Tim Holtz Skates Tag

There’s just something about a pair of ice skates that says winter! Since I first saw the Tim Holtz skate die cuts from summer’s CHA, I’ve wanted to try them on a project.

Tim Holtz Skates Tag

I cut the skates from grunge board and applied gesso to them. I tried the gesso method after trying to paint the grunge board raw. I just wasn’t able to adequately cover the raw grunge board with the paints. The grunge board acted like a sponge with paint. After the gesso application, I painted the skates with Distress Paints – Picket Fence on the skate bodies, Black Soot on the heels and Brushed Pewter on the blades – and got good coverage. After the paints dried, I lightly sanded the skates for a distressed look. For a bit of sparkle, I added Clear Rock Candy Distress Glitter with Glossy Accents as the glue.

Tim Holtz Skates Tag

For the background, I cut a tag from grunge board with the Tim Holtz tag die and covered it with a piece of patterned paper from the Merriment stash to which I’d applied the Frosted Film. The Frosted Film in easy to apply and gives a nice finish to the paper. Something to note, the tag size just exceeds 6″ in height. I was using a 6″ x 6″ pattern from the paper pad, so rather than cut the tag down in height, I used a strip of paper at the bottom that is rotated 90 degrees to the other paper. The Word Band covers up the paper seam.

I laced the skates with the Natural Hemp Cord. I considered baker’s twine, but the Hemp Cord texture seemed more appropriate. I used a needle to thread the cord through the holes in the skate die cuts.

I applied the Picket Fence paint to the Word Band, let it dry a bit, and then rubbed it off leaving paint on the recessed words.

This isn’t “whip up a tag in a few minutes” project. This tag took a couple of days of trying things out and letting the die cut skates dry between the various applications of gesso, paints, and Glossy Accents! That being said, I really like how the skates turned out. I think it would be fun to make some as Christmas ornaments.

Supplies:

8 thoughts on “Tim Holtz Skates Tag”

  1. Your project turned out beautiful! I have this die but haven’t done anything with it yet. Thanks for all the tips about applying Gesso … I’ll keep it in mind.

  2. What a great tag! Love those skate dies. You’ve inspired me to use the grungeboard I’ve had in my stash for about 3 years, ha ha! Merry Christmas!

  3. I am so impressed with how ‘realistic’ your ice skates turned out! I love all the detail and your background is really gorgeous, Jean! Such a stunning tag!

  4. Jean i just love love your skate tag, totally the look that i would love to achieve, thanks for all your tips and i have ordered the die already. continued fun

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