, they didn't really work when pressed into the mold, so I cut them off.  After inking the watch image I added cane slices to make it fly

ColorBox Archival ink was patted on top of the polymer clay clock and watch to bring out the design.  Patience is a virtue when inking as it never inks completely on the first try.  I patted the ink pad back and forth, up and down, and then back and forth again before getting it completely covered. 


 

 Once inked place clay pieces into the oven to bake (275 degrees for 15-20 minutes).

While those bake, paint the canvas, small chipboard plaque, and 2 chipboard gears in color of choice (I used Deco Art's Dazzling Metallics in Splendid Gold). 

Once plaque is dry, ink "Time Flies" saying and stamp. [note: I found it was easier to perfectly place the saying if the plaque was placed on top of the stamp rather than the other way around]  Gently press edges onto stamp pad to "age" and highlight.

 

Now to put everything together.  Pictures are cut to fit.  I used a corner paper punch to curve the edges. 

 

Pictures are layered with chipboard & polymer clay components. 

Hmmmm, something is missing....off to the cabinets I run.....

Pearl Dots are the perfect final touch to this super simple canvas! 

 

 

Everything can now be glued in place.  Once dry, it will be ready to hang.  Now to find a space on my wall :-)

 

Angel of Hope by Linda Hess

 

 

 

As a Christmas baby (December 23) my mother began collecting angels for me from the day I was born.  As I grew, I began adding to the collection on my own until it has found its way into pretty much every room in our home.  With that in mind, you can imagine that they have emerged in my various crafting projects. 

As I looked through the Sin City Stamps shop I found the Wings Stencil (#scs114).  I had to have it! A design quickly began to take shape in my head.  As soon as the package arrived I began experimenting with a variety of papers and embossing powder colors until I finally hit on the combo that met my vision.

Place stencil on paper and use VersaMark to stamp over the opening.  Make sure to cover image completely.  The VersaMark product has a longer drying time than regular ink pads, so it allows extra time for adding embossing powder after the stencil is removed.  (Note: Since I was placing this into a frame with an existing mat I made sure to leave enough space around the wing image to fill the space)

Sprinkle stamped image liberally with embossing powder (shown: Recollections Vintage Blue).  Pour excess powder back into the jar.  Check image and clean up any excess powder clinging to the paper BEFORE heating!

Heat until set.  Be sure to move the heat gun back & forth while setting powder otherwise the paper can scorch!  (Note: if this is your first time to work with embossing powder be sure to start heating on a low setting)

With the base for my project complete it is (of course) time to pull out the polymer clay.  I have a wonderful doll mold from Penni Jo Couch's Best Flexible Molds (www.bestflexiblemolds.com) [Caboshapes II- Divas].  The large doll/Diva shape fits perfectly with the wings.  I put a few slices of patterned cane together, smoothing the seams (contact me directly for more info on polymer clay canes).  I then positioned the sheet of patterned clay in the mold and added additional clay to fill out the bodice and face.  Once filled excess clay is removed

and the angel body is unmolded.

With the wings being so glittery, the angel really needed a little bling.  I grabbed a few heat set crystals from Creative Crystal (www.creativecrystal.com) and pressed them into place.  I also created some arms for her. 

Perfect!   Into the oven the body goes.  275 degrees for about 20 minutes.  While I wait, I think the plain white mat may need a bit of help.  Time for embellishment!

I pulled out the Flourish Mask (#scm112) from Sin City.  Holding it in place, I held my breath as I made the 1st mark with the ink.  WHEW...Exactly what I was hoping for.

I quickly stamped the flourish spirals around the mat.  Hmmmm, it needs something else....

This month we are working with EC Ecstasy Crafts (www.ecstasycrafts.com).  I looked in my package and found gorgeous outline stickers (Starform Outline Stickers #1225).  What a great touch for the edges and to highlight the center. 

 

Better, but something is still missing.  Off to my studio stash I go....

 

Metal scrapbooking words added the right touch.

 

A final detail is to amp up the plain, black frame.  I ran the VersaMark pad along each inner edge and sprinkled on some embossing powder (one edge at a time).  Excess powder was brushed away and then heat set. 

The metal words & clay figure were glued in place with The Ultimate glue (my favorite for everything!).  Double stick tape attached the paper & mat together.  Then it was placed into the frame.  Now to find somewhere to hang it!!

 

I hope you have enjoyed this process as much as I have enjoyed creating it.  See you next time!