Cheers

Currently I’m on a mission to play with as many tags as possible and also to use as many pieces from my scrap boxes in the layouts as I can.  Pure artsy gold resides in those boxes and I’d be a fool to not take advantage of this treasure trove of collected creativity . . .

 

This project began with a large tag I’d experimented on several years ago.  The results were a disaster involving three murky colors and a fling with clear embossing paste.  The solution was to cover up as much of the mayhem as possible while leaving a little of the only part worth saving:  the Celtic background script. 

 

Then I experimented with letting a bit of the original background show through some leafy cut outs.  A few added crystal raindrops and I called it done.  It’s not my finest creation but at least I can look at it without shrieking.  Hopefully, the same is true of my recipient . . .

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Kachina, Inkssential Tags Craft, Scrap Black,

Silver embossed Black      

Stamps:       Judikins Celtic Background

Inks:             Superior India Ink Black, Distress Weathered Wood

Colorants:    Ink Sprays Purple, Green, Blue

Dies:            Tim Holtz Cut Out Leaves, Lychee Flower Stitched

Circles, TKOnline Celebration Set: Cheers                  

Doo Dads:    Kat Scrappiness Sparkling Clear Droplets         

Bloom

I think I’m at the beginning of a tag jag.  It’s so easy to fall in love with tags . . . fun to find out that such a small space can support an amazing amount of creativity.  Their versatility is every bit as great as that of conventionally-sized cards.  In my mind, tags are the cardstock equivalent of tiny powder rooms where all of the normal decorating rules of size and proportion can be broken to greatly charming effect . . . 

All that having been said, this tag did not turn out at all like I imagined it would.  Still, I like the results anyway.  I even learned a new work-around to use when things go sideways, so that’s always a great step ahead.  More tags to come, so get ready . . .

 

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Foamiran, Scraps Black, White    

Stamps:       Alias Smith & Rowe Flowers/Swirls Background, Waffle

Flower Script Texture, Waffle Flower Script Texture, 

Zettiology Journey

Inks:             Concord & 9th White, Superior India Ink Black

Emb Pwdr:   Hero White

Dies:            DieNamics Traditional Tags Stax, Spellbinders Floral

Berry Accents, TEMU Braided Frame Strips, Frantic Stamper “Bloom”         

Doo Dads:    Checked ribbon, Black plastic buttons    

Hugs

Not really sure if this layout works, but I had fun with it anyway . . . 

This one goes to my newly-15 year old friend Justin who is happy when anyone makes a little fuss over his birthday . . .

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Light Denim, Strathmore Bright White, 

Marcos Jute         

Stamps:       Impression Obsession Bark

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky,

Weathered Wood

Colorants:    Inktense Pencils Dark Aquamarine, Peacock Blue

Dies:            Lil Inker Stitched Mats Rectangles, DieNamics 

Traditional Tags Stax, Impression Obsession Large

Fence, Bird, TEMU Sentimental Shadow Words: Hugs         

Stencil:        The Crafters Workshop Mini Art Is . . .

Doo Dads:    Suze Weinberg Whipped Paper, American Crafts

Jute Dark Blue     

The Journey

This is the second tag-themed card I’ve retrieved from my pre-made card stash . . .

As before, I made this one at a stamping EXPO Make and Take, so I’ve had to guess at some of the materials list as I don’t own the stamps.  But I love this composition and am grateful to the many vendors at these shows for offering such inspirational opportunities via their Make and Takes.

Cardstock:         Bazzill Horizon, Manila Tag

Stamps:                 All by Stampers Anonymous

Inks:                       Possibly Distress Black Soot, Speckled Egg, Vintage Photo

Doo Dads:              Tim Holtz Arrows and Gear Wheel, Grosgrain ribbon

Your Special Day

A busy Spring and various unplanned challenges have put me behind with my blog as well as with my card preparations for submission to our annual NJ Fair.  So with Time breathing down my neck, I’ve dipped into my previously made card stash to come up with this posting and the next one . . . 

Both cards were made at EXPO Make and Takes, so my Materials List is rather short as I don’t own these stamps and don’t remember their names.  Manila tags are the focal points for each of these cards and this has rekindled my long time love affair with tags and all of their infinite creative possibilities.  I expect to have me some fun in using them for more cards in the near future.

Cardstock:         Neenah Desert Storm, Scraps Black, Manila Tag

Stamps:                 Unknown

Inks:                       Superior India Ink Black

Doo Dads:              Black grosgrain ribbon, Crystal   

Hudson

The loss of a beloved pet who has been a member of the family for over eighteen years is especially hard . . .

As the beloved pet of my priest and his wife, Hudson led a blessed life indeed.  He is now home with his Creator . . . happy and healthy.  Hope I get to meet him when it’s my turn to go Home one day . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Scraps: Brown, Black, Red

Stamps:       Impression Obsession Bark, Our Daily Bread Never

Forgotten, Simon Says Pawprints On Our Hearts, 

Unknown Tiny Pawprints

Inks:             Hero Soft Brown, Superior India Ink Black, Gina K 

Charcoal Brown

Colorants:    Tombow Red, Orange, Purple, Zig Greek Isle, Memento 

Cantaloupe

Dies:            Gina K Master Layouts 20, Scastoe Door Window Set

(Flower Box), CoolifWang Door Window Set, Impression

Obsession Cat Set, Memory Box Alphabet Soup, 

DieVersions A Hint of Lime  

God Bless America!

 My Postage Collage collection gets another workout . . .

 

Hard to find a more eye-catching color combination than red, white, and blue . . .

To all of my American readers, I wish for you and your families to have

a GLORIOUS Fourth!

 

Cardstock:   Scrap: Navy Blue, Bazzill Classic Red, Strathmore 

#100 Bristol Smooth        

Stamps:       Waffle Flower Postage Collage “Postoids”, Our Daily

Bread God Bless America

Inks:             ColorBox Frost White, VersaFine Majestic Blue, 

Brilliance Rocket Red, VersaMark

Emb Pwdr:   Hero White, All Night Media Silver

Dies:             DieNamics Sentiment Strips, Waffle Flower Postage

Collage, Postage Collage Blocks            

Stencil:         Waffle Flower Postage Collage: 4^th of July