Christmas Tag Card, Polar Bear, Joy

Hi.  How's your weekend going so far?

It looks like I haven't posted anything for a while, but I have been busy crafting away.  Honestly, I have...  How about you?

Anyhow...  I'm later than I'd hoped for my entry into the latest Tag You're It challenge.  This is partly because I've been working on two birthday cards, but also...  I had no watercolour card and I had to wait what seemed like ages for it to arrive.  Not that I'm impatient, of course!

Here's my finished design...

...and here's the inspiration picture.  Isn't that 'Ruff Day' sentiment just the best?  

As you can see, I've kept to a similar colour scheme.  I'm guessing that Anja may have stencilled her card background on with ink, but I could be wrong.  I used the new 'Shimmer' stencil from Memory Box with some Sparkle Medium (Sparkle Gel) from Imagination Crafts.  Sadly, the camera doesn't do justice to the slight sparkle effect.  Never mind...   

My layers are different in style to Anja's, and in lieu of Washi Tape I've chosen to stamp on a distressed film edge. To be honest, I had so many different edging options, but by this stage I knew that I wanted to portray the 'captured moment' of a polar bear cub seeing it's first snowflake...   Does that come across in this design at all?  I hope so :)

The 'colour wash' was made using Tumbled Glass and Weathered Wood Distress Markers.

One large sentiment to echo Anya's original tag (coloured using my Stampin' Up Chalk Marker), some twine...  and then I had to walk away before the temptation to add some more punched snowflakes from my Martha Stewart/All Over The Page 'Aspen Flurry' took over!  

As my husband's into photography I'll be saving this card for him.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by.  If you can spare the time, I always enjoy reading any comments you may have :)

Donna... 

Floating Butterflies, Flowers & Leaves, Off The Edge

I made this card today.  

It's for two different challenges...

Memory Box

...  and Pals Paper Arts.

Dies used:

Memory Box Floating Butterflies

Memory Box Darla Butterfly

Memory Box Perfect Petioles

Poppystamps Meadow Leaf

Other supplies:

Docrafts 'Gorjuss' paper pack (Neutrals)

Tim Holtz Distressing Tool

Vanilla 'Morning Dew Drops'

I hope you like it :)

  

This is a short post today as in 2 hours time the latest  

Pals Paper Arts challenge will be over.  Isn't their colour combination just gorgeous?

But just before I go...  I'm so happy Memory Box are doing craft challenges now.  Yippee!!!

Hope you are having a good day...

Donna

Christmas Tag, Dog, Tiny Tree

It's just gone 8am here in the UK.  My daughter's off sick from school again today so I've taken the opportunity to quickly photograph this tag that I made yesterday morning.  At least that's one Christmas tag taken care of!

You may be wondering why I've suddenly gone on a tag blitz...  

Well firstly, I genuinely do love the colour combination of Tracey's featured tag over on the 

Tag You're It challenge blog.  Secondly, seeing her featured tag and reading her original post reminded me that I should be making some of my own tags for my daughter's teachers, and thirdly...  

Tag You're It are having a Design Team Call.  Even though my tags may not be what they are looking for, I need to know that I've done my best.  Yes...  I may have gone a little O.T.T. but in fairness, Tracey's tag is so beautifully CAS that my mind has gone in loads of different creative directions!!!   

Anyhow...  Here's a very quick 'how to'...

Stamp image using Stazon Ink as this stamp, although lovely, does not give a clean crisp image.  (This stamp was a 'freebie' from a craft magazine but a similar one exists in the Daisy and Dandelion clear stamp range).  Once dry, cut out with sharp scissors.

Make a small hole either side of the neck, thread a thin piece of raffia and a small bell into place and secure at the back.  (Top Tip...  I thread a pair of scissors between the raffia and the tag before turning the whole thing over and tying the knot that secures the bell into place.  This gives me enough slack so that the bell hangs away from the neck). 

Attach stamped image to tag using foam pads.

Using a Tonic punch, cut out a Small Christmas tree from thick, green mulberry paper.  Glue a tiny white star into place at the top.  (My star's from the Aspen Flurry, All Over the Page punch by Martha Stewart).

Next, cut out a Small Flower Pot from a Carla Craft punch.  

To add the piece of tied raffia to the Plant Pot, add a small drop of glue to the back of the pot and attach the raffia to the glue spot so that you have an equal amount handing free off either end.   Once this is dry it's much easier to tie off at the front and trim to size.

Glue the pot and the tree into place on the tag.

Add three tiny red glitter stars, (mine are from the Aspen Flurry punch I mentioned earlier in the post).

 Tie on some white glitter ribbon (Dovecraft) to the top of the tag.

Finished :)

My final entry for the current Tag You're It challenge...

I can't wait to find out if they do a Christmas themed tag challenge :)

'Bye...

Apple Tag, Stamped, Thanks

If you've seen my previous post you'll see the similarities between this tag and that one immediately.  

Same colours, same stamp...  it's just that this time around I've used hammer card rather than flat, matt card.  It really has made a huge difference, hasn't it?

 

For those of you who haven't seen the previous post, I've used a Tsukineko (Memento) 'Lady Bug' and a Stampin' Up 'Gumball Green' Marker Pen, scribbled onto an acrylic block, spritzed with water and stamped directly onto hammer card.  

Once dry, I simply stamped on the image (Stampers Anonymous Schoolhouse Mini Cling Stamp Set) with Stazon Black Ink, added a sentiment from Inkadinkado, three clear sequins and some twine :)

I may try and squeeze one more tag design in before the deadline.  I've had a bit of a blitz on them recently, have you noticed?

Yet another entry for the latest Tag You're It challenge...

Hope you're having a good day :)

Donna.

Apple Tag, Stamped, Thank You

With the end of the final school term fast approaching, I realised I needed to make one final apple tag for a man...  So this seemed like the perfect excuse to try out the apple from my newly acquired Stampers Anonymous Schoolhouse Mini stamp set :)

As I've also been wanting to try out a very quick and simple technique I read about many months ago that involves scribbling onto an acrylic block, spritzing with water and then stamping onto card, I've combined the two into one.  Trouble is...  I couldn't decide on what kind of card I wanted to stamp onto, so I've ended up with two tags (other shown on the next post)...  both very different despite their similarities.

I've used a Tsukineko (Memento) 'Lady Bug' and Stampin' Up 'Gumball Green' Marker Pen for my apple colour combination and paired that with the 'Thank You' punch by Martha Stewart.  Can you see that I've layered a black layer over white to create a shadow effect?

I wanted more black in this design, so I added a plain black second tag (with a second white layer glued behind for writing on) and some black and white twine.

Quick to make...  and it will look good tied around a bottle of Whiskey for my daughter's SENCO :)

I'm also adding this tag to the current Tag You're It challenge.

'Bye for now...

Donna.

Tiny Tattered Floral Tag, Red/White, For You

It's been a cold, wet and soggy weekend here in the UK, so I've had plenty of time to finish making a second tiny tag...

As you can see, it has a lot of similarities to the tag I posted here yesterday, yet it's got a completely different 'feel' to it.  I think that's one of the things I love most about creating cards/tags, etc.  How even a change of colour and a few different additions can change the whole look of a design...

Anyhow, here's a quick rundown on the dies used:

Spellbinders 'Deckled Rectangles' (Small)

Sizzix/Holtz 'Tiny Tattered Florals'

Sizzix/Thinlits 'Sweet Strawberry' (Tag)

Other Supplies:

XCut 'Daisy Flower' punch, ribbon, paper string, adhesive gems and a 'For You' stamp that I think is from an Inkadinkado set :)

I'm adding this tag to the current Tag You're It challenge as well.

Same colours, just mixed it up a bit :)

Take care...

Donna

Tiny Tattered Floral Tag, 3D, Bee

Here's a quick post before the weekend...

I did say that I would be playing with my (Sizzix/Holtz) Tiny Tattered Florals set soon, didn't I?

Well...  Today's the day.  Yay!!!

I know that I'm biased, but I think this is the cutest thing I've made in a long time.

It's just so simple and girly :)

Anyhow...

Tag You're It are doing a challenge at the moment that almost has my absolute favourite colour combination ever.  If I just swap out the black for a dark brown...

But I digress...  How did I make my 'itsy bitsy' tag?

Well, the base tags are from the small set of 'Deckled Rectangles' (Spellbinders).  I've cut four, glued them back to back and hole punched at the top.

Next, I've used one of the larger flowers from the Sizzix/Holtz 'Tiny Tattered Florals' set, paired it with the largest leaf and added a stamped tag cut from my Sizzix/Thinlits 'Sweet Strawberry' set.

I just adore the embossed 'flight path' pattern that this die from the Open Studio/Memory Box 'Busy as a Bee' set makes.  I've paired this with the smaller of the Memory Box 'Jolly Bumble Bees', added a little brown ribbon and a natural, wooden peg at the top and tied a piece of white string ready to attach to a gift...   or a gift bag.

I'm so looking forward to playing with my birthday treat in August.  I bought myself the We R Memory Keepers 'Gift Bag Punch Board' some months ago ready for my husband to give to me)!!!  

Not long to go now.  Yay :)

Have a good weekend...  and thank you for taking the time to stop by...

Donna

Handmade with Care, Bees & Leaves, Kraft Card

I didn't realise just how many Poppystamps dies I had until the other day.  I'd convinced myself I didn't have that many and wouldn't have anything suitable for a card for a man...  Turns out I was wrong, and although my Poppystamps collection isn't as big as my Memory Box one it's slowly catching up :)

Here's my finished card...

...  And here's my question.  Who's looked at my design and thought 'pink label...  for a man...  really???'

Come on...  be honest.  I certainly was torn on this one and my husband certainly doesn't like it.  His words were, 'nature theme...  doesn't work...  needs a brown label'.

So I tried a brown label and do you know what?  It was too drab.  So I tried different shades of brown...  and blue instead...  and red... and I'm sorry but I like the pink label.

That left me with a dilemma because I don't look at that many cards made for men, but I've never seen one with pink on it.  But men wear pink shirts and pink ties in this day and age...  so why not?

That's my justification over and done with :)

I would love to know what you think.  Have I gone a step too far?

Either way, I love the simplicity of this card.  And I love the Meadow Leaf die that Poppystamps have sadly discontinued - except for in digital format.

Those of you who are exceptionally observant may have noticed that I've swapped the colouring around on the large Jolly Bumble Bee (Memory Box).  The usual yellow body with black stripes just didn't look right for this card.  (I'm sorry to say that this die is also discontinued, but there may still be some available somewhere).  As for the other bee...  that's a new acquisition of mine from the Open Studio/Memory Box 'Busy as a Bee' set.

My label stamp's by Hero Arts.  I like the fact that you can add real stitching to this if you want to.  I tried it out for this card but in the end the simplicity of no thread worked best of all.  Maybe on my next card...  who knows?

It's a beautifully bright and sunny day here today, so I'm off to catch up on some washday chores.

'Bye for now :)

Donna

Double Tag, Apples & Leaves, Thanks

This is the second of my apple tags I've made to join in with the newest Tag You're It challenge, and as you can see there are some similarities to my shaker tag posted yesterday.

Once again, I've used the PaperSmooches Tags 2 set.  I always cut two for my base and glue them together as I like the added durability it gives to the tags.  I've also used the Poppystamps 'An Apple a Day' set again, mounting the smaller one on foam pads for added dimension and again using my Stampin' Up Chalk Marker for the highlights.

This time around however, I cut and glued together five of the 'Thanks' sentiments instead of four as I knew that I was planning on overhanging the tag a little.  Five seems to give enough durability that I don't have to worry about the sentiment tearing or bending.

Maybe it's just me, but I so love this little Jigsaw die.  I have so many ideas on how to use it...  but like all things that depends on time!!!  It's by an online company called Crafter's Companion and is part of their Die'sire Essentials range.

The leaf stamp has been used with black ink on both the white and the red tag.  To finish off and carry across a little more of this colour I weaved together some strands of black raffia to secure the two tags together.

Just in case you haven't seen my earlier post, here's the design tag inspiration picture once again...

I'm also entering this tag into the latest Poppystamps challenge...

Hope you're having a good day :)

Donna.

Shaker Tag, Apples, Thanks

This is my first ever attempt at a 'shaker' of any sort...  and my thanks goes to Jeanne Jachna for her easy to understand tutorial on A Kept Life  :)

I'd also like to thank Tracey McNeely, Owner/Designer of Tag You're It among many other things.  She very kindly answered my query in detail and I appreciate her kindness in doing that - especially as I've just been on her blog (In My Creative Opinion) and read about how much she has going on right now.  Thank you  :)

So...  How did I make my Shaker Tag?

I've used the largest tag from the PaperSmooches Tags 2 set and cut it three times (one for the top, two glued together for the base).  I bought this set specifically for making shaker tags as my other tag dies are much smaller by comparison.

The aperture was cut from my Spellbinders (Small) Deckled Rectangle set, the 'Thanks' (I cut four of these and glued them together) is by Papertrey Ink (Wet Paint Cuts) and the apples are all from An Apple a Day (Poppystamps).  Before I forget, the highlight on the big apple was done using my Stampin' Up Chalk Marker  :)

Can you see the tiny apples inside the shaker tag with the green leaves on?  I must confess that the smallest leaves from the Poppystamps die were just too big for these, so instead I cut and 'pruned' some Ieaves from the Impression Obsession 'Leaf Cluster'.

I used a re sealable bag for my shaker...  and an acetate front sheet, securing it all together with double sided tape and mini foam pads.

As much as I love making tags, I really do struggle with the finishing bow/string/ribbon piece that threads through the hole at the top :(  In the end, I settled on a luggage tag ribbon look and threaded the red peg through.

Take a look at the design inspiration...  So CAS and so pretty...

Can a shaker card truly be CAS?  I'm guessing probably not, but I honestly don't know.

If you can spare the time I would really love to know what you think.  I've done my best to keep a minimalistic feel to it, either way!

Thanks for stopping by...

Donna

Christmas, Stag, Muted Colour Tones

A completely new Christmas Card challenge site began running a short while ago and today I've decided to take the plunge by playing along.  After all, we're almost half way through the year people!

I have to say I'm quite pleased that this card would suit a man or a woman equally well.

I would love to say that that was my intention all along, but I would be lying.  Cards for men are not my strong suit at all :(

To begin with, I used my Memory Box 'Drop Ornament' as I wanted to echo the fact that a strong main shape was a huge feature of the design inspiration post.

Next, I echoed the snow with my Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder.  Rather than cut my snow slope freehand I used the Drop Ornament again.  I don't really know why from from the word 'go' I knew that my design would focus around the Drop Ornament rather than in it.

I just love the stag from my Taylored Expressions, Birch tree Accessory Set.  I've paired it with the Fir Tree set from Impression Obsession, Star of Wonder (Memory Box), Christmas Baubles (Poppystamps) and some additional snowflakes from my Martha Stewart/All Over The Page 'Aspen Flurry'.

I don't know if you can tell from the picture but the stag and the medium sized fir tree have been mounted on foam pads for added dimension.  I should probably also mention (as the picture does not capture it at all) that other than the snowflake embossed background, the top of the ornament and the white snowflakes, everything else (including the card base) has been cut from Centura card.  I'm slowly growing fond of it's subtle shimmery effect :)

Do you like the embossing on my fir trees?  I used my Sizzix/Alterations Pine Branch folder for this. I haven't used this folder before today but I like the effect :)

Some grass from a very hard to get hold of (not to mention very expensive) Martha Stewart/Edge Punch (again procured from the USA)...

And that's one card ready for Christmas:)

Here's the design that was used as inspiration...

As you can see, I digressed from a purely white on white card.  I still haven't tried one of those as yet!

Why don't you try playing along with the next MUSE: Christmas Visions challenge?

'Bye for now...

Donna.

Thank You Card, Aperture, Butterfly + Branches

The Card Concept have a lovely challenge going on right now...  and I've got my card finished just in time to show it  :)

The part I always struggle with most is that The Card Concept asks that you make a card in a particular style - and I never know which of their categories I best fit into.

Some people just 'know' that they have certain fixed styles that suit them..  I'm not sure I ever will if I'm totally honest!

Anyhow...  I think 'Classy and Elegant' is the best fit for this design.  Or is it Freestyle/CAS?  What do you think?

I've used two 10 x 10 cm cards, cut an aperture out of the one using my Memory Box, Large Snow Globe die and then glued them together.  Once the extra panel pieces are glued on this looks really effective and it's a lot less work than cutting a big piece of card to size.  Plus it adds extra strength to the whole design, which is always a bonus in my book  :)

The 'Splatters' stencil has been added using one of my favourite colour Distress Inks (Walnut Stain).  I've also used another of Tim Holtz's stencils (Blossom) on one of the inner panels.

I cut the large butterfly (Memory Box, Blissful Butterfly Border) from Centura card for some subtle shimmer effect, added a dew drop embellishment and then, to echo the shimmer already on the card I used Crackle Accents on the 'Thanks' sentiment.  I have to confess I bit the bullet on this die and ordered it in from America!  It's by Papertrey Ink and is called 'Wet Paint Cuts' in case anyone wants to know :)

The small butterflies are from my Martha Stewart, Pop Up Butterfly Punch.  This is one of my 'go to' punches that I use time and time again...

... and the branches are cut up sections from my Memory Box, Woodland Branch die.

As for the leaves...  they are from one of my newest die sets, called Tiny Tattered Florals (Sizzix/Holtz).  This set has the cutest rolled flowers.  I suspect I'll be playing with those shortly so you're bound to see them on my blog quite soon :)

Here's the reference picture for The Card Concept Challenge.  As you can see I took my inspiration from the colour palette.

Summer has finally arrived here in the UK this weekend!

Wherever you are, I hope you have a good week ahead...

Donna