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12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2011 - Day 12 by Ellen

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house...

This is the theme of my last tag of the year. Day 12, Tag 12 - the end of our 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist for the year 2011. We hope you enjoyed the twists that we shared here in the CLASSroom this year. Yes, it is a labor of love that pushes us through each year. It is a "mission" each day just to get these completed in a manner that we hope inspires you.

Today it is my desire to share several more ways for you to use tissue paper in your projects, as well as share one more resist technique with you!

Don't you find these contemporary, yet rustic little dwellings, sitting in a snowbank with Santa flying overhead simply cute!

Adhering tissue paper to a surface can be done in ways atypical to the usual glues and adhesives. If you would like to add color to your project Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Line is the PERFECT way to add your tissue paper! First cut the dwellings from Craft-a-Board. Apply a layer of Studio Paint.

For variation and interest I added a second color in a streaky manner. You could stamp patterns or use stencils to add variation as well. I was trying to keep today's projects simple and colorful.

Immediately, while the paint is still wet, attach your tissue paper to your project by placing it on the painted surface and applying pressure evenly over the entire surface. Magically the color appears through the tissue paper in a wonderful muted way.

Aren't these just the sweetest mix of colors - right now I am picturing myself in a tranquil setting on the Italian coastline where their homes are so magically colored. How divine!

To add snow to the rooftops follow the same technique I showed a few days ago. Using Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint apply along the roofline and drag a piercing tool through the paint for a random appearance. Sprinkle silver and clear glass glitter (Twinklets Diamond Dust) into the wet paint. Allow to dry.

Streak Picket Fence Distress Stain randomly over a manila tag.

Add "icicles" to the manila tag surface by randomly streaking Rock Candy Distress Crackle paint on the surface. Apply enough so that you get random cracking. The more you apply, the larger the cracks, with thinner layers providing smaller cracks. Allow to dry.

This surface is absolutely fabulous and very "icy" looking, but I had more to show you ;-D

Using an ink blending tool, in a circular motion, add both Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky distress ink at random to your surface.

Stamp snowflakes in both Stormy Sky and Tumbled Glass.

Make a corner of a soft towel or paper towel damp and wipe the excess ink from the surface where the Rock Candy Crackle paint is applied. Your snowflakes will start disappearing into the night sky.

To create your snowbank use a piece of tissue that has the tiny pinked edge formed by the cutting blade on the packaging on one side and a haphazardly torn edge on the other side. Crumple your tissue paper and then straighten back out. Apply Tumbled Glass distress stain in a random way and dry with a heat tool.

Cut a piece of manila cardstock to fit the width of the tag from the edges of the houses. Tear a random pattern in the top of this snowbank.

On the side opposite of the Distress Stained tissue paper, apply a layer of Gloss Multi-Medium.

Pleat, crumple, and mash the tissue paper to fit and adhere to the manila cardstock snowbank you created above.

Apply another layer of Gloss Multi-Medium to the surface by pouncing with a paintbrush. Sprinkle with both silver and clear glass glitter. Allow to dry.

I love having both 1/16" and 1/8" dimensional squares for adding depth to projects. When you need to layer items one on top of another you can achieve a "flat" look by combining the adhesive squares dependent upon where it is being attached to your project.

As you can see, one of the edges of my blue house is mounted on the tag and the other is mounted on top of the other dwelling. By placing the thicker dimensional on the side that is mounted directly to the tag it keeps my house level. Yes, the perfectionist in my is always coming out and I thought I would share this little trick with you in hopes that it will help other perfectionists out here in cyberville - LOL!

Tip: Create a more unifed balance by spacing these dwellings of different sizes and shapes in an assymetrical way. In other words, don't center the red house or it will not look right. It's all about breaking up your space into thirds and fifths - the Roman mean. Yep, that puts me right back in Italy and I'm going back to the Cinque Terre - ha, ha!

I needed to use my second set of hands, my self-closing tweezers, to knot my baker's twine and add the little jingle bell.

Since it is Christmas Eve I decided to add one simple "window" to my dwelling, but needed to alter the color ever so slightly to coordinate with the house on the left and Santa's face - Delicata Gold ink to the rescue!

One last parting shot of our last tag of the season. We hope that you have enjoyed your time here with us and with that we would like to close with... Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

stamps: Tim Holtz Winter Sketchbook 

ink: Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky, Distress Stain - Picket Fence and Tumbled Glass

paper: Manila Cardstock, Craft-a-board, Terminology Tissue Wrap

accessories: Studio Line - Dab of Yellow, Yellow Pastel, Modern Red, Dash of Red, Sky Blue, Landscape Green, Glossy Multi-Medium; Off White Twill, Silver Tinsel, Santa Christmas Ornament (these are absolutely darling and the size is perfect for crafting!), Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint, Silver Glitter Glass, Twinklets Diamond Dust, Bakers Twine, Jingle Bell, Game Pieces

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It's our last day of blog candy, but the party is far from over! Be certain to join us again tomorrow as we get our Hero Arts preview party started. Due to the "inconveniences" of today (yes, my studio is in complete disarray as the neighbors flooded toilet made an amazing mess in our office and warehouse - who would have thought a toilet contains that much water!) I am not certain when we will be able to get our first post up, but it is on to Plan B for the short term as I try to wade through this - ha, ha! Gotta laugh about it or I just might be sitting in a puddle crying - double ha, ha!

To be eligible for the random drawing of the goodies shown above please leave a comment here on this post by noon Pacific Time, Wednesday, December 14th. 

One last reminder that the goodies in the 12 Days Tag Time will be on sale until tomorrow morning at 9:00am, so if you have been inspired to try something new and different please head over to take advantage of the savings.

Thank you all once again for joining us here in the CLASSroom. We sincerely hope that we have brought a bright spot to your holiday season, that you have been inspired, and hopefully, have picked up a couple of new ideas to use in your creating!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2011 - Day 11 by Ellen

It was 10 years ago, when I attended my first rubberstamp convention here in Puyallup, WA, that Suze Weinberg was showing Melt Art. I dabbled with my Melting Pot since that time having loads of fun when I pull it out. It was so fun to see Tim playing with it today, showing how to create Shrink Art embellishments. We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new rebranded product - I am hoping that Tim posting means that they will soon be on their way! 

I thought I would share a twist on the technique Tim shared with you today; one that brings in some of the other products you may have in your stash.

These irridescent beauties sing in real life - LOL! OK, so that's stretching it just a touch, but they certainly are stunning. I think they might make the cutest earrings, as well as tag embellishments.

For this particular project I used Black Shrink Plastic. You can find it in this Sample Pack. I hope in the days ahead to share several of the other techniques that I played with today while I had my Melting Pot ready for action. There are SO many possibilities!

I put about 2 oz of UTEE into my Melting Pot turning the heat to the UTEE setting. Put the lid on and leave it untouched until the UTEE is completely melted.

Do not be alarmed by the twisting and turning motion of the shrink plastic as you place it in the hot UTEE and it begins to melt.

Remember UTEE is HOT!!! So always be cautious while working. I always have my Kooltoolz handy along with my self-closing Teflon tweezers. The spoon shown above works great for flattening your shrink plastic into the UTEE and you do not need to worry about damaging it with the hot pot and UTEE.

Once my piece is flattened I like to move it towards the front end of the pot into a more shallow area of the liquid and then grab the end with my non-stick tweezers. The UTEE will build up on the non-stick tweezers, but it is easily removed!

Before removing the shrink plastic ornament from the UTEE ink your stamp with Perfect Medium. This will aid in easy release of the stamp from the UTEE and provide the perfect medium for adding Perfect Pearls.

I followed Tim's recommendation to pull the embellishment along my non-stick craft sheet before continuing. It worked like a charm (ha, ha - get it, "charm.") Immediately impress your stamp into the warm UTEE. Allow the stamp to sit for a couple of seconds and then remove. Magical texture!

Perfect Pearls over black is STUNNING! Use a soft brush to apply the powder and to remove the excess.

I wanted to test a clear stamp to see if it would work, because I wasn't certain how it would hold up. Once again I inked the stamp with Perfect Medium.

It was wonderful being able to see through the stamp to precisely place my image on the ornament.

Perfection! As you can see the detail in this stamp is super fine, whereas the red rubber stamp I selected had a bolder image. Exciting to know that both types of stamps work for this technique!

Once again you will see the pattern and texture emerge as you brush on the powder. Place the excess powder back into the container when you are finished.

As you can see I had little "nubbins" on the edges of my ornaments. Once the UTEE has cooled you need to be careful about removing the excess, so as to not crack your project.

I like to use the edge of my Melting Pot to finesse my UTEE pieces. Be super careful so that you don't put your fingers on the hot surface. I find it quite simple to hold the piece and use the heat to soften and melt those weird little pieces that jutt from the edges. It also helps to soften the UTEE slightly so that cutting with scissors and or just scraping with your fingernail works easily.

To create my tag background I use a very old resist technique. This is one of the very first techniques I learned as a stamper and I love it to this day. Glossy cardstock lends a contemporary feel to a project and I wanted that feel with these ornamental beauties.

Ink your background stamp with a watermark resist ink and stamp on white glossy cardstock. I like to place my tag atop the stamp as shown above and then use a piece of scratch paper over the top and apply pressure evenly over the surface. Glossy cardstock is slippery and this helps me keep from smudging it with excessive movement.

Lightly heat the surface of the tag and set the ink. Then apply dye ink to your brayer and roll it over the tag. It is like watching a ghost appear :-D So cool!

Add a second color for interest. In this case I elected to use two green dye inks that are fairly monochromatic.

After brayering on the second color use a soft paper towel or cloth to remove the excess ink.

I don't know how many of you like to work with wire, but it was so fun to use it on this project. I like using a heavier gauge wire, shaping as needed. THEN to add interest hammer the wire, flattening it. You will not be able to change the shape once you flatten the wire so be certain you have the desired shape before hammering. Hammered wire is so cool looking!

I hope you enjoy the contemporary twist that I took with today's tag - bold, yet simple and elegant at the same time.

stamps: Hero Arts Cling Dot Flower Pattern, Antique Sweet Threads Cling Stamp,

ink: Perfect Medium, Inkssentials Watermark Resist Pad, Adirondack Juniper Dye Ink Pad, Iced Spruce Distress Ink Pad

paper: Glossy Cardstock

accessories: Tim Holtz Ornaments 2, Vintage Lace and Tags & Bookplates Die, Assorted Polyshrink Sampler, Perfect Pearls Brush, Perfect Pearls - Sour Apple, Grape Fizz, Pink Gumball, 20-gauge wire, Inkssentials Metal Foil, Brayer, Clear UTEE, Melting Pot, Kooltoolz, Tweezer Bee, White Silk Ribbon

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Day 11 - it's hard to believe how quickly time passes! I have very much enjoyed reading your comments! Christmas Eve is typically spent together with my husband's family. I think it is their Welsh background that brings the tradition of making homemade beef and noodles each year. The noodles have to be hand-rolled and laid out on the counters to dry. It is quite the spectacle and oh, so delicious! I would love to hear what one of your favorite Christmas Eve traditions is. By leaving a comment (one comment per person please) below you will be eligible for the random drawing for the Mini Reindeer & 25 Die set and Shabby Accoutrements shown above. Please do so by noon on Tuesday, December 13.

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2011 - Day 10 by Ellen

Tim's technique of the day today is ubber fun to play with!

Yes, it truly does look like Vintage Mercury Glass when you add the Inkssentials Foil behind the transfer!!!

I began by applying packing tape to a beautiful Melissa Frances image. Be certain to burnish the tape to the image making certain there are no air bubbles. Then place the tape in bowl of warm water. To remove the paper gently rub between your fingers. I find that if I finish the image as I run water over it under the tape I am able to remove the final bits of paper easily. Work gently so that you do not scratch your image.

Partly remove the backing from a piece of Inkssentials Foil and carefully adhere your packing tape transfer. Make certain that the adhesive side of your packing tape is attached to the sticky side of the foil.

I would like to try this on a larger sized image and try diecutting a foil backed tranfer. It looks so cool just as it is!

To make a statement piece I used a Facet and yes, I applied WAY too much glossy accents - LOL! I have created these embellishments before where I did not apply enough glossy accents and ended up ruining the piece, so I have always been a little too generous with my glossy accents since that time. You will notice that I have also used Icicle Stickles around the rim. By adding the Stickles to the edges you get a little bit of glitter just around the edges of your image.

Place the fragment down on to the foil backed transfer and squeeze out any excess adhesive. Very careful wipe it away as you do so to avoid getting it on the face of your facet. Allow to dry and cut out around edge.

Diecut six wings from Craft-a-Board. Use the base of one wing and trace the edge to alter the length of a second set of wings. In hindsight I wished that I had run these through a textured embossing folder at this point. Perhaps tomorrow I will find the time to try this because when looking at the final photos it just isn't as pretty in the photo as in real life because I couldn't capture the variance in the sheen.

Spray with Biscotti Perfect Pearl mist.

Spray with Calico White mist and then spray with a little more Biscotti Perfect Pearl mist in some spots.

Use the gold paint dabber to "tip" the wings.

Apply some Ultimate Glue randomly to the edges of the wings and add glass glitter. Attach the wings by applying dimensional adhesive dots between layers.

This is one of my favorite "shabby" background techniques. Use a Snow Cap dabber to apply paint to a background stamp.

Allow to dry before proceeding.

Use an ink blending tool and in a swirling motion apply ink starting on non-stick craft sheet and swirling onto the tag. This is what really makes the white pop and colors it ever so slightly at the same time.

Add some tulle and pleated satin trim to the base of the tag.

Lightly sand the Antique Brass reinforcer before applying.

What says Christmas more than Baby Jesus in the Manger surrounded by angels? So soft, pretty and angelic.

stamps: Hero Arts Cling Classic Fabric Design

ink: Distress Ink - Bundled Sage and Iced Spruce

paper: Manila Cardstock, Melissa Frances Deck the Halls, Craft-a-Board

accessories: Angel Wings Die, Tim Holtz Tags & Bookplates Die, Facet, Inkssentials Metal Foil, Packing Tape, Glossy Accents, Icicle Stickles, Snow Cap and Gold Paint Dabber, Melissa Frances Gold Glass Glitter, Maya Road Tulle and Pleated Satin Trim, White Studio Calico Spray, Biscotti Perfect Pearls Mist, 7 Gyspies Reinforcer, Silk Ribbon

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I loved hearing what your favorite holiday movies are so much that I decided this time round I'd like to hear what your favorite holiday treat is? It can be food related or simply something you do for yourself during the holiday season that makes it special. Leave your comment on this post and it will automatically enter you in the random drawing for the Distressed Doily die and Calico Shine spray shown above. Do so before noon on Monday to be eligible. Wishing you a lovely before holiday weekend and hoping that you are able to check off items on your to do list :-D

12 Tags of Christmas With a Feminine Twist 2011 - Day 9 by Becky Olsen

Hi CLASSroom visitors!! So fun to be back sharing a post as a guest with all of you, many thanks to Ellen for graciously sharing this opportunity with me! I loved creating the tags in years past and can't wait to share my twist on the tag today!

It is frothy, sweet and makes me giddy to look at! I am hoping you are as excited as I am as I share the steps on how to create your own version :o)

Okay so the first disclaimer is that I don't own any of the fun goodies that Tim played with, so in the spirit of making do with what you have, we are going to start by making our own stamp!

Use the Movers and Shapers small snowflakes and die cut them out of foam that already has adhesive on n the back. Apply to Crystal Clear Plastic and you have made your own stamp.

Use Spun Sugar Distress Ink and stamp one of the snowflakes randomly on a #8 Manila tag. (The tags I used are American Tag white, they are no longer being carried by Ellen, but the manila will be beautiful as well.) 

To my clear embossing powder I sprinkled in a little Holographic embossing powder to kick the up the girly factor another notch.

Apply this fun concoction over the snowflakes and gently tap to remove excess and then melt with a Heat-It tool.

Next stamp the other snowflake with clear embossing ink and then sprinkle and melt embossing powder.

Apply Shabby Shutters Distress ink with the foam applicator, lightly in some places and a little more in others. Sprinkle with the embossing mixture and melt.

After you have done that, apply a layer of Tea Dye Distress ink to age it and give it a warm glow.

Now that we have the base of the tag done, let's make the icing for this cake!

Die cut a deer from Craft-a-Board and spritz with Cappuccino Perfect Pearl Mist.

When it is done drying (or you have rushed the process a little with the Heat-It tool), apply Frayed Burlap Distress ink over the whole deer and then if you want, spritz again. (It didn't need it, but I did and it gave it just a little extra glimmer)

Now we can set that aside to dry while we do a little die cutting and sanding, and when I say a little, I actually mean a lot :o)

Start by cutting 2" strips from Core'dinations Adirondack stack in varying shades of green. I didn't end up using the red so you could skip it if you wish. I also die cut tags using the banner die cut strip and lacy edge die cut strip. 

Stamp the banner using Graphic 45's 'Tis the Season sentiment in Black Soot Distress ink.

Spinkle with embossing concoction and melt with Heat-It.

Apply Old Paper and Tea Dye Distess ink to the banner piece and then curl and bend to get dimension. Set aside until we are ready to add during final assebly.

Apply Spun Sugar Distress ink to the more pointed edge, sprinkle with embossing powder mix and melt.

Apply clear Distress Embossing ink to the more rounded edge, sprinkle with embossing powder mix and melt.

Set both of those aside and then start sanding that card stock. I didn't want to ruin my non stick mat so I used an old school folder that can take the punishment alot better than the desk top or piece of regular paper can.

When you have sanded the paper, take it out of the strip and start assembling the wreath for the deer's neck. Layer a few of the greens together and then adhere to the deer. (worst pic of the day sorry!)

After you have that done, start assembling the greenery/wreath at the top of the tag. Adhere pieces and colors in layers to really accentuate the beautiful shapes.

I then adhered the rows of lace edging to the bottom with double sided tape, colored a pearl bauble with my Copic RV23 and tied it with a piece of May Arts 1/4" silk ribbon in white. Adhered the bow and bauble to the center of the greenery on the deer and then adhered the deer to the tag.

Finish by adhering the banner over the greenery and of course it must be tied up with a big bow from May Arts pink silk ribbon.

This is where it is time to stand back and admire your handiwork, or go to the dentist to check for cavities because it is so sweet!!

Thanks so much for sharing some time with me in the CLASSroom, and I hope you have found some inspiration!

Merry Christmas Friends!!

B-

Supplies Used:

Inkssentials Manila Tag #8, Crystal Clear Plastic, Movers and Shapers Tray, Movers and Shapers Mini Snowflakes, Reindeer Flight Bigz Die, Festive Greenery Sizzlets Decorative Die Strip, Tattered Banner Sizzlets Decorative Die Strip, Vintage Lace Sizzlets Decorative Die Strip, Distress Embossing Ink, Frayed Burlap Distress Ink,  Old Paper Distress Ink, Black Soot Distress Ink, Shabby Shutters Distress Ink, Spun Sugar Distress Ink, Tea Dye Distress Ink, Superfine Clear Embossing Powder, Holographic Embossing Powder, Perfect Pearls Mists Cappuccino, Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Cling Stamp 3, Craft-a-Board, 1 1/4" Pink Silk ribbon, 1/4" White Silk ribbon, 1/8" Double Sided Adhesive Tape, Baubles, Copic RV23, Core'dinations Adirondack Collection.

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We are SO thrilled to have Becky joining us again this holiday season to share her feminine twisted tag. She has absolutely rocked these tags the past two years! To have her back is such a privilege - please share in our excitement by leaving her a comment on this post!!! Your comment will automatically enter you in our random drawing for the goodies shown above! You have until noon on Sunday to share your thoughts with Becky!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2011 - Day 8 by Ellen

Steampunk - oh dear, not something I'm particularly good at - LOL! A couple of things popped into my mind this morning when I first saw Tim's tag and I ended up going with the first idea because, well... it's just simply ca-ute! Having just seen the fabulous street scene in the October Afternoon Holiday Style collection the idea of using a gear as a wreath on a lamp post was the first idea.

OK, so it's not very Steampunk, but - it's cute! AND I used a couple of awesome techniques to get to my finished project that I'm going to share with you today, so... here goes.

How to achieve the look of a street post? I began by cutting a strip of Manila cardstock wide enough to cut out the Holiday Lamp Post. Using the direct-to-paper technique, apply the Iced Spruce directly to the surface of the manila cardstock.

Cover the tag with clear embossing powder and remove the excess. Now typically you do not want to flick your paper after applying the embossing powder, BUT today I want you to try holding it over a garbage can and using your fingernail to give the back side a VERY firm "flick" or two. This will remove some of the embossing powder.

When heated it will give you this fabulous "orange peel" like texture. Be certain to double click on the pictures to enlarge them so you can really see the details.

Run this through your diecut machine leaving the pieces intact as Tim showed in an earlier tag post and as shown above. Use Black Soot Distress ink and your ink blending tool to age the lamp post.

Wipe the excess ink off the surface with a paper towel. The resulting finish really reminds me of the finish on an old lamp post!

Remember how on my day one post I wanted to try "colorizing" my lightbulbs. Well, today was the day. I wrapped tissue tape around the base to help avoid getting alcohol ink on the silver base and simpy added a drop or two of alcohol ink directly from my Various Ink refill to the bulb surface. If you get alcohol ink on the silver base simply use a small corner of a paper towel with a little blending solution on it to remove the excess.

Insert a piece of wire and curl it. Now don't you think these would make THE cutest holiday earrings or necklace?!?

The foil is an extra from my project on day one as well. It was cut using the Vintage Lace die and Metal Foil attached to Solar White cardstock. By attaching the foil to the cardstock it made it a lot more durable. It was still too bright a silver color even after a light sanding and so I used W4 Various Ink Refill to "dirty" it slightly to blend better with the Gear Wreath.

When turned upside down this trim felt like little snow drifts and so I went with that idea and added a little Picket Fence Distress Crackle paint to the top edge. While still wet sprinkle Twinklets Diamond Dust, a fabulous glass glitter, on to the wet paint. It will stay embedded after the paint dries and cracks. It really looks SO cool! 

A little "snow" was added to the other embellishments as well. Allow the pieces to dry and then proceed.

A little red velvet ribbon, silver tinsel, a couple of holly berries on your wreath (Berry Pearls) and some glass (Fantasy Film) in your lamp post and your sweet scene is complete.

So, there you have Ellen's version of Steampunk - pretty lame, I'll admit it - LOL!

But hey - it was a really cool technique I happened upon for the lamp post and you just have to love the snow ;-D Julia E. here at work said, "If you entertain yourself, you're half way there on entertaining everyone else!" We're quite the bunch aren't we?!?

ink: Distress Ink Pads - Iced Spruce (Winter Limited Edition Color) and Black Soot; Copic Various Ink Refill - R59, W4

paper: Neenah Natural White, October Afternoon Holiday Style 8x8 Pad, Hero Arts Pine Layering Paper

accessories: Tim Holtz Vintage Lace, Holiday Lamppost and Tag & Bookplates Dies, Sprocket Gears, Light Bulbs, Metal Foil, Clear Embossing Powder, Berry Pearls, Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint, 20-Gauge Wire, Dandelion Fantasy Film, Red Velvet Ribbon, Silver Tinsel

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The other idea was by far more hysterical and definitely way more Steampunk, but I just couldn't get the cute factor of the new Holiday Style collection from October Afternoon out of my mind. I have to share the idea for all those of you who are truly diehard Steampunk fans because I think you will get a kick out of it.

I LOVE The Christmas Story movie --- one just cannot forget the Leg Lamp! In the Steampunk Debutante collection there is the image shown to the left. Wouldn't this just make THE most hysterical Christmas tag ever if you turned it into a Leg Lamp?!!

Someone just has to do it and when you do we would LOVE to see it, so be certain to let us know! 

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Do you have a favorite holiday movie? If so, what is it and does it inspire your creativity? By leaving a comment below you will be eligible for today's random drawing for the fabulous Vintage Lace die, Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint and Light Bulbs shown above. You have until noon Saturday, December 10th to share your thoughts about my tag or movie below (one comment per person please.) We hope to have brought a smile to your face today - thank you for once again stopping in here in the CLASSroom!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2011 - Day 7 by Julia Stainton

I've always believed the saying that inspiration breeds more inspiration. I love being inspired by other crafters and for today's tag, number 7 in our 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist, is definitely inspired by Tim's tag. I hope you enjoy this version that takes some of the techniques and elements and makes them work for my style and what I have on hand.

 

The other night I was watching a Christmas special and the set was beautiful white, silver and a hint of blue. I decided I just had to create a project using that color scheme so that is what I went with today. Here's what I did...

First of all I was inspired to use Kraft Glassine but I didn't have any on hand. What I did have though was a Kraft Glassine Envelope and as it is fairly close to a tag in size and shape, decided to make it into my tag base for my project. I started off by crumpling it up for some texture.

I don't have any alcohol inks on hand so I decided to play around with my kraft glassine envelope and see how it would take white paints and inks. I love how this really lightened the glassine kraft color.

To get my finished look I first rubbed in Picket Fence Distress Stain onto the envelope/tag and then heat set it. I wanted a snowy look so I then misted it with Calico White mist and then heat set again. Lastly I stamped the tag with snowflakes in white pigment ink and then heat set it.

Next I moved onto my snowflake accent. I die cut it with my Big Shot from Craft-a-Board and then painted it with Brushed Pewter Distress Crackle Paint. This step takes the longest to dry. I admit I was a bit impatient and this photo is before it was totally dry and cracked.

Altering embellishments with Alcohol Inks was an idea that intrigued me but again, I didn't have any. Copic Ink Refills to the rescue! You can use them the same way. I squirted some into a bag and then colored the pearl tips of my trinket pins. For all of you who support Ellen's Store, you'll know that she ships many of her liquid products in small plastic zip bags. Save them as they are perfect for this purpose!

My little tag was created by pressing some Distress Stain onto my Craft Mat and then swiping the paper across it.

It may be difficult to see in the picture but the flower is accented with dabs of Diamond Stickles for an icy look.

Finally here's a top view of how it all goes together.

I hope this tag inspires you and gets you into a frosty holiday mood

Supplies: Tim Holtz Kraft Glassine Envelope, Snowcap White Pigment Ink by Ranger, Mr. Huey's Calico White Color Mist by Studio Calico, Picket Fence Distress Stain and Tumbled Glass Distress Stain by Ranger, Tim Holtz Grunge Flakes stamp set and Tim Holtz Odds and Ends stamp set by Stampers Anonymous, heat gun, Snowflake Die by Sizzix, Wedding Shoes Flower by Prima Marketing, Diamond Stickles by Ranger, Tinsel Trim by Webster's Pages, Brushed Pewter Distress Crackle Paint by Ranger, Pearl Trinket Pins by Maya Road, twine, Hinge Clip by Advantus, Small Doilies by Essentials by Ellen, Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink by Ranger, B00 Frost Blue Copic Refill

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Oh how I love a pretty tag - and Julia S never fails to create beautiful projects with loads of depth. I love how she was able to alter the Kraft Glassine using a completely different method! Please she your love with her this holiday season - by leaving a comment on this post you will be eligible for the random drawing of the stamp set, Kraft Glassine envelopes and Calico White spray above! Please leave your message no later than noon on Friday, December 9th to be included in our random drawing.

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2011 - Day 6 by Ellen

Inspiration comes in interesting ways! It always amazes me how memories in the recesses of one's mind come to the forefront when creating. When I first peeked at Tim's tag this morning I paused - I knew that it reminded me of something, but I could not put my finger on it. Christopher Radko makes some of the most beautiful glass ornaments and the bright colors just struck a cord in my mind, but that wasn't it. It was when one of our sweet customers stopped in, exclaiming that it looked like a Mexican ornament, that it truly dawned on me what memory was trying to find its way to the surface.

(remember to double click on the photos if you want to see them in more detail)

It was a trip to Old Town San Diego when my girls were little! We purchased two very sweet little Mexican Tin Ornaments for our Christmas tree. I always like to purchase a Christmas ornament when we take a trip, so that when we decorate our tree each year it brings back fond memories of time spent with my family. Well guess what... we haven't had the time to decorate our tree yet this year and my mind was blanking... and yet the idea was still there!

Are you tired of me using the Inkssentials Metal Foil yet? LOL! When Tim used it today I knew that I wanted to try another idea I had discovered and will be sharing that "blooper" discovery with you after the tags are completed. Today's creation pushes that blooper a step further!

Adhere a piece of Metal Foil to the Craft-a-board (picture showing this is on Day 4 Tag.)

Place in embossing folder making certain that the debossed area is pushing down into the metal foil.

This particular embossing folder is exquisite! I love the textural difference of the metal foil where it is untouched vs. embossed!

Now being the complete tease that I am, I wanted to post the picture above and say - here is the completed Day 6 tag. I LOVE how simple and beautiful it is!!! You could crank out a TON of these!! But, I had an idea and I carried on :-D

Apply Snow Cap Alcohol Ink Mixative to the felt applicator and dab the entire tag with it.

Then, one drop at a time, use Various Refills (which are alcohol inks) to color in the debossed areas. I used a fine tipped old paintbrush to paint in the color. It is not critical that you stay within the lines, but working in a "neat" manner will make it easier in the long run.

As you can see the color flows fairly well within those debossed areas.

Apply all colors before moving on. I like working on my non-stick craft sheet. Cleanup is super easy - to clean your paintbrush put a small amount of alcohol ink blending solution or rubbing alcohol into a tiny container and swish the brush clean between colors. Then use the solution to clean up any mess on your non-stick craft sheet when your project is complete.

Alcohol ink dries quickly! It still may feel a little tacky, but you can proceed. Put your project on a piece of scrap paper (don't sand directly on your non-stick craft sheet or you may destroy it) and sand the top surface of the tag. Using a corner of the small Lucky Squirrel sander you can also rough up the painted interior of the flowers if desired. It is so fun to see the satiny foil appear through the white mixative!

Use a soft cloth to remove dust from sanding.

I love that the Webster's Pages trims are mounted on a clear backing. This allows you to easily see what your project will look like if you apply these fun jewels. Add additional bling to the flower centers.

I hope you like today's interpretation of Tim's tag and for those of you who love simplicity and are way behind, just stop at step 1! So simple and gorgeous, or detailed and colorful - you pick!

ink: Snow Cap Alcohol Ink Mixative, Various Ink Refills - R29, YG67, Y17, V17, Colorless Blender Solution

paper: Craft-a-Board

accessories: Tim Holtz Tags & Bookplates Die, Sizzix Basic Grey Winter Botanicals Embossing Folder, Inkssentials Metal Foil, Sanding Block - Tim's and Lucky Squirrel, Alcohol Ink Applicator, Webster's Pages Botanical Christmas Dazzle Me strip, Yellow Gemstones Large and Small, Violet Silk Ribbon, Red Tassle

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What is the favorite new tool/product that you have tried recently? By sharing your comment below you will automatically be entered in our random drawing for the goodies shown above. Be certain to leave your comment before noon on Thursday, December 8th to be included. Thank you for once again joining us as we celebrate creativity at this festive time of year!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2011 - Day 5 by Julie Ebersole

OK, I gotta admit to being somewhat intimidated by the challenge set before us--I'm pretty much a clean & simple girl, so I had to peek between my fingers to see what Tim's tag would look like today.

My tag is probably worlds apart, but, here goes:

Got out my trusty Crop-a-Dile Chomper with the Angle Corner to make my own clear/acetate tag and one to match from some patterned paper in the MME Rosy Collection (not a Xmas themed pad of paper, but the colors work beautifully!)

Used the Memory Box Lavier Die to cut a wreath shape from Parsley Card Stock.

Made a "reinforcer" from a scrap of red card stock I had laying around, using my 1/4" circle punch and my 1/2" circle punch. Ran that down the shoot of my little Xyron X machine, and secured it to the clear tag.

Applied some Ranger Glossy Accents to a scrap of some paper from that same MME Rosy pad, applied a clear button, let it dry, trimmed it out and threaded it with some slate baker's twine.

In lieu of the pearls Tim used, I decided to stamp some pretty snowflakes with Palette New Canvas Ink and heat set them, then attach the wreath and button with Glue Dots.

Layered the two tags together and tied them with some white seam binding ribbon from my stash.

I love my tag!

Sometimes, inspiration takes you down a completely different path. And, ya' know what?  It's all GOOD.

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SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:

Stamps: (Snowflakes) from Hero Arts Cleardesign Let's Get Merry and Decorate Your Holidays Stamp Sets
Ink: Palette New Canvas
Paper: My Mind's Eye 6x6" Rosy Paper Pad; Memory Box Parsley Card Stock; Red scrap
Tools:  Corner Chomper (Angle); 1/4" Circle Punch; 1/2" Circle Punch; Xyron X Sticker Machine; Big shot Die Cutting Machine; Memory Box Lavier Die
Embellishments: Hero Arts Clear Buttons; White Rayon Seam Binding Ribbon, 5/8"; Slate Twine; Ranger Glossy Accents
Other:  Crystal Clear Crafting Plastic; Glue Dots

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Oh how fun it is to see the beautiful tags created by my wonderful colleagues! Please leave some love below (make certain you do it on this post and not the post that announces our previous winners) for Julie! By doing so you will be included in the random drawing for this fun stamp set. I love the versatility of the Mini Holiday stamp sets! Be certain to add your comment before noon on Wednesday, December 7th to be included :-D Wishing you a happy, creative and productive week ahead!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2011 - Day 4 by Ellen

Welcome to Day 4! The inspiration I took from Tim's tag today was the beautiful cracked detail! The first thing that popped into my mind was the beautiful old glass vintage ornaments that I have seen in photos and so I decided I would try and play with that idea.

I am going to apologize right now for the quality of my photos and promise I will try to take some better pictures during the daylight hours tomorrow. I'm not certain what I did, but the white balance on my camera was definitely not accurate and combine that with the sparkle and sheen... well the quality of my photos tonight is definitely off. I considered going back down to work to reshoot them, but admitedly I'm just too tired - so I decided to share them as is and try to get better photos tomorrow.

OK - so this is a new day and a new photo. The color is much more accurate in this photo, but now you can't see the pretty sparkle - LOL! Oh well, it's all good because I know that you all have wonderful imaginations :-D

To begin adhere the Inkssentials Metal Foil to Craft-a-Board. Craft-a-Board is a product that works BEAUTIFULLY with embossing folders and diecuts. It adds stability to your projects and yet allows all the detail to show.

Use Carved Ornaments #2 to cut out the ornament shapes.

The detail of this embossing folder also reminds me of the patterning I have seen on vintage ornaments. Align the ornament within the folder using a small piece of tissue tape to hold it in position. Run it through your diecut and embossing machine.

Use the alcohol ink applicator and YG63 Various Ink refill to colorize the metal foil. Drip several drops of Various Ink onto the felt pad and dab on the ornament surface.

Lightly sand the raised surface of the ornament. It is incredible how gorgeous the detail looks when the burnished satiny silver appears above the light green.

Apply a light layer of Rock Candy Crackle paint to the surface. Using the Ranger scraper remove the excess Rock Candy by dragging the scraper across the surface. You could also use an old credit card or Starbucks card to achieve the same result.

By removing the excess Rock Candy it exposes the satiny silver finish better and the thinner layer of Rock Candy will crack into the most beautiful fine scale which works perfectly with this embossed pattern. It truly does look like an old vintage ornament.

Add a little extra Rock Candy Crackle paint to the top edge of the ornament and the very bottom. Sprinkle Vintage Glitter Glass on these areas. Allow to dry. Rock Candy Crackle paint takes a LONG time to dry - LOL! This is experiment #4 I believe - when we have completed the 12 days series I hope to do a "bloopers" post. I think you will be highly amused and begin to understand why these posts go up so late each night ;-D

I tried so hard to get a picture that captures the gorgeous cracked detail, but argh - my pictures just are not good today - hopefully you can envision the absolute beauty in this little decoration.

Using the technique that Tim shared today I swiped Picket Fence and Bundled Sage Distress stains on my non-stick craft sheet. Spritz your tag with water and then pull it through the inks on the craft sheet.

When creating my tag base I decided to experiment with the combination of Picket Fence and Bundled Sage. I was curious if there would be a difference between the tags if I added Picket Fence or left it out. I was quite surprised that there was a subtle difference between the two tags. Can you guess which one has the Picket Fence stain added?

It's the tag on the left - the Picket Fence seemed to give a more subtle, "grainy" appearance. It is so fun to compare! I'm certain if you were using a darker stain color that it would be even more defined.

Ink the snowflake stamps with Bundled Sage Distress Stain and randomly stamp the tag background. The difference when stamping using an image inked with Distress Stain vs. an ink pad is quite noticable. Distress Stain will give you a looser, more watercolor like look (shown on the left), whereas your stamp pad will define the image clearly (shown on the right).

Cut the evergreen foliage using the Tattered Pine Cones die from excess plastic packaging. It is fun to know that there is a recyclable use for the packaging from the dies. If you do not have any Clearly for Art works in a very similar manner.

Use Snow Cap and Silver Metallic dabbers to ink the foliage. Then lightly heat the plastic and shape. You need to work quickly as the plastic cools it hardens into whatever form you have created. Good news is that you can always reheat and reshape.

One last parting shot that also has really bad coloring - LOL! Be certain to double click on the photo and it will pop bigger so that you can see the cracked detail. Please use your imagination to input the color above to coordinate perfectly with Bundled Sage, then add an incredible sparkle and a silvery satin quality and you've got it :-D Sorry for the bad photos but I do hope that this inspires you to try playing with these fun techniques!

stamps: Winter Sketchbook

ink: YG63 Various Ink Refill, Picket Fence and Bundled Sage Distress Stain

paper: Neenah Solar White, Craft-a-Board

accessories: Tim Holtz Tags & Bookplates, Carved Ornaments #2 and Tattered Pine Cones Dies, Lifestyle Crafts Whimsy Embossing Folder, Inkssentials Metal Foil, Alcohol Ink Applicator, Melissa Frances Pale Green Glass Glitter, Rock Candy Crackle Paint, Webster's Pages Vintage Netting, Vintage Satin and Lace, Lavish Trimmings, Snow Cap and Silver Metallic Dabbers, Sanding Block, Baubles

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I love dies - there are SO many to pick from! Tell me which dies you currently use frequently - by doing so you will automatically be entered in our random drawing for the Carved Ornaments #2 Dies shown above. You have until Tuesday, December 6th noon Pacific Time (one comment per person please) to share your comment.  We look forward to hearing from you!    

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2011 - Day 3 by Sharon Harnist

Hello, it's Sharon here today -- I'm thrilled to participate in Ellen's 12 Tags of Christmas with a feminine twist!  (With just a *tiny bit* of panic, not knowing what Tim would create today and worried if I would have suitable products on hand, LOL!)

For his tag technique today, Tim used Cut-N-Dry Stamp Pad Felt and Distress Dye Reinkers to create a custom multi-colored stamp pad. A pretty cool and a great time-saver if you plan on doing a lot of projects with that stamp and want a multi-colored image with just one stamping -- great for big projects like holiday cards or tags.  Unfortunately, I didn't have any of the stamp pad felt on hand to try this out, so I improvised!

I decided to use Memento dye-based markers to ink up my beautiful Tim Holtz Santa's Wish stamp: 

(Note: My stamp is several years old and was wood mounted then. But the Santa image is exactly the same in this pretty updated cling-mounted set.)

After coloring the rubber stamp with the markers, lightly mist it with water -- this will reactivate the marker ink that may have already dried on the stamp; then stamp onto a #8 Manila Tag. You don't want too much water or the marker ink will run together, but not enough water might leave some areas that won't stamp out nicely . . . it's a fine line and might take a little practice!

I filled in the top of the tag with this pretty swirl Lockhart Millinery Vine Embellishment, stamped in Antique Linen Distress Ink. Next, I distressed the edges of my tag with Tim's Paper Distresser and then inked the edges and top of the tag with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

I don't have the gorgeous Festive Greenery die that Tim used on his tag today (and Ellen is giving it away to a lucky winner on this blog post!), so my feminine twist to this tag was to use what I did have on hand -- Tim's Tattered Florals and Tattered Leaves dies:

When die cut out of the right colors (Memory Box Cranberry & Dill cardstock) and stacked together, one of the flowers looks like a poinsettia! To add some texture to the leaf die cut, I folded the leaf and sanded the crease, then inked the crease with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

To finish my tag, I used a combination of Antique Linen Distress Reinker mixed with Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls and a little bit of water in a Mini Mister. This really gives everything on the tag a lovely golden holiday glow and a little bit of a tea stained look! (Hopefully you can see the lovely sparkle better by clicking on the photo above for a larger view). Alternately, Ellen carries Ranger's Perfect Pearls Mists (where the pearls are already mixed up for you in a spray bottle) and Heirloom Gold would be a close alternative.

A jingle bell, tied with pretty gold cord, adorns the center of the poinsettia and red crystal gemstones accent the holly in Santa's hat:

Pretty green Prima lace is held onto the bottom of the tag with Tim's Tiny Attacher, for more of a feminine twist!  I hope you enjoyed today's tag -- I certainly had fun creating it!  ~ Sharon

Stamps: Stamper's Anonymous Tim Holtz Santa's Wish; Lockhart Millinery Vine Embellishment; 
Paper: Ranger Inkssentials #8 Manila Tag; Memory Box Cardstock-Cranberry & Dill;
Ink: Memento Markers-Rich Cocoa, Bamboo Leaves, Rhubarb Stalk; Antique Linen & Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks; Distress Ink Reinker-Antique Linen;
Dies: Sizzix Tim Holtz Bigz Dies-Tattered Florals & Tattered Leaves;
Accessories: Ranger Perfect Pearls-Perfect Gold, Mini Mister Set, Ink Blending Tool; 1/2" Silver Jingle Bells, Advantus Tim Holtz Sanding Block & Tiny Attacher; Tonic Tim Holtz Paper Distresser; green Prima Lace-Donegal; Hero Arts Red Crystal Gemstones;

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A huge THANK YOU Sharon - thank you for sharing your tag with us today! Please be certain to leave Sharon your love in the comments section below - and guess what, by doing so you are automatically entered in our random drawing for the goodies shown above. This Festive Greenery is gorgeous and the Cut N' Dry felt is definitely a tool that should be in everyone's craft stash :-D You have until Monday, December 5th noon Pacific Time (one comment per person please) to share your love with Sharon.

We once again thank you for joining us here in the CLASSroom for our 12 Tags series!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2011 - Day 2 by Ellen

Melissa Frances papers always speak to the girlie side of me. When I saw Tim's tag this morning I immediately thought of the Deck the Halls collection, but it was not until well after lunch time that I was finally able to head in to my studio to begin today's adventure.

Today I wanted to explore what media I could use to lay color over a surface covered in Picket Fence Distress Stain. I knew that I could use colored Distress Stains over the top to alter the appearance making the stains more pastel in nature. I also knew that I could use my ink blending tool and Distress Ink Pads, but I wanted to see if other products would work.

To create a softer look I decided to create my own resist paper using red ink, yet I wanted my focal image to really "pop." I created a mask using Hero Arts holly image and stamped over the mask using Vermillion Archival ink. At this point I didn't know if I would try watercoloring and so I went with a waterproof ink.

Tip: It is much easier to stamp words straight if you get them on your acrylic mounts straight. I have found the easiest way to do this is to set my cling image on my work surface and then align the grid pattern over the sentiment. A slight press and the cling words attach to your mount - now it's easy to stamp straight!

Stamp the words using Distress Embossing ink and cover with clear embossing powder. Remove excess and heat.

I'm not certain if my Picket Fence stain is thicker than Tim's but as you can see it goes on quite white and thick. I like that it does this because it allows me the opportunity to really cover darker items.

To remove the excess stain from my project I simply moisten an old diaper using my mister and rub away the excess Distress Stain as shown above.

I then added a little more back in around the edges.

To stamp the holly I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig. I can't live without this tool - it helps my sanity because I like things perfect - LOL!

I decided to try one of my favorite go-to tools - Prismacolor Pencils. I then added in some Faber-Castell Pastel Pencils.

As you can see the effect is really quite beautiful. On a practice sheet I then tried rubbing additional Picket Fence over the colored image, but felt it dulled it just a little too much. I forgot to snap a photo to share it with you. I will try and do so and then come back and add it to this post when I return to work on Monday.

I attached some of the red Deck the Halls paper to a piece of Craft-a-board (this adds body and stability to the deer) using Sookwang tape and then diecut this gorgeous deer. Adding a Vintaj chain and a Jenni Bowlin pearl necklace (I removed the silver eye pin and replaced it with a Vintaj antique brass head pin) helped give the deer a more feminine touch.

I look forward to giving watercolors a try over top the Picket Fence stain soon!

stamps: Hero Arts Cling Classic Holly and Collage Music, Tim Holtz Christmas Memories

ink: Vermillion and Jet Black Archival, Distress Embossing Ink Pad, Picket Fence and Bundled Sage Distress Stain

paper: Inkssentials #8 Kraft Tag, Melissa Frances Deck the Halls 6x6 Paper Pad

accessories: Tim Holtz Reindeer Flight and Vintage Lace Dies, Craft-a-board, Burlap Panel, Essentials Ribbon, Hemp, Jenni Bowlin Pearl Charm, Vintaj Figaro Chain, Head Pin and Star, Clear Embossing Powder, Faber Castel Pastel Pencils and Prismacolor Color Pencils

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We would love to hear from you, simply leave a comment on today's post telling us what product or products you like to use the most. We will once again use a random number generator to select our winner. You have until Sunday, December 4th noon Pacific Time (one comment per person please) to share your comment.

Thank you for joining me again today!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2011 - Day 1 by Ellen

Welcome to Day 1 of our 12 Tags journey! I have to admit I almost felt panic in my stomach this morning - LOL! What if I couldn't create something worthy to share with all of you - it has been far too long since I have allowed myself the gift of creating and I'm feeling RUSTY! Life has been SO busy - moving my MIL, helping my daughters with all their school projects, trying to keep things running smoothly here at work, starting new adventures and trying to wrap up the old - I just haven't found the time to allow myself this luxury. Yes, today was a gift - once I started to create the ideas just began to flow and I am so thrilled with the final tag - I hope you like it. Be certain to read the end of this post, because we have a special surprise for you!

(you can double click on all the photos to make them bigger)

When I saw Tim's tag this morning my mind reverted to a page I had seen in the Crate and Barrel holiday catalog. There was a wreath - it was all white and it had white painted pine cones in it. There were also pages showing a combination of white, silver and either gold or cream --- and the thoughts started to flow as I worked.

I did exactly what Tim suggested. Neenah cardstock is quite stiff, so before diecutting I broke down the fibers by rubbing it back and forth on both sides, and in different directions, over the edge of my work table. Next I cut out the tattered pine cone and folded over the edges and creased each scale with my fingernail.

Using hot glue attach the first scale to the end of a toothpick.

Begin to roll the toothpick, wrapping the scales around the toothpick as shown. Now this isn't quite as easy as I am making it sound. I will be completely honest with you and tell you that I believe that Tim has had a little more practice than I have - he may just be the master tattered pinecone maker ;-D

I did cheat and once I had it wrapped around and fitted I unwrapped it and put a couple little spots of glue on the toothpick along the way. My dexterity is lacking in comparison I guess - LOL!

I didn't worry about the excess hot glue on the toothpick stem because I knew I was going to be clipping it off at the base and wanted to be certain it was secure. Hopefully this sideview will help you see the spacing as you work.

When working with white on white it is extremely important to provide a lot of texture. Using the Distress Embossing Ink Pad I brushed the tips of the scales, then dipped the pine cone in white embossing powder and melted it with my heat tool.

Use a pair of self-locking tweezers to hold it while you work so you don't burn your fingertips!

Clip the toothpick to make it easy to affix the finished pinecone to your project.

As I created the pinecones I thought about how I could create a wreath. Maya Road creates the loveliest trims! I have been so looking forward to playing with it and this tulle screamed wreath.

Using about an 8" piece of 20-gauge stainless wire I began "sewing" with the wire along the natural seam in the trim.

Work the tip of the wire in and out of the tulle, just like you are using a needle.

Approximately every 1 1/2" of gathered tulle I would add a lightbulb. Lightbulbs are SO Christmas and it was after I was almost finished with the tulle that the "lightbulb" went off and I pulled all the tulle off to add these cute little embellishments. I can totally see using alcohol ink to color them and create a more modern, contemporary wreath! Someone please try it for me :-D

As I stated earlier when working with white on white texture is critical. I love the fact that Tim has a couple of stamps that coordinate with the embossing folders. I wasn't certain if this was going to work, but figured nothing like a good experiment.

Stamp and emboss the image with white embossing powder.

I needed to be in good light to be able to align the text with the message in the folder and then used a piece of tissue tape to attach my tag to the folder interior so that it wouldn't move.

Run it through your machine and magic happens. Beautiful texture on texture, beautfiul white on white!

To create balance with the silver in the light bulbs I adhered some metal foil to Neenah cardstock and then sanded it with the sanding tool. As you can see in the photo above the variation in the texture is stunning - it has a much more satin-like appearance after you sand it, allowing it to coordinate beautifully with the satiny finish on the lightbulb bases.

Using more burnished foil attached to cardstock I cut out the foliage for the pinecones.

Now not only do you have a beautiful tag, BUT you have created the sweetest ornament for your tree. Gift it to someone on a package - that someone will feel special as they hang their tag on the tree!

stamps: Seasons Silhouettes

ink: Distress Embossing Ink Pad

paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock

accessories: Sizzix Dies - Tag & Bookplates, Vintage Lace and Tattered Pine Cone, Christmas Background Texture Fades Embossing Folder, Tim Holtz Light Bulbs, Lavish Trimmings, Sanding Block, Metal Foil Tape Sheet, Maya Road Ribbon Tulle Pleat Trim, White Opaque Embossing Powder, 20-Gauge Silver Beading Wire, 7 Gyspies Antique Silver Reinforcer, Hot Glue Gun

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Join in the fun and leave us a comment telling us where you find inspiration for creating your holiday cards? Your comment will automatically enter you in a random drawing for the Tattered Pine Cones die - you have until Saturday noon Pacific Time (one comment only per person please.)

Thank you for joining in the festivities here in the CLASSroom!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Day 12

What an incredibly inspiring two weeks! I have really enjoyed learning more about some of the latest products Tim has designed and his thoughts as to how to use them. Today I played with a ton of ideas that I hope I have time to post about in the days ahead. With limited time I decided I could only finish one tag today - I hope you enjoy this experiment. One of THE most important things I hope you learned this week is to just give things a try, even when you don't know what the result will be. It is this experimentation that allows you to explore your own creativity.

Oh how I wish that I could capture a better photograph of this tag because the sparkle is beyond belief.

I have loved trying to cut all sorts of things with these new dies. Today I wanted to explore with gold foil (you could substitute other foils or metals as well.) I began by adding Be Creative or also known as Sookwang tape to the back side of the gold foil. I then adhered this to Craft-a-Board.

Run it through the Big Shot.

Next place the ornament in an embossing folder and run it through the Big Shot again. The very cool thing about Craft-a-Board is that it adds sturdiness to your projects, but also embosses perfectly!

I am now switching out to the second ornament because I did an additional experiment with the ornament above and I am still waiting for it to dry. I can hardly wait to see what it looks like when I return to work tomorrow!

Using a felt applicator, ink with Various Ink Refills BG72 and B23. Ink back side of ornament.

Drip Various Ink, colors BG72 and B23 (or any other alcohol ink) directly on to face of ornament. Allow it to spread and just blow on it to move it around.

Remove excess ink using felt applicator, leaving plenty of ink on surface. Barely touch the felt to the surface to pull up excess ink. If you leave too much ink on the surface it can have a sticky feel to it.

I loved the way it looked but was still concerned about it being a little sticky and so I sprinkled some holographic embossing powder on the surface and the melted the powder with my Heat It tool.

Oh my, oh my!!! WOW!!! Incredible! You asked for other alcohol ink techniques and I think this is a must try for anyone who likes to experiment.

To balance the bling I cut a piece of backed Be Creative tape (the sheets come backed) using the Scrollwork die. I then cut it slightly smaller than shown above and attached it to the Jovial paper and applied Sand Microfine Glitter Ritz and burnished it in place with my finger (search Burnished Velvet using the search mechanism in the top right hand corner of our blog for more information.)

I then did the same with the reinforcement, inked it with embossing ink and dipped it in UTEE creating a sparkly reinforcement similar to the red one created a couple of days ago. Super blingy I tell you and so pretty!

This is the base tag.

Affix a bling swirl to the ornament, tie on some Vintage Netting and embellish with a Sparkler button, baubles and seam binding.

May your holidays sparkle as much as this tag! Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season ahead!

ink: Copic Various Ink B23 and BG72; Distress Embossing Ink, Adirondack Stream Dye Ink

paper: Basic Gray Jovial 6x6 Paper Pad, Inkssentials Manila Tag #8

accessories: Tim Holtz Carved Ornaments and Scrollwork Dies, Regal Flourish Texture Fades, Bauble; Gold Foil, Craft-a-Board, Be Creative (Sookwang) Tape Sheet, Webster's Pages Vintage Inspired Netting, Vintage Sparkler Button, 7 Gypsies Adelaide Seam Binding, Zva Coffee Flourish, Holographic Embossing Powder, Sand Microfine Glitter Ritz, Clear UTEE

One last day of blog candy! We would like for you to be able to make some of your own ornaments, so we are giving you the Carved Ornaments Die, Damask/Regal Flourishes Texture Fades, and some Craft-a-Board. You will be able to make some VERY cool things using these tools!

The drawing for this tag closed in December 2010. Thank you!

To be eligible for the random drawing for this batch of goodies all you have to do is leave a comment below. I would love to hear what you are most excited about trying from the techniques that, Tim or we shared. We are going to leave this drawing open until Wednesday morning, because Tuesday morning is going to be busy already with Hero Arts drawings. Don't forget to take a quick peek at what we shared on our Hero Arts Scavenger Hunt page and leave us a message!

Remember to get your shopping done before 12/15/2010 midnight if you want to purchase items in our 12 Tags of Christmas category and use the 15% discount promo code - timstags.

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Day 11 by Becky Olsen

Is it difficult for anyone else to believe that this year's collection of tags is almost at an end? It has been a wonderful experience following along with Tim and Ellen and to have a couple of opportunities to share what I have created from all of the inspiration. I also want to remind you that the products that have been featured from Tim's Tags are in the shop and can be purchased at a discount by using the code "timstags" when you checkout. 15% off all the goodies you need to play along with him makes for a happy and creative holiday season!!

Here is a quick peek at the tag I created today...

and another!

I had a great time making this, and can't wait to share with you what I learned and how to get the look!

We are going to start by making our own stamp! I had heard of this technique long ago, but had never been really interested because the die cut shapes weren't really interesting to me. But with Tim's product releases from Sizzix I have found that die cut mojo and the addiction is in full bloom!

I started by lining up four of the Movers and Shapers dies in the Movers and Shapers magnetic tray. I used the Love, Wish, Joy and Hope dies.

I bought a piece of fun foam that had the adhesive backing already on it, it was only $.99 cents and it let me save my fantastic adhesive sheet for another day. It was trimmed at 3 3/4" wide and 9" tall. This gave it a little overlap for the tag and gave me different options for lining it up later. I am also really excited to use this particular idea on a scrapbook page so I wanted it to be pretty big.

Place the fun foam adhesive side down, foam side up. This lets the die cut create a reverse of the words which is what you want when you are stamping. (more to come on why I am an expert on this topic)

Sandwich the foam, dies and tray in between the acrylic cutting pad pieces and roll through your machine. Then carefully remove the foam from the dies.

Cut a piece of Crystal Clear Plastic that is 4 1/2" x 10". Remove the protective blue coating from both sides and then remove the backing from the adhesive side of the foam and press it into the center of the clear plastic.

So now here is where I share how I became an expert on the topic of which side to put down on the dies. The top stamp was my first go, I got everything in place, the tag cut and inked, stamped the embossing ink onto the tag sprinkled my embossing mix and started the heating process, only to come to the realization that it was backwards!! What a great laugh the kids and I had as I called them in to come and witness what a goof their mom was  :o)

So now that we know that our stamp needs to be a reverse unless we want to hang it behind our bathroom mirror to be able to read it, lets get some ink Tea Dye Distress ink onto the edges of a #8 Manila tag that has been covered with Pink Paislee's Father Christmas "Special Delivery" and get it ready to be stamped again.

Now that the tag is ready (so proud that I remembered to do that step first, twice!!) Get the Distress embossing ink onto the stamp, be very generous with the application as the foam seemed to be pretty absorbant to me.

I made a little more of the mix that I used on the reindeer in the Day 6 post. It is a combination of UTEE, Clear and Holographic embossing powders.

Melt with the Heat It tool and watch the magic happen!

Apply Fired Brick Distress ink to the areas that were not covered with the embossing mix, I used a piece of Cut N' Dry foam.

A quick little side note, while I was making the one large stamp, I made individual ones as well with the smaller pieces of foam and Crystal Clear that were left over.

Cut a piece of the Tim Holtz Ruler ribbon at about 6" making sure to get the number 25 in the piece so that it can be centered in the Tim Holtz Ornate Bookplate.

 

Adhere a piece of Be Creative 1/4" double sided adhesive tape to the back of the ribbon.

I used an extra piece of Craft-a-Board that I had kept, it was the perfect size for the smaller reindeer in the Reindeer Flight Tim Holtz Bigz die.

Cover the reindeer with Glossy Accents and then sprinkle the Melissa Frances Glass Glitter in Pure Silver over the top.

Gently press the glitter into the adhesive and then tap off the extra, set aside to dry. I have to share how much I love this type of glitter with you, today it is a gorgeous and brightly glistening silver, but give it a month or two and you will start to see some aging and tarnishing begin to occur and that is when the true beauty is revealed! It will make this tag look like it has been around for decades!

While that is drying adhere the Ruler Ribbon to the tag and then place the Ornate Bookplate over it and set it in place with brads.

Use the double sided tape to create little pleats in the ribbon and then fold it back onto itself to finish the edges.

Place two Tim Holtz Metal Corners on the bottom corners of the tag.

Press into place with your thumbs and then use a small hammer to properly set the metal into the tag. I set my tag onto a mouse pad first and then hammered a couple of times with the flat side and then a few more with the rounded side to get some dents that would hold them in place.

Use the Glossy Accents to adhere a small bow tied from red ribbon. Set aside to dry.

We are going to use a Tim Holtz Trinket Pin, a Philosophy Tag, some Jump Rings and the star from the Adornments to attach the Olive Green Silk Ribbon to the top of the tag. 

Use your finger to rub some Blank Canvas Studio Paint into the letters of the Philosophy Tag. Remove the excess paint with a damp cloth or baby wipe.

I ended up adding some Maya Road Dangling Chandelier Trinket Bead with Jump Rings as well to bring a little more glitz and glam to the party  :o)

Pin through a piece of the silk ribbon and the Ruler ribbon that has been threaded through the tag hole.

Now that the reindeer is dry I used Scrapbook Adhesives 3-D foam squares that have been stacked two deep to adhere it to the tag.

Now it is time to call all the kids back into the room and let them ooh and aaaah over how fabulous the tag turned out after such a funny mistake! 

It is really a pleasure to share what we create with others, it feeds our soul and those whom we share with as well. Thank you so much for letting me share what I love to do with all of you. My hope is thatyou have much joy in your lives and that your holidays are full of delight and wonder.

B-

Becky Olsen you are one talented, clever girl! I absolutely LOVE this little beauty!!!

Would you like to know what our blog candy is today? ;-D How about Tim's 100th stamp set, a set of Fanciful Accoutrements AND some Holographic Embossing Powder in honor of the amazing things Beks has done with it!!!

Simply posting a comment below and sharing your thoughts with Becky will enter you in today's random drawing - you have until Monday morning to enter. It's hard to believe that we have only one tag remaining - I'll be back with it tomorrow evening :-D

Thank you for joining us here in the CLASSroom!

 

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Day 10

It is hard to believe that it is already December 10th!!! How time flies! When I saw Tim's tag today I started to giggle - you should see the mass of plastic packaging I have been saving for techniques such as this. I REALLY need an assistant to come in and break down my packaging, cut it up into file folder size pieces and contain it. :-D I just haven't had the time, but it is on the "to do" list.

Today's tag is designed especially for all those of you who have responded in the comments that you like clean and simple. My hope is to guide you into learning some fun new techniques and apply them to your own unique style. So here we go with the tag where simplicity and vintage collide.

When designing interiors one of my personal favorite styles was to create a very simple, clean-lined room and then accent it with vintage touches. Dynamic, powerful and just a ton of WOW in this combination.

As soon as I saw the packaging being die-cut I knew that I wanted to try using the film strip on today's tag.

I have to admit that I have not used the Sizzlit strip style of die that much (other than the rosette) and I had never tried using it on plastic. I was disappointed when I discovered that no matter how I tweaked it I could not cut through the plastic packaging. So I tried a different avenue - transparencies. SUCCESS!!! I was so thrilled because I REALLY wanted to create a vintage film strip for this tag using plastic and the film strip die.

The first method I would like to share to alter and make this film strip more realistic is to utilize alcohol ink and the felt applicator to create your base strip. I dripped about 6-10 drops of black on to my non-stick craft sheet and then added 4-5 drops of E09. By blending these two colors together on the non-stick craft sheet I was able to create a new color that felt more appropriate than the harsh black.

Using one of my favorite Christmas pictures that was taken of my girls with Santa several years ago I cropped it to fit within the specifications of Tim's film strip die. I then reduced the color saturation on all of the small pictures except for the focal image. This was then printed on an inkjet transparency.

To affix my filmstrip above I sprayed adhesive on the back side and gently set it in place over the girls pictures creating a very realistic looking film strip which includes the actual picture of my girls.

Can you imagine the cool Christmas cards this technique would make!?!

For those who do not have alcohol inks there is another method that is also VERY cool. Dab the film strip with the pitch black paint dabber. Now use this wet paint as your adhesive. Yes, you heard me right. Take your film strip and place it atop the strip of pictures that you printed on an inkjet compatible transparency as shown below.

I apologize for the picture above. I was so excited about the reverse print that appeared when I picked up the filmstrip and was thinking how cool this would be to use on a project that I barely caught the corner of my completed project. OOPS! Simply position your strip atop your little pictures, set in place gently, apply pressure and allow to dry. Voila, the transparency is completely secured.

I did find that my transparency wanted to stay in the tiny holes. It is best to remove these before cutting your next project or these holes will not cut through completely. Simply pick them out with the Crafter's Pick.

The last little tip for today's project is creating your own reinforcements. I have shared how easy it is to use the little die cut reinforcements and turn them metallic by inking with embossing ink and then applying silver or tarnished gold embossing powder. You can also create gorgeous colorful reinforcements.

Place the reinforcement on your non-stick craft sheet and ink directly with the Barn Door Distress ink pad. Then swirl the reinforcement around in the remaining ink to really make it red!

While still wet dip it in UTEE. I used my Crafter's Pick to lift it out and set it down on my non-stick craft sheet.

Melt the UTEE using your Heat It tool. If you find that it is not "rounded" or perhaps better said "mounded" enough you can wait for it to cool, press it on your embossing ink pad and dip again. I absolutely LOVE the finished, rounded look of this colorful reinforcement. Attach to your tag using the mini Glossy Accents.

The final touches included adhering 7 Gypsies holiday tissue tape to the tag. Stagger the endings as shown. Then cut a small white rectangle to back the key image in your film strip. Affix it to the tissue tape directly behind the focal image in your film strip. Staple the film strip in place.

Ink the holly leaves with Forest Moss around the edges and then ink the entire stamp with Lettuce. This will soften the crisp edges of the darker ink and give your image depth. Attach pearls for your holly berries.

A Hero Arts Christmas sentiment, a couple of jingle bells and some gorgeous silk ribbon and this simple, vintage tag was completed. I hope that these different styles of tags helps each of you utilize the techniques that we are sharing in new and different ways.

stamps: Hero Arts Sending Holiday Cheer, Stampers Anonymous Mini Holidays 2

ink: Barn Door Distress Ink, Distress Embossing Ink, Copic Various Ink Refills - 100 and E09

paper: Neenah Solar White, Inkjet Transparency

accessories: Tim Holtz Film Strip Die, Felt Applicator, Pitch Black Dabber, Mini Glossy Accents, Tiny Attacher, Jingle Bells, Moss Silk Ribbon, Red Pearls, 7 Gypsies Printed Paper Tape, UTEE

3 more days of blog candy! AND you will need to stay tuned for more information regarding our fun scavenger hunt tomorrow in honor of the new Hero Arts 2011 Catalog Debut.

Today we have UTEE, Distress Embossing Ink Pad and a Filmstrip Die!

Leave your answer in the comments section below (one comment per person please) to be included in this random drawing, you have until Sunday morning. Have a fabulous weekend!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Day 9

I started to laugh out loud when I saw that today was a monochromatic, elegant look Tim created. I simply thought, "Well shoot Tim, your killin' me here - I just did that yesterday, so now what?!?" So I put on my thinking cap --- Steampunk anyone? Yes, I went totally out of my element and decided to see what happened. Remember that discussion yesterday about the whole can't get out of the elegant box - well... is it still elegant? LOL! 

I love the old Christmas tune,  "It's the most wonderful time of the year," and felt that this sentiment would be perfect with the Steampunk look I created today. I was excited that Tim had selected to use the Rosette die today as I had set one aside for blog candy - yes, one lucky person can win that die today! It is such a versatile little shape that can be used in many ways!

I had brought in an old pattern in hopes that I could use it at some point during this tag series. Using the rosette die cut one out of the pattern directions and ink using the ink blending tool and Antique Linen Distress ink. Using the Weathered Wood pad ink directly to paper, or in this case pattern.

Next use the Perfect Medium pad to also direct-to-paper randomly rub the scalloped edge of the rosette to the pad and then brush on Pewter Perfect Pearls.

To create the flower center I used some gorgeous gold fabric that Julia had brought to work that was left over from her Halloween costume. Use Be Creative (Sookwang) tape to attach the fabric to cardstock.

Place a piece of pattern, then the cardstock (fabric side faced towards die as shown above) atop the rosette pinked die center and run it through the Big Shot.

As you can see I did use my little snips to make certain that it separated perfectly.

Attach the two ends of the rosette together to form a circle. (Tim has done a video for you so be certain to watch it if you are having trouble with the rosette die.) I wanted to share how the size of the rosette can vary when you are working with a lighter weight paper.

It all depends on how you hold the rosette as you adhere the pinked circle. See how tight it can be vs. the look shown in the photo above this one.

After with exchanging emails with Tim regarding how to hold the rosette together I am totally convinced that the old hot glue gun is definitely the best tool and glue to keep the rosette from popping open. I apply the glue generously to the pinked circle...

and then position it atop the rosette. Repeat for the opposite side and your rosette will be solid.

Since my glue gun was out I thought I would do a VERY old technique that many of you may have forgotten about. Ink your red rubber stamp generously with embossing ink (this is to make the removal of the stamp from the glue extremely easy.) Then squeeze a circle of glue on to your non-stick craft mat. Wait for the glue to cool down slightly...

and then place your stamp directly into the puddle of glue as shown above. Allow to sit until the glue cools and remove.

You can leave this embellishment in a button-like form, or use scissors (preferably non-stick) to cut out the image.

Remove excess embossing ink with a soft cloth. Ink with Perfect Medium Ink and brush on Pewter Perfect Pearls. Add rhinestones attaching with mini Glossy Accents to firmly affix and add that little extra bling.

Ink the music background with Coffee Archival ink and dry. Brush a coat of Matte Multi-Medium over entire tag. Crumple pattern and then straighten out and attach to tag. Brush another coat of Matte Multi-Medium over the top of the pattern paper like you would when you Mod Podge. Allow to dry and then using an ink blending tool and Vintage Photo Distress ink add character to the edges.

To create some funky leaves punch Mega Gian Dahlia Petals from the pattern directions. Ink in the same manner as the rosette, using Distress Antique Linen and Weathered Wood, and the Perfect Medium Ink pad. Apply Pewter Perfect Pearls.

I LOVE flattening wire and it was perfect for this application. Attach the flattened ends to your paper leaves using the mini Matte Multi-Medium as your adhesive. It is so very easy to control when using this little applicator. Curl some additional wire as shown below.

Print the sentiment on a piece of typing paper, then affix a small piece of the pattern directions directly atop the sentiment using Temporary or Repositionable adhesive.

I love the Glue Arts repostionable adhesive and keep one in my "gun" at all times. I do use repositionable adhesive quite frequently and so it comes in so very handy.

Gather some gold crochet trim by pulling one of the threads and attach to fabric piece cut to size using Be Creative (Sookwang) tape.

Create another strip from pattern paper using the rosette die. Run a piece of Be Creative tape along the bottom and apply Silver Embossing Powder. Be Creative/Sookwang tape can be heated - simply use your Heat It tool to melt the embossing powder. Attach to trim piece using more tape and attach entire embellishment to your tag using another strip of tape.

Add a few more rhinestones, some dangles and your sentiment as shown. So today you've been "Steampunked" - hope you enjoy this funky alternative and that it inspires you to try something different this holiday season!

stamps: Stampers Anonymous Festive Sounds and Winter Sketchbook

ink: Distress Embossing Ink, Perfect Medium, Distress Antique Linen, Weathered Wood and Vintage Photo

paper: Inkssentials Manila Tag #8, McCall's, Simplicity or Butterick Pattern

accessories: Tim Holtz Rosette Die, Tiny Attacher, Silver Embossing Powder, 7 Gypsies Time Flies Hardware, Copper Rhinestone Borders, Clear Chandelier Crystals, Punch Bunch Mega Giant Dahlia Petals, 18-gauge Bronze Wire, Chasing Hammer, Steel Bench Block, Rubber Block

Here we go - this die is a must have! It is so fun in SO many ways.

So yesterday I asked you what style you thought you created in - today I am going to challenge you. What have you NOT tried yet that you think just might be fun to give a try? Step out of your comfort zone and tell me what you are going to try this coming year! Leave your answer in the comments section below to be included in this random drawing. You have until Saturday morning - and trust me when I tell you that you are going to want to be here on Saturday morning - just sayin' ;-D

You can post a comment each day on the current post (one comment only please) for a chance to win today's goodies. We have 3 more tags and prizes to go AND we have Hero Arts stamps going live sometime tomorrow morning. The question is can I keep this exhausted body of mine up until midnight, will I wake up in the middle of the night or will it be when I crawl out of bed tomorrow morning - I wish I knew, but I'm just plain tired so I just can't promise. We also have some fun announcements coming tomorrow morning!

Headed out here momentarily to listen to some festive holiday music that my sweet Trina is singing tonight with the choir :-D

Thank you once again for the excitement you have shared in your comments. I know there is a prize attached, but I am REALLY enjoying having you here! THANK YOU!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Tag 8

I started laughing with the girls today here at work as I started finishing up my tag. Why does everything that I create end up with an elegant twist? That was not my intention initially, but I guess it is something I just need to give in to. My intent was to use this season's "in" color - gray, to put my feminine twist on Tim's tag techniques. I related to them how in the "old days" we would have two trees in our house. In the family room we would have a tree with colored lights, sentimental ornaments and all things we love. In the living room was "Ellen's tree." This tree was a mix of white, off-white, gold and copper - yes, it was elegant - LOL!

This tag reminded me of those days. Oh to be younger and have the energy to still "do" two trees - I guess I'll just stick with the tag, it was so much easier ;-D

Tim used his new seasonal masks for his tag this a.m. I wanted to share a different way that you can create your own mask if you do not have one of the wonderful premade ones.

As you all know I am SO very excited about masking as well - LOL! The combination of the Copic airbrush system and masks is fantastic, so I was excited to be able to share with you once again how to create your own mask.

We sell a magnetic masking material that is excellent for creating masks! I cut the sheet down in size to a generous fit for the die. This masking material is so thin that it cuts easily with my little Tonic guillotine cutter.

As you can see in the photo above you end up with both a snowman and a snowflake with this die. I cut the masking material slightly larger than the die to make airbrushing with it super easy.

The base tray is an excellent tool to have if you have purchased any Movers and Shapers dies. I have so many ideas for this little toy - oops, I mean tool - so be certain to stay tuned. As you can see in the photo above I placed the "love" Movers and Shapers die in the base tray. I then flipped the snowman magnetic mask, black side up, and positioned it over the love die, and then cranked it through my Big Shot as shown above.

The resulting mask is OH SO COOL! I opted not to use it for this project, but just had to share this option with you in case you want to give it a try.

Cut a tag from the Pink Paislee Parisian Anthology paper. This paper is so very different from many of the papers on the market today. Special ink is applied to the paper during manufacturing which resists dye ink when applied with an ink blending tool or mister.

As you can see in the photo above I positioned my tag on the Craft Assistant and placed my magnetic mask over the tag. I then used my Copic airbrush system and W4 marker to apply ink to my tag.

The result is so very pretty - a smooth and even application.

If you do not own Copic markers or the airbrush system you can also use the traditional method of masking and use the ink blending tool together with dye ink. Swirling from atop the magnet onto the paper tag creates a beautiful effect. It is important to note that you will need to hold the small magnet pieces in place when using this method, whereas when you are using the Copic airbrush system you are totally hands free.

The joy of using a magnetic mask is that you will not damage your tag/paper when removing the mask. At times the sticky masks can be too sticky - that is never the case with a magnetic mask.

As you can see the result is quite similar to the airbrushed look.

The next step was to add a "snowy" sparkle to the tag. When misting the dye resist tag be careful to prime your mister first and apply from a distance. Dye ink will puddle if the application of mist is too wet. When misting over an airbrushed surface their is no need to worry, as alcohol ink will not be affected by the moisture of the mister.

I wanted to give the snowman a swirly scarf and hat embellishment. The Prima Pearls and Flowers were the perfect choice as the flower has a slightly gray tint to it. Select the portion of the pearl embellishment that best suites your project and then cut it apart at the points that are not appropriate.

In the photo above I am trying to show how I removed a large pearl and repositioned a flower in it's place - it just suited the placement in the snowgirl's top hat. :-D

Yes, more vintage glass glitter! This is a snowflake cut out of Craft-a-Board, painted with a Pearl dabber and allowed to dry. Due to the delicate nature I found it easiest to use my adhesive spray and then pour the glass glitter over the snowflake. The silver mix shown in the picture was just a little too bright and so I sprinkled on some Tarnished Silver Glass Glitter and some Warm Highlights Microfine glitter to soften the look.

Once dry simply thread a needle with metallic thread and...

attach a jump ring as shown. Leave the metallic thread long to add to the overall look.

What could look more like snowdrifts than the On the Edge Scrollwork die? Love it when inspiration hits! Once again I applied the Matte Multi-Medium using a brush. By using a brush you can determine the exact locations you would like to place this fabulous adhesive. I then sprinkled the remaining glass glitter mix created above over the snowdrifts.

The tiny attacher was used to add my "chain link" fence. I love this chain trim from Webster's Pages - it is reversible for multiple looks! I placed the flat side up and then used my W4 (warm gray) Copic marker to modify the intensity of the color to bring it more in conjuction with my other silvers.

I hope that you enjoy this offbeat, little elegant twist, that gray brought to the scene today. Thank you once again for stopping in to enjoy what it is we have been creating. Wishing you a relaxing evening, good nights sleep and fantastic day ahead tomorrow!

ink: Pumice Distress Ink, Copic Marker W4

paper: Parisian Anthology Beautiful Butterfly

accessories: Art Magnetic Masking Material, Craft Assistant, Tim Holtz Winter Wonder, Love Movers and Shapers, Base Tray, Scrollwork on the Edge, Perfect Pearl Mister, Pearl Dabber, Prima Pearls and Flowers, Pink Paislee Smoke Dangle Elements, Airbrush System, Air Compressor, Martha Stewart Scalloped Tag, Silvery Moon Glass Glitter, Tarnished Silver Glass Glitter, Warm Highlights, Webster's Pages Chain Trim, Tiny Attacher, Tonic Cutter

Now on to today's goodie package - I'm hoping that today's tag inspires you to use this fun new die design by Basic Grey together with the Magnetic Masking Material and Craft Assistant:

So my reminiscing today has brought the question I would love to hear your response to as you leave your comment today - if you were to define the "look" that you create most often, what words describe your papercrafting style? Simply leave your response in the comment section below to be included in this random drawing. You have until sometime Friday morning to leave a response (yes, I am unpredictable as I seem to be trying to do too many things right now so I don't have a precise time - LOL!). You can post a comment each day on the current post (one comment only please) for a chance to win todays goodies. Be certain to stay tuned for another 4 days of tags and prizes :-D

Thank you for sharing in the festivities here in the CLASSroom!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Tag 7 by Julia Stainton

Just eighteen more days until Christmas. I'm starting to get excited and the record amounts of snow we've been getting in my area really has me in the Christmas mood. It's also very busy but part of keeping sane during this busy time is taking time for yourself. For me that's finding time to create. Pair that up with some holiday projects and it's a fabulous excuse for getting inky.

 

Today I had a wonderful time creating my own holiday tag and putting my own girlie spin on it with what I had on hand. This tag is a spin off of Tim's tag today and it's full of fun techniques to play around with.

While there are many things that constitute feminine, I just decided to go with my own favorite colors, products and embellishments. As I'm a girl...things that I like should therefore make it feminine, right? My favorite two colors of Distress Ink are Tumbled Glass and Crushed Olive so I swiped them onto the inside of the Bingo Texture Fades Embossing Folder. The tag is placed in the folder and run through the Die Cut Machine which leaves you with a really cool look when done. I decided to use a tag I had on hand which is the Number 5 Medium Manila Tag. Yes it's a bit smaller than the #8 size but I like it.

The tag looked great as is, but to put my own spin on things, I brushed on a layer of Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint. Once dried, the fine cracked finish is so pretty and icy looking.

Next step was creating the beautiful Poinsettia from Claudine Hellmuth Sticky Back Canvas. I'm shocked this was the only photo I took of the process but I was enjoying creating it so much I guess I got caught up in it. Once again I used what I had on hand. I didn't have any Ranger Colorwash so I substituted Viva Pink Glimmer Mist to make a beautiful shimmery pink poinsettia. I love that color of flower when I find it rather than the straight red. The leaf was created by swiping the sticky back canvas with Crushed Olive Distress Ink. You can accomplish this easily by adhering your canvas to the Non-Stick Craft Sheet before inking.

After you ink your canvas, apply it to sheets of Grungepaper and then die cut the flowers with the Tattered Florals Die and the leaves with the Tattered Leaves die. The flower is created by cutting each petal towards the center to create 6 separate petals. Distress the edges and turn them around, adhering what was originally the outter edge of the petal to the center of the flower.

The center of the flower is created by tying a Jenni Bowlin button with twine and adding a few more of my favorite embellishments. This time they are the Vintage Pearl Trinket Pins by Maya Road.

If you click on this photo to enlarge it, you can see a bit of the finely cracked clear finish on the tag. To add a little "snow" to the edges, I've brushed it with some Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint.

While that Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint was out, I created a snowy looking sentiment by brushing it on my sentiment. The joy letters are from the Grungeboard Minis package. They are adhered to the tag using Glossy Accents.

Another feminine touch on this tag is the lace trim on the bottom. The Hero Arts Adhesive White Lace is beautiful and so easy to apply.

Two last embellishments finish up my project. A Kiwi Chandelier Crystal hangs from the twine at the top of the tag and a rhinestone flourish by Zva Creative adds a sparkly touch to the side of the flower.

The last step is easy...tie it on a gift bag and go.

Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom today. I wish you much JOY this holiday season.

Julia

Thank you SO much Julia for joining in the fun and creating your version of Tim's tag!!

Today's blog candy includes Tim's Lavish trims, Rock Candy Stickles (this is a must have item in my opinion) and a package of embossing folders.

 
(These are not included, but I just had to share how gorgeous the trim is when dyed with Color Wash, Misters, or Reinkers! It's all about the versatility of white - simply stunning!!!)

To participate simply leave a comment for Julia on today's post. You have until our next tag is being posted to leave some love for Julia (one comment per person please.) We will once again use a random number generator to select our winner. You can post a comment each day on the current post for a chance to win that days prize package, so be certain to stay tuned for another 5 days :-D

We will be posting the winner of Tag #6 blog candy tomorrow morning so be certain to leave your comments for Becky!

Thank you once again for joining in our seasonal celebration!

 

 

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Tag 6 by Becky Olsen

I just love this time of year, when the air is so cold you can see your breath and every child is wishing for snow. That thought inspired me to create a reindeer that delivers these frosty delights.

I started with a manila #8 tag that I covered with Graphic 45 paper from the Christmas Past collection, some black Brilliance Graphite Black ink, a couple of darling Hero Arts stamp, Graphic 45 paper from the Once Upon a Springtime collection and Hero Arts Kraft card stock.

 I stamped the house from the Mi Casa set onto the green dot, and then used a precision knife to remove the windows and door.

 The roof was stamped onto the kraft and then trimmed out as well.

I used my Copic E44, and E31 as well as the colorless blender to add some dimension to the roof.

Just swipe down lightly to feather and then apply the lighter color to blend, followed by the colorless blender.

 

Adhere the house pieces to the tag using Scrapbook Adhesives dimensional foam squares. One layer for the house, two layers for the roof.

 Next, I made a frosty mix from UTEE, Clear Embossing powder and Holographic embossing powder. Just use a little food service taster cup and pour in a little of each.

 

 To make a paste for the bottom of the house, drop a little Glossy Accents into the cup and mix with a small wooden stick.

Use the same stick to smear the paste onto the bottom of the house.

 Apply Glossy Accents to the roof, tops of the windows and the door and then sprinkle the mix on and then lightly tap to remove the excess.

Next is a step that would have been much easier had I done it when I covered the card with the patterned paper, so if you are playing along, do this step first thing after you cover your tag with the patterned paper!

Use a small piece of Cut N' Dry foam to apply Brushed Corduroy Distress ink around the edges of the tag to frame it and give it that wonderful aged appearance.

 I used the Tim Holtz Reindeer Flight die cut to cut this Grungeboard deer. It was then painted with Stream colored Adirondack Dimensional Pearls that had been loosened up with water from a Mini-Mister. I set it aside to dry while I worked on the next step.

Again I wished I had done this step at the beginning, but these projects are so organic in nature that I just go where it takes me. If you are playing along, you may want to do this after you ink the tag and before you adhere the house.

With a Silver Adirondack Paint Dabber I stamped this cute little Hero Arts star cluster from the Monster Fun set all over the top of the tag to get a starry night look.

After the reindeer had dried, I started coloring section with a Ranger Perfect Medium pen and then sprinkling on the frosty mix and melting it with my Heat It tool.

This is what it looked like when it was all finished. I wish I could explaing to you how gorgeous the holographic glitter is in this mix. The holographic embossing powder changes colors based on the amount of heat it is given. So the reindeer has different colors all over it!

I wanted a little wreath on the door so I used my Distress embossing ink on the foliage pieces.

I then reversed the colors for the piece that I wanted to be on the reindeer. I wanted it to look like holly leaves and a berry.

I added a few Baubles, a Wish stick that are tied onto some yummy May Arts ribbons with Jump Rings to finish it up.

The Wish Word Stick is perfect for this tag and this time of year. We all have special things that we wish for, and one of my personal favorites is snow. I also want to Wish all of you the very best that this holiday season brings.

B-

I would like to thank Becky for helping me out tonight!!! Your tag is GORGEOUS Beks! Thank you for sharing your talents with us. We will be doing our drawing for Tag #5 tomorrow morning :-D

Our goodies for this post are one of the wonderful texture embossing folders and a fantastic stash of paper!

 
 

Simply leave some love in the comment section below to be included in our next random drawing. You have until tomorrow evening as I write my post to enter. You can post a comment each day on the current post for a chance to win those days goodies, so be certain to stay tuned for another 6 days :-D

Thank you for visiting us again today and sharing your support for Becky!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Tag 5

I would like to begin tonight by thanking you for the comments you have left. With family "goings on" it is so very important to me that I take the time to spend with them and so I apologize that it seems to be getting later and later each day by the time I get my project posted. Your words have encouraged me to continue on my merry way and I enjoy the process of creating; it is so much fun figuring out what to make and what I will teach. Editing photos and writing it up --- not so much (LOL!) To know that you appreciate it does make a difference. So thank you for stopping in and sharing your support.

Do you recognize the pretty angel from yesterday's post? It was an amazing coincidence that when I was finalizing this tag I looked over to see the remaining angel facet from yesterday and it was the perfect final touch!

This next technique is one we learned at Ranger U. It is a variation of the technique shared by Tim on his tag today. Using a Juniper dabber (always select a light color dabber when doing this technique) I swiped the dabber from my craft mat on to the tag in a whispy type of way to immitate the look of fir trees.

Tip: When you use your dabber for the first time simply dab the color on to an adhesive backed label and punch out the circle. Place this atop the dabber cap and it will be easy to identify your colors in the future.

The next step is to use an ink blending tool and swirl dye ink onto the tag, again starting on your craft mat and swirling on to the tag. I began with Distress Bundled Sage and finished with Pine Needles.

Today I wanted to use a Hero Arts image so that I could share with you that we will be participating in the newest Catalog Debut starting in just a few days! I hope you will continue to join us as we have fun with their latest release!

I also wanted to select an image that would allow me to color it in using Copic markers. Copic markers are a fine art tool that can be utilized with watercolors and dried acrylics. The effect is REALLY interesting and I would like to encourage you to give this a try. The paint dabbers are an acrylic paint that when dried can be colored over. Distress inks are dye ink pads and Copic markers are perfectly compatible with water soluble materials.

I realize now that I am at home that I forgot to take a picture of the colors I used to color in my image. I will do my best to shoot that picture and add that information from work tomorrow.

To begin, stamp your key image first using Memento Tuxedo Black ink as shown above. Then add the remaining branches to fill in the space.

I also realized that I need to do a more thorough explanation of the mover and shaper dies. These are so much fun to work with because of the options they provide. If you want to have the basic shape of the die you simply place the small square into the center of the die as shown.

If you would like to have a shape then you place the shaped die into the position desired. As you can see I used the small square in the top die and a key hole in the bottom die.

I

The small square has a magnetic sheet backing and helps you more easily remove your die cut shape after cutting. The keyhole is shown turned over as well. As you can see there are little magnets set into the die and these stick to the steel backing in the open space on the larger dies.

For today's project I cut out the styled labels from Craft-a-Board.

I determined that rather than having a shabby look which the distress crackle paint provides I wanted a more pearlized, elegant look. This is also a technique that I learned at Ranger U and I believe that it can only be accomplished with the Pearl Dabber. One of the cool things about the metallic dabbers (and the Pearl is considered a metallic) is that you can have a couple of different looks to the finished piece. The top piece shows a smoother finish. This is obtained by first dabbing the Craft-a-board with the paint and then smoothing it down by swiping it. If dabbed and left alone the final result is a more speckled or bumpy look as shown in the bottom piece.

I ended up making the top piece a little more textured than what it appears in the picture above for my final piece by simply reworking it.

Once again I used alcohol ink to colorize this pearlescent piece. This time I used the more traditional method of applying alcohol ink to the felt applicator beginning with my dominant color YG63 Various Ink Refill. Each Various Ink container comes with a nozzle that looks similar to an applicator. Simply squeeze one drop from the bottle and then move to the next spot and squeeze another drop until it looks similar to the photo above.

I am showing the ink drop application in steps so that you can get a better idea of the coverage and amount of ink I applied with each new color. Next was color BG72.

The final and darkest color to be added was BG75. I utilized the least of this color so that it would not become dominant.

To add even greater sparkle and depth I added one drop of Silver Metallic Mixatif. It is always important to use Metallic Mixatif in VERY small quantities so that it does not over power. As you will see one drop was plenty.

Dab the applicator over the entire piece.

Now go back and add a generous amount of Blender Fluid to the applicator felt and go back over the entire piece again.

As you can see the final result is STUNNING!

Another way to enamel metallic products such as the foliage is to press the foliage into the Distress Embossing ink pad.

Then dip it into the Stream embossing powder. By holding the flower with the teflon tweezers pressed open you can heat set the embossing powder and bring it to the perfect enamel finish. The embossing powder will then easily come off the tweezers.

For the brad I wanted to try the technique that Tim shared today. I inked the end of the brad with the Pearl dabber and then dipped it into Pearl UTEE and heat set it. Dipped it again while still hot and wet and heat set again. All I can say is WOW, so cool!

The leaf foliage was colorized by simply dabbing it with the Pearl dabber and allowing it to dry. Use the crafters pick to punch a hole to insert the brad and affix the foliage.

A few more pearls, gemstones, ribbon and baubles and my tag was completed. I must say that I am absolutely in love with this color scheme and would love to have a tree decorated in these colors!

I hope that you enjoy these fun techniques and are able to put them to good use in some of your upcoming projects!

stamps: Hero Arts ClearDesign Magic of Christmas and Get Merry

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Bundled Sage and Pine Needles; Copic Various Ink Refills - YG63, BG72, BG75

paper: Memory Box Tinsel, Craft-a-Board, Neenah Solar White

accessories: Tim Holtz Tag and Bookplates, Styled Labels, and Keyhole Dies, Silver Metallic Mixatif, Baubles, Facet, Foliage; Bliss Pearls, Sparkling Diamond Jewels, Pearl Dabber, Antique Silver Reinforcer, White Silk Ribbon, Silver Organdy Ribbon

It has been so much fun reading about how you found us - thank you for sharing as I am always curious about where you come from and how you find us! Kim C congratulations you are the winner of the Grunge Flakes stamp set and the Facets. If you haven't heard from us shortly please email us at customerservice@ellenhutson.com with your snail mail address so that we can get you your new goodies.

This time round we are giving away one of Tim's latest dies - the pine tree!

Simply leave a comment below to be included in our next random drawing. You have until tomorrow evening as I write my post to enter. You can post a comment each day on the current post for a chance to win those days goodies, so be certain to stay tuned for another 7 days :-D

Thank you for sharing in the festivities here in the CLASSroom!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Tag 4

Tonight's tag is most definitely girly. As I created this tag today my sweet daughters were on my mind - I am ever so grateful for them and simply wanted to reflect on the blessing they are to me. Angels come to mind when I think of Christmas and so today's tag features guardian angels.

The technique that made an impression on me today was the use of stickles, in conjunction with glossy accents, when adhering images to the fragments and charms. LOVE IT!!!

So my experimentation began. The first charm I created I edged the charm with stickles and then filled the center with glossy accents. I realized when I pressed the charm in place atop the guardian angel that I had added WAY to much adhesive and because the stickles were around the edge most of the sparkle squeezed out. On to attempt #2.

As you can see I altered the placement of my stickles and the amount of glossy accents. It worked out perfectly with only a little excess coming out the edges. I used a soft cloth to remove the excess and allowed the images to dry.

Tip #1 - Carefully remove the excess glossy accents from the hole using a toothpick or crafter's pick before it dries.

Once dry use the crafter's pick to punch a hole through the cardstock. Trim excess cardstock to the edge of the charm.

Another idea I have had that I have wanted to try is to use the new Design Adhesives to add interest to the charms. I positioned the adhesive on the back, added Sand Ultrafine Glitter and burnished it into place. I then adhered the charm to a piece of Cranberry cardstock using Glossy Accents.

After adhering the angel to a large flower I added jumprings to all the charms to dangle them from the wrinkled seam binding.

The tag was created using the very convenient tag die. The words that were created to fit within the carved ornament die also works create in the tag die! Simply position the mover as shown above and run it through your Big Shot. Isn't that a fun way to add interest to your tag?!?

This next technique is a resist technique. Ink your image with Embossing ink and use clear embossing powder to create your resist image. Heat set the embossing powder and then use an ink blending tool to make the image pop.

You will notice that I inked the edges of the tag with Spun Sugar before embossing. I wanted the edges to be softer than if I had left the entire tag white before embossing.

Spun Sugar and Victorian Velvet were used to bring out the music background.

Yesterday I had an "oops" moment. When I went to pour the Vintage Glass Glitter back into it's container I was not paying close attention and dumped it into my Tarnished Gold embossing powder. I used a spoon to scope out the mixed portion and decided that today I would experiment with the mix as shown above.

It was an accident that was meant to be - I love the gorgeous effect!

Adding detail over the embossed background was possible by using Coffee Archival ink.

Playing with charms is so much fun. Hopefully I will have an opportunity to play with the alcohol inks and Archival Ink resist technique that Tim shared today later in this tag series.

Thank you for stopping in again today and I hope that you enjoy this Christmas angel tag.

stamps: Stampers Anonymous Festive Sounds and Fancy Flourish

ink: Distress Embossing Ink, Distress Spun Sugar and Victorian Velvet, Coffee Archival Ink

paper: Melissa Frances Angel Die Cuts, Neenah Solar White, Memory Box Cranberry Cardstock

accessories: Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers Tag and Hope Dies, Facets, Baubles; 7 Gypsies Antique Brass Reinforcer, Adelaide Seam Binding; Melissa Frances Tarnished Silver Glass Glitter, Tarnished Gold Embossing Powder, Sand Microfine Glitter, Prima Sweet Taffy Flower

Congratulations Curt! You are the winner of Tim's Winter Sketchbook stamp set and Tidings Tissue Tape. Please contact us with your snail mail address at customerservice@ellenhutson.com if you have not received an email from us shortly so that we can get these goodies into the mail to you.

Today we have another fun selection - Grunge Flakes stamp set and a package of Facets.

To be entered for this fun blog candy we would like to know how you found us and how long you have followed our blog -you have until tomorrow evening as I write my post to enter. You can post a comment each day on the current post for a chance to win some fun goodies, so be certain to stay tuned for another 8 days :-D

Wishing you a restful night and remainder to your weekend!

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Tag 3

This morning after I absorbed Tim's tags AND videos I had one of those "duh" moments - LOL! Tissue tape is made of tissue - goodness, gracious I can be blonde sometimes. I had discovered on my own that it tore easily, was easily repositioned once placed, and could be used to cover some pretty odd shapes, such as the large clothespin we carry. I also found out that it had a waxy like coating and that the best way to color it was with alcohol ink, using either an alcohol ink felt applicator or my airbrush system. I didn't realize that Distress Inks would adhere once heat set, so that was a great educational tip. I have also discovered that paint will adhere as well and have aged it using my dabbers. I have a beautiful project that I made in the beginning of October but I just haven't had the time to post it - yikes!

I loved the challenges Tim provided today - using tissue tape to create a flower and collage a background. I could have selected a different die, but I LOVE this little bird. What is it with birds? I am SO very afraid to be contained in a closed environment with them, but I put them on absolutely everything :-D

Tip #1 - When working with the tissue tape, do not let it go back on itself as you work on your project. Why you may ask? Simple... if you are of the age that reading glasses are necessary - it takes FOREVER to find the end again -LOL! Handy tip I'm sure - ha! ha!

Randomly apply your tissue tape to either cardstock, grungeboard or as I did, Craft-a-Board. Again, if you haven't tried Craft-a-Board I encourage you to do so. It is SO affordable and you will be amazed at what you can do with it!!!

As you all know I love my Copics and so I have not invested in yet another set of Alcohol Inks. One of the most popular things you wanted to learn about was how to use Alcohol Inks. I want to share that any method you use for your Copic Alcohol Various Ink Refills can be applied to the Ranger Alcohol Inks. I will continue to try and share information regarding how to use Various ink in other ways once these tags are complete. I would also like to encourage you to try the "search mechanism" in the top right hand corner of our blog. Simply type in the words "Various Ink" and many articles will show up in which Various inks have been talked about.

As you can see I have added the alcohol ink to my applicator in a different way than what is typical. The reason for first dripping it on my non-stick craft sheet was to allow the two colors to mix somewhat before I applied them to the felt. The purple tones in the Copic colors are pretty true in value, or in other words very bright. I wanted the purple that I was using to coordinate with the Graphic 45 christmas papers. By mixing the V17 together with W4 I was able to gray down my color and have it coordinate beautifully.

Don't be afraid to mix colors! If you are afraid of ruining your project apply your applicator to a piece of scrap paper before setting it to your final project.

Dab and swirl, dab and swirl until the entire surface is covered. Then run this piece through your Big Shot using the Caged Bird die. The finished size of the piece above is approx 2 3/4" x 5 3/4". This allows me to cut my bird out with very little waste.

Tim sparkled his birdie up using Rock Candy Stickles. I love the Stickles, but felt that I should try something else to see what would work. My first attempt was to attach Be Creative Tape to the surface before cutting out my bird. That was a bit of an experiment - LOL! Be Creative tape (otherwise known as Sookwang tape) is VERY sticky! When I went to remove the top coat I literally pulled up all the tissue tape leaving my Craft-a-Board bare. Another duh moment because I already knew that tissue tape is easy to remove once applied. So on to experiment #2.

As you will see experiment #2 was successful :-D Covering the bird and wing with a thin coat of Matte Multi-Medium and then...

covering the surface with Ultrafine Warm Highlights created a magical effect! The beautiful thing about the Transparent Highlights is that you can see the imaging from below. The warm golden, sparkly surface is mesmerizing.

I dumped off the excess and then used my finger to gently rub the surface to help the glitter adhere, as well as "sand" off excess to create an absolutely stunning little creature.

I then coated just the tip of the wing with Matte Multi-Medium again and dipped it in the gorgeous Melissa Frances Vintage Shards.

Capturing the beauty in a photograph is nigh to impossible and so I hope that you can get just a hint of what it looks like in real life.

Now on to my tissue tape flower. Tim did a wonderful job explaining the process in his video. I began with a 5/8" circle punch because I wanted a rather petite flower.

The only problem I had was trying to adhere my tissue tape to my cardstock dot without it coming back up again. Being solution driven I ended up plastering the surface with glue dots. It worked GREAT!

As you can see I went around a little over two times. I then followed Tim's lead and lifted the center piece up just a little to lay down some hot glue. Yes, my trusty old hot glue gun is being utilized more than usual with some of these new products. I highly recommend the glue gun to secure your rosettes (created using Tim's fab new rosette die) as well.

To bring my flower into balance with the remainder of the tag I edged it using alcohol ink.

I next rolled it on the Embossing Ink pad and then in Tarnished Gold embossing powder (LOVE this stuff!)

Just a little more sparkle to balance out my birds wing! Once again I used Matte Multi-Medium randomly applied with a paint brush and topped the flower with a sparkly Webster's button.

A little more sparkly Webster's ribbon was position beneath the button, a gorgeous little accent piece from the 8x8 paper pad clipped to the tag and the bird popped off the surface in a triagular shape to create my focal point. One little design tip I would like to suggest is that when positioning your elements on a small surface like this you will want to overlap the pieces that are your focal point to create balance and draw your eye to one place. It also enhances the piece to let these elements float off the edge of your tag.

To add the final balance of my purple element I put just a little bit of purple paper on my to/from tags and added some purple twine. The little "believe" sentiment, a pearl and some gorgeous metal foliage were the finishing touches.

Once again I would like to encourage you to try one of these techniques using tissue tape. I know that a LOT of you already own some, so I hope you will join in the fun and please don't be sad if you don't have everything - just make do with what you do have and improvise. How about pulling out that trusty old masking tape?!? AND if you can't make an entire tag, just make an element and save it for use on a tag or card later :-D

Thank you for stopping in again today and for keeping the encouragement coming with your comments. I must admit I am tired and have a lot on my plate right now, but doing these tags is SO much fun, so I'm commited :-D I'll be coming back into the office again tomorrow and on Sunday so that I can try to continue to inspire you and share in the fun. Have an awesome weekend and enjoy a few creative moments!

stamps: Hero Arts to/from

ink: Various Ink Refills - V17 and W4, Archival Coffee, Distress Antique Linen, Distress Embossing Ink

paper: Graphic 45 Christmas Past Deluxe Edition 8x8 Pad, Craft-a-Board

accessories: Tim Holtz Caged Bird Die, Tidings and Nostalgic Tissue Tape, Foliage, Baubles, Alcohol Ink Felt Applicator Tool; Martha Stewart PATP Vintage Lace, Melissa Frances Tarnished Silver Glass Glitter, Tarnished Gold Embossing Powder, Matte Multi-Medium, Warm Highlights Ultrafine Glitter, Believe Vintaj Tag, Ivory Silk Ribbon, Webster's Pages Scalloped Sparklers, Webster's Pages Waiting for Santa Trim

WOW - thank you to everyone who visited today and left a comment - I am using the love you shared to get me through the day today :-)! It has been a hectic and exhausting week after the snowstorm we had last week, a long road-trip to visit my Mom through the Rocky Mountains for Thanksgiving (worth every minute of the 30+ hours on the road) and enjoying the companionship of my dog and daughter here at work. I'm READY to sleep in in the morning!

A huge congratulations goes to Patti! Thank you for your comment and questions yesterday Patti - you helped me to realize that I really needed to add more information to my explanation. I hope that you have had the opportunity to go back and reread the information. I have your Typepad message flagged in hopes of getting back to you today - I didn't even have a chance to check with Erica to see if she was able to let you know that I tried to add more information :-D

Please send your snail mail address to us at customerservice@ellenhutons.com and we will get these fun toys out to you and you can give this technique a try!

Today our prize is inspired by Tim's Tag - how about a stamp set and some tissue tape everyone! We have Winter's Sketchbook and Tidings Tissue Tape for today's goodies!

Simply posting a comment below will enter you in this random drawing - you have until tomorrow evening as I write my post to enter. You can post a comment each day on the current post for a chance to win some fun goodies, so be certain to stay tuned for another 9 days :-D

Thank you for joining me here in the CLASSroom!

12 Tags of Christmas Supply Source

To assist you we have created the special link shown below. The banner below is also featured on the home page of our store. Each day Julia updates it to include the new tag and all supplies used on that tag are referenced when you click on the tag. It will show the tag being out of stock because, well... I couldn't afford to compensate Tim for all the tags I know you would order - LOL! and to be perfectly truthful I could never create that many tags myself either :-D 

We hope that you are having fun playing along and would love to have you post your tags on our Facebook page!

 

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Tag 2

Please read all the way to the bottom to find the winner of our blog candy and find out how you can enter into today's random drawing!

I have started my routine - each morning as I eat my bowl of cereal I sit down to take a peek at Tim's tag, so that as I drive to work I can think about what I will create. It was a couple of years ago when I first saw Tim do this technique and I have wanted to try it ever since. Can you believe it took me two years?!? So here we go :-D

At first I was stymied with how I would make this look "girly," but in the end I think I managed ;-D

ETA: When considering this technique it is most interesting to select an image that has some broader based lines, as well you will want to be able to create "sections" of ink on your felt stamp pad to get crisp, clean colors. Creating a custom felt ink pad is a huge time saver - essentially it replaces the technique where you color directly on your rubber stamp using a waterbased marker. This allows you to custom color the image and stamp repeatedly in a quick manner.

I found that a pencil works great to trace the stamp on the cut-n-dry felt  (not foam) pad.

I couldn't live without Tim's Tonic scissors - they work fantastic for cutting out stamps, but also work fabulously on so many other things, including the cut-n-dry felt.

I noticed a question in today's comments asking if there is another material that would work if you don't have the cut-n-dry felt. I don't believe that there will be anything quite like it. This material appears to be identical to what is used in the dye ink pads that Ranger manufactures. BUT please be advised that this is only a guess, because I truly do not know. The felt is fabric topped and it works great - I really don't know of anything on the market that is even similar.

Again I went with the ink that Tim recommended - the Archival Jet Black and stamped my image on to the felt stamp pad (fabric side up.) This has really become one of my go-to inks if I am not coloring with Copics.

Cleanup of the Archival ink is a little different due to it's waterproof quality. I find it easiest to simply wipe my stamp with a dry cloth, then use the CleansIt cleaner, followed by the RubIt ScrubIt. I have a plastic container that is slightly larger than my RubIt ScrubIt pad and I simply add water to barely cover the pad. I quickly scrub aand rinse my stamps on the pad and then use my trusty, stained wash cloth to dab it dry.

As I beginner I felt that a step-by-step photo process may be helpful. I don't know if there is any rhyme or reason when adding colors to the image, but I went with the method I would use when coloring an image with markers and then huffing. I started with my focal point and the lightest color - Antique Linen. Apply the ink generously using the dropper that comes in the bottle.

Apply Vintage photo to the face only.

Add Victorian Velvet to Santa's clothes. As you can see I ended up getting a droplet of ink in a spot that I didn't intend, but no worries - my project turned out just fine!

Apply Forest Moss to the tree.

Apply Tumbled Glass to the snowflakes.

I ended by applying Vintage Photo to the remaining open areas and all the way around the edge to almost "frame" the piece.

Your new custom inked stamp pad is now ready for use. Use it just as you would use a regular dye ink stamp pad, being certain to align your stamp directly with the stamp pad as you ink it each time.

I then stamped my image on Neenah Solar White cardstock. (First image stamped is on the right.) I wasn't completely happy with my coloring and figured it wouldn't hurt to see what happens when you add different colored inks directly over the areas already inked.

(I loved Tim's storage idea, so I will be attaching the image on the left to my plastic ziplock baggie. A suggestion that I have heard that may keep this pad moist longer is to first wrap it in Saran Wrap before placing it in the ziplock bag.)

I felt the face was TOO dark, so I went ahead and applied Victorian Velvet directly over the Vintage Photo. I also really wanted my snowflake tip to be more blue than brown, so added a little more Tumbled Glass to the tip of the large snowflake.

I am REALLY excited about the results - the final look is so much better than the dark brown and I believe that it looks so much better than if I would have made his entire face the Victorian Velvet color. SO... what you can also do is make your own custom colored ink pads if you can't find that perfect color for a project!

(left to right - Hero Arts Watercolor Paper, Arturo Single Cards, Neenah Solar White)

It is so important to experiment as you create! I literally have a dozen different stamped images in my studio - I tried SO many different things because I just wanted to know what would happen. The above samples are all ones I experimented with water.

These samples were all embossed with clear embossing powder and then (from left to right):

• accent colored with Copic markers,
• watercolored with distress ink,
• Antique Linen distress ink was smudged on Non-stick Craft sheet, misted with water and then tag was laid in ink. Tumbled Glass reinker was then mixed with water and splattered on the surface.

To add to the girly factor one must add glitter! Using Icicle stickles to add sparkle to Santa's hat and sleeve, the tree and snowflakes is so very easy.

A few baubles and a to/from tag edged with Embossing Ink and Tarnished Gold all place atop some beautiful Webster's Pages papers and my tag was complete.

stamps: Tim Holtz ATC Christmas Miracle

digital download: Traditional Seasonal Alphabet

ink: Archival Jet Black, Distress Embossing Ink, Distress Reinkers - Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Victorian Velvet, Tumbled Glass and Forest Moss

paper: Webster's Pages Waiting for Santa and Waiting for Santa 6x6 pack, Neenah Solar White, Hero Arts Felt Paper, Arturo Singles, Manila Tag

accessories: Tim Holtz Tag & Bookplates Die, Baubles, Tiny Attacher, Cut-N-Dry Stamp Pad Felt, Tarnished Gold Embossing Powder, Icicle Stickles, Webster's Pages Waiting for Santa Trim, CleansIt Cleaner, RubIt ScrubIt

The drawing for the Baubles and Accoutrements is now closed - our winner is Andi Sexton.

Thank you Andi for always sharing your love with us here in the CLASSroom! Please send us an email to customerservice@ellenhutson.com with your snail mail address if you read this before we have a chance to contact you!

Today you have an opportunity to win Tim Holtz ATC First Christmas and a package of Cut-n-Dry Stamp Pad Felt:

Simply posting a comment below will enter you in today's random drawing - you have until tomorrow evening when my next post goes live to enter. You can post a comment each day on the current post for a chance to win some fun goodies, so be certain to stay tuned for another 10 days :-D

Thank you for joining me here in the CLASSroom!

 

12 Tags of Christmas With a Feminine Twist - Tag 1

ETA: We have our winner! Congratulations Jody!!!

 
If you haven't heard from us shortly please send us your snail mail address to customerservice@ellenhutson.com so we can get A Compendium of Curiosities in to the mail to you. You will love all the tips Tim shares in this book! :-D Be certain to leave your comment below - perhaps you will be our next winner!

It is with much excitement that I share my first finished tag. Your enthusiasm most definitely drove me forwards today as I had so many other things to do, but the creativity part was so much more fun!

When Tim shared the use of the Rickety House in an "other than Halloween version" I was tickled pink. I had wanted to create a Christmas version as well and this was my golden opportunity - yippie!

So here we go with a "girly version." I hope you like it and see a new way of using this die.

I felt that a simple layer of cardstock would not quite be sturdy enough for the project I had in mind, so I cut out a paper version and a Craft-a-board version. The thing I LOVE about Craft-a-board is that it is slightly off white in appearance and is quite "moldable." For today's project I simply painted on a thin layer of Studio Matte Medium and adhered my paper.

I then distressed the edges of my house with Faded Jeans ink. Following Tim's directions I used a paint brush to generously add Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint to my house and allowed it to fully dry.

Once dry I decided to add curtains to the interior of my house using some gorgeous trim. I then added the Glossy Accents and used Polar White Flower Soft for my snow.

I wanted to have a feel of wallpaper peeking through the windows. Using the reverse from my Craft-a-Board cutout I was able to trace and cut out a piece that would fit neatly under the house. Using 3D dots I adhered it behind the house.

It was another one of those "yippie" moments for me when Tim suggested using regular manila file folders this morning. Not only do file folders come in the "manila color," but they come in other colors as well!!! YEAH for red!

I stamped the snowflakes using the Snow Cap Dabber, rather than an ink pad. The fun thing about this dabber is that it gives you a more painterly, shabby feeling which is a perfect accompaniment to the Melissa Frances papers. When the paint is dry you can use an ink blending tool and a soft Distress or Adirondack color to shabby it up even more.

Rather than using an ink blending tool I decided to try and age it using my Perfect Pearls Turquoise Mist.

The doily is intended to represent the night moon. After splashing it in the mist I dried it and then used a silver dabber around the edges. Using a dabber allows for the very faintest paint application.

Next the tag was placed in the mist and dried, then placed in the mist again. I repeated this until I felt that just the right amount of blue sparkle was represented.

By placing my little round "reinforcement" on the Embossing Ink Pad and then dipping it in silver embossing powder and heating it I ended up with a very rustic looking reinforcement for the top of my tag.

To create the light post I stamped using Distress Embossing ink and silver embossing powder. It was then aged using Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

The flame was added with a Y21 Copic Marker and a glow was brought in with a Sand Prismacolor colored pencil.

Tinsel trim and small green and pink pearls are intended to bring that old-fashioned Christmas look into the piece.

I love how the paper had the perfect Santa to come peeking up out of the chimney! A few more baubles and pretty trim and we have the cutest little Rickety Christmas House!

stamps: Stampers Anonymous Mini Holidays 2

ink: Distress Embossing Ink, Distress Ink - Faded Jeans and Antique Linen

paper: Red File Folder (office supply store), Melissa Frances Home for the Holidays 6x6 Paper Pad, Neenah Solar White, Craft-a-Board

accessories: Tim Holtz Rickety House Die, Baubles, Distress Crackle Paint - White Picket Fence, Mini Glossy Accents, Snow Cap White and Silver Paint Dabbers; Studio Matte Multi-Medium, Perfect Pearls Turquoise Mist, Polar White Flower Soft,  Webster's Pages Sweet Season & Waiting for Santa Trim and Tinsel Trim, Ivory Silk Ribbon, Pearls - Hot Pink and Green, Mitten Weather Button, Sky Chandelier Crystals (you can use clear and color with Copic Markers as well), Silver Embossing Powder, 3D-Dots, Small Doilies

Now on to the good stuff! What could be more girly than Baubles and Adornments?

You have until my next post goes up tomorrow evening to leave your comments on this post (one comment per person please). I would love for you to share one "must-have" craft item with me. It can be one you really, really want - OR one you already own that you just couldn't live without. We will once again randomly draw a winner from the comments left.

I am closing the previous post now for comments and will be back later this evening to post our winner! I'm off to my daughter's school and will be back soon.

Tag #12 May the Spirit of Christmas Fill Your Heart by Becky Olsen

 What an exciting ride the last 12 days have been! Lisa's tags are amazing, and I have learned so much from my own creative process. So while I have been sharing, I have been enjoying this wonderful time and had experienced growth in unexpected ways, a wonderful gift in return. We are so grateful that you have joined us in this fantastic adventure, and I do believe that there are more on the way, so keep your eyes open!

The last tag is called "May the spirit of Christmas fill your heart". And this is what it looks like when it is finished.

We are going to start by working on the heart layer. Get a brush, I like the wide one from the "Studio Artist Brush" set. Scoop a little of the "Pewter" Perfect Pearls onto the end of the brush and then tap onto your "Craft Sheet".

Spritz water from your "Mini Mister" beside the Perfect Pearls.

Swirl the water and Perfect Pearls together and let it bead up on the Craft Sheet.

Lay your #8 White tag down on top of the Perfect Pearls and smooth across the back of the tag.

This is what it looked like when I lifted it up.

Set with the Heat It tool.

Spritz tag with water from the Mini Mister to loosen it up a little.

Set with Heat It tool.

Stamp "Swirling Snowflakes" with "Perfect Medium" and then sprinkle "Clear Embossing Powder" over the top.

Melt with the Heat It tool.

This is what it looked like when I was done.

Stamp the "Vintage Text" Scrapblock onto another #8 White Tag with Pigment "Pitch Black" ink.

Apply "Antique Linen" Distress ink to edges with the "Ink Blending Tool".

Stamp the stitched border from the "Primitive Christmas" with "Espresso" Pigment ink around all the edges.

Trim if you have sides that aren't even. Now the base tag is ready for some layers!

Lets get back to the tag we started with. Apply "Aged Mahogany" Distress ink to the entire tag using a piece of "Cut n' Dry" foam.

Spritz with the Mini Mister lightly.

Set with the Heat It tool.

They are hard to see in this picture, but now there are lovely little spritz marks that look a little like snow in this context, so pretty!

Draw a heart on the back that is about half of the tag in size.

Trim around the heart shape.

Apply more Aged Mahogany ink to the edges with the Cut n' Dry foam.

Carefully wipe over the embossed areas with a soft cloth. This removes the ink from the top of the embossed areas with out damaging the ink that was applied to the tag.

Stamp the calender piece from the Rummage Bin "Christmas Night" set onto a new #8 White tag.

Stamp the number 25 from the "Evergreen Holiday" with Aged Mahogany ink and then sprinkle with Clear Embossing Powder. Melt with Heat It tool.

Trim around the entire piece.

Apply "Old Paper" Distress ink with the Ink Blending tool over the entire piece.

Apply "Antique Linen" with the Ink Blending Tool on the edges.

Run edges along the top of "Walnut Stain" and set with Heat It tool.

Stamp the Holly Berry Branch from the Christmas Night set with the Walnut Stain ink, then set with the Heat It tool.

Apply "Peeled Paint" Distress Stickles carefully over the leaves. The stickles will cause the ink to bleed if it gets moist. Stay within the shape of the leaves and it will be fine.

Apply "Burgundy" Stickles onto the holly berries. Again be careful and apply lightly with in the berries.

This is what it looks like from the side.

On a new #8 White tag stamp the "Jolly Holly Santa" with Aged Mahogany Distress ink, sprinkle with clear embossing powder and melt with Heat It tool.

Trim around the santa.

Press "Antique Linen" and "Tattered Rose" onto the craft sheet and lightly spritz with Mini Mister.

Carefully paint his face with the Antique Linen first and set with Heat It tool.

Then paint the Tattered Rose onto the nose and cheeks.

Set with the Heat It tool.

Use "Quickie Glue Pen" to fill in hat, mustache and beard areas.

Sprinkle "Cotton Ball White" Fun Flock onto the image and lightly press with your finger tips.

Carefully shake off excess.

Use "Matte Accents" to attache a little white pom pom if you have one. I snipped one from some pom pom trim I had on hand, but they are readily available at most local craft shops.

Fill in holly leaves with Peeled Paint Distress Stickles.

Fill in holly berries with Burgundy Stickles.

On a leftover piece of tag, stamp the sentiment from the Mona Lisa Moments "Christmas Expressions" with the Pigment Espresso ink.

Trim to around the edges.

Apply Old Paper Distress ink over the entire piece with Ink Blending tool.

Apply Antique Linen Distress Ink with Ink blending tool to the edges of the piece.

Stitch x's onto side of sentiment with green floss that is similar in color to the Peeled Paint Stickles.

Pierce holes in a circle around the number 25.

Stitch with the green floss.

Apply foam adhesive to the backs of all the pieces.

Start by applying the heart at the top and then the calender at the bottom. Then place the santa over the top of both. Last, tuck the bottom right of the sentiment under the santa.

This what it looks like with all of the dimension. Now we are going to tie a big silk "Burgundy" ribbon bow on the top.

And now we are finished. Thanks so much for visiting today and for spending some of your precious holiday time with us. We hope that we have inspired you to play with your products, and encouraged you to think outside of the "box" when it comes to tags and design.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas!
B-

Tag 11 - Painted Santa By Lisa Strahl

Dear friends, I can't believe this is my last tag!  Where has the time gone?  Sharing this series with Bek and Ellen's readers has been nothing but a pleasure.  (Ok, I could do without this flu bug I am fighting.)  But never fear, there are tags to be made and I took an extra nap this afternoon just so I could finish well.  Thank you so much for all of your kind words, they did lift me up yesterday.  :D

This tag was another labor of love, although hard to photograph at times.  I always craft in the late evening, just the time of life I am in, with day time work and little ones.  Please forgive some strange angles I needed to use to keep the glare off of the project.

 

 

Press the Aged Mahogany, Shabby Shutters and Vintage Photo Distress Ink Pads in a triangle pattern to the Non-Stick Craft Sheet and spritz with a Mini Mister.  Mine is always filled with Pearl Perfect Pearls (say that three times fast!) and water to add some bling.

 

Press the Size 8 Tag to the ink...

 

...and give it a quarter turn.

 

Turn it over and heat set with the Ranger Heat It Craft Tool.  Feel free to use some paper towel to remove any excess ink you don't like.

 

 

Repeat this process over and over until your tag is covered to your satisfaction.  I usually press into the ink about 8 times, focusing on different areas each time.  Be sure to heat set between each layer of color.

 

What on earth is this, right?  I wanted to add some texture to this background, but a stamped pattern was going to be too much for all of the other stuff I had planned.

Cut three lengths of Black Crocheted Ribbon the circumference of the Medium Inky Roller - adhere with some double sided tape.  Remove some of the stickiness by handling it with your fingers a few times so you can remove it later.

 

Squeeze a good amount of paint from the Adirondack Gold Paint Dabber onto your Craft Sheet.

 

Get your brayer good and "painty".

 

Roll in ONCE over the tag, pressing firmly.

 

 

I just LOVE this effect.  Added texture, but it's not distracting in any way.

Determine the right size game spinner (the smallest gold one) to fit this date sticker from the Salvage Sticker Assortment (I know Ellen has these at the warehouse and they should go up on the store in the next day or two.)

They were a little stark for the project so ink them with Vintage Photo Distress Ink using Cut 'n Dry Foam and heat set. 

Using the matching brad, attach the spinner to the sticker.  Hammer it with the ball end of the Texture Hammer, smash that brad!

 

Ink the larger month sticker with Shabby Shutter Distress Ink.

Put the date sticker over the month sticker, attach with the brad and cover the entire piece with Glossy Accents.  Note: The spinner points to the 24th and December.

Dab gold paint onto the Santa image from the Santa's Wish Stamp Set.

Brayer over the paint with a clean brayer to ensure the paint is distributed evenly. 

Stamp onto a tag and heat set.

Fussy cut it out. 

Press the Peeled Paint Distress Ink Pad onto the craft sheet and pick some up with a Small Niji Waterbrush.  Watercolor the holly leaves on the image.

Watercolor Santa's hat and coat with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink.  My favorite part about this technique is that the paint resists the water and ink which means that it shows through and shimmers.  So lovely!

And give him some rosy cheeks with Tattered Rose Distress Ink. 

Whiten his beard with the Inkssentials White Gel Pen.

Cover the white part of his hat with Glossy Accents. 

And dust with Twinklets. 

Stamp the lamp post from the Festive Sounds Stamp set with Jet Black Archival Ink on a Crystal Clear Sheet, heat set and cut out with detail scissors.

Paint the back side of the image with Adirondack Pearl Paint Dabber with the smallest Studio brush. 

 

Press the painted side of the post to the tag as shown.  Add double sided tape to the bottom off Santa and add some foam squares behind his hat so he has some stature.

And once again, attach some of that lovely Black Crochet Ribbon with the Tiny Attacher - I am COMPLETELY addicted to this tool!!!  Can you tell?  *giggles*

Fill a Typewriter Key Charm with Frosted Lace Stickles and set aside to dry.

Once dry, attach to the end of Santa's hat with a silver brad. 

Attach your clock/month embellishment as shown with a strong adhesive.

Adhere a stripe of star shaped Twinkle Stickers. 

Finish it off with the Merry Christmas sentiment from the Santa's Wish stamp set and top it off with 1 1/4 inch Ivory Silk Ribbon.  I just love how soft and almost romantic this Santa turned out.  It's as if he is hiding and you discover him as your eye wanders around the tag.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for having me.  I am blessed.  

Tag #10 Holiday Cheer by Becky Olsen

Holy WOW!!!
I love that mosaic that Lisa created! So much to keep looking at, very fab!

Here we are at tag #10 already, I have to admit that I don't have my tree up yet, or most of my shopping done, but we have plenty of time, right? It has been such a fun distraction to work on these tags, and all that stuff that needs to be done will be waiting for me when I am done so I am not too worried about it.

So with my mind on holiday decorating, I came up with the idea that it would be fun to "decorate" our little deer's home, so here we go!

Start with a piece of Sticky Back Canvas, a 6" x 6" piece of "Eskimo Kisses" and a white "#8 tag".

Claudine came up with a new technique for image transfer recently, so I thought it would be fun to share that here.
Start by trimming the patterned paper just a little smaller than the tag. Then trim the Sticky Back Canvas to the same size.

Peel the protective backing off of the Sticky Back Canvas.

Adhere the patterned paper pattern side to the adhesive of the Sticky Back Canvas. (this is a super clean version of image transfer, you are going to love it!)

Burnish using your Ranger "Craft Scraper". I am really heavy handed and apply a lot of pressure and repetitive movement to make sure that I am getting that ink as embedded into the adhesive as possible.

Spritz with water in a "Mini Mister", you want it to be really moist, so go for it!

Start by scraping the paper off in big chunks.

When you have most of the big chunks off again, spritz lightly with water and then rub with your fingers to get the smaller pieces off.

Place some "Matte Multi Medium" on your "Craft Mat" and loosen with a few spritzes from your Mini Mister.

Coat the entire surface by brushing on with large paint brush.

Sprinkle on "Twinklets" and lightly press into the multi medium.

Accelerate drying process with "Heat It" tool

I love how this looks, like a bluebird powder day at the mountain, gorgeous!

Adhere to tag.

Stamp the ornament from the "Heart Warmers" set with "Jet Black " Archival ink.

Trim around stamped shape.

Color in top of ornament with "Champagne" Stickles.

Fill in heart with "Burgundy" Stickles.

Trim piece of "Eskimo Kisses" paper with zig zag scissors.

Adhere to ornament with "Quickie Glue Pen". 

Fussy cut the deer out of the "Eskimo Kisses" paper 



Place dimensional adhesive onto back.

Gather "1 1/4" White Silk Ribbon" with needle and embroidery floss. Tie off ends when you get a width that is equal to the width of the tag bottom.

Stitch onto card with sewing machine.

Place deer onto tag.

Use a double sided tape to adhere your "White 1/4" Silk ribbon" to the tag.

Tie bows with the same ribbon.

Put dimensional adhesive onto the stamped ornament.

Place a "Say it in Pearls" center onto a large pink button.

Choose your favorite brad from the "Eskimo Kisses" brad set, then adhere the button and brad to tag with "Matte Accents".

Adhere silk ribbon bows to the top of the ornaments with Matte Accents.

SO CUTE!!!

Stamp the sentiment onto "Neenah" white cardstock with "Pitch Black" Pigment ink. Fussy cut around the sentiment and cut into two pieces.

 

Adhere to tag with Matte Accents.

Lots of textures and sweet colors! This tag is another super sweet one that is going to send you to see Herbie our Christmas dentist.

We are calling it done! Make sure you hang this one in a place where it will get a lot of light to play off of all that sparkle, and don't forget to brush and floss when you are done...
;o)

B-

Tag 9 - Mosaic Christmas Tag by Lisa Strahl

Tag 9 already, can you believe it?

When I talked to Bek today I just had to share with her how clever I thought her tag was yesterday.  That window was so uber cool.  Nice job girlie!

I have been just dying to play with the new Inchie Art products- Plus Size inchies (1.5 inches), Twinchies and in lovely neutral colors.  Today's tag was my perfect excuse...

 

First order of the day is to decide on a layout for the inchies, twinchies, etc.

 

Stamp images from the Mini Holidays, Floral Tattoo and Festive Sounds stamp sets in permanent brown ink such as Coffee Archival (Ranger).

 

Create a "handle" for your inchie with Eclipse Tape.

 Press it to the stamp.

 

Repeat this and stamp all of the images.

 

 

 

Sponge Faded Jeans and Peeled Paint Distress Ink around the edge of the pieces with Cut 'n Dry Foam.

 

Sponge Walnut Stain Distress Ink around the edge of the tag.

 

Adhere all of the pieces to the tag.  Stack the Santa image onto a second Twinchie.  

 

Embellish the images with Melon and Sky Blue Glitter Spica Pens.

 

Embellish with Lime Green and Arctic Ice Stickles.

 

Stamp the reverse side of a Word Key with permanent white ink using the Christmas sentiment from the Night Before Christmas stamp set.

A few details: the metal pieces are Sproket Gears, Muse Tokens, Long Fasteners, Foliage, Game Spinners, Hitch Fasteners, Jump Rings and Bead Chain.

 
...of course I can't resist adding some of that gorgeous lace trim to finish it off.

And with that friends, I wish you a wonderful Wednesday!

Tag #8 From Our House to Yours by Becky Olsen

Wow, what a beautiful tag Miss Mona Lisa!

Did you know that every product that is listed in the "12 Tags Of Christmas" has a 20% discount on it? If being inspired isn't enough of an incentive to get you shopping, maybe that sweet deal is! I love a great deal, and it is even better when it is on all the stuff that I want!

A few days ago Ellen and I were talking about the tags that have been created, and how inspiring we find them. Then, I asked her what she thought a fun thing would be to try. She gave me an answer that made me put on my thinking hat. So here is my tag that was inspired by her reply of "a window".

Let's get started by measuring the stamp we are going to use. It is called "Crested Bird", and I could just imagine this scene outside my studio window! It measured at about 2" x 2 1/2" so I knew that it would fit the #8 size tag if I planned well enough.

The next step is to get the first layer of color onto the tags. This is a technique that I though of myself from playing with my Dimensional Pearls. I love that they are acrylic in base, have a beautiful shimmer, and are also very easy to loosen with water. So fill your "Mini Mister" half way with water, and then squirt some "Espresso" Dimensional Pearls into the water and give it a good shaking.

When it looks thoroughly combined, start spritzing onto your tags. You will need to prepare two this time, we have lots of layering to do!

Accelerate the drying with the Heat It tool. Keep spritzing and drying in layers until you get the look and color that you want. Be sure to empty and clean your Mini Mister right away. Because this is an acrylic base product, it could gum up the works if it were left to dry in the bottle.

Look at the shimmer in that, so gorgeous!

Next I stamped onto the " Crystal clear plastic" using Archival in "Jet Black". You could use another ink that works on plastics as well.

Here it is set aside to dry and get ready for what we have planned for him next.

While we are waiting for that lets get the "Wood Grain" stamped and embossed onto our tag. Sprinkle with "Walnut Stain" Distress embossing powder and melt with Heat It.

With Distress powders, they are designed with little crystals that will fall off after the heat process to create that more distressed look. Also do not rub while hot to "check" to see if it has melted, this will only frustrate you because the powder will rub off when hot. Be patient and thorough while heating and you won't have to worry or check. After it has cooled off, gently rub the surface with your hand and the crystals that are supposed to fall away will, and the others will stay if properly heated.

Now for the window. Make a template using a trimmer that is 2" x 2 1/2" and place on the back of the tag approximately where you want the window to be and then trace.

Use a straight edge ruler to help you guide your exacto when trimming out.

Our little bird is dry now, so flip him over and paint on the back side.

We are using "Classic Teal", "Dash of Red", and "Dab of Yellow". Mix the teal and yellow to get the color of leaves that you like.

The leaves will still be wet, so work carefully while filling in the bird.

Lightly apply some "Frosted Lace" Stickles onto the branches and leaves to give it a frosty, snowy look.

When everything is dry, adhere with "Glossy Accents" to the back of the tag.

Weight down with a heavy object while drying.

We will work on our window frame while that is doing its thing.

Trim a piece from the second tag that is 2 1/2" x 3".

Trim the template we had before to 1 3/4" x 2 1/4", place in the center and then trace around.

Trim with exacto and straight edge to remove. There we have it, a frame for our window.

Place some dimensional adhesive around the frame.

When everything is dry, adhere the frame into place.

Our window needs some curtains. Using embroidery floss and the ribbon lace "Cynthia", tie off end gather lightly to the width of the tag and then tie off and trim.

Apply "Matte Accents" across the tag just above the frame and then place gathered ribbon on carefully, arranging as you go. You can use other adhesives for this part, I just didn't want any glossy or wetter adhesives. This one dries fast and is clear, without a sheen.

Weight down while drying so it doesn't get away from where you want it to be.

After it has dried, flip over and pierce holes for the bottom piece of lace that we will stitch on with embroidery floss.

Use a running stitch to lightly tack on the "Nikki" ribbon.

Go through your vintage (or not so vintage) buttons and find some varied shaped and colored reddish ones. Stitch onto tag along top of ribbon.

Stamp sentiment from the "Night Before Christmas" and then sprinkle with "White Embossing" powder. Use Heat It tool to melt, then punch into tag shape.

Apply dimensional adhesive.

Adhere to tag, and then tie a big bow with "Burgundy" silk ribbon.

Here is where we call it done, and take a big sip of hot cocoa to toast our success!

So as I sit and finish this post there are little snowflakes that are drifting slowly and lazily out if the sky. It is a beautiful sight, and one that I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to enjoy from my window, in a warm robe and fuzzy slippers. ;o)

B-

Tag 7 - Christmas Carols Tag by Lisa Strahl

Well all I can say about Becky's tag is that I hope she sends it to *ME* for Christmas! 

Today's tag features more traditional Christmas colors, but hopefully keeps that soft and romantic feel with the use of watercoloring and vintage trims.

 

Place the tag over the portion of the Graphic 45 paper you want to cut out and trim around the edges with a Judikins Craft Knife. Adhere the paper to the front of the tag.

 

Stamp and heat emboss the lamp post from the Festive Sounds stamp set with Detail Black Embossing Powder on a tag using the Ranger Craft Tool.

 

Put a small amount of Heirloom Gold, Sunflower Sparkle and Pearl Perfect Pearls Pigment Powder on the Non-Stick Craft Sheet.  Spritz with water. 

 

Mix the Heirloom Gold into paint and apply to lamp standard.

Fill the "glass" portion of the light with the Pearl (white) color and then while it is still wet, add some Sunflower Sparkle and allow it to bleed into the white.

 

Allow the paint to dry and cut out the image with sharp tip detail scissors.

Stamp the image again with Jet Black Archival ink on Judikins Eclipse Tape.

Cut around the left side of the image and place on the tag. 

Ink the music background from the Festive Sounds stamp set with Fired Brick Distress Ink.

Stamp the image on the tag on an angle.  Remove the Eclipse Paper and set aside.

 

 

Stamp the Christmas Carols sentiment from the Festive Sounds stamp set with Jet Black Archival Ink on a tag and cut it out.

 

Spritz the image with a Mini Mister filled with Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls and water - heat set.

Press the image onto an watermark or embossing ink pad.  Dust with Clear Embossing Powder and Heat set.

Apply Candy Cane Stickles as berries to the sign.

 

...and Green Stickles to the edge and leaves.

Color the words on the image with Red Spica Glitter Pen. 

 

Stamp the Santa image from the Mini Holidays stamp set on a Crystal Clear Sheet and heat set.

 

Cut out.

 

And paint the back side with Blank Canvas Studio Paint.

 

Press to the tag while the paint is wet.

 

Apply foam tape to the lamp standard and adhere to the tag.

Paint Santa's coat and hat with A Dash of Red Studio Paint.  Allow to dry.

 

Apply small dots of Flower Soft Glue over Santa's bead and hat and dust with Polar White Flower Soft.

 

Cover the glass portion of the lamp with Glossy Accents.

 

Attach Crochet Ivory Ribbon with the Tiny Attacher stapler.

 

Apply strong tape on both edges of the tag and foam tape in the middle.

 

...and add the sentiment piece over it.

 

Adhere three Red Twinkle Sticklers to Santa's hat.

 

Punch a hole in the top of the tag and cover with a sprocket gear (Ideology) and tie with Ivory 1 1/4 inch ribbon.

Wishing you a wonderful week creative friends, please do come visit us again tomorrow!

Tag #6 Season's Greetings by Becky Olsen

 Lisa's tag yesterday was so cute, Eskimo Kisses is such a cute line of product, and the colors are delicious! The tag that I am sharing with you today is very much in that sugary sweet genre, so much so that you might want to make an appointment with your dentist to check for cavities when you are done reading this post! I always used to wish that Herbie of the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer fame was my dentist, do you think he is still practicing? Wouldn't he just be the best dentist for this job?

So with your toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss in hand, let's get going!

You will need "Broken China", "Shabby Shutters", and "Worn Lipstick" Distress inks, "Kiwi" Perfect Pearls, a "Mini Mister" with water and your tag.

Start by pressing a little of the ink onto your "Craft Sheet" and then lightly mist them with water to loosen the ink up.

Using a brush, sprinkle some of the Perfect Pearls onto the inks, dispersing as evenly as you can.

I used the large brush from my "Studio Brush" set to paint the inks onto the tag, starting with the blue, then the green and lastly the pink.

Add water as needed to loosen the ink and create better flow on the tag. Smooth the colors and try to create a smooth transition between each of the colors.

This is what it looks like before it is dry, don't you love all that sparkle? Fantastic!

Use the "Heat It" tool to accelerate the drying process.

When the tag is dry, apply a very generous layer of "White Picket Fence" Distress Crackle Paint to the bottom edge of the tag. Set aside to dry, we have quite a few things to work on, so no need to rush this part.

Get out your Archival ink in "Jet Black", we are going to be using it a lot! Using one of the tree stamps from the Kim Hughes set "Winter Trees", stamp it onto a piece of "Sticky Back Canvas".

We are going to mixing up some paint for this tree, so start with some Studio acrylic paint in "Classic Teal" and "Dab of Yellow" and combine until you get a green that works for our cute little evergreens.

Using water to loosen the paint, apply paint to fill in the stamped area, repeat for the other tree.

Use a little but of "Sable Brown" to fill in tree trunk.

Loosen with water if necessary, and don't worry about staying within the lines, we are going to be cutting these out later.

Stamp the igloo from the same stamp set.

Paint with "Sky Blue" by starting with a brush that is just wet with water and going over image and then applying the blue paint that has been substantially loosened with water to the left edge.

Now we are going to stamp our sentiment, Start by stamping the sign post from the "Bear Hugs" set, and then the Season's Greetings from the "Christmas Critters" set.

Paint with the Sable Brown, start with the post and then paint the sign with water first again and then lightly add the brown so it looks aged.

Stamp the cardinal from the Christmas Critters set and paint with "Dash of Red"

Stamp the holly sprig from the "Heart Warmers" set.

Paint with the same green that you used on the trees and the same red that was used for the cardinal.

Now start to cut it all out!

Trim so that you still have the black from the stamp, you don't want the white from the plain canvas though, so be patient.

When I was trimming out the sign post, I decided I didn't want the little leaves on the side of it, so I cut it off.

Next, using the "Blank Canvas" white paint, carefully brush and dab on the pieces to look like they have snow on them. Let dry, you can coax it along with the Heat It tool if you want.

When the paint is dry, use some "Frosted Lace" Stickles to give that snow some glisten! Just lightly apply over the white painted areas. Set aside to dry.

While that is drying, use the snowflake from the Heart Warmers stamp set to stamp embossing ink onto the tag.

Sprinkle "White Embossing Powder" onto the tag and then carefully shake off. Then melt with the Heat It tool.

Stitch around the sides and top of the tag, don't stitch the bottom.

Now we are going to make a scarf! Start with the red "Baker's Twine" from Martha Stewart. Cut three pieces that are about 6 inches each.
 

Tie a knot at the end, and start to braid.

Continue until you reach about 3/4" from the end and then tie another knot.

Stamp the snowman from the Heart Warmers set onto "Craft-a-Board" with Archival ink in Jet Black.

Cut around, and you won't need those little arms, so don't try to trim around them. Apply "Frosted Lace", "Spiced Marmalade" and "Ruby Slippers" to the snowman.

Now find a couple of tiny twigs from your yard and use the Frosted Lace Stickles to glue those little snowman arms on. Set aside and let dry or use the Heat It tool to speed things up. You could braid the little scarf now if you wanted.

When he is dry, wrap the scarf around his neck and lightly adhere in place with a little drop of "Matte Accents". Doesn't he look cozy, bundled up, and ready for any snow storm to hit?

Now we are going to start putting all the pieces together for our little winter scene.

Start by placing the holly leaves and berries onto the sign. I ended up moving them later, that is the great thing about working with the canvas, it sticks but is so easy to move and fuss with.

Next place your trees, igloo and cardinal on the left side of the tag. Put some dimensional adhesive dots on your snowman to really pop him up.

Adhere him to the right side of the tag. In this picture you can see where I ended up placing the holly pieces, it looked more balanced to me this way. When you are making yours, fuss with it a bit to get things where you like them, that is the fun of it all!

For the final touch put a little more Picket Fence Crackle Paint onto the bottom of the tree, igloo and sign post to ground them into the scene, then tie a bow with that "1/4" silk ribbon" that I am so in love with and call it done!

Here we are with the finished tag, it is so sweet that it might be time for that appointment with Herbie your Christmas dentist! 

Now we are officially half way through the feminine 12 Tags of Christmas, we hope you are having as much fun as we are!

B-

Tag 5 - Eskimo Kisses Inspired By Lisa Strahl

Are we having fun yet or what?! 

I have seen the preview for tomorrow's tag and once again Bek and I are channeling each other by creating some sugary sweet cutesy projects.  My version was inspired by the Eskimo Kissesline by Basic Grey which is so stinkin' cute I can barely stand it!  Purple and pink and green and burgundy....yum.  Here we go....

 

For those of you who have never experienced the Studio Line of paint, let me give you a very brief endorsement - this stuff ROCKS.  It's the most buttery smooth paint I have ever worked with an when it's applied it gives such a richness and depth of color that I never have to add a second layer.  Just loverly.

Begin by adding some Perfect Pearls "Pearl"to the paint and mix it in well.  I wanted to create a shimmer paint because it 'Tis the Season to bling.  Perfect Pearls are permanent once wet so the Painterly Pink Studio Paint becomes a shimmer paint when the powder is added.  Cool beans right?  P.S.  I added some Blank Canvas white paint to the mixture as well so I could match the paper we are using perfectly.

Go forth and paint TWO tags.

Spritz with a Mini Mister filled with 3/4 water and two scoops using the end of your paint brush of Perfect Pearl.

 

Heat set with the Ranger Heat Tool - also known as the greatest heat tool on the planet.  (and no, I am not being cheeky)

Now loosen up the paint a little by spritzing more.  You don't want the paint to be to heavy when you paint this Heidi Swapp flower. 

 

Leave some open areas of white so we can ink them later.  This is so shimmery and pretty, even though the camera can't pick it up.

 

Flick some Patina Perfect Pearls onto the wet flower and allow to dry.

 

Stamp this image from the Mini Holidays stamp set(NOW available in the store!) with permanent burgundy ink such as Archival or StazOn.

 

Add Clear Glossy Accents to a Charm Fragment.

Press the fragment to the image ensuring full coverage of the Glossy Accents between the plastic and the paper and then set something on top of it while it dries.

 

Trim around the backside once it's dry and set aside.

 

Using the brown Martha Stewart Twine, secure the Swivel Clasp to the back of the Eskimo Kisses button and remove the clasp part (you can bend open the jump ring with your fingers.)  Keep the  jump ring.

Ink your flower with Aged Mahogany Distress using Cut 'n Dry Foam.

 
 
Stamp the calendar image also from the Mini Holidaysset with permanent brown ink on your second painted tag and cut out.

 

Ink around the edges the same way as the flower, with Aged Mahogany Distress.

 

Tear the edges of the Eskimo Kisses paper from their 6x6 pad - the images are the perfect scale for smaller projects.  Use your Tonic Scissors to cut into the edge until it curls.

 

Adhere to your tag.  Sponge around the edges of the painted tag and lightly in the center to highlight the blotches of shimmer paint.

Create a circle of fibers from this green Botanicals paper by Prima.

 

Apply Glossy Accents to the flower.

 

..and press the Botanicals into the glue to dry.

 

Attach the charm fragment onto the chain/jump ring.  Add more Glossy Accents and adhere the button into the center of the flower.

 

Time to assemble the tag!  

-stamp the snowflakes image (yet another from the Mini Holidays set) with the same permanent burgundy ink, adorn your snowflakes with bling and pearls when everything else is put together

-a strip of paper as a border from the Eskimo Kisses Pad, add dots of Glossy Accents once everything is put together

-adhere the calendar image with foam tape, add a big dot of Glossy Accents over the "25th"

-loop wide Burgundy and Celery silk ribbon through the tag

 

I feel like I have been kissed by a pretty cute Eskimo, don't you?  :^)

Wishing you a WONDERFUL Saturday friends!

Tag #4 Christmas Night by Becky Olsen

Can you believe that we are four days into December already? Lisa's tag yesterday was so gorgeous, great colors and textures, and very inspiring!

ETA: Clue #4  Inchies are cute, inchies are fun! Let'gs get happy and make them go "scrappy" (think scrapbooking ladies) --- head on over to our habitat, Inchie INKlings, for your next clue.

The tag I am sharing today is a little spin on vintage. Are you ready for a stroll through years past?

Start by trimming a piece of "Let it Snow" paper from the Graphic 45 "Christmas Past" collection just a little smaller than the size of the tag you are working on.

Use your tag as a template for trimming the edges of the tag.

Using Distress "Tea Dye" ink and the "Ink Applicator Tool" start on the craft mat, make sure to use the "Blending Foam" for this technique.

Work the ink onto the tag with the tool starting on the craft mat and working in small circles onto the tag reapplying ink to the tool as necessary.

Repeat this process for the patterned paper.

Apply "Vintage Photo" Distress Ink in the same manner to the tag, but stay closer the the edges.

Use the same technique to apply the ink to the patterned paper. 

Using your "Perfect Medium Pen" trace a few of the snowflake shapes. 



Sprinkle "White Embossing" powder onto the places you have traced.



Melt with the "Heat It" tool. 



I left a gap where I knew my larger image would be, but do what you like.

Now we are going to work on St. Nick! Stamp "Jolly Holly Santa Collage" onto another tag with "Cranberry" Adirondack Pigment ink. 



Sprinkle "Clear Embossing Powder" onto the image. 

Shake off excess and then melt with Heat It tool. 

Trim image out of tag.

Apply the Vintage Photo ink using the same method shown in the beginning.



Apply highlights to the image with "White Opaque Pen".

Press "Tattered Rose" Distress Ink onto the "Craft Sheet". Lightly mist with water from "Mini Mister" and then using a small brush from the Claudine Hellmuth "Studio Artist Brushes" lightly paint some color onto St. Nick's cheeks. 



Use the same technique to apply "Pine Needles" to the small holly leaves.



I used my ATG gun, but you can use what ever adhesive that you prefer to adhere the "White Felt" by Martha Stewart to the back of the image.



This is what it looks like so far, fun!! 

With Pine Needles Distress Ink, stamp the sentiment "Christmas Night" from the Rummage Bin set "Night Before Christmas", and stamp onto piece of tag that was left. 

Sprinkle "Pine Needles" Distress embossing powder on then melt with Heat It tool. 



Trim around sentiment. 



Apply highlights to the top of the letters with White Opaque Pen. Press "Antique Linen" onto Craft

Sheet and then mist with water, paint sentiment carefully.
 

Adhere sentiment to tag with foam adhesive.

Apply larger foam squares (or dimensional adhesive of your choice) to St. Nick.

Adhere to tag.

Again I didn't have a ribbon that I felt matched the way I wanted, so I colored "White Silk" ribbon using my Copic marker "Forest Green" to achieve the look I was after.

Using a needle and embroidery floss, I gathered the ribbon.


When I got the fullness I liked, trimmed the ribbon.



Tie it off in a knot to complete the circle.

Thread the needle with Martha Stewart "Baker's Twine" in the green and white and then thread through a vintage button.

Tie in a bow!

Apply a liquid adhesive to the back of the ribbon flower and the button.



Adhere to top left of St. Nick and call it good, because we are done! Stand back and admire your hard work!



I love this project with all of the varied textures. The cozy felt, the smooth ribbon and the glossy image all add wonderful components to this fun tag.

Thanks for dropping by to visit and I hope that you can take some time to play along!
B-

Tag 3 - Botanical Merry Christmas By Lisa Strahl

Well, Ms. Becky certainly rocked the house yesterday didn't she?  :^)  Go Bek!

Today's tag is definately a non-traditional Christmas Tag.  Let's begin trimming a Webster's Pages Vellum Journaling Card with detail scissors. It's always good to leave a small amount white space around the edge of the image rather than trimming right next to the line.

 

This white paper may not look like much but it's an amazing product line by Heidi Swapp called "Invisibles".  Basically they are 12 x12 pre-embossed pages with absolutely gorgeous designs.  They allow you to apply resist techniques, but you get to skip the heat embossing step.  The pattern is very visible in real life but hard to discern in the photo.  Let's add some ink so you can see what I am talking about.  This piece is from the Classic Vintage Page.

 

Using Cut 'n Dry Foam, I sponged Shabby Shutters Distress Ink onto the Invisible.  Please see the Tag 1 post for more information about adding ink to a project with Cut 'N Dry Foam.

 

Add Antique Linen Distress Ink in the same fashion.  I used the images on the sheet to determine where to add color.

 

The last color added was Brushed Corduroy.  It is the most "red" brown of the 5 Distress browns, but still didn't quite match the color in the vellum overlay I wanted to use, so I added a little Aged Mahogany Distress Ink over the Brushed Corduroy until I achieved the desired color. 

 

Stamp the Reindeer (Mini Holidays stamp set by Tim Holtz) with a permanent ink such as Archival or StazOn.

 

Now you might find this next step interesting.  How shall we attach the vellum to the tag?  There are vellum tape runners or you can use brads or eyelets, but I chose to paint so that the vellum basically became part of the tag.  Simply paint a relatively large portion of the back side of the vellum with Blank Canvas Studio Paint and press to the tag.  I really wanted this beautiful flower to "pop" so I painted that portion to secure the vellum.  You will need to smooth it a little as it sets and dries.  Claudine's Paint Brush Set is an amazing value with all of the different sizes and cuts of brushes.

Once this portion was smooth and dry, there were a few areas around the edge I wanted to be a little more secure, so I just added some Glossy Accents and pressed the seam flat.

 

Trim around the tag with Tonic Non-Stick Scissors.  These work great to cut through any of the extra glue that has seeped out around the edges. 

 

Add Rock Candy Distress Sticklesto some of the ornamental areas.  This product literally dries like sugar on your project, giving it a fascinating texture.

 

Stamp the Reindeer image again on a clean tag and cut out, minus the antlers.

 

Those non-stick scissors came in handy again when I needed to cut my foam tape to fit my deer.

 

Apply Vintage Photo Distress Stickles to the antlers.  If you apply more than you wanted, just use a piercing tool or the tip of your scissors to redirect the glitter glue or even to remove some of it. 

 

Sand a piece of Translucent Lucky Squirell Shrink Film in both directions, but make sure you don't do it on the craft sheet, it will damage it!  I used the Sanding Grip, but Lucky Squirell actually makes great sanding blocks with a very fine grain, for this very purpose.

 

Stamp the Merry Christmas from the Santa's Wish stamp set with a permanent brown ink (I know this looks red, but trust me, it's brown) and gently heat set to dry the ink with the Ranger Craft tool.  Make sure you don't heat it too much or it will start to shrink.  Cut around the the sentiment and shrink based on the manufacturer's instructions.

 

 

When I was pulling the ribbons I wanted to use for this tag together, I realized that I really needed a red/brown and didn't have anything quite right.  Copic Markers to the rescue!  Use the chisel tip to color this 1/4 inch white silk ribbon and allow to dry.  I used Leather Copic as you can see.

 

Being the piercing junkie that I am, I did some decorating around the leaves.

 

There are a few extra details that I added near the end of the project, but forgot to snap photos!  I got so carried away in my creative head, please let me describe them for you...

-Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink was sponge around the entire edge of the tag with Cut 'n Dry Foam

-the Celery 1 1/4 inch Silk, White 1/4 inchand my Copic colored ribbons were wrapped around the bronze Sprocket Gear and tied with some Martha Stewart Baker's Twine

-Nikki Lace Trim was secured to the bottom of the tag with the Tiny Attacher Stapler

-Design Ruler used to pierce a line of holes down the right side of the tag

-Glossy Accents applied to the "shrunk" sentiment

Thank you so much for visiting us again today and happy 12 tags of Christmas to you!