Karen Telfer's "12 Days of Christmas Tags 2024" - book ring covers

As I finished my Day 12 tag yesterday, today I felt I needed to make a cover for the book ring of Karen Telfer's "12 Days of Christmas Tags 2024".

I covered a plain tag in "Wild Honey" Distress Oxide Ink. I then lay the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Gingham Layering Stencil - THS134" over the top and applied "Brushed Corduroy" Distress Oxide Ink through the stencil.

I then moved the stencil, (I realised after, I should really have flipped it so the lines went in a different direction, but it is what it is) applying "Lumberjack Plaid" Distress Oxide Ink through the stencil.

I used a metallic gold coloured paint splattered across the surface using a fan brush and set aside to dry.  This is when I die cut the 2024 numbers in a dark red coloured card.  I also typed and printed "Karen Telfer's 12 Days of Tags" giving it a coat of "Wild Honey" Distress Oxide ink to dull it down.

I then stuck the numbers and the typed title to the tag. Finally, I used a gold coloured gel pen to add polka dots to the numbers and to edge them too.

I've taken part in Karen's tag challenge for five years.  These are all the covers, all quite different!

The tag books are all packed away in a box ready to be joined by the 2025 tags later in the year.

Karen Telfer's "12 Days of Christmas Tags 2024" - Day 12

On the run up to each Christmas, I usually take part in Karen Telfer's Christmas Tag challenge.  Because we were living in the caravan and I didn't have my craft supplies, I wasn't able to take part in 2024.  Now my craft room is set up, I thought I had better get cracking on the tags.  For 2024, Karen was doing 12 tags rather than 24 as she had a busy work schedule.

This is the last tag of the 2024 challenge.  I'm feeling bereft already, but Karen has assured me there will be another set of Christmas tags for 2025.  So not too long to wait.  This is my Day 12 tag (you can view Karen's tutorial here).  Today the tag is all about "favourites".

For my tag, as stencil play is one of my favourite techniques, I used greens and yellow Distress Oxide Inks, spritzed with water, lay a stencil on to the ink then put the wet inky side of the stencil down on to a blank tag, which achieved the light coloured background pattern.

I used Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" dark green ink to stamp the wreath and sentiment, which are both part of the Papertrey Ink stamp set called "Wreath For All Season".  I have had this stamp set for many years and it is definitely one of my favourites.  I used Versafine Clair "Strawberry" red ink to stamp the berries.

I used a metallic gold gel pen to add dots across the surface of the tag and to draw lines on the edge of the tag too.

Here's a photo of all 12 tags I've made from this series.

Karen Telfer's "12 Days of Christmas Tags 2024" - Day 11

On the run up to each Christmas, I usually take part in Karen Telfer's Christmas Tag challenge.  Because we were living in the caravan and I didn't have my craft supplies, I wasn't able to take part in 2024.  Now my craft room is set up, I thought I had better get cracking on the tags.  For 2024, Karen was doing 12 tags rather than 24 as she had a busy work schedule.

This is the penultimate tag of the 2024 challenge.  I'm feeling bereft already, but Karen has assured me there will be another set of Christmas tags for 2025.  So not too long to wait.  This is my Day 11 tag (you can view Karen's tutorial here).

I've used a selection of Distress Oxide Inks for the scored background, stamping the Sweet Poppy Stencils "Small Fir Tree" in Versafine Clair "Spruce" adding glittered baubles to the tree using gel pens.

I used a section of the Marianne Design Creatables, ref LR0737 for the die cut window frame, prefering to leave it white rather than colouring it.  I splattered white Posca Pen on to a piece of plain vellum and backed the window frame with it, then stuck the frame to the tag over the Christmas tree.

I have a tin of assorted foliage die cuts, left over from previous projects, so I had a rummage through that and found some suitable pieces, topping it with a Stampin' up die cut in bright red.

Karen Telfer's "12 Days of Christmas Tags 2024" - Day 10

On the run up to each Christmas, I usually take part in Karen Telfer's Christmas Tag challenge.  Because we were living in the caravan and I didn't have my craft supplies, I wasn't able to take part in 2024.  Now my craft room is set up, I thought I had better get cracking on the tags.  For 2024, Karen was doing 12 tags rather than 24 as she had a busy work schedule.

This is my Day 10 Tag (You can watch Karen's tutorial here).

I've opted for a different colour way to Karen's tag. The Distress Oxide Inks I have used for the background are Weathered Wood, Tumbled Glass and Broken China, edging the tag in "Mermaid Lagoon".

The stamp set I have used is by Visible Image Stamps and is called "Let it snow".  I stamped the large snowflake in Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink and the smaller ones in "Bali Blue" ink.

I have added some silver sequins, some pearls and some clear beads to the surface of the tag.

Karen Telfer's "12 Days of Christmas Tags 2024" - Day 9

On the run up to each Christmas, I usually take part in Karen Telfer's Christmas Tag challenge.  Because we were living in the caravan and I didn't have my craft supplies, I wasn't able to take part in 2024.  Now my craft room is set up, I thought I had better get cracking on the tags.  For 2024, Karen was doing 12 tags rather than 24 as she had a busy work schedule.

This is my Day 9 Tag (You can watch Karen's tutorial here).

I used a Penny Black cling stamp for the robin and holly.  The stamp is called "Cheerful Christmas 40-642), stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink on to the tag and also on to a piece of white card.

On the tag I used two circle masks to add three rings of colour in the background, using Bundled Sage, Festive Berries and Shabby Shutters Distress Oxide Ink.  I also made splatters in these colours along with some gold paint splatters too.

I coloured both robin & holly images with Derwent Inktense Pencils applied with a paint brush.  The one on the white card, I partially fussy cut the image, used foam pads on the reverse of the image and stuck it on to the tag.

I added Ranger Glossy Accents to the berries to give them more of a 3D appearance.

Karen Telfer's "12 Days of Christmas Tags 2024" - Day 8

On the run up to each Christmas, I usually take part in Karen Telfer's Christmas Tag challenge.  Because we were living in the caravan and I didn't have my craft supplies, I wasn't able to take part in 2024.  Now my craft room is set up, I thought I had better get cracking on the tags.  For 2024, Karen was doing 12 tags rather than 24 as she had a busy work schedule.

This is my Day 8 Tag (You can watch Karen's tutorial here).

I have loosely followed Karen's tutorial for this tag, leaving out the small tags hanging from the top.

I have used "Saltwater Taffy" and "Weathered Wood" Distress Oxide Inks with the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous THS084 "Mosaic" stencil.

In my stash, I had a couple of flower dies, which I'm not sure where they came from, but used them with white card and stuck on to the tag.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the Simon Says Stamp "Tiny Words - Christmas" sentiment, then placed an arc of white dots using Ranger Enamel Accents.

Karen Telfer's "12 Days of Christmas Tags 2024" - Day 7

On the run up to each Christmas, I usually take part in Karen Telfer's Christmas Tag challenge.  Because we were living in the caravan and I didn't have my craft supplies, I wasn't able to take part in 2024.  Now my craft room is set up, I thought I had better get cracking on the tags.  For 2024, Karen was doing 12 tags rather than 24 as she had a busy work schedule.

This is my Day 7 Tag (You can watch Karen's tutorial here).

Formy tag, I have used several Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous stencils. These are the ones I have used: THMM178 - Christms Dots , THS164 - Pinecones, THS138 - Bubbles and THMM102 - Brickwork.

Through the stencils, I have used four shades of Distress Oxide Inks:  Twisted Citron, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint and Forest Moss.  

I used Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide Ink to colour the edges of the tag. I hand cut various green banners from off cuts of cardstock in my stash.  Using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink to stamp the seniments on the banners, which are part of the Simon Says Stamp "Tiny Words - Christmas" stamp set.

Karen Telfer's 12 Days of Chrismas Tags 2024 - Day 6

On the run up to each Christmas, I usually take part in Karen Telfer's Christmas Tag challenge.  Because we were living in the caravan and I didn't have my craft supplies, I wasn't able to take part in 2024.  Now my craft room is set up, I thought I had better get cracking on the tags.  For 2024, Karen was doing 12 tags rather than 24 as she had a busy work schedule.

This is my Day 6 Tag (You can watch Karen's tutorial here).

I used three shades of Distress Oxide Inks for this tag, using: Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn and Abandoned Coral shades of inks.

I used a Wow! clear embossing stamp pad and Wow! Bright White super fine embossing powder and heat set to stamp the star and the sentiment, which are both part of the Stampin' up stamp set called "Bright and Beautiful".

I added some splatters of white paint and black Posca pen to the background too.

Karen Telfer's "12 Days of Christmas Tags 2024" - Day 5

On the run up to each Christmas, I usually take part in Karen Telfer's Christmas Tag challenge.  Because we were living in the caravan and I didn't have my craft supplies, I wasn't able to take part in 2024.  Now my craft room is set up, I thought I had better get cracking on the tags.  For 2024, Karen was doing 12 tags rather than 24 as she had a busy work schedule.

This is my Day 5 Tag (You can watch Karen's tutorial here).

I more or less followed Karen's tutorial for my tag.  I used "Lost Shadow" and "Weathered Wood" Distress Oxide Inks for the moon along with a Stamper's Anonymous "Layering Moon Mask".

For the colours around the moon I used:  Shaded Lilac, Dusty Concorde, Blue Print Sketch and Chipped Sapphire Distress Oxide Inks.

For the stamping, I used Versafine Clair inks to stamp the Lavinia "Small Fairy Fir Tree "stamp.  The colours I used for the trees were:  Morning Mist, Very Peri, Fantasia and Twilight.  

I used water splatters from a fan shaped paint brush and Dr Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof White paint for the brighter white splatters.

I used Versafine Clair 'Nocturne" black ink to stamp the sentiment, which is part of a Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny Words".

Karen Telfer's "12 Days of Christmas Tags 2024" - Day 3

On the run up to each Christmas, I usually take part in Karen Telfer's Christmas Tag challenge.  Because we were living in the caravan and I didn't have my craft supplies, I wasn't able to take part in 2024.  Now my craft room is set up, I thought I had better get cracking on the tags.  For 2024, Karen was doing 12 tags rather than 24 as she had a busy work schedule.

This is my Day 3 Tag (You can watch Karen's tutorial here).

I didn't have the stamps or stencils Karen used for her tag, so I have improvised with what I have to make this tag.

I stamped the large flower stamp from the Funky Fossil Designs "Funky Florals" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I then used "Mowed Lawn" Distress Oxide Ink through two Funky Fossil stencils (Nordic Star Background Stencil and Micro Dots Stencil).

I painted the flowers using Distress Oxide Inks:  Lumberjack Plaid, Mustard Seed and Lucky Clover) shades of ink.  I also used a yellow and an orange Posca Pen.

Next, I added some colour around the edge of the tag, I used "Peeled Paint" Distress Oxide Ink.

Finally, I added a stamped sentiment.  I chose the word "Noel" which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Christmas Sentiment" stamp set.

Karen Telfer's "12 Days of Christmas Tags 2024" - Day 2

On the run up to each Christmas, I usually take part in Karen Telfer's Christmas Tag challenge.  Because we were living in the caravan and I didn't have my craft supplies, I wasn't able to take part in 2024.  Now my craft room is set up, I thought I had better get cracking on the tags.  For 2024, Karen was doing 12 tags rather than 24 as she had a busy work schedule.

Here's my Day 2 tag (this is the link to Karen's Day 2 tutorial).

I used an embossing folder that came free with Creative Stamping, Special Ediion 1 magazine for the texture on this tag.  I do know that it was quite agressive on the water colour paper and in a couple of places, totally cut through the paper, which I think I have been able to disguise.

I used Cosmic Shimmer Iridescent Shimmering Watarcolour paints for this tag, opting for a turquoise and dark/blue almost purple shades.

Once dry, I then applied Cosmic Shimmer "Old Gold" Gilding Wax over the raised areas of the surface.  I added a Creative Expressions word sticker then added "Copper Pearl" Liquid Pearl dots where the berries would be.

Front Cover for Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" challenge

Now that the end of Karen Telfer's tag challenge is in sight, the last tag is tomorrow. I decided I needed to create a front and back cover for my book ring of 2023 tags.  This is what I made.

I've used a design very similar to one I made recently, but this time there isn't a stag but instead I created a line of text in matching ink and printed it out, cut it to size and then use a gold gel pen to decorate around the Stampin' Up "Merry Patterns" sentiment, stamped in Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink.

Day 23 of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" Challenge.

 

Well it has been a bit of a marathon, but I am now up to date with my tags, ready for the final one tomorrow.

The main image is part of a Woodware stamp called "Poinsettia Corner - JGS360", which I have heat embossed using Wow! Rich gold embossing powder on the tag, but also on two small pieces of card.

I used the same Wow! embossing powder to stamp and heat set the sentiment, which is part of the Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny Words - Christmas".

I coloured the stamped poinsettia images using Distress Oxide Inks, the colours I used are:  Peeled Paint and Rustic Wilderness for the leaves and Festive Berries and Candied Apple for the petals.

I fussy cut the two flowers on the small pieces of card.  I used foam pads on the underside of the petals and wet glue in the middle.  Once in postion I added some Ranger "Glossy Accents" to the very middle of the flower and dropped some tiny bronze coloured beads into it.

I mounted the card on to a piece of green card then coloured the berries using a red Posca Pen and a white gel pen for highlights.

Day 22 of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" Challenge

 

This is my Day 22 tag of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" challenge.

For the tag, I have used the candles, fir branch and the sentiment from the Stampin' Up stamp set called "Merry Patterns".

I stamped the candles and sentiment in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, stamping the fir branch in Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" green ink.

I coloured the background with two shades of Distress Oxide Inks, using "Antique Linen" for the inner area, edging with "Festive Berries" Distress Oxide Ink.

Masking off the candles, I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink with the Funky Fossil Designs "Vintage Script" stamp, stamped in second generation stamping.

I coloured the candles with a paint brush using "Festive Berries" Distress Oxide Ink and yellow and orange Posca Pens for the flame.

I grounded the candles by painting a shadow using "Weathered Wood" Distress Oxide Ink and added berries to the fir branch using a red Posca Pen.  Finally, mounting the tag on to a piece of grey card.

Day 21 of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" challenge

I'm still playing catch up with my tags after a few days away, but I am getting there! This is my Day 21 tag of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" challenge.

I've used a plain white tag, covering the surface in "Antique Linen" Distress Oxide Ink and then edging the tag with "Festive Berries" Distress Oxide Ink.

I lay a Funky Fossil Designs stencil over the top of the tag, securing it in position with a piece of low tack tape.  I then used four shades of Ranger Archival Inks through the stencil.  The colours that I used are:  Watering Can, Plum, Library Green and Red Geranium.

At the base of the tag, I stamped the "Yuletide Greetings" sentiment, which is part of the Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny Words - Christmas".  Finally, I mounted the tag on to a piece of pinkish coloured card.

Day 20 of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" Challenge

 

This is my Day 20 of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" challenge.

On a plain white tag, I used Versafine Clair "Glamorous" pink ink to stamp the Funky Fossil Designs "Fa La La" stamp.  I used the same ink to edge the tag too.

I used a selection of colours of Paper Artsy Fresco Finish "Chalk Arcylic" paints to paint the squares and rectangles to create the impression of gifts.  I used gel and Poscal Pens to decorated the gift shapes and then mounted the tag on to a piece of purple card.

Day 19 of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" challenge.

I'm playing catch up on my tags again as I was away at the weekend attending a course.  I'll share with you what I was up to in my next post.

This is my Day 19 tag of "Karen Telfer's 24 Days of Tags 2023" challenge.

For my tag, I used two Lavinia Stamps the "Mystic Swirl" and "Christmas Charms", stamped in Wow! clear embossing ink, coated in Wow! Rich Gold Embossing Powder and then heat set.

I then created the background colour using two shades of Distress Oxide Inks:  "Twisted Citron" and "Lucky Clover".  I deliberately kept the darker ink away from the hanging star, to give the impression that the star is shining light. I rubbed over the heat embossing with a cloth to remove any ink that was over it.

Next, I used a fan shaped paint brush, dipped in water and tapping the brush over the surface of the tag, creating tiny droplets, I then blotted the water, which left a lovely bleached splattered look.

I used the same technique with metalic gold paint to add tiny gold flecks across the surface of the tag.

Finally, I mounted the tag on to a piece of red card and outlined the inner tag with a metalic gold pen.

Day 18 of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" Challenge

This is my Day 18 tag of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" challenge.

For this tag, I blended two Distress Oxide colours, using "Mustard Seed" and "Festive Berries" to cover the tag base.

I used white Gesso through the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Tiny Poinsettia Stencil THS165", applied with a finger dabber.

I then splattered white paint from a fan shaped paint brush to create the white dots.

Next, I used Ranger black "Archival Ink", applied with a finger dabber through the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Poinsettia Duo stencil THS153".

I mounted the tag on to a piece of black card, finally adding some white dots of Ranger "Enamel Accents" to the middle of the flowers.

Day 17 of Karen Tefer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" Challenge.

This is my Day 17 tag of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" challenge.

I've used similar, but different stamps than those used by Karen, but overall if you don't look to closely it looks the same!

I swooshed a white tag through "Peacock Feathers" Distress ink, drying with a heat gun and then swooshing again to get a build up of colour. 

Once dry, I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" to stamp the music notes which is part of the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Butterfly Menage" stamp set.

Using the same stamp set, I stamped the butterfly/moths down the middle of the tag, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I used the same ink to stamp the "25th December" but I don't recall who made that stamp!

Next, I used "Blueprint Sketch" Distress Oxide Ink to go around the edges of the tag.

Finally, adding a drift of white dots, using a Signo Pen, before mounting on to dark blue card.

Day 16 of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" challenge

 

It's Day 16 of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2023" challenge.  Today the tag has a theme of "Splashes of Colour".  For my tag I've used a stamp set and stencil from Funky Fossil Designs.

I started by stamping the paint brush and tube of paint, both are part of the Funky Fossil Designs stamp set called "Artsy" which I think may now be retired.  I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist".

I coated the stamped image in "Pebeo" Drawing Gum / Masking Fluid and set aside for a few minutes to dry.

Once dry, I lay the Funky Fossil Designs "Splatters" over the tag and made various coloured splatters over the tag using Distress Oxide Inks.  The colours that I used are:

• Salvaged Patina
• Cracked Pistachio
• Mermaid Lagoon 
• Wilted Violet

I then went around the edge of the tag with "Blueprint Sketch" Distress Oxide Ink.

Once dry, I used the Frisk "Maskaway" eraser to rub off the masking fluid from the paint brush and tube image.

I used Derwent Inktense pencils to colour the paint brush and paint tube, also using a metalic silver gel pen in places too.

Next, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the sentiment on the paint tube.  The sentiment is also part of the Funky Fossil "Artsy" stamp set.  Finally, I mounted the tag on a piece of dark blue card.