A Tulip Collage Tag

Sometimes, I like to play with paper, just for the sake of playing and see what develops.  Today is one of "those days", with this tag being one of "those" projects.   

I started with a tag that i covered in a piece of patterned paper with a tulip design.  I then added sections of torn edged patterned paper, then some Tim Holtz  collage paper numbers and some Dina Wakley collage paper dashes, drew some circles, added some bright pink Posca Pen dots.  Finally adding a Tim Holtz I'Idea-ology" word sticker saying "stronger than yesterday".

Lavinia Stamps "Wild Hare" Glade Tag

I had another play with my Lavinia Stamps, again using techniques learnt by watching the Lisa Taggart (Inky Bliss) tutorial I watched the other day. 

For the base I used Distress Oxide Spray inks and Pan Pastels.  I have used Lavinia Stamps throughout the tag (Wild Hare Set, Twisted Vine Set, Jasmine & Sebs House, Tree Stem, Tree Den and the Mini Meadow Mushrooms) all stamped in various shades of Versafine Clair inks.

I have also used Posca Paint Pens and Signo pens for accents.

Funky Fossil "Cattitude" tag on a stencilled background.

First thing today, I made a tag. It's a simple tag, but has a blending technique through a stencil, so I thought I'd have a go at videoing the technique.  My first attempt is rough, to say the least.  I need to find my way around the software a bit more, but if you would like to see it, here's the link:  https://youtu.be/-LK3SSSKynw  

I've used the Funky Fossil "Cattitude" stamp set and their "Simply Stripes" stencil.

I used "Rustic Wilderness" and "Mowed Lawn" Distress Oxide Inks blended through the "Simply Stripes" stencil.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the cat and the sentiment, I then stamped the cat again on a small piece of white card.

I painted the cat, using Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade and Spun Sugar Distress Oxide Inks.  I then cut out the image and used a black Sharpie pen around the outer edges.  I used an Orange Sparkle Signo Pen to the hat area then adhered it over the stamped image on the tag itself.  Finally, I layered it on to black card and threaded black ribbon through the punched hole.

Lavinia Stamps "Floral Wreath" gel plate tag

Hi, Happy New Year to you.  I'm sure like me, you'll be looking forward to a more normal life later this year.  I've started my crafting new year making a tag.  

For the background, I used one of the tags I'd prepared as part of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags" challenge.  On Day 20, we were encouraged to use acrylic paint and bubble wrap on a gel plate.  The image above are some of the backgrounds I created in that session.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Floral Wreath" stamp as the main feature of this tag, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I heat embossed the image, using Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set, to make it stand proud.

I then stamped the "Happy New Year" sentiment, which is part of a Personal Impressions stamp set  called "All Year Round" using the same ink.  Finally I added touches of Ranger "Glossy Accents" to some of the berries and set aside to dry.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019 - Update

I've just been tidying away my tags and realised I'd over looked sharing a photo of the tags I've made for Week 25 to 32.

Week 9-16 Overview - 52 Week Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

I thought I would share with you a photo of the tags I have made for Weeks 9 to16of the challenge.  They are all quite different!

Creating Tag Backgrounds

I usually have a whole stash of tag backgrounds that I can draw from, but I noticed the stock is very depleted.  Nothing was on TV last night that I was interested in, so I had a play with some spray inks.  I've used Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Spray (for the more dull coloured tags).  For the brighter tags I have used the Dylusions Ink Spray.  These should keep me going for a little while.

I've just randomly sprayed the colours onto the tags with no plan of how they will be used in future.

I also need to make more backgrounds for cards, which I find takes more time, so I may crack on with those this afternoon.

Have a good Tuesday.  Sam x

Week 17 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 17 is:  "Write It" - what I mean by this prompt is that you use your own writing on the tag somewhere.

For my tag, I started with a base of Distress Oxide Sprays in the following colours:  Fired Brick, Fosilized Amber and Faded Jeans.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink, I stamped the  light bulbs and moths from the Visible Image stamp set called "Glimmer of Light" I used a white and a silver glitter Signo pen to add highlights to them.

I wrote the sentiments and used sticky letters for the word "Light". 

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Click here for more info on this relaxed challenge.  

There is also a friendly Facebook Group for this challenge, where members can upload their makes to the weekly prompt albums and talk to others who are also taking part.  You are more than welcome to join in, the more the merrier.  Sam x

52 Week Tag Challenge 2019 - update on the first 8 weeks

As I was putting my tags away, I thought I would take a photo of the first 8 weeks.

It surprises me when I look back at the colours, textures and techniques that i've used.  That's why I find tags are a great canvas to experiment on.  It doesn't matter if it is right or wrong, just go for what is in your mind at the time of making that matches the prompt.

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You can find more details about the 52 Week Tag Challenge for 2019 by clicking here.

There is also a Facebook group where you can upload the images of your makes to the weekly prompt albums.  We'd love you to join in.  Sam x

2018 Tag Challenge Overview

The 2018 tag challenge seems to be a distant memory, so I thought I would share with you photos of the tags I made for the challenge. Some weeks I made more than one, so there are more than 52.

Don't forget it is never too late to join in with the 2019 tag challenge.  You'll find the info here and the Facebook Group where you can upload your images and join in with the chat is here.

Week 1 - 52 Week Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

Hello and welcome to a brand new year of the 52 Week Art Card / Tag Challenge for 2019.

For those of you new to this challenge, you will find all the info you need here.  

There is a Facebook Group for this challenge, where you are more than welcome to join, chat with others taking part and upload images of your creations to the weekly albums. This is a very relaxed challenge for all abilities.

So now down to business.

The prompt for Week 1 is "Celebrations"

We celebrate many things, birthdays, an anniversary, Christmas, new babiesm passing a test and so on.  I've based my tag on new year, but you can of course chose any form of celebration.

I started my tag by making the background using various shades of Distress Oxide inks.  I used a Stampin' Up stamp for the "Celebrate" sentiment.

Using a round punch and an old dictionary I have had since school, I punched circles of text and stuck them on top of the Oxide background.  I then ran the whole thing through the Big Shot in an embossing folder with concentric circles. I then inked the edges of the tag with a grey and black ink.

I die cut the numbers and coloured them with Versafine Clair ink in a shade of "Blue Belle".  Using a silver glitter Signo pen, I added dots onto the blue numbers. Then stuck the numbers to the tag.

Finally I mounted the tag onto a dark blue card and added sequins across the surface of the tag.

Week 45 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

It's that time again, the Week 45 prompt is "Mixed Media".

This was my second attempt at a tag for this prompt.  The first went very badly, ending up in the bin.  I think it's mainly due to me feeling pretty rubbish at the moment.

So for this tag, I started off with running some card through a chevron embossing folder, then inked it in a sludgy green and a red ink.  

I stamped a script pattern on a small brown tag, and with the other gave it a thin coating of Gesso.  Once dry, I inked the edges and cut added some die cuts and sticky pearls.

I found a small piece of cardboard, so I stripped the surface off to expose the ribbed surface.  I gave that a thin coat of Gesso, when dry I added some red ink to the raised areas.  

After sticking everything down, I added some extra embellishments:  sequins, punched hearts, a heart pin and a button.

I persevered and made this tag.  I started by sticking four lolly sticks together, then giving a thin coat of Gesso.  I then used Distress Inks through the Visible Image "Time Tunnel" stencil.

I coated a wooden star in Gesso, when dry I used two shades of Distress Inks.  Using the Visible Image "Peace Love & Hope" stamp set, I stamped the "Hope" word and the circle with the distressed edge onto the star.

I added little sequins to the white area of the spiral.  Die cut a black circle which I added to the middle of the star and two hearts in different sizes.

Finally, I used the three stitched circle stamps from the Visible Image "You Are Not Alone" Stamp set, stamped in a Distress Oxide ink onto black card cut into a tag shape. I then mounted the wooden lolly design onto the black card.

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If you would like to know more about the 52 week challenge, please click on this link.

There is also a closed Facebook Group for this challenge.  It's a small friendly group of like minded people who take part in this very relaxed challenge by sharing their makes and chatting about craft related things.  You are more than welcome to join us.  Sam x

Week 42 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 42 is "Autumn".

With the strong winds, our garden is covered in leaves that have been ripped from the trees, making everywhere look very Autumnal so this prompt is very apt.

I started with  a base of Distress Inks in various shades.  I then stamped the Autumn sentiment, which is from Sweet Poppy, stamped in Versafine "Vintage Sepia".

I then used an assortment of Lavinia Stamps, including Chinese Lanterns, Wild Vines, Silhouette Thistle and some pound stamps too.  Stamped in Versafine and Memento inks.  I added accents in a gold metallic pen too.

I am going to enter this tag into Stamping Sensations challenge on an Autumn prompt.



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If you would like to know more about the 52 Week tag challenge click here for more information, including the previous prompts.

There is also a Facebook Group for this challenge, where you can share your creations in the weekly prompt albums and chat to others taking part too.  The challenge is very relaxed and you are more than welcome join in.  Sam x

Reindeer & Feather Tree Tag (Lavinia Stamps)

With Christmas fast approaching I decided to dip my toe into festive waters and make a tag. I am really not feeling Christmas yet!

The Christmas tree is actually a feather stamp. Both the feather and the reindeer are from Lavinia Stamps.

I stamped the tree in Versafine Clair Ink using a colour called "Shady Lane".  The reindeer is stamped in a Versarine Ink in the "Vintage Sepia" shade.

I painted the background using a brush and water colour pencils.  I added snowflakes and the reindeer nose using Liquid Pearls.

Finally the sentiment is from a Stampin' Up set called "Festival of Trees"

Week 41 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 41 is "Die Cut".

I've used assorted patterned paper and dies to create my tag.  In some places I have stamped or inked the patterned paper.  I have also sanded areas too.  I've added some drops of liquid pearls to some areas too.

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If you would like to know more about the challenge, check out the Facebook Group or click here for full details and a list of the previous prompts for this challenge.

Sam x

Week 40 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 40 is "Clean and Simple (CAS)"

For my tag, I decided to use a stamp set that I've not used in a while.  It's the Stamper's Anonymous "Crazy Bird" set.  The chicken wire is a stamp by Creative Expressions.  I stamped the bird, sentiment and wire in Versafine ink. I then shaded the image with my water colour pencils and finally inked the right hand side edge.

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If you would like to know more about the challenge or see a list of the previous prompts, click on the tab at the top of the page.

There is an active Facebook Group for this challenge.  It would be great if you popped over and joined in, chatting to others taking part and uploading your images to the weekly albums.  Sam

Week 27 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 27 is "Bright & Beautiful"

For my tag, I used a Funstamps "Stained Glass Sunflower" stamp for the central image.  For the foliage, I used Lavinia Stamps "Zen Leaf 2" all coloured with Promarkers.

Handmade With Love Tags

A friend of mine makes knitwear and sewing goods and sells them for charity, so I thought I would help her by making some tags to hang on the garments.

Christmas Tag Memories - The Night Before Christmas

While making Christmas gift tags this evening, my mind became flooded with memories of when my children were young. I would read them the story "The Night Before Christmas" when they were snugged in their beds waiting for Father Christmas to arrive. So it seems apt to use part of the story on a tag.

I also made a couple of other tags too.

A Floral Tag

This morning, I came across a die cut oval shape in my scrap box. A tag developed from that point using paper flowers, punched leaves & a heart positioned on an embossed background.