12 Tags of 2014 - December

I'm nudging the rules a bit and made an ATC rather than a tag.  I followed what Tim did ... kind of (as usual!).  Tim's December tag is HERE and this is what I came up with.

I'm also entering this in Wicked Wednesday's Winter Holiday and/or Silver or Gold challenge.

Products Used:
bristol paper
Distress Paint and Ink
Dylusions spray
Silver and black inks
Sizzix Festive Foliage
Washi tape
Grungeboard
Sizzix Reindeer Flight
Tinsel ribbon
Laser cut wood word
Vellum
Ultra fine glitter

Cheers!

12 Tags - August

I have been horribly remiss in my participation in Tim Holtz's monthly tags.  I think my last one was March.  I had to do a bit of experimentation on this with mixed results.  See Tim's August tag by clicking HERE and here is my tag.

My first bit of experimentation was using Memento ink instead of Ranger's Archival Ink.  I really need to pick some of that up but thought I could get away with not having it.  How many black inks does one really need?  Apparently one more.  The Memento didn't really work on top of the tape so I used black StazOn instead.  It worked okay but I had to do some touching up on her face with my Pitt pen.

My next bit of experimentation was using embossing paste rather than texture paste.  The stain didn't seep into the embossing paste like it did the texture paste.  I kind of like the way it turned out though.

My third experiment was to combine regular acrylic paint with Distress Paint on the gears.  That worked out pretty well too.  Good to know.

I'm adding this to the Stampotique Designers Challenge Bows challenge this week too.

Have a great week!

12 Tags of 2014 - February

Hey, it's not even the last day of February and I've got my 'tag' finished!  This month Tim used stencils, embossing, and a faux chalkboard technique on his tag.  See his HERE.  I created an ATC inspired by his tag with mixed results.

 

 

I created my background using a technique similar to his.  I schmeared some Pumice Stone and Walnut Stain Distress Inks on my craft mat and gave them a spritz with water.  Using a base of white cardstock, I dragged it through the inks, dried with a heat gun, and dragged it through the leftover ink again, dried, etc. until all of the ink was used up.  I distressed the edges with scissors and then inked them up with Walnut Stain.

I don't have a heart stencil so opted for a heart border stamp instead.  Using Fired Brick and Barn Door Distress Inks I stamped over the dried cardstock.  I immediately dumped clear embossing powder over the top and then heated it.  The embossing powder didn't stick very well - kind of spotty - but it's a background so no worries.

My chalkboard sentiment failed the first time (since I didn't read directions!).  I used Versamark ink and clear embossing powder on black cardstock and heated it thoroughly.  The chalk didn't stick since it was shiny.  Oops.  I repeated it heating only until it first started melting.  My result is okay, but it's a little hard to read.  Maybe because the font is fine-lined?  Or because I used Versamark and regular embossing powder?  Regardless, it's still legible.

Next, I liked Tim's metallic border but don't have the fancy stickers.  I went with metal tape, an embossing folder and a scallop border die instead.  After I cut the border I dabbed alcohol ink over the top.

 To put it all together and finish it off, I went with an inked up book page ripped into the shape of a heart and some red and brown bakers twine.

I'm still undecided if this is a success or not, but I had never tried embossing with Distress Inks or the faux chalkboard techique before - both of which I'd wanted to try.  So in that sense, it's a success.  Thanks for stopping by and Happy (Belated) Valentines' Day!

12 Tags of 2014 - January

I completely fell off the wagon last year with my 12 Tags attempt.  Lost my mojo around August.  Never one to give up, I'm trying again this year.

This is my tweak of Tim Holtz's January 2014 tag; not a tag, but an ATC for moi.

Initially this started out as an ATC for a metal-themed swap I'm in, but maybe I'll just sneak it into my own collection.  As I worked on it I kept thinking "layers, layers, layers".  For me, this is a lotta layers.

Products:
Metal tape: Lowes
Distress Paint: Seedless Preserves, Pewter
Distress Inks:  Walnut Stain, Black Soot
Acrylic Paint: black
Embossing folder: TH
Voter pamphlet: State of WA  ;)
Fabric flower: Prima
Dream ticket: TH
Clock die: TH

Here's another view.

Thanks for stopping by!