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.