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.
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.
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:
Oh Jean, this is absolutely fantastic!
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.
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!
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!
Jean – this is really gorgeous. Those ice skates look amazing. Everything about this tag is just perfect. Great job!
Love how you made the skates so 3d. They look so realistic!!! TFS
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
Bright festive tag! Skates almost real!
Your idea I used in a postcard to my friends. OK? 🙂 http://redluckymouse.blogspot.ru/2015/12/blog-post_5.html
(Greeting inscription on the card will be later.)