Compendium of Curiosities Challenge 27 - Embossing Diffusers

Welcome once again to another fun Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge!

The current challenge is "Embossing Diffusers" and can be found on page 61 in the book 

A Compendium of Curiosities Vol. III.

The Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge is 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 and Mario and you also have a chance to win the random draw from our generous sponsor this time: Inspiration Emporium. That's a whopping $50 gift certificate! All the details, rules and links are at the end of my post so be sure to keep reading all the way through.


Now, back to the challenge! I have to admit, this was a new one for me. I didn't have any embossing diffusers and honestly didn't know this product even existed. (Shame on me, right?) Luckily I already had a Sizzix crease pad which worked beautifully in the sandwich as Tim describes it in the book.  He actually used the silicone rubber pad, but I found I got a better impression with the crease pad. You'll have to test it out and see what works best for you.

With me and my hubby's 23rd anniversary just around the corner (May 9th), I thought I'd make his card early so I wouldn't forget. My style may be vintage feminine, but I do love switching into masculine mode when creating projects for a change. Don't you? Let me share how it came together.

This shows the Embossing Diffuser in action, without giving away too much from the book. I used the smallest heart in the set as well as the Airmail & Compass texture fades.

I used dark blue Kraft Core card stock and sanded the raised areas.

Onto some Correspondence Paper Stash, I traced the small heart onto an area of the 3 x 4 sheet and cut it out a little smaller than the traced line.

I grabbed some other supplies, and cut more papers. I also gathered a few ephemera pieces from the Expedition pack.

I wanted to pull some red into all the small metal pieces, so I dabbed on some Fired Brick Distress Paint, then followed up with a touch of Mushroom Alcohol Ink.

Onto the blue card stock, I started to layer some of my elements, wrapping some May Arts red-white-and blue baker's twine around the unit a few times. Notice the ephemera piece tucked behind the striped paper at the top? It's a postage stamp from the ephemera pack that reads U.S. Air Mail, but I tucked it behind the strip so it looked more like "US."

I attached the heart with a brad through this layer too.

Then I flipped it over and put plenty of black foam tape to pop up this unit on my card base.

My card base is kraft and the next layer is a deep red. I added a Typed Token and more baker's twine to the top of my card.

I layered more ephemera pieces and adhered a Pen Nib and the number tiles 2 and 3 (Spare Parts, Hobby Lobby). The Admit One ticket next to the heart? Well, there's only one place in my heart and it's for Paul. (Corny, right?)

And let's not forget the inside of the card. More Correspondence paper and some embossing for added texture. Now to write a sweet message to my best pal...

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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 Inspiration Emporium 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 Inspiration Emporium's online store.