Sunday, December 12, 2010

The 12 Tags of Christmas -- Day 12


If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.



                                                                                                                    Dr. Seuss

And the above sums up my feelings about the 12 tags.  If you haven't tried one, what are you waiting for?  Fun is good.

Before I get into today's tag, let me take a moment to announce that
I AM A WINNER!!!!  My comment on Tim's blog yesterday was one of those chosen today to receive a prize.  Color me tickled pink.  Just having the tags for inspiration is reward enough, but who doesn't love seeing their name in print (on the master's blog, no less).

I was thrilled to see that not only did Tim use movers and shapers dies today, but he even threw in a video.  I've had a few of these type dies for a while, and though I understand the concept of how they work, I don't think I ever knew all they could do until today.  So, another big thank you to Tim.

Another great technique was the coloring of grunge with ink direct from the pad and then painting over it with rock candy distress crackle.  Awesome!  Very hard, shiny, glass-like finish.  (NOTE:  Tim used grungeboard to cut his ornament.  I used grungepaper.  It worked out OK, but it dried totally wonky and I had to flatten it out under some heavy books.  Just wanted to let you know in case you use grungepaper too.)

Of course, I changed up some things on my tag.  Click here to visit Tim's blog and see the gorgeous ones (yep, he went ahead and did more than one tag today) he did.


I did use the same ornament and word insert as Tim, but instead of red, I did the ink/crackle technique in green (pine needles).  And I added some beads to the tip because....beads are fun. And fun is good.  I chose a different background paper from the seasonal stack.  I auditioned several by holding the ornament over them, and the word joy showed up best over the music.

Instead of the December calendar Tim put on the bottom, I went with some tickets.  The one on the top is a stamp; the ones under it are salvage stickers.  All were distressed on the edges and inked with walnut stain.  I held them together with a hinge clip, which was fastened to the tag with a brad.  Tim put some tiny acorns over the calendar.  I tried that, didn't like the way they looked with my tickets.  Then I remembered (now, why couldn't I recall this on the days when Tim used tinsel???) that I had a wee bit of vintage tinsel from my recent Absolutely Everything order.  I snipped off a little and I think it works well peeking out from behind the tickets.

Any other differences?  Well, instead of using a hook made from wire for the top of the ornament (my wire isn't very thick and the hook I made just looked flimsy to me), I used that swirly embellishment that just happened to be on my work table.

For my Wendified tag, I concentrated on the techniques and came up with this un-Christmas piece (which photographed a little out of focus):



I used the baroque movers and shapers die, and a heart insert I had (not a Tim product).  Behind the heart is a Wendy saying, stamped over a Wendy background.  I glued some red ball chain around the heart and love the way that looks.

The flower is grungepaper cut from Tim's tattered florals die and inked with worn lipstick and pumice stone then stamped with a variety of Wendy's backgrounds.

Hanging from the ribbon are a bunch of danglies I made.  Speaking of which.....I never buy beads any more (unless I'm in a store and fall in love); I've just put the word out to friends, family, and neighbors that they should direct all their old, unwanted, broken and even ugly costume jewelry to me.  There is always at least one element, often more, on each piece that I can salvage and use.  Every bead in the danglies I made came from such donations.

So, what do you think I'll do tomorrow morning?  Find another project immediately, or go through Tim-tag withdrawal? 

27 comments:

2amscrapper said...

You will find another project immediately or I'll be going thru withdrawals from not checking in to see your great work.

Inge said...

What will you do tomorrow ?

Getting a depression ? ... have a complete night of sleep ? LOL

Wow, you amaze me getting all the tags done in 12 days ànd making them your own ànd making a Tim ànd a Wendy style !

Great tags again : The green is as lovely as the red of Tim and thanks for mentioning the curling grungepaper using this technique !
Great idea to ask family and friends for their broken beadstuff. I think I'll do that at my work !

The bead on the bottom of the christmasball is a good idea ( so you know when you see the same in mine, where my idea came from...).
I also like the idea of using the ticket : I don't have the calendar, but I do have the tickets !

I like how you made the Wendy tag : I like the ornamentdie with the heart. This works great with the technique.

Well girl, you've done a terrific job the past days, but you are, with reason, some of the people I like to visit :)

Thanks for your comment on my blog ! Nice to read you have like me, been a teacher, but you also worked with children with special needs !
You see, we have lots in common !

greetings from Belgium
Inge

Helen said...

I love these tags too - the green JOY is amazing.
I think tomorrow - and I agree with Inge - you may get a full night's sleep, lol - you'll get straight back in there!

Vic said...

You finished with a BANG!! Both tags a wonderful. I was so glad you won on Tim's blog. When I saw it (right after the posting) I'd hoped you'd wake up and check! LOL

Art By Wanda said...

Eileen, I have enjoyed all of your tags the last 12 days!!!! Your Wendy tag here with the heart is awesome!!! Congrats on your win on Tim's blog!!!

Jason said...

Great Tags and congrats on your win!

~Jason

Alicia B said...

Eileen I am SO sorry to see the end of the 12 Days of Tags arrive. I have so enjoyed seeing YOUR touch on these tags, but I know you will find another project and jump right in as usual! *Hugs* and Merry Christmas!

Tammy D said...

Love the tags especially the Wendy one! I'm sure you find a new project to start in no time flat.

Netty said...

wow congratulations on winning. Your tag is gorgeous. Annette x

Sue Young said...

OMG!!!LUCKY LUCKY you!!!!!!!!!!!WWHOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!!!

Karen said...

Great tags again, and congrats on winning :)

Anonymous said...

Your tags are fantatic.... I really loved seeing them everyday....
Congrats on your win

Kathy Eddy said...

Amazing tags Eileen! I am so happy that you won, yet again! I am rooting for you to be one of the big winners on Monday too! I have to get back to my studio and try to knock out today's tag. Done moving snow around after the 16 inches we got yesterday! Yuck!

Unknown said...

wonderful work!

Anonymous said...

Wahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo GIRL!!!! Congrats!!!!!! I'm excited for you that you won!!!!! And your tags are AWESOME!!!

slbt17 said...

Congratulations on your win - and thanks for 12 days of inspiration!
Sandra

Lori said...

Wonderful tags, love how you did the Wendy tag. That Dr. Seuss saying is right on, lol... Oh, come on now, don't you have some journals that need pages? I think you might...

Diann said...

I am going to miss your take on Tim's tags...I've enjoyed coming each day to share in your ART...You really did an outstanding job! Congratulations on being a winner on Tim's blog..it does pay to comment! Even though you went away from the Christmas theme, your Wendy inspired tag is beautiful also. I'll be back to check out a new ART project from you! Diann

Jennifer R.D. said...

Hi Eileen!
Your tags are beyond fabulous!
Congrats on winning th prize drawing!
You rock!
Jen

Kathy2eggs said...

So cool Eileen....and great that you won...it's fun just to see your name on the master's blog...I hope to finish up the tags..

Jana said...

Your tags are gorgeous. I love your take on Tim's designs.

Congrats on winning some goodies from Tim.

I giggled a bit when I read that you audition your paper. I do the same, AND use the same term for it. Great minds....

Elena said...

LOVE IT!!! I especially love your "Wendified" tag!! I am so proud of you!!! You did them all!!! I have not done ONE OF THEM. UGGHHH!

You rock my friend!

SusanK said...

Super job! I think we'll all be in a bit of a funk with no Tim tags to do...we could do more Wendy ones. But maybe we all need a break to be creative on our own and prepare for the holidays.

Unknown said...

I was so excited for you when I saw your name on Tim's blog! You are so dedicated to your art, and what better time of year for you to be chosen (not once, but twice!), but in December ... your birthday month! I loved viewing all your tags, and not only am I going to miss Tim's, but I'm going to miss yours too. Oh, and thanks for the heads up about the crackle on the grunge paper ... I was planning on using that myself.

Unknown said...

I just had a brainstorm ... we should now get a new series to begin ... "Eileen's 12 Tags of Christmas" ... whatdaya say? lol

Heidi Bound said...

I love both of the tags! I can't wait to try the new technique that was used on the ornament. SO cool! We need a craft night SOON of wine, laughs and ink!

scrappin-scrappin said...

Eileen, all your tags are gorgeous!!! Just don't know how you did it making two sets of tags each day and keeping up!! Amazing!!
I only got 3 of the tags done and working on a 4th. lol