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!!

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!

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!

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!!

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!

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!

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...

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.

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!

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!!

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!