Monday 31 December 2012

12 Tags of 2012 Complete!!!!


This one is right on the wire but I was determined to finish my 12th tag in 2012 and I was running one behind as November's tag got away from me.  You know how it as as life goes into fast forward on the run up to the holidays.  I am really hoping that it is not New Year in America yet so I am getting my speedy typing dusted off and here goes for my last two tags and my last blog post for this year.

I wanted my 12th tag to be the January tag to complete my 2012 tag set so I decided as I didn't have the metallic stains that Tim used for his 12th tag to work with the poinsettias that Tim used and then to make a fun shaker tag to match my December tag.  I have used coredinations card stock and I used a time embossing folder that I thought was very apt as we move from this year to next.  I made my poinsettias from the little leaves of the Autumn Gatherings strip die.  They were a little fiddly as all the leaves were individual pieces but I was happily with the overall effect.  It is the first time I have used this die as I do not yet have the long plates to use them properly and every time I think of splashing out on them the price has put me off a bit.  I loved the little pieces which are perfect for embellishing small projects so I think I will get them in the New Year when my finances have recovered - I know you know what I am talking about!!! ;-)

I tie dyed more ribbon to perfectly match my tags colour scheme  using Scattered Straw, Broken China and Dusty Concord distress inks.  I really love this technique for colouring ribbon and have used it time and time again to make the perfect trim to match my projects.

I also discovered as I was using the heat gun to dry a bit of ribbon that if you heat gems they magically turn into cabochons.....how neat is that.  It doesn't take much so be careful not to over do it but it is a nice effect and easy.  I filled my shaker with teeny tiny micro beads and wooden stars and added more gems and sparkle to the tag to hopefully give a bit of party glitz to my New Year celebratory tag.

The final touches were two beautiful hatpins from Prima (sorry Tim!!) and two charms to bring good luck and wisdom in the New Year .......I hope ;-)

Then tag complete here is my catch up November tag to complete my set...


I love the resist technique that Tim used for his November tag although I used distress ink rather than distress stains to create my background.  I did indulge in some distress stains splats - very therapeutic if you are feeling frazzled.  Once again I used the Autumn Gatherings die and more inky paper to cut out lovely Autumnal leaves and acorns.  I used some glassine paper (old purchase not yet opened until today) to make ruffles for the bottom of my tag.  A touch of glossy accents to shine my acorns and another matching prima hatpin with a leaf charm and some leafy green bling to finish my 12 tags of 2012 with less than two hours of this year to go - I am off to see if I made it in Tim land.

Happy New Year all my fellow 12 tag artists.  It has been wonderful seeing what everyone has made of Tim's wonderful inspiration.  I wonder what the New Year will bring from Tim.

A BIG THANK YOU to Tim (if you ever pop this way).  I have loved playing along and exploring new techniques and old.  It really was a really lovely challenge - INSPIRED.

Friday 21 December 2012

Tag Tuesday - Decorate a Christmas Bauble

The theme of Tag Tuesday this week was right up my street - I love all things Christmas and love to make things to decorate my home and of course my tree.  I have made a quick video of how I made this bauble and it was nice to take a break from all my lists of this and that to do before Tuesday next week!!!

Here is the bauble I am showing you how to make on the video below.


Here is one I made last year in a different colour way.


And if you really like the look of the bauble why not try covering a wreath?  It takes a while but it looks fab.  I made this one last year too and it now takes pride of place on my chimney breast.


One final bauble that can also be made from large punches or dies (my snowflake was a die and the circles were cut with the Cricut).  This one is really easy to make and takes hardly any time at all.  


I, like many others, have lovingly chosen all my Christmas baubles and decorations over the years but there is a moment of pride when the ones I have made are admired as much as the ones I have splashed out on!  I am especially fond of some material baubles that my hubby and my eldest son made many years ago.  I think I may get my youngest started this year!

Hope you like the video!


I just want to say a big THANK YOU and to send a big HUG to my tag swap friends Anni, Barb, Mo, Jane and Jan.  I love receiving your tags and unwrapping them.  How wonderful to hold actual tags in my hands.  Thank you too to Carolyn for arranging the swap it was a lovely bit of Christmas fun.

Wishing everyone at Tag Tuesday a wonderful Christmas (with stockings full of crafty goodies!) and a happy and healthy New Year with time to play!

Merry Christmas X

Tuesday 11 December 2012

12 Tags of 2012 - December

I am now only 2 tags behind as I missed November - I can't believe I am falling at the last hurdle.  I am going to try to catch up in between the decorating and the shopping - might help me hold on to my sanity in this the silly season!!!  So here is my December tag for Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012.....

Snowman Snowing Tag!
I decided to make a video whilst I was making this.  I quite like making these 'fast forward' how to videos as they are quite fun for me to watch back - You see only I know how many times I stopped the video to go to look for something and how many times I had to cut my head out of shot as I leant forward to concentrate!!!  .....and then when I think my video looks super organised and clutter free I have a chuckle to myself as I know the chaos that builds up around me as I work!  Take a look at the video and you will see what I mean ;-)

As usual I do not have all the lovely goodies that Tim uses but that is what makes each and every one of our tags unique and I have loved that about this challenge......oh and of course the encouragement to shop for the odd must have new addition to my stash - Thank you Tim ;-)

So without further ado a quick how I did it video......


Hope you are more organised than me and are enjoying all the festive preparations.  I am decorating my trees tonight - Baubles by OCD tree decorator - poor Callum - he has learned to humour me now ;-)
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