And so it begins *insert applause*: Grungy Monday

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I'm sure all of you remember our Lovely Linda at Studio L3 promising us that something wonderful was already in the works to replace the Compendium Challenges which ended March 13, 2011.

And here we are at ... dah dah DUM ... Grungy Monday! Whistle! Cheer! Clap! Another excellent challenge series focusing on our friend Tim Holtz!

Of course, I'll admit that best of all for me is that Linda asked Terry and I to be her first ever Grungy Monday guest designers!

Color me tickled freakin' PINK people! Or, as you can see, blue. Tickled blue and purple and pearly perfect. With a feather even.

This first ever Grungy Monday challenge is a fun one focused on Tim's 2008 12 Tags of Christmas Day 10. This also fits another first: The first time I've participated in any way in the 12 Tags techniques! Shhh. Don't tell.

Alright, so I've reworked Tim's fun reindeer tag with some of his Stamper's Anonymous wings, new colors and a "Fly" theme rather than Ho Ho Ho (actually I reworked it three times and this is the one that I finally liked).

His inspiration and beautiful techniques on this piece are wonderful! I love Step 22, add perfect pearls to a pool of water, the most.

Why is this? Because it's like playing with a puddle of mercury minus the possibility of a trip to the emergency room! Honestly after you finish this step come back here and try to tell me it wasn't fun as hell glooping your brush around in the pearly goodness that always returns to itself.

Plus, those wings! Isn't that a supremely cool-looking set of wings? I know you're going to create your very own embossed grunge papery bit, so I don't need to emote so much.

In fact, take only a second or two more here with me (I'm about to provide a Products Used list with links where available), then get out of here and start creating your own non-Christmas version of Tim's tag!

Products Used:
Stamp: Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous (wings); Close to my Heart Delightful Alphabet (FLY){product retired}.
Ink: Distress Ink reinker chipped sapphire; Distress Ink broken china and embossing; Color Box Black.
Additives: Perfect Pearls Forever Blue; Perfect Pearls Forever Violet; unknown brand black embossing powder.
Embellishment: Vintage paper strip 1950s California middle school music book; JoAnn Craft Essentials alpha brads {product retired}; Close to my Heart Mini-Medley in pewter; Feather from some sad featherless bird.
Various: Tim Holtz flourish mask; Mini misters (for pearlized mist and water pool).

p.s. have you ever wished you could stalk Tim Holtz? Well, he's nothing if not accomodating: You can see what he's up to by clicking here and visiting his blog!