Flower Tag, Vellum, Thinking Of You

Are you playing along with the current Tag You're It challenge?

If you are you will know that our Featured Artist is a lady by the name of Michelle Short.

Michelle created a tag full of colour, with one single flower that had a lot of petals!

Here's my version of Michelle's tag - made into a card so I can play along at CAS Mix Up, too.

Cards with shiny surfaces are notoriously difficult to photograph, so here's a close up shot that shows the colours in a truer light...

(If you look closely, I think you can even see some sparkle).

When I looked at Michelle's tag, I was struck by the intensity of her bright, bold colour choices.  

Let me show you so you can see for yourself...

To make this design 'me' however, I had to look past those beautifully vivid colours and see what else I could see.

A bold black outlined flower stamp with a coloured centre that draws the eye in, lots of petals, some text...  and a very pretty splodgy/dotty background.  

I can work with those, I told myself...  and set off to create my tag.  

I decided that I wanted to make something that was the 'polar opposite' to Michelle's tag, yet it still holds true to many of her design features.
I knew immediately that I only had one stamp that was similar to Michelle's.  The outline isn't as bold, but good enough for what I wanted to achieve.

Stamping the flower image onto vellum a few times - twice for the bigger flower, once for the first, (plus one bigger flower centre),  gave me my 'multitude of petals' look.  

But can you see that those petals don't really look like vellum?

Here's how I did that...

Use Black Stazon Ink and stamp image directly on to the tag.

Then...

Use Black Stazon Ink to stamp images directly onto vellum.  (Reminder: Two large flowers, one small flower, plus one large flower centre).

Flip vellum over so the stamped images are on the back, tape down (otherwise the vellum will curl like crazy) and apply a few thin layers of White Gesso

Leave to dry.

Then...

Cut out one big flower.

Do the same again, only this time leave out a few petals at random intervals whilst cutting.

Cut out the large flower centre and the smaller flower.

Using a Red Marker Pen, carefully colour all of the centres of the flowers.

Leave to dry.

BEFORE assembling the flowers...  

Colour the flower stem with Green Marker Pens, add splatters of Twinkling H20's to the tag (not a colour lift like Michelle's design, but it still gives a splodgy look - even if mine's much more sparse)...  and add an embossed sentiment.  (I stamped mine in Black Stazon Ink again, but before inking up in Black I inked up in Perfect Medium embossing Ink first.  Just stamp the text as normal, then add a clear embossing powder, shake off the excess and heat set. 

Now to assemble the flowers...

Put a small dot of glue behind the centre of the small flower, align with the stamped image on the tag and glue into place.

Do the same with the large flower, then layer on the flower with partial petals, followed by the flower centre.

Leave to dry, then shape petals on the large flower using the side of a thin paintbrush to curl around.

Mask off both flowers from the rest of the tag by placing scrap paper under the petals.  Make sure that the tag is completely covered by scrap paper and that only the flowers are showing.

Then...

Spray with Glitter Varnish and leave to dry.

(Not only does the Glitter Varnish leave a beautiful finish to the petals, it also acts as a sealant for the water soluble Marker Pen that were used for the flower centres).

Once the main body of the tag was done, I added a ring link.  This was made by gluing three layers of the die cut together (see Supplies Used for the die used), and then adding a layer of Crackle Accents to both sides and allowing to dry.  

Once dry, the link was thread through a Chain die that was treated to a layer of Silver Gilding Wax.  (I had to cut the link to do this, then glued it back together with a spot of Collall Tacky Glue).

All that was left to do was to make a quick background.

I used an Embossing Folder on a piece of Kraft Core Metallic card, sanded it to see some of the core beneath...

...  and then glued everything into place - using 3D Gel to add dimension underneath the tag.

Then I mounted the whole thing onto silver card stock for colour continuity.

It's not as complicated as it all sounds - I promise!
I'm just a very 'wordy' person!

 Why don't you come and join in with us at Tag You're It!?
The current challenge started on Friday so there's plenty of time to play along.
We'd love to see you there. x

Supplies Used:

Stamp:

Uniko 'Pure Florals' - Cosmos

Dies:
Mama Elephant 'Tags A Lot'

Poppystamps 'Delicate Chain'

Poppystamps 'Righteous Rings'

Ink:

Stazon 'Jet Black'

Ranger 'Perfect Medium Embossing Ink'

Marker Pens:

Stampin' Up 'Raspberry Ripple'

Stampin' Up 'Gumball Green'

Tsukineko/Memento 'Bamboo Leaves'

Embossing Folder:

Sizzix/Tim Holtz Texture Fades 'Distressed Frame' 

Other:

Twinkling H20's  - Pearl Blue

Pebeo Gilding Wax - Silver

Tim Holtz Kraft Core - Metallic

Stampendous - Clear Embossing Powder

Collall - 3D Gel Glue

Crafters Companion 'Spray and Sparkle' - Pearl Diamond

Challenges I'm Entering...

CAS Mix Up Challenge
(I chose Stamping, Spray Varnish, Markers and Twinkling H20's 'Splatting')

Simon Says/Wednesday
Make For The Border

Pixies Crafty Snippets Challenge
(The whole tag's made from snippets)!

I hope you had a good weekend and are ready for whatever today brings your way...

'Crafty Hugs' to you...

Donna. x

*

I went out early this morning and came home to be greeted by some lovely Happy Mail...  

My first Pocket Letter from my very lovely craft friend, Hazel Kingvig-Paul.

Thank you so much, Hazel.

You sure did brighten my day.

I couldn't quite fit it all into the one photo, though...

Isn't it amazing?

So much thought and attention to detail...

...  And what a lovely way to use up some of those odds and ends that I know we all have.

Sending you a very big thank you 'hug', Hazel. 

Mwah. x

Large Tag, We Do Not Remember Days, Female

I have a very simple CAS tag to show you today.  After all, it IS a Friday...

Time for another challenge at Tag You're It!

When I initially made this tag I chose muted colours as I thought that it would end up as a Sympathy or Thinking of You card - if added to a card front obviously!
But now that it's finished I think it works as a Wedding or Happy Anniversary tag!!!

Is there something very wrong with me that my brain can think that?  I mean, some of the happiest AND some of the saddest moments in a person's life BOTH being suited to this design?

Which would you use it for?  Either?  Neither?  Both?

Anyhow...  I've based my design on this tag, which comes to you courtesy of my fellow DT mate, Carol Mayne...

I've kept faithfully to her design brief...  Stencilled background, graduated inking, sentiment stamp and flying insect - except that I've chosen to add all of my elements to a tag, swapped out the dragonfly for a butterfly, snuck in two tiny butterflies as additional 'embellishments' and added my graduated inking to a flower stem.

As Carol didn't use any sequins or gems, etc I didn't either... but if I was making this again I think I would be tempted to try adding some in place of the tiny butterflies...   some clear Morning Dew drops maybe?
 That's the joy of designing for me.  How even the smallest of changes can make such a big difference..  and you don't know until you try.

Supplies Used:

Stamp:

Penny Black 'We Do Not Remember...'

Die:

Tim Holtz/Thinlits 'Wildflowers'

Punches:

Tim Holtz 'Butterfly' (Large)

Martha Stewart 'Pop Up Butterfly'

Inks:

Memento (Tsukineko) Rich Cocoa

Memento (Tsukineko) Expresso Truffle
Ranger 'Perfect Medium' Embossing Ink

Other:

Stampendous 'Detail Black' Embossing Powder

White Vellum

Creative Expressions 'Birch Tree' Stencil

White Organza Ribbon





Challenges I'm Entering...

Simon Says/Monday Challenge
(April Showers Bring May Flowers)

Addicted to Stamps and More

(Challenge #189 'Clean and Simple'

Aud Sentiments Challenge

(Challenge #153 'Anything Goes'

Creative Card Crew
(Challenge #110 'Die Cut'

Unicorn Challenge
(Favourite Time of the Year) - Late Spring

Pixies Crafty Snippets Challenge

(All made from my 'snippets' stash)

Have a good weekend...

...  and thanks for stopping by...

Donna.

Tag Card, May the Hand of A Friend, Female

I don't often put my 'make' right at the top of my blog entry...
Well, by 'don't often' I actually mean never.

BUT...

I fell in love with this Penny Black sentiment as soon as I saw it on eBay.  I'm presuming it's an old stamp design  (never used, so yay!) and I wanted it to capture your attention.

After all...  if it's 'speaking' to me, it may 'speak' to you...

*

Tag You're It! have their new challenge starting today and it's my turn to share my DT creation with you all...  

(You did see it, didn't you)?

As much as I love making tags into cards, sometimes it's out of necessity.  I just couldn't see an application for this tag as a standalone attached to a gift, so instead it's been made into a CAS(ish) style card that I think works well as a 'thinking of you' card or just a simple 'note' card maybe?
What do you think?

Supplies Used:

Stamps:

Penny Black '... Near You'
Inkylicious 'Whispering Winds'

Dies:
Papertrey Ink 'Library Card Tag'

Memory Box 'Grape Vine'
Memory Box 'Butterfly Heart'
Impression Obsession 'Tied Line'

Inks:

Tim Holtz Distress Marker 'Tumbled Glass'
Tim Holtz Distress Marker 'Stormy Sky'
Tim Holtz Distress Marker 'Forest Moss'
Tim Holtz Distress Marker 'Peeled Paint'
Memento (Tsukineko) 'Bamboo Leaves'
Ranger 'Perfect Medium' Embossing Ink

Other:
Stampendous 'Detail Black' Embossing Powder

White Sequins
Glossy Black Card
Judikins Color Duster

Here's a quick rundown of how this card was made...

Scribble Distress Inks on to a stamping block, spritz with water and stamp onto watercolour card.

(Repeat until happy with the overall look).

Once dry, run it through a die cutting machine with the tag die AND cut an additional tag out of plain white cardstock.  

Glue the two tags together.

Stamp on the grass.

Leave to dry.

Stamp on the sentiment in clear ink, add embossing powder and heat set.

Cut 2 'Tied Line' dies to size, trim off the unwanted bow portion and glue into place.

Cut and attach butterflies (gluing centres only) so that the wings can be folded up a little.

Leave tag to one side to dry.

Cut 2 'Grape Vine' dies and glue into place.  (As so little of this die is actually visible, trim to size and keep the offcuts for another card or to decorate the inside).

Attach tag using foam pads.

Use stippling brushes and ink to add a slight 'grunge' feel to parts of the outer edge of the card.

Add sequins.

You can't tell from this photo, but the Grape Vine die has been cut from glossy black card to mirror the shine from the black embossed text.  I just couldn't get a good image with the shine showing, but I did manage to make full use of the natural daylight that produced some lovely shadows for me!

Challenges I'm Entering...

CAS Mix Up
(I've chosen to go with Stamping, Watercolouring and Die Cuts...
but I did sneek in a little stippling, too! )

Pixies Crafty Snippets Challenge
(Butterflies, frame and vine all cut from snippets)

Allsorts Challenge
(Spring Is In The Air)

Addicted to Stamps and More
(Photo challenge week - I took inspiration from the stamp)

City Crafter
(Week #303 'Make it Green')

Dragonfly Journeys
(Challenge #48 'Go Green')

Unicorn Challenge
(Challenge #7 'Clean and Simple")

Craft Rocket Challenges
(Challenge #11 'Anything Goes')

Some of you may have noticed that I haven't been blogging much lately.
Pretty much every cupboard and drawer in my house has had a major tidy and sort through...  and it's taken me months to complete.
This was not the result of a New Year's Resolution (I personally don't believe in those), but the fact that two whole room's have had to have a major overhaul.  One needed decorating and new furniture...  and the other simply had far too much 'stuff' in it.
So craft time has been pretty much non existent as of late...  except for sorting through my craft stuff and trying to tidy that up, too...
And then I decided that if I had come this far I may as well do the entire house...  so no cupboard or drawer has been spared!

Thankfully, I'm pretty much done now.
Except for the huge pile of stuff that needs to go to charity or to be sold.
But that's another story...


I would really encourage you to pop on over to the Tag You're It challenge blog and take a look at what my team mates have come up with based on my design.  I may well be biased...  but they've all knocked my socks off with their talent.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone...
...  and if you have the time, let me know if the stamp on my tag 'spoke' to you, too.

Take care...  and come and play along if you can...

Donna. x

'Strength', Weathered Clock, Female

I know that some of you are going through really difficult times right now.  I guess that's the thing about blog posts...  'life' spills into them from time to time, enabling us (the readers) to catch small privileged glimpses that you choose to share with us.

So with that in mind I made this card...

I wanted it to be more than a 'sympathy' card or a straightforward 'thinking of you' card..  so I came up with a design that has a symbolic message...  and one simple word.

Inks used:

Tim Holtz Distress Ink 'Peeled Paint'

Tim Holtz Distress Ink 'Walnut Stain'

Tim Holtz Distress Ink 'Antique Linen'

Memento (Tsukineko) 'Love Letter'

Memento (Tsukineko) 'Tuxedo Black'

Stencil used:

Memory Box 'Leafy Stems'

Die used:

Sizzix Bigz Die 'Weatherd Clock'

Stamps used:

IndigoBlu 'Flutterby' Dinkie Cling Stamp

Inkadinkado 'Belle Fleur' Wooden Backed Rubber Stamp

Other:

Ranger 'Crackle Accents'

Challenges I'm entering...

Butterfly Challenge

(Butterflies + 'N' is for Numbers/#41)

Pixie's Crafty Snippets Challenge

(The patterned paper is from my 'snippets' collection...  and the butterfly and flowers were both stamped onto 'snippets' of white card)

Simon Says (Wednesday) Challenge

(Anything Goes)

4 Crafty Chicks

(Challenge #270 'Anything Goes')

Creative Card Crew

(Challenge #99 'Off the Edge')

Use Your Stuff

(Challenge #197 'Die Cuts and/or Punches)

Sometimes being 'strong' is as simple...  and yet as difficult as continuing to put one foot in front of the other.

Take care...

Donna.


(TOP 5)

Arched Window Card, Bird on a Branch, Textured Brickwork

I haven't posted for a while.  Half term came and went...  and my daughter's been ill a lot this past month or so...

Anyhow, it gave me time to have a bit of a craft sort out and I decided to take the plunge and have a go at making some window cards for the Poppystamps Challenge.

This is what I came up with...

... and for the inside...

I started out by using a Poppystamps Small Gothic Window die on a piece of white cardstock.  After embossing with a brick design (Sizzix/Tim Holtz), I used that card as a template to draw onto the card base, carefully cut with scissors and voila - a 'see through' window.

I cut a further 2 windows out of black card and rubbed them with some silver gilding wax, then glued everything into place - using foam pads under the brickwork and being careful to line everything up as best I could.

The Bird on a PussyWillow Branch is from Frantic Stamper, the leaves and flowers are Memory Box (Botanic Frame); as is the branch (Woodland Branch).

The largest butterfly was cut, embossed and rubbed with silver gilding wax (Memory Box, Blissful Butterfly Border).  I did the same with the tiny front butterfly (Martha Stewart, Pop Up Butterfly Punch).  The butterflies on the inside were cut from Memory Box, Peaceful Butterfly Wings.

Hope you like it :)