Compendium of Curiosities Challenge 20 - Watercoloring 2

Hello and happy Saturday, all! It's another fun technique to try in the Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge hosted by our lovely hostess Linda Ledbetter on her blog. Each challenge comes from the wonderful book "A Compendium of Curiosities Vol. III" featuring amazing products and techniques by non-other than Tim Holtz.

Join us with your creation based on the featured technique and your project could win you an awesome prize pack from Tim & Mario and you also have a chance to win the random draw from our generous sponsor this time: The Funkie Junkie Boutique. All the details, rules and links are at the end of my post so be sure to keep reading all the way through.

The current challenge can be found on page 40 and is called "Distress Watercoloring Part 2." You may remember Part 1 back in June. I created this card. When reading through the current challenge, I discovered that I had done both part 1 and part 2 back then. Oops! Guess it pays to pay attention, eh?

I decided on a non-traditional Valentine-themed project this time with these fun little gift bags, which can be filled with something sweet, a small gift, or love coupons... if you are so inclined.

As the technique describes, I started with a sheet of Ranger Distress Watercolor Cardstock. I knew I was going to make a few of these Valentine bags, so I tried to be economical with my cardstock and cut it like so.

Then stamped my images like this.

Then I had some fun with the watercoloring technique. As you can see, lots of bright, non-traditional colors for Valentines Day, but since these will be for my teenage daughter and her friends I went off the beaten path.

I used the We R Memory Keepers Gift Bag Punch Board to make a large bag from a 6" x 12" piece  of red Kraft Core. Then I cut a piece of corrugated cardstock 3" x 4 1/4" and nipped away the bottom to create a banner piece.

Next I assembled the gift bag and sand-distressed it. I brushed a light coat of Distress Paint over the raised corrugated, then inked the outer edges with Black Soot. Each gift bag has a different color paint.

Then I assembled the embellishments onto the bags. I created a simple handle and added a black vintage lace cardstock border around the bottom. This red gift bag has a seam binding ribbon colored with Evergreen Bough Distress Stain. 

This ribbon was colored with Victorian Velvet Distress Stain.

And this ribbon was colored with Festive Berries Distress Stain.

Did you happen to notice the different arrows for my heart charms? I had only two of the shorter arrows, so I subbed a clock spinner for this one. Worked great!

The more I do this technique, the more I love it! Coloring has always made me a happy girl.

So, will you join us in this fun challenge? I hope so! Let's see what you've got.

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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 many of these great products I've used today at The Funkie Junkie online store.