ATC based on Tim's July Tag of 2013

Tim Holtz has some great new ways of using Distress Stains on his July Tag of the 12 tags of 2013 series. Check out the fabulous step-by-step instructions and photos on his blog. I made an ATC using some of these techniques with the supplies I already had at home, so mine is a bit different.

I ran out of the Rock Candy Distress crackle paint that Tim show's a fab technique with. I decided using tarnished brass Distress crackle paint would give my embellishments a nice "patriotic" look, so brushed it on over some die cuts and let it dry. (I think I did a heavier application of the paint than what Tim suggested).

 Next, applied Distress Stains over the dried crackle paint and bubbled it in using a heat tool. Cool!

 Following Tim's other technique, dabbed some Distress Stain on a craft sheet and lightly ran a brayer over the stain to pick up dots of stain, then ran the brayer over the cut manilla folder, heat set, then repeated with another color of Distress Stain. Cool background technique! Then colored the edges of the ATC with walnut ink Distress Ink.

 To finish my ATC, stamped part of a Pledge of Allegiance stamp on the background with walnut stain Distress Ink, and used this ink to color the edges of two word stickers. Adhered my Distress Stain over Crackle Paint embellishments on the ATC along with 3 tiny brass stars. Fun project!