Christmas Tag, Fir Trees, Woodgrain

My unofficial title for this tag is 'left over surprise'!

Why?

Because I had a surprise when I found out an extra day had snuck its way into 

Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags!

So...  feeling very tired but not wanting to be defeated, I took a look at the tags for inspiration and chose one that meant I could use bits left over from other projects.

I'm not sure I had it in me that day to start a tag from scratch!

Here's my last tag for this challenge...

As you can see when you look at the tag below, I took the Tree with the Wood Panel background quite literally for my design project.

Supplies Used:

Dies:
Sizzix/Holtz Framelits 'Tag Collection'
Impression Obsession 'Fir Trees'
Poppystamps 'Oval Frame background'

Punch:
Martha Stewart/All Over The Page 'Aspen Flurry'

Other:
Altenew Woodgrain Bark Paper
Acrylic Paint - White
Bells - Silver and Gold
Ribbon - Red

It has been a huge accomplishment for me to do this - one tag for each day of the challenge.

To some of you I know this may come easily, but I'm still learning...

I'm hoping it gets easier and easier with time!

...  And if you've stuck by me through this marathon of tags I have nothing but a huge, heartfelt 'Thank You' to give to you.

Your kindness, support and feedback is always appreciated...

and it generally brings a smile to my day  :)

Donna. x

Christmas Tag, Mini Snow Globe, Deer

I've opted to make a tag for a child for Day 25 of

Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags.

Here it is...

My idea came from seeing this tag (below) with the cute image inside the snow globe.

Did you notice that I had a snow globe mounted on my star shaped tag? 

My husband didn't! 

Supplies Used:

Dies:

MFT/Die-namics 'Stitched Star STAX'

Memory Box 'Small Snow Globe' 

Open Studio 'Snow Globe Bases'

Marianne Design/Craftables 'Tiny's Pine Trees'

Impression Obsession 'Wreath'

Stamp:

Stampin' Up 'Forest Friends'

Memento/Tsukineko Marker Pens:

Gray Flannel

Tuxedo Black

Bamboo Leaves

New Sprout

Other:

Crafter's Companion 'Spray and Shine' Varnish

Twine - Gray

Gems - Pink

Although Tracey's challenge clearly states 25 Days, she snuck in an extra day!
So that's one more tag for me to show you on my next post...

Just one more tag to go...

Donna. x

Christmas Tag, Star STAX, Pink

I've had another go at playing with layers for Day 24 of

Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags.

I hope you like this one...

I took my inspiration from this tag (below).  

As you can hopefully see, the star shape is what I chose to use as my design focus...  although I did also get in plenty of sparkle and shine  :)

Supplies Used:

Dies:

Memory Box 'Distressed Tag'

MFT/Die-namics 'Sitched Star STAX'

Embossing Folder:

Darice 'Snowflake'

Other:

Twine

Silver Cord

Dew Drops - Blue

Crafter's Companion 'Spray and Sparkle' - Pearl Diamond

Hope you enjoy/enjoyed your day...

Donna. x

Tag Shaped Card, Christmas, Peace

I made my tag into a removable tag on a tag shaped card for Day 23 of

Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags.

(Try saying that in a hurry)!

Here it is...

Making tags into cards is one of my 'signature moves' I think.

I guess we all have our 'go tos' that we just love to do!

What are yours, I wonder?

Take a look at the gorgeous tag I was inspired by.

It's quite obvious how my design was influenced, isn't it?

Supplies Used:

Dies:

Mama Elephant 'Tags A Lot'

Lawn Fawn 'Stitched Circle Tags'

Poppystamps 'Chochitlan Wreath'

Papertrey Ink 'Wet Paint Holiday'

Embossing Folder:

Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes'

Other:

Crafter's Companion 'Spray and Sparkle' - Pearl Diamond

Dew Drops 

Leaf Ribbon

As ever, thank you for dropping by today...

Donna. x

Christmas Tag, Baubles, Blue + Brown

I was immediately struck by a gorgeous colour scheme that I opted to use for Day 22 of 

Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags.

It's a classic blue and brown colour combination for this tag...

...  and here's what I was inspired by.

Aren't those shades of blue and brown just so lovely?

Supplies Used:

Dies:

Mama Elephant 'Tags A Lot'

Impression Obsession 'Pine Branch'

Quickutz 'Ornament'

Holtz/Distress Inks:

Stormy Sky

Peacock Feathers

Walnut Stain

Embossing Folder:

Darice 'Snowflake'

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and visit...

Donna. x

Large Christmas Tag, 'Do Not Open Until Dec 25th', Envelopes Design

I was officially stumped choosing a design to make for Day 21 of 

Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags.

This was one of those designs that go so far and then it was left for a few days whilst I pondered how to finish it.

Of course, it doesn't help when I'm making something way, way out of my comfort zone.

Take a look...

I do not like this tag at all, but I'm slowly learning that just because it's not my 'cup of tea' doesn't mean somebody else won't like it.

That's a hard lesson for me.

Here's the cute duo of tags I chose to base my tag design on.

I knew the colour scheme would stump me, but I worked with it anyway and hoped for the best!

Supplies Used:

Dies:

Mama Elephant 'Tags A Lot'

Waltzing Mouse 'Envelope'  

Waltzing Mouse 'Mini Envelope'

Spellbinders 'Deckled Rectangles'

Impression Obsession 'Fir Trees'

Memory Box 'Snow Burst'

Sizzix/Holtz 'Tattered Pinecone'

Ink:

Memento/Tsukineko  'Tuxedo Black'

Ranger Perfect Medium

Embossing Powder:

Stampendous 'Crystal'

Other:

Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen - Clear Overlay

Star Shaped Buttons - Red

Twine - Green

I hope that today has been kind to you...

Donna. x

Christmas Wreath Tag, Heart Shaped, Woodgrain

I've come up with a design for Day 20 of Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags that on first impressions looks nothing like the set of inspiration tags.

Let me show you.

Here's my tag...

...  and here's the set of four tags that I chose to take inspiration from.

I spy hearts, a wreath, holly and berries and patterned paper in that mix of tags - as well as some green and red colouring.  Those elements combined (the wreath has been cut from individual 'branches' of patterned paper) are what ultimately led to this creation.

For some reason my husband looks at my tag here and thinks of chocolate macaroons!
Oh well...

Supplies Used:

Die:

Memory Box 'Grand Heart'

Simon Says 'Sketch Heart'

Impression Obsession 'Wreath'

Punch:

Martha Stewart 'Branch'

Other:

Altenew 'Woodgrain Bark' Paper

Twine

Button - Red

It just goes to show that you never can tell how a design will inspire you!

Thank you for stopping by today...

Donna. x

Christmas Tag Gift Bags, Drop Ornament, Kraft

I took a simple and straightforward approach to my tags for Day 19 of Tracey's 

25 Days of Christmas Tags...

...  And then I decided that there was something about them that didn't 'work' for me.

How did I solve this problem?

I turned them into tags for Kraft bags, of course...

Here's the tag I chose to use for my design inspiration...

Like I said, I took a very straightforward approach  :)

Supplies Used:

Dies:

Memory Box 'Drop Ornament'

Memory Box 'Telluride Snowflake'

Other:

Suede Cord

Glitter Buttons

Cream Twine

I never realised until making these that I have real issues with super shiny craft projects.

Looks like I learnt something new about myself!

Wherever you are, take care...

Donna. x

Circular Christmas Tag, Joy, Woodgrain

Once all of the layering up was done, this was a pretty simple tag to put together for Day 18 of Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags...

A quick spot of water colouring (markers scribbled on to an acrylic block, then painted on using water and a brush).  Set them to one side to dry.   Smoosh on some gilding wax to some woodgrain circles...  It really was that easy.

It's the fact that the die cuts have been layered up three times each that gives it dimension and some added visual interest.

Here's the tag I used for inspiration this time 'round...

Supplies Used:

Dies:

Lawn Fawn 'Stitched Circle Tags'

MFT/Die-namics 'Stitched Circle STAX'

Poppystamps 'Holly Leaf Branch'

Memory Box 'Sketchbook Joy'

Holtz/Distress Ink:

Forest Moss

Peeled Paint

Other:

Altenew 'Woodgrain Bark' Paper

Pebeo Gilding Wax - Silver

Bell

 Natural Twine

Sequins

That's it from me for now.

Off to go cook, then edit some more photo's whilst watching TV - ready to post tomorrow!

Thank you for enduring my marathon of tag creations...

Donna. x

Christmas Tag, Fanciful Poinsettia, Grunge, Let it Snow

I'm mixing 'pretty' with 'grunge' for Day 17 of Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags.

Not sure about this one...

What do you think?

My inspiration came from this very pretty tag.

It's absolutely gorgeous, isn't it?

So feminine...

Supplies Used:

Dies:

Memory Box 'Distressed Tag'

Memory Box 'Fanciful Poinsettia'

Punch:

Martha Stewart/Punch All Over 'Aspen Flurry'

Stamps:

Memory Box 'Distressed Tag'
Uniko 'Stunning Snowflakes'

Other:
Holtz/Distress 'Walnut Stain'
Holtz/Distress 'Black Soot'
Twinkling H20's - Hopeful Honeysuckle
Holtz/Distress 'Picket Fence' Paint Dauber
Gems
Twine
Glitter Card - Black
Crafter's Companion 'Spray and Shine' Varnish

Only nine more tags to go.

I so hope I get them all posted in time...

Thanks for stopping by...

Donna. x

Christmas Wishes Tag, Pink Vellum, Poinsettia

I had my first go at using coloured vellum for Day 16 of

Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags.

Here's the tag I made with a die cut flower in pink card.  I topped it with a layer of pink vellum for added interest.  

Why both layers?

Durability.

As you'll see from the inspiration tag below, I've incorporated most of the design elements.  

Mine just has more colour to it...  and maybe a few less embellishments?

Supplies Used:

Dies:

Mama Elephant 'Tags A Lot'

Quickutz 'Poinsettia'

Papertrey Ink 'Wet Paint Holiday'

Poppystamps 'Christmas Baubles'

Stamp:

Indigo Blu 'Spirit of Christmas'

Ink:

Holtz/Distress 'Peacock Feathers'

Other:

Glitter Card - Brown

Vellum - Pink

Pearl Embellishments

Twine

Tracey's Linky is still open right now, so there's still time to play.

Maybe I'll see you there...

Donna. x

Winter Tag, Owl on Branch, Christmas

I went for something a little fiddly to make for 

Day 15 of Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags...  but boy, did I have fun.

Here it is.  A tag with a bit of 'movement'...

The fiddly part was attaching those threads to the baubles and then tying them around the branch so that they hung where I wanted them to.  

But I like the effect of the baubles having some movement to them, so I can't complain!

If you look at the inspiration tag I chose for today, you'll see that it's blatantly obvious where I got my ideas from.  Owl on branch.  Easy to spot, isn't it?

(If you aren't someone who stops by regularly, you won't know that I quite often take design 'detours' that make no sense until I explain my things to you). x

Supplies Used:

Dies:

Lawn Fawn 'Stitched Circular Tags'

MFT/Die-namics 'Stitched Circle STAX'

Penny Black Creative 'A Pocket Full'  

Poppystamps 'Christmas Baubles'

Punch:

McGill Dimensional 'Tree Branch'

Stamps:

Stampin' Up 'Forest Friends'

Penny Black 'Berry Bevy'

Memento Marker Pens:

Olive Grove

Tuxedo Black

Expresso Truffle

Rich Cocoa

Ink:

VersaCraft 'Tangerine'

Embossing Folder:

Cuttlebug 'Distress Stripes'

Other:

Sequins

Twine

Patterned Paper

Hope you are enjoying your day...

Donna. x

'Don't Eat Yellow Snow', Double Tag, Limited Colour Palette

I'm not sure if I should be apologising or not for this super quick and easy tag for Day 14 of 

Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas.

What do you think?

My inspiration came from this cute duo of tags.

Supplies Used:

Die:

Mama Elephant 'Tags A Lot'

Stamp:

Inkadinkado 'Don't Eat Yellow Snow'

Ink:

Holtz/Distress 'Weathered Wood'

Ranger Perfect Medium

Memento/Tsukineko 'Tuxedo Black'

Spectrum Noir AquaTint - Perfectly Primary

Embossing Powder:

WOW 'Clear'

Other:

Black Glitter Card

Red Glitter Ribbon

He may be a little naughty, but boy is he cute!

'Bye for now...

Donna. x 

Winter Tag, Painted Trees, Acetate Layer

You know those stamps you fall in love with straight away?

You know the one's I mean, don't you?

They're the one's where you buy them immediately because you just know that they are perfect for you.  

And then you put them away, untouched.  Never to see the light of day again...

Until that perfect opportunity arises.

Well, that's what happened to me with my tag for Day 13 of Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags.

Here's my tag...

And this is the tag that reminded me I had the perfect stamp to use...

After stamping and heat embossing my tree image, I simply added some white acrylic 'snow'.

Then it was simply a case of adding the green and the blue ink colours with my favourite 'go to' quick watercolour method (scribbling distress markers onto an acrylic block, watering down and painting on with a brush).

An embossed acetate layer was added simply to give this tag a little extra 'something'.

Supplies Used:

Die:

Paper Smooches 'Gift Tag'

Stamp:

All Night Media 'Winter Forest Of Trees'

Holtz/Distress Markers:

Forest Moss

Peeled Paint

Tumbled Glass

Stormy Sky

Embossing Folder:

Sheena Douglass 'Snowfall'

Other:

Acetate - recycled

Ranger Perfect Medium Ink

WOW Embossing Powder - Earthtones/Pepper

Acrylic Paint - White

That's my last 'catch up' tag for now.  Expect more tomorrow!!!

Donna. x

Heart Pendant Christmas Tag, CAS/Grunge, Varnished

I was initially a little stumped about what to do for Day 12 of Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags...

but that block didn't last for long.

Here's what I made...

The 'block' was because I don't often work with gold...  but there's nothing like a good challenge to get you thinking.  I just had to figure out how to work with it 'me' style  :)

My tag was based on this rather opulent looking creation...

...  And as you can see, I've striped it right back to basics and just taken the gold colouring and the fact that it's a Christmas ornament die as my starting points.

Supplies Used:

Dies:

Sizzix/Holtz Framelits 'Tag Collection'

Memory Box 'Snowflake Love Pendant'

Ink:

Holtz/Disress 'Black Soot"

Other:

Crafter's Companion 'Spray And Shine' Varnish

Tonic/Holtz Distressing Tool

3D Holographic Heart Embellishment

Black Raffia

I have to say I'm quite taken by the look of this simple creation. 

I think I may have an inner 'grunge' side to me!

Thanks for stopping by today...

Donna. x