TEBB Challenge # 11 Hosted by Laurie Schmidlin

Good Evening! Are you enjoying all of the Birthday Bash challenges so far? If you are just now joining us, make sure to scroll down and check out all of the challenges, as there are some AMAZING prizes being given away! :-)

The challenge I have for you is a technique challenge. I would not normally classify myself as a "technique stamper" so to speak, but the one I am sharing with you today is one that I use on a constant basis!

CHALLENGE: Create a card or project using some form of Paper Distressing! Don't know what paper distressing is? Well, I have detailed instructions (with photos) below, so keep on reading! :-)


KEYWORD: Upload your creation to your blog or online gallery (or both) and come back here and leave a direct link to your creation in the comments section on this post. If you upload to an online gallery please use the keyword TEBBLS.

PRIZE: Oh YEAH, there's prizes!!! Woohooo!! Upload your creation (with the link entered here on this post) before Midnight PST on September 9th. I will choose my favorite creation and the lucky winner will receive the card I created for this challenge along with a $10 gift certificate to the Taylored Expressions store!!!

GRAND PRIZE: One random person who participates in ALL 13 of our Birthday Bash challenges will receive a $50 gift certificate to the TE Store in addition to an 8x10 custom watercolor Cuppie painting by our very own Jessie Oleson! Click here to check out all of Jessie's adorable artwork at her Etsy Shop. Once you complete and link all 13 challenges, send an email to tayloredexpressions@gmail.com to be eligible for our grand prize! Just include your name and “I completed all 13 challenges!”

Below is the card I created for my "paper distressing" challenge!

I just adore the paper distressed look...it has such a warm and cozy feel! So...what is paper distressing? Well here is the dictionary definition of distress (well, the part that would apply to how it is used here): to dent, scratch, or stain (furniture, lumber, or the like) so as to give an appearance of age. So, what does this mean for paper crafters? That is where your creativity comes into play!!

One of the more popular forms of achieving the distressed look is ink distressing. Ink distressing is simply applying ink to your project to give it an aged appearance. I like to use sponges (such as the ones pictured above) but you can also apply it directly to your project from the ink pad.

To give you a visual picture of the warmth that ink distressing adds I've taken a picture of a few of the elements that I used on my card before I ink distressed them.

Here is the "after" photo"! I used a combination of Antique Linen Distress ink and Vintage Photo Distress ink.

Ink distressing in not just for cards!! I often like to add warmth to my ribbons, flowers, or other embellishments. I use the same technique as I do for paper...a good sponge and some ink! :-) I love that it gives it a "tea dyed" appearance...but without all of the work! :-)

Another way I like to distress my cards is to rough them up - make them look worn! There are so many ways to achieve this, but some of my favorites are: using sandpaper on patterned paper (wear down some of the patter), tear up the edges a bit, rub the edges with the edge of a bone folder, or use a paper distressing tool to shave off part of the edges.

Really, when it comes to paper distressing there is no wrong way! I hope that I've given you a few ideas and that you will play along! I can't wait to see your creations!! :-) ~Laurie

Stamps: Beary Special, Beary Special Accessories

Paper: Choice Buttercream c.s., Prism Tawny c.s., K & Co. Patterned Paper

Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento Ink, Anna Griffin Brown Pigment ink, Antique Linen Distress Ink, Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Accessories: Copic markers (for shading on bear), Heart Nestabilities, Lace Trim ribbon, Vanilla Taffeta ribbon, Rhinestones, Charm, Prima Flower, Sewing Machine, Cuttlebug Script embossing folder