I SO look forward to Ellen's 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist series each year ... I've been doing them since the beginning! It's fun to maybe try a new technique, or explore variations to others I've tried throughout the year. This year, the background of my tag uses one of my favorite techniques I tried/created this past year here in the CLASSroom, back in May -- the Copic Drip Background <=click link for details and a bonus idea/project for this technique!> The technique creates layers of color similar to watercolor, with a resulting texture that feels a bit like leathery fabric!
Here are the easy steps:
1. I started by giving my #8 manila tag a brushed coating of white Gesso. I was NOT concerned about getting a good even coat -- I actually wanted the Gesso a little thicker in some areas and thin in other areas (or none at all), and you'll find out the reasoning in the next step! The tag will curl when it is wet with the Gesso (I went ahead and prepared a second tag while I was at it!):
But the tag will flatten back out as it dries. While I was at it, I also coated a piece of corrugated cardboard with the Gesso, too:
2. After the tag dries, take the Copic Various Ink Refill of your choice (here, I used a pretty bright pink RV14 -- the first of my feminine touches!) and while holding the tag at an angle (just not straight up and down) drip the ink, a few drops at a time, onto the top of the tag and let it run down the tag.
You can work in small areas at a time for a more "drippy" effect, or for a little smoother look, run a straight line of ink horizontally across the full width of the tag. You can tilt the tag to encourage the direction of the ink drops.
Note: Be sure to project your work surface with a Non-Stick Craft Sheet, wax paper, pad of scratch paper, newspaper, etc.
Now you will see why we weren't concerned about how even the Gesso coating is -- the ink will adhere differently (or maybe not at all when it hits a "bump"!) to different thicknesses of the Gesso -- and that's okay ... we're going for a bit of a rustic look here! You can always apply more ink to any area, and I purpously left ink off a few of the edges, to let the white Gesso show.
If you want a smoother coverage of ink, apply it quickly and all at one time. But I like to add some drops, let them dry, then add more layers of drops. This way, you will get different variations to the color when some areas get more coats of the ink.
3. Once I was done applying color to the tag and it was thoroughly dry, I lightly sanded the edges to remove some of the pink color, allowing the white Gesso to show through:
4. The Laurel Wreath was die cut from Juicy Pear Bazzill Card Shoppe three times. One wreath was left alone (bottom wreath in the photo below), while the other two were colored with Copic YG23 marker and YG25:
The wreaths were layered together using rolled up Glue Dots. I like using this type of adhesive when I want just a little less lift to elements than foam tape provides.
5. The Prize Stag was die cut from the Gesso'd corrugated cardboard, along with another four additional die cuts of Neenah 110 lb Solar White cardstock, glued together using Copic Glue Marker (this is my favorite go-to adhesive for small die cuts):
TIP: When die cutting corrugated cardboard, cut off just the size piece you will need for your die cut, then run it through your die cutting machine. This will save the rest of your cardboard from getting flattened!
6. The Brushstroke Peace word was die cut out from pretty gold glitter paper, to add some holiday glitz and Vintage Crochet Pom Pom trim was added to the bottom of the tag using Copic X-Press It 1/4" Double-Sided High Tack Tissue Tape, for another feminine touch!
7. To finish my tag, the "Wishing You" sentiment (from Julie's Merry & Bright stamp set) was heat embossed with super fine gold powder, die cut with My Favorite Things Fishtail Flags Layers STAX and added to the top part of the tag. I tied white silk ribbon at the top of the tag and added 1/2" Silver Jingle Bells I coated with Gesso, on Lime Cord.
Here's a look at all the dimension those layers provide:
Thanks so much for joining me today ... I hope you'll give this techniqe a try and have fun with it!
~ Sharon
