Friday 2 September 2016

Circular Tag, Butterfly, It's The Little Things...

It's Tag You're It Friday time again, people...
and that can only mean one thing.  A new challenge to create a tag based on the inspiration of our Featured Artist.

I hadn't made a small tag for quite a while, so I took the opportunity on this challenge to do just that.
How small is it?  Well, it's not tiny.  About 7.5cm.  That's about the size of an apple or small orange - wouldn't you say?  It's easily less than half the size of some of the tags I've made lately, but then I like that as the sentiment I've used ties in quite well.

Now, for those of you that know me... please do not adjust your monitors.  You really are looking at a black butterfly!




Yes, I know.  Pick yourselves up off the floor.

I'll show you our Featured Artist's tag and you'll soon see why I've chosen to do this...



Melissa has created such a sweet double tag, don't you think?
Pretty colours.  Dotty background.  Black focal sentiment.

I took the curve at the top and simply followed it right round - that's how I got the circle shape idea for my tag...  and I stuck quite closely to the colour scheme and also used flowers and leaves.
See how my flowers are quite dotty - like the back tag on Melissa's design?  I've even used three shades of pink!

I snuck in a bigger sentiment than the word 'smile', dropped the ribbon and made my black focal image a butterfly.  It's 'artistic license' as Melissa hasn't used one...  but my butterfly serves a secondary purpose that does still tie in.  You see, by taking a hole punch to it and threaded it on it's effectively now the smaller of two tags - making it a double tag, just like Melissa's.
(Don't you just love it when a plan comes together).

To stamp the leaves on this tag, I used the MISTI.
Why?
Because although it might not seem obvious, I've actually used two colours.
The first 'layer' was stamped using Antique Linen Distress Ink.  Then I went back over with a second layer, using a Tsukineko/Memento 'Bamboo Leaves' Marker and lightly misting before stamping.


Now before I stop to give you my list of supplies used...
How's your week been?
Me?
I've been ill in bed with a heavy cold most of the week.  My Steamer Cup, Olbas Oil and Balm Tissues have been my best friends...  and they still are as I'm only just 'on the mend' and haven't crafted all week - except for a very brief mess around with some die cuts that I may use in a future design.
So if I normally stop by and leave a comment on your blog...  I haven't forgotten you - I promise I haven't.
I'm hoping to catch up with you all over the course of this weekend...  and then maybe I can make a start on playing along with some challenges from Monday onwards.
That's my plan, anyway.  x






Supplies Used:

Die:
Memory Box 'Snow Globe' - Large

Punch:
Holtz/Sizzix Butterfly - Large

Stamps:
Penny Black 'Nature's Gifts'
Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous 'It's The Little Things...'

Inks:
Ranger 'Perfect Medium'
Holtz/Distress 'Picked Raspberry'
VersaCraft 'Cherry Pink'
Tsukineko/Memento 'Rose Bud'
Holtz/Distress 'Mustard Seed'
Holtz/Distress 'Antique Linen'

Marker Pen:
Tsukineko/Memento 'Bamboo Leaves'

Embossing Powder:
Ranger 'Liquid Platinum'

Other:
Twine
Flower Beads from stash
Hole Punch






Challenges I'm Entering...

Pixies Crafty Snippets Challenge
(All snippets)


(I had hoped to create something especially for this challenge, but as I've been unwell and didn't want to miss out I'm sharing my NBUS tag instead.  Both stamps used are from my NBUS collection).


Words To Craft By
W2CB #32   'A Single Step'
The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.  ~~ Lao-Tzu
(I think that learning to appreciate the little things in life is just as important as celebrating the big milestones...  and a journey worth taking.)



SOS #267   'Learn Something New'
(I had been watching YouTube video's where they share stamping an image lightly in Antique Linen before using watercolours - to create a no line effect.  I wanted to see what would happen using the same principal just for stamping, so did one layer of leaves in Antique Linen Ink before using a Green Marker Pen and Misting for the second layer.  Result?  Slightly mottled, gentler image than just stamping with the marker pen, and the Antique Linen does peep through in places).


Challenge #163   'Anything Goes + A Sentiment'


Challenge #130   'Not A Square'




I'm off to get a drink of water before I link up my tag to these challenges...  then I think I'm back to bed for a bit with my hot water bottle.  'Moosey' (My hot water bottle cover is a moose.  Much loved and another of my firm friends when I'm not well) will be calling for me soon, I think!

Have a lovely weekend, and take good care of yourselves...

Donna. x

40 comments:

  1. Your tag is absolutely gorgeous Donna and I love the way you've presented it in the photo. Photographic skills are also impressive. I did actually smile at the black butterfly knowing that black isn't something you care for generally. Have a lovely weekend. Barbxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Barb. It's nice to know somebody listens to my ramblings!
      Have a lovely week. x

      Delete
  2. So sorry I do hope you're soon feeling better. Hugs, xx

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    Replies
    1. Me, too! I'm dreading the thought of hubby coming down with this. I'll have to play 'nurse'... Wah....

      Delete
  3. Wow Donna, I adore this tag - and how you arrived at the design is a real insight into your thinking process. It's gorgeous.

    Take care of yourself and let's hope that stinking cold goes away soon!

    Great to see you in the Playground.

    Hugs

    Di xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Di.
      Tags are such fun to make, you know. Much easier than cards!
      Have a lovely weekend. x

      Delete
  4. Gorgeous tag and beautiful photo, Donna!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Olga...
      Did I spy your son playing with mummy's craft toys earlier on this morning?
      Looks like he had fun! x

      Delete
  5. Lovely tag Donna and I think the black butterfly is a perfect companion to the pretty flowers xx

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Andrea :)
      You doing any better?

      Delete
  6. Sorry to hear you've been unwell Donna, but glad to hear you're on the mend. LOVING your cute circular tag. And you were brave to go out of your comfort zone by using BLACK too! Great looking tag. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sarn :)
      How's things with you? Still trying to take it easy with your shoulder?
      Hope there's been at least some improvement for you. X

      Delete
  7. Love this fabulous round tag Donna, fabulous stamping and colours you have used, with a wonderful sentiment.
    Hope you`er feeling a bit better.
    Hugs Pam x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Pam.
      Hoping I'll be well enough to craft tomorrow as it's a car racing weekend - boo, hoo, wah... If not, craft TV will have to do for me!
      Have a good weekend. X

      Delete
  8. I hope you are starting to feel better now? I love the delicateness of this tag - and the photo is a brilliant way to display it.
    Thank you for joining in at Aud Sentiments and good luck,

    Hugz Tinz DT

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    Replies
    1. Hello :)
      Better than yesterday, that's for sure!
      Thanks so much for stopping by. Glad you liked the tag and photo :)

      Delete
  9. Donna, This is one sweet tag, and such a creative take on the inspiration tag! Hope you're feeling better, and thanks so much for joining in our Single Step at Words 2 Craft By. :)

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    Replies
    1. Hello, Sybrina :)
      Thank you for your kind words.
      Enjoy your weekend...
      Donna. X

      Delete
  10. Hello Donna: I love this beautiful tag, your No Line coloring is fabulous. I love this technique, like you said, it gives a softer look to your water color leaves, simply lovely.
    Thank you for playing with us at SHOPPING OUR STASH, hope you come back and play again next time.
    Hugs,
    Maria Rodriguez.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Maria.
      Glad you like the tag :)
      Happy Saturday to you... X

      Delete
  11. Wonderful interpretation, how fun with the idea of a circle tag! The black butterfly adds a lot of contrast too and I just love the whole look of this! Have a fun Sunday! Hugs Nonni

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Nonni.
      Enjoy your Sunday, too. X
      Hugs back at 'ya...

      Delete
  12. A beautiful tag Donna! Lovely colours and design. I love it! Thanks for joining our challenge at Addicted to Stamps. Marlies

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  13. Wow Donna, your Tag looks so perfect. I love this romantic look. Thanks for playing with us at Addicted to stamps challenge, Hugs Alma

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  14. Love the idea of the circular tag and that black butterfly really pops against eh gorgeous background x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mac :)
      Hope you've had a good weekend... and congrats on the CAS Mix Up win. Well deserved. X

      Delete
  15. This is a very clever and very pretty take on Melissa's tag, Donna! I think your black butterfly is very effective as a second layer! I'm very sorry to hear that you've been so ill in bed with a cold. Thank you so much for getting up to play in my NBUS Challenge #7! I hope you are feeling much better by now and soon return to good health! Hugs, Darnell

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Darnell :)
      Much better than I was... and thanks to the Balm Tissues at least my nose didn't fall off.
      Glad so many people have been able to play along in your latest NBUS challenge :)
      Have a lovely week. X

      Delete
  16. Hi Donna! Hope you are over the sniffles now! waaahhhh No fun! Lots of pollen in the air here, the wind just having a great time blowing it around. kachoo! That's me! Love your tag and that unexpected black butterfly! Awesome! Who knew?! lol

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    1. Hi, Pam.
      Thanks for stopping by :)
      Always love to hear from you.
      Take care. X

      Delete
  17. Thank you for playing with us at SOS, but darn!--I'm sorry you've been sick! (It's funny: I don't "know" my blog-peeps, but I care very much for my fellow crafters!!) This is so cool... love your explanations!

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    Replies
    1. I'm sorry I've been sick, too! But on the plus side, at least my husband didn't catch it.
      Thanks for stopping by, Mimi.
      Have a lovely day. X

      Delete
  18. Beautiful tag, Donna! Love the butterfly. Hope you are feeling better!

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  19. Oooh! This is so pretty and dainty! I do love your tags!

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  20. Fab circle tag, love that sentiment! Thanks for sharing with us at Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog and hope to see you again soon.
    Hugs, Sandy DT

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