Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #12

Another great Saturday with another great challenge from the fantastic technique book A Compendium of Curiosities Vol. III by non-other than Tim Holtz. We're already on the 12th challenge and it's called Distress Photo Tinting which can be found on page 41 of the Compendium book. Have you been playing along? Even if you haven't, it's okay. You can jump in at any time! Just grab your book, try out the technique on a project, and upload it to the challenge here.

Remember there are specific rules you must follow in order to be entered in the challenge for a chance to win some fabulous goodies, so take a few minutes to read the rules here before you post. Either way, it's a great way to learn and try out new techniques.

For more info about the challenge, keep reading to the end of my post today.

Okay, on to my project for this challenge... 

I have been in the Christmas mood with my crafting lately, so I decided on a framed display piece to remember my sweet mother-in-law, Saiko, who passed away a few years ago during the holiday season.

It started with this 5" x 7" frame I found at my local Goodwill store for only 69 cents.

I first painted the frame with two coats of Picket Fence Distress Paint.

Then I rubbed Antique Linen Distress Paint over the raised surfaces of the frame's details.

To give it a bit of sparkle and shine, I spritzed it with a few shots of Perfect Pearls spray.

Now it has a little shabby chic feel with a bit of sheen.

After cleaning the glass I brushed a thin coat of Matte Multi-Medium on the outer edges to prepare it for crackle paint in the next step.

The crackle should go on medium thick like this for best results. I blob it on, rather than brush it.

For the inside my frame I created a background by stenciling Fired Brick and Peeled Paint Distress Inks onto cream card stock using the Holiday Knit stencil.

After distressing the Holiday Knit background with Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress Inks, I stamped some starbursts from the Vintage Nostalgia stamp set by Stampers Anonymous. Then I adhered my tinted photo to the lower right area of the background piece, and after putting the glass on top, inserted everything into my frame.

The photo was taken a long time ago when my in-laws lived in New Hampshire and my daughter Jamie was only a year old. I love this photo of my mother-in-law because she rarely let me take her photo, always trying to hide her face or look away. This photo reminds me how sweet and shy she was and how much she loved Jamie. It was only a few years after this photo that she developed Parkinson's Disease. She had a rough handful of years before she passed away, but this photo is how I will always remember her in my mind and in my heart. Jamie is so much like her in so many ways. I always thought they shared a special bond. 

To adorn my frame I chose pretty holiday flowers from Petaloo, plus some sparkly ribbon from May Arts, and a couple of vintage style buttons from Tim Holtz.

Onto a card stock tag I stamped Merry Christmas (also from the Vintage Nostalgia set) and added some green Stickles as accents.

More flowers, ribbon and buttons adorn the frame around the tag.

Here's another look at my finished frame. I love that I have this keepsake to remember Saiko during the holidays. Who knows? Maybe I'll keep it out year-round.

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Do you have the fabulous Compendium of Curiosities Vol. III book by Tim Holtz? (the master of all things vintage and distressed.) If not, you can find one at your local craft store, scrapbook store, or you can get a signed copy by Tim himself by going here. 

You can find all the CC3 Challenge details and FAQs here.  The lovely Linda Ledbetter is our hostess of this fun series of challenges, and all you have to do to participate is create your project, and upload to her site. Be sure, though, to read through all the FAQs so you're eligible to win...

We're working our way through this fantastic book of techniques and tips, and challenging you to join in the fun. This round's challenge is sponsored by the great folks at The Funkie Junkie Boutique who have a fabulous gift voucher to give away to one lucky random winner. Also, the Curiosity Crew's Choice scores a giant prize pack of goodies straight from Tim and Mario!

And don't forget, you can find these great products I've used today at The Funkie Junkie online store.