Friday 8 November 2013

Christmas Inspiration


     I had to make these tags this week...I was totally inspired by my sister-in-law Alison (butterfly) who is a Guest Designer for PaperArtsy at the moment.

     I adored the tags she made - I have always been inspired by her work, and I loved how detailed the step-by-step was. I have been very fortunate in that I have been taught a few techniques by her and I can tell you she isn't just an amazing artist, she is a superb teacher too!

      I didn't have the arches that she used, but I decided to make a version of the tags using the same techniques. I have always felt that this kind of layering was too complicated to attempt and I always found it a bit intimidating. I was amazed when I saw the instructions how simple it was - and how effective a background it can be.....and it is lovely just experimenting with it all....

     I wanted to do a Christmas theme - because I am so caught up in Christmas already!!!



   I cut some tags from mount board to make a sturdy base, but I worked on card - to be stuck onto the mount board afterwards.

     I had the Harlequin stencil and dabbed Blood Orange and French Roast Fresco onto the tag. I then placed the second tag on top to get a reverse print. I adore this effect and will do this more often!







I then blended Fired Brick and Peeled Paint DI over the card......
  
Love the spritz and flick....such an effective technique yet so simple to do....


     Then to add the stamps...feeling a bit nervous, I felt sure I would ruin it by layering - but Alison's instructions gave me confidence to go for it. I used Picket Fence DP and used several Christmas stamps. The paint doesn't show up very brightly but I liked the faded white, barely there images. It is lovely that you can still see the background, yet the detail from the stamps is there....


     To add some contrast I used Potting Soil Archival ink and used several more Christmas stamps this time adding words and flourishes.





















      I finished the stamping with my usual favourite script stamp which I seem addicted to!...

 
......and a bit of Vintage Photo DI around the edges of the tag just to add a bit more of a shabby look.


     Because I didn't have the arches, I decided to use some more Christmas stamps to decorate the tag. I covered some card with Antique Linen DI and edged it with Frayed Burlap DI. I then stamped some Christmas words in Potting Soil Archival ink and then layered the card on white card.



     I used some Christmas die cuts coloured with Distress inks, buttons and twine to add a lovely rustic festive decoration.

    The tags were finished off with loops of twine to hang them up.....






     And now I just have to wait until Christmas before I put them up on show!

   

                   Thanks so much for being here - Hope to see you again soon!

                 



I would like to enter this in the following challenge -

PaperArtsy


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10 comments:

  1. Oh how lucky to be a part of Alison's world! You have done a fabulous job on these two tags. I would never have guessed you had not this many times over. Bravo!

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  2. These are so lovely and warm and festive, Laura, I can imagine that Alison would be a great teacher, as her posts are always so inspiring, yet reassuring too! They leave you feeling you would love to 'have a go' at the techniques she describes so clearly. These will add such Christmas warmth when you decorate your home with them. Like Yvonne, I feel these work so well I can't believe you never did something like this before: your work is always fabulous. Julie Ann xx

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  3. These tags are absolutely beautiful Laura! I love the juiciness of the colours and the whimsical feel of the whites. Gorgeous! xx

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  4. These are beautiful Laura. Love the richness and all the layers.
    If Alison takes up teaching, be sure to let me know.
    Hugs
    xx

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  5. Beautiful tags, Laura, love the colours
    Rosie x

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  6. Wow these are awesome, lucky you having a great teacher in the family. These are so beautiful, such depth in the layers and all the details. Really fabulous.

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  7. how lucky you are having such a great teacher, Alison's posts are always so detailed and easy to follow. These are tags are just amazing, the colours are very brave and work brilliantly together. You're also very talented !x

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  8. Oh I'm so glad Alison did inspire you and half of blog land :).. Oh my goodness these two tags are GORGEOUSSSSSS, the colors, the texture, the stamping, everything is FANTASTIC, you honor Miss Alison with these tags, and inspire me too, I'm going to make tags for Christmas instead of cards, my claws are itching to get at them . Thanks for sharing you superb work and inspiration, hope you have a wonderful weekend..

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  9. I absolutely love the colours on these, and the layers work so beautifully to give depth and detail. So happy you were inspired to join in this week... and it's easy to be a good teacher with a student as apt as you!!
    Alison xx

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