Tuesday, December 13, 2011

12 Tags of Christmas...


Well, it's over...the 12 Tags of Christmas for 2011 has come to an end...and I have an amazing piece of art to celebrate!  I thoroughly enjoyed creating this year's tags...and I am so grateful to Tim Holtz for all the ideas and inspiration he provided over the past 12 days!  He is taking a well-deserved rest...and so am I.  There's lots to do to get ready for Christmas!  Thanks for stopping by!  Have a Merry Christmas!!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Tag 12...


Well, the 12 Tags of Christmas has come to an end...but what a way to go out!  Tim's 12th tag was stunning!  Here's my version...


I'm not quite ready to show you my final tray just yet.  There's a couple more embellishments I'd like to add, but I'm out of time for tonight.  So, bear with me...hopefully tomorrow evening. 

Tim - THANK YOU for an amazing journey!  I think these were the best 12 tags yet!  And Mario's BTS (behind the scenes) were fabulous!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Tag 11...


What a GREAT day I had!!  It started by waking up and checking Tim's tag first thing.  It's another fabulous creation, of course!  Then I scroll down to the winning comments...and mine is there!!  Mario is shipping it right out and I'll be sure to let you know what the unexpected package includes!  How exciting!!

Then, it was off to a class at Absolutely Everything with my friend, Sandy.  We made a Christmas shadowbox, but it's a Christmas present and it's not quite done.  I'll be sure to post pictures at a later time.

When I got home I was anxious to create my tag.  I have to say, this was not my favorite technique.  I absolutely love the way Tim did it...and I watched the video like 10 times, but my UTEE didn't seem quite hot enough and had lots of bubbles.  It also cooled very quickly and my pieces were very blotchy.  Oh well...it's still cute, but I don't think I'll be doing this again any time soon.  ;-) 


Because my tags are smaller, I also shrunk my Santa.  First, I stamped it with red StazOn ink, then I shrunk it with my heat gun and then I dipped it into UTEE.  I also made a couple of other shapes...



Well, tomorrow's the last tag...I'm kind of sad about it, but it's also a good thing so I can get back to making my Christmas cards...and finish my shopping...and decorate my house...and wrap!  Happy Stamping!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Tag 10...


A quick post tonight to show you Tag #10...


My printer's tray is coming along beautifully!  I can't wait to show you the finished piece!  Enjoy the rest of the weekend...and Happy Stamping!

Tag 9...


I knew it!  I looked through Tim's catalog Thursday night wondering what he might use next and when I saw the Halloween candleabra I thought..."wouldn't that make a great Christmas candle."  And sure enough...Tim thought so, too!  Unfortunately, I don't have that die, but I made due with a great Penny Black stamp (Xmas Light) and for my background I used the Hero Arts Lotus Background stamp.  Also, on the candle, I used Ranger's White Enamel for the dripping wax effect.  This was another fun tag to create! 


Tag #10 is another stunner and I'm finalizing the details and should be able to post it later tonight.  I wonder what Tim will use next...only 2 to go!  I haven't seen him use the new Christmas Memories stamp set, so I think that might be around the corner.  Who knows?  But I can't wait!  Happy Stamping!!

Friday, December 9, 2011

Tag 8...


Okay, tag 8 is complete...and so is row #2!  The 12 Tags of Christmas has been so much fun!!  I'm looking forward to completing the final row!  Happy stamping!


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Tag 7...


Today's tag from Tim Holtz was amazing and so beautiful!  Here's my mini version for the printer's tray...


I also needed to make something for an upcoming gift swap, so I thought I would make a bigger version of today's tag.  But, instead of making a tag, I decided to create a canvas.  I love how it turned out, and now I'm not sure I can part with it! 



I created the design similar to Tim's tag, but on a piece of Natural Sticky Back Canvas, then I covered a 6" x 6" canvas.  Enjoy the remaining tag days...Happy Stamping!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Tag 6 & The Gifted Stamper Class...


When I saw Tim's tag this morning, my reaction was something like "oh...that's different."  I have to admit it wasn't immediately one of my favorites.  But I thought all day about how I would make my smaller version and when I got home I started on my tag.  IT'S NOW ONE OF MY FAVORITES!!  Wow!  You really need to see this in person...photos (Tim's, mine and everyone else's) just don't do this technique justice.  Adding the clear embossing powder makes the project...it looks just like enamel!  Very cool!!  Well...6 down and 6 to go...I can't wait!!


I'm also taking The Gifted Stamper Class taught by Julie Ebersole, available at EllenHutson.com.  Yesterday's project really caught my eye and I HAD to give it a try...I love how it came out and I'll be making lots more of these!  They're so easy.  If you have a chance, sign up for the class...Julie is creating some amazing projects!!


And here's my flower...

Monday, December 5, 2011

Tag 5...


Tim's tag is beautiful today!  I must say I struggle with this technique each year...but I gave it another shot.  Mine just never come out as clear as his.  Oh well...I'll keep trying.  I'm happy with the result, though! 


Oh...and I did make a substitution on this one.  I didn't have the regal crest die (I know, I know...can you believe there's a die I don't have????), so I used the Martha Stewart pine branch punch on green cardstock.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Tag 4...


I absolutely LOVE Tim's Day 4 tag!  It shouts winter and ice and it is stunning!  Here's my take on it, along with the 1st row of tags complete!  Can't wait for tomorrow!



Saturday, December 3, 2011

Fun Day!...and Tag 3...

I had a wonderful day today...and got to put creative talents to GREAT use!  I spent the day at a 3-hour calligraphy class taught by an amazing Calligraphy Artist - Adele Sanborn at The Craft Center. We learned some basic strokes and left with a finished piece.  Thanks, Adele!!


When I got home I spent a couple hours creating my tags for Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas...more fun!!


 
I created two regular sized tags as well as my mini tag for the printer's tray.  I can't wait to see what Tim is creating for day 4!


Okay...now I'm off to work on my Christmas cards.  See you tomorrow!!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Tag #2...


Another GREAT tag from Tim today!  Here's my version...


Have a crafty weekend!

The 12 Tags of Christmas Has Begun!!!


I am so excited that Tim Holtz has begun his 12 Tags of Christmas!!  I am completely amazed, inspired and in awe of his creations...and he peaks every year at this time!  This is the third year that I've tried my hand at the 12 Tags...usually I don't get to work on them until Christmas vacation.  I am going to try, however, to keep up with him this year...I'm not so sure it will work out...but we'll see!  Here's tag #1...


You'll notice that my tag isn't Tim's usual #8 size.  I had a 12-slot Artists Printer's Tray from 7 Gypsies, so I thought I would fill it with this year's tags. 


Also, I'm not going to list all the supplies used for my tags, since Tim lists them on his blog.  If I use something unusual, I'll let you know.  Hope you have fun creating along with Tim!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Studio L3 Grungy Monday Challenge #28...

I don't usually participate in challenges...just not enough time.  However, I was so inspired and awe-struck by Tim Holtz's pumpkin that he created for Ranger's Great Pumpkin Challenge, that when I saw the Grungy Monday Challenge #28 on Linda Ledbetter's blog (Studio L3), I just had to create something!  And...when I saw what the prize was, there was no question I was going to participate!  When Tim posted the projects from this year's cruise, his "artful journey journal" project really caught my eye.  I really enjoyed playing with this technique and creating my winter star...and I'm so thankful to Linda for the opportunity to enter to win Tim's autographed journal kit. 

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving...and I hope you enjoy the upcoming Holidays!!  Thanks for stopping by!



Supplies:  Paper - Foil Tape Sheets (Ranger); Dies - Star, 5 Point 3-D (Sizzix); Snow Flurries Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz Alterations/Sizzix); Ink - Bottle, Denim, Cranberry & Wild Plum Adirondack Alcohol Inks (Ranger); Dusty Concord & Seedless Preserves Distress Ink (Ranger); Other - Seam Binding Ribbon, Metal Snowflake (Making Memories), Glossy Accents.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Just a quick post to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!!  I am so thankful for my family, friends, job and my crafty time (just wish I had more of it!).  I saw this post by Tim Holtz and ran home to create my own rafter of turkeys.  They are so adorable!  I am so thankful that Tim is always willing to share his ideas.  :-)  Have a GREAT holiday weekend!!



Supplies:  Dies - Paper Rosette, Mini Paper Rosettes and Ticket Strip (Tim Holtz Alterations/Sizzix); Stamp - "Gobble" (Judith); Ink - Fired Brick, Walnut Stain and Gathered Twigs Distress Inks (Ranger); Paper - Kraft Cardstock (PaperTrey Ink), various patterned paper including Tim Holtz, My Minds Eye; Other - Sticky Back Canvas, Memo Pins.



Supplies:  Cardstock - Royal Velvet and Vintage Cream (PaperTrey Ink); Stamp - Tim Holtz (Stampers Anonymous); Ink - Gathered Twigs, Seedless Preserves, Forest Moss, Ripe Persimmon and Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks (Ranger); Other - Perfect Pearls Mist, Olive Ribbon (Stampin' Up!).

Monday, November 14, 2011

Warm Winter Wishes...


A quick card for today's HCBC challenge...Enjoy!


Supplies:  Cardstock - Pinefeather (PaperTrey Ink), Lost & Found Christmas (My Mind's Eye), Ivory Parchment (Southworth); Stamps - Warm Winter Wishes (A Muse); Inks - Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain & Pine Needles Distress Inks (Ranger); Dies - Big Scalloped Circles and Circles (Spellbinders), Beautiful Blooms II #1 (PaperTrey Ink), Tattered Banners (Tim Holtz Alterations/Sizzix); Embellishments - Pinecone Stencil (Dreamweaver); Gold Uniball Pen; Pearls; Copic Marker YR14; Fabric Scraps (Basic Grey); Perfect Pearls Mist.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Fun with Pinecones...


Here's another card I put together today for the Holiday Card Boot Camp.  I've been wanting to play with the new Tim Holtz Tattered Pinecone die.  It was a bit challenging, but I don't think these are too bad for my first attempts.


Supplies:  Cardstock - Basic White, Ripe Avacado & Pure Poppy (PaperTrey Ink), Gold Christmas Foil (American Crafts); Dies - Tattered Pinecone and Tag & Bookplates (Tim Holtz Alterations/Sizzix), Stars (Spellbinders); Inks - Tattered Twigs Distress Ink (Ranger), Rich Cocoa Memento (Tsukineko); Embellishments - Sheet Music Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz Alterations/Sizzix), Rock Candy Stickles (Ranger), Music Tape (Tim Holtz), Gold Ribbon (PaperTrey Ink), Gold Twine.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Holiday Greetings...

I had a chance to play some more today and created another card based on a Jennifer McGuire card from Holiday Card Boot Camp.  Using Jennifer's ideas and this technique from Tammy Tutterow, I created this fun card.  Thanks for stopping by!


Supplies:  Cardstock - Basic White (PaperTrey Ink), Soft Sky (Stampin' Up!), Cold Press Watercolor Paper (Strathmore); Ink - Broken China, Faded Jeans, Dusty Concord Distress Inks (Ranger), Royal Purple StazOn (Tsukineko); Stamps - Greetings (Wonderful Words Holiday Set, PaperTrey Ink); Dies - Holiday (PaperTrey Ink); Other/Embellishments - Snow Flurries Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz Alterations/Sizzix), Plum Pudding Ribbon (PaperTrey Ink), Perfect Pearls Mist, Rock Candy Crackle & Stickles (Ranger).

Fun with Holiday Card Boot Camp...

I am taking another great online class with Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner called Holiday Card Boot Camp.  It's two weeks filled with great ideas to inspire holiday card making and week 1 was off to an amazing start!  It's been a busy week, so I haven't been able to create cards every day, but I finally created one last night incorporating some of this week's ideas...enjoy!


Supplies:  Paper - Kraft, Basic White and Ripe Avacado (PaperTrey Ink), Grungepaper (Tim Holtz/Advantus), Lost & Found Christmas (My Minds Eye), White Glitter Paper (Doodlebug Design,Inc.); Stamps - Sentiment (Tree Trimming Trio Set, PaperTrey Ink), Holly Wheel (Stampin' Up!); Dies - Ornament & Noel Movers & Shapers (Tim Holtz Alterations/Sizzix); Ink - Jet Black Archival (Ranger), Versamark Dazzle Frost (Tsukineko), Picket Fence & Barn Door Red Distress Stain (Ranger); Embellishments - Clear Button (Stampin' Up!), Christmas Doodle Twine (Doodlebug Design, Inc.), White Signo Pen (UniBall)

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Kiwanis Fundraiser Gifts...

The Kiwanis Club - who raises funds to disperse to children's charities, and of which I'm a member - is having a fundraiser tomorrow night.  Here are a couple of gifts I made for the lucky bucket raffle.  Hope the winners enjoy!



Supplies:  Stamp & Die - Memory Box; Copic Markers; Perfect Pearls Mist; Thick Gesso; Acrylic Paints; 5 x 7 Canvas Board; Ribbon (PaperTrey Ink); Gold Stickles.




Supplies:  Background Stamp (Stampendous), Sentiment (Hero Arts); Wine Bottle Die (PaperTrey Ink); Cardstock (PaperTrey Ink); Copic Markers; Brown Kraft Wine Bottle Box; Tissue Paper and Matte Glue and Seal (Ranger).